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What do Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance have in common? They both called Donald Trump a Nazi before groveling at his feet for their own political advancement. According to audio obtained by CNN’s KFile of Kennedy during his time as a host of the radio show “Ring of Fire,” in 2016 Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services compared Trump to authoritarians like Adolf Hitler, and lauded critiques calling his supporters “belligerent idiots” and comparing them to “outright Nazis.” In one 2016 episode, during which he interviewed journalist Matt Taibbi, Kennedy heaped praise on his guest for his description of Trump’s base. “One of the things that you write so beautifully, and your stuff is so fun to read, but you write about Trump, ‘The way that you build a truly vicious nationalist movement is to wed a relatively small core of belligerent idiots to a much larger group of opportunists and spineless fellow travelers whose primary function is to turn a blind eye to things,’” Kennedy said, quoting Taibbi’s writing. “‘We may not have that many outright Nazis in America, but we have plenty of cowards and bootlickers, and once those fleshy dominoes start tumbling into the Trump camp, the game is up.’” After quoting the passage, Kennedy told Taibbi that the similarities between Trump and Hitler only extended so far. “Hitler had like a plan, you know, Hitler was interested in policy,” Kennedy said. “I don’t think Trump has any of that. He’s like non compos mentis . He’ll get in there and who knows what will happen.” In other episodes Kennedy — a former climate and energy lawyer — heavily criticized Trump’s environmental policies, describing them as “pollution-based prosperity.” “Trump isn’t just gonna destroy the climate, but he’s also promised last week when he spoke to the oil industry, the shale gas industry, he promised that he would get rid of the Clean Water Act,” Kennedy said. “So he’s just gonna open the floodgates to every kind of pollution.” Editor’s picks The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time He’s not the only member of Trump’s administration who’s compared the incoming president to a Nazi. In 2016, future VP Vance suggested that Trump might be “America’s Hitler,” in text messages with a former roommate. “I go back and forth between thinking Trump is a cynical asshole like Nixon who wouldn’t be that bad (and might even prove useful) or that he’s America’s Hitler,” he wrote. In an op-ed written that same year, Vance wrote that Trump was “unfit for our nation’s highest office.” Both men were able to bow and scrape their way into Trump’s good graces. In a statement to CNN, Kennedy said: “Like many Americans, I allowed myself to believe the mainstream media’s distorted, dystopian portrait of President Trump. I no longer hold this belief and now regret having made those statements.” Kennedy abandoned his bid for the presidency in August, endorsing Trump in virtually the same breath. Before his exit, the candidate reportedly begged both of his opponents for a job in their future administrations. Trump accepted. Kennedy is a known vaccine conspiracy theorist, pusher of medical misinformation, and the subject of sexual assault allegations . He is nevertheless inline to take control of the NIH, CDC, and FDA — and is only one of a cadre of scandal-plagued administration picks made recently by the president-elect.. Trending Stories Trump Says Republicans 'MUST KILL' Bipartisan Bill to Protect Press Freedom Pete Hegseth Police Report Shares Disturbing Details of Sexual Assault Claim 2024 CMA Awards: The Complete Winners List Republicans Were Ready to Torch Elon Musk for Blowing the Election. Then Trump Won Related Content Putin Rattles Nuclear Saber With Unprecedented Strike on Ukraine Donald Trump and Eddy Grant Settle Lawsuit Over 'Electric Avenue' Campaign Video Trump Is Stocking His Administration With the People Behind Project 2025 Anti-Abortion Group Hopes to Convince RFK Jr. Abortion Pills Are Poisoning Our Water On Thursday, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) withdrew his nomination as Trump’s Attorney General amid the fallout of an investigation by the House Ethics Committee into allegations that in 2017 he had sex with an underage girl at a “sex party” hosted by a now-convicted sex trafficker. After meeting with senators on Thursday, Gaetz wrote in a social media post that “while the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” and that he would be “withdrawing [his] name from consideration to serve as Attorney General.” Gaetz was not the only Trump nominees facing dubious confirmation odds. On Thursday, Vance met with Republican senators to discuss the nomination of Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. Hegseth has been embroiled in allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman during a 2017 trip to Monterey, California. On Thursday, Mediaite obtained previously unpublished details from the police report made to law enforcement regarding the alleged assault. No charges were filed, but earlier this week CNN reported that Hegseth — who denies the accusation — had paid out a settlement to the woman in order to prevent news of the allegation from making its way to his employers at Fox.Innovative AI Law service to assist the less fortunate in civil rights cases: VRN News
Paige Bueckers poured in a season-high 29 points as No. 2 UConn downed No. 14 North Carolina 69-58 on Friday, allowing Huskies coach Geno Auriemma to tie the all-time Division I wins record for women's and men's basketball. The triumph was No. 1,216 for Auriemma, pulling him level with Tara VanDerveer, who stepped down as Stanford's women's coach following the 2023-24 season. The men's Division I record is held by ex-Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, 1,202. Auriemma would stand alone if UConn beats visiting Fairleigh Dickinson on Wednesday. The 70-year-old Italy native has led the Huskies to 11 national titles and 23 Final Fours. Sarah Strong amassed 14 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and five blocks for UConn (3-0), which led by double digits for almost all of the final three quarters. Indya Nivar paced North Carolina (3-1) with 15 points and nine rebounds. No. 7 LSU 74, Murray State 60 The Tigers surrendered 32 points in the second quarter to fall behind at half 46-37, but their defense put the clamps down over the final two quarters as LSU (4-0) rallied to down the Racers (1-2). LSU allowed eight points in the third quarter as it cut its deficit to 54-53, then was even stingier in the fourth, allowing six points to pull away. Murray State shot a blistering 61.1 percent and outscored the Tigers 32-12 in the second quarter, keyed by 16 points from Ava Learn. Learn finished with 18 points and added 10 rebounds, while Halli Poock scored 15 points and Haven Ford had 10 points. LSU held the Racers to just 4-for-27 (14.8 percent) shooting in the second half, including 0-for-14 from 3-point range. Flau'Jae Johnson led the Tigers with 25 points, Mikaylah Williams added 15 and Aneesah Morrow chipped in 10. No. 3 Southern California 81, Santa Clara 50 JuJu Watkins scored 22 points and Kiki Iriafen added 20 points, seven rebounds and three steals as the Trojans remained perfect on the season with a blowout of the Broncos in Los Angeles. Rayah Marshall scored 12 points for USC (4-0). The Trojans took control early, racing to a 25-13 lead after one quarter by shooting 47.6 percent from the floor and turning seven Santa Clara turnovers into 15 points. Kaya Ingram scored 13 points for Santa Clara (2-1), which committed 23 turnovers. No. 15 West Virginia 83, Texas A&M 62 JJ Quinerly hit 4 of 5 3-point attempts while scoring 27 points as the Mountaineers dumped the Aggies in Morgantown, W.Va. West Virginia (4-0) led by just four points at halftime before putting the game away with a 27-7 edge in the third quarter. Kylee Blacksten contributed 17 points and Sydney Shaw had 12 for the Mountaineers. Aicha Coulibaly logged 21 points and Sole Williams added 14 for Texas A&M (2-2). --Field Level Media
