Will Robots Destroy Online Poker?

Online gaming is one heck of a cash cow. But computer scientists at the University of Alberta have developed a human-crushing poker bot, that, in the wrong hands, could take over poker, and rake in all the virtual chips.

This week Search Engine introduces you to ‘Polaris’, an artificial intelligence program that could become the undisputed kingpin of poker. Join host (and low-stakes player) Jesse Brown as he asks U of A chief engineer Jonathan Schaeffer, what ‘Polaris’ will mean for the multi-billion dollar online industry.
Then it’s man vs. machine, as Jesse takes on Polaris in a heads-up game of Texas Hold Em’.

I also believe that computers (robots) will later dominate the humans in online gaming especially Poker. I think that computers will be very smart to know the possiblities and chances, in order to beat humans. I recommand the humans to not to risk their opportunities online.

Article from: http://www.cbc.ca/searchengine/blog/2007/12/will_robots_destroy_online_pok.html

Air Canada flight makes emergency landing in Winnipeg

At Winnipeg's James Richardson International Airport early Thursday evening, emergency crews were on standby as an Air Canada flight was forced to make an emergency landing. Christine Alongi, spokeswoman for the Winnipeg Airports Authority, said that the Air Canada flight was on its way from Toronto to Calgary and made an unscheduled stop in Winnipeg. The pilot of this plane requested a diversion to Winnipeg because he said that he is having an avionics issue. He was not sure what really was but he wanted to land in Winnipeg.

Fortunately, the plane landed safely just after 5:30 pm. Whenever the plane lands under any circumstances, the airport puts emergency vehicles such as fire departments, city police and other first responders on standby. Avionics refers to the electronic systems of aircraft. The problem could be something as simple as a light that burned out, or something more serious, Alongi said.

If the plane has a minor problem, it will be fixed and passengers will continue on their way. A more serious problem could result in them being rebooked on new flights for the remaining leg of the journey, she said.

In my opinion, Air Canada maintenance should definitely take a look at the aircraft when they land and determine what the issue is. I think that Air Canada should check every single plane (even just few minutes) before they depart to its destination. What would've happened if the pilot did not make an emergency stop in Winnipeg?

Article from: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2007/12/13/wpg-airport.html

Teen dead after alleged attack by father

Peel Regional Police released the name of a 16 year-old teenager on Tuesday who is living in Mississauga who died after getting beat up by her father. Paramedics revived her and took her to Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, where she died late Monday night. Police said they received a call from a man who said he'd just killed his daughter.

The victim's father, Muhammad Parvez, 57, was arrested at the scene and he will soon appear in court and face murder charges. Aqsa Parvez's friends told CBC News that the teen had been having arguments with her father because he allegedly wanted her to wear a traditional hijab.

"She kinda wanted to go a different way from the way her family wanted her to go," said one friend.

They also said that she wanted to escape the family conflict by running away. On the family's quiet street, neighbours were dismayed, calling the events "a tragedy." One neighbour said she was "praying for the family."

At the teen's school, Applewood Heights Secondary School, grief counsellors have been called in and tributes are being arranged.

"Aqsa was well-known at the school," said Sylvia Link, communications manager for the Peel District School Board.
"She had a wide circle of friends and … those closest to her really are the most affected. But anyone at the school, you know our school is like a family, you know anyone at the school is really going to be shocked and saddened by this tragic news."

In my opinion, I feel very sad inside. I think that her father did a horrible job. Even though this girl did not want to wear the hijab, the father should understand why she is not willing to wear that traditional costume. Also, if I was to be her friend, I would've feel very sad, and have tears on my eyes.

Article from: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2007/12/11/teen-attacked.html

Court orders Loto-Quebec to reveal gambling-related suicides

A Quebec court has ruled that the province's lottery commission must make public its reports on gambling-related suicides. The Quebec Court of Appeal's unanimous decision Wednesday upholds a lower court order for Loto-Québec to hand over internal documents on suicides at its casinos.

The Appeal Court justices didn't even bother hearing from Loto-Québec's lawyers before issuing their ruling. Loto-Québec has argued that making the documents public could benefit organized crime groups by leaking information about their internal investigations.

