The University has announced that it recently launched a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence, a graduate program designed to prepare students for a career in intelligent systems and machine learning technologies, in one of the first of its kind programs in Connecticut.
This program is now accepting applications for its inaugural cohort, offering students an opportunity to explore both the theoretical foundations and hands-on applications of artificial intelligence. The University said that the program features small class sizes, state-of-the-art lab facilities, and faculty who are experienced industry professionals.
The program is completed after 30 to 32 credits and offers foundational learning and specialized training. Core topics include knowledge representation and reasoning, neural networks, semantic web, and machine learning. Students can tailor their studies with electives in deep learning, natural language processing, data mining, generative AI, and intelligent robotics.
CCSU said the program is designed to be flexible and accommodating for recent college graduates and working professionals. Classes will be offered during the fall and spring semesters.
Cristiano Ronaldo‘s future at Al-Nassr has reportedly come into question following the club’s recent struggles.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner shocked the footballing world when he announced he would join the Saudi Pro League side in late 2022 following an acrimonious end to his return to Manchester United.
The move led to a series of high profile talents opting to ply their trade in the gulf state, including Karim Benzema, Neymar and Sadio Mane.
With just two months remaining on Ronaldo’s current deal in the Saudi capital speculation is mounting that the legendary striker may continue his career elsewhere.
According to a report from Marca, Ronaldo was expecting to sign a two-year extension to his current contract that would take his playing career beyond his 42nd birthday.
However, negotiations are said to have been put on hold for the time being amidst the club’s struggle to secure silverware.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s proposed contract extension at Al-Nassr has reportedly been put on hold
The 40-year-old has endured a frustrating campaign despite sitting top of the Saudi Pro League scoring charts
Al-Nassr are on course to not qualify for the AFC Champions League and were beaten 3-2 by Al-Ittihad on Wednesday
Despite Ronaldo currently sitting top of the Saudi Pro League’s scoring charts, and the high-profile arrival of Jhon Duran from Aston Villa in January to serve as his strike partner, Stefano Pioli’s side have struggled to keep pace in the league.
A 3-2 defeat to league leaders Al-Ittihad on Wednesday saw the club fall to fourth in the table.
Should the club remain in that position at the end of the season, they will fail to qualify for the AFC Asian Champions League.
Ronaldo is said to have been so frustrated by the result – which saw his side collapse after taking a two-goal lead – that he left the stadium without getting changed out of his kit.
To make matters worse, the club were unceremoniously dumped out of the AFC Champions League last week at the semi-final stage by J-League side Kawasaki Frontale.
The report also suggests that Ronaldo’s actions behind the scenes has left the club pondering their options with regards to a renewal, with a switch to another Saudi Pro League side not ruled out.
Ronaldo has repeatedly stated his ambition to score 1000 goals in competitive matches before calling time on his glittering career.
The five-time Champions League winner has currently netted 934 times for club and country since making his senior debut for Sporting Lisbon as a teenager back in 2002.
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘future at Al-Nassr is in DOUBT’ with ‘contract negotiations on hold’ – after difficult campaign for Saudi Pro League side
Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most successful footballers in the history of the game, both in terms of personal accolades and trophies.
He has five Ballon d’Ors, four European golden boots, has been the player of the year in England, Spain and Italy, has a European championship to his name with Portugal, and nine trophies with Manchester United, 16 with Real Madrid, five with Juventus and one with Sporting CP.
To this point, Ronaldo’s time in Saudi Arabia has not brought the same level of success. Here, we have looked into each of the trophies which have eluded him with Al-Nassr.
Saudi Pro League
Al-Nassr were one of the main sides in the race for the Saudi title in 2023-24. They ended up coming second, with a huge gap of 17 points between them and third-placed Al-Ahli.
But there was also a somewhat sizeable gap between Ronaldo’s side and the champions, Al-Hilal, who reached 96 points, while Al-Nassr managed 82.
