Former UFC star Darren Till will now take on Anthony Taylor on January 18 after his boxing showdown with Tommy Fury was cancelled. Till, 31, was due to take on Fury at the Co-Op Live in Manchester, but the latter pulled out of the fight with the Liverpudlian after his rival threatened to kick him in the face if he was losing their boxing bout. Taking to social media, Fury said: "I can't believe I'm writing this but I am now not fighting Darren Till on January 18. For the one simple reason being that Darren has stated over and over that he does not want to abide by professional boxing rules and that if he is losing the fight he will resort to kicking and other stupid MMA tactics. "I am a professional boxer, I have been out of the ring for over a year and I wanted this to be a great BOXING fight for the fans. I have wasted weeks in training camp. We are working hard to get a new opponent and date. I promise to get a better opponent and better fight for you guys. Good news around the corner." Boxing manager Lee Eaton took to X to reveal that Till will still be competing on the card next year, posting: "Just to clarify, Darren was asked to sell the fight and he did - DT even offered to forfeit his entire purse if he broke professional boxing rules - @MisfitsBoxing have confirmed @darrentill2 will still be fighting Jan 18." In Fury's absence, Till will now face Taylor, the American who has three wins and three defeats from his six previous bouts. Till is yet to make his professional debut inside the squared-circle. He did, however, take part in an exhibition boxing showdown against Mohammad Mutie back in July, winning via technical knockout in the second round despite a punch landing on the back of Mutie's head. Despite having a new fight booked, Till was left enraged by Fury's decision to pull out of the contest . "What's happening everyone? I've just got to the gym, about to do me sparring this morning and I've just been shown that Tommy Fury has put up a f****** post saying that he's not not fighting because I threatened to kick him in the head," Till began. "I said I'd kick him in the head at the press conference as a mental warfare tactic. And since then, I haven't said anything else. I've been hard at work in the gym and preparing for this boxing match with him on January 18. I said to everyone that Tommy was going to pull out regardless of anything. I f****** knew it since the press conference. So, now it's confirmed what I said, he's a s***house, his family are s***houses and now Tommy's not fighting. "I've been hard at work, boxing for two years, haven't thrown a kick in two years. I threw one kick on a video as a mental warfare tactic. Never in a million years would I throw a headkick in a fight that's only boxing rules. I stick to the rules, I abide by the rules throughout my whole career. So now, I've gone to the gym to do my sparring this morning and Tommy Fury has pulled out. Tommy Fury, you are the biggest s***house I have ever come across... you are not a man."John says: “I agree with you totally concerning noisy fireworks, there is no need. But fireworks with a bang are over in a second. The spectacular light-show fireworks burn for ten, 20, 30 times longer and if thrown around on the ground (as bangers are) have more potential for property damage.” I agree with John on his point about the potential for damage and he is right that fireworks continue to burn and remain hot far longer than the noise they create, which is another worry. But even though the individual bangs last just seconds, most fireworks contain many bangs in quick succession, and a formal display lasts at least 20 minutes. Urban areas experience lots over several nights and weekends, so the noise aspect is a real issue. Neither problem is worse than the other, it’s rather a question of what is workable for the majority to keep enjoying fireworks with the least harm. John added: “Many pet owners rush to hold and comfort their pets which only intensifies the feeling of a threat. Far better to throw them a small treat with smile that says: ‘There is nothing wrong, you even get a treat.’ The same goes for thunder; don’t show your own fear.” (Image: Dynamicfireworks.co.uk) Having looked after dogs of all sizes and breeds for more than ten years, I can say with some authority that some are not bothered by fireworks at all, others come to you for a cuddle of reassurance, and others are absolutely bone-shakingly petrified. It has nothing to do with my own fear on display because I am not fearful at all. His suggestion of offering a treat will not work on a dog that is terrified because they are in fear for their lives, desperate to escape the perceived threat. Chucking them a treat, no matter how tasty, has no effect whatsoever. I have tried everything, and I know that if we at least reduce the noise while still being able to enjoy the annual spectacle, then that will go some way to help. Reader Horacio Romeo (who lives in Brazil!) explained that over there, only low-noise fireworks are legal, although there are still people who break that law. In reference to me mentioning that a lover of fireworks is known as a ‘pyrophile’, he said: “I am a moderate oenophile (lover of wine), a turophile (lover of cheese), a xenophile (lover of foreign things), cinephile (lover of films), a sapiophile (lover of intelligent people), a paleophile (lover of ancient things). Plus carphile, musicphile, travelphile (time and money allowing...). I just made up these words; I don't know the ‘proper’ ones in English!” On the subject of words, my current audiobook is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘Sherlock Holmes – The Definitive Collection’ read wonderfully by Stephen Fry. It’s a compilation of seven novels, the first being ‘A Study in Scarlet’ to which I have just finished listening. Written in 1886, it was Doyle’s debut novel and the archaic language raised a few giggles thanks to the fact that certain meanings have evolved over the intervening 138 years. There was one in particular that made me laugh aloud every time I heard it. Now, before I mention it, I suggest you put down anything you are drinking, or if you are eating, finish your mouthful (Disclaimer: I am about to be very immature). On many occasions, Dr Watson and Sherlock Holmes can be heard ejaculating. Of course, because you are mature, educated people, you will already know that in Victorian times, ‘ejaculate’ had the same meaning as ‘exclaim’ or ‘declare’. I say ‘in Victorian times’, but it does still have that meaning today if you take the time to look it up in a dictionary, it’s just that we choose not to use it in the Doyle-esque context for reasons I hope I do not need to explain. It makes me wonder, though, are there any words you know that have completely different meanings today compared to the past? Do you have opinions, memories or ideas to share with me? Contact me via my webpage at countrymansdaughter.com, or email dst@nne.co.uk.