Algert Global LLC trimmed its position in shares of Jackson Financial Inc. ( NYSE:JXN – Free Report ) by 67.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 10,587 shares of the company’s stock after selling 22,070 shares during the quarter. Algert Global LLC’s holdings in Jackson Financial were worth $966,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Asset Allocation Strategies LLC increased its stake in Jackson Financial by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Asset Allocation Strategies LLC now owns 18,926 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,405,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Jackson Financial by 1.4% during the third quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 11,316 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,032,000 after acquiring an additional 159 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC increased its position in shares of Jackson Financial by 1.2% during the second quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 14,962 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,111,000 after acquiring an additional 178 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Jackson Financial by 2.0% during the second quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 9,954 shares of the company’s stock worth $739,000 after acquiring an additional 199 shares during the period. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in Jackson Financial by 232.1% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 372 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 260 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.96% of the company’s stock. Jackson Financial Stock Performance Shares of NYSE JXN opened at $100.19 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 0.30 and a current ratio of 0.30. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $99.34 and a 200 day moving average price of $86.51. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.40 billion, a PE ratio of -7.93 and a beta of 1.48. Jackson Financial Inc. has a 52 week low of $46.86 and a 52 week high of $115.22. Jackson Financial Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 5th will be given a $0.70 dividend. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 5th. Jackson Financial’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -22.15%. Jackson Financial declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback program on Wednesday, August 7th that allows the company to buyback $750.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to repurchase up to 10.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have issued reports on JXN. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on Jackson Financial from $80.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Jackson Financial from $86.00 to $89.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, August 19th. Evercore ISI cut Jackson Financial from an “in-line” rating to an “underperform” rating and boosted their target price for the company from $74.00 to $95.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 14th. Finally, Barclays raised their price target on shares of Jackson Financial from $109.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Jackson Financial currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $84.00. Get Our Latest Analysis on Jackson Financial Insider Transactions at Jackson Financial In related news, EVP Carrie Chelko sold 5,500 shares of Jackson Financial stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.31, for a total transaction of $502,205.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 61,829 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,645,605.99. This trade represents a 8.17 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink . 1.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders. About Jackson Financial ( Free Report ) Jackson Financial Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides suite of annuities to retail investors in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Retail Annuities, Institutional Products, and Closed Life and Annuity Blocks. The Retail Annuities segment offers various retirement income and savings products, including variable, fixed index, fixed, and payout annuities, as well as registered index-linked annuities and lifetime income solutions. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JXN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Jackson Financial Inc. ( NYSE:JXN – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Jackson Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Jackson Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
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NEW YORK (AP) — With the end of 2024 around the corner, you might be reflecting on financial goals for 2025. Whether you're saving to move out of your parents' house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated, said Courtney Alev, consumer advocate for Credit Karma. “Entering a new year doesn’t erase all our financial challenges from the prior year," Alev said. “But it can really help to bring a fresh-start mentality to how you’re managing your finances.” If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they're attainable for your lifestyle. Here are some tips from experts: Think about how you currently deal with finances — what's good, what's bad, and what can improve. “Let this be the year you change your relationship with money,” said Ashley Lapato, personal finance educator for YNAB, a budgeting app. If you feel like money is a chore, that there's shame surrounding the topic of money, or like you were born being “bad at money,” it's time to change that mentality, Lapato said. To adjust your approach, Lapato recommends viewing money goals as an opportunity to imagine your desired lifestyle in the future. She recommends asking questions like, “What do my 30s look like? What do my 40s look like?” and using money as a means to get there. Liz Young Thomas, head of SoFi Investment Strategy, added that it’s key you forgive yourself for past mistakes in order to move into the new year with motivation. When setting your financial resolutions for 2025, it's important to establish the “why” of each, said Matt Watson, CEO of Origin, a financial tracking app. “If you can attach the financial goal to a bigger life goal, it’s much more motivating and more likely you’ll continue on that path,” Watson said. Whether you're saving to buy a house, pay off credit card debt or take a summer vacation, being clear about the goal can keep you motivated. Watson also recommends using a tool to help you keep track of your finances, such as an app, spreadsheet, or website. “After three years of inflation, your pay increases are likely still playing catch up to your monthly expenses, leaving you wondering where all the money is going," said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. "Make that monthly budget for 2025 and resolve to track your spending against it throughout the year." McBride said that you may need to make adjustments during the year as certain expenses increase, which would require cutting back in other areas. “Calibrate your spending with your income, and any month you spend less than budgeted, transfer the difference into your savings account, ideally a high-yield savings account,” he said. “Interest rates aren’t likely to come down very fast, so you’re still going to have to put in the hard work of paying down debt, especially high-cost credit card debt, and do so with urgency,” McBride said. Start by taking stock of how much debt you have now relative to the beginning of the year. Hopefully you’ve made steady