Judge hears closing arguments on whether Google's advertising tech constitutes a monopolyThe best of both worlds Foreign Direct Investment remains a key driver of economic development and global trade, especially in Asia’s economic powerhouses: Hong Kong and mainland China . These two regions, while interconnected, operate within distinct political and economic frameworks that shape their FDI landscapes. To understand the inward flow of FDI in both these regions, a balanced approach is needed to examine the intricate balance between the economic policies and political realities of each of these areas. HONG KONG: A STRATEGIC FINANCIAL HUB: Hong Kong has been historically a place where international investors have looked to invest in. With the region being renowned for its open economy, transparent regulatory environment and its regional proximity to China. For decades, its position has been playing an important role for both China and international investors. Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre has made it an important destination for foreign capital in the form of foreign direct investments entering into China and Chinese capital trading internationally. The “ one country, two systems ” framework essentially granted Hong Kong a level of economic autonomy that reassured investors of its independence in legal and economic matters. However due to recent political shifts, including the enactment and implementation of the National Security Law in 2020, has sparked debates about the city’s long-term stability and so-called independence from China. While investors from the West have cited their concerns about these developments occurring, it is Hong Kong’s infrastructure and economic policies that successfully continue to attract regional investors and businesses seeking access to China. Hong Kong’s resilience in attracting FDI can also be attributed to its free-market policies, well-regarded judiciary, and sophisticated financial services sector. However despite the political uncertainties, Hong Kong remains a bridge between global markets and China’s rapidly evolving economy. MAINLAND CHINA: AN INVESTMENT GIANT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES: Mainland China, which is the world’s second largest economy after the USA, has consistently attracted substantial FDI over the past few decades. This has also been evident from the fact that ever since the economic reforms of the late 20 th century, China has sought to attract foreign investment in order to accelerate its industrialization, technological development and infrastructure expansion. The FDI inflows into China have been strategically directed towards industries like advanced manufacturing, technology and green energy. At the same time, China has also emerged as a significant investor in external initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) , which seeks to extend Chinese influence by building trade networks and infrastructure across Asia, Africa and Europe. Nevertheless, China’s approach to FDI is evolving. Policies like “Made in China 2025” emphasize the government’s focus on reducing dependence on foreign technology by fostering domestic innovation and increasing its domestic output and path towards self-reliance. Tighter regulations and growing scrutiny and criticism of foreign firms operating in sensitive sectors also reflect China’s broader concerns regarding its economic security and intellectual property protection. Moreover, China’s global dynamics, which include its rising trade tensions with the U SA and Western restrictions on technology exports to China, have also influenced the FDI patterns. However despite these challenges, China still remains a top FDI destination due to the fact of its having a massive consumer base, advanced logistics infrastructure and a central role in global supply chains. DISTINCT CHARACTERISTICS OF HONG KONG AND CHINA FOR FDI: Regarding Hong Kong and mainland China, both regions exhibit distinct characteristics in their FDI landscapes. These characteristics reflect their unique economic policies and governance models. Some of the more prominent characteristics which differentiate both the regions include various sectors that play their part in attracting FDI. The main reasons for Hong Kong traditionally being a magnet for FDI is due to its free market economy, stable financial institutions, and its transparent legal system. Hong Kong also acts as a bridge between global markets and due to this fact China has made it a key hub for multinational corporations. In recent years, sectors such as finance, professional services, real estate, and trade have dominated FDI inflows. However, political developments, particularly the enactment of the National Security Law have raised concerns about the autonomy of Hong Kong and its long-term economic prospects. Even despite these developments, Hong Kong still continues to thrive as a financial center due to its strategic importance and its strong ties to mainland China. POLITICAL ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT TRENDS: The FDI flow in both Hong Kong and China is deeply interconnected with the political-economic landscapes of both the regions. The status of Hong Kong as a global financial hub depends on its ability to balance its economic autonomy and economic status with its political alignment with Beijing. On the other hand, mainland China’s FDI strategy reflects its broader goals of self-reliance and global economic integration. Investors in both of these regions are influenced by a number of factors, which include regulatory changes, geopolitical developments, and global economic trends. For example, the ongoing decoupling between the US and China has prompted multinational