Generative AI in Video Games: One More Gaming Startup Uses Artificial Intelligence to Transform NPC Interactions

Nurturing hope and leadership among Gaza’s young people

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United Nations News

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31 August 2024

Nurturing hope and leadership among Gaza’s young people

A volunteer with Sharek Youth Forum, a local non-governmental organization (NGO) in war-torn Gaza, Ms. Al Shamali has currently been displaced for the ninth time and lives in a crowded refugee camp as the conflict with Israel enters its 10th month.

Before the latest eruption of violence, she ran her own media and graphic design company, where she honed the leadership skills she is now teaching to hundreds of her fellow Gazans.

“I was motivated to alleviate the suffering of Gaza’s citizens,” she said.

Amid the continued forced displacement and destruction in Gaza, children are being provided with crucial psychosocial support.

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‘Young people embody the soul and energy of our country’

“I want to show the world that no circumstances will extinguish the lifeline of hope for our young people,” she explained.

Ms. Al Shamali and her colleagues are providing practical support, from educational programmes to distributing safe water in displacement camps and cultivating a spirit of solidarity among Gaza’s youth.

She described her experience as a volunteer as “transformative,” explaining that it has helped her to navigate crises, strengthened her resilience and confirmed her belief in the potential of future generations “because young people embody the soul and energy of our country”.

Children in Gaza hold lanterns to celebrate the advent of Ramadan in March. (file)

Catalysts for change

Some 1.9 million people are currently displaced in Gaza, many of them already multiple times. Most are living in temporary, insecure and unsanitary shelters, vastly increasing their exposure to diseases and gender-based violence, yet with scarce access to even the most basic health care.

A youth programme launched in December 2023 with support from the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA, has so far engaged almost 1,000 volunteers to assist more than 90,000 young people across Gaza.

One million children in Gaza now require psychological support.

Funded by Education Above All, the initiative offers psychological counselling, stress relief activities, support for survivors of gender-based violence and essential supplies and advice during public health campaigns.

Such efforts are essential not only to meet the immediate psychosocial needs of young people, but also to equip youth affected by conflict and trauma with skills to rebuild a more peaceful future. Studies from conflict- and post-conflict settings show that support programmes led by peers and survivors can significantly improve the health and wellbeing of women and young people who are vulnerable to violence.

“The most valuable investment lies in empowering them as the owners of their ideas, initiatives and projects,” Ms. Al Shamali said. “They can find solutions to society’s challenges as leaders, innovators and as our future.”

The volunteers have also distributed essential menstrual hygiene and sanitary supplies to women and girls, rebuilt classrooms and installed bathrooms and solar panels in displacement camps.

Ahmed Halabi was born and raised in Gaza City and now volunteers with local NGO and UNFPA partner Save Youth Future Society.

Youth resilience amid war in Gaza

“Children are experiencing what I endured in my youth: pain, siege and war,” said Ahmed Halabi. “No child should suffer like this.”

Mr. Halabi, 26, was born and raised in Gaza City and now volunteers with local NGO and UNFPA partner Save Youth Future Society. He channels his own childhood experience living under Israeli occupation into designing youth-led initiatives that provide psychological support primarily for children, teenagers and women.

Psychological services are critical in Gaza, where one million children now require this support. Reports of gender-based violence are rising in Gaza City and the north as services shutter and staff are forced to flee constant attacks and insecurity.

One initiative encourages young men and boys to assume positive gender roles in their families and lessen their stress and anger by playing such sports as football. Doctors also dress up as clowns to visit children and provide first aid while local NGOs the Charity Fund and Eid Lantern distribute gifts and lanterns for Eid, a commitment to restoring some sense of normality amid the chaos of war.

“We saw the happiness among the children, the laughter as if a spark of hope had returned to their eyes,” he said. “The parents too would watch their children with smiles and joy.”

What began with 10 volunteers assisting 50 children has now expanded to 40 volunteers reaching over 300.

Ahmed Halabi uses his own childhood experience living under Israeli occupation to design youth-led initiatives that provide psychological support for children, teenagers and women.

A safe space for the future

Extraordinary challenges remain, namely a lack of fuel, exorbitant rental and operational costs and a severe lack of supplies.