progress on paying it down, but, if you’ve gone in the other direction, McBride encourages making a game plan. That includes looking into 0% balance transfer offers. “You have more power over credit card interest rates than you think you do," said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. “Wielding that power is one of the best moves you can make in 2025.” A 0% balance transfer credit card is “a good weapon” in the fight against high card APRs, or annual percentage rates, he said. A low-interest personal loan is an option as well. You may simply be able to pick up the phone and ask for a lower interest rate. LendingTree found that a majority of people who did that in 2024 were successful, and the average reduction was more than 6 points. When planning for your financial resolutions, it’s important to consider how you’re going to make your goals sustainable for your lifestyle, said Credit Karma's Alev. “It really is a marathon, not a sprint,” Alev said. Alev recommends setting realistic, practical goals to make it easier to stick with them. For example, instead of planning to save thousands of dollars by the end of the year, start by saving $20 a paycheck. Even when your plans are achievable, there are times you'll get derailed. Maybe it’s an unexpected medical bill or an extraordinary life event. When these situations happen, Alev recommends trying not to feel defeated and working to get back on track without feeling guilty. “You can't manage what you can't see, so set a New Year’s resolution to check your credit score monthly in 2025," said Rikard Bandebo, chief economist at VantageScore. “Be sure to pay more than the minimum on your credit accounts, as that's one of the best ways to boost your credit score.” Bandebo also advises student loan borrowers to make all payments on time, as servicers will begin to report late payments starting in January, and missed payments will affect borrowers' credit scores. Automated changes, like increasing workplace 401(k) plan contributions, setting up direct deposits from paychecks into dedicated savings accounts, and arranging for monthly transfers into an IRA and/or 529 college savings accounts all add up quickly, McBride said. Your financial goals can encompass more than just managing your money better — they can also be about keeping your money safe from scams . A golden rule to protect yourself from scams is to “slow down,” said Johan Gerber, executive vice president of security solutions at Mastercard. “You have to slow down and talk to other people if you’re not sure (whether or not) it’s scam,” said Gerber, who recommends building an accountability system with family to keep yourself and your loved ones secure. Scammers use urgency to make people fall for their tricks, so taking your time to make any financial decision can keep you from losing money. Your financial goals don’t always have to be rooted in a dollar amount — they can also be about well-being. Finances are deeply connected with our mental health, and, to take care of our money, we also need to take care of ourselves. “I think that now more than any other year, your financial wellness should be a resolution," said Alejandra Rojas, personal finance expert and founder of The Money Mindset Hub, a mentoring platform for women entrepreneurs. "Your mental health with money should be a resolution.” To focus on your financial wellness, you can set one or two goals focusing on your relationship with money. For example, you could find ways to address and resolve financial trauma, or you could set a goal to talk more openly with loved ones about money, Rojas said. —— The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.PM urges action to protect women, kids from abuse
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) Position Boosted by Roof Eidam Maycock Peralta LLC(The Center Square) – Bob Casey Jr. is finally ready to say goodbye. Seventeen days after the polls closed, the two-term Democratic senator called Republican challenger Dave McCormick to congratulate him on his win. “As the first count of ballots is completed, Pennsylvanians can move forward with the knowledge that their voices were heard, whether their vote was the first to be counted or the last,” he said in a video posted on X . The concession comes after 16 of 67 counties finished recounting ballots cast, with results showing Casey falling even further behind. Of 702,000 ballots tallied again, McCormick, who declared victory three days after the election, increased his lead by seven votes. During my time in office, I have been guided by an inscription on the Finance Building in Harrisburg: “All public service is a trust, given in faith and accepted in honor.” Thank you for your trust in me for all these years, Pennsylvania. It has been the honor of my lifetime. pic.twitter.com/RSXEFwdge8 The close margin – less than 17,000 ballots or 0.2% – triggered an automatic recount last week, to which Casey could have objected. Counties have until Tuesday to finish the job. Elizabeth Gregory, spokeswoman for McCormick, said in a release “there’s only five more days until the obvious happens.” “Another day closer to this waste of time and money being over,” she said. “We all know how this will end. We’ll be there in five days.” The campaign had maintained there were not enough votes left in the state to overcome the gap . Chief strategist Mark Harris said Casey’s decision to opt for the recount, estimated to cost $1 million, won’t change things. The Associated Press, reached the same conclusion on Nov. 7 when declaring the former hedge fund CEO turned Republican nominee the winner . The flip padded the Republican majority in the U.S. Senate to 53-47 and ended the Casey family’s six-decade presence in state and national political office. “During my time in office, I have been guided by an inscription on the Finance Building in Harrisburg: ‘All public service is a trust, given in faith and accepted in honor,’” Casey said. “Thank you for your trust in me for all these years, Pennsylvania. It has been the honor of my lifetime.”PLAINS, Georgia (AP) — Newly married and sworn as a Naval officer, left his tiny hometown in 1946 hoping to climb the ranks and see the world. The untimely death of his father, a farmer who went by “Mr. Earl,” brought the submariner and his wife, , back to a rural life they thought they’d escaped. The lieutenant would never be an admiral. Instead, he became commander in chief. And, years after his presidency ended in humbling defeat, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The life of James Earl Carter Jr. ended Sunday where it began. Plains fueled the rise of the 39th U.S. president, welcomed him after his fall and sustained him during 40 years of service as a global humanitarian. With an optimism rooted in Baptist faith and an engineer’s stubborn confidence, Carter showed a missionary zeal to solve problems and improve lives. “We shouldn’t judge presidents by how popular they are in their day,” Carter biographer Jonathan Alter told The Associated Press. “We should judge them by how they changed the country and the world for the better. On that score, Jimmy Carter is not in the first rank of American presidents, but he stands up quite well.” Many Americans judged his presidency ineffective for failing to end an energy crisis, turn around the economy or quickly bring American hostages home from Tehran. He won widespread admiration instead for The Carter Center — which has advocated for , human rights and democracy since 1982 — and the many years he and Rosalynn swung hammers with . Carter’s allies relished that he and Rosalynn, who died Nov. 19, 2023, lived to see . “He doesn’t quite fit in today’s terms” of a left-right, red-blue scoreboard, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a repeat visitor during his own White House bid. Carter labeled himself “progressive” or “conservative.” Republicans cast him as a left-wing cartoon. He