Latest news with #SDP
The Mainichi
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Actor LaSalle Ishii helps save SDP in Japan election, vows to fight for peace and equality
TOKYO -- Facing the threat of losing its official party status in the July 20 House of Councillors election, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was rescued from the brink by actor LaSalle Ishii, 69, who ran in the proportional representation race and won his first seat. The SDP barely cleared the 2% vote threshold required for party status, at 2.06%. Of the more than 1.21 million votes the party received in the proportional race, over 200,000 were cast for Ishii personally. As a new upper house lawmaker, he says he wants to tackle issues such as the U.S. military base problem in Okinawa and making scholarships -- which in Japan are often akin to low-intertest loans -- truly free. "I decided to stop giving up. I decided to stop just watching in silence. I decided to make politics my work." Ishii declared this in a hoarse voice at a street rally in Tokyo's Ueno area on July 13, standing alongside SDP leader Mizuho Fukushima. During the campaign, he traveled from Kagoshima in Japan's southwest to Hokkaido in the north, giving speeches across the country. Ishii rose to fame in the 1980s as a member of the comedy group Konto Akashingo with Masayuki Watanabe and others, during the "manzai" comedy boom. He is also well known as the voice of Kankichi Ryotsu, the main character in the anime adaptation of the popular manga "Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Koen-mae Hashutsujo" ("Kochikame"). Since 2020, Ishii has written a column for the evening tabloid Nikkan Gendai called "Tofunseisho" (which ended in June), where he discussed issues such as inequality and poverty and criticized the government. As his political statements became more prominent, he faced a backlash, including being told "celebrities shouldn't talk politics" and seeing a noticeable drop in his TV bookings. Ishii says the SDP had been approaching him about running for office for about a decade, but he had hesitated due to his acting career. This time, with the party's status at stake before the election, he felt strongly that "the SDP, which stubbornly stands for peace and against poverty, must survive," and decided to run. Under the Public Offices Election Act, a party must have at least five Diet members or win at least 2% of the vote in the most recent national election to maintain official status. Without party status, the SDP would lose privileges such as running dual candidates in single-member and proportional districts and broadcasting campaign messages in single-member districts. With only three Diet members, the SDP set a 2% vote share as its goal. At a street rally, Ishii explained to voters why he decided to run, saying, "I thought it would be interesting to take on the job of protecting the SDP's party status." A 'centrist' at heart Ishii says his commitment to peace is strong. He was influenced by the works of legendary manga artist Osamu Tezuka, which he loved as a child. "Some people dismiss Tezuka's manga as fake humanism, but I learned the importance of people loving and coexisting with each other," Ishii said. On social media, he is sometimes derided as a "payoku" (a derogatory term for liberals), but he says, "I'm from the anti-establishment folk generation. Of course, I speak out for peace, and I consider myself a centrist." He also sympathized with the political stances of the Japanese Communist Party and Reiwa Shinsengumi, but says the SDP was the first to approach him, and the personality of party leader Fukushima was decisive. "She doesn't just go along with the crowd, and in a good way. I was drawn to her unwavering stance on peace." 'No such thing as first or second among human beings' During the campaign, there was a surge in rhetoric calling for stricter regulations on and discriminatory remarks about foreigners, such as that they are being given unfair favorable treatment. In Sapporo, a woman of Korean descent in her 20s told Ishii, "We're so used to discrimination that it doesn't even faze us anymore." Ishii said he was shocked and saddened, adding, "There's no way this kind of society is acceptable." He warned that when society feels stifling, people are drawn to things that shine with energy, and he is wary of rising xenophobia. He also directly challenged the surging right-wing populist party Sanseito. "What does 'Japanese First' even mean? There's no such thing as first or second among human beings," he said, referring to Sanseito's election slogan. Looking ahead to his first day in the Diet on Aug. 1, Ishii told the Mainichi Shimbun that the SDP's role is to block constitutional revision. "I don't think the SDP's message is reaching a huge number of people, but even if it's not flashy, I want to steadily talk about the ideals of peace. Important ideals are neither old nor new," he said. (Japanese original by Tohru Shirakawa, Tokyo Bureau)
