haha777 app login download Panthers bring losing streak into matchup with the Capitals Washington Capitals (13-6-1, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Florida Panthers (12-8-1, in the Atlantic Division) Sunrise, Florida; Monday, 7 p.m. Canadian Press Nov 24, 2024 1:12 AM Nov 24, 2024 1:20 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Washington Capitals (13-6-1, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Florida Panthers (12-8-1, in the Atlantic Division) Sunrise, Florida; Monday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: The Florida Panthers take on the Washington Capitals as losers of three straight games. Florida is 12-8-1 overall and 6-4-1 at home. The Panthers are fourth in league play serving 10.2 penalty minutes per game. Washington has a 13-6-1 record overall and a 6-2-0 record on the road. The Capitals have a +26 scoring differential, with 81 total goals scored and 55 allowed. Monday's game is the first meeting between these teams this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Aleksander Barkov Jr. has four goals and 15 assists for the Panthers. Uvis Balinskis has over the last 10 games. Connor McMichael has 13 goals and seven assists for the Capitals. Ivan Miroshnichenko has over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Panthers: 5-5-0, averaging 3.5 goals, 6.7 assists, 4.7 penalties and 12.2 penalty minutes while giving up 3.1 goals per game. Capitals: 5-4-1, averaging 3.7 goals, 6.1 assists, 3.4 penalties and 7.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.4 goals per game. INJURIES: Panthers: None listed. Capitals: None listed. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar . The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Hockey San Jose brings losing streak into game against Los Angeles Nov 24, 2024 1:12 AM Flames visit the Senators after shootout win Nov 24, 2024 1:12 AM Predators play the Devils following Josi's 2-goal game Nov 24, 2024 1:12 AM

Valladolid beats fellow struggler Valencia to move off the bottom of La LigaSAN FRANCISCO — A former OpenAI researcher known for whistleblowing the blockbuster artificial intelligence company facing a swell of lawsuits over its business model has died, authorities confirmed this week. Suchir Balaji, 26, was found dead inside his Buchanan Street apartment on Nov. 26, San Francisco police and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said. Police had been called to the Lower Haight residence at about 1 p.m. that day, after receiving a call asking officers to check on his well-being, a police spokesperson said. The medical examiner’s office has not released his cause of death, but police officials this week said there is “currently, no evidence of foul play.” Information he held was expected to play a key part in lawsuits against the San Francisco-based company. Balaji’s death comes three months after he publicly accused OpenAI of violating U.S. copyright law while developing ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence program that has become a moneymaking sensation used by hundreds of millions of people across the world. Its public release in late 2022 spurred a torrent of lawsuits against OpenAI from authors, computer programmers and journalists, who say the company illegally stole their copyrighted material to train its program and elevate its value past $150 billion. The Mercury News and seven sister news outlets are among several newspapers, including the New York Times, to sue OpenAI in the past year. In an interview with the New York Times published Oct. 23, Balaji argued OpenAI was harming businesses and entrepreneurs whose data were used to train ChatGPT. “If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company,” he told the outlet, adding that “this is not a sustainable model for the internet ecosystem as a whole.” Balaji grew up in Cupertino before attending UC Berkeley to study computer science. It was then he became a believer in the potential benefits that artificial intelligence could offer society, including its ability to cure diseases and stop aging, the Times reported. “I thought we could invent some kind of scientist that could help solve them,” he told the newspaper. But his outlook began to sour in 2022, two years after joining OpenAI as a researcher. He grew particularly concerned about his assignment of gathering data from the internet for the company’s GPT-4 program, which analyzed text from nearly the entire internet to train its artificial intelligence program, the news outlet reported. The practice, he told the Times, ran afoul of the country’s “fair use” laws governing how people can use previously published work. In late October, he posted an analysis on his personal website arguing that point. No known factors “seem to weigh in favor of ChatGPT being a fair use of its training data,” Balaji wrote. “That being said, none of the arguments here are fundamentally specific to ChatGPT either, and similar arguments could be made for many generative AI products in a wide variety of domains.” Reached by this news agency, Balaji’s mother requested privacy while grieving the death of her son. In a Nov. 18 letter filed in federal court, attorneys for The New York Times named Balaji as someone who had “unique and relevant documents” that would support their case against OpenAI. He was among at least 12 people — many of them past or present OpenAI employees — the newspaper had named in court filings as having material helpful to their case, ahead of depositions. Generative artificial intelligence programs work by analyzing an immense amount of data from the internet and using it to answer prompts submitted by users, or to create text, images or videos. When OpenAI released its ChatGPT program in late 2022, it turbocharged an industry of companies seeking to write essays, make art and create computer code. Many of the most valuable companies in the world now work in the field of artificial intelligence, or manufacture the computer chips needed to run those programs. OpenAI’s own value nearly doubled in the past year. News outlets have argued that OpenAI and Microsoft — which is in business with OpenAI also also has been sued by The Mercury News — have plagiarized and stole its articles, undermining their business models. “Microsoft and OpenAI simply take the work product of reporters, journalists, editorial writers, editors and others who contribute to the work of local newspapers — all without any regard for the efforts, much less the legal rights, of those who create and publish the news on which local communities rely,” the newspapers’ lawsuit said. OpenAI has staunchly refuted those claims, stressing that all of its work remains legal under “fair use” laws. “We see immense potential for AI tools like ChatGPT to deepen publishers’ relationships with readers and enhance the news experience,” the company said when the lawsuit was filed. Jakob Rodgers is a senior breaking news reporter. Call, text or send him an encrypted message via Signal at 510-390-2351, or email him at jrodgers@bayareanewsgroup.com.