could be classified a centrist, Buttigieg told the AP, “but there’s also something radical about the depth of his commitment to looking after those who are left out of society and out of the economy.” Carter’s vow to restore America’s virtue after the shame of Vietnam and Watergate with a transparent, good-government approach didn’t suit Republicans who cast government as the problem. His efficiency mandate could put him at odds with Democrats. Still, he scored wins on the environment, education and ; expanded federally protected lands; began deregulating air travel, railroads and trucking; ; and unlike later presidents, added a relative pittance to the national debt. Carter had , grinning enthusiastically and promising he would “never lie” to them. Once in Washington, he could seem like a joyless engineer, insisting that political rewards would follow facts and logic. Such tenacity worked well at Camp David as Carter brokered peace between Israel’s Menachem Begin and Egypt’s Anwar Sadat, but it failed him as the nation’s cheerleader, beseeching Americans to get past a “crisis of confidence.” Republican Ronald Reagan exploited Carter’s lecturing tone, saying “there you go again” in response to a wonky debate answer. “The Great Communicator” won all but six states. Carter later acknowledged an incompatibility with Washington insiders who looked down on his team as “country come to town.” His closest adviser was Rosalynn Carter, who joined his Cabinet meetings. When she urged him to postpone relinquishing the Panama Canal, Carter said he was “going to do what’s right” even if meant he wouldn’t get re-elected, recalled her aide, Kathy Cade. “She’d remind him you have to win to govern,” Cade said. Carter won by navigating divides on race, class and ideology. He offered himself as an outsider to Atlanta and Washington, a peanut farmer with a nickname who carried his own luggage. in a home without running water or electricity, he was raised by a progressive mother and racist father. He and Rosalynn privately supported integration in the 1950s, but he didn’t push to desegregate schools, and there’s no record of him supporting the 1965 Voting Rights Act as a state senator. Carter ran to the right of his rival to then landed on the cover of Time magazine by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” He didn’t befriend civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.’s family until he ran for president. “He very shrewdly took advantage of his own Southernness,” said Amber Roessner, a University of Tennessee professor who wrote a book on Carter’s campaign. Carter was the last Democratic nominee to sweep the Deep South. Then, as he did in Georgia, he used his power as president to appoint more nonwhites than all his predecessors had, combined. Many years later, Carter called it “inconceivable” that he didn’t consult Rosalynn before moving their family back to Plains or launching his state Senate bid. He called the mother of their four children in government and at The Carter Center as well as at home. “I just loved it,” she said of campaigning, despite the bitterness of defeat. True or not, the label of a failed presidency had for many years. Carter remained relevant as a freelance diplomat, writing more than 30 books and weighing in on societal challenges. Carter declared after Donald Trump’s presidential victory that But he also warned Democrats against moving too far left, lest they help re-elect him, and said many failed to understand Trump’s populist appeal. Pilgrimages to Plains became advantageous again for would-be presidents in recent years, and well into their 90s, the Carters greeted visitors at Plains’ , where he and where his last funeral will be held. In his farewell presidential address, Carter urged citizens who had embraced or rejected him to do their part as Americans. “The struggle for human rights overrides all differences of color, nation or language,” he declared. “Those who hunger for freedom, who thirst for human dignity and who suffer for the sake of justice — they are the patriots of this cause.” Carter pledged to remain engaged as he returned “home to the South where I was born and raised,” to where he had indeed become “a fellow citizen of the world.” Bill Barrow, The Associated Press
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his government is making all efforts to ensure Odisha is counted among the strongest, prosperous and fastest-growing states of the country by 2036, when the eastern state will be celebrating its 100th foundation day. While addressing a gathering at the Odisha Parba event in Delhi, PM Modi on Sunday said that Odisha, which was once considered as a backward state, has huge potential in sectors like tourism, port-based industries, seafood export, steel, energy etc. "There is immense potential for port-based industrial development in Odisha. Therefore, trade will be promoted here by developing Dhamra, Gopalpur, Astaranga, Pallur, and Subarnarekha ports. Odisha is also the mining and metal powerhouse of India. This strengthens Odisha's position in the steel, aluminum and energy sectors. By focusing on these sectors, Odisha can explore new paths to prosperity," said PM Modi. ओडिशा की सांस्कृतिक समृद्धि, वास्तु और विज्ञान हमेशा विशेष रहे हैं। हमें यहां की हर पहचान को दुनियाभर में ले जाने के लिए निरंतर इनोवेटिव कदम उठाने हैं। pic.twitter.com/tEjjcWgeqn "Odisha records huge production of cashew, jute, cotton, turmeric and oilseeds, and it is our endeavour to ensure these products reach big markets and our farmers benefit from this. There is huge scope for expansion of trade in the seafood processing industry in Odisha. We are making efforts so that Odisha seafood becomes a brand and there is a huge demand for it in the international market. Odisha should become one of the preferred destinations for investors. Our government is committed to improving the Ease of Doing Business in Odisha," he further added. He also said that the BJP government in Odisha has given approval to investment proposals to the tune of Rs 45,000 crore during the first 100 days after coming to power. PM Modi noted that Odisha's huge potential can be used in the right direction to take it to new heights of development. Emphasising the strategic location of Odisha, PM Modi asserted: "I believe, Odisha can get a significant benefit from its strategic location. It is easy to access the domestic and international market from here. Odisha is an important hub for trade with East Asia and South-East Asia. The importance of Odisha in the global value chain will increase in the coming days. Our government is also working on the target to raise exports from Odisha." He said that Odisha has immense potential for urbanisation and the Central government is taking various concrete steps on this. He said the Union government is committed to the construction of dynamic and well-connected cities in large numbers. "We are endeavouring to develop tier-II cities of Odisha; especially new opportunities will be created in western Odisha districts with the development of new infrastructure," PM Modi said. He also mentioned the just-concluded famous Bali Yatra at Cuttack, calling it a symbol of India and Odisha's maritime prowess. Lauding the courage of the sailors of the past, the Prime Minister said that they were brave enough to sail and cross the seas despite the absence of modern technology like today. He added that the traders used to travel by ship to places like Bali, Sumatra, Java in Indonesia, which helped promote trade and enhance the reach of culture to various places. PM Modi also emphasised that today, Odisha's maritime power had an important role in the achievement of a developed India's resolve. He also remembered the contributions of saints and scholars from Odisha to the enrichment of culture in India. The Prime Minister remarked that the saints and scholars have played a great role in nourishing the cultural richness by ensuring great literature like Saral Mahabharat, Odia Bhagawat have reached the common people at their doorsteps. He added that there is extensive literature related to Mahaprabhu Jagannath in Odia language. He also said that the nation is remembering the contributions of Utkal Kesari Hare Krishna Mehtab whose 125th birth anniversary the government is celebrating on a large scale. PM Modi said that the culture of Odisha has greatly strengthened the spirit of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat', in which the sons and daughters of the state have made huge contributions. "We can see many examples of the contribution of Odia literature to the cultural prosperity of India," PM Modi said. नई दिल्ली में ओडिशा पर्व पर आज यहां की समृद्ध विरासत और अद्भुत संस्कृति का साक्षी बनने का सौभाग्य मिला। pic.twitter.com/dlKuVhblco Meanwhile, PM Modi also took to X and wrote: "Today, I had the privilege of being a witness to the rich heritage and wonderful culture of Odisha at the Odisha Festival in New Delhi." The Prime Minister also shared a few photographs of the event. Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics & IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, President of Odia Samaj, Siddharth Pradhan were also present at the occasion, among others.Candace Cameron Bure Was Asked About Those Viral Traditional Marriage Comments, And She Explained Why Her Move To GAF Was 'A Really Hard Time'Algert Global LLC Acquires 76,590 Shares of Gogo Inc. (NASDAQ:GOGO)
Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More One of Google’s latest experimental models, Gemini-Exp-1206, shows the potential to alleviate one of the most grueling aspects of any analyst’s job: getting their data and visualizations to sync up perfectly and provide a compelling narrative, without having to work all night . Investment analysts, junior bankers, and members of consulting teams aspiring for partnership positions take their roles knowing that long hours , weekends, and pulling the occasional all-nighter could give them an inside edge on a promotion. What burns so much of their time is getting advanced data analysis done while also creating visualizations that reinforce a compelling storyline . Making this more challenging is that every banking, fintech and consulting firm, like JP Morgan, McKinsey and PwC, has unique formats and conventions for data analysis and visualization. VentureBeat interviewed members of internal project teams whose employers had hired these firms and assigned them to the project. Employees working on consultant-led teams said producing visuals that condense and consolidate the massive amount of data is a persistent challenge. One said it was common for consultant teams to work overnight and do a minimum of three to four iterations of a presentation’s visualizations before settling on one and getting it ready for board-level updates. A compelling use case for test-driving Google’s latest model The process analysts rely on to create presentations that support a storyline with solid visualizations and graphics has so many manual steps and repetitions that it proved a compelling use case for testing Google’s latest model. In launching the model earlier in December, Google’s Patrick Kane wrote , “Whether you’re tackling complex coding challenges, solving mathematical problems for school or personal projects, or providing detailed, multistep instructions to craft a tailored business plan, Gemini-Exp-1206 will help you navigate complex tasks with greater ease.” Google noted the model’s improved performance in more complex tasks, including math reasoning, coding, and following a series of instructions. VentureBeat took Google’s Exp-1206 model for a thorough test drive this week. We created and tested over 50 Python scripts in an attempt to automate and integrate analysis and intuitive, easily understood visualizations that could simplify the complex data being analyzed. Given how hyperscalers are dominant in news cycles today, our specific goal was to create an analysis of a given technology market while also creating supporting tables and advanced graphics. Through over 50 different iterations of verified Python scripts, our findings included: Pushing Exp-1206 toward complex, layered tasks VentureBeat’s goal was to see how far the model could be pushed in terms of complexity and layered tasks. Its performance in creating, running, editing and fine-tuning 50 different Python scripts showed how quickly the model attempts to pick up on nuances in code and react immediately. The model flexes and adapts based on prompt history. The result of running Python code created with Exp-1206 in Google Colab showed that the nuanced granularity extended into shading and translucency of layers in an eight-point spider graph that was designed to show how six hyperscaler competitors compare. The eight attributes we asked Exp-1206 to identify across all hyperscalers and to anchor the spider graph stayed consistent, while graphical representations varied. Battle of the hyperscalers We chose the following hyperscalers to compare in our test: Alibaba Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Digital Realty, Equinix, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Huawei, IBM Cloud, Meta Platforms (Facebook), Microsoft Azure, NTT Global Data Centers, Oracle Cloud, and Tencent Cloud. Next, we wrote an 11-step prompt of over 450 words. The goal was to see how well Exp-1206 can handle sequential logic and not lose its place in a complex multistep process. (You can read the prompt in the appendix at the end of this article.) We next submitted the prompt in Google AI Studio , selecting the Gemini Experimental 1206 model, as shown in the figure below. Next, we copied the code into Google Colab and saved it into a Jupyter notebook (Hyperscaler Comparison – Gemini Experimental 1206.ipynb), then ran the Python script. The script ran flawlessly and created three files (denoted with the red arrows in the upper left). Hyperscaler comparative analysis and a graphic — in less than a minute The first series of instructions in the prompt asked Exp-1206 to create a Python script that would compare 12 different hyperscalers by their product name, unique features and differentiators, and data center locations. Below is how the Excel file that was requested in the script turned out. It took less than a minute to format the spreadsheet to shrink it to fit in the columns. The next series of commands asked for a table of the top six hyperscalers compared across the top of a page and the spider graph below. Exp-1206 chose on its own to represent the data in HTML format, creating the page below. The final sequence of prompt commands centered on creating a spider graph to compare the top six hyperscalers. We tasked Exp-1206 with selecting the eight criteria for the comparison and completing the plot. That series of commands was translated into Python, and the model created the file and provided it in the Google Colab session. A model purpose-built to save analysts’ time VentureBeat has learned that in their daily work, analysts are continuing to create, share and fine-tune libraries of prompts for specific AI models with the goal of streamlining reporting, analysis and visualization across their teams. Teams assigned to large-scale consulting projects need to consider how models like Gemini-Exp-1206 can vastly improve productivity and alleviate the need for 60-hour-plus work weeks and the occasional all-nighter. A series of automated prompts can do the exploratory work of looking at relationships in data, enabling analysts to produce visuals with much greater certainty without having to spend an inordinate amount of time getting there. Appendix: Google Gemini Experimental 1206 Prompt Test Write a Python script to analyze the following hyperscalers who have announced a Global Infrastructure and Data Center Presence for their platforms and create a table