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Europe, US urged to investigate the type of AI that powers systems like ChatGPT

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:30:54 GMT

LONDON (AP) — European Union consumer protection groups urged regulators on Tuesday to investigate the type of artificial intelligence underpinning systems like ChatGPT, citing risks that leave people vulnerable and the delay before the bloc’s groundbreaking AI regulations take effect.In a coordinated effort, 13 watchdog groups wrote to their national consumer, data protection, competition and product safety authorities warning them about a range of concerns around generative artificial intelligence. A transatlantic coalition of consumer groups also wrote to U.S. President Joe Biden asking him to take action to protect consumers from possible harms caused by generative AI. Europe has led the world in efforts to regulate artificial intelligence, which gained urgency with the rise of a new breed of artificial intelligence that gives AI chatbots like ChatGPT the power to generate text, images, video and audio that resemble human work. The EU is putting the finishing touches on the worl...

Billie Jean King recalls the meeting that launched the WTA women’s tennis tour 50 years ago

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:30:54 GMT

A half-century later, Billie Jean King thinks back on the landmark gathering of female tennis players at a London hotel shortly before they competed at Wimbledon and acknowledges she wasn’t sure how things would go that day.“I had no idea. Absolute toss-up. Because you never really know. What I did know was that certain players didn’t like what we were trying to do,” King said in an interview with The Associated Press. “And I did know it had to happen that day. Had to.”Wednesday marks the 50th anniversary of the meeting on June 21, 1973, at the Gloucester Hotel — about a mile south of Hyde Park in the heart of the British capital — where King and nearly 60 other players agreed to form what today is known as the Women’s Tennis Association or WTA. They paved the way for their sport, and women’s sports in general, to grow.A reunion at that same hotel on June 30 is planned, with King, a twice-inducted member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and an equal rights advocate, al...

CP NewsAlert: Amber Alert cancelled, P.E.I girl found safe, suspect arrested

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:30:54 GMT

EGLINGTON, P.E.I. — Prince Edward Island RCMP officials say the Amber Alert for a missing nine-year-old girl has been cancelled.A statement on Twitter says the young girl has been found safe and the man suspected of abducting her, Andrew Blaisdell, has been arrested.The Mounties also say they would like to thank the public for their assistance.The Canadian Press

Rescuers race against time to find missing sub bound for Titanic site

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:30:54 GMT

Rescuers in a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean raced against time early Tuesday to find a missing submersible carrying five people on a mission to document the wreckage of the Titanic, the iconic ocean liner that sank more than a century ago.The carbon-fiber submersible named the Titan, part of a mission by OceanGate Expeditions, carried a pilot, a renowned British adventurer, two members of an iconic Pakistani business family and another passenger. Authorities reported the vessel overdue Sunday night about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John’s, Newfoundland, according to Canada’s Joint Rescue Coordination Center.Every passing minute, however, puts the Titan’s crew at greater risk. The submersible had a 96-hour oxygen supply when it put to sea at roughly 6 a.m. Sunday, according to David Concannon, an adviser to OceanGate.“It is a remote area — and it is a challenge to conduct a search in that remote area,” said Rear Adm. John Mauger, a commander for the U.S. C...

P.E.I. Amber Alert cancelled, 9-year-old girl found safe and suspect arrested

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:30:54 GMT

EGLINGTON, P.E.I. — Prince Edward Island RCMP officials say the Amber Alert for a missing nine-year-old girl has been cancelled.A statement on Twitter says Jazlyn Blaisdell has been found safe and the man suspected of abducting her, Andrew Blaisdell, has been arrested.The Mounties also say they would like to thank the public for their assistance.This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2023.The Canadian Press

Man seriously hurt, suspect sought after downtown Toronto stabbing

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:30:54 GMT

Police are searching for a suspect after a man was stabbed in downtown Toronto on Monday night.It happened in the area of Yonge and Dundas streets around 8:30 p.m.The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries.The suspect fled the scene before officers arrived. He is described as six-feet tall and was last seen wearing a grey t-shirt and dark track pants.The investigation is ongoing.STABBING:Dundas St E & Gould St8:27 pm– reports of man stabbed– police o/s located victim– @TorontoMedics transporting victim to hospital with serious injuries– suspect: male, black, 6', grey t-shirt, dark track pants– ongoing investigation#GO1412440^sc— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) June 20, 2023

Tourism businesses in a ‘dire’ state, with debt mounting and demand meager: industry

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:30:54 GMT

The head of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada says businesses are struggling to stay afloat under a pile of debt and a dearth of overseas visitors.In a poll of tourism operators, some 45 per cent said they were likely or somewhat likely to shut down within three years unless the government steps in to adjust their loan conditions.“Unless there’s some change to the payback system and the payback requirements, they’re in danger of closing in the next three years,” said Beth Potter, CEO of the trade organization.“Everything from campgrounds to hotels to amusement parks to outdoor adventure,” Potter said.“Festival events oftentimes are run by non-profit organizations, and they’re really challenged right now in paying back these loans,” she said.“It’s dire.”Many businesses surveyed said they will not be able to make debt payments that are slated to come due in the next two years. The loans include those taken out through federal pandemic relie...

Safety probe launched into 40,000 Hyundais after reports of power loss

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:30:54 GMT

(The Hill) - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulators are looking into reports of power loss issues in Hyundai Ioniq 5 vehicles.The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) said it’s received 30 consumer complaints “alleging a loss of motive power” in 2022 Model Year Hyundai Ioniq 5 vehicles.Roughly 39,500 of the vehicles are estimated to be in the affected population, according to an ODI document.“Many consumers report a loud pop noise followed by a warning displayed in their dashboard and immediately experience a loss of motive power that ranges from a reduction to a complete loss of motive power,” ODI said in an update on the open investigation. ODI says it learned from Hyundai that the motive power failure is related to a charging system responsible for powering the hybrid vehicle and low voltage 12-volt batteries. “Preliminary review indicates over-current within the ICCU (Integrated Control Charing Unit) can damage transistors (FET) in t...

Record June heatwave remains with storms returning Wednesday

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:30:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A nearly unprecedented early-summer heatwave intensifies further on Tuesday with daily record-tying high temperatures of 106° expected in Austin and some of the hottest "feels like" temperatures on record. Our next chance of thunderstorms look to be Wednesday evening into the overnight as our ridge of high pressure backs slightly south and west of the area allowing for some slightly "cooler" temperature's as well. (Only a few degrees).Rain and storms will be possible Wednesday evening BLOG: If June is this hot, what comes in July? Extreme heat continuesSome of the hottest June temperatures on record are expected over the next week or more as a rare early summer heat wave refuses to loosen its grip. A rare Excessive Heat Warning is in effect areawide through 9 p.m. Wednesday for high temperatures over 100° and heat index values as hot as 120°. Though the National Weather Service does not keep official heat index records, our local office believes the heat index rec...

APA! to launch 24-hour fundraiser on social media

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:30:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A local animal shelter said Monday it will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at its programs over a 24-hour period in a fundraising effort. Austin Pets Alive! said its goal is to raise $53,000 from its fifth annual Raise-A-Day for APA!. That is the amount the nonprofit said it costs to cover one day of operations. The shelter said its social media feeds will be active starting at 11 a.m. Tuesday with vlog-style stories and three different live streams. The Crimson Chin (Courtesy: Austin Pets Alive!)The Crimson Chin (Courtesy: Austin Pets Alive!)You can donate on APA! webpage, Instagram or Facebook pages.