Looking to burnish communications to the community, the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) is planning to move ahead with the creation of a dedicated smartphone app. “I think it’s a step in the right direction because now instead of relying on mailouts, we’re using the technology that’s already in our members’ hands and communicating with them that way,” said MCK chief Amy Beauvais. The app will be used by all MCK departments to deliver updates, job opportunities, and other information pertinent to band members, but it will not replace existing forms of communication, Beauvais said. “A large majority of our members have smartphones, but that isn’t to say we’re going to obliterate the other forms of communication,” she said. “We’re not trying to get rid of anything. We’re just trying to add and improve.” Beauvais presented the option to other Council chiefs after she was approached with the concept by technology company Communikit, which specializes in creating app solutions for First Nations. “I would say I was ecstatic when I found out,” said Beauvais, who has been looking for ways to boost Council’s outreach following her experience at the Indigenous-led First Nations Executive Education (FNEE) program at HEC Montreal. At the school, she worked on a project that envisioned a communications department at the MCK. It’s something she’s now working to put into action, she said, alongside the MCK’s new administrative consultant. Improving communications is a priority, she said, because community members have often complained they don’t know what Council is doing. Communikit’s technology is already being used by other First Nations, including Six Nations of the Grand River, which issues announcements and other information on the app. The suite of features even allows for forms to be filled out, although Six Nations doesn’t currently have any available. “I think to have a one-stop shop is great,” said Six Nations of the Grand River public relations coordinator Darryl Smart. “There are so many different platforms out there and so many ways to get the message out. If you can spread that message to as many people as possible, I think that’s the big one.” He said in his community, too, paper is not going anywhere. He remembers the department pounding the pavement this summer to deliver parking information ahead of homegrown Kanien’kehá:ka National Hockey League star Brandon Montour coming to town with the Stanley Cup. “Physical information will never go away because if you’re in communications, you also have to realize it’s nice to have the tools, but you also have to realize not everyone has these tools,” Smart said. Even social media cannot reach everyone, he noted, especially with the fragmentation of platforms. The communications app is not the only new technology coming soon to Kanesatake, with MCK chief Brant Etienne revealing to The Pines Reporter earlier this year that Council has contracted the services of OneFeather to provide an online voting option in the next MCK election. The Eastern Door Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative ReporterNFL ends investigation into sexual assault allegations against Browns QB Deshaun Watson

By Noam N. Levey, KFF Health News Worried that President-elect Donald Trump will curtail federal efforts to take on the nation’s medical debt problem, patient and consumer advocates are looking to states to help people who can’t afford their medical bills or pay down their debts. “The election simply shifts our focus,” said Eva Stahl, who oversees public policy at Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that has worked closely with the Biden administration and state leaders on medical debt. “States are going to be the epicenter of policy change to mitigate the harms of medical debt.” New state initiatives may not be enough to protect Americans from medical debt if the incoming Trump administration and congressional Republicans move forward with plans to scale back federal aid that has helped millions gain health insurance or reduce the cost of their plans in recent years. Comprehensive health coverage that limits patients’ out-of-pocket costs remains the best defense against medical debt. But in the face of federal retrenchment, advocates are eyeing new initiatives in state legislatures to keep medical bills off people’s credit reports, a consumer protection that can boost credit scores and make it easier to buy a car, rent an apartment, or even get a job. Several states are looking to strengthen oversight of medical credit cards and other financial products that can leave patients paying high interest rates on top of their medical debt. Some states are also exploring new ways to compel hospitals to bolster financial aid programs to help their patients avoid sinking into debt. “There’s an enormous amount that states can do,” said Elisabeth Benjamin, who leads health care initiatives at the nonprofit Community Service Society of New York. “Look at what’s happened here.” New York state has enacted several laws in recent years to rein in hospital debt collections and to expand financial aid for patients, often with support from both Democrats and Republicans in the legislature. “It doesn’t matter the party. No one likes medical debt,” Benjamin said. Other states that have enacted protections in recent years include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. Many measures picked up bipartisan support. President Joe Biden’s administration has proved to be an ally in state efforts to control health care debt. Such debt burdens 100 million people in the United States, a KFF Health News investigation found . Led by Biden appointee Rohit