comparing them that captures the significant differences in each approach in Global Infrastructure and Data Center Presence. Have the first column of the table be the company name, the second column be the names of each of the company’s hyperscalers that have Global Infrastructure and Data Center Presence, the third column be what makes their hyperscalers unique and a deep dive into the most differentiated features, and the fourth column be locations of data centers for each hyperscaler to the city, state and country level. Include all 12 hyperscalers in the Excel file. Don’t web scrape. Produce an Excel file of the result and format the text in the Excel file so it is clear of any brackets ({}), quote marks (‘), double asterisks (**) and any HTML code to improve readability. Name the Excel file, Gemini_Experimental_1206_test.xlsx. Next, create a table that is three columns wide and seven columns deep. The first column is titled Hyperscaler, the second Unique Features & Differentiators, and the third, Infrastructure and Data Center Locations. Bold the titles of the columns and center them. Bold the titles of the hyperscalers too. Double check to make sure text within each cell of this table wraps around and doesn’t cross into the next cell. Adjust the height of each row to make sure all text can fit in its intended cell. This table compares Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), IBM Cloud, Meta Platforms (Facebook), Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Cloud. Center the table at the top of the page of output. Next, take Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), IBM Cloud, Meta Platforms (Facebook), Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Cloud and define the eight most differentiating aspects of the group. Use those eight differentiating aspects to create a spider graph that compares these six hyperscalers. Create a single large spider graph that clearly shows the differences in these six hyperscalers, using different colors to improve its readability and the ability to see the outlines or footprints of different hyperscalers. Be sure to title the analysis, What Most Differentiates Hyperscalers, December 2024. Make sure the legend is completely visible and not on top of the graphic. Add the spider graphic at the bottom of the page. Center the spider graphic under the table on the page of output. These are the hyperscalers to include in the Python script: Alibaba Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Digital Realty, Equinix, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Huawei, IBM Cloud, Meta Platforms (Facebook), Microsoft Azure, NTT Global Data Centers, Oracle Cloud, Tencent Cloud. If you want to impress your boss, VB Daily has you covered. We give you the inside scoop on what companies are doing with generative AI, from regulatory shifts to practical deployments, so you can share insights for maximum ROI. Read our Privacy Policy Thanks for subscribing. Check out more VB newsletters here . An error occured.Special counsel moves to abandon election interference and classified documents cases against Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against Donald Trump on Monday, acknowledging that Trump’s return to the White House will preclude attempts to federally prosecute him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The decision was inevitable, since longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Yet it was still a momentous finale to an unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while he was simultaneously running for another term. Trump emerges indisputably victorious, having successfully delayed the investigations through legal maneuvers and then winning reelection despite indictments that described his actions as a threat to the country's constitutional foundations. “I persevered, against all odds, and WON," Trump exulted in a post on Truth Social, his social media website. He also said that “these cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought.” Israel launches new airstrikes on Lebanon as leaders draw closer to a ceasefire with Hezbollah BEIRUT (AP) — Israel's military launched airstrikes across Lebanon on Monday, unleashing explosions throughout the country and killing at least 31 while Israeli leaders appeared to be closing in on a negotiated ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group. Israeli strikes hit commercial and residential buildings in Beirut as well as in the port city of Tyre. Military officials said they targeted areas known as Hezbollah strongholds. They issued evacuation orders for Beirut's southern suburbs, and strikes landed across the city, including meters from a Lebanese police base and the city's largest public park. The barrage came as officials indicated they were nearing agreement on a ceasefire, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's Security Cabinet prepared to discuss an offer on the table. Massive explosions lit up Lebanon's skies with flashes of orange, sending towering plumes of smoke into the air as Israeli airstrikes pounded Beirut’s southern suburbs Monday. The blasts damaged buildings and left shattered glass and debris scattered across nearby streets. No casualties were reported after many residents fled the targeted sites. Some of the strikes landed close to central Beirut and near Christian neighborhoods and other targets where Israel had issued evacuation warnings, including in Tyre and Nabatiyeh province. Israeli airstrikes also hit the northeast Baalbek-Hermel region without warning. What's blocking a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah? BEIRUT (AP) — Diplomats and other officials say there have been several sticking points in ceasefire talks to end the war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, even as conditions for an agreement appear to be ripe. Israel’s military has killed nearly all of the militant group’s top leaders, but it continues to fire missiles into Israel. Tens of thousands of Israelis who were evacuated from the border months ago are pressuring their government to help them go home. And the world wants to stop regional conflict from spreading after more than a year of fighting. Following the latest visit to the region by a U.S. mediator, Israel hit central Beirut over the weekend, and Hezbollah responded with its biggest barrage in weeks as each applied pressure to reach a deal. Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire almost daily since the day after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, setting off the war in Gaza. Israel launched a widespread bombardment of Lebanon two months ago, then a ground invasion. More than 3,500 people in Lebanon have been killed, many of them civilians. Thanksgiving Travel Latest: Airport strike, staff shortages and weather could impact holiday travel Airports and highways are expected to be jam-packed during Thanksgiving week, a holiday period likely to end with another record day for air travel in the United States. AAA predicts that nearly 80 million Americans will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday, most of them by car. However, travelers could be impacted by ongoing weather challenges and those flying to their destinations could be grounded by delays brought on by airline staffing shortages and an airport service workers strike. Here's the latest: U.S. airlines are preparing for a Thanksgiving holiday rush, and so are the U.S. Postal Service, United Parcel Service and FedEx. Shipping companies will deliver about 2.2 billion packages to homes and businesses across the U.S. from Thanksgiving to Dec. 31, said Satish Jindel, a shipping and logistics expert and president of ShipMatrix. White Florida woman sentenced to 25 years in prison for shooting Black neighbor in lengthy dispute A white Florida woman who fatally shot a Black neighbor through her front door during an ongoing dispute over the neighbor’s