It’s now almost impossible for Al-Nassr to win the Saudi Pro League this season, too. With four games left, they are fourth, on 60 points, meaning they can only reach 72. Al-Ittihad are top on 71 points, so one win for them puts Ronaldo’s side out of contention.
He’s done his part, bagging 23 goals – the most of anyone in the league – but it’s not going to be enough.
Champions League
Ronaldo has played in the AFC Champions League in two seasons, the same competition in both, just with slightly fewer teams split geographically in the second version.
But neither time he’s played in it has the Portuguese managed to have success.
In 2023-24, Al-Nassr were dumped out by Al-Ain in the quarter-finals – a penalty shootout in which Ronaldo scored but team-mate Otavio missed seeing them exit.
In the next season, Al-Nassr made their way to the semi-finals, Ronaldo scoring in the quarter-finals to help them there.
But he blanked in a semi-final loss against Kawasaki Frontale (3-2), who went on to lose the final.
King’s Cup
As he signed for Al-Nassr early on in 2023, Ronaldo was able to play in the latter stages of the Saudi Arabian knockout tournament – the first of three times he’s played in it.
Each time, he’s failed to have any success.
In his first season at Al-Nassr, Ronaldo reached the semi-finals of the cup before being dumped out.
In the next campaign, Al-Nassr made it all the way to the final, their star striker scoring in both the quarter-final and the semi-final.
He blanked in the final, and though he scored his penalty in the following shootout, Al-Nassr lost it 6-5. The next season, they only made it two rounds before they were beaten.
Saudi Super Cup
The Saudi Super Cup sees the league champions and runners-up, and the King’s Cup champions and runners-up play against each other in semi-finals, and then a final.
Al-Nassr have been in at least the semis in each of the last three campaigns. In Ronaldo’s first two, that was as far as they got. They were beaten 3-1 by Al-Ittihad in 2023 and 2-1 by Al-Hilal in 2024.
In the next edition, Al-Nassr and Ronaldo finally came to play. The Portuguese had never scored in the Super Cup prior to facing Al-Taawoun in the semi-finals, but had a hand in both goals in the 2-0 win, scoring one and assisting the other.
Ronaldo also scored the opener in the final against Al-Hilal, but the Saudi juggernauts hit back strong in the second half, notching four goals to confirm a 4-1 victory.
It was just the second final Ronaldo had reached with Al-Nassr, and he’s lost both.
Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most successful footballers in the history of the game, both in terms of personal accolades and trophies.
He has five Ballon d’Ors, four European golden boots, has been the player of the year in England, Spain and Italy, has a European championship to his name with Portugal, and nine trophies with Manchester United, 16 with Real Madrid, five with Juventus and one with Sporting CP.
To this point, Ronaldo’s time in Saudi Arabia has not brought the same level of success. Here, we have looked into each of the trophies which have eluded him with Al-Nassr.
Saudi Pro League
Al-Nassr were one of the main sides in the race for the Saudi title in 2023-24. They ended up coming second, with a huge gap of 17 points between them and third-placed Al-Ahli.
But there was also a somewhat sizeable gap between Ronaldo’s side and the champions, Al-Hilal, who reached 96 points, while Al-Nassr managed 82.
It’s now almost impossible for Al-Nassr to win the Saudi Pro League this season, too. With four games left, they are fourth, on 60 points, meaning they can only reach 72. Al-Ittihad are top on 71 points, so one win for them puts Ronaldo’s side out of contention.
He’s done his part, bagging 23 goals – the most of anyone in the league – but it’s not going to be enough.
Champions League
Ronaldo has played in the AFC Champions League in two seasons, the same competition in both, just with slightly fewer teams split geographically in the second version.
But neither time he’s played in it has the Portuguese managed to have success.
In 2023-24, Al-Nassr were dumped out by Al-Ain in the quarter-finals – a penalty shootout in which Ronaldo scored but team-mate Otavio missed seeing them exit.
In the next season, Al-Nassr made their way to the semi-finals, Ronaldo scoring in the quarter-finals to help them there.
But he blanked in a semi-final loss against Kawasaki Frontale (3-2), who went on to lose the final.
