Maraga Speaks: Clarifies Support for Ruto Amid Uproar – International Edition (English)

Maraga Speaks: Clarifies Support for Ruto Amid Uproar – International Edition (English)


  • Former Chief Justice David Maraga nearly found himself in hot water following comments he made at Rongo University that were misconstrued.

  • A media outlet broadcasted his statement as support for President William Ruto being described as a listener, which drew the notice of the disruptive X users who have been protesting against Ruto’s administration.

  • Nevertheless, Maraga promptly moved to clarify his stance, suggesting that his comments were intended as guidance for the president rather than an expression of support.


Kai Eli, a journalist with SANGGRALOKA.co.ke, has over three years of expertise in reporting on politics and contemporary issues within Kenya.

Former Chief Justice David Maraga aims to debunk the claim that he has become more lenient towards President William Ruto, who leads an administration increasingly disliked by the public.

A media organization, via its X account, cited Maraga as praising Ruto for acting like an attentive president, indicating that the previous chief of the judicial system might be softening his position on proper governance.

It was claimed that he made these comments on Thursday, March 27, during a public address about good governance, constitutional principles, and legal fairness at Rongo University.

The post caught the eye of Twitter users, who promptly started criticizing Maraga for contradicting himself.

They were curious about how the ex-CJ would transition from advocating for good governance to aligning himself with the president, who is criticized for poor leadership.

The temperature was rising, with Maraga having climbed to the top of the trending topics list.

He quickly stepped forward to clarify his stance, indicating that what was perceived as support for the president was actually just advice.

“However, if I were to provide guidance, I would urge him to hear out Kenyans…” said Maraga in a public lecture at Rongo University this morning.

Abandoned Goods Yard Set to Transform Into 5,000 New Homes

Abandoned Goods Yard Set to Transform Into 5,000 New Homes

A previously used freight yard will be transformed into a location for 5,000 new residences following governmental support.

The Fourth Quarter site in Newcastle is among four government-held brownfields slated for significant regeneration as part of an initiative aimed at accelerating home construction.

The previously used freight area is the biggest project in the development and covers 100 acres (40.5 hectares) close to the River Tyne.

The North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, stated that the yard had remained idle for two decades and was considered a “missed chance.”

“This is precisely the type of location where we ought to construct housing developments,” she stated.

Next, we will develop job opportunities by constructing residential areas where families can establish long-term foundations for their futures.

‘Untapped resource’

A
development framework for Fourth Yard
A report published by Newcastle City Council in 2020 indicated that the area encompasses a significant portion of the quayside.

It encompasses Forth Goods Yard, Pottery Lane East, Pottery Lane West, Quayside West, Newcastle Utilita Arena, and Newcastle Heliport.

The properties will be constructed by a new Network Rail subsidiary, according to the government, which claims this could facilitate up to 40,000 additional residences across the UK within the coming ten years.

The Fourth Quarter project will be one of the initial developments, featuring 1,500 residences at Manchester Mayfield and a combined use site with 425 homes in Cambridge.

The HM Treasury announced the creation of a new task force aimed at making additional government-owned land available for housing development.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated that government-controlled websites have remained an underutilized asset for far too long.

“Unlike the unsuccessful methods used previously, we are maximizing the utility of public lands to construct the residences required by families and our military personnel. This initiative enhances possibilities for home ownership and generates employment opportunities nationwide,” she stated.

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More on this story

  • Government obtains land for ‘new community’
  • Funding increase for revamping riverside location

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Ubisoft Unveils Restructuring Plan with Billion-Euro Investment

Ubisoft Unveils Restructuring Plan with Billion-Euro Investment

To overcome financial challenges, Ubisoft announced on Thursday that they plan to establish a new subsidiary focused on their top properties like “Assassin’s Creed,” collaborating with China’s leading tech company Tencent.

The newly formed entity, worth approximately four billion euros ($4.3 billion), will have Tencent holding a 25% stake by investing 1.16 billion euros as fresh capital in return.