companies to reassess their investment strategies and to balance market opportunities with the geopolitical risks involved. Hong Kong remains a vital region to invest for businesses looking to tap into China’s market while also minimizing exposure to regulations from mainland China. On the other hand, China’s focus on fostering domestic champions in key industries has made it a complex but rewarding destination for strategic investments. FUTURE TRAJECTORIES: Several factors will shape the future of FDI in Hong Kong and China: The FDI landscape in Hong Kong and China reflects the interplay between economics and politics. Hong Kong’s enduring appeal as a financial gateway and China’s strategic approach to foreign investment showcase the unique characteristics of each market. As the global economic environment evolves, both regions will continue to adapt, offering opportunities for investors who can navigate their complexities. For policymakers and businesses alike, understanding these dynamics is critical to leveraging the potential of Asia’s economic giants while addressing the challenges posed by shifting political and economic realities. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );The man accused of gunning down United Healthcare’s CEO outside a Manhattan hotel is now jailed in New York, awaiting arraignment Monday on a state murder indictment after he was returned to the city in dramatic fashion to face charges in multiple courts, as per a report. Shackled and wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione was escorted Thursday by heavily armed police officers and whisked by air from Pennsylvania to Manhattan, where he appeared in a packed courtroom on federal charges that could bring the death penalty, AP reported. The Ivy League graduate, who prosecutors say inveighed against the health insurance industry and wealthy executives in his writings, was not required to enter a plea to federal charges of murder, stalking and firearms charges in the December 4 killing of Brian Thompson. The state indictment charges Mangione with murder as a terrorist act. Also Read : The Witcher 4: Will Ciri take the lead? Here’s what fans can expect next season Mangione is being held without bail at Metropolitan Detention Center, the same federal jail where hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and cryptocurrency fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried are currently detained. 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The University of Pennsylvania alum, who hailed from a prominent Maryland family and had also lived in Hawaii, had been expected to be arraigned Thursday on the state charges before the federal charges preempted that appearance. In the federal case, Mangione could next return to court for a bail hearing or for a preliminary hearing if prosecutors don’t obtain a grand jury indictment by mid-January. New York effectively abolished its death penalty by 2007 and the last execution in the state was in 1963. But the federal death penalty remains in effect. The federal complaint filed against Mangione includes a count of murder by firearm, which carries the possibility of the death penalty if he is convicted. Federal prosecutors have not said if they will seek the death penalty. That decision will be made in coming months by Justice Department officials in Washington, likely after President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in on January 20. President Joe Biden's administration put a moratorium on federal executions soon after he took office in 2021, but that hasn't stopped federal prosecutors from seeking the death penalty. Also Read : Here’s how Taylor Swift glams up: Her secret makeup routine revealed In contrast, Trump's administration carried out 13 executions in the last six months of his first term. FAQs Q1. Who is accused in killing of United Healthcare’s CEO? A1. Luigi Mangione is accused in killing of United Healthcare’s CEO. Q2. What is next for Luigi Mangione? A2. Luigi Mangione is set to be arraigned Monday in Manhattan on the state indictment. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
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The Telugu thriller KA, featuring emerging star Kiran Abbavaram, has been a remarkable success story in 2024. Directed by Sujith and Sandeep, the film hit theaters on Diwali, October 31, and quickly garnered critical acclaim and box office success. With its engaging plot and gripping climax, KA managed to collect over Rs 50 crore globally on a modest budget of Rs 12 crore. Assembly Election Results Live Updates Maharashtra Election Results Jharkhand Election Results Bypoll Election Results KA OTT Release Announcement Following its theatrical success, fans can now look forward to the film's OTT release. Starting November 28, 2024, the Telugu version of KA will stream on ETV Win, which secured the digital rights for a substantial sum. While the Telugu version will be available this month, dubbed versions, including Malayalam, will be released later to honor their ongoing theatrical run. Produced by Chinta Gopalakrishna Reddy, Chinta Vineesha Reddy, and Chinta Rajashekar Reddy under Srichakraas Entertainments, KA combines a compelling narrative with stellar production values. The music, composed by Sam CS, enhances the film's intense and suspenseful atmosphere. After its massive success in the Telugu market, the Malayalam version of KA was released in theaters on November 22, 2024, extending the film's reach to a broader audience. However, the decision to delay the OTT release of dubbed versions reflects the makers' commitment to maximizing theatrical viewership. — etvwin (@etvwin) KA Plot and Cast Set in the fictional village of Krishnagiri, KA