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Djokovic, Alcaraz and Sinner in Australian Open round two, but Kyrgios out

Around The Globe - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 15:21
Aussie favourite Kyrgios says his first-round loss might be his last singles appearance in Melbourne.

100 days of siege in north Gaza

Around The Globe - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 15:06
5,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s 100-day siege of northern Gaza.

Who is Trump's pick to go after 'Big Tech'?

Technology - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 14:53
President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Federal Trade Commission has vowed to continue the agency's drive to break up Big Tech monopolies while adding a new focus: free speech. VOA's Matt Dibble has the story.

Why fire hydrants and water supply failed during Los Angeles wildfires

Around The Globe - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 14:45
The LA wildfires continue to burn, with Santa Ana winds set to intensify and challenges hampering rescue efforts.

Coaching ‘pods’ get mixed reaction from top players at Australian Open 2025

Around The Globe - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 14:27
New court-side seating allows players to communicate with coaches and other team members during the match.

Nigerian air raid targeting bandits mistakenly kills civilians

Around The Globe - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 14:04
Nigerian air force launches investigation after reports say at least 15 people killed in air attack in Zamfara State.

Death threats, interrogation: Why football referee Mahsa Ghorbani left Iran

Around The Globe - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 13:54
Ghorbani, a female Iranian international football referee, fled to Sweden after security threats and unfair treatment.

Syrian engineers disarm landmines planted by Assad regime

Around The Globe - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 13:52
Bomb disposal teams in Idlib are working to disarm landmines planted by the Assad regime.

Trump’s ‘all hell’ comments a threat to Hamas, says US VP-elect Vance

Around The Globe - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 13:40
JD Vance warns of consequences if Gaza captive deal does not happen, including knocking out 'final' Hamas battalions.

Why are California inmates deployed to help fight LA wildfires?

Around The Globe - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 13:37
Canada and Mexico have offered to deploy firefighters as US inmates join in efforts to put out LA's wildfires.

Russia ‘prepared for any scenario’ on Ukraine war as Trump presidency nears

Around The Globe - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 13:30
The US president-elect has promised to end the conflict in Ukraine but the Kremlin has not endorsed any tentative plans.

Biden administration unveils new rules for AI chip, model exports 

Technology - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 13:00
— The Biden administration announced Monday new restrictions on the export of the most advanced artificial intelligence chips and proprietary parameters used to govern the interactions of users with AI systems. The rule, which will undergo a 120-day period for public comments, comes in response to what administration officials described as a need to protect national security while also clarifying the rules under which companies in trusted partner countries could access the emerging technology in order to promote innovation. “Over the coming years, AI will become really ubiquitous in every business application in every industry around the world, with enormous potential for enhanced productivity and societal, healthcare and economic benefits,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told reporters. “That being said, as AI becomes more powerful, the risks to our national security become even more intense.” A senior administration official said the new rule will not include any restrictions on chip sales to Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom or the United States. Countries that are under U.S. arms embargoes are already subject to export restrictions on advanced AI chips, but a senior administration official said they will now be under restrictions for the transfer of the most powerful closed weight AI models. The weights in an AI model determine how it processes the inputs from a user and determines what to provide the user as a response, according to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. In a closed weight system, those parameters are secret, unlike with an open weight system in which users could see the settings the model is using to make its decisions. The majority of countries — those not included in the close partner or arms embargo lists — will not face licensing requirements for obtaining the equivalent of 1,700 of the most advanced AI chips currently available, nor for any less advanced chips. Companies in the United States and allied countries will not face restrictions in using the most powerful closed weight AI systems, provided they are stored under adequate security, a senior administration official said. “I think the key point I would underscore is that we identified really some of the closest security allies of the United States that have effectively implemented and have a well-documented record of upholding a robust AI technology protection regime, and generally have technology ecosystems that promote the use of AI and other advanced technologies consistent with our national security and foreign policy interests,” a senior administration official said.

Before and after images show destruction of LA fires

Around The Globe - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 12:22
A before and after video of a walking tour around the LA neighbourhood of Pacific Palisades shows the destruction caused

Lebanon President Joseph Aoun starts consultations for PM selection

Around The Globe - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 11:37
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and top ICJ judge Nawaf Salam seen as frontrunners.

Donald Trump and the Bitcoin rise

Around The Globe - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 11:08
Bitcoin rose to more than $100,000 in 2024. Donald Trump has been pro-crypto for some time. Did that influence its rise?

DR Congo says several towns recaptured from rebels, but fighting persists

Around The Globe - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 11:06
Despite recent military gains, eastern DRC remains mired in conflict, mainly as a result of the M23 rebellion.

Photos: India kicks off a huge Hindu festival, Maha Kumbh Mela

Around The Globe - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 10:53
Millions of Hindu devotees will gather for the Kumbh Mela festival, the largest religious congregation on earth.

Seoul says 300 North Korean soldiers killed, 2,700 wounded fighting Ukraine

Around The Globe - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 10:04
Casualties among North Koreans assisting Russia 'have surpassed 3,000', according to South Korea's intelligence agency.

Rehearsal and walkthrough for Donald Trump’s inauguration

Around The Globe - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 09:18
A rehearsal with stand-ins is held at the Capitol before the inauguration of US President-elect Trump.

Cummins, Hazlewood return as Australia name ICC Champions Trophy squad

Around The Globe - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 09:18
World champions Australia rely on experience and all-round abilities as they seek third Champions Trophy title.

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