AUGUSTINE SICHULA | Zambia Monitor

OpenAI to enhance ChatGPT with real-time search, challenging google

AUGUSTINE SICHULA — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 18:21:01 +0000

OpenAI is reportedly developing new features for its artificial intelligence (AI) bot to challenge Google as the leading search engine.

The company announced it is trialling a search feature that integrates real-time information into its ChatGPT product.

This enhancement would allow the bot to provide up-to-date answers and links in response to user queries.

Currently, the feature is available to a limited number of users in the US.

However, it is expected to be fully incorporated into ChatGPT, which gained widespread attention for AI technology upon its launch in 2022.

Supported by Microsoft, OpenAI has since introduced various tools for coding, video creation, data analysis, and image generation.

The new search tool would also enable users to ask follow-up questions to their initial queries.

“Getting answers on the web can take a lot of effort, often requiring multiple attempts to get relevant results,” the company stated.

“We believe that by enhancing the conversational capabilities of our models with real-time information from the web, finding what you’re looking for can be faster and easier.”

Analysts have long viewed AI chatbots as the future of search, a lucrative area currently dominated by Google.

The announcement led to a nearly three percent drop in shares of Google’s parent company, Alphabet.

Other AI companies are also exploring search products, but Google remained the dominant player, controlling over 90 percent of the global market.

The expansion of AI has raised environmental concerns due to the significant energy consumption of these systems.

Additionally, the shift from traditional search results to conversational responses has alarmed news companies that depend on search traffic for audiences and revenue.

OpenAI is collaborating with publishers, including The Atlantic and News Corp, to refine its new search feature.

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Zambian boxer, Tembo, exits 2024 Paris Olympics

AUGUSTINE SICHULA — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 18:02:00 +0000

Zambian boxer, Margret Tembo, has been eliminated from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after losing by unanimous points in the women’s 51 kg category.

Tembo’s debut Olympic dream ended in the round of 32 against Finland’s Pihla Kaivo-Oja.

Following her loss, Tembo expressed her determination to return stronger, calling her participation a valuable experience.

“Being the first Zambian female boxer to participate at the games was a big achievement, and I vow to come back stronger,” she said.

National team coach, Wisdom Mudenda. attributed Tembo’s defeat to her lack of high-level exposure compared to her experienced opponent.

“The boxer, unlike other competitors, never took part in major competitions, which was a drawback in her preparations,” Mudenda stated.

With Tembo’s exit, Zambia may now look to boxer Patrick Chinyemba to keep the country’s medal hopes alive.

Chinyemba is set to face India’s Amit Amit in the Men’s 51 kg round of 16 on Tuesday at the North Paris Arena.

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FIFA freezes funding to FAZ following loss of legal battle to former coach Asanovic

AUGUSTINE SICHULA — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 14:36:25 +0000

FIFA has suspended its funding to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) after FAZ lost a legal battle against former coach, Aljosa Asanovic, at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The court ruled in favor of Asanovic, who was owed US$41,000 for his tenure as the Chipolopolo’s head coach from January, 2022.

FAZ General-Secretary, Reuben Kamanga, confirmed on Sunday that CAS upheld the decision of the single judge, who had awarded Asanovic compensation for unlawful dismissal.

Kamanga stated that the reason for dismissing FAZ’s appeal had not yet been disclosed but would be provided in due course, which would guide FAZ’s next steps.

In response to the ruling, FIFA would restrict the development funds allocated to FAZ until the payment was fully made.

Kamanga warned that if FAZ failed to settle the debt on time, FIFA may impose further sanctions, including a potential ban from international tournaments.

Asanovic, who was appointed on January 18, 2022, terminated his contract unilaterally on September 22, 2022.

His departure came after Zambia’s 1-0 loss to Mozambique, which led to their elimination from the African Nations Championship.

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Lusaka City Council cracks down on noise pollution from bars, nightclubs

AUGUSTINE SICHULA — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 13:27:19 +0000

The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has addressed a surge in complaints about noise pollution from bars and nightclubs playing loud music.

LCC Public Relations Manager, Chola Mwamba, announced that the Council had mandated that all bars, nightclubs and liquor-licensed premises must ensure their venues are fully soundproofed.

Additionally, establishments are prohibited from playing loud music after 22:00 hours.

Mwamba, in a statement issued on Monday, emphasized the severe impact of noise pollution on communities, including hearing loss, stress, anxiety, depression, cardiovascular problems, and high blood pressure.

She urged affected businesses to comply with the directive immediately.

“Failure to do so may result in closure, revocation, or reclassification of licenses,” Mwamba warned.

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UNESCO World Heritage Committee adopts Victoria Falls draft decision with Zambian amendments

AUGUSTINE SICHULA — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 13:19:03 +0000

The 46th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in New Delhi, India, has adopted a draft decision concerning the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site, incorporating amendments proposed by Zambia.