is a suspenseful mystery centered around Abhinaya Vasudev, played by Kiran Abbavaram. An orphaned postman, Abhinaya treats the villagers as his family. The story takes a dark turn when women in the village begin to disappear, prompting him to uncover the truth behind the abductions. The film stars Thanvi Ram and Nayan Sarika as female leads, alongside a supporting cast that includes Achyuth Kumar, Redin Kingsley, and Bindu Chandramouli. With a 7.4 rating on IMDb and positive reviews on social media, KA has been described as a "slow burn" with a rewarding climax. Fans have praised Kiran Abbavaram’s performance and the film's unique storyline, marking it as a significant milestone in the actor's career. The success of KA underscores the growing popularity and creative storytelling of Telugu cinema. Kiran Abbavaram, once seeking a breakthrough, has solidified his position as a promising talent in Tollywood. Mark your calendars for November 28 and enjoy the thrill of KA from the comfort of your home! Assembly Election Results Live Updates Maharashtra Poll Results Highlights 2024 Jharkhand Poll Results Highlights 2024
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NEW YORK , Dec. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of ASP Isotopes Inc. (NASDAQ: ASPI) between October 30, 2024 and November 26, 2024 , both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important February 3, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. So what: If you purchased ASP Isotopes securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. What to do next: To join the ASP Isotopes class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32062 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 3, 2025 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) ASP Isotopes overstated the potential effectiveness of its enrichment technology; (2) ASP Isotopes overstated the development potential of its high assay low-enriched uranium facility; (3) ASP Isotopes overstated ASP Isotopes' nuclear fuels operating segment results; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about ASP Isotopes' business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the ASP Isotopes class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32062 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aspi-investors-have-opportunity-to-lead-asp-isotopes-inc-securities-fraud-lawsuit-302337654.html SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said he believed those practices violated copyright law, has died, according to his parents and San Francisco officials. He was 26. Balaji worked at OpenAI for nearly four years before quitting in August. He was well-regarded by colleagues at the San Francisco company, where a co-founder this week called him one of OpenAI's strongest contributors who was essential to developing some of its products. “We are devastated to learn of this incredibly sad news and our hearts go out to Suchir’s loved ones during this difficult time,” said a statement from OpenAI. Balaji was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on Nov. 26 in what police said “appeared to be a suicide. No evidence of foul play was found during the initial investigation.” The city's chief medical examiner's office confirmed the manner of death to be suicide. His parents Poornima Ramarao and Balaji Ramamurthy said they are still seeking answers, describing their son as a “happy, smart and brave young man” who loved to hike and recently returned from a trip with friends. Balaji grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and first arrived at the fledgling AI research lab for a 2018 summer internship while studying computer science at the University of California, Berkeley. He returned a few years later to work at OpenAI, where one of his first projects, called WebGPT, helped pave the way for ChatGPT. “Suchir’s contributions to this project were essential, and it wouldn’t have succeeded without him,” said OpenAI co-founder John Schulman in a social media post memorializing Balaji. Schulman, who recruited Balaji to his team, said what made him such an exceptional engineer and scientist was his attention to detail and ability to notice subtle bugs or logical errors. “He had a knack for finding simple solutions and writing elegant code that worked,” Schulman wrote. “He’d think through the details of things carefully and rigorously.” Balaji later shifted to organizing the huge datasets of online writings and other media used to train GPT-4, the fourth generation of OpenAI's flagship large language model and a basis for the company's famous chatbot. It was that work that eventually caused Balaji to question the technology he helped build, especially after newspapers, novelists and others began suing OpenAI and other AI companies for copyright infringement. He first raised his concerns with The New York Times, which reported them in an October profile of Balaji . He later told The Associated Press he would “try to testify” in the strongest copyright infringement cases and considered a lawsuit brought by The New York Times last year to be the “most serious.” Times lawyers named him in a Nov. 18 court filing as someone who might have “unique and relevant documents” supporting allegations of OpenAI's willful copyright infringement. His records were also sought by lawyers in a separate case brought by book authors including the comedian Sarah Silverman, according to a court filing. “It doesn’t feel right to be training on people’s data and then competing with them in the marketplace,” Balaji told the AP in late October. “I don’t think you should be able to do that. I don’t think you are able to do that legally.” He told the AP that he gradually grew more disillusioned with