Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau returned home on Saturday after his meeting with Donald Trump without assurances the president-elect will back away from threatened tariffs on all products from the major American trading partner. Mr Trump called the talks “productive” but signalled no retreat from a pledge that Canada says unfairly lumps it in with Mexico over the flow of drugs and migrants into the United States. After the leaders’ hastily arranged dinner on Friday night at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, Mr Trudeau spoke of “an excellent conversation” but offered no details. Mr Trump said in a Truth Social post later on Saturday that they discussed “many important topics that will require both countries to work together to address”. For issues in need of such co-operation, Mr Trump cited fentanyl and the “drug Crisis that has decimated so many lives as a result of illegal immigration”; fair trade deals “that do not jeopardise American Workers”; and the US trade deficit with its ally to the north. Mr Trump asserted that the prime minister had made “a commitment to work with us to end this terrible devastation” of American families from fentanyl from China reaching the United States through its neighbours. The US, he said, “will no longer sit idly by as our citizens become victims to the scourge of this drug epidemic”. The Republican president-elect has threatened to impose a 25% tax on all products entering the US from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders when he takes office in January. US customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. On immigration, the US Border Patrol made 56,530 arrests at the Mexican border in October alone and 23,721 arrests at the Canadian border between October 2023 and September 2024 — and Canadian officials say they are ready to make new investments in border security. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, after speaking with Mr Trump on the telephone, said on Thursday she was confident a tariff war with Washington would be averted. At the dinner that was said to last three hours, Mr Trump said he and Mr Trudeau also discussed energy, trade and the Arctic. An official cited defence, Ukraine, Nato, China, the Middle East, pipelines and the Group of Seven meeting in Canada next year as other issues that arose. Trump, during his first term as president, once called Trudeau “weak” and “dishonest,” but it was the prime minister who was the first G7 leader to visit Trump since the November 5 election. Canada is the top export destination for 36 US states. Nearly 2.7 billion US dollars (£2.1 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60% of US crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of US electricity imports are from Canada. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminium and uranium to the US and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security. Canada is one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world, and 77% of Canada’s exports go to the US.None
Bears interim coach Thomas Brown insists he's focused on task at hand and not what his future holds
NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.
Former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinge r, who suddenly resigned from his position, took to social media to encourage his supporters to pray and fast on behalf of thousands of Intel employees as layoffs increase. "Every Thursday I do a 24 hour prayer and fasting day," wrote Gelsinger. "This week I'd invite you to join me in praying and fasting for the 100K Intel employees as they navigate this difficult period. Intel and its team is of seminal importance to the future of the industry and US." Every Thursday I do a 24 hour prayer and fasting day . This week I'd invite you to join me in praying and fasting for the 100K Intel employees as they navigate this difficult period. Intel and its team is of seminal importance to the future of the industry and US. Gelsinger, who assumed his position in 2021 with a promising plan to turn Intel around as a company, suddenly retired on Dec. 1 and was promptly replaced by co-CEOs David Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus. Gelsinger was allegedly forced out of the company's leadership during a board meeting in which he attempted to share a plan to retrieve market share to help Intel catch up with competitor Nvidia (NVDA) , reported Seeking Alpha. However, his plan caused tensions to rise, and at the height of the conflict, Gelsinger was reportedly told that he could either retire from the company or be terminated. Users took to the replies of Gelsinger's post to offer their own criticisms pertaining to Gelsinger and the larger company. "Obviously, the mindset of Intel's leadership is the problem. You can't run a company at the forefront of technology clinging to dogmas and prayers," said one user. "Leadership 101: Create a vision, hire the best people, communicate your vision clearly, and this company will thrive." Obviously, the mindset of Intel’s leadership is the problem. You can’t run a company at the forefront of technology clinging to dogmas and prayers. Leadership 101: Create a vision, hire the best people, communicate your vision clearly, and this company will thrive. "Sir I believe laid off intel workers are still fasting now," wrote another. Sir I believe laid off intel workers are still fasting now. "Pfff. Putting religion so central as part of leadership is part of the problem," wrote a third. Pfff. Putting religion so central as part of leadership is part of the problem. In August, Intel announced that, in its effort to streamline operations, the company would be cutting spending by $10 billion and would be terminating about 15% of it employees. Originally published by Latin Times.NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.