Chopra, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has made medical debt a priority , going after aggressive collectors and exposing problematic practices across the medical debt industry. Earlier this year, the agency proposed landmark regulations to remove medical bills from consumer credit scores. The White House also championed legislation to boost access to government-subsidized health insurance and to cap out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors, both key bulwarks against medical debt. Trump hasn’t indicated whether his administration will move ahead with the CFPB credit reporting rule, which was slated to be finalized early next year. Congressional Republicans, who will control the House and Senate next year, have blasted the proposal as regulatory overreach that will compromise the value of credit reports. And Elon Musk, the billionaire whom Trump has tapped to lead his initiative to shrink government, last week called for the elimination of the watchdog agency . “Delete CFPB,” Musk posted on X. If the CFPB withdraws the proposed regulation, states could enact their own rules, following the lead of Colorado, New York, and other states that have passed credit reporting bans since 2023. Advocates in Massachusetts are pushing the legislature there to take up a ban when it reconvenes in January. “There are a lot of different levers that states have to take on medical debt,” said April Kuehnhoff, a senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center, which has helped lead national efforts to expand debt protections for patients. Kuehnhoff said she expects more states to crack down on medical credit card providers and other companies that lend money to patients to pay off medical bills, sometimes at double-digit interest rates. Under the Biden administration, the CFPB has been investigating patient financing companies amid warnings that many people may not understand that signing up for a medical credit card such as CareCredit or enrolling in a payment plan through a financial services company can pile on more debt. If the CFPB efforts stall under Trump, states could follow the lead of California, New York, and Illinois, which have all tightened rules governing patient lending in recent years. Consumer advocates say states are also likely to continue expanding efforts to get hospitals to provide more financial assistance to reduce or eliminate bills for low- and middle-income patients, a key protection that can keep people from slipping into debt. Hospitals historically have not made this aid readily available, prompting states such as California, Colorado, and Washington to set stronger standards to ensure more patients get help with bills they can’t afford. This year, North Carolina also won approval from the Biden administration to withhold federal funding from hospitals in the state unless they agreed to expand financial assistance. In Georgia, where state government is entirely in Republican control, officials have been discussing new measures to get hospitals to provide more assistance to patients. “When we talk about hospitals putting profits over patients, we get lots of nodding in the legislature from Democrats and Republicans,” said Liz Coyle, executive director of Georgia Watch, a consumer advocacy nonprofit. Many advocates caution, however, that state efforts to bolster patient protections will be critically undermined if the Trump administration cuts federal funding for health insurance programs such as Medicaid and the insurance marketplaces established through the Affordable Care Act. Trump and congressional Republicans have signaled their intent to roll back federal subsidies passed under Biden that make health plans purchased on ACA marketplaces more affordable. That could hike annual premiums by hundreds or even thousands of dollars for many enrollees, according to estimates by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a think tank. And during Trump’s first term, he backed efforts in Republican-led states to restrict enrollment in their Medicaid safety net programs through rules that would require people to work in order to receive benefits. GOP state leaders in Idaho, Louisiana, and other states have expressed a desire to renew such efforts. “That’s all a recipe for more medical debt,” said Stahl, of Undue Medical Debt. Jessica Altman, who heads the Covered California insurance marketplace, warned that federal cuts will imperil initiatives in her state that have limited copays and deductibles and curtailed debt for many state residents. “States like California that have invested in critical affordable programs for our residents will face tough decisions,” she said. ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Vegas Golden Knights (13-6-2, in the Pacific Division) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (9-10-2, in the Metropolitan Division) Philadelphia; Monday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Flyers host the Vegas Golden Knights after the Flyers took down the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in overtime. Philadelphia has a 5-6-0 record in home games and a 9-10-2 record overall. The Flyers are fourth in NHL play with 92 total penalties (averaging 4.4 per game). Vegas has a 5-4-2 record in road games and a 13-6-2 record overall. The Golden Knights have a 13-2-2 record in games they score at least three goals. Monday's game is the first time these teams meet this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Travis Konecny has 11 goals and 14 assists for the Flyers. Matvei Michkov has scored goals over the last 10 games. Pavel Dorofeyev has 10 goals and three assists for the Golden Knights. Alexander Holtz has scored goals over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Flyers: 5-4-1, averaging 2.7 goals, five assists, 3.7 penalties and eight penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game. Golden Knights: 6-3-1, averaging 3.1 goals, 5.4 assists, 2.8 penalties and seven penalty minutes while giving up 2.7 goals per game. INJURIES: Flyers: None listed. Golden Knights: None listed. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from . The Associated Press