AGI presents not just a tool but a partner in reshaping how business, growth, and innovation are fundamentally conceived AGI offers startups the ability to pivot almost instantaneously in response to market changes or regulatory shifts It is less a tool and more an emergent collaborator, transforming what it means to build, innovate, and lead AGI, or artificial general intelligence , is on the brink of transforming the startup landscape in ways we’ve only glimpsed in science fiction. Where once “AI” was synonymous with smart automation, today’s AGI advancements push us beyond narrow applications into something closer to human-level intelligence. It’s no longer a matter of optimising processes or refining recommendations but of building systems with a depth of adaptability that mirrors human reasoning. For startups, the implications are as profound as they are daunting: AGI presents not just a tool but a partner in reshaping how business, growth, and innovation are fundamentally conceived.In India, where a startup culture has ignited over the last decade, the potential of AGI could be particularly catalytic. For a country producing an unparalleled number of engineers and data scientists, AGI offers more than efficiency; it introduces an era where technology doesn’t merely support human effort but actively collaborates in it. Already, several Indian startups are making headlines by integrating AGI to address the country’s unique challenges, from scaling healthcare solutions to transforming rural education. In the tech hubs of Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and beyond, startups are using AGI models to design systems that don’t just execute commands but interpret and adapt, often outperforming traditional AI models that dominate the landscape. The implications for decision-making are remarkable. AGI’s potential to parse immense datasets, identify nuanced patterns, and suggest solutions in real-time could make today’s analytics tools look like relics. Consider an ecommerce startup: conventional AI can improve inventory predictions and user recommendations. AGI, however, could dynamically adapt to sudden market shifts, adjusting strategies based on real-world data and evolving customer behavior patterns. It’s the difference between a machine learning model that predicts the next purchase and an AGI system that predicts and adapts to the entire market’s mood swings. But it’s not just in practical applications that AGI promises transformation; it changes the speed and ambition of startup growth. In a competitive market, adaptability is a currency. AGI offers startups the ability to pivot almost instantaneously in response to market changes or regulatory shifts. With AGI, a financial technology startup navigating India’s strict compliance landscape could foresee potential regulatory shifts by analysing historical policy changes, international trends, and socio-political cues. This foresight doesn’t just save time; it provides an anticipatory advantage, allowing startups to innovate within compliance, often outpacing competitors still deciphering new regulations. However, the marriage of AGI and startup ambition also raises profound ethical questions. While AGI can analyse, predict, and even advise, it lacks the ethical guardrails that are often integral to responsible decision-making. For Indian startups, especially those operating in sensitive areas like healthcare and finance, this introduces a moral weight. With AGI, a healthcare startup could scale diagnostics across rural clinics, yet it would also need to confront questions about accountability in life-and-death decisions. The moment AGI moves from supporter to decision-maker, the ethical stakes escalate sharply, and with that, the pressure on startups to embed ethical considerations within their technological DNA. The stakes are economic as well. While many predict that AGI will increase productivity, it could also concentrate power and capital in unforeseen ways. If the promise of AGI holds, it’s possible that a handful of AGI-powered firms might amass capabilities that dwarf those of traditional competitors, creating economic asymmetries that extend across borders. Indian startups, especially, will need to grapple with how to deploy AGI without allowing it to exacerbate inequalities. There’s a pressing need for regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with equity, ensuring that AGI’s benefits aren’t cornered by a few at the expense of many. This regulatory challenge is already prompting action. In the EU and the U.S., conversations around AGI’s oversight have shifted from abstract to immediate, with regulatory bodies beginning to draft policies aimed at keeping AGI’s capabilities within ethical and legal bounds. India, where the startup ecosystem is both vast and culturally unique, is likely to take a different regulatory path, one that prioritises localised concerns while remaining cognizant of global trends. Startups, in turn, are encouraged to participate in these regulatory discussions, not just as stakeholders but as innovators who can actively shape policies that safeguard AGI’s integration. And then there’s the cultural impact. For a country as diverse as India, AGI in startups represents an unparalleled opportunity to develop solutions rooted in local contexts. Traditional AI has often been accused of being blind to cultural nuance, applying uniform solutions to heterogeneous problems. AGI, with its capacity to learn and adapt in ways closer to human cognition, offers the potential for systems that are culturally aware and regionally specific. Imagine a language-learning app that understands not just Hindi or Tamil but the linguistic nuances of specific dialects, adjusting its approach to best serve users from different regions. This type of adaptation, tailored to India’s mosaic of cultures, is an exciting frontier AGI could enable. The dawn of AGI for startups isn’t just technological; it’s a redefinition of