Professor Yang Qingqing's Monograph "Chinese Opera Costume Patterns" Published 12-10-2024 09:46 PM CET | Fashion, Lifestyle, Trends Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: LianPR Professor Yang Qingqing of Shanghai Theatre Academy's major monograph, Research on the Design of Chinese Opera Costume Pattern Element Codes, a National Publishing Fund project, has been officially published. The Shanghai Library and Donghua University Press jointly organized a new book launch and thematic seminar. Attendees included the Shanghai Publishing Association, the Shanghai Municipal Propaganda Department's Publishing Division, the Shanghai Art Research Center, the Shanghai Art Archives, Shanghai Theatre Academy, and others. Opera performers Mr. Chen Shaoyun and Ms. Li Peihong, Professor Wu Haiyan from the China Academy of Art, cultural historian Mr. Gao Chunming, opera researcher Ms. Fei Yong, Peking Opera scholar Mr. Yu Kaiyi, and many more were present. The President of the China Arts and Crafts Society's Jacquard Committee and Director of the Nanjing Yun Brocade Museum, Mr. Jian Mingwei, also sent congratulatory messages and videos. Experts from various fields offered comments on the book, unanimously recognizing its publishing value and significance. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/616aaffa757224cfecdbb5caec44f04c.jpg Research on the Design of Chinese Opera Costume Pattern Element Codes is a book that studies the historical development of Chinese opera costume patterns, explores the constituent elements of these patterns and the data elements that emerge from them, and uses computer algorithms for processing and creative transformation in modern design applications. The book, with 1.3 million words, is divided into thirteen chapters and uses text complemented by charts, diagrams, illustrations, and images. It studies everything from the "Twelve Chapters Patterns" on the ceremonial attire of imperial officials 4,000 years ago to the costumes and patterns of the four main Chinese opera roles (sheng, dan, jing, chou) and nearly 20 subcategories of roles. It also investigates the color composition of traditional Chinese colors in opera costume patterns for the first time, establishing a color palette and genealogy for Chinese traditional opera costume patterns. The book analyzes over 30 categories of opera costume patterns and presents over a hundred contemporary design examples based on traditional Chinese opera patterns. It also establishes a hierarchical model for pattern classification and creates a digital atlas of Chinese traditional opera costume patterns. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/5bcd259b432f36ba9d40c3d89c983ed8.jpg Author Yang Qingqing is dedicated to the transformation of traditional Chinese culture into contemporary art design and the integration of art and technology. She has led several national cultural and artistic planning projects as chief expert. Yang was the first to propose the concept and methodology of "transmedia" and pioneered "transmedia art design" courses for undergraduate and graduate students, becoming one of the earliest advocates and practitioners of transmedia art worldwide. She is the Director of the Chinese Cultural and Tourism Performance Creation and Education Research Center at Shanghai Theatre Academy, Deputy Director of the Key Laboratory of Digital Performance Integrated Innovation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and Chair of the Visual Arts Committee of the Shanghai Stage Design Society. Yang Qingqing has curated and created numerous projects such as Jiangnan Kunqu Opera Conference, 100 Years of Kunqu Transmission, Through the Dream of Red Mansions, New Media Interactive Interpretation of Peking Opera Facial Makeup, Transmedia Art Exhibition - Another Mei Lanfang, Elegant Melody of the Ages - Yu Zhenfei's 120th Anniversary Exhibition, Chinese Cross-Stitch, Contemporary Transformation of Chinese Opera Patterns, Peking Opera Master Zhou Xinfang Exhibition, and Lin Chuan Si Dreams in New York. In recent years, she has led her team to win two Red Dot Awards (the highest international award), one German Design Award, one Muse Platinum Award, and one Muse Gold Award. She has been awarded an honorary artist medal by the French government and named an advanced individual in the Overseas Chinese Affairs of the People's Republic of China. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/5bc08c78c6c1ffde5041aa3c14f9e026.jpg In her book, Yang Qingqing uses practical case studies of transmedia art to provide detailed analysis on how to upgrade patterns from individuality and concreteness to quantification, categorization, and logical structuring using the latest computer technologies. She has created a scientific system for digital analysis and redesign tools. The book also introduces methods for creating and innovatively displaying patterns using cutting-edge technologies such as AR, VR, XR, MR, digital generation, and artificial intelligence. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/d7f8d259317614ac5986578c3e27a838.jpg The book has been recommended by the renowned dramatist and educator Professor Ye Changhai, who praised it as "opening up a new field for research into Chinese traditional art, with both literary and academic value; it also serves as a reference for professionals due to its encyclopedic nature." Opera performer Mr. Chen Shaoyun highly praised the book, especially its research on the element codes of traditional patterns and the transformation of contemporary design, along with its use of artificial intelligence for design experimentation. He described it as "a great achievement for the present day, beneficial for the future." Li Peihong, Professor and National First-Class Actor, Dean of the School of Chinese Opera at Shanghai Theatre Academy, believes that Yang Qingqing exemplifies the integration and transformation between contemporary fashion and outstanding traditional culture. She described the book as pioneering, innovative, systematic, practical, interdisciplinary, and a valuable contribution to research in Chinese traditional arts, which will surely have a profound impact on the art field. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/238db6eab09590055c84c90bcb1d4278.jpg Experts believe that this book provides a great paradigm for young people in today's digital age by using digital methods to reinterpret traditional costume patterns, thus revitalizing and transforming traditional culture. The book has reorganized and summarized the opera costume patterns scattered in folk culture, restored them with modern scientific techniques, and expanded them further. This is both a faithful preservation of our traditional culture and a form of promotion. The book won the 2024 Shanghai Book Art Design Award - Overall Design Award. The content of this book will be exhibited in Europe and the United States, allowing the world to appreciate the beauty of China. Media Contact Company Name: Transmedia Co.Ltd Contact Person: TANG Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=professor-yang-qingqings-monograph-chinese-opera-costume-patterns-published ] State: Shanghai Country: China Website: https://www.xiaohongshu.com/user/profile/629e113f00000000210211ce?xhsshare=CopyLink&appuid=5510f90a4fac633d83eccf92&apptime=1733763012&share_id=cb4c2a862406462d9cd98a18eaae14d5 This release was published on openPR.
Villa came into the game winless in eight matches in all competitions but they jumped back into the top half of the Premier League with a scintillating performance in the opening 45 minutes. Unai Emery has never gone nine matches without a win as manager but Brentford never posed a threat to prolong that run as Villa cashed in on a dominant first period with goals from Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash. Brentford have only managed one point away from home all season and Mikkel Damsgaard’s effort after the break proved to be in vain as their miserable run on the road continued. Tyrone Mings made his first start in the Premier League since August 2023 in place of Pau Torres while Leon Bailey was brought into the side following their heavy loss to Chelsea. Bees boss Thomas Frank opted for Vitaly Janelt and Yehor Yarmoliuk over Christian Norgaard and Mathias Jensen. Kevin Schade completed his first career hat-trick at the weekend and showed his confidence six minutes in when his drilled shot was deflected narrowly behind. It took a quarter of an hour but Villa began to knock the ball about and Watkins bent an effort towards goal but Mark Flekken was brought into action for the first time to collect. The tension inside Villa Park alleviated as the hosts took the lead in the 21st minute. Boubacar Kamara’s beautiful turn in the middle of the park set Watkins on his way and he teed up Rogers outside the box who whipped into the far corner in magnificent fashion. The hosts almost added a second straight away as Bailey got in behind the Bees back line but blasted straight at Flekken. Villa had another opportunity to go two in front when Ethan Pinnock dragged Watkins down inside the area and the penalty was eventually given by referee Lewis Smith. And England striker Watkins dusted himself down and snuck his spot-kick into the bottom right corner from 12 yards. Emery’s side showed no mercy and added a third 11 minutes before the break as Lucas Digne’s cross fell to Cash who was waiting at the back post to slam home. Things threatened to get worse for Brentford after the interval when Flekken came to punch Youri Tielemans’ corner away but almost diverted it into his own goal before he got back to push behind for a corner. The Bees got themselves on the scoresheet in the 54th minute as Bryan Mbeumo’s cross was diverted into the path of Damsgaard who cut back and lashed high into the net. Watkins wasted an opportunity to restore Villa’s three-goal advantage as he pounced on a loose pass but aimed straight at Flekken. The visiting goalkeeper was again called on to deny substitute Jhon Duran but Villa settle dfor three goals as they returned to winning ways.