In addition to “Assassin’s Creed,” the subsidiary will also gather “Far Cry” and “Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six” — two of the most prominent series within Ubisoft’s portfolio of gaming franchises.

It seems Ubisoft is capitalizing on the successful release of the newest installment in the “Assassin’s Creed” series, titled “Shadows,” which has been crucial for their upcoming plans.

The terms of the Tencent agreement prohibit the French company from dropping below a controlling stake in the subsidiary during the initial two-year period.

Tencent is unable to raise its ownership stakes for the next half-decade — unless Ubisoft ceases to have a controlling interest in the interim period.

CEO Yves Guillemot referred to this move as a “new era for (Ubisoft)”.

The past year was tough for Ubisoft, marked by multiple underwhelming launches of anticipated big-budget titles and a decline in their share value.

Launching the new subsidiary — whose name hasn’t been revealed yet — by year-end will allow the firm “to enhance the valuation of our assets, reinforce our financial position, and set up optimal circumstances for these brands’ sustained expansion and prosperity,” Guillemot stated.

This agreement further strengthens Tencent’s control over Ubisoft following their involvement in 2022.

The Chinese company possesses nearly 10 percent of the group’s shares — a limit they cannot exceed until 2030 — whereas the founding Guillemot family owns approximately 15 percent.

Breaking the streak

Earlier this year, Ubisoft had said that it was “actively exploring various strategic and capitalistic options”.

Frederick Duquet, the finance director, stated on Thursday that they had “received numerous expressions of interest which resulted in several non-binding proposals covering various alternatives.”

Ultimately, the decision was made to establish the subsidiary, enabling Ubisoft to retain control over its crucial resources, with the aim of developing extremely valuable global brands potentially worth several billion dollars in the future, Duquet explained.

Ubisoft intends to share additional updates regarding modifications within the group at a future date.

By the end of trading in Paris on Thursday, the company’s market capitalization was valued at 1.7 billion euros, which is under half the worth of the newly formed subsidiary.

The teams handling the three primary franchises will unite within the newly established unit based in France, with particular emphasis on Ubisoft’s Montreal studios — which stands as one of the biggest facilities within the company.

Altogether, the publishing company has approximately 18,000 employees globally, with 4,000 based in France.

Since its launch on March 20, “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” has attracted three million players, marking a significant turnaround following a series of underwhelming releases for Ubisoft.

Despite this, the team will continue moving forward with a cost-reduction strategy established at the beginning of 2023. This initiative includes shutting down facilities located outside of France and eliminating approximately 2,000 positions.

Ubisoft’s challenges mirror broader stagnation in the video game industry over the last couple of years.

Red Hat Unleashes Enterprise AI Power Across Hybrid CloudsWith Red Hat AI

Red Hat Unleashes Enterprise AI Power Across Hybrid CloudsWith Red Hat AI

NewsVoir

Raleigh (North Carolina), USA — On March 27, Red Hat, Inc., which stands as the global leader in providing open-source solutions, unveiled new enhancements to their product line called Red Hat AI. This suite is tailored to expedite both the creation and implementation of artificial intelligence technologies throughout various hybrid cloud settings. The updated offering from Red Hat includes an advanced AI platform aimed at boosting productivity during model training and inference stages. It promises greater operational efficiency, user-friendly processes, and adaptability to be deployed seamlessly across multiple hybrid cloud infrastructures.

Despite efforts from companies to minimize expenses associated with implementing extensive large language models (LLMs) to handle an increasing range of applications, these organizations continue to grapple with the difficulty of merging such models with their exclusive datasets that fuel these applications. They must ensure accessibility to this information regardless of where it resides—be it within a data center, through multiple public cloud platforms, or out at the network’s periphery.

Red Hat AI encompasses both Red Hat OpenShift AI and Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI (RHEL AI). It tackles these issues by offering an enterprise-level AI platform designed to help users implement more effective and streamlined models. These models are tailored using specific business-related data and can subsequently be deployed across various hybrid clouds for extensive use in training as well as inference processes on multiple high-performance computing setups.