To help plug these gaps, UNFPA is supporting six safe spaces in displacement camps in Gaza City and northern Gaza, which provide psychosocial support, sexual and reproductive health care, referrals for legal services and essential hygiene kits. Youth volunteers at these spaces engage other young people in arts and crafts, sport, singing, theatre and games.

Although themselves traumatised by the suffering of their families, friends and fellow Gazans, those working in these roles are carrying on, relentless in their dedication.

“If you ask me about my biggest gains from this volunteering,” Mr. Halabi said, “I would say everything I have been able to provide to the displaced children of my city.”

Critical Oversight: ODIHR Prepares for Local Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Newsdesk

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30 August 2024

The Latin Bridge Over the River Miljacka in Saravejo, Bosnia and Herzegovina — Photo by papatyayameftun on Pexels

SARAJEVO, 30 August 2024 – In a critical step toward upholding democratic standards, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has officially opened an election observation mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the upcoming local elections scheduled for 6 October 2024. This initiative follows an official invitation from the national authorities and the results of a needs assessment mission conducted in May.

Heading the mission is Corien Jonker, who will lead a core team of 11 international experts based in Sarajevo. In addition, the mission will deploy 20 long-term observers throughout the country starting on 6 September. To bolster the observation efforts further, ODIHR plans to request an additional 300 short-term observers, who are expected to arrive several days prior to election day.

The primary objective of the mission is to assess the elections’ compliance with OSCE commitments, international obligations, and standards for democratic elections, as well as with the national legislation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Observers will meticulously monitor key aspects of the electoral process, which includes both offline and online campaign activities, the performance of the election administration at all levels, the implementation of election legislation, and the overall respect for fundamental freedoms.

A significant focus will also be placed on evaluating the work of public and private media during the election period and monitoring the resolution of any election disputes that may arise. Additionally, observers will assess the implementation of previous ODIHR recommendations related to electoral processes in the region.

Integral to the observation mission is the engagement with a diverse array of stakeholders. This includes meetings with national authorities, representatives of political parties, civil society organizations, media entities, and members of the international community. Such interactions will provide vital insights into the electoral environment and the challenges faced during the election period.

To keep the public informed, the ODIHR will release an interim report approximately two weeks before the elections, detailing the mission’s observations and activities up until that point. Following the elections, a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions will be presented at a press conference the day after the polling. A comprehensive final report assessing the entire election process, complete with recommendations for future improvements, will be published in the months following the elections.

As Bosnia and Herzegovina approaches these crucial local elections, the ODIHR’s commitment to monitoring and assessing the democratic process underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in fostering a robust electoral environment.

China: UN rights office reiterates need to review national security framework

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United Nations News

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30 August 2024

China: UN rights office reiterates need to review national security framework

The 31 August 2022 report stated that violations had taken place in the context of the Government’s assertion that it was targeting terrorists among the Uyghur minority with a counter-extremism strategy, involving the use of so-called Vocational Educational and Training Centres (VETCs), or re-education camps.

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Detailed exchanges and dialogue

In an update to reporters, OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and his Office have had detailed exchanges with the Government of China on critical issues.

Topics included counter-terrorism laws and policies, criminal justice, and other policies of concern that impact the human rights of ethnic and religious minorities, including in Xinjiang and the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Equality and non-discrimination, as well as national security and human rights concerns in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region were also addressed.

Ms. Shamdasani highlighted that a UN human rights team had visited China in June and engaged in dialogue with the authorities, specifically on counter-terrorism policies and the criminal justice system.

Review laws, investigate allegations

“In particular, on Xinjiang, we understand that many problematic laws and policies remain in place, and we have called again on the authorities to undertake a full review, from the human rights perspective, of the legal framework governing national security and counter-terrorism and to strengthen the protection of minorities against discrimination. Allegations of human rights violations, including torture, need to be fully investigated,” she said.

OHCHR hopes to continue active engagement with the Chinese Government, as well as civil society, “to seek tangible progress in the protection of human rights for all in China,” she added.

The Office also continues to closely follow the current human rights situation in the country “despite the difficulties posed by limited access to information and the fear of reprisals against individuals who engage with the United Nations.”

“We have continued to raise with the Government individual cases of particular concern, calling on the authorities to take prompt steps to release all individuals arbitrarily deprived of their liberty, and to clarify the status and whereabouts of those whose families have been seeking information about them,” she said.