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Nine puppies were found abandoned along the side of a road in Union County Thursday, authorities said. The puppies were found in a five-gallon bucket around 4:15 p.m. Thursday near the intersection of Raritan Road and Frances Drive, the Clark Township Police Department said in a Facebook post. The puppies were brought to the police department and then taken to the Associated Humane Society, according to police. The puppies were estimated to be approximately two weeks old and one puppy had died by the time it reached the Associated Humane Society, according to a press release from the organization. The remaining puppies were freezing, malnourished, severely dehydrated and infested with fleas, the organization said. Nine puppies were found abandoned on the side of a road in Clark Township Thursday, authorities said. Clark Township Police Department They were immediately rushed to the shelter’s veterinary team for treatment and are in serious condition, according to the organization. “Our team mobilized quickly,” said Jerry Rosenthal, CEO of the Associated Humane Societies. “The veterinary staff prepared for intake, while one of our shelter managers stepped up to foster these critical puppies in her home. Their condition is serious, but we’re doing everything we can to give them the chance they deserve.” Thursday’s weather was harsh with low temperatures and high winds creating a cold and windy day. Clark Township police declined to provide additional details about the incident Friday. Clark Township police are investigating and have asked for anyone with information about the puppies to contact police headquarters or email Det. Paul Sosnowski at psosnowksi@clarkpolice.org. Stories by Matthew Enuco Man who sex trafficked 3 girls sentenced to decades in prison Ex-student among 7 charged with running Rutgers social media drug marketplace, cops say Woman used compromised email to steal $800K from N.J. business, authorities say Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com . Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com . Follow Matt on X .

By THOMAS ADAMSON PARIS (AP) — The day after the inferno struck Notre Dame on April 15, 2019 , Philippe Villeneuve walked despondently into the remains of his cathedral. Smoke choked the spring air, the spire lay in rubble, and charred beams littered the nave. “We had lost the framework, the roof, the spire, and three sections of the vault,” Villeneuve, its chief architect since 2013, said. Yet just hours earlier, President Emmanuel Macron had issued an extraordinary decree: Notre Dame would rise again — in just five years. “There was one sole (problem),” Villeneuve said in an interview with The Associated Press, “the deadline.” It felt impossible. Yet as Villeneuve stepped through the wreckage with doubts in his mind, he was caught by surprise. Terrifying as it was to see the charred remains of the 861-year-old Gothic treasure, a beacon of hope emerged. “All the stained-glass windows were spared, the great organ, the furniture, the paintings -— everything was intact,” he realized. “It was doable.” A historic restoration Macron’s decree became the driving force behind the most ambitious restoration in modern French history. The announcement — to restore an edifice that took nearly 200 years to build in just five years — sparked unprecedented global support, with donations quickly nearing $1 billion . Yet, other obstacles came in waves. First, the fire’s immediate aftermath brought a lead contamination crisis that halted work for a month, and woke the world up to the dangers of lead dust. Then came the pandemic, forcing workers off-site. Weather, too, seemed to conspire, with heavy rains delaying the removal of the scorched scaffolding that had fused into a skeletal reminder of the disaster. But Villeneuve persisted, working with his team on what he called the “presidential building site” to redefine what was possible under extraordinary conditions. He lobbied for the final reopening date to be delayed from April of this year to align with Dec. 8 — a Catholic holy day celebrating Mary’s conception without sin — a symbolic choice that felt both achievable and sacred. His irreverent sense of humor — delivered amid expletives, and with a childlike grin that belies his 61 years and his silver hair — seems to have carried him through the relentless five years of work. But as the reopening fast approaches, Villeneuve confessed his lingering anxiety. “I’m not calm — not at all. I’m completely stressed out,” he said. “This was not just about restoring a building. This was about restoring the heart of France.” More beautiful than ever There were positives. The fire badly scarred the cathedral but also revealed its hidden brilliance — with many who glimpsed the restored interiors last week saying they are more majestic than before the catastrophe. “It’s horrible to say (of the fire), but every cloud has a silver lining,” Villeneuve said, smiling. “The stone is luminous now. It almost glows.” The intense heat and falling debris left behind a film of toxic lead dust, requiring meticulous cleaning of every surface. Sculptures, walls and organ pipes