Red Hat OpenShift AI

Red Hat OpenShift AI offers a comprehensive AI platform designed to handle the entire lifecycle of both predictive and generative AI (Gen AI) processes across various hybrid clouds. This includes functionalities like machine learning operations (MLOps) and LLMOps features. It equips you with the means to develop predictive models as well as fine-tune Gen AI models. Additionally, it comes equipped with user-friendly tools aimed at streamlining all aspects of AI model management—from initial data science tasks through pipeline development and ongoing model monitoring right up to regulatory compliance and beyond.

The newest version of Red Hat OpenShift AI, Release 2.18, introduces various enhancements and functionalities aimed at bolstering Red Hat AI’s objective to deliver highly refined and resource-efficient AI models across hybrid clouds. Notable additions encompass:

* Distributed Serving: Offered via the vLLM inference server, this approach allows IT teams to divide model serving tasks among several graphics processing units (GPUs). By doing so, it reduces strain on individual servers, accelerates both training and tuning processes, optimizes computational resource usage, and facilitates service distribution across various nodes for AI models.

• A comprehensive model refinement process: This latest addition leverages InstructLab along with Red Hat OpenShift AI data science workflows to ease the adjustment of Large Language Models (LLMs). It enhances scalability, efficiency, and auditability within extensive operational settings and provides control via the Red Hat OpenShift AI interface.

* AI Safety Measures: The latest version of Red Hat OpenShift AI 2.18 enhances LLM precision, efficiency, response time, and clarity with a new feature called AI Guardrails. This tech-preview allows monitoring and bolstering protection for user inputs as well as model outcomes. AI Guardrails provides extra checkpoints to assist IT staff in recognizing and addressing possibly offensive, harmful, or inappropriate content, sensitive personal details, proprietary info, or other restricted material according to company guidelines.

* Model Evaluation: Leveraging the language model evaluation (lm-eval) tool offers crucial insights into the model’s overall effectiveness. This feature allows data scientists to assess how well their large language models perform across multiple tasks such as logical reasoning, mathematical problem-solving, and handling adversarial inputs in natural language processing. In turn, this aids in developing smarter, more interactive, and personalized artificial intelligence systems.

RHEL AI

As part of the Red Hat AI suite, RHEL AI serves as a foundational platform for developing, testing, and deploying large language models (LLMs) to support business applications. It offers customers access to Granite LLMs along with InstructLab model alignment tools. These resources come bundled as a bootable Red Hat Enterprise Linux server image, enabling deployment throughout various environments within the hybrid cloud infrastructure.

Introduced in February 2025, RHEL version 1.4 brought multiple new improvements such as:

* Support has been added for the Granite 3.1 8B model as part of the newest inclusion into the open-source licensed Granite model series. This edition introduces multilingual capabilities for inference and allows for tailored taxonomies and knowledge personalization (in developer preview). Additionally, it features a 128K token context window aimed at enhancing summary outcomes and performance in retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) processes.

* A fresh graphical user interface designed for skill and knowledge submissions, offered as part of a developer preview, aimed at streamlining data intake and segmentation along with enabling users to incorporate their personal skills and inputs into an AI model.

* Document Knowledge-bench (DK-bench) designed to facilitate simpler comparisons between AI models that have been fine-tuned using pertinent private data and their respective base models without tuning.

Red Hat AI InstructLab on IBM Cloud

More businesses are seeking AI solutions that emphasize precision and data protection, all while minimizing expenses and intricacies. The Red Hat AI InstructLab offered as a cloud-based service via IBM Cloud aims to streamline processes, expand capabilities, and enhance security measures for both training and deploying AI models. This makes it easier to fine-tune the InstructLab models, enabling companies to create highly effective systems customized to their specific requirements without relinquishing control over their information.

