The Swiss Federal Council with Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr. PETER KLAUNZER / POOL / AFP Concerns have been raised over the English capabilities of Guy Parmelin, seen fourth from left in the photo above. The politician is a member of Switzerland's seven-member executive known as the Federal Council and he will head up the Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) from next year. Parmelin's lack of English has been documented in numerous Swiss press articles. His responsibilities in his new Federal Council position will include conducting negotiations on free trade agreements with Vietnam, India, Malaysia and the USA. These negotiations are widely expected to be carried out in English. When asked about his English abilities in 2015, Parmelin, from the French-speaking part of Switzerland, initially tried to answer in English but soon reverted to French. “I can English understand but [continuing in French] I prefer to speak … [Read more...] about Lost in translation: Swiss Minister under fire for lack of English
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Lost in translation: Federal Councillor under fire for lack of English
Concerns have been raised over the English capabilities of Federal Council member Guy Parmelin, seen fourth from left in the photo above, who will head the Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) from next year. Tim Guldimann, a high ranking Swiss diplomat and former politician, has said that speaking English is a "must" for international politicians. Parmelin's lack of English has been documented in numerous Swiss press articles. His responsibilities in his new Federal Council position will include conducting negotiations on free trade agreements with Vietnam, India, Malaysia and the USA. These negotiations are widely expected to be done in English. When asked about his English abilities in 2015, Parmelin initially tried to answer in English but soon reverted to French. “I can English understand but [in French] I prefer to speak French for clarity.” Curiously, the second line of his biography page on the Swiss Federal Council … [Read more...] about Lost in translation: Federal Councillor under fire for lack of English
A human-like AI anchor is now reading the news
News / UK and world by Press Association November 8, 2018, 2:33 pm FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppEmail Sign up to our Daily newsletter Artificial intelligence is continuing to reshape the way we work and now it looks like newsreaders could be next to notice the change. AI anchors, revealed by China’s state-run press agency Xinhua and search engine company Sogou, can present the headlines to viewers in English and Chinese 24 hours a day. Xinhua reports that its approach simply requires an editor to enter text into the system and the AI newscasters will take control of presenting. The AI anchors are based on real presenters at the organisation, with the system controlling their voice, lip movements and expressions to deliver the news. “The development of the media industry calls for continuous innovation and deep integration with the international advanced technologies,” the AI anchor said. “I’ll work tirelessly to keep you informed as … [Read more...] about A human-like AI anchor is now reading the news
David Goricki’s Week 9 prep picks: Detroit King-Detroit Cass Tech headlines championship week
David Goricki The Detroit News Published 4:12 PM EDT Oct 17, 2018 It’s showdown week in prep football, with a number of league-championship games. And none are bigger than the PSL title game between No. 1 Detroit Cass Tech and No. 4 Detroit King on Friday night at Detroit Renaissance. The Cass Tech-King rivalry has been one of the best in the state, with King winning last year’s game between the teams, 17-7, then going on to defeat Detroit East English in the PSL championship game. Cass Tech swept the season series in 2016 while winning the Division 1 state championship, a year after King won the season’s series and won the Division 2 state title. Cass Tech is 8-0, outscoring its opponents by a 330-34 margin, including a 40-7 rout over a strong River Rouge team to open the season. Cass Tech defeated Detroit Renaissance, 40-0, in a PSL semifinal last weekend. More: Detroit News prep football picks: Week 9 King is 7-1 with its lone loss coming in Week 2 … [Read more...] about David Goricki’s Week 9 prep picks: Detroit King-Detroit Cass Tech headlines championship week
Three cheers for the essays by Leah Waters and Roya Hakakian; for the digital Dallas Morning News
1 Leah Waters' essay — Re: "The man who yelled at the sky — He stood for hours, venting his anger. I came down from my rooftop to find out why," Monday Arts & Life story. Nothing has evoked so much emotion in me as Leah Waters' essay in Monday's paper, "The man who yelled at the sky." The jump headline, "How many souls do we pretend not to see," and the words that followed will haunt me for a very long time.I commend the editorial mind that considered the piece worthy of print. It's the reason many of us here in Paris, Texas, rely on The Dallas Morning News.Toni Clem, Paris, Texas2 Roya Hakakian's story — Re: "How America turned me into a patriot — Iran taught hatred of the U.S. But once fog of homesickness lifted, my loyalty was forever changed, Roya Hakakian says," Sept. 21 Viewpoints. I was so impressed by the story of the Iranian woman who journeyed to the U.S. during their revolution of 1979. At school in Tehran she was barraged with the message … [Read more...] about Three cheers for the essays by Leah Waters and Roya Hakakian; for the digital Dallas Morning News