Homicides decline as crackdown on high-impact crime intensifies: Tuesday’s mañanera recappedDespite Mary Lou McDonald’s confidence around shaping a coalition without Fine Gael and Fianna Fail – the two parties that have dominated the landscape of Irish politics for a century – the pathway to government for Sinn Fein still appears challenging. With counting following Friday’s election still in the relatively early stages – after an exit poll that showed the main three parties effectively neck-and-neck – there is some way to go before the final picture emerges and the options for government formation crystalise. Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader, Simon Harris, has dismissed talk of a Sinn Fein surge and said he was “cautiously optimistic” about where his party will stand after all the votes are counted. Meanwhile, Ireland’s deputy premier and Fianna Fail leader, Micheal Martin, insisted his party has a “very clear route back to government” as he predicted seat gains. The counting process could last days because of Ireland’s complex system of proportional representation with a single transferable vote (PR-STV), where candidates are ranked by preference. The early indications have turned the focus to the tricky arithmetic of government formation, as the country’s several smaller parties and many independents potentially jockey for a place in government. Ms McDonald told reporters at the RDS count centre in Dublin that she would be “very, very actively pursuing” the potential to form a government with other parties on the left of the political spectrum. The smaller, left-leaning parties in Ireland include the Social Democrats, the Irish Labour Party, the Green Party and People Before Profit-Solidarity. Ms McDonald said her party had delivered an “incredible performance” in the election. “I think it’s fair to say that we have now confirmed that we have broken the political mould here in this state,” she said. “Two party politics is now gone. It’s consigned to the dustbin of history and that, in itself, is very significant.” She added: “I am looking to bring about a government of change, and I’m going to go and look at all formulations. “If you want my bottom line, the idea of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for another five years, in our strong opinion, is not a good outcome for Irish society. “Obviously, I want to talk to other parties of the left and those that we share very significant policy objectives with. So I’m going to do that first and just hear their mind, hear their thinking. But be very clear, we will be very, very actively pursuing entrance into government.” In Friday night’s exit poll, Sinn Fein was predicted to take 21.1% of first-preference votes, narrowly ahead of outgoing coalition partners Fine Gael and Fianna Fail at 21% and 19.5% respectively. Prior to the election, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael both ruled out entering government with Sinn Fein. Fine Gael leader Mr Harris rejected suggestions Sinn Fein had broken new ground. He told reporters in his count centre in Greystones, Co Wicklow: “Certainly we haven’t seen a Sinn Fein surge or anything like it. “I mean, it looks likely, on the figures that we’ve seen now, fewer people, many fewer people would have voted Sinn Fein in this election than the last one. “In fact, I think they’re down by around 5% and actually the parties, particularly the two parties, the two larger parties in government, are likely to receive significant support from the electorate. So definitely, politics in Ireland has gotten much more fragmented.” He said it was too early to tell what the next government would look like. “I think anybody who makes any suggestion about who is going to be the largest party or the