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The Augusta Chronicle

Arts in the Heart opens Friday in a new place, but the same experience

Arts in the Heart opens Friday in a new place, but the same experience

Arts in the Heart of Augusta, the city's biggest festival each year, is back this weekend in a new location but the same food, culture, and fun.

Digital Cooperation Organization Explores Enhanced Partnership with Ghana for Digital Transformation

Digital Cooperation Organization Explores Enhanced Partnership with Ghana for Digital Transformation

The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) is actively pursuing deeper collaboration with Ghana to advance its digital transformation goals. DCO Secretary-General, Deemah AlYahya, engaged in discussions with Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, focusing on Ghana's current digital progress and future aspirations. A key area of interest for the DCO is supporting Ghana's 'One Million Coders Programme' and other national digital initiatives. This engagement is part of the DCO's broader strategy to strengthen digital cooperation and provide support to its Member States across the Global South. The organization aims to convert the digital potential of these nations into tangible progress and foster a more inclusive digital future. The DCO has also recently welcomed Azerbaijan as a new member and is working with other countries, such as Djibouti, to further their digital transformation agendas through initiatives like artificial intelligence and digita...

Latino Immigrants Report Being Deported to African Countries Without Due Process

Latino Immigrants Report Being Deported to African Countries Without Due Process

Approximately 25,000 individuals have been deported to 'third countries' during the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, with many Latino immigrants reporting being sent to African nations like the Central African Republic, Liberia, Ghana, and Sierra Leone. These deportations often occur without prior notice, due process, or the opportunity to object, according to immigration attorney Meredyth Yoon. Yasmany Moreno de Armas, a Cuban immigrant, described being told he was on a deportation flight to Africa two hours into the journey, despite having fled Cuba ten years prior and living in Miami. The Department of Homeland Security states these individuals are deported to 'safe countries,' but the U.S. State Department classifies some of these destinations, such as the Central African Republic, as extreme-risk due to conflict and crime. Immigrants deported to these countries report being in 'legal limbo,' without passports or identification, and feeling 'kidnapped.'

The Real Price of Building Agents at Salesforce Scale

The Real Price of Building Agents at Salesforce Scale

Building AI agents at an enterprise level involves far more than software licenses. Here’s a breakdown of the true costs you need to consider.

AI Chatbot PROMPTS Aids Pregnant Women in Kenya, Raising Hopes for Global Health

AI Chatbot PROMPTS Aids Pregnant Women in Kenya, Raising Hopes for Global Health

An AI-powered chatbot named PROMPTS is significantly improving maternal and newborn health outcomes in Kenya by providing critical information and urgent care referrals to pregnant women via text message. Initially an accidental discovery when women began texting back to automated appointment reminders, the service, developed by Jacaranda Health, now handles 15,000 questions daily. PROMPTS uses artificial intelligence to understand, prioritize, and flag urgent medical queries, routing about 7% of messages directly to a team of 18 nurses for immediate human intervention. This system is particularly vital in Kenya, where approximately 6,000 women die annually from childbirth or pregnancy-related causes, with nearly a third of these deaths linked to delays in seeking care. The service is free to users and accessible on basic phones, operating in English, Swahili, and Sheng, and has expanded to parts of Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

AI Training Programs Need to Shift Focus from Task-Level Fluency to Workflow Redesign and Critical Judgment

AI Training Programs Need to Shift Focus from Task-Level Fluency to Workflow Redesign and Critical Judgment

AI Training Programs Need to Shift Focus from Task-Level Fluency to Workflow Redesign and Critical Judgment

U.S. Coast Guard Launches Navita Digital System for Mariner Credentialing Modernization

U.S. Coast Guard Launches Navita Digital System for Mariner Credentialing Modernization

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has introduced Navita, a new digital system designed to streamline applications for Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) and medical certificates. This launch marks a significant step in the broader overhaul of the Coast Guard's mariner identity and credentialing infrastructure. Navita incorporates Login.gov authentication, guided electronic applications, and online case management, replacing the temporary Application Submission and Additional Information Portal (ASAP) that was launched in January. The system provides mariners with an account-based portal to apply for credentials, upload supporting documents, pay fees via Pay.gov, communicate with the National Maritime Center, and track application status. While Navita Release 1.0 focuses on the application submission process, the National Maritime Center will continue to review applications using its existing back-end processing system. The Coast Guard plans to phase out paper submissions within the next 12 months, encouraging ma...

Greek Tax Authority Imposes Stricter Scrutiny on Business Transactions with Cyprus Firms

Greek Tax Authority Imposes Stricter Scrutiny on Business Transactions with Cyprus Firms

Greek Tax Authority Imposes Stricter Scrutiny on Business Transactions with Cyprus Firms

At least 48 dead in Nigeria after consuming drink suspected to contain methanol, authorities say

At least 48 dead in Nigeria after consuming drink suspected to contain methanol, authorities say

At least 48 people have died after consuming a locally brewed alcoholic concoction in southern Nigeria’s Ondo state

OpenAI Explores Canadian Data Center Partnerships Citing Energy and Land Availability

OpenAI Explores Canadian Data Center Partnerships Citing Energy and Land Availability

OpenAI Explores Canadian Data Center Partnerships Citing Energy and Land Availability

Australian Tech Chiefs Urge Digital Identity Framework Before AI Integration in Government Services

Australian Tech Chiefs Urge Digital Identity Framework Before AI Integration in Government Services

Jonathon Thorpe, Deputy CEO and Chief Customer Officer at Services Australia, and Mark Sawade, Chief Information Officer at the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), have emphasized the critical need for a robust digital identity ecosystem, including myGov and MyID, to be fully established before integrating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into government infrastructure. This caution comes amidst increasing pressure from the technology industry to adopt AI solutions. The tech chiefs are advocating for a well-organized digital identity framework to prevent potential issues that could arise from allowing self-propelled transactional bots to operate on government systems without proper foundational controls. Their statements highlight a strategic approach to digital transformation, prioritizing secure and reliable identity verification before deploying more complex AI applications in public services.

Explainer-EU chief wants Canada to become an 'associate member'. What does that mean?

Explainer-EU chief wants Canada to become an 'associate member'. What does that mean?

By Julia Payne BRUSSELS, Sept 16 (Reuters) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday she wanted to open the door for Canada to become the European Union's first "associate member".