purpose. When a machine can adapt, respond, and reason, the role of human creativity shifts from direct command to collaboration, from building tools to partnering with them. As AGI continues to evolve, the distinction between “human” and “machine” contributions will blur, forcing founders and CEOs to consider not only how they use AGI but also how they coexist with it. In this new dynamic, Indian startups stand at the precipice of something remarkable: the opportunity to merge the technological with the human in a way that amplifies the best of both worlds, shaping not only the future of startups but perhaps the future of work itself. In exploring the reach and versatility of AGI within various industries, several startups illustrate its transformative potential in tangible ways. Take CureMetrix, which has pioneered AI tools like cmAssist to enhance breast cancer diagnostics. Studies published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology confirm that cmAssist boosts early detection rates by 27% and reduces false positives by 69%. This exemplifies how AGI-driven diagnostics are not only enhancing healthcare accuracy but also delivering critical efficiencies across medical workflows. Another health-focused player, Vara.ai, brings AGI to radiology, helping radiologists quickly analyse vast radiological data to highlight potential concerns. Its approach addresses a crucial gap in healthcare accessibility, particularly in regions where radiology expertise is scarce. By automating initial diagnostic reviews, Vara.ai exemplifies how AGI is improving healthcare scalability, accuracy, and access—a vision well-aligned with India’s healthcare goals. Beyond healthcare, Yellow.ai has established itself as a leader in customer service automation. By automating up to 90% of customer inquiries, their AGI-powered platform improves response times by nearly 50% and boosts customer satisfaction scores by around 40% . In an age where customer experience can make or break brand loyalty, Yellow.ai’s AGI solutions are helping enterprises optimise interactions at scale. Reflecting on AGI’s role in reshaping business interactions, Siddharth Kashiramka, Product Head, AGI at Amazon, observes, “We’re moving into a realm where AGI allows startups to ‘think’ in ways that aren’t just faster but fundamentally more intuitive, anticipating needs before they become obvious.” Adding another perspective, Anthropic is an AGI-centered venture formed by former OpenAI researchers. This startup is dedicated to developing AGI systems focused on safety and reliability, making its models particularly valuable in sensitive sectors like legal tech and customer support. As startups increasingly depend on AGI to manage complex, multi-step processes, Anthropic’s attention to safety is becoming a distinguishing factor, providing solutions that are as secure as they are powerful. In the foundational AGI research, OpenAI itself has transitioned from academic development to commercial deployment. By making its AGI models like ChatGPT widely accessible, OpenAI has enabled even small startups to incorporate AGI into customer service, R&D, and data analysis—domains once dominated by larger corporations. Startups in India are especially capitalising on OpenAI’s models, using them to create intuitive, data-driven interactions that rival those of global brands. Reverie Labs brings AGI into the world of biotech, focusing on the rapid simulation of molecular interactions for drug discovery. Reverie Labs’ platform allows for faster, more precise testing of drug viability, a process that traditionally consumes both significant time and resources. By accelerating drug discovery timelines, AGI from startups like Reverie Labs is not only driving innovation but potentially transforming life-saving treatments. Echoing the significance of responsible AGI implementation, Sivadeep Katangoori, an AI expert and angel investor, stresses, “AGI, while powerful, is a double-edged sword for startups. Yes, it opens avenues we couldn’t have imagined a decade ago, but it also demands a level of responsibility that many aren’t prepared for. AGI can’t replace judgment or empathy, and that’s where founders must draw the line.” “We’re moving into a realm where AGI allows startups to ‘think’ in ways that aren’t just faster but fundamentally more intuitive, anticipating needs before they become obvious,” says Siddharth Kashiramka, Product Head, AGI at Amazon. “This isn’t incremental innovation; it’s a new rhythm for startup growth.” Together, these startups embody the broad and growing influence of AGI across sectors, demonstrating how adaptable intelligence is evolving from a research dream to a practical tool. Each of these players, from CureMetrix in healthcare to OpenAI’s foundational models, brings unique strengths that underscore AGI’s vast potential in addressing industry-specific needs while redefining the operational capabilities of modern startups. AGI in startups transcends mere technical evolution; it’s a recalibration of intelligence, intertwining computational precision with human adaptability in an unprecedented dance of progress. We can’t be certain of anything but with how it’s going, the startup world will be revolutionised inevitably. As this synthesis deepens, we aren’t merely refining productivity but re-engineering the very cognitive fabric of enterprise. Indian founders, standing at this fulcrum of AI-human convergence, now face decisions that will shape not just market trajectories but societal futures. In this excellently profound shift, AGI is less a tool and more an emergent collaborator, transforming what it means to build, innovate, and lead. Let’s see what the future holds. Step up your startup journey with BHASKAR! From resources to networking, BHASKAR connects Indian innovators with everything they need to succeed. Join today to access a platform built for innovation, growth, and community.
South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial law
