Latest news with #RobertThompson
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Daily Mail
James Bulger's killer applies for parole AGAIN - sparking fury and fear for family of the murdered schoolboy
The family of murdered schoolboy James Bulger have been left 'wracked with fear' over news that their son's killer is once again up for parole. Jon Venables, now 42, was last refused release in December 2023 when the independent board ruled that he remained a risk to the public. However, he is set to be referred to the Parole Board within six months - meaning he could be free by the end of this year, The Sun reported. James, two, was abducted, tortured and beaten to death by 10-year-olds Jon Venables and Robert Thompson in 1993 in a crime which shocked the nation. The pair became the youngest ever to be convicted of murder after James' body was found on a railway track two days later. They were both convicted in 1993 and given life sentences, a source of controversy given their age. After eight years in youth custody, Venables was released in 2001 to much public outcry. A pressure group called Mothers Against Murder gathered outside the parole board's headquarters in Westminster, central London to demonstrate. Despite public pressure, the decision was made to release Venables on license in 2001 but he was recalled in 2010 after officers discovered child abuse images on his computer. He was granted parole again in 2013 but only four years later he was back in jail after yet more images were uncovered. The news of yet another parole hearing has left the family of James Bulger fearing the worst. A source told The Sun: 'It's very worrying that the process has started all over again. How many chances does he need before they throw away the key? 'The family are wracked with fear, and who can blame them?' However, justice secretary Shabana Mahmood does not want him released under her watch, a message that has been passed on to James' parents by senior probation figures. Venables' parole review is believed to still be in its infancy and his last three parole bids have failed.
Sunday World
29-04-2025
- Sunday World
Mother of murdered tot James Bulger outraged at ‘sick' AI videos of her son
'It's just weird and it shouldn't be done.' Toddler James Bulger, who was bludgeoned to death in 1993 The mother of murdered toddler James Bulger has branded AI videos of her son as 'absolutely disgusting.' AI-generated videos depicting the two-year-old talking about his fatal abduction surfaced on TikTok. The video showed a child telling the story of James' brutal murder in the first person. A spokesperson for the social media app said that videos flagged by the BBC had been removed for violating its rules. "We do not allow harmful AI-generated content on our platform and we proactively find 96% of content that breaks these rules before it is reported to us,' they said in a statement to the broadcaster. Bulger's mother, Denise Fergus, said she thought existing AI laws do not do enough to force online platforms to take down harmful content and prevent AI from being used to depict murder victims. "It's just words at the moment, they should be acting on it,' she told the BBC, adding that the AI videos of her son were 'absolutely disgusting.' She also said that those posting them to social media 'don't understand how much they're hurting people.' 'It plays on your mind. It's something that you can't get away from. When you see that image, it stays with you.' "We go on social media and the person that's no longer with us is there, talking to us. How sick is that? "It's just corrupt. It's just weird and it shouldn't be done,' she added. Under the UK's Online Safety Act, such videos are considered illegal and should be removed from platforms, but Ms Fergus is urging for stronger laws to clamp down on deepfake videos of child murder victims. She met with Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood to discuss the issue. The toddler was abducted from the New Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle, Merseyside in February 1993. He was taken by two ten-year-olds Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, who brought the little boy to a railway track four kilometres away before torturing and killing him. The tragic case sparked outrage, and his killers became the youngest convicted murderers in modern British history. Both were handed down an indefinite sentence and remained behind bars until they were granted life-long parole at the age of 18. Venables was returned to prison in 2010 for breaching the terms of his licence and was rereleased in 2013. Jon Venables (left) and Robert Thompson, who were given new identities after the murder of James Bulger Less than four years later in 2017 he was returned to prison for possession of child sex abuse images, where he remains. Venables has made numerous bids for parole, with his last one rejected in 2023. 'After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made while in custody and on licence, and the evidence presented in the dossier, the panel was not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public,' the board's decision read. 'It noted the risks as set out above, doubted Mr Venables' ability to be open and honest with professionals, and concluded that there remained a need for him to address outstanding levels of risk, and to develop his relationship with his probation officer.' Robert Thompson is not known to have reoffended and is now living under a new identity. Venebles also lives under an assumed name. A court order has banned anyone from revealing their new identities.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists stunned after documenting eerie new behavior in Arctic waters: 'Now it's fairly common'
