The five people aboard the Titanic wreck explorer craft have just hours left to be rescued. The search for the Titan submersible, which was on route to the Titanic wreck six days ago, has entered its fourth day. International search and rescue operations are in full swing, sweeping huge areas of the North Atlantic in search of the craft. But rescue teams are working against the clock, and there are fears the five-man crew are running out of oxygen, with just a few hours left. Officials still held hope of rescue, with US Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick saying in a press conference on Wednesday evening: "We'll continue to put every available asset that we have in an effort to find the Titan and the crew members." Optimism came after repeated banging noises were detected underwater. Three separate aircraft heard the noises, which went on for at least two days. Other search craft have been diverted to the area where the underwater sounds originated. "I can't tell you what the noises are. What I can tell you is we're searching where the noises are, and that's all we can do at this point," Frederick said. Rescue operations relying on robots if vessel found But even those who expressed optimism warned that many obstacles remain. The vessel's location still isn't known, but if it was pinpointed in the next hour, rescue teams would have to reach it with rescue equipment and bring it to the surface, assuming it is still intact. If the submersible has sunk down to the bottom of the ocean, about 3,800 meters (12,500 feet) in the region, rescue operations would be especially challenging. Only specialized crafts are capable of operating at deep-sea depths due to the huge amounts of pressure. Even deep-sea Navy rescue submarines would struggle with the depth, having a maximum range of 2,250 to 3,000 meters. It's likely rescue teams would rely on unmanned robots to rescue the craft if found. Among those sending rescue craft to the region, the French government delivered its Victor 6000, a robot capable of diving 6000 meters to the area. The robot is equipped with a mechanical arm that could help drag the Titan back to the surface. The US Navy is also sending Fadoss — a heavy lifting system designed to recover heavy sunken objects. The Titan submersible weighs 10,432 kg. Experts warn even if the submersible is located, it would be a major challenge to retrieve it given the deep sea conditions of pressure and cold. Such a rescue operation would take hours, with the Fadoss system for example taking 24 hours to weld and support a vessel before bringing it to the surface. Oxygen is running out Meanwhile, the oxygen supply in the submersible is about to run out, with the US Coast Guard estimating some time between 11:00 and 13:00 (CET) to be when "breathable air" will run out.  The actual oxygen supply in the vessel depends on a range of factors, such as if power systems still remain, the breathing rate of those on board, and whether they remain calm. It's possible the crew might be trying to conserve oxygen in attempts to prolong the rescue window. The crew could be trying to sleep or meditate to slow down metabolism and decrease the need for oxygen. But this will depend on the psychological state of crew members inside. With oxygen in the Titan running out, the rescue window is rapidly closing. 

The global community is concerned about Chinese investors rushing to get into generative AI with a focus on large language models. More Than 30 Chinese companies have announced their own large language model projects. They include tech giants Alibaba, Tencent, Baidu and Huawei, With the entry of Tiktok owner Bytedance the competition has intensified. ByteDance Ltd. is testing an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot among employees to create a local version of ChatGPT. This came a week after Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. Rolled out its ChatGPT-style technology. Alibaba wants to take a lead in China’s artificial intelligence race. ChatGPT, which has become sparked huge interest in the area of generative AI, across the globe. Developed by U.S. firm OpenAI, AI chatbot can answer questions when prompted by a user. Google has come up wth its own GPT, Bard to complete open ai Chat GPT. OpenAI made it accessible to all for the first time with the launch of ChatGPT in November. Soon after, big tech was scrambling to incorporate similar technology into its products. Alibaba has large language model called TongyiQianwen in which a system has been trained on huge amounts of data in order to recognize and generate content. Alibaba’s cloud computing division, which is leading the AI charge for the company, said that TongyiQianwen will be integrated into a digital assistant called Tingwu. TongyiTingwu, the AI-powered assistant, will be able to analyze multimedia content and generate a text summary from video and audio files, according to Alibaba. As far as China is concerned, it has been actively investing in AI research and development. It has, and they have made significant advancements in various areas, including natural language processing and machine learning. It’s not uncommon for countries to pursue their own AI initiatives to reduce dependency on foreign technology and gain a competitive edge. According to latest news reports, nearly 80 large language models( LLMs) have been launched in China by the tech firms over the past three years as they doubled down on efforts to develop artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. The development of LLMs, trained using deep learning techniques on massive amounts of text data, entered an “accelerated” phase in 2020, as per the report authored by research institutes run by the country’s Ministry of Science and Technology. In 2020, Chinese organisations had released 2 LLMs, compared with 11 in the United States, but in 2021 there was a total of 30 LLMs released in each country, said the report recently published . After OpenAI released ChatGPT, Chinese tech giants, from Alibaba (9988.HK) to surveillance firm Sensetime (0020.HK) and search engine giant Baidu (9888.HK), have launched their own versions of chatbots powered by generative AI and LLMs. Experts on AI said that If China were to develop a local version of GPT, it would tailor to its own language, culture, and specific needs. This approach could potentially provide advantages in terms of language understanding and context for Chinese users. Experts n US and Western countries are worried about China’s focus on LLM in generative AI for following reasons: National security: LLMs can be used to generate fake news and propaganda, which could be used to undermine political stability or interfere with elections. For example, in 2020, a Chinese state-backed media outlet used a deepfake to create a video of former US President Barack Obama criticizing the current US administration. Economic interest: LLMs can be used to automate tasks that are currently done by humans, which could lead to job losses in the West. For example, LLMs can be used to write code, translate languages, and generate creative content. Technological competition: China is a major player in the global technology industry, and its focus on LLM could give it an edge in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous vehicles. This could lead to China becoming a more dominant player in the global economy. In response to these concerns, the US and Western governments have taken steps to regulate LLMs and other forms of artificial intelligence. For example, the US government has banned the use of deepfakes by government agencies, and the European Union has proposed regulations that would require companies to disclose how they use AI. Chinese experts on ai concede that China’s focus on LLM in generative AI is part of a broader effort by the Chinese government to become a leader in artificial intelligence. The US and Western countries are worried about China’s AI ambitions because they believe that China could use AI to gain a strategic advantage over them. However, US and Western countries are taking steps to regulate AI in order to protect themselves from potential threats. Source: thesingaporepost.com

