COVID drug linked to virus mutations, scientists say
A drug used to treat COVID-19 could be linked to mutations in the virus, scientists have said.
Molnupiravir works by causing mutations in the virus's genetic information, or genome, many of which kill or harm the virus, reducing the amount of COVID in the body.
Used across the world to treat COVID, it was one of the first antivirals available to doctors during the pandemic.
But researchers who mapped virus mutations across global databases, have found that some COVID mutations linked to patients taking molnupiravir were very different to the usual mutations they saw, meaning it could lead to further infection.
Christopher Ruis, from the Department of Medicine at the University of Cambridge, said molnupiravir "belongs to a class of drugs that can cause the virus to mutate so much that it is fatally weakened".
"But what we've found is that in some patients this process doesn't kill all the viruses, and some mutated viruses can spread," he said.
"This is important to take into account when assessing the overall benefits and risks of molnupiravir and similar drugs."
The study, by researchers at the Francis Crick Institute, the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, the University of Liverpool, the University of Cape Town, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), also found the mutations were more likely in older age groups consistent with the use of the antivirals to treat people who are more at risk.
Almost a third (30%) of the events in England involved the use of molnupiravir, treatment data showed.
Theo Sanderson, lead author and postdoctoral researcher at the Francis Crick Institute, said: "Our evidence shows that a specific antiviral drug, molnupiravir, also results in new mutations increasing the genetic diversity in the surviving viral population.
"The possibility of persistent antiviral-induced mutations needs to be taken into account for the development of new drugs which work in a similar way."
Source- Sky News
Cabinet minister, Obie Wilchcombe, has died
Bahamians are mourning the sudden passing of Cabinet Minister Obediah Wilchcombe. He was 65 years old.
Mourners have gathered at the Rand Memorial Hospital in Grand Bahama upon learning of his death.
The Office of the Prime Minister today announced the passing of Wilchcombe, who served as Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, and Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly.
A statement said Minister Wilchombe dedicated his life to public service and made significant contributions to the nation.
Prime Minister Philip Edward Davis is in Grand Bahama to pay his respects and offer condolences to the family.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Killarney, Dr Hubert Minnis, has extended condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Obediah Wilchcombe.
He says Wilchcombe served The Bahamas with unwavering dedication and passion.
Minnis says the passing of Minister Wilchcombe is a profound loss to the nation and his invaluable contributions to the betterment of The Bahamas will forever be remembered and appreciated.
It was noted that Wilchcombe as a devoted public servant, worked tirelessly to enhance the lives of citizens, first in the area of broadcast and journalism, and secondly as a Member of Parliament and as a Cabinet Minister, leaving an indelible mark on this country's history.
During his tenure in government, serving most recently as Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly, Minister Wilchcombe exhibited exemplary leadership and a deep commitment to the well-being of the people.
Source- Caribbean Loop News
Spotify will not ban AI-made music, says boss
The boss of Spotify says he has no plans to completely ban content created by artificial intelligence from the music streaming platform.
Earlier this year the platform pulled a track featuring AI-cloned voices of the performers Drake and The Weeknd.
Daniel Ek told the BBC there were valid uses of the tech in making music - but AI should not be used to impersonate human artists without their consent.
He said using AI in music was likely to be debated for "many, many years".
Mr Ek, who rarely speaks to the media, said that he saw three "buckets" of AI use:
- tools such as auto-tune which improve music, which he believed were acceptable
-tools that mimic artists, which were not
-and a more contentious middle ground where music created by AI was clearly influenced by existing artists but did not directly impersonate them.
"It is going to be tricky," he said when asked about the challenge the industry was facing.
While AI is not banned in all forms on the platform the company does not allow its content to be used to train a machine learning or AI model, the likes of which can then produce music.
Artists are increasingly speaking out against the use of AI in the creative industries.
Last month the Irish musician Hozier said he would consider striking over the threat of AI to his profession.
He told BBC Newsnight that he wasn't sure the tech "meets the definition of art".