As global temperatures continue to rise, the Arctic is seeing non-native species — like salmon and humpback whales — moving into its waters. KTOO recently reported on the convening of researchers, hunters, and fishermen in January at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium. Up for discussion were the migration patterns of fish and whales that have been shifting due to the warming climate. Fishermen, whalers, and scientists have been seeing salmon and humpbacks in the Arctic. Salmon was considered a rare catch in Kaktovik, Alaska, just a few years ago. According to KTOO, resident Robert Thompson said that catching salmon was once so unusual that people would talk about it when someone did catch one. "Now it's fairly common," he said. And scientists are studying what fishermen have been experiencing. Graduate student Elizabeth Mik'aq Lindley has worked with other researchers to monitor temperature changes in the region. The Alaska public radio station reported that she said, "Salmon are spawning in the Arctic, and it does seem like it's thermally survivable, thermally possible and plausible that they can incubate and emerge at the right time, given these temperatures." Behavioral changes among whales have also been observed. Clarissa Ribeiro Teixeira has studied delayed migration among bowheads and its possible relation to the warming world. The marine ecologist said that "the reduction in the sea ice cover" may have changed the availability of food sources for the bowheads, causing them to search out new areas and prey types. Meanwhile, whalers like Michael Donovan are concerned about new movement patterns of humpbacks into the Utqiaġvik area of Alaska — rarely a home to humpbacks and more regularly where bowheads roam. Per KTOO, he said, "They're an invasive species … . They come in and eat the same food that our bowheads eat." According to the World Wildlife Fund, the average temperature in the Arctic has "already risen at a rate of almost four times the global average." As for the behavior changes this may be prompting in marine species, Teixeira said, "It shows how resilient these individuals are, right?" But naturalists and researchers like Teixeira continue to consider the ongoing implications of these changes for ocean life and for life on land as well. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Changing migration patterns of marine animals in the Arctic can impact Indigenous communities. For example, according to a 2024 report from Mongabay, the Iñupiat in Utqiaġvik "rely on whaling and subsistence hunting for the bulk of their diet." Shifts in regional migration can make hunting and fishing more difficult there. They can also impact global seafood supply and prices as the Arctic has been "home to several of the world's largest fish stocks," per the British Antarctic Survey. Migration shifts also have the potential to disrupt local environments. Humpbacks and salmon frequenting the Arctic could impact delicately balanced ecosystems and pose risks to native species. Utqiaġvik whaler Donovan pointed to the possibility that humpbacks invasive to the area might outcompete native bowheads for krill and copepods. In addition to disturbing ecosystems in Utqiaġvik, should bowheads make changes to cope — shifting their own migration or exploring new prey, potentially — what other ecosystems might be disrupted as a result? According to 2025 news from Mongabay, "the past nine years have been the warmest on record in the Arctic." As temperatures rise, marine animals may continue frequenting the region. Scientists are advancing studies on species that are increasing their presence in the area. Kate Stafford, an oceanographer and professor at Oregon State University, has said, per KTOO, that hunters' knowledge has added to her research. Collaborations will continue to be key to addressing rising global temperatures and their effects. But you don't have to be located in the Arctic to help. Reducing heat-trapping pollution can cool down the planet. And individuals can contribute by learning about climate issues and taking action themselves — such as by considering a switch to an electric vehicle, improving the energy efficiency of home appliances, and advocating for more eco-friendly policies. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Strengthening Leadership in Embedded Technology
Accelerating Innovation and Time-to-Market with USA-Made Embedded Solutions for Industrial IoT, Automation, and Smart Industry Leaders. SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Gateworks Corporation, a leader in industrial Single Board Computers (SBCs), is proud to announce their inclusion in the NXP® Semiconductors Gold Partner Program. This partnership strengthens Gateworks' position as a key player in the embedded market, enabling faster development and deployment of high-performance solutions for industrial IoT, automation and more. Advancing Embedded Systems with NXPAll Gateworks SBCs are powered by NXP Arm® CPUs, including the 8M Mini, 8M Plus, and the highly anticipated 95 applications processors. Designed and manufactured in Gateworks' California-based facility, Gateworks SBCs meet the highest standards of quality essential for industrial IoT, smart cities, transportation and mission-critical applications. NXP Semiconductors is the ideal partner for Gateworks. They offer long-term product availability, a track record of innovation, and processors that deliver high performance, robust security, and energy efficiency. By leveraging NXP's advanced technology, Gateworks enables customers to