No-cost AI Foundations training

Artificial intelligence represents a revolutionary chance that is reshaping enterprise functioning and competition methods. In order to assist businesses navigate this ever-changing environment, Red Hat has introduced free-of-charge online training courses under their AI Foundations program. They offer two distinct AI certification programs tailored for seasoned executives as well as those new to AI, aimed at educating individuals across various skill levels about leveraging AI to revolutionize operational processes, expedite decision making, and foster innovation. These educational resources instruct participants on effectively utilizing their understanding within the scope of Red Hat’s AI solutions.

Availability

Red Hat OpenShift AI 2.18 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI 1.4 are now widely accessible. For details about extra functionalities, enhancements, bug corrections, and instructions on upgrading to the most recent release of Red Hat OpenShift AI, please visit their website for more insights.
here
The most recent version of RHEL AI can be located.
here.

The upcoming release of Red Hat AI InstructLab on IBM Cloud is scheduled for shortly. Customers can currently access AI Foundations training provided by Red Hat.

Supporting Quotes

Joe Fernandes, Vice President and General Manager of the AI Business Unit at Red Hat, stated, “As organizations increasingly adopt generative AI solutions into production and operate them at larger scales, managing costs becomes critical. Additionally, companies must tackle issues related to merging AI models with internal corporate information and ensure deployment flexibility irrespective of where their data resides. To help businesses overcome these hurdles, Red Hat’s AI platform supports deploying optimized, custom-trained models directly onto company infrastructure—whether on-site, in public clouds, or at the network edges.”

Regis Lesbarreres, who serves as the advanced analytics and AI innovation manager at Airbus Helicopters within their digital innovation division, stated: “When we embarked on our AI initiative, Airbus Helicopters aimed to incorporate AI into our current infrastructure, minimize unauthorized IT activities, bring together our data science team onto one unified AI platform, and streamline expenses efficiently across various operations. By utilizing Red Hat OpenShift AI, we have successfully achieved each of these targets, leading to our initial practical application of AI technology. The strategic outlook of Red Hat regarding AI matches perfectly with our corporate aims, enabling us to reach our objectives while ensuring adaptability, ease of access, and clear visibility.”

Javier Olaizola Casin, Worldwide Managing Partner,
Hybrid Cloud
And Data, IBM Consulting states, “Enterprises are progressively leveraging AI to revamp fundamental business operations, requiring adaptable, budget-friendly, and reliable AI solutions aligned with trusted corporate data to address specific demands. Red Hat AI offers the uniformity, dependability, and efficiency needed for enterprises to develop and release AI models and apps throughout mixed-cloud settings. By integrating IBM Consulting’s sector-specific knowledge and technological proficiency with Red Hat’s AI tools, we assist our clients in maximizing returns on their tech expenditures.”

Torsten Volks, Principal Analyst of Application Modernization at ESG, states: “Top-performing companies utilize AI-powered, data-focused decision-making across various teams and departments. Consequently, the capacity to swiftly and economically create, launch, incorporate, expand, and oversee AI functionalities throughout the organization emerges as a vital element for success. Developing such proficiency necessitates an adaptable and extensive AI infrastructure that guarantees smooth interaction with current systems and procedures, enhances operational flexibility, and maintains ongoing oversight. Empowering employees and clients to leverage AI benefits promptly and extensively remains essential for sustained corporate achievement.”

Anand Swamy, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Ecosystems at HCLTech, states, “To fully harness the power of generative AI, companies must focus on setting up adaptable and nimble infrastructures. Through integrating the comprehensive features of Red Hat AI—which includes both RHEL AI and Red Hat OpenShift AI—to provide a complete AI app platform, along with HCLTech’s advanced AI knowledge and cognitive infrastructure services—a component of HCLTech AI Foundry—clients gain a seamless route for tapping into AI-driven advancements. This helps address typical hurdles like ensuring data safety, expanding AI tasks efficiently, and reducing infrastructure expenses.”