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) today (Dec2) predicted that the low pressure area, which currently lies over southeast Bay of Bengal & adjoining Andaman Sea after turning into a well-marked low over central parts of Andaman Sea and adjoining area, can intensify further.   "The low pressure which already turned into a well-marked low is likely to move in a west-northwesterly direction and intensify further," it said.    One of its associated trough extends up to North Bay. Ridge of sub-continental high extends up to Bihar and adjoining area.    The met office also said weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country.    Light fog is likely to occur at some places over the country during tomorrow morning.    Night temperature may rise slightly and day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.   Country's maximum temperature on Wednesday was recorded 33.7 degrees Celsius at Cox's Bazar and lowest one today was 11.8 degrees Celsius at Tetulia.   Today's sunset at 5.11 PM and tomorrow's sunrise at 6.26 AM at Dhaka. Source: BSS AH

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina today (Thursday) asked her party leaders and workers to strengthen area-wise vigilance and hold peace meetings to maintain communal harmony.    "Communal harmony will have to be maintained by ensuring intensified area-wise vigilance by our leaders and activists alongside arranging meetings and processions of peace to ensure co-existence as no violence occurs," she said.   The premier said this while inaugurating a multi-storied Cumilla Awami League office with all the modern facilities joining virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital.    She also called upon the countrymen to be respectful to all the religions as citizens of a secular state.   The Prime Minister called the Cumilla incident "very regretful", urging the countrymen not to take law in hand.   She said, "If anyone commits crime, our government will definitely brought the culprits to book whoever he or she might be."   Responding to the demand of formation of a division with Cumilla, she proposed to set up two divisions after the names of "Padma" with Faridpur and its surrounding districts and "Meghna" with Cumilla and its neighbouring districts.   Sheikh Hasina reminded all that every religion is talking about peace and Bangladeshi people are living in a non-communal society over decades where harmony has been prevailing among the followers of every faith.   She said people fought against the Pakistani occupation forces shoulder to shoulder and shed blood irrespective of their caste, creed and religions for the country's independence responding to the clarion call of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.   "We want that the people of all faiths such as Muslim, Hindu, Boudhha and Christian and all classes will live in the society peacefully with due dignity and honour," she opined.   The Prime Minister called upon all to show due respect to other religions as everyone has the similar right to observe religious rites and similarly none has the right to malign other's religion.   "One has to respect the religion of others alongside showing honour to his own religion. If anyone disrespects another's religion, he basically dishonors his own religion," she said.   She said if people analyze the incident of attack on Cumilla Hindu temple, they would find that disrespect has been shown to "our holy Quaran" while trying to dishonor the religion of others, which she termed as the "most regretful matter".   The Prime Minister said her government has taken prompt measures to rehabilitate the harmed Hindu community people by giving them temporary shelters, food and other required measures.    She added: "We have arranged tents and dry and cooked foods for the victims immediately following the incidents in Cumilla, Pirganj of Rangpur and other places. We have also provided clothes and treatments to them. We will build their homes and measures to this end have already taken."    The premier said a section of vested-quarters like the BNP-Jamaat always tries to commit such incident as they do not tolerate the country's development anymore.   "They (ill-cliques) are out to make their own fate since assuming power after assassination of the Father of the Nation," she said.    Bangabandhu has dedicated his entire life for the welfare of the people and the nation, she said, adding that being soldiers of the ideal of the Father of the Nation, "you have to devote your life for the people's wellbeing".    Sheikh Hasina said that she felt very happy by inaugurating the Cumilla AL office and wanted to establish such kind of office for her party in every district.   The Prime Minister continued that the Awami League was established at the hand of the Father of the Nation for serving the people and asked her party leaders and workers to stand by the masses in their hardships. Spelling out various measures taken by her government for the overall development of Cumilla, the Prime Minister said the government will continue the work for uplift of the district.    