Naomi Mweemba, First Secretary Press at the Zambian mission in Paris, reported that the revised draft decision aligned with previous Committee decisions and supports the Joint Integrated Management Plan (JIMP) as a blueprint for infrastructure development.

Mweemba explained that the JIMP outlined improvements within and around the Victoria Falls site, including establishing precise boundaries, zonation and buffer zones to complete the retrospective inventory that began a decade ago.

“The Committee urges Zambia and Zimbabwe to finalise and harmonise the JIMP with national and transboundary plans. This includes limits on use, permissible activities, infrastructure and safeguards to mitigate development pressures,” Mweemba stated.

The draft decision was adopted without objection, with Kenya presenting the amendments on behalf of Zambia and the Republic of Korea and Rwanda offering support. Consensus was reached between Zambia, Zimbabwe and the World Heritage Centre prior to the adoption of the amendments.

Mweemba noted that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an advisory body of the World Heritage Convention, was also involved in the discussions.

Zambia was required to include evidence in all management plans and State of Conservation reports showing that the Victoria Falls Livingstone Resort Hotel was adhering to mitigatory measures set by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and the revised JIMP.

Additionally, Zambia has allocated US$100,000 to support capacity-building programmes for sustainable development around the World Heritage site.

This funding reflected Zambia’s commitment to implementing the safeguards recommended by the World Heritage Committee in 2023, ensuring that the proposed Batoka Gorge Hydro Electric Scheme does not compromise the site’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).

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Ex-Ethiopian PM urges African investment in infrastructure for sustainable food systems

AUGUSTINE SICHULA — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 13:03:25 +0000

Ex-Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Dessalegn, has called on African governments to make deliberate and tangible investments in infrastructure to achieve sustainable, equitable, healthy and resilient food systems.

Dessalegn, who is also Chairperson of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum), emphasized the need for financing, expertise and partnerships to support these efforts.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday, Dessalegn stated that significant progress required investment in infrastructure, such as roads linking rural and urban areas.

“The proportion of jobless youth is steadily climbing, and agriculture and related value chains hold the best promise of employment,” he said.

Dessalegn noted that African farmers face limited market access due to infrastructural gaps, hindering their ability to transport goods to demand areas.

He also highlighted the extensive post-harvest losses caused by inadequate long-term storage technologies and facilities.

“These inadequacies allow unscrupulous brokers to buy produce at low prices, leaving farmers unable to recoup their investment,” he added.

Dessalegn stressed the need for expanding road networks into villages, constructing modern market buildings and providing cold-chain storage and secure silos.

He acknowledged that many infrastructural investments are primarily government functions but can be accelerated with support from development partners and the private sector.

Meanwhile, Dessalegn pointed out that climate change continued to impose new challenges, highlighting the multifaceted nature of food system issues.

He stated the importance of critical declarations and commitments guiding the search for solutions.

Declarations such as the Malabo and Maputo Declarations highlight food system solutions as vital for achieving all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

“World leaders from government, private sector, development organizations, scientists, researchers, civil society, and farmers will gather in Kigali, Rwanda, to review progress towards Africa’s food system transformation,” he stated.

This year’s AFS Forum theme, “Innovate, Accelerate And Scale: Delivering Food Systems Transformation In A Digital And Climate Era,” would focus on innovations, technologies, best practices, business models, policy delivery mechanisms and investments needed to accelerate food system transformation in Africa and beyond, with youth and women at the forefront.

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Kalaba commends swift arrest of suspects in Muleya’s murder, seeks same for Petauke lawmaker, Banda

AUGUSTINE SICHULA — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 09:54:41 +0000

Harry Kalaba, the Citizens First (CF) party president, has commended the police for swiftly arresting suspects in the murder of former Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Director-General, Guntila Muleya.

Kalaba stated that the arrests may bring closure to speculation about who was involved and expressed hope for expedited investigations to establish the motive.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday, Kalaba urged the police to act decisively, leave no stone unturned and ensure there are no “sacred cows” in this criminal act.

The CF leader expressed shock that police officers, who should be fighting crime, were among those fingered for the crime.

“The revelations surrounding Mr. Muleya’s murder are a severe indictment on the Police Command, leaving citizens unsure if they should trust or fear the police,” Kalaba said.

He appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to take the matter seriously and conduct an audit to remove criminal elements from the police service.

Kalaba also urged the public to depoliticize this criminal act, allowing the police to conduct a professional investigation and restore public trust in the police service.

“To the Commander in Chief, President Hakainde Hichilema, we urge you to act decisively and not allow this level of thuggery and criminality under your watch,” he said.

Kalaba said that the party expected significant consequences, rather than minor reshuffles, in response to corruption scandals involving ministers.