King’s Cup
As he signed for Al-Nassr early on in 2023, Ronaldo was able to play in the latter stages of the Saudi Arabian knockout tournament – the first of three times he’s played in it.
Each time, he’s failed to have any success.
In his first season at Al-Nassr, Ronaldo reached the semi-finals of the cup before being dumped out.
In the next campaign, Al-Nassr made it all the way to the final, their star striker scoring in both the quarter-final and the semi-final.
He blanked in the final, and though he scored his penalty in the following shootout, Al-Nassr lost it 6-5. The next season, they only made it two rounds before they were beaten.
Saudi Super Cup
The Saudi Super Cup sees the league champions and runners-up, and the King’s Cup champions and runners-up play against each other in semi-finals, and then a final.
Al-Nassr have been in at least the semis in each of the last three campaigns. In Ronaldo’s first two, that was as far as they got. They were beaten 3-1 by Al-Ittihad in 2023 and 2-1 by Al-Hilal in 2024.
In the next edition, Al-Nassr and Ronaldo finally came to play. The Portuguese had never scored in the Super Cup prior to facing Al-Taawoun in the semi-finals, but had a hand in both goals in the 2-0 win, scoring one and assisting the other.
Ronaldo also scored the opener in the final against Al-Hilal, but the Saudi juggernauts hit back strong in the second half, notching four goals to confirm a 4-1 victory.
It was just the second final Ronaldo had reached with Al-Nassr, and he’s lost both.
The debate surrounding soccer’s greatest of all time—Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi—has echoed across stadiums, panel discussions, and social media threads for nearly two decades. These two titans of the sport have reshaped modern soccer with breathtaking consistency, winning every conceivable title while breaking records once deemed untouchable. But for one legendary figure, the choice between the two is clear.
It’s not just about goals, assists, or Ballon d’Ors. It’s about something deeper—something a World Cup winner experienced firsthand in the pressure cooker of elite competition. And when this goalkeeper finally revealed his answer, it was rooted in more than admiration—it came from painful personal experience.
The face of relentlessness
In an interview with The Hindu, Roman Weidenfeller, a former Borussia Dortmund and Germany goalkeeper who lifted the World Cup in 2014, revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo was the toughest opponent he ever faced.
“Cristiano Ronaldo was incredibly difficult to read because of his relentless work ethic and confidence,” said Weidenfeller. “I played against him many times, at Real Madrid and later at Juventus.”
While Messi’s brilliance is universally acknowledged, Weidenfeller made a strong case for Ronaldo being on a different level—not just in raw talent, but in his psychological and physical dominance.
“I’ve played against many strong strikers, like Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, and others. But Ronaldo stands out. He’s always the first in the dressing room, working hard in the gym and on the pitch, and the last to leave. His dedication has kept him at the top for so long.”
The former veteran shot-stopper’s words carry weight, not just as a spectator or pundit, but as someone who faced Ronaldo on multiple occasions in the UEFA Champions League, including some high-stakes matchups between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid.
What truly sets Ronaldo apart
Interestingly, the former German international never faced Messi in a competitive match, something confirmed by Transfermarkt. That fact doesn’t diminish Messi’s greatness, but it does explain why Weidenfeller’s choice comes from lived experience rather than comparison at face value. What stood out for him wasn’t just the Portuguese’s thunderous free-kicks or aerial prowess—it was the mindset.
Ronaldo, now 40 years old, remains a prolific scorer for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, with 33 goals and four assists in 39 appearances this season. Even in the twilight of his career, he’s maintained a level of form that most players half his age would envy. “His dedication has kept him at the top for so long, and now he’s continuing his career in Saudi Arabia,” Weidenfeller added.
Georgina Rodríguez, the longtime partner of football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, faced criticism for the outfit choice at her first-ever appearance at the prestigious Met Gala in New York.
Rodríguez stepped onto the blue carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in a black two-strap dress by Vetements, inspired by pajama silhouette. She paired the fit with a diamond necklace from Chopard, black high heels. She also chose a sleek, straight and slicked-back hairstyle.