She said the Father of the Nation has not only given the country's independence, but also the way for economic development and therefore, the country has now become a developing nation following his footprints and InshaAllah it will be transformed into a developed one.    "The country is now progressing ahead. We will take the country forward and build a developed and prosperous country as envisioned by the Father of the Nation," the premier said.   Sheikh Hasina said she has prepared a plan to turn the country into a developed one from the developing nation upholding its present status so that the people of the country, being a victorious nation, could move around the world with due dignity and honour.   The Prime Minister said she left no stone unturned to ensure continuation of the country's development in the days to come as she is growing older day by day and might die anytime.    "It is a matter of surprise that I am still alive despite several attempts on my life such as hurling grenades and bombs and firing bullets. Despite the attacks, Allah still keeps me alive as the almighty wants me to do a work," she continued.   Sheikh Hasina, also President of the Awami League, thanked her party leaders and workers for protecting her from the attacks sacrificing their lives.    Cumilla City Awami League President AKM Bahauddin Bahar, MP, gave the welcome address.   Local Government, Rural Development and Co- operatives Minister Md Tazul Islam and AL Organising Secretary Abu Saeed Al Mahmud Swapan, among others, were present at the Cumilla City AL office end.   The inaugural programme started with the playing of the national anthem.   A video documentary about inauguration of the Cumilla AL office was screened on the occasion.  Source: BSS AH

The deep depression over east-central bay and adjoining area moved north-northwestwards and intensified into a cyclonic storm “Yaas” over the same area and it is likely to intensify further and move in a north-northwesterly direction, a met release said. The storm was centered at 6am today about 675 kms south-southwest of Chattogram port, 605kms south-southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 630kms south of Mongla port and 605kms south of Payra port. Maximum sustained wind speed within 54kms of the cyclone center is about 62kph rising to 88kph in gusts or squalls. Sea will remain very rough near the cyclone center. Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to lower distant cautionary signal number one but instead hoist distant warning signal number two. All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution. They are also advised not to venture into deep sea. Meanwhile, light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at a few places over Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi and Mymensingh divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country. Mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and it may abate from some places. Day and night temperature may fall slightly over the country. Country’s maximum temperature on Sunday was recorded 39.8 degrees Celsius at Khulna and minimum temperature was today 24.0 degrees Celsius at Kutubdia. Today’s sunset at 6.38 PM and tomorrow’s sunrise at 5.12 AM at Dhaka. Source: BSS AH

Light to moderate cold wave has been blowing through north-western parts of the country. Today the lowest temperature of the season was recorded at Tentulia 6.2 degree Celsius. Meteorologist Dr. Abdul Mannan said, light to moderate cold wave may blow through north, north-east and middle parts of the country from Friday. He said, tomorrow the sky will be cloudy and drizzle may occur. Then the night temperature may increase and day temperature may decrease. Southern districts Faridpur, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Barishal, Khulna and Jashore, northern districts Chuadanga and Rajshahi experienced severe cold in last week. The first cold wave blew overt these districts. The situation began to improve from Sunday. According to the met office, today’s lowest temperature 6.2 degree Celsius was recorded at Tentulia under Panchagarh district, in Dinajpur the lowest temperature was 6.8 degree Celsius, at Badalgachhi 7.4 degree Celsius, at Dimla 7.5 degree Celsius, at Rajarhat 7.7 degree Celsius and at Tarash 8 degree Celsius. Today the lowest temperature 13 degree Celsius was recorded in Dhaka and the highest was 22.2 degree Celsius. In the next 24 hours weather forecast starting from 9 am it was said, moderate to dense fog may come down from midnight to the morning. Sky may be slight cloudy and the weather may remain dry. Met office said that night temperature may be unchanged and day temperature may increase. The humidity in the wind at 9 am was 99 percent. AH