Anti-poverty activist Bill Clennett, who has spearheaded the request for the documents several years, welcomed the court's ruling. Loto-Québec has yet to announce whether it will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court of Canada.

In my opinion, I agree with the Court that they are ordering Loto-Quebec to reveal gambling-related suicides. I agree because the citizens of Canada should be aware of the fact that many people are suiciding or hurting themselves just because of the gambling. I think that by revealing the stories, people might have a chance to quit gambling.

Article from: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2007/12/05/ot-loto-suicide-071205.html

Winter storms plague many Canadian regions

Atlantic Canada is bracing Monday for heavy snowfalls from the same massive weather system that has hammered Ontario and Quebec. The official start to winter may be still three weeks away, but wintry weather is already blasting much of Canada.

"It's going to be a very messy day across a good part of the country," the CBC's Colleen Jones said early Monday.

Many Canadians were still digging themselves out after three weather systems brought snow to much of the country over the weekend, with systems moving up along the Atlantic and Pacific shorelines as well as through Central Canada.

Environment Canada's senior climatologist, David Phillips, remarked Sunday that if Monday were Dec. 25, "we'd have a white Christmas from coast to coast to coast." By Monday's end, Phillips said, snow could be everywhere.

In my opinion, I like the fact that it will snow a lot this year and the snow storms are coming a lot. I like the fact that it has been estimated that this year's Christmas will be a "White Christmas". It is too bad the fact that we have to plow a lot of snow this winter.

Article from: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/12/03/winter-weather.html

No charges against coaches in kids' hockey brawl

Thursday, November 29, 2007

No criminal charges will be laid against adult hockey coaches for allegedly assaulting each other during a brawl that also involved eight-year-old players in Guelph, Ontario.

Police said Thursday that they came to the decision not to lay charges after speaking to witnesses, investigating the case and reviewing a videotape of the fracas. The officers said the incident would be better handled by the teams' hockey association.

The fight happened during the third period of a game last Friday between the Duffield Devils and Niagara Falls Thunder, two novice AAA teams. The videotape, which aired on CBC Newsworld on Thursday, shows the young players throwing punches at each other. An altercation is also visible on the players' bench that appears to involve parents and coaches. There were allegations that a Niagara Falls coach spat on a rival coach and that both sent many of their players from the bench onto the ice during the fracas.

Coaching staff, trainers and two coaches were suspended indefinitely during the investigation, said Richard Ropchan, an official with the Ontario Minor Hockey Association.

In my opinion, the coaches shouldn't be charged just because they assaulted the young kids while they are having a fight. I understand the fact that while you are playing agressive sports, you will get agressive by thinking and acting. I think that the coaches were not meant to assault them.

Article from: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/11/29/hockey-fight.html

Mighty mouse engineered to fight cancer

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

The researchers have created mouses that are resistance to even highly agressive cancers. In University of Kentucky, the scientists created this mouse by introducing into the animal the tumour-killing Par-4 gene, taken from the prostate.

Par-4 gene was discovered by radiation-medicine expert Vivek Rangnekar and his team and this kills cancer cells but not normal cells. Also, it is found in every kind of cell, the researchers say.

In the study, the Par-4 gene was added to a mouse egg that was implanted in a surrogate mother. The resulting offspring's pups also expressed the gene, and they were resistant to tumour formation. "We've been able to transfer this activity to generations in the mouse," Rangnekar said. On the other hand, in mice that had the Par-4 gene removed, tumours developed in various tissues.

The researchers also discovered that mice with the special gene lived a few months longer than animals that did not carry the gene. They did not show any ill effects from possessing the gene. The researchers speculate that the gene may one day be able to be transplanted via a person's bone marrow to fight cancerous cells in the body. They believe it may act as an alternative to chemotherapy and radiation, which have highly toxic effects on healthy cells.

In my opinion, this will one day be one of the greatest invention. If this was to be improved and able to be used to humans, many and many people who is infected by cancer cells will be cured and will live a better and happier life. I wish that this medicine improves within few years so that my family members, friends or myself can be cured through this medicine.

Article from: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/11/27/mouse-cancer.html