Georgina Rodríguez at the Met Gala on May 5, 2025. Photo by Instagram/@georginagio
While some praised her elegance, many critics on social media felt the outfit was too simple for a fashion event known for bold and imaginative looks. Commenters noted that she failed to capture the essence of this year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”, which focused on menswear looks.
“I expected more,” one user commented. “She doesn’t seem to understand the dress code.”
Despite the criticism, Rodríguez’s appearance at the Met Gala marks a milestone in her fashion career. Known for her regular appearances on red carpets, at fashion shows and in global ad campaigns, her invitation to the Met Gala signals her rising recognition within the fashion world, Cibercuba reported.
Ahead of the event, Rodríguez shared photos of herself in New York on Instagram, attending various events and spending time with her children, Eva, Mateo, Alana, and Bella, whom she brought along on the trip.
Rodríguez, 31, is a Spanish-Argentine model and entrepreneur. She and Ronaldo have been in a relationship since 2016 and are raising five children together, including two they share biologically.
(ANALYSIS) Press freedom continues to be under threat globally, with journalists being killed or injured, others being censored, and media outlets being closed down, among others. According to the United Nations, since January 2025, at least 20 people who work in the media have been killed.
Impunity for crimes against journalists remains widespread, with more than 80% of killings going unpunished. However, it does not stop there. Increasingly, the media are being used to spread misinformation and disinformation. In recent years, these challenges have been exacerbated by the use of technology, social media and artificial intelligence (AI).
As indicated by the United Nations, the rapid growth and use of AI is changing journalism, the media and press freedom, with AI having a profound effect on information gathering, processing and dissemination. This comes with opportunities but also serious challenges.
AI can help support freedom of expression. It can make information easier to access, enable people to communicate across the world, and change information flows. However, AI also brings new risks. As warned by the U.N., AI “can be used to spread false or misleading information, increase online hate speech and support new types of censorship.
Some actors use AI for mass surveillance of journalists and citizens, creating a chilling effect on freedom of expression. Big tech platforms use AI to filter and control what content is seen, making them powerful gatekeepers of information. There are growing worries that AI may make global media too similar, reduce different viewpoints and push out smaller media outlets.”
Volker Türk, United Nations high commissioner for Human Rights, added that “AI-based algorithms often dictate what we see, shaping our opinions and perceptions of reality. Politicians use AI to weaponize disinformation and advance their own agendas. States are also using AI tools to monitor journalists and their sources online, violating their right to privacy. This has a chilling effect on media workers everywhere. And women journalists are disproportionately targeted.”
Within these challenges, women journalists are said to be at particular risk, with technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). As warned by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): “AI amplifies existing risks for women journalists in the digital landscape. … AI systems can generate deepfakes, doctored images, and mis/disinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting or intimidating women journalists. These AI-driven attacks jeopardize their safety but also have a chilling effect on their work, potentially limiting public access to information.”
Last, but not least, Mr. Türk further warned against the concentration of power in the area of AI, with a small group of corporations and individuals having almost total control over AI technology and influence on the global media landscape.
As such, it is crucial to examine how to make the most of AI to support the work of journalists and the media, but also address the challenges it poses.
On May 3, the international community marked World Press Freedom Day, a day designated by the United Nations to galvanize action to ensure and protect press freedom globally. This annual commemoration gives the opportunity to assess the state of press freedom throughout the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence, and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty, among others.
This year, the World Press Freedom Day focused on the profound influence of AI on journalism and media. Mr. Türk said World Press Freedom Day is an opportunity for everyone to urgently commit to changing course now, starting with states.
He called upon states to ensure that journalists are safe from attacks, hate campaigns and surveillance, as well as physical and legal harassment. He stressed that it was key to provide for more transparency in how data is used, how content is curated and how algorithms are designed. Mr. Türk announced that his office and UNESCO are offering guidance to help tech companies assess the risks their tools pose to journalists and civil society.