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
MCP Connects, SDP Delivers: The Missing Half of AI Memory is Here
Prescott, Arizona / Syndication Cloud / July 22, 2025 / David Bynon Key Takeaways Model Context Protocol (MCP) creates AI connections to external tools but doesn't define structured memory content Semantic Digest Protocol (SDP) provides trust-scored, fragment-level memory objects for reliable AI operations Multi-agent systems typically fail due to missing shared, verifiable context rather than communication issues MCP and SDP together form a complete memory architecture that stops hallucinations and contextual drift MedicareWire will implement SDP in 2025 as the first major deployment of AI-readable, trust-verified memory in a regulated domain AI's Memory Crisis: Why Today's Systems Can't Remember What Matters Today's AI systems face a critical problem: they process vast information but struggle with reliable memory. This isn't merely a technical issue — it's what causes hallucinations, inconsistency, and unreliability in advanced AI deployments. This problem becomes obvious in multi-agent systems. When specialized AI agents work together, they don't typically fail from poor communication. They fail because they lack shared, scoped, and verifiable context. Without standardized memory architecture, agents lose alignment, reference inconsistent information, and produce unreliable results. David Bynon, founder at MedicareWire, identified this issue early on. In regulated areas like Medicare, incorrect information can seriously impact consumers making healthcare decisions. The solution needs two protocols working together to create a complete memory system for AI. The first protocol, Model Context Protocol (MCP), addresses the connection problem. But it's just half of what's needed for truly reliable AI memory. Understanding Model Context Protocol (MCP) IBM recently recognized the Model Context Protocol (MCP) as core infrastructure for AI systems, describing it as 'USB-C for AI' — a universal connector standard allowing AI models to connect with external tools, data sources, and memory systems. This recognition confirmed what many AI engineers already understood: standardized connections between AI models and external resources build reliable systems at scale. IBM's Recognition: The 'USB-C for AI' Breakthrough The USB-C comparison makes sense. Before USB standardization, connecting devices to computers required numerous proprietary ports and cables. Before MCP, every AI tool integration needed custom code, fragile connections, and ongoing maintenance. IBM's official support of MCP acknowledged that AI's future requires standardized interfaces. Just as USB-C connects any compatible device to any compatible port, MCP creates a standard protocol for AI systems to interact with external tools and data sources. What MCP Solves: The Transport Problem MCP handles the transport problem in AI systems. It standardizes how an AI agent: Negotiates with external systems about needed information Creates secure, reliable connections to tools and data sources Exchanges information in predictable, consistent formats Maintains state across interactions with various resources This standardization allows developers to build tools once for use with any MCP-compliant AI system. Custom integrations for each new model or tool become unnecessary — just consistent connectivity across platforms. The Critical Gap: Missing Content Definition Despite its value, MCP has a major limitation: it defines how AI systems connect, but not what the content should look like. This resembles standardizing a USB port without defining the data format flowing through it. This creates a significant gap in AI memory architecture. While MCP handles connections, it doesn't address: How to structure memory for machine understanding How to encode and verify trust and provenance How to scope and contextualize content How information fragments should relate to each other This explains why AI systems with excellent tool integration still struggle with reliable memory — they have connections but lack content structure for trustworthy recall. Semantic Digest Protocol: The Memory Layer MCP Needs This is where the Semantic Digest Protocol (SDP) fits — built to work with MCP while solving what it leaves unaddressed: defining what memory should actually look like. Trust-Scored Fragment-Level Memory Architecture SDP organizes memory at the fragment level, instead of treating entire documents as single information units. Each fragment — a fact, definition, statistic, or constraint — exists as an independent memory object with its own metadata. These memory objects contain: The actual information content A trust score based on source credibility Complete provenance data showing information origin Scope parameters