Additional Resources

* Learn more about
Red Hat AI

* Explore
Red Hat’s AI portfolio

* Read more about
Red Hat AI training

Red Hat stands as the premier supplier of open-source enterprise software solutions globally, leveraging a collaborative community model to offer robust and high-performance Linux systems, hybrid clouds, containers, and Kubernetes technologies. They assist clients in merging new and current IT applications, developing cloud-based programs, adopting their top-tier operating system, and streamlining, securing, and managing intricate ecosystems. Their acclaimed support, education, and advisory services further cement Red Hat’s position.
reliable consultant for top corporations
As a strategic collaborator with cloud service providers, systems integrators, software suppliers, clients, and open-source groups, Red Hat assists enterprises in getting ready for the digital future.

Forward-Looking Statements

Apart from the historical data and discussions included here, this press release might include forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such predictions rely on the company’s present expectations about its future operational and economic outcomes. Various elements can lead to real outcomes differing significantly. Each forward-looking statement presented today reflects solely the views at the time it was shared; however, unless mandated by legislation, the firm does not commit itself to updating or modifying these projections in light of new developments.

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLOSURE: The aforementioned press release has been supplied by
NewsVoir
ANI shall not bear any responsibility for the content thereof.

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).

NATO Reports Four U.S. Soldiers Still Unaccounted for in Lithuania

NATO Reports Four U.S. Soldiers Still Unaccounted for in Lithuania

On Wednesday, NATO issued clarification regarding remarks made earlier in the day by its Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, about four American soldiers reported as missing during training exercises in Lithuania. Initially, these statements implied that the soldiers might have perished.

NATO stated in an update on X that the search continues,” they wrote. “We apologize for any misunderstanding regarding Secretary General’s comments made earlier today. His reference was towards new information circulating but did not confirm the status of the missing individuals, whose whereabouts remain unclear.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said earlier on Wednesday that four US soldiers who went missing while training in Lithuania had died, adding he did not yet know any details.

A U.S. official, requesting confidentiality, mentioned that the incident involved four troops during a training exercise.

Rutte stated while visiting Warsaw that he had been informed about the deaths of the soldiers and expressed his condolences to their families as well as to the United States.

“This is still early news so we do not know the details. This is really terrible news and our thoughts are with the families and loved ones,” Rutte told reporters in Warsaw.

A statement from US Army Europe and Africa public affairs office in Wiesbaden mentioned that the soldiers were involved in planned tactical exercises when this occurred.

The Lithuanian national broadcasting company, LRT, reported that on Tuesday afternoon, U.S. servicemen along with one of their vehicles went missing during an exercise at the General Silvestras Žukauskas training grounds in Pabradė. This town is situated just under ten kilometers away from the Belarus border.

The Nordic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are all part of NATO and have frequently experienced tense relations with Russia following their independence from the Soviet Union in 1990.

Tensions escalated even more due to Russia’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda has been one of the most outspoken supporters of Kyiv in its fight against Moscow’s forces.

Gabby Concepcion, Kylie Padilla, and Kazel Kinouchi Lead Star-Studded Cast for Upcoming Series ‘My Father’s Wife’

Gabby Concepcion, Kylie Padilla, and Kazel Kinouchi Lead Star-Studded Cast for Upcoming Series ‘My Father’s Wife’

Gabby Concepcion
,
Kylie Padilla
, and
Kazel Kinouchi
are scheduled to headline together in the new drama series “My Father’s Wife.”

GMA Network posted pictures from the project’s story conference on their Facebook page.

The show will likewise feature Jak Roberto, Snooky Serna, Arlene Muhlach, Andre Paras, Maureen Larrazabal, and Sue Prado.

So far, no additional information has been disclosed.

Gabby formerly appeared in ”
My Guardian Alien
whereas Kylie appeared in
Asawa ng Asawa Ko
and Kazel showed up on ”
My Ilonggo Girl
.”

Kylie is stepping back into her character again as
Amihan
in ”
Sang’gre
.”



—Carby Rose Basina/MGP, GMA Network News

This article
Gabby Concepcion, Kylie Padilla, and Kazel Kinouchi will lead the cast of the forthcoming series titled “My Father’s Wife.”
was originally published in
GMA News Online
.

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