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Large Language Models Play StarCraft II: Benchmarks and A Chain of Summarization Approach Weiyu Ma

Neural Information Processing Systems

With the continued advancement of Large Language Models (LLMs) Agents in reasoning, planning, and decision-making, benchmarks have become crucial in evaluating these skills. However, there is a notable gap in benchmarks for real-time strategic decision-making. StarCraft II (SC2), with its complex and dynamic nature, serves as an ideal setting for such evaluations. To this end, we have developed TextStarCraft II, a specialized environment for assessing LLMs in real-time strategic scenarios within SC2. Addressing the limitations of traditional Chain of Thought (CoT) methods, we introduce the Chain of Summarization (CoS) method, enhancing LLMs' capabilities in rapid and effective decision-making. Our key experiments included: 1. LLM Evaluation: Tested 10 LLMs in TextStarCraft II, most of them defeating L V5 build-in AI, showcasing effective strategy skills.


Syrian army, Kurdish-led SDF accuse each other of ceasefire violations

Al Jazeera

How many Syrians have returned? A ceasefire between the Syrian army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) appears to be largely holding, even as the two sides have accused each other of violating its terms. The army on Sunday said the SDF launched multiple drone attacks in the Aleppo countryside, while the United States-trained Kurdish forces on Monday accused the army of targeting a Kurdish-majority city near the Turkish border. An initial four-day ceasefire between the Syrian army and the SDF was extended by 15 days soon after it expired on Saturday night. The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that the SDF launched more than 25 explosive drones on the army positions in the Aleppo countryside on Sunday, breaching the newly extended ceasefire.


Thailand accuses Cambodia of breaking newly signed ceasefire deal

BBC News

Thailand's army has accused Cambodia of breaching a newly-signed ceasefire deal reached after weeks of deadly clashes that forced nearly one million people from their homes. In a statement, the Thai army said than more than 250 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were detected flying from the Cambodian side on Sunday night. The ceasefire took effect at noon local time (05:00 GMT) on Saturday. Both sides agreed to freeze the front lines where they are now, ban reinforcements and allow civilians living in border areas to return as soon as possible. It had been seen as a breakthrough, which came after days of talks between both countries, with diplomatic encouragement from China and the US.


Drone attacks kill over 100 civilians across war-torn Sudan's Kordofan

Al Jazeera

Drone attacks kill over 100 civilians across war-torn Sudan's Kordofan At least 104 civilians have been killed in drone attacks across Sudan's Kordofan region as fighting between rival military factions reached deadly new heights in the brutal civil war deep into its third year. The attacks have battered the central region since early December, right up to Friday, following the capture of a significant army base by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Babnusa after a week of intense fighting. Sudan's RSF trying to hide atrocities: Report The deadliest attack was reported from a kindergarten and a hospital in Kalogi, South Kordofan, where 89 people were killed, including 43 children and eight women. United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk said he was "alarmed by the further intensification in hostilities" and warned that targeting medical facilities violates international humanitarian law. Six Bangladeshi peacekeepers serving with the UN mission were killed when drones hit their base in Kadugli, South Kordofan's capital, on December 13.


Deadly attack on kindergarten reported in Sudan

BBC News

A drone attack on the town of Kalogi, in Sudan's South Kordofan region, is said to have hit a kindergarten and killed at least 50 people, including 33 children. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group battling the army in Sudan's civil war, was accused of Thursday's attack by a medical organisation, the Sudan Doctors' Network, and the army. There was no immediate comment from the RSF. The RSF in turn accused the army of hitting a market on Friday in a drone attack in the Darfur region, on a fuel depot at the Adre border crossing with Chad. Sudan has been ravaged by war since April 2023 when a power struggle broke out between the RSF and the army, who were formerly allies .


Why Trump's White House is using video game memes to recruit for ICE

The Guardian

The image of Donald Trump as Halo protagonist Master Chief posted on the White House's X account. The image of Donald Trump as Halo protagonist Master Chief posted on the White House's X account. Why Trump's White House is using video game memes to recruit for ICE A recent spate of posts has garnered attention, but Trump and his allies have long been using gaming imagery to mobilise a toxic subculture of'rootless white males' J ust days after Microsoft announced Halo: Campaign Evolved, the next game in its famous science-fiction series, the White House shared an interesting picture on X . The image, which appears to be AI-generated, shows President Donald Trump wearing the armour of Halo's iconic protagonist, Master Chief, standing in salute in front of an American flag that's missing several stars. In his left hand is an energy sword, a weapon used by the alien enemies in the Halo games.


The real killer of Napoleon's army revealed by DNA testing

Popular Science

Science Archaeology The real killer of Napoleon's army revealed by DNA testing It wasn't typhus that plagued his troops. Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Napoleon Bonaparte's catastrophic invasion of the Russian Empire remains one of history's greatest military blunders . In the summer of 1812, the French emperor set out across Eastern Europe's Neman River with over 615,000 Grand Army troops intent on forcing their foe to agree to a continental blockade against the United Kingdom. In less than six months, over a half a million of Napoleon's soldiers had succumbed to starvation, hypothermia, and disease .


Ancient Roman mass grave shows its army's ethnic diversity

Popular Science

Science Archaeology Ancient Roman mass grave shows its army's ethnic diversity Part of the empire's strength was drawn from its different populations. Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Among its many feats, Rome featured one of history's most organized and successful military forces . Its organization and deployment helped solidify the empire's centuries-long reign across the Mediterranean, Western Asia, North Africa, and Europe. In Croatia, archaeologists have discovered a mass grave dating back to the third century CE that indicates another key to Roman military strength: the diversity of its soldiers.


Drone attack in Sudan threatens Khartoum airport's reopening: Reports

Al Jazeera

Drone attack in Sudan threatens Khartoum airport's reopening: Reports A series of drone attacks has hit areas in Sudan's capital, including near Khartoum international airport, a day before its long-awaited reopening, according to the AFP news agency and Sudanese media reports. Witnesses told AFP they heard drones over central and southern Khartoum early on Tuesday. A wave of explosions was reported near the airport between 4am and 6am (02:00-04:00 GMT). The airport has been shut since fighting erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), badly damaging infrastructure. Sudan's Rakoba News, citing witnesses, reported more than eight blasts in and around the airport.


A drone for every soldier in Army of the future, Driscoll says

FOX News

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll says the Army is developing small drones based on Ukraine lessons, envisioning every infantryman having a drone for future missions.