showing where and when the information applies Contextual relationships to other memory fragments This detailed approach fixes a basic problem: AI systems must know not just what a fact is, but how much to trust it, where it came from, when it applies, and how it connects to other information. Using the 'USB-C for AI' analogy, SDP is a universal, USB-C thumb drive for the Model Context Protocol. It provides data, across multiple surfaces, in a format MCP recognizes and understands Machine-Ingestible Templates in Multiple Formats SDP creates a complete trust payload system with templates in multiple formats: JSON-LD for structured data interchange TTL (Turtle) for RDF graph representations Markdown for lightweight documentation HTML templates for web publication Invented by David Bynon as a solution for MedicareWire, the format flexibility makes SDP work immediately with existing systems while adding the necessary trust layer. For regulated sectors like healthcare, where MedicareWire operates, this trust layer changes AI interactions from educated guesses to verified responses. The Complete AI Memory Loop: MCP + SDP in Action When MCP and SDP work together, they form a complete memory architecture for AI systems. Here's the workflow: From User Query to Trust-Verified Response The process starts with a user query. Example: 'What's the Maximum Out-of-Pocket limit for this Medicare Advantage plan in Los Angeles?' The AI model uses MCP to negotiate context with external resources. It identifies what specific plan information it needs and establishes connections to retrieve that data. The external resource sends back an SDP-formatted response with the requested information. This includes the MOOP value, geographic scope (Los Angeles County), temporal validity (2025), and provenance (directly from CMS data), all with appropriate trust scores. With trust-verified information, the model answers accurately: 'The 2025 Maximum Out-of-Pocket limit for this plan in Los Angeles County is $4,200, according to CMS data.' No hallucination. No vague references. No outdated information. Just verified, scoped, trust-scored memory through standardized connections. Eliminating Hallucinations Through Verified Memory This method addresses what causes hallucinations in AI systems. Rather than relying on statistical patterns from training, the AI retrieves specific, verified information with full context about reliability and applicability. When information changes, there's no need to retrain the model. The external memory layer updates, and the AI immediately accesses new information—complete with trust scoring and provenance tracking. Real-World Implementation: MedicareWire 2025 This isn't theoretical — SDP launches on in August 2025, marking the first major implementation of AI-readable, trust-scored memory in a regulated domain. 1. First Large-Scale Deployment in a Regulated Domain The healthcare industry, especially Medicare, offers an ideal testing ground for trust-verified AI memory. Incorrect information has serious consequences, regulations are complex, and consumers need reliable guidance through a confusing system. MedicareWire's implementation will give AI systems unprecedented accuracy when accessing Medicare plan information. Instead of using potentially outdated training data, AI systems can query MedicareWire's SDP-enabled content for current, verified information about Medicare plans, benefits, and regulations. 2. Solving Healthcare's Critical Information Accuracy Problem Consumers using AI assistants for Medicare options will get consistent, accurate information regardless of which system they use. The SDP implementation ensures any AI agent can retrieve precise details about: Plan coverage specifications Geographic availability Cost structures and limitations Enrollment periods and deadlines Regulatory requirements and exceptions All come with proper attribution, scope, and trust scoring. 3. Creating the Foundation for Multi-Agent Trust Infrastructure Beyond immediate benefits for Medicare consumers, this implementation creates a blueprint for trust infrastructure in other regulated fields. Multi-agent systems will have shared, verifiable context — eliminating drift and hallucination problems that affect complex AI deployments. The combination of MCP's standardized connections and SDP's trust-verified memory builds the foundation for reliable AI systems that can safely operate in highly regulated environments. From Connection to Memory: The Future of Reliable AI Is Here David Bynon, founder of Trust Publishing and architect of SDP, states: 'We didn't just create a format. We created the trust language AI systems can finally understand — and remember.' As AI shapes important decisions in healthcare, finance, legal, and other critical fields, reliable, verifiable memory becomes essential. The MCP+SDP combination shifts from probabilistic guessing to trust-verified information retrieval — defining the next generation of AI applications. SDP will be available as an open protocol for non-directory systems, supporting broad adoption and continued development across the AI ecosystem. As the first major implementation, MedicareWire's deployment marks the beginning of a new phase in trustworthy artificial intelligence. MedicareWire is leading development of trustworthy AI memory systems that help consumers access accurate healthcare information when they need it most. David Bynon 101 W Goodwin St # 2487 Prescott Arizona 86303 United States
Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Promote industrial growth extensively
Nellore: District Collector O Anand has directed the officials to ensure establishment of more industries to generate employment to the unemployed youth in the district. Addressing the District Industries and Export Promotion Committee (DIEPC) meeting, the Collector has disclosed that as many as 1,616 applications against total 1,700 received under Single Desk Portal (SDP) were solved, while 64 applications were rejected, another 64 are kept pending. The Collector said that most of the applications which were kept pending were related to Pollution Control Board (PCB) and Legal Metrology (LM) departments. He ordered that officials should show special attention over pending applications and solve them by discussing the issues with PBC and LM departments. He said that officials should organise awareness programmes about the World Bank supporting programme called 'Ramp' to promote more indistries in the district. The Collector said that as many as 76 units were physically grounded under Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) in the district. On the occasion, the Ceollector reviewed the progress related to the proposed industrial units of Jakson Infra, Utkarsha Alluminimum, Dhathu Nigam Limited and Cribco Green Energy Limited. Joint Collector Kollabathula Karthik, District Industries GM Maruthi Prasad, APIIC JD Sivakumar, Atmakur RDO Pavani and others were present.
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
DWP issues new update for benefit claimants owed £1,000s in compensation
The payments are being issued to people who received certain disability benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance, who lost disability premiums after they were moved to Universal Credit The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an update for disability benefit claimants who could be owed thousands of pounds in compensation. The payments are being issued to people who received certain disability benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance, who lost disability premiums after they were moved to Universal Credit before January 2019. As a result, some people lost out on severe disability premium (SDP) and enhanced disability premium (EDP). Law firm Leigh Day challenged this loss of income in court and argued that some people saw their payments drop by up to £180 a month. The DWP agreed to compensate for the loss of income, which Leigh Day estimates could be worth in excess of £5,000 per person. However, the DWP has now confirmed around 13,000 cases are yet to be processed and cleared. In its annual report published earlier this month, it said: "Unfortunately, some underpayments may be owed to customers who no longer have an active ESA claim and restrictions in data make it difficult to identify, assess and correct these errors." The DWP said it expects the remaining cases will be resolved by September. It is estimated that 57,000 people were affected by the issue and the total cost of the repayment exercise is expected to be £452million. Leigh Day secured a settlement for 275 claimants following its High Court challenge and these people were awarded between £200 and £3,000 in a damages. A DWP spokesperson told the Independent: 'We are fully committed to identifying claimants that are owed arrears and providing the financial support to which they are entitled as quickly as possible, with the majority of these cases having already been resolved. "We are clear that errors like this one should not happen and have already taken action to avoid future errors.' In a statement issued earlier this year, Leigh Day solicitor Ryan Bradshaw said: 'I am glad to have settled this claim on behalf of my clients. However, there are thousands of others who have been similarly affected who have not been in a position to bring a claim like this. 'They too will have experienced the loss of £180 a month after they were moved from legacy benefits on to universal credit in the years before January 2019. They too will have suffered unnecessary stress.' It comes as the DWP is finishing moving everyone on legacy benefits to Universal Credit. The benefits being replaced by Universal Credit are: Housing Benefit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit and Income Support.
