NNM RadioAug 26, 2021
Tom Hanks Issues Warning to Fans Regarding Unauthorized AI Impersonation Promoting Dental Plan
Renowned actor Tom Hanks took to Instagram over the weekend to caution his followers about an unauthorized AI-generated version of himself featured in a promotional video for a dental plan that has been circulating online. The Oscar-winning actor shared a computer-generated image of this AI counterpart, firmly stating, "BEWARE!! There's a video out there promoting some dental plan with an AI version of me. I have nothing to do with it."
Hanks has been an advocate for discussions around the growing influence of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology within the entertainment industry. On an episode of "The Adam Buxton Podcast," he previously shared his insights, acknowledging that advancements in AI and deepfake technology now enable the possibility of continuing to act even after one's passing.
"Anybody can now recreate themselves at any age they are by way of AI or deep fake technology. I could be hit by a bus tomorrow and that's it, but performances can go on and on and on and on," Hanks remarked. "Outside the understanding of AI and deepfake, there'll be nothing to tell you that it's not me and me alone. And it's going to have some degree of lifelike quality. That's certainly an artistic challenge but it's also a legal one."
Hanks elaborated that there are ongoing discussions within the entertainment industry involving "all of the guilds, all of the agencies, and all of the legal firms" regarding the legal implications of one's face and voice being treated as intellectual property.
Furthermore, he raised a critical question about the future of AI-generated content: "Without a doubt, people will be able to tell [that it's AI], but the question is will they care? There are some people that won't care, that won't make that delineation."
In summary, Tom Hanks has cautioned his fans against an unauthorized AI representation of himself used in a dental plan promotion, while also emphasizing the legal and ethical challenges associated with the rise of AI and deepfake technology in the entertainment industry.
(Audio News) Basketball icon Sue Bird plays her last game after two legendary decades in the WNBA
"I'm proud of everything we've accomplished here," she said after the game, according to ESPN. "Of course I'm sad, but there's happiness too, to be able to have a moment like that with the fans, to have them chant the way they did. I know the tears don't look like happy tears, but there's a lot of happiness."
Bird's storied career has redefined basketball in Seattle and nationwide. The WNBA designated her one of the 25 greatest players in league history last year (after naming her one of its 20 greatest-ever players at its 20th-anniversary celebration in 2016, and one of its 15 greatest players five years before that).
Chelsea FC parts way with head coach Thomas Tuchel
Chelsea's coaching staff will take charge of the team for training and the preparation of our upcoming matches as the club moves swiftly to appoint a new head coach.
"Chelsea Football Club has today parted company with Head Coach Thomas Tuchel. On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, the club would like to place on record its gratitude to Thomas and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the club. Thomas will rightly have a place in Chelsea's history after winning the Champions League, the Super Cup and Club World Cup during his time here," said the club in an official statement on its website.
"As the new ownership group reaches 100 days since taking over the Club, and as it continues its hard work to take the club forward, the new owners believe it is the right time to make this transition," added the club in its statement.
When is St George’s Day 2022? Who the saint was, where he was from and why it’s not a bank holiday in England
Saint George’s Day is the annual day of remembrance for England’s patron saint, who is said to have vanquished a dragon – rescuing a princess in the process – centuries ago.
The Christian celebration, also known as the Feast of Saint George, is not only marked in England, but also in other places where George is the patron saint, including Catalonia and the region of Aragon in Spain.
Greece, Portugal, and Russia are among the other countries to also mark the day with parades, dancing and much more.
Here’s what you need to know.
Who was Saint George?
Saint George is thought to have been born sometime around the year 280 AD.
He was reputedly a soldier who fought in the Roman army and rose up to eventually become a personal guard to the Emperor Diocletian.
It is believed that he was executed for refusing to make a sacrifice in honour of the pagan gods – thus becoming a Christian martyr – during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian.
His tomb can be found in the Christian pilgrimage site of Lod.
According to the popular story, the saint slayed a dragon and saved a princess.
Many of the details of the tale are first found in Jacobus de Vorgine’s The Golden Legend, a 13th century selection of stories about the lives of saints.
According to the legend, the only well in Silene, a town in Libya, was guarded by a dragon who required a daily human sacrifice for the townspeople to get water.
On the day of Saint George’s visit, the town’s inhabitants had selected a princess to be sacrificed.
George then went and slayed the dragon, saving the princess’ life, as well as giving the people of Silene access to water. They all converted to Christianity as a sign of their gratitude.
Where was he was from?
Some may think that Saint George was English. However, it is believed he was born 2,000 miles away in Cappodocia, modern day Turkey, and died in 303 AD in Lydda, in what is now Israel.
Why is it not a bank holiday in England?
Saint George’s Day is marked on 23 April – thought to be the date of his death – which this year falls on Saturday.
In 1415 Saint George’s Day was made a national feast day and holiday in England, a status which it carried until the 18th century.
However, from the Act of Union between England and Scotland in 1707 its significance, and the celebrations around it, diminished.
Now, unlike Saint Patrick’s Day in Northern Ireland, and Saint Andrew’s Day in Scotland, school and businesses must open as usual on 23 April, despite various campaigns (and political promises) to make the day a public holiday in England once more.
World Rose Day today: History, significance, quotes!
The day aims to bring happiness and hope into the lives of such patients and reminds them that they can emerge victorious in their battle against cancer through determination and positivity.
The World Rose Day, which is celebrated on September 22 every year, is dedicated to cancer patients all across the globe. The day aims to bring happiness and hope into the lives of such patients and reminds them that they can emerge victorious in their battle against cancer through determination and positivity.
