Samsung Electronics has launched its latest premium smartphones, the Galaxy S24 series, incorporating multiple artificial intelligence (AI) functions to compete with Apple. The move comes after Apple surpassed Samsung in 2023 smartphone shipments for the first time since 2010, primarily driven by strong demand for premium devices, a segment where Apple has a significant presence. In response to the changing landscape, Samsung is focusing on AI capabilities in its Galaxy S24 models to attract consumers. Among the AI functions featured in the new smartphones is the ability for simultaneous translation of foreign language phone calls, marking a notable advancement in…
Author: Editor Francis
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced its intention to prosecute defaulters in the forex market as part of efforts to address issues related to foreign exchange discrepancies in the country. Mrs. Sidi Ali, the Acting Director of Communication at the CBN, made this disclosure in a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja. Concerns have been raised about Nigeria’s nearly $7 billion in matured forex forwards, posing a significant worry for investors. To boost confidence in the foreign exchange markets, the CBN has committed to paying off these matured forex forwards. Sidi Ali revealed that the CBN had commissioned…
Following the tragic explosion that occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, the House of Representatives member representing Oluyole Federal Constituency, has called for a thorough investigation into the incident. The explosion, reportedly caused by illegal mining activities, resulted in multiple casualties, injuries, and extensive property damage. In a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Lekan Olusada, Akande-Sadipe expressed deep concern about the storage of explosives in a residential neighborhood and demanded the arrest of the suspected miners responsible for the explosion. The lawmaker emphasized the need to understand the causes of the incident…
DeepMind, the Google AI research lab, has introduced AlphaGeometry, a revolutionary AI system designed to solve challenging geometry problems with a proficiency comparable to an International Mathematical Olympiad gold medalist. The code for AlphaGeometry has been open-sourced, and the system is set to be launched on February 2. At the heart of AlphaGeometry’s capabilities is its adeptness at addressing 25 Olympiad-level geometry problems within the standard time limit, surpassing the previous state-of-the-art system that could handle only 10 such problems. DeepMind believes that solving these complex geometry problems is a crucial step toward developing deeper mathematical reasoning and advancing more…
Apple has unveiled a rich lineup of entertainment experiences for its upcoming mixed-reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro, set to hit the market on February 2. The headset is set to debut with an impressive array of features, including 150 3D movies, immersive films and series, Travel Mode functionality, and support for popular streaming services like Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video. Users of the Vision Pro will have the ability to download and stream content from a variety of platforms, including Disney+, ESPN, MLB, PGA Tour, Max, Discovery+, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Peacock, and others. The device is designed to…
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has announced plans to inaugurate a Special Intervention Squad (SIS) aimed at addressing the recent upsurge in kidnapping, violence, and other criminal activities perpetrated by bandits in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Upon its launch, the IGP stated that the Special Intervention Squad would be strategically deployed across all Area Councils within the nation’s capital to combat the rising menace of bloodthirsty bandits. In recent weeks, the FCT has witnessed a series of attacks and kidnappings carried out by armed gunmen, causing heightened concerns among residents. The surge in criminal activities prompted assurances…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly questioned the Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, in connection with an alleged N585.2 million fraud within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Sources within the anti-graft agency disclosed that the EFCC also summoned several staff members from the Ministry as part of its investigation into the suspected fraud. The inquiry is believed to be linked to the suspended Minister, Betta Edu. According to an insider, Madein faced extensive questioning at the EFCC’s headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, regarding the payment of N585.2 million in social intervention funds into…
In a notable diplomatic encounter at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken engaged in discussions with Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The meeting aimed at reinforcing the strong ties between the United States and Rwanda and addressing regional challenges. President Kagame expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts between the two nations, particularly acknowledging the United States’ support in resolving regional issues. He emphasized the need to explore further steps and increase efforts toward a conclusive resolution of conflicts in the region. Secretary Blinken reciprocated the appreciation, thanking President Kagame for his hospitality and…
The U.S. State Department’s Coalition for Climate Entrepreneurship (CCE) is set to inaugurate its first-ever hub in the United States in San Francisco on January 25. Announced through a press release from the Office of the Spokesperson on January 16, 2024, the San Francisco CCE Hub is a collaborative effort between the Office of Global Partnerships and partners Good Machine and Arm. This hub aims to serve as a focal point for climate entrepreneurs worldwide, providing them with opportunities to prototype, scale, and refine their innovations within the dynamic technology ecosystem of Silicon Valley. Through CCE, the U.S. Department of…
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. has officially announced the appointment of a Presidential Delegation to participate in the Inauguration of His Excellency Félix Tshisekedi on January 20, 2024, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Leading the delegation is The Honorable Scott Nathan, Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. Other esteemed members of the Presidential Delegation include: 1. The Honorable Lucy Tamlyn, United States Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2. The Honorable Mary Catherine Phee, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State 3. The Honorable Monde…
The Federal Government has given its nod to the allocation of N5.1 billion for research initiatives within the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund 2023 Grant Cycle. This approval falls under the TETFund National Research Fund (NRF) 2023 Grant Cycle. The announcement, made in a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday by Abdulmumin Oniyangi, the Acting Director of Public Affairs at the Fund, highlighted that the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, conveyed the approval following the recommendations of the TETFund National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC). The committee, after an exhaustive screening process that commenced…
In a recently unveiled memoir titled “Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015 – 2023),” former President Muhammadu Buhari shed light on his decision not to dismiss the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, amidst speculations about his interest in the 2023 presidential race. The memoir, presented in Abuja on Tuesday, was authored by ex-Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina. Buhari, in the book, revealed that he refrained from sacking Emefiele because the latter never discussed his presidential aspirations with the former president. “I met…