Significance of humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, OpenAI and G42 collaborate for AI expansion, and more, Gulf News Editors comment on October 19 top news

SIGNIFICANCE OF HUMANITARIAN CEASEFIRE IN GAZA: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urgently urged a humanitarian ceasefire to ensure humanitarian assistance in Gaza. Meanwhile, the US exercised its veto power at the UN Security Council on Wednesday, blocking a resolution that would have called for temporary humanitarian pauses in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants. This pause was intended to allow unhindered access for humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The vote, concerning a resolution drafted by Brazil, had faced two prior delays as the US attempted to negotiate terms for aid delivery to Gaza. Palestinian authorities report a tragic toll of over 3,400 Palestinian fatalities and 12,000 injuries within the past ten days, making humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza all the more important. (By Sadiq Shaban, Opinion Editor)

OPENAI AND G42 COLLABORATE FOR AI EXPANSION: OpenAI, the mastermind behind ChatGPT, is joining forces with a leading artificial intelligence firm in Abu Dhabi, marking an ambitious expansion in the UAE and the wider region. This strategic partnership with G42 focuses on deploying OpenAI's generative AI models across diverse sectors, from finance and energy to healthcare. Sam Altman, OpenAI's co-founder and CEO, expressed their intent to harness G42's industry knowledge to provide tailored solutions that resonate with the region's intricacies. This collaboration aligns with G42's significant role in the UAE's AI advancements, evident in their partnerships and investments in cutting-edge technology. Altman's recognition of the UAE's forward-thinking approach to AI emphasizes the country's importance in the industry, with early adoption by the government setting the stage for AI innovation. (By Nivetha Dayanand, Web Editor)

JADA PINKETT SMITH SPEAKS HER OWN TRUTH: Love her or loathe her, Hollywood icon Jada Pinkett Smith demands attention. Since she started promoting her memoir 'Worthy,' she's been dropping truth bombs relentlessly. In a recent interview with Gulf News from Los Angeles, Pinkett Smith, Will Smith's wife, didn't hold back. Hoping to empower women to speak their truth, she shared insights into her unconventional lifestyle and attempts at "romantic uncoupling" with husband Will Smith. Despite leading separate lives, they rekindled their relationship after the impactful 2022 Oscars night. Addressing the 2022 Oscar slap incident, Pinkett Smith revealed it was a catalyst for a deeper connection and therapy with Will Smith. She describes her current phase with Smith as beautiful. While her candid admissions invite judgment, she remains untroubled by vulnerability in the public eye. Regardless of one's opinion, it's commendable that she's brutally honest about her complex life—neither conventional nor picture-perfect but undeniably real. With her UAE visit next November, one can anticipate another powerful chapter in her journey. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)