were painstakingly stripped of grime and soot, exposing a brightness unseen for centuries . Strolling through the medieval wooden beams of the reconstructed framework, so complicated it is known as the “forest,” or beneath the newly restored spire, Villeneuve felt the work was so seamless it seemed as if the inferno might never have happened, he said. “That’s success,” Villeneuve said. “If I can make (cathedral visitors) doubt there was ever a fire, then I’ve erased the horror.” Inked devotion While his restoration adhered faithfully to the historical designs of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, Villeneuve found a deeply personal way to mark his connection to Notre Dame. He knew he could not leave his name etched into the stone, so he chose to get a long, bold tattoo running down his forearm, calling himself “Rock and Roll” for it. It depicts Viollet-le-Duc’s original spire — the one that collapsed in the fire — not the newly restored version crowned with the golden phoenix cum rooster . Complementing it is another tattoo over his chest, inspired by the cathedral’s stained glass, forming a rosary design. “This wasn’t about me,” he said, “but I’ve left my mark in my own way.” Viollet-le-Duc’s 19th-century spire, a meticulous recreation of a medieval aesthetic, remains at the heart of the restoration. “He was a genius,” Villeneuve said of the architect. “My role was to ensure that vision endured.” Lingering mystery of the fire While Notre Dame’s restoration has proceeded with remarkable precision, one question still looms over Villeneuve: the cause of the fire, a frustrating investigation into one of the biggest mysteries in France in living memory. Despite extensive efforts, money and interest, authorities have still not identified the blaze’s origin. Initial theories suggested an electrical short circuit, possibly linked to ongoing renovation work, but no definitive cause has been established. The lingering uncertainty still troubles Villeneuve as the cathedral nears its reopening. It’s personal, particularly as he was in charge when the fire broke out. “It’s something that haunts you. Not the responsibility for the fire — I know very well that I bear no personal responsibility for it,” he said. “At least, I think so.” “But it annoys me not to know.” In the wake of the disaster, lessons have been learned, and steps taken to ensure Notre Dame’s protection in the future. Villeneuve and his team have installed cutting-edge fire safety systems in the cathedral to prevent a similar catastrophe. The attic, now divided into three fire compartments—choir, transept, and nave—features advanced thermal cameras, smoke detectors, and a revolutionary water-misting system. Unlike traditional sprinklers, this system releases a fine mist of water droplets designed to extinguish flames while minimizing damage to the fragile wood and stone. “The mist saturates the air, reducing oxygen levels to smother fires without harming the wood or stone,” Villeneuve explained. “These are the most advanced fire safety systems in any French cathedral. We had to learn from what happened. We owe it to the future.” Triumph of Notre Dame Related Articles World News | After Trump’s win, Russian disinformation aims to drive a wedge between the US and Ukraine World News | France’s Macron vows to stay in office until end of term, says he’ll name new PM soon World News | Amnesty International says genocide is occurring in Gaza, an accusation Israel rejects World News | Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there? World News | South Korean President Yoon’s martial law declaration raises questions over his political future Standing on the banks of the Seine, Notre Dame’s spire once again reaching into the Parisian sky, Villeneuve allowed himself a moment of quiet pride as he took questions and compliments from passersby — enjoying his new “celebrity” status. For Villeneuve, the journey — his life’s work, shortly before he retires — has been as personal as it was monumental. “The cathedral burned, she collapsed, and I collapsed the same day,” he said, speaking of the monument in visceral, human terms. “I gradually got back up as she got back up. As the scars began closing, I felt better. Now I feel ready to leave the hospital.” He suggested that the nation’s wounds are also healing as the reopening approaches. With 15 million visitors expected per year — 3 million more than before the fire — Villeneuve’s work continues to resonate, both in stone and spirit.In a battle that could shape the future of American technology, Google has accused the Biden Administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) of pushing what it calls a “radical interventionist agenda” that poses risks not only to the tech giant itself but also to America’s position as a global leader in technology. The latest filing from the DOJ has drawn , whose executives argue that the government’s proposals extend far beyond reasonable oversight and into dangerous territory for consumers and innovation. Google’s President of Global Affairs and Chief Legal Officer, , didn’t mince words in his response, describing the DOJ’s demands as a “staggering proposal” that could cause considerable harm to American technology. He argued that instead of focusing narrowly on resolving concerns around search distribution agreements with key partners such as Apple, Mozilla, smartphone manufacturers, and wireless carriers, the DOJ has opted for a sweeping overhaul that targets Google’s core products and services. “DOJ chose to push a radical interventionist agenda that would harm Americans and America’s global technology leadership,” Walker stated in a blog post addressing the