Commitment to engage

Meanwhile, advocacy continues in connection with China’s implementation of these and other recommendations by OHCHR and other human rights mechanisms.

Ms. Shamdasani concluded by saying the UN human rights chief Volker Türk “is committed to sustained engagement with the Government of China and to advocating on behalf of victims – always guided by the goal of helping improve human rights protections for the people on the ground.”

Meta Abandons Plans for High-End Mixed-Reality Headset, Focusing on Affordable Options

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Newsdesk

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29 August 2024

Meta Abandons Plans for High-End Mixed-Reality Headset, Focusing on Affordable Options

Meta Platforms has scrapped its plans for a premium mixed-reality headset, La Jolla, which was intended to compete with Apple’s Vision Pro. The decision was made after a product review meeting, where the company’s Reality Labs division was instructed to cease work on the device.

Metaverse. Illustrative photo. Image credit: cottonbro studio via pexels.com, free license

The headset codenamed La Jolla was scheduled for release in 2027 and featured ultrahigh-resolution micro OLED screens, similar to those used in Vision Pros.

The cancellation of La Jolla comes as no surprise, given the struggles of Apple’s Vision Pro, which has failed to gain traction due to its hefty $3,500 price tag. Meta’s Reality Labs division has incurred significant losses, but CEO Mark Zuckerberg remains committed to the future of augmented and virtual reality technologies.

Instead, Meta will focus on its existing line of Quest headsets, including the affordable Quest 2 ($200) and Quest 3 ($500). The company had previously discontinued the Quest Pro, its most expensive headset priced at $999, due to weak sales and poor reviews.

The cancellation of La Jolla highlights the challenges of developing high-end mixed-reality headsets. The technology is relatively still in its infancy, and consumers are hesitant to invest in expensive devices with limited functionality and limited software options. Meta’s decision to focus on affordable devices is a logical move from the commercial perspective, as it allows the company to reach a wider audience and generate revenue.

Written by Alius Noreika

The 21st Century and the Shame of Persistent Institutionalisation

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Newsdesk

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29 August 2024

In a moving speech delivered on 28 August at UN headquarters in Geneva, Dr Amalia Gamio, Vice-Chair of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, highlighted a worrying reality: the lack of implementation of deinstitutionalisation guidelines by member states.

Despite significant efforts by people with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities, their organisations, and various working groups, discrimination and human rights violations in institutions, specially psychiatric institutions, persist in the 21st century.

despite the adoption of these guidelines two years ago, virtually no state has taken concrete steps to implement them
Dr Amalia Gamio, Vice Chairperson of the UN Committee on the Rights of People with Disabilities

Dr Amalia Gamio stressed that, despite the adoption of these guidelines two years ago, virtually no state has taken concrete steps to implement them. In the reviews of state parties, it has been observed that measures contrary to articles 12, 14, 17 and 19 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are wrongly justified as protection for persons with disabilities.

This approach ignores the guidelines of article 14 and general comment number 5 for article 19, which promote non-discrimination, respect for dignity, equality and deinstitutionalisation.

to persist in institutionalisation is to perpetuate the medical model that ignores gender, age and, above all, dignity.
Dr. Amalia Gamio, Vice Chairperson of the UN Committee on the Rights of People with Disabilities

Institutionalisation perpetuates an outdated medical model that ignores personal dignity and autonomy, increasing the potential for violence and limiting legal options for restorative action. And in fact as proven numerous times and again, the right to live independently and be included in the community implies living outside of residential institutions, a principle that continues to be ignored.

Dr Gamio emphasised that all international human rights treaties uphold the right to liberty and non-discrimination. Failure to implement the guidelines not only violates these rights, but also impedes the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, she stated, affecting poverty eradication, gender equality and inclusive economic growth.

The call is clear: there is no more time to lose. Society cannot continue to allow the rights of persons with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities to be violated. “Every year that passes without implementing these guidelines is another year of injustice and discrimination where people keeps being forced or even tricked into psychiatric facilities with a hope of helps that too often turns into betrayal” said one of the attendees at the UN. The international community must act urgently to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are fully realised.

Why Namibia plans to kill over 700 wild animals

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29 August 2024

Namibia plans to cull 723 wild animals, including 83 elephants, and distribute the meat to people struggling to feed themselves due to a severe drought in South Africa, the environment ministry has ruled.