boisterous children was sentenced Monday to 25 years in prison for her manslaughter conviction. Susan Lorincz, 60, was convicted in August of killing Ajike “A.J.” Owens, 35, by firing a single shot from her .380-caliber handgun in June 2023. She had faced a maximum of 30 years behind bars. Circuit Judge Robert Hodges opted for a slightly lesser term amid evidence that Lorincz had been abused as a child and had mental health problems. “The shooting was completely unnecessary in this case,” Hodges said during an afternoon hearing. “The shooting, I find, was based more in anger than in fear.” The shooting was the culmination of a long-running argument between the two neighbors over Owens’ children playing in a grassy area near both of their houses in Ocala, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northwest of Orlando. Prosecutors said Owens had come to Lorincz’s home after her children complained that she had thrown roller skates and an umbrella at them, which Lorincz denied. Trial testimony showed Owens, a mother of four young children, was pounding on Lorincz’s door and yelling, leading Lorincz to claim self-defense in shooting her neighbor. Judge in LA delays until January decision on resentencing Menendez brothers LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge on Monday delayed until January his decision on whether to resentence Erik and Lyle Menendez for killing their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion 35 years ago, squashing their family’s hope the brothers would be released and home for the holidays. Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic said at the hearing in Los Angeles that he needed time to review 17 boxes of documents and give a new district attorney in Los Angeles County time to weigh in on the case. “I’m not ready to go forward,” Jesic said, setting the hearing for the resentencing request for Jan. 30 instead of Dec. 11 as originally planned. The brothers were scheduled to be seen in court for the first time in decades at the hearing but technical problems prevented them from appearing virtually from a San Diego prison. They were found guilty of murdering Jose and Kitty Menendez in 1989 and sentenced to life in prison without parole. While their defense attorneys argued at trial that they had been sexually abused by their father, prosecutors denied that and accused them of killing their parents for money. In the years that followed, they repeatedly appealed their convictions without success. Supreme Court won’t hear challenge to graphic cigarette warning labels WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court won’t hear a challenge to a federal requirement that cigarette packages and advertising include graphic images demonstrating the effects of smoking. The high court declined to hear the case in a brief written order handed down Monday. Tobacco company R.J. Reynolds appealed to the high court after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the warnings do not violate the First Amendment. They include pictures of smoke-damaged lungs, feet blackened by diminished blood flow and a picture of a woman with a large growth on her neck and the caption “WARNING: Smoking causes head and neck cancer.” The company argued the final image, for example, was misleading because a patient would likely go to the doctor before a growth reached that size. Russia reportedly captures a Briton fighting for Ukraine as Russian troops advance Russia's military captured a British national fighting with Ukrainian troops who have occupied part of Russia's Kursk region, according to reports Monday, as Moscow began daylight drone attacks on civilian areas of Ukraine and its ground forces accelerated gains along parts of the front line. The Briton was identified by state news agency Tass and other media as James Scott Rhys Anderson. Tass quoted him as saying that he had served as a signalman in the British army for four years and then joined the International Legion of Ukraine, formed early on in Russia's nearly 3-year-old war against its neighbor. On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces are straining to hold at bay a push by Russia's bigger army at places in the eastern Donetsk region. Russian forces recently have gained ground at “a significantly quicker rate” than they did in the whole of last year, according to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank. The Russians have detected and are exploiting weaknesses in the Ukrainian defenses, it said in an analysis late Sunday. The war surpassed 1,000 days last week, and the milestone coincided with a significant escalation in hostilities. Judge rejects request to sideline a San Jose State volleyball player on grounds she’s transgender A judge on Monday rejected a request to block a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member from playing in a conference tournament on grounds that she is transgender. The ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver will allow the player, who has played all season, to compete in the Mountain West Conference women’s championship opening this week in Las Vegas. The ruling comes in a lawsuit filed by nine current players against the Mountain West Conference challenging the league’s policies for allowing transgender players to participate. The players argued that letting her compete was a safety risk and unfair. While some media have reported those and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans woman volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player’s name because she has not commented publicly on her gender identity. School officials also have declined an interview request with the player. Crews' ruling referred to the athlete as an “alleged transgender” player and noted that no defendant disputed that the San Jose State roster includes a transgender woman player. So you're gathering with relatives whose politics are different. Here are some tips for the holidays NEW YORK (AP) — There's no place like home for the holidays. And that may not necessarily be a good thing. In the wake of the very contentious and divisive 2024 presidential election, the upcoming celebration of Thanksgiving and the ramp-up of the winter holiday season could be a boon for some — a respite from the events of the larger world in the gathering of family and loved ones. Hours and even days spent with people who have played the largest roles in our lives. Another chapter in a lifetime of memories. That's one scenario. For others, that same period — particularly because of the polarizing presidential campaign — is something to dread. There is the likelihood of disagreements, harsh words, hurt feelings and raised voices looming large. Those who make a study of people and their relationships to each other in an increasingly complex 21st-century say there are choices that those with potentially fraught personal situations can make — things to do and things to avoid — that could help them and their families get through this time with a minimum of open conflict and a chance at getting to the point of the holidays in the first place.DNY59 This article is part of a series that provides an ongoing analysis of the changes made to Ruane, Cunniff & Goldfarb’s 13F portfolio on a quarterly basis. It is based on their regulatory 13F Form filed on 11/14/2024. Please Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of GOOGL, META either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