recent developments. He characterized the proposed measures as far beyond the purview of the court’s earlier decision, portraying them as a reckless intervention that could disrupt consumer experiences and compromise the quality of products that people depend on in their daily lives. According to Google, the DOJ’s demands could mean fundamental changes to a variety of its popular services, with potential implications not only for the company’s bottom line but for the experience of millions of users. Walker listed a number of particularly alarming facets of the DOJ’s proposal, including the forced sale of Chrome, Google’s widely-used browser, and potentially Android, the dominant smartphone operating system. “This extreme proposal would endanger the security and privacy of millions of Americans,” said Walker. “It would undermine the quality of products people love by forcing the sale of Chrome and potentially Android. This goes beyond regulation — it’s about breaking apart products that help people every day.” Google is also concerned about the ramifications for data privacy. The DOJ’s remedy would require the disclosure of Google’s proprietary innovations to “unknown foreign and domestic companies.” Even more worrying to Walker is the requirement to disclose users’ personal search queries. “This could create vulnerabilities that foreign actors could exploit,” he warned, suggesting that such measures would expose sensitive information without offering any apparent consumer benefit. Beyond the direct impact on Google’s current services, Walker also expressed concerns that the DOJ’s demands could have a chilling effect on future innovations. Artificial intelligence, often described as the most important technology of this generation, is an area where Google has made major investments and led substantial advancements. According to Walker, the DOJ’s intervention would severely disrupt these efforts. “Chilling our investment in artificial intelligence — perhaps the most important innovation of our time — is not just a setback for Google,” said Walker. “It’s a setback for America. This is a time when the United States should be enhancing its leadership in global technology, not deliberately hobbling it.” One particular provision in the DOJ’s proposal that Google singled out as emblematic of its overreach is a mandate that Google must include two separate “choice screens” before users can access Google Search on a Pixel phone. These screens are intended to let consumers choose alternative search engines, but Google argues that they will ultimately lead to a confusing and cumbersome user experience. “As just one example, DOJ’s proposal would literally require us to install not one but two separate choice screens before you could access Google Search on a Pixel phone you bought,” Walker said. “And the design of those choice screens would have to be approved by a government-appointed ‘Technical Committee.’ We wish we were making this up.” Google’s critique here is that such micromanagement could deter users who are seeking fast and seamless technology. As the company has pointed out, its products are popular precisely because they are intuitive and reliable. Such bureaucratic intervention, Walker argues, would introduce unnecessary complexity that benefits neither the consumer nor the industry. Google’s executives argue that the DOJ’s actions come at a particularly precarious time for American tech. With competition from global players like China in full swing, they assert that now is the moment for the U.S. to leverage its innovation, not stifle it. “DOJ’s approach would result in unprecedented government overreach that would harm American consumers, developers, and small businesses — and jeopardize America’s global economic and technological leadership at precisely the moment it’s needed most,” Walker contended. Google highlighted that this could impact not just their own business, but also key partners who depend on Google’s presence. Services like Mozilla’s Firefox rely on deals with Google for search placement to maintain their operations. Should Google be forced to divest key assets or comply with burdensome regulation, the ripple effects could be felt widely across the tech ecosystem. The company acknowledges that this legal battle is still in its early stages, with a long road ahead. “We’re still at the early stages of a long process and many of these demands are clearly far afield from what even the Court’s order contemplated,” said Walker. Google has indicated that it will file its own counterproposals next month, aiming to address the concerns around competition while preserving what it sees as necessary aspects of its technology ecosystem. Walker ended by emphasizing that Google’s search engine offers “the industry’s highest quality,” a statement reflecting both the company’s confidence and its insistence that market dominance has been earned through consumer trust and product quality, not through anti-competitive tactics. This escalating conflict between Google and the DOJ highlights the broader debate about the role of government in regulating Big Tech. While consumer advocates argue for increased oversight to foster competition, tech companies insist that the U.S. risks stymying innovation and ceding leadership to global rivals if it mismanages regulation. As this high-profile legal confrontation unfolds, the outcome will likely set a precedent for how far regulators can go in reining in tech giants. For now, the future of American tech leadership hangs in the balance — caught between ambitious government intervention and the companies that argue they are leading America into the next great technological frontier.