Scottish Sun
22-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Date when thousands of Universal Credit households will get £1,000s back after DWP claim error
We reveal more details on the move from old-style benefits to Universal Credit below TO YOUR BENEFIT Date when thousands of Universal Credit households will get £1,000s back after DWP claim error THE Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed when thousands will get £1,000s back after a major error. The payments are being issued to people who received certain disability benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and were moved to Universal Credit. Advertisement 1 Thousands who moved to Universal Credit are still owed compensation It was found some claimants unfairly lost out on Severe Disability Premiums (SDP) and Enhanced Disability Premiums (EDP) during the transition, resulting in a drop of income. Both premiums offered additional financial support on top of the standard allowance for certain means-tested benefits. Tens of thousands who transferred to Universal Credit and missed out on this protection have now been found to be owed arrears. Around 57,000 people are reportedly thought to be affected by the issue, with the vast majority having now received redress. Advertisement But, the DWP has confirmed around 13,000 cases are yet to be processed and cleared. In its annual report published earlier this month, it said: "Unfortunately, some underpayments may be owed to customers who no longer have an active ESA claim and restrictions in data make it difficult to identify, assess and correct these errors." The department said it was working its way through all the remaining 13,000 cases which should be completed by September. The report added: "We are working to both correct existing errors and to prevent new errors in the new premiums cases." Advertisement The total arrears being paid to the roughly 57,000 claimants who missed out on SDP and EDP is worth £452million. Solicitors Leigh Day, who brought a legal challenge for claimants on disability benefits who didn't receive income protection while moving over to Universal Credit, secured a settle for 275 claimants who list their SDP earlier this year. Stop handing out new cars for FOOD INTOLERANCE says Kemi Badenoch as she demands Labour cut ballooning benefits bill These claimants were awarded between £200 and £3,000 for the loss of income they incurred. We have asked the DWP how the remaining 13,000 people affected by the issue will receive any compensation and will update this story when we have heard back. Advertisement We have also asked how much the approximately 44,000 who have already received compensation got on average. Will I need to move to Universal Credit? The DWP is currently moving everyone from old-style "legacy" benefits onto Universal Credit, through a process known as managed migration. Universal Credit was set up to replace these benefits and the scheme kicked off in November 2022 after a successful pilot in July 2019. As part of the process, households on legacy benefits are sent "migration notices" in the post which tell them how to make the move to Universal Credit as it's not automatic. Advertisement Households must apply for Universal Credit within three months of receiving their managed migration letter. Failing to do this can result in benefits being stopped. Tax credits, income-based jobseeker's allowance, income support and housing benefit (for those under the state pension age) were permanently discontinued in April. The remaining households, currently claiming income-related employment and support allowance (ESA), will be asked to move to Universal Credit by December 2025. Advertisement Can I get help claiming Universal Credit? As well as benefit calculators, anyone moving from legacy benefit to Universal Credit can find help in a number of ways. You can visit your local Jobcentre by searching at There's also a free service called Help to Claim from Citizen's Advice: England: 0800 144 8 444 Scotland: 0800 023 2581 Wales: 08000 241 220 You can also get help online from advisers by visiting, Advertisement Will I be better off on Universal Credit? ANALYSIS by James Flanders, The Sun's Chief Consumer Reporter: Around 1.4million people on legacy benefits will be better off after switching to Universal Credit, according to the government. A further 300,000 would see no change in payments, while around 900,000 would be worse off under Universal Credit. Of these, around 600,000 can get top-up payments (transitional protection) if they move under the managed migration process, so they don't lose out on cash immediately. The majority of those - around 400,000 - are claiming employment support allowance (ESA). Those who move voluntarily and are worse off won't get these top-up payments and could lose cash. Those who miss the managed migration deadline and later make a claim may not get transitional protection. The clock starts ticking on the three-month countdown from the date of the first letter, and reminders are sent via post and text message. There is a one-month grace period after this, during which any claim to Universal Credit is backdated, and transitional protection can still be awarded. Examples of those who may be entitled to less on Universal Credit include: Households getting ESA and the severe disability premium and enhanced disability premium Households with the lower disabled child addition on legacy benefits Self-employed households who are subject to the Minimum Income Floor after the 12-month grace period has ended Either way, if these households don't switch in the future, they risk missing out on any future benefit increase and seeing payments frozen. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? 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