The culling will take place in parks and public areas where authorities believe the number of animals exceeds available pasture and water supplies. South Africa is facing its worst drought in decades, with Namibia depleting 84 percent of its food reserves last month, according to UN figures. Almost half of Namibia’s population is expected to experience hunger problems in the coming months.

With such a severe drought, human-wildlife conflicts are expected to increase if authorities do not intervene. “To this end, 83 elephants from identified conflict zones will be killed and the meat distributed to the drought relief programme,” it said in a statement.

The country also plans to cull 30 hippos and 60 buffalo, as well as 50 impala, 100 wildebeest, 300 zebra and 100 eland.

157 animals have already been captured by professional hunters and companies hired by the government, with more than 56,800 kilograms of meat harvested.

“This is necessary and in line with our constitutional mandate where our natural resources are used for the benefit of the citizens of Namibia,” Reuters quoted the environment ministry as saying.

More than 200,000 elephants are estimated to live in a protected area spread across five southern African countries – Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Angola and Namibia – making the region home to one of the largest elephant populations in the world.

Illustrative Photo by Vik Joshi: https://www.pexels.com/photo/hippopotamus-lying-near-the-river-8150826/

Bulgaria is selling dollar bonds for the first time in over 20 years

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29 August 2024

The caretaker government aims to cover 1.5 billion euros worth of bonds maturing next week

Bulgaria will offer US dollar-denominated bonds for the first time in 22 years as it tries to plug its budget deficit and pay off maturing debt amid a prolonged political crisis, Bloomberg reports.

The country will offer 12-year dollar-denominated securities as well as euro-denominated bonds with maturities of 8 and 20 years in a deal that can be priced as early as today (August 28), the agency noted, citing to a familiar source. BNP Paribas, Citigroup, ING Groep NV and UniCredit are managing the deal.

Bulgaria is gearing up for another snap election in October, the seventh in three and a half years, as political parties have failed to form a stable majority coalition. The caretaker government appointed on Tuesday aims to cover 1.5 billion euros ($1.7 billion) in bonds maturing next week and finance a planned budget deficit of 3 percent of gross domestic product.

Initial price talks were about 165 basis points above the mid-swap for the 8-year euro-denominated bond, 220 b. p. above the midpoint for 20-year bonds in euro and 170 b. t. above the midpoint for 12-year dollar bonds, said the source, who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly.

The government can sell new debt for a total of 10 billion leva ($5.7 billion) in the next 4 months, according to this year’s budget, after already issuing 1.7 billion leva on the domestic market. Two previous governments this year did not tap into international markets.

Illustrative Photo by Karolina Kaboompics: https://www.pexels.com/photo/dollar-banknote-on-white-table-4386155/

Horses are much smarter than previously thought

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28 August 2024

Horses are much smarter than previously thought, scientists say, after research shows the animals do better than expected in a complex reward-based game, reported DPA.

The authors of the study, from Nottingham Trent University, UK, found that when they were denied a treat for not following the rules of the game, the horses were able to immediately change their strategies to get more rewards. This shows that animals have the ability to think and plan ahead, something previously thought to be beyond their ability.

Knowing how horses learn can help keepers train them more humanely and improve their welfare, the team adds. “Horses are not geniuses by nature, they are considered mediocre, but the present study shows that they are actually more advanced cognitively than we give them credit for,” write the authors of the study, published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science.

For the purposes of the study, the scientists set 20 horses a task consisting of three stages with gradually increasing complexity of the rules and the introduction of punishment. In the course of it, researchers have found that horses comply with the imposed rules in order to get a treat. The animals performed better than expected in the complex reward-based game, and when they were denied a treat for not following its rules, they were able to switch strategies immediately. According to the researchers, this suggests that the horses knew the rules of the game all along.

According to the scientists, the results of the study show that horses have the ability to form an internal model of the world around them to make decisions and make predictions – a technique known as model-based learning. Until now, this kind of training was thought to be too complex for horses because they have an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain associated with strategic thinking. According to scientists, horses use a different area of the brain to achieve a similar result.

Illustrative Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-horse-in-close-up-photography-1411709/

Secret Masonic tunnels in Warsaw discovered by archaeologists

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28 August 2024