construct of the next government, they’re a braver person than I am,” he said. “Our electoral system dictates that there’ll be many, many transfers that will go on for hours, if not days, before we know the final computations at all. “But what I am very confident about is that my party will have a very significant role to play in the years ahead, and I’m cautiously optimistic and excited.” Fianna Fail’s Mr Martin told reporters at a count centre in Cork he was confident that the numbers exist to form a government with parties that shared his political viewpoint. Mr Martin said it “remains to be seen” whether he would return to the role of Taoiseach – a position he held between 2020 and 2022 – but he expressed confidence his party would outperform the exit poll prediction. “It’s a bit too early yet to call the exact type of government that will be formed or the composition of the next government,” he said. “But I think there are, there will be a sufficiency of seats, it seems to me, that aligns with the core principles that I articulated at the outset of this campaign and throughout the campaign, around the pro-enterprise economy, around a positively pro-European position, a government that will strongly push for home ownership and around parties that are transparently democratic in how they conduct their affairs.” Asked if it would be in a coalition with Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Social Democrats, he said that would be “racing a bit too far ahead”. The final result may dictate that if Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are to return to government, they may need more than one junior partner, or potentially the buy-in of several independent TDs. Mr Martin said it was unclear how quickly a government can be formed, as he predicted his party would gain new seats. “It will be challenging. This is not easy,” he added. The junior partner in the outgoing government – the Green Party – looks set for a bruising set of results. Green leader Roderic O’Gorman is in a fight to hold onto his seat, as are a number of party colleagues, including Media Minister Catherine Martin. “It’s clear the Green Party has not had a good day,” he said. The early counting also suggested potential trouble for Fianna Fail in Wicklow, where the party’s only candidate in the constituency, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, is considered to have a battle ahead, with the risk of losing his seat. Meanwhile, there is significant focus on independent candidate Gerard Hutch who, on Saturday evening, was sitting in fourth place in the four-seat constituency of Dublin Central. Last spring, Mr Hutch was found not guilty by the non-jury Special Criminal Court of the murder of David Byrne, in one of the first deadly attacks of the Hutch-Kinahan gangland feud. Mr Byrne, 33, died after being shot six times at a crowded boxing weigh-in event at the Regency Hotel in February 2016. A Special Criminal Court judge described Mr Hutch, 61, as the patriarchal figurehead of the Hutch criminal organisation and said he had engaged in “serious criminal conduct”. The constituency will be closely watched as other hopefuls wait to see if transfers from eliminated candidates may eventually rule him out of contention. In the constituency of Louth, the much-criticised selection of John McGahon appeared not to have paid off for Fine Gael. The party’s campaign was beset by questioning over footage entering the public domain of the candidate engaged in a fight outside a pub in 2018. The Social Democrats have a strong chance of emerging as the largest of the smaller parties. The party’s leader, Holly Cairns, was already celebrating before a single vote was counted however, having announced the birth of her baby girl on polling day.