Neither Drake nor The Weeknd were aware of cloned versions of their voices being used on the song, Heart on My Sleeve. The track was removed from Spotify and other streaming platforms in April.
Its creator, Ghostwriter, later tried to have the track nominated for a Grammy award but it was turned down.
"You can imagine someone uploading a song, claiming to be Madonna, even if they're not. We've seen pretty much everything in the history of Spotify at this point with people trying to game our system," Mr Ek said.
"We have a very large team that is working on exactly these types of issues."
In May, the Financial Times reported that thousands of tracks had been removed from Spotify after a discovery that bots were being used to artificially inflate their streaming figures.
Mr Ek also discussed the platform's huge investment in podcasts - including those from high-profile figures like Michelle and Barack Obama and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Neither has been re-commissioned.
The deal with Harry and Meghan cost a reported $25m (£18m) and saw just 12 episodes delivered over two and a half years. A Spotify executive recently reportedly spoke disparagingly about the pair's work ethic.
"The truth of the matter is some of it has worked, some of it hasn't," said Mr Ek of the firm's decision to "challenge Apple" as the market-leading podcast platform by taking on a lot of new creators.
"Five years ago Spotify was nowhere in podcasting."
Separately, the firm confirmed that Russell Brand's podcast would remain on Spotify unless the material itself was found to have breached its own terms and conditions.
Acast, which owns the podcast, said it had suspended advertising revenue from it as the comedian remains under investigation over allegations of sexual assault.
The reason Sweden-based Daniel Ek was in the UK was to discuss regulation. He said the firm is supportive of the incoming Online Safety Bill, designed to make the Internet safer for children, and the ongoing Digital Markets Bill, which aims to improve competition by closely scrutinizing the tech giants.
Mr Ek has long been a vocal critic of the policies of Apple and Google's app stores, on which Spotify relies. Both companies charge smaller developers a 15% commission on in-app purchases, with this rising to 30% for developers with revenue of more than $1m.
Spotify has also complained that Apple makes it hard for the business to communicate directly with its customers and promote its services elsewhere.
"We are in a situation where literally two companies in the world control how over four billion consumers access the internet," said Mr Ek.
"If you think now on a company like Spotify, where we already pay out almost 70% of our revenues back to the creative community, if we were to take the 30% out of our cut it essentially means we're left with zero, which means we have to close shop."
In April, the European Commission (EC) charged Apple with breaking EU competition rules over this, following a complaint from Spotify in 2020. In February the EC scaled back its objections against Apple although there has yet to be a final ruling.
Apple said it was continuing to work with the EC. It added that the vast majority of European developers make less than $1m in revenue and qualify to pay Apple a 15% commission rate.
Source- BBC
Man United secure victory in 'must-win' game against Burnley
It was no surprise to see Bruno Fernandes come up with a clutch moment when Manchester United needed it most.
Few, however, would have expected veteran defender Jonny Evans to provide the assist for the Portuguese midfielder's winning goal at Burnley on Saturday.
Evans himself thought such moments for him in a United shirt were long gone.
“When you get to a certain age you start to wind down your career,” said the 35-year-old center-back, who made his 200th appearance for the club more than eight years since his last start.
The Northern Ireland international, who left United for West Bromwich Albion in 2015, rejoined as a free agent in the offseason.
“It was never a thought that I would come in and be a starter,” he said after the 1-0 win at Turf Moor. “I was told that my role would be to provide competition and that is how I have approached it.”
A spate of injuries saw Evans start at Burnley as Erik ten Hag looked to end a three-match losing run and kickstart his team's faltering season.
Evans was at the heart of United's first clean sheet since the opening day of the campaign and provided a long-range pass for Fernandes to lash home the winner.
“We have problems and at this moment a lot is against us: injuries, decisions and we have all seen the examples,” said Ten Hag. “We are very happy to have a player like Jonny Evans in the squad. He comes in and he is calm, composed, has character, and a good skill set. When you have things against you, you can bounce back when you have the character in the squad to do that.”
It will take more than victory against winless Burnley to prove United has turned a corner, but this was a welcome positive for Ten Hag in a season that has looked in danger of unraveling.