accelerate AI-driven applications, optimize performance in extreme environments and ensure scalability for the future. Delivering Value to CustomersThis partnership ensures customers benefit from the best of what NXP and Gateworks have to offer, including enhanced technologies, faster time-to-market, and unmatched reliability in embedded systems. Gateworks' customers now have direct access to NXP Semiconductors' robust global ecosystem, providing advanced tools, software, engineering services and training to streamline development. This empowers companies to improve design cycle times and deploy next-generation solutions in key markets such as: Smart Factories & Industrial IoT: Reliable automation, predictive maintenance and advanced wireless sensors. Robotics: Rugged solutions for robotics and automation with embedded AI and machine learning. Smart Cities: Scalable connectivity and efficient resource management for urban infrastructure. Smart Transportation: Fleet management, asset tracking and autonomous vehicle capabilities. Smart Energy: Reliable monitoring and control of renewable energy systems. A Shared Vision for Smarter Industries "We are excited to welcome Gateworks as an NXP Gold Partner. Their contributions to our ecosystem play a key role in addressing the growing demand for resilient, scalable solutions across industries. Gateworks' expertise in industrial-grade SBCs made in the USA enhances our ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions for automation, industrial IoT and robotics. Together, we are empowering businesses to innovate and lead in an increasingly connected world." Robert Thompson, Director Smart Connected Edge Ecosystem, NXP Semiconductors "Joining NXP's Gold Partner Program opens exciting new opportunities for Gateworks to provide our customers with enhanced technologies and faster, more efficient product development. This partnership enables us to align our roadmaps and deliver competitive, industry-specific solutions that drive advancements in smart factories, transportation, and industrial automation. We are thrilled to see what we can continue to accomplish together." Kelly Peralta, Vice President of Sales and Business Development, Gateworks Corporation Partnership Highlights Next-Gen Technology Integration: Access to each other's latest innovations and product development, positioning them at the forefront of IoT, AI and machine learning advancements. Collaborative Product Development: Synchronized roadmaps and joint solutions provide tailored products to meet specific industry needs. Global Ecosystem Access: Customers benefit from NXP's extensive partner ecosystem, streamlining the design and deployment of innovative embedded systems. Gateworks and NXP share a commitment to advancing embedded systems and enabling businesses to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving industrial landscape. By combining NXP's cutting-edge technology with Gateworks' USA-made industrial SBCs, the two companies will continue to deliver high-performance, reliable solutions. This is just the beginning of a partnership that will drive innovation in industrial and embedded systems. For more information on Gateworks' embedded designs visit more information about NXP's Partner Program visit About Gateworks Gateworks designs and manufactures high-quality, NXP® Semiconductors Arm®-based single board computers (SBCs) and wireless solutions for industrial embedded applications. Their SBCs are the preferred platform for companies who value reliability, extended product lifecycles, exceptional technical support and USA-made quality. Gateworks maintains an AS9100D/ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system to ensure all products meet the highest standards of dependability. All our SBCs are engineered and manufactured at our corporate headquarters in San Luis Obispo, California, established in 1998. From smart factories to transportation, drones to IoT gateways; Gateworks will help get your project to market quickly. Media Contact:Hailey Terroneshterrones@ 805-7500 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Gateworks Corporation Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's how to apply for IW Foundation grant ahead of May deadline
There is still a chance to apply for grant applications from Island Roads' Isle of Wight Foundation. The foundation is encouraging local charities and not-for-profit organisations to apply for funding before the May 9 deadline. A short film has been produced by the foundation to inspire potential applicants, featuring previous beneficiaries, The Alzheimer's Café in Cowes and Vectis Radio's 4Ps programme. The two organisations explained the significant positive impact the foundation funding has had on their initiatives and Island life. Read more: Meet this chef making Caribbean food using Isle of Wight ingredients Find out what Matt and Cat made of top chef Robert Thompson's new venture The foundation, now in its 11th year, has awarded grants of between £3,000 and £16,000 for projects focused on building better communities or assisting individuals to access employment or housing. To date, the foundation has granted more than £900,000 to such projects. Chairman Rob Gillespie said: "Since 2014, it has been a real pleasure not just to support the work of so many good causes, but also to establish really strong links with the groups we have helped." Maggie Bennett, Alzheimer's Café CEO, said: "I would urge any local group working to improve lives on the island to see if they can qualify for an Island Roads grant. "It is an easy process that can really make a big difference." Applications can be submitted online at