The ever-present challenges and threats posed to journalists and the media require comprehensive responses — to protect free and independent media and its key role in ensuring that democracies flourish.
This piece was republished from Forbeswith permission.
Cristiano Ronaldo took Juventus to court over the 19 million euros the club owed him in deferred payments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the time, Juventus had asked Ronaldo to defer part of his wages, with the promise that it would be paid at a later date, just like several of his teammates. Ronaldo agreed to this arrangement, but crucially, he did not sign the official document that would make the agreement legally binding.
After Juventus found itself in trouble due to under-the-table payments made to some of his teammates, Ronaldo demanded the deferred payment. Juventus refused to pay the amount owed, which led to a legal battle. In the court’s ruling, Juventus was required to pay approximately 9.8 million euros, based on a 50-50 split.
Juventus’ Legal Battle Over Deferred Wages
The decision came as a surprise to Juventus, as the club had been confident the case would be dismissed. Instead, the court ruled in Ronaldo’s favour, obliging the club to pay him the amount owed. Despite the ruling, Juventus has yet to pay the fee and is now preparing to appeal the decision. The club hopes the case will be dismissed or that a reduced amount will be agreed upon, but reports suggest that they are unlikely to receive a significant discount.
According to a report on Tuttomercatoweb, Juventus will probably need to pay close to the current amount owed, with little hope of a major reduction in the final settlement.
Ronaldo Pogba
The Need for Closure
This ongoing situation has dragged on longer than expected and remains a sore point for Juventus, reminding the club of a period in its history that it would rather forget. The Bianconeri are keen to resolve the matter quickly and put the issue behind them. However, the length of time it is taking to come to a final resolution has left the club frustrated, as the case continues to cast a shadow over their more recent achievements.
For Juventus, the resolution of this issue is more than just about money; it’s about closing a difficult chapter. With the case set to continue through the courts, the club is now looking for an end to the saga and to move forward with a clear focus on their future.
Cristiano Ronaldo was asked to name the five players he thought would dominate world football back in 2015 – and some of his choices have certainly had mixed fortunes since
In 2015, Cristiano Ronaldo listed five players he felt would dominate football(Image: FABRICE COFFRINI, AFP via Getty Images)
The year is 2015 and Cristiano Ronaldo is still dazzling for Real Madrid in what might have been assumed to be the closing chapters of his time at the elite level. Yet the ex-Manchester United marvel is now 40 and still banging goals in for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and for Portugal on the international stage.
While others from Ronaldo’s heyday have hung up their boots or turned to management, he is eyeing a remarkable sixth consecutive World Cup with Portugal in 2026 on North American soil. Even Ronaldo probably didn’t predict he’d be toeing the pitch against the future stars he named way back when.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is still as hungry as ever to prove he is the best of all time. In 2015, he was asked to list five younger players he feels are ready to take over football from himself and Lionel Messi.
Looking back, his choices were fascinating to say the least. Mirror Sport takes a closer look at the careers of the five football players he predicted would dominate the highest stage of football in his wake.
Martin Odegaard
Odegaard and Ronaldo were team-mates at Real Madrid(Image: Catherine Ivill, Getty Images)
As a slender yet supremely skilled Norwegian teen, Martin Odegaard had just touched down at Real Madrid. Barely 16 and fresh from Stromsgodset, his rawness was clear, but so were the signs of his serious skill during his stint with Los Blancos.
After the young star settled in Madrid, CR7 said: “He has a good future ahead. We must give him time to learn, to take his best decisions. But I see a lot of potential in the player, he has got a good left foot.”
Fast forward to the present day, Odegaard has found a home at Arsenal, where he has been pivotal in the Gunners’ last three Premier League title chases. He is one of the first names on the team sheet and has blossomed into one of the best midfielders in Europe under Mikel Arteta. All he is missing for his efforts is a major trophy with Arsenal, as he was not with the north Londoners when Arteta won the FA Cup in his first season in charge.