With his team going into the game having lost its last three games in all competitions, the Dutch coach was candid about the importance of the result with pressure mounting.
“It was clear. Of course, we needed that win,” he said. “We had a tough run of games against good opponents. It wasn’t necessary to lose those games. Today was a must-win.”
United had lost three of their opening five games in the league and had just suffered a 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday. The club was trying to avoid a fourth straight defeat for the first time since 2015.
That run had come under Ten Hag's Dutch compatriot Louis van Gaal, who was fired at the end of that season.
Ten Hag's problems have been compounded by a host of injuries to key players such as Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, and Lisandro Martinez, while he has also had to contend with off-field issues involving Mason Greenwood, Antony, and Jadon Sancho.
“You have to fight and find a turning point,” said the United manager. “It shows the dressing room is together. They fight together.”
The win moved United up the eighth in the standings, but they remain nine points behind leader Manchester City, which beat Nottingham Forest 2-0.
Ten Hag can now look ahead to a sequence of games he would expect his side to win to build confidence and momentum.
United have a run of five home games out of their next six in all competitions before hosting City on Oct. 29.
Source- Loop News
Popular DJ dies in boating incident
A boating incident is being investigated by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
According to police reports, around 4.58 pm, yesterday (September 24), there was a two-boat collision in the Leeward Channel.
Two male occupants were thrown into the water on impact.
A two-hour search was conducted, and the body of Michael Taylor was recovered.
The other male occupant of the boat is currently receiving medical care.
Members of the public who witnessed the collision or the sequence of events leading up to it - including any footage recorded on mobile devices- have been asked to contact the nearest police station to assist investigators in establishing the facts.
The RT&CIPF has expressed condolences to the family and friends of Taylor.
Meanwhile, Prime DJs Turks and Caicos confirmed via their Facebook page news about the passing of Michael Taylor II (DJ Kryptonite).
It stated DJ Kryptonite, their co-founder and loving family member, died tragically yesterday (September 24) in a boating accident on Providenciales.
Prime DJ TCI said Michael lived an extraordinary life filled with adventure, laughter, love, and great music.
“We ask that you keep our Prime Time family in your prayers, praying that the Lord gives us strength and power to carry on.”
Condolences have been pouring in since the news of his passing.
Source- Caribbean Loop News
Usher to headline the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show in Las Vegas
Usher has a new confession: The Grammy winner will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in Las Vegas.
The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation announced Sunday that Usher would lead the halftime festivities from Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11. The music megastar, who has won eight Grammys, said he’s looking forward to performing on the NFL’s biggest stage.
“It’s an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list,” Usher said in a statement. “I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before.”
Usher springboarded into superstardom with “Confessions,” which sold more than 10 million units in the U.S. and earned him eight nominations at the 2005 Grammys, winning him three. He lost album of the year to Ray Charles’ final album “Genius Loves Company,” released two months after the legend died.
“Confessions” ranks among one of the best-selling music projects of all time and launched number-one hits such as “Yeah!” with Ludacris and Lil Jon, “Burn” and “Confessions Part II.” His special edition version included the smooth hit “My Boo,” a duet with Alicia Keys. Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the epic album.
Usher, 44, is currently headlining his “Usher: My Way” residency in Las Vegas, which has drawn sold-out shows and rave reviews. He's also beginning an eight-night block of performances in Paris on Sunday. Usher is expected to wrap up his Las Vegas residency in early December before he makes his Super Bowl halftime appearance a couple of months later.
The singer has served as a coach on NBC’s “The Voice” and appeared in several films including “Hustlers” and “Light It Up.”
Roc Nation founder Jay-Z called Usher the ultimate “artist and showman.”
“Ever since his debut at the age of 15, he’s been charting his own unique course,” he said of Usher, who released his debut self-titled album in 1994. In total, he’s released eight studio projects that were filled with hits including “U Got It Bad,” “U Remind Me,” “You Make Me Wanna,” “Nice & Slow” and “Love In This Club” with Jeezy.