The other day, I was having dinner at a restaurant, quietly enjoying a meal with a friend. Everything was going smoothly until we suddenly heard what sounded like someone having a coughing fit. We turned around and were surprised to see a young man surrounded by friends, enjoying his meal despite continuously coughing throughout. It was clear this wasn’t a sudden cough as it persisted through the entire meal. Have we forgotten the time when we had to practice social distancing? When we wore masks in public? The curfews at night? The most logical thing this man could have done was to wear a mask. He could have removed it while eating and put it back on once he was done. I know the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us, but we should still practice basic safety measures – washing our hands, following proper coughing etiquette, and staying away from crowded places when feeling unwell. We must thank the Brunei authorities for managing the COVID-19 situation so well. They were the heroes who went above and beyond, working tirelessly day and night to keep the country safe. As members of the public, we still need to do our part to maintain this safety. If every individual keeps this in mind, we can continue to protect ourselves and our community. Let’s play our part. While schools emphasise hygienic practices, do students follow these rules once they leave school? Parents need to reinforce these lessons at home so that children adopt and practice them consistently, no matter where they are. Annoyed DinerCruise into this holiday season with a non-traditional vacationAmritsar: With the completion of the religious penance, the leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), including its president Sukhbir Singh Badal, now faces the formidable task of reorganisation of the party, a process that will require new enrolment and the appointment of delegates and to sink differences between the Akali leaders. In accordance with the directions issued by the Jathedar of Akal Takht on Dec 2, the SAD working committee was initially required to accept the resignation of Sukhbir Singh Badal within three days, by Dec 5. However, this deadline was later extended, granting a revised period until Dec 25 to complete this process. One of the most significant tasks ahead is to negotiate a truce with the dissident Akali leaders, who had initially approached the Akal Takht with a formal complaint against SAD president. To facilitate the truce, the Sikh high priests constituted a committee under the leadership of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami with former SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar, Iqbal Singh Jhunda, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Manpreet Singh Ayalee, Santa Singh Umedpuri and Bibi Satwant Kaur as its members. “There has been no meeting of the committee, nor any information regarding one, so far,” said Wadala, who was the chairman of the SAD Sudhar Lehar that was recently dissolved. The Sikh high priests had directed that the SAD leadership had lost its moral right to politically lead the Panth due to its past transgressions. They issued directives for a new enrollment process, incorporating both new and existing delegates and complete the process within six months. The Sikh high priests also mandated the election of office-bearers, including the president, within this timeframe and specifically cautioned against bogus enrollments, stipulating that only those members with valid Aadhaar cards should be included. While the Sikh high priests have directed the Akali leaders to unite, it seems to be a distant dream. “Sukhbir and other Akali leaders have not fully complied with the directives of the Akal Takht. The working committee was instructed to accept Sukhbir’s resignation within three days, but this has not been done. Media reports suggest that the timeframe has been extended to 20 days, however, it is unclear who authorised this extension, as no such letter from the Akal Takht has been issued. Furthermore, we have yet to hear of any meeting convened under the leadership of Dhami,” said Bibi Jagir Kaur. We also published the following articles recently SAD in Catch-22 situation after Akal Takht directives The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) faces challenges implementing Akal Takht directives regarding Sukhbir Badal's resignation and party membership. SAD leadership argues that complying with religious orders could jeopardize their political party registration. A seven-member committee for new enrollments remains inactive, with SGPC president Harjinder Dhami seeking legal counsel to avoid conflicts. Religious connotations are in line with law, follow Akal Takht directives: SAD gen secy Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) General Secretary Gurjeet Singh Talwandi asserts that political parties aligning with religious principles is legally permissible. Citing an Election Commission affidavit to the Supreme Court, Talwandi argues that no law prohibits such associations. He emphasizes that parties like SAD and Shiv Sena have strong religious roots, protected by the court. Baljit Singh Daduwal elected president of Shiromani Akali Dal Azad Sikh preacher Baljit Singh Daduwal was appointed president of the newly formed Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Azad at a Kurukshetra gurdwara gathering. Chosen after a 15-day consultation period led by five HSGMC members, Daduwal's leadership aims to address Sikh issues and the upcoming HSGMC elections. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .

Uni boss’ bold plan to slash university fees and end $50,000 arts degreesLANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Austin Ekeler was concussed in the final minute of the Washington Commanders’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and taken to a hospital for further evaluation. Coach Dan Quinn said he and general manager Adam Peters got to visit with Ekeler before he went to the hospital. A team spokesperson said the decision to transport Ekeler was made out of an abundance of caution. Ekeler, 29, was injured when he was tackled by Damone Clark and Nick Vigil on a kickoff return with 9 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Ekeler remained down on the field for some time being attended to by medical personnel, and players from each team knelt around him with their helmets off. Lineman Andrew Wylie was also concussed and fellow running back Brian Robinson Jr. sprained an ankle in Washington’s third consecutive defeat. Ekeler is in his first season with the Commanders after spending his first nine years in the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The 25th-ranked North Carolina wrestling program (2-1) welcomes Greensboro (5 PM) and No. 16 Illinois (7 PM) to Carmichael Arena, for a Monday night doubleheader. Match Information - Greensboro Date/Time: Monday, November 25 - 5 PM Location: Carmichael Arena - Chapel Hill, N.C. Watch: ACCNX Tickets Match Information - Illinois Date/Time: Monday, November 25 - 7 PM Location: Carmichael Arena - Chapel Hill, N.C. Watch: ACCNX Tickets Student Promotions • Monday's match is a Carolina Fever match, with all UNC students receiving three fever points. • The first 200 students in attendance will receive free Carolina sunglasses. • All students in attendance will be entered into a raffle for free tickets to an upcoming men's basketball game, and the end of season tuition giveaway. All-Time With Greensboro and Illinois • Monday matchup between the Pride and Tar Heels is the second-straight season the two programs have met. • Last season, Carolina defeated Greensboro 48-3 in Chapel Hill, as part of the Carolina Duals. • Carolina and Illinois meet for the seventh time, the first in Chapel Hill since 2008-09. • Last season in Champaign, the Tar Heels fell to the Fighting Illini, 20-13. Familiar Faces On The Sidelines • Monday's opponents feature familiar faces to the Tar Heel program, Greensboro head coach Justin Harty and Illinois assistant coach Austin O'Connor. • Harty, fourth all-time in program wins (119), was a four-time All-America and four-time ACC Champion heavyweight for the Tar Heels from 1993-97. • O'Connor, in his second season as an assistant at Illinois, was the program's second wrestler to win multiple National Championships (2021, 2023), and the 10th wrestler in UNC history with three-or-more ACC Championships. Probable Lineups - No. 25 North Carolina vs. Greensboro 125: Marco Tocci vs. CJ Watson 133: Derek Guanajuato vs. Ivan Benitez 141: Luke Simcox vs. Josh Wilson 149: Cullen Kane vs. Quadir Medley 157: Joey Showalter vs. Nick Menjivar 165: Omaury Alvarez vs. Ethan Kring 174: Cade Tenold vs. Dean Grier II 184: No. 22 Gavin Kane vs. Luke Gregory 197: Aidan Schlett vs. Isaiah Manning 285: Aydin Guttridge or Nolan Neves vs. Jacob Barlow Probable Lineups - No. 25 North Carolina vs. No. 16 Illinois 125: No. 25 Spencer Moore vs. No. 20 Ramazan Attasauov or Caelan Riley 133: No. 15 Ethan Oakley vs. No. 2 Lucas Byrd 141: Jayden Scott vs. No. 15 Danny Pucino 149: No. 6 Lachlan McNeil vs. No. 10 Kannon Webster 157: No. 27 Sonny Santiago vs. No. 20 Jason Kraisser 165: Nicholas Fea vs. No. 24 Braeden Scoles 174: Nolan O'Boyle vs. No. 16 Danny Braunagel 184: No. 22 Gavin Kane vs. No. 9 Edmond Ruth 197: Cade Lautt vs. No. 10 Zac Braunagel 285: Aydin Guttridge or Nolan Neves vs. No. 10 Luke Luffman