Eden Hazard
Hazard recently announced his retirement from football(Image: KURT DESPLENTER, Belga/AFP via Getty Images)
In 2015, Eden Hazard had recently finished his third season at Chelsea and just won the Premier League title. At the age of 24 years old, he had already established an impressive trophy collection and looked like a player who would be at the top of his game for another ten years.
The Belgian wizard remained at Chelsea until 2019, when he secured a huge move to Real Madrid in a purported £100million transfer. With Ronaldo leaving the club, Hazard was handed the Portuguese star’s iconic No. 7 shirt in what appeared to be a like-for-like replacement.
Unfortunately for Hazard, he was plagued by injuries and was never able to showcase the talent and abilities he had with Chelsea, at the Bernabeu. Despite having a hand in two La Liga titles and a Champions League triumph in the Spanish capital, Hazard was released in 2023, before announcing his retirement at the relatively young age of 32 years old.
He recently completed the renowned 225km Mallorca 312 amateur road cycling race, showing that he is still competitive away from football.
Paul Pogba
Pogba is a free agent who is looking for a club(Image: Getty Images)
After bagging the Golden Boy award in 2013 and the Bravo Award a year later, Paul Pogba was shaping up to be one of the world’s top midfielders. The Frenchman was making waves at Juventus, where he clinched four Serie A titles and two Coppa Italias.
Despite being on the losing team in the 2015 Champions League final when Barcelona defeated Juventus 3-1, his performance didn’t go unnoticed. Shortly after Ronaldo predicted Pogba would dominate world football, Manchester United shattered the world transfer record to bring him back to Old Trafford in 2016.
His first season under Jose Mourinho saw him lift the League Cup and the Europa League, but things quickly went south for both Pogba and United. He returned to Juventus in 2022, only to be plagued by injuries that ruled him out of the 2022 World Cup.
In February 2023, Pogba received a four-year suspension after a drugs test revealed elevated testosterone levels in his system. However, a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) saw this reduced to 18 months. He is currently a free agent seeking his next career move.
Memphis Depay
Depay could not quite live up to his potential(Image: NELSON ALMEIDA, AFP via Getty Images)
When Memphis Depay joined United in 2014, many believed he was set to fill Ronaldo’s shoes. After a standout performance at the 2014 World Cup, Louis van Gaal, who had taken the reins at United after leading the Netherlands to the semi-finals in Brazil, signed Depay.
After a fluctuating debut season at United, Ronaldo identified the Dutchman as a future star while naming his top five players set to rule the game. Despite inheriting Ronaldo’s iconic No. 7 shirt, he never came close to emulating the Portuguese maestro’s brilliance.
Depay departed United for Lyon in 2017, then spent a year-and-a-half at Barcelona. Atletico Madrid snapped him up in the January transfer window, only to release him 18 months later.
After a short stint as a free agent, Depay now plies his trade with Brazilian heavyweights Corinthians, where he has netted 13 goals and provided 13 assists in 39 matches.
Neymar
Neymar returned to his boyhood club Santos(Image: Sports Press Photo, Getty Images)
Neymar was one of the most thrilling prospects ever to burst onto the scene from Brazil when he began making waves with his performances for Santos as a young player. Shortly after a standout performance for Brazil at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Barcelona shelled out £49m to bring him to the Nou Camp.
He went on to cement his status as one of the world’s best players, leading Paris Saint-Germain to shatter the previous transfer record by paying £200m to sign him from Barcelona. Despite being reunited with Messi and joining forces with Kylian Mbappe in the frontline, Neymar’s time in the French capital didn’t go as planned.
The South American star was transferred to Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal, where he was unfortunately plagued by injuries. Unable to recover in time, the Saudi club de-registered him to make space for Brazilian left-back Renan Lodi.
In 2024, Neymar only managed to play 42 minutes of football for the Middle Eastern team but still pocketed a staggering £85.98m. He then returned to Santos, the club where his football journey began, and has since regained both his fitness and form. In 2025, he has contributed three goals and three assists in just nine appearances for the Brazilian side.
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