SAN FRANCISCO — The parents of a former OpenAI researcher known for recently blowing the whistle on the company’s business practices are questioning the circumstances of their son’s death last month. In an interview this week, Suchir Balaji’s mother and father expressed confusion and shock over his sudden passing, expressing doubt their son could have died by suicide, as determined by the county medical examiner. The family hired an expert to perform an independent autopsy but has yet to release the report’s findings. “We’re demanding a thorough investigation — that’s our call,” said Balaji’s mother, Poornima Ramarao. San Francisco police found Balaji dead in his Lower Haight apartment on Nov. 26, less than a week after his 26th birthday. The San Francisco Medical Examiner’s Office later told this news agency his death was ruled a suicide, though a final autopsy report has yet to be released while the office completes toxicology tests. Earlier this month, San Francisco police officials said there is “currently, no evidence of foul play.” Balaji’s death sent shockwaves throughout Silicon Valley and the artificial intelligence industry. He garnered a national spotlight in late October when he accused his former employer, OpenAI, of breaking federal copyright law by siphoning data from across the internet to train its blockbuster chatbot, ChatGPT. His concerns backed up allegations aired in recent years by authors, screenwriters and computer programmers who say OpenAI stole their content without permission, in violation of U.S. “fair use” laws governing how people can use previously published work. Media companies have been among those to sue the company, including The Mercury News and seven of its affiliated newspapers, and, separately, The New York Times. In an interview with The New York Times published in October 2024, Balaji described his decision to leave the generative artificial intelligence company in August while suggesting that its data collection practices are “not a sustainable model for the internet ecosystem as a whole. “If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company,” he told the newspaper. By Nov. 18, Balaji had been named in court filings as someone who had “unique and relevant documents” that would support the case against OpenAI. He was among at least 12 people — many of them past or present OpenAI employees — to be named by the newspaper in court filings as having material helpful to their case. His death a week later has left Balaji’s parents reeling. In an interview at their Alameda County home this week, his mother said her only child “was an amazing human being, from childhood.” “No one believes that he could do that,” Ramarao said about his taking his own life. OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment but in a statement to Business Insider said it was “devastated” to learn of Balaji’s death and said they had been in touch with his parents “to offer our full support during this difficult time.” “Our priority is to continue to do everything we can to assist them,” the company’s statement read. “We first became aware of his concerns when The New York Times published his comments and we have no record of any further interaction with him. “We respect his, and others’, right to share views freely,” the statement added. “Our hearts go out to Suchir’s loved ones, and we extend our deepest condolences to all who are mourning his loss.” Related Articles National News | What is the Native American Church and why is peyote sacred to members? National News | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National News | 4 people found dead in N.H. home in suspected carbon monoxide poisoning National News | All 6 victims hurt by yellow taxi van driver outside Manhattan Macy’s are tourists National News | Powerful thunderstorms threaten Texas and Louisiana, delaying holiday travel Born in Florida and raised in the Bay Area, Balaji was a prodigy from an early age, his mother told this news agency. He spoke her name at 3 months old; at 18-months he would ask “me to light a lamp to cheer me up” and could recognize words at 20 months, she said. Balaji appeared to have a knack for technology, math and computing, taking home trophies and earning renown, including in the 2016 United States of America Computing Olympiad. In 2020, he went to work for OpenAI — viewing the company’s then-commitment to operating as a nonprofit as admirable, his mother said. His opinion of the company soured in 2022 while he was assigned to gather data from the internet for the company’s GPT-4 program, the New York Times reported. The program analyzed text from nearly the entire internet to train its artificial intelligence program, the outlet reported. Ramarao said she wasn’t aware of her son’s decision to go public with his concerns about OpenAI until the paper ran his interview. While she immediately harbored anxiety about his decision — going so far as to implore him to speak with a copyright attorney — Ramarao also expressed pride in her son’s bravery. ‘He kept assuring me, ‘Mom, I’m not doing anything wrong — go see the article. I’m just saying, my opinion, there’s nothing wrong in it,” said Ramarao, herself a former employee of Microsoft who worked on its Azure cloud computing program. “I supported him. I didn’t criticize him. I told him, ‘I’m proud of you, because you have your own opinions and you know what’s right, what’s wrong.’ He was very ethical.” After leaving the company, Balaji settled on plans to create a nonprofit, one centering on the machine learning and neurosciences fields, Ramarao said. He had already spoken to at least one venture capitalist for seed funding, she said. “I’m asking, like, ”How will you manage your living?’ ” Ramarao said. She recalled how her son repeatedly tried to assuage any concerns about his finances, suggesting that “money is not important to me — I want to offer a service to humanity.” Balaji also appeared to be keeping a busy schedule. He turned 26 while on a backpacking trip in the Catalina Islands with several friends from high school. Such trips were commonplace for him — in April he went with several friends to Patagonia and South America. Balaji last spoke to his parents on Nov. 22, a 10-minute phone call that centered around his recent trip and that ended with his talking about getting dinner. “He was very happy,” Ramarao said. “He had a blast. He had one of the best times of his life.” Ramarao remembers calling her son shortly after noon on Nov. 23 but said it rang once and went to voicemail. Figuring that he was busy with friends, she didn’t try visiting his apartment until Nov. 25, when she knocked but got no answer. She said she called authorities that evening but was allegedly told by a police dispatch center that little could be done that day. She followed up Nov. 26, and San Francisco police later found Balaji’s body inside his apartment. Ramarao said she wasn’t told of her son’s death until a stretcher appeared in front of Balaji’s apartment. She was not allowed inside until the following day. “I can never forget that tragedy,” Ramarao said. “My heart broke.” Ramarao questioned authorities’ investigation of her son’s death, claiming that San Francisco police closed their case and turned it over to the county medical examiner’s office within an hour of discovering Balaji’s body. Ramarao said she and her husband have since commissioned a second autopsy of Balaji’s body. She declined to release any documents from that examination. Her attorney, Phil Kearney, declined to comment on the results of the family’s independent autopsy. Last week, San Francisco police spokesman Evan Sernoffsky referred questions about the case to the medical examiner’s office. David Serrano Sewell, executive director of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, declined to comment. Sitting on her living room couch, Ramarao shook her head and expressed frustration at authorities’ investigative efforts so far. “As grieving parents, we have the right to know what happened to our son,” Ramarao said. “He was so happy. He was so brave.” If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, round-the-clock support, information and resources for help. Call or text the lifeline at 988, or see the 988lifeline.org website, where chat is available.
Islamic Emirate condemns Soviet invasion, honors Afghan Jihad
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