He also called for the same urgency in arresting those involved in the abduction of Petauke Central Member of Parliament, Emmanuel Jay Banda.

The Zambia Police Service had arrested four suspects in connection with Guntila Muleya’s murder, including two regular police officers, one reserve police officer, and a member of the public.

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Tunisia’s Ferjani claims silver in men’s Sabre at Paris 2024 Olympics

AUGUSTINE SICHULA — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 09:44:52 +0000

Tunisia’s Fares Ferjani narrowly missed becoming Africa’s first gold medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympics, settling for silver in the men’s individual sabre after a 15-11 defeat by South Korea’s Oh Sanguk at the Grand Palais.

The 27-year-old, seeded 13th, defeated world number one Ziad Elsissy in the semi-finals but couldn’t overcome Oh in the final.

Born in Tunis and now based in New York, Ferjani had previously finished 22nd at Tokyo 2020 and 25th at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

His best senior world stage result was an 8th-place finish at the 2018 World Championships in Wuxi, China.

Ferjani’s silver marks Tunisia’s 16th Olympic medal, adding to its tally of five golds, four silvers and seven bronzes since first competing as an independent nation in Rome in 1960.

Tunisia sent its smallest Olympic delegation in two decades to Paris, with 26 athletes compared to 63 in Tokyo.

In the bronze medal match, top seed Elsissy was defeated 15-12 by Italy’s Luigi Samele.

The 29-year-old Egyptian would have another chance to medal in the team sabre event starting Wednesday.

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Forensic investigation launched over misplaced medical supplies in Lusaka

AUGUSTINE SICHULA — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 18:05:15 +0000

Law enforcement agencies have launched a full-scale forensic investigation to determine why 61 containers of essential medical supplies were stored at a private depot.

Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Director-General, Nason Banda, reported that statements had been recorded from several key individuals in the Ministry of Health.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Saturday, Banda said the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA), the depot management, the clearing agent and the shipping company have also provided statements.

“Preliminary investigations show that the Ministry of Health was allegedly unaware that the consignments from Egypt had not been delivered to ZAMMSA and were instead kept at a private depot in Lusaka,” Banda revealed.

It was found that ZAMMSA did not inform the Ministry of Health about any shipment challenges.

However, ZAMMSA was aware of the consignments and received alerts about the containers’ departure from Egypt and arrival in Zambia via Mozambique.

“We wish to establish why ZAMMSA management appeared unprepared to receive the goods despite knowing the shipment schedules,” Banda said.

Banda noted that both ZAMMSA and the Ministry of Health showed a lack of supervision, as neither made follow-ups on the consignment over the past seven months.

Banda said that the investigation would be conducted with transparency and in accordance with the law.

“We believe it is in the interest of all well-meaning Zambians to see integrity and functionality at ZAMMSA restored,” he stated.

Banda urged the public to support the efforts towards a more accountable and efficient healthcare system and cautioned stakeholders against issuing statements or engaging the media, as it could jeopardise the investigation.

“The containers of medicines and medical supplies were procured under a US$24 million agreement between the governments of Zambia and Egypt,” he added.

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Govt says K2.7 million worth of agricultural equipment, livestock distributed in Kalomo, Zimba

AUGUSTINE SICHULA — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 14:53:11 +0000

Government has handed over agricultural equipment and livestock valued at K2.7 million to beneficiaries of the Food Security Pack (FSP) Programme in Kalomo and Zimba districts of Southern Province.

The distribution, which totaled K1,650,000 for Kalomo and K1,131,000 for Zimba, was funded by proceeds from recoveries within the FSP Programme.

During the handover on Saturday, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary, Angela Kawandami, highlighted the initiative’s aim to uplift living standards and enhance household food security.

In Kalomo district, the beneficiaries received seven hammer mills, three dehullers, one maize sheller, one oil expeller, 640 goats, 21 cows and 119 bicycles.

In Zimba, the distribution included two dehullers, two oil expellers, 300 goats and building materials for three storage facilities.

Kawandami emphasized government’s commitment to improving community living conditions through impactful social protection programs.

She stressed the importance of these interventions in alleviating poverty, particularly during drought situations.

Kawandami urged the beneficiaries to utilise the equipment and livestock effectively to boost production and enhance their food, nutrition and income security.

“I also want to urge you to uphold your repayment commitments. These contributions facilitate ongoing and impactful interventions aimed at transforming livelihoods,” Kawandami advised.

District Commissioners, Robinson Mulamfu, of Zimba and Joshua Sikaduli of Kalomo expressed their profound gratitude for government’s proactive efforts in enhancing the welfare of the poor and vulnerable across the province and the country.

They acknowledged the significant impact of the equipment and livestock handover on reinforcing local food security and fostering sustainable development.

“We want to pledge our full support to supplement government efforts in promoting domestic and national food security,” the District Commissioners stated.

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