“Beyond his flawless singing and exceptional choreography, Usher bares his soul,” Jay-Z continued. “His remarkable journey has propelled him to one of the grandest stages in the world. I can’t wait to see the magic.”
Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins will serve as co-executive producers of the halftime show. Hamish Hamilton returns as director. It’s the second collaboration between the NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation.
Last year, a pregnant Rihanna emerged suspended on a platform above the field for a spectacular halftime show – her first solo event in seven years.
“We are so proud of what we were able to accomplish together with the NFL and Roc Nation last year and now with the insanely talented Usher set to take the stage we’re looking forward to another incredible Halftime Show from one of the world’s all-time greatest performers,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s Vice President of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Sports, and Beats.
Usher will join a list of celebrated musicians who have played during Super Bowl halftime shows including Beyoncé, Madonna, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Coldplay, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, U2, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, and Katy Perry.
“Usher is an icon whose music has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape throughout his career,” said Seth Dudowsky, NFL Head of Music.
Source- Loop News
Musk start-up Neuralink seeks people for brain-implant trial
Elon Musk's brain-computer interface (BCI) start-up Neuralink has begun recruiting people for its first human trial.
The company's goal is to connect human brains to computers and test its technology on people with paralysis.
A robot will help implant a BCI that will let them control a computer cursor, or type, using thoughts alone.
However rival companies have already implanted BCI devices in humans.
In May, Neuralink won US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its first human clinical trial, a critical milestone after earlier struggles to gain approval.
The FDA approval represented "an important first step that will one day allow our technology to help many people", Neuralink said at the time
The company had sought approval to implant its devices in 10 people, former and current employees told news agency Reuters.
The number finally agreed upon is not known.
At the start of the six-year study, a robot would be used to surgically place 64 flexible threads, thinner than a human hair, onto a part of the brain that controlled "movement intention", the company said.
These allow Neuralink's experimental N1 implant - powered by a battery that can be charged wirelessly - to record and transmit brain signals wirelessly to an app that decodes how the person intends to move.
The company says people may qualify for the trial if they have quadriplegia due to injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - a disease in which the nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain degenerate.
While Mr. Musk's involvement raises the profile of Neuralink, he faces rivals, some with a track record dating back nearly two decades. Utah-based Blackrock Neurotech implanted its first of many BCIs in 2004.
Precision Neuroscience, formed by a Neuralink co-founder, also aims to help people with paralysis. And its implant resembles a fragile piece of tape that sits on the surface of the brain and can be implanted via a "cranial micro-slit", which it says is a much simpler procedure.
Meanwhile, existing devices are generating results. In two separate recent US scientific studies, implants were used to monitor brain activity when a person tried to speak, which could then be decoded to help them communicate.
Dr. Adrien Rapeaux, a research associate in the Neural Interfaces Lab at Imperial College London told the BBC that "Neuralink no doubt has an advantage in terms of implantation" as their procedure was robotically assisted.
But Dr Rapeaux who is also a co-founder of a neural implant start-up Mintneuro, said it wasn't clear how their method for converting brain signals into useful actions would do better than that used by Blackrock Neurotech for example, and whether it is able to stay accurate and reliable over time, "a known issue in the field".
Source- BBC
Goalkeeper takes responsibility as Manchester United lose at Bayern Munich
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana says he has "let the team down" and that they failed to get a result at Bayern Munich "because of me".
In an eventful game in Germany, Onana's error gifted Bayern a crucial lead that they quickly doubled after United had started in a disciplined fashion.
A flurry of goals followed but United were always chasing and ultimately fell short, suffering a 4-3 loss.
"This is the life of a goalkeeper," Onana told TNT Sports.
"It's difficult. We started very good. After my mistake, we lost control of the game. It's a difficult situation for us, for me especially because I'm the one who let the team down.
"We were very good on the ball, they didn't create any chances, their first shot on target I made a mistake. It was the key point and the team went down because of that mistake.
"If we didn't win today it was because of me.