World Cancer Day is an international day marked on February 4 to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. World Cancer Day is led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration, written in 2008. The primary goal of World Cancer Day is to significantly reduce illness and death caused by cancer and is an opportunity to rally the international community to end the injustice of preventable suffering from cancer.The day is observed by the United Nations.
Why the Baby on Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ Album Is Suing Now.
The 30-year-old man pictured as a naked baby on the cover of the multimillion-selling Nirvana album “Nevermind” filed suit Tuesday in Los Angeles, alleging the former members of the grunge-rock trio, various record companies, art directors and others violated federal criminal child pornography laws and caused him lifelong suffering by “trafficking” his image worldwide.
Narayan Rane arrested in Maharashtra, let out on bail
Union Minister Narayan Rane was on Tuesday arrested and taken into custody by the police at Sangameshwar in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra for his statement on Monday that he would have slapped State Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray for forgetting the year India got freedom during his Independence Day speech.
Kathy Hochul sworn in as New York's first female governor.
New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul was sworn in as the state's 57th governor Tuesday, following former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's resignation amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Why it matters: Hochul, a Democrat, is the first woman to serve as governor of New York and will serve out the remainder of Cuomo's term until 2022.
iPhone 13, iPad mini 6, and more: What to expect from Apple's September event
Monster Battery Rugged Oukitel WP15 5G Launches Today
The 5G era has come, but what ability is more capable of riding on the top of the 5G network? Battery capacity is. The Oukitel is about to unveil an incredible battery monster, a 15600mAh 5G rugged phone – WP15. Regarding the 5G advanced technology, the 5G network requires a high power consumption, which means it needs more power supply. The WP15 completely fulfills the demand and it is the perfect remote activity companion. A lucky draw activity is taking place on the official website.
Full FDA approval of Pfizer vaccine opens door for vaccine mandates in Texas.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s full approval of the Pfizer vaccine Monday is cracking open the door for Texas cities, counties and school districts to compel their employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 — moves previously blocked by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Abbott had banned public schools and local governments from enacting their own vaccine mandates. But the governor’s executive order specifies that the ban on mandates applies to COVID-19 vaccines that are under emergency authorization — a designation that no longer applies to the Pfizer two-dose vaccination.
Already, one major school district is pressing forward with its plan to require vaccinations for teachers and staff.
Pedro Martinez, superintendent for the San Antonio Independent School District, called for mandatory employee vaccinations last week — drawing a lawsuit from Attorney General Ken Paxton, who accused the district and Martinez of breaching Abbott’s ban on vaccine mandates.
But with the FDA’s full approval, San Antonio school officials are moving forward with their vaccine requirement for district employees.
In a statement, Martinez called the FDA approval “a positive step forward in the fight against COVID-19 nationwide and a step forward in helping keep schools safe for learning here at home.”
Abbott’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
The vaccine currently has full approval only for people 16 or older, so Abbott's ban on mandates still applies for most public school students. The FDA's move did lead to a quick call for action at the university level. On Monday, the Texas State Employees Union announced that it was teaming up with student groups to host a rally at the University of Texas at Austin to call for vaccine requirements for all students, faculty and staff who come to campus for class and work. UT-Austin officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
One college, the University of Texas at Arlington, said Monday afternoon that it had not evaluated the idea of a mandate "as this was only recently announced."
"Therefore, it would be premature to say that we are or are not considering them," said university spokesperson Joe Carpenter. "Our focus remains on testing all students and employees at the start of the fall semester, promoting the benefits of vaccines and making them readily available to the campus."
Other city and county officials in Texas’ major urban areas have been similarly silent about mandating vaccinations for their workers.
In San Antonio, city manager Erik Walsh said in a text message he has no plans to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for the city’s 12,000 municipal employees — and will instead rely on cash incentives to convince workers to get their shot.
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said Monday he plans to wait to see how many of the county's 5,000 employees take advantage of a vaccine incentive program before figuring out whether the county can compel its workers to get the vaccine.
“It’s easy to say that but it's much harder to have it in place,” Wolff said.
Some kinds of vaccine mandates are still off the table despite the FDA giving Pfizer the green light.
Beloved Gogglebox star Mary Cook dies aged 92
Beloved Gogglebox star Mary Cook dies aged 92.
The former hospitality worker joined the Channel 4 programme in 2016 alongside fellow Bristolian Marina Wingrove.
Her death was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by Channel 4 and Studio Lambert, which makes the programme, on behalf of Mary's family.
The statement said: “We are extremely saddened to share that Gogglebox star Mary Cook passed away in hospital this weekend at the age of 92 with her family by her side.
“Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and dear friend to many, Mary, who worked in the hospitality trade, had been married and widowed twice.”
Before being invited to join Gogglebox, Mary and Marina became friends at a retirement village more than 10 years ago.
The pair “became instant fan favourites due to their brilliantly witty and often cheeky moments”, the statement added.
“Mary will be sorely missed by the entire Gogglebox family, cast and crew.
“Our love and thoughts are with Mary’s family, friends, and Marina. The family have asked for privacy at this sad time.”
According to the St Monica Trust retirement home, where Cook and Wingrove lived, they were discovered by a researcher for Gogglebox during a trip to Asda.
On the website, Mary said: “I was going shopping, so I asked them if they could wait until we got back.
“They came up to Marina’s flat, held cards up of different famous people and we had to talk about them.”
The pair were temporarily absent from the programme because of the pandemic; but returned in May’s series finale of the programme.