Desk Report: Chatbots are being taught to assist people in dealing with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. The bots do not treat or diagnose – but human therapists have some reservations about the tech. A chatbot (sometimes referred to as a chatterbot) is a computer program that attempts to simulate the conversation…
Abrar Hussain: The Parliament yesterday gave the green light to the Tk 4,64,573 crore national budget for FY 2018-19. UNB reported that Finance Minister AMA Muhith moved the Appropriations Bill, 2018 seeking a budgetary allocation of Tk 571833, 82, 92, 000 which was passed by voice vote. Following the proposal, the ministers concerned placed justifications…
Reuters: North Korea’s celebrations marking its 70th anniversary tomorrow are expected to showcase a country that has secured a nuclear arsenal and is now focusing on developing its economy and cultivating international relations. Tomorrow’s events will kick off about a month of performances, as well as a trade show and other visits designed to drum…
T.S Kevin Spacey has been presented with an honorary knighthood for his services to theatre, the arts and international culture. The 56-year-old actor attended the ceremony at Clarence House yesterday, where he was awarded the title by Prince Charles. Spacey is now officially a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire….
Reuters The Saudi-led coalition said it approved evacuating wounded Houthi fighters for treatment on Monday, meeting a key condition for the group to attend U.N.-sponsored peace talks in Sweden this week aimed at ending Yemen’s nearly four-year-old war. Prospects for convening talks have increased as Western allies press Saudi Arabia, leader of the Sunni Muslim…
The Hill: The Trump administration on Monday is set to re-impose the first batch of Iran sanctions since the U.S. withdrew from the nuclear deal. The more significant tranche of sanctions, including on oil sales, won’t come back into force until November. But Monday’s action fires a shot across the bow, telling businesses, European allies…
Sky News A “dead” comet that resembles a human skull is set to travel past the Earth less than a fortnight after Halloween. The space rock, officially named Asteroid 2015 TB145, was discovered on 10 October 2015 by a team at the University of Hawaii. NASA fittingly nicknamed the asteroid the “Great Pumpkin” before it…
Wajahat Qazi/WION news The cliché that “there are no permanent friends or enemies in international politics” holds a searing resonance and echo in the contemporary times. Even though not very significant , from and the “ grand chessboard” view and perspective of politics, the impermanence of friends and enemies in politics might be best encapsulated…
BSS The construction work of the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar rail track, one of the fast track projects of the government, is progressing fast. “Construction work of the 102km Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar dual gauge track is going on in full swing. Already half of the land acquisition has been completed,” Project Director Mofijur Rahman told BSS. Construction of…
Al Mahmood Road Tran-sport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on wednesday said there are no plans or possibilities for early elections. “I have already told that we are ready to take part in the polls whether it is held after one, three or six months later. But there is no plan or possibility of early…