LinkedIn pauses training AI models on Canadian user data: privacy commissioner Canada's privacy commissioner says LinkedIn has paused training its artificial intelligence models on data from Canadian users. Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press Dec 10, 2024 1:01 PM Dec 10, 2024 1:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Privacy Commissioner of Canada Philippe Dufresne waits to appear at the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in Ottawa on November 19, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle Canada's privacy commissioner says LinkedIn has paused training its artificial intelligence models on data from Canadian users. Philippe Dufresne says his office was informed of the pause by the tech platform, which he had reached out to after media reports suggested LinkedIn was training AI models with data from Canadian users it had not informed of the practice first. Dufresne says he has requested information from LinkedIn about the company’s training practices as well as how it obtains consent from its members. He says LinkedIn believed it had taken a "privacy protective" approach to training its AI models but will now work to ensure it has met the requirements of privacy laws before restarting the practice. Dufresne says even when personal information is publicly accessible, it is subject to privacy laws and must be adequately protected. LinkedIn suspended using U.K. user data to train its artificial intelligence models in September, after Britain's information commissioner raised similar concerns. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2024. Tara Deschamps, The Canadian 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 More The Mix Premiers to meet with Trudeau Wednesday about trade and tariffs, Ford says Dec 10, 2024 1:34 PM Who is Tony Buzbee, the lawyer suing Jay-Z as part of civil cases against Sean 'Diddy' Combs? Dec 10, 2024 1:29 PM S&P/TSX composite down more than 100 points Tuesday, U.S. stock markets also lower Dec 10, 2024 1:25 PM Featured Flyer
Home of Fight Announced The Completion of Series A Funding Round Led by New CEO Matty Betss, with Backing from UFC Stars
Charday Penn/E+ via Getty Images The reason we avoid the word synergy is because people generally claim more synergistic benefits than will come. - Charlie T. Munger In a rather surprising move, Omnicom Group ( NYSE: OMC ) and The Interpublic Group of Companies ( NYSE: Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. 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. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing in this article should be taken as a solicitation to purchase or sell securities. Before buying or selling shares, you should do your own research and reach your own conclusion, or consult a financial advisor. Investing includes risks, including loss of principal. 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.
Players must be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female before going through male puberty to compete in LPGA tournaments or the eight USGA championships for females under new gender policies published Wednesday. The policies, which begin in 2025, follow more than a year of study involving medicine, science, sport physiology and gender policy law. The updated policies would rule out eligibility for Hailey Davidson, who missed qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open this year by one shot and came up short in LPGA Q-school. Davidson, who turned 32 on Tuesday, began hormone treatments when she was in her early 20s in 2015 and in 2021 underwent gender-affirming surgery, which was required under the LPGA's previous gender policy. She had won this year on a Florida mini-tour called NXXT Golf until the circuit announced in March that players had to be assigned female at birth. “Can't say I didn't see this coming,” Davidson wrote Wednesday on an Instagram story. “Banned from the Epson and the LPGA. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.” LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who is resigning in January, said the new gender policy "is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach." By making it to the second stage of Q-school, Davidson would have had very limited status on the Epson Tour, the pathway to the LPGA. The LPGA and USGA say their policies were geared toward being inclusive of gender identities and expression while striving for equity in competition. The LPGA said its working group of experts advised that the effects of male puberty allowed for competitive advantages in golf compared with players who had not gone through puberty. “Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who announced Monday that she is resigning in January. "The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organization, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.” Mike Whan, the former LPGA commissioner and now CEO of the USGA, said it developed the updated policy independently and later discovered it was similar to those used by swimming, track and field, and other sports. United States Golf Association CEO Mike Whan said the new policy will prevent anyone from having "a competitive advantage based on their gender." “It starts with competitive fairness as the North star,” Whan said in a telephone interview. “We tried not to get into politics, or state by state or any of that stuff. We just simply said, ‘Where would somebody — at least medically today — where do we believe somebody would have a competitive advantage in the field?’ And we needed to draw a line. “We needed to be able to walk into any women's event and say with confidence that nobody here has a competitive advantage based on their gender. And this policy delivers that.” The “Competitive Fairness Gender Policy” for the USGA takes effect for the 2025 championship season that starts with the U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball on May 10-14. Qualifying began late this year, though there were no transgender players who took part. “Will that change in the years to come as medicine changes? Probably,” Whan said. “But I think today this stacks up.” The LPGA “Gender Policy for Competition Eligibility” would apply to the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour and qualifying for the tours. Players assigned male at birth must prove they have not experienced any part of puberty beyond the first stage or after age 12, whichever comes first, and then meet limitation standards for testosterone levels. The LPGA begins its 75th season on Jan. 30 with the Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. 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(AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Sent weekly directly to your inbox!The Latest: UnitedHealthcare shooting suspect contests his extradition back to New York