"I have to learn from it and be strong. I have a lot to prove. My start in Manchester hasn't been so good, not how I want. This was one of my worst games."
Speaking in his role as a pundit on TNT, former United defender Rio Ferdinand agreed with Onana's assessment that the mistake was crucial to the game.
"All the blame [for that goal] lays at his door," he said. "It was a straightforward save. It's not a hard shot to deal with. He'd expect to make that save.
"It epitomizes Manchester United this season. Most of the goals they've conceded this season, they could have made tougher for the opposition. He hasn't dealt with a big moment there."
Onana joined United in the summer for £47.2m after having helped Inter Milan reach the final of last season's Champions League.
However, the Cameroon international has struggled at times behind a shaky defense, conceding 14 goals in six games in all competitions.
They have now lost four of those six games this season and each of the past three.
While his error was indeed costly, Onana also made five saves in Wednesday's game to prevent Bayern from running away with the match.
Manager Erik ten Hag refused to let his goalkeeper take sole responsibility for the loss, saying there is a group accountability for results.
"It's good he's doing that but it's about the team," said Ten Hag when told of Onana's comments. "Mistakes are being made but you have to bounce back as a team.
"If one player makes a mistake, it's done, it's gone. We have to believe as a team that we can always bounce back. Tonight we showed it.
"Stay in the game and don't allow the opponent to score a goal. It's not about one mistake. It was too easy for the player to have the shot."
There were some positives for Ten Hag to take from the game, notably the way they fought back into the contest twice to give themselves hope. But United were undone by their fragility.
"[We are] disappointed because we should stay in the game," continued the Dutchman. "If you score three goals at Bayern Munich you have to take a point.
"We are in a period, where a lot is going against us. We have to make our own luck. We've played great teams in the last three games."
Source- BBC
Pictures of Rihanna's second-born Riot Rose released
A month ago, rumors circulated that Barbadian pop icon Rihanna gave birth to a bouncing baby boy.
In typical Fenty fashion, that being doing everything on her own terms, on a random Tuesday, the images and the name of the baby were dropped online.
Acclaimed fashion photographer Miles Diggs (Diggzy), who was the first to reveal Rihanna's first pregnancy in 2022, with the iconic photoshoot of the beaming couple - Rihanna and her partner A$AP Rocky - strolling around New York hand-in-hand, is back with the first-ever photos of their second son and Mayers family portrait.
Captioned: "It's a FAMILY thing. Welcome to the World Riot Rose", the happy couple debuted their second bundle of joy and growing family.
In the picture, Riot Rose is nestled in his dad's arms, wearing a pink suit and tiny Timberland boots.
Rihanna even showed her love in the comments of the Instagram post saying "The Mayers Boyz".
There were speculations online that the baby was named Riot, however, it was confirmed today.
Source- Loop News
Venezuela sends 11,000 troops to retake prison
Venezuela has sent 11,000 troops to regain control of one of its biggest prisons that had been overrun by a powerful criminal gang.
The Tocoron prison, in the north of the country, was under the control of the Tren de Aragua mega-gang for years.
Members were able to roam freely around the prison, which had hotel-like facilities including a pool, nightclub, and a mini zoo, local media reported.
Officials said the 6,000 inmates would be transferred to other prisons.
Many free residents were living inside the prison alongside sentenced inmates. After authorities announced that prisoners would be relocated, some relatives cried outside, unsure where they would go next.
"I am waiting to hear where they are taking my husband... I was living in there, but they kicked us out," Gladys Hernandez told AFP news agency.
It reported that journalists saw security guards carrying motorcycles, televisions, and microwaves from the jail.
In a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, the Venezuelan Interior Ministry congratulated officers for regaining the prison and dismantling "a center of conspiracy and crime".
The leader of the Tren de Aragua gang, Hector Guerrero Flores, was serving a 17-year sentence inside the prison for murder and drug trafficking.
However, he was so powerful that he reportedly used to come and go freely from the prison before becoming a full-time inmate, according to Carlos Nieto, a coordinator with A Window to Freedom.
Source- BBC