OpenAI, especially after the internal turmoil that led its board of directors to fire and then rehire CEO Sam Altman last year. Balaji said he was broadly concerned about how its commercial products were rolling out, including their propensity for spouting false information known as hallucinations. But of the “bag of issues” he was concerned about, he said he was focusing on copyright as the one it was “actually possible to do something about.” He acknowledged that it was an unpopular opinion within the AI research community, which is accustomed to pulling data from the internet, but said “they will have to change and it’s a matter of time.” He had not been deposed and it’s unclear to what extent his revelations will be admitted as evidence in any legal cases after his death. He also published a personal blog post with his opinions about the topic. Schulman, who resigned from OpenAI in August, said he and Balaji coincidentally left on the same day and celebrated with fellow colleagues that night with dinner and drinks at a San Francisco bar. Another of Balaji’s mentors, co-founder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, had left OpenAI several months earlier , which Balaji saw as another impetus to leave. Schulman said Balaji had told him earlier this year of his plans to leave OpenAI and that Balaji didn't think that better-than-human AI known as artificial general intelligence “was right around the corner, like the rest of the company seemed to believe.” The younger engineer expressed interest in getting a doctorate and exploring “some more off-the-beaten path ideas about how to build intelligence,” Schulman said. Balaji's family said a memorial is being planned for later this month at the India Community Center in Milpitas, California, not far from his hometown of Cupertino. —————- EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. —————-- The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement allowing OpenAI access to part of the AP’s text archives.Fran Brown calls out College GameDay to come for SU-Miami game
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To remove this article -Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's cabinet is set to approve a 39 trillion yen economic package to support consumer spending as disposable incomes continue to be whittled away by resurgent prices, sources familiar with the matter said Thursday. The economic stimulus will include subsidies to offset high electricity, gas and gasoline prices and deliver cash handouts to low-income households. A plan to raise the tax-free income threshold will also be part of the package, ceding to a demand from an opposition party -- whose votes are needed for the ruling coalition, which lost its majority in last month's general election -- to pass the measures. Still suffering the worst fiscal health among advanced countries, Japan aims to get its economy on a sustainable growth path with the fiscal support plan after posting the second consecutive quarter of economic expansion in the July-September period. The cabinet plans to formalize the stimulus measures on Friday, with a plan to have a supplementary budget for the current fiscal year through March passed through parliament by the end of the year to fund the steps. Helped in part by the supplementary budget worth about 13.9 trillion, the 39 trillion yen measures will include fiscal spending and loans totaling roughly 22 trillion yen with private-sector investment to be spurred under government initiatives. Private consumption was a driver for economic growth in the third quarter of the year, sparked by a one-off income tax cut and the sharpest average wage increase in over 30 years agreed in this year's labor-management negotiations. But subsidies for energy costs, which are slated to be or are already terminated, another spike in import costs from the recent weakening of the yen and the fading impact of the tax reduction all threaten to slow consumer appetite, economists says. The government plans to reintroduce subsidies for electricity and gas bills and extend those aimed at curbing gasoline prices beyond the year-end deadline. Cash handouts to low-income households exempt from resident tax and additional financial aid for those with children are also being discussed. The Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner, the Komeito party, accepted a request from the opposition party, the Democratic Party for the People, to raise the nontaxable income level from the current 1.03 million yen in a bid to win its backing for the budget bill passage. The DPP seeks to lift the ceiling to 1.78 million yen to boost consumption but the government estimates the proposal could reduce annual tax revenues by an estimated 7 trillion to 8 trillion yen.Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said he believed those practices violated copyright law, has died, according to his parents and San Francisco officials. He was 26. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said he believed those practices violated copyright law, has died, according to his parents and San Francisco officials. He was 26. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said he believed those practices violated copyright law, has died, according to his parents and San Francisco officials. He was 26. Balaji worked at OpenAI for nearly four years before quitting in August. He was well-regarded by colleagues at the San Francisco company, where a co-founder this week called him one of OpenAI’s strongest contributors who was essential to developing some of its products. “We are devastated to learn of this incredibly sad news and our hearts go out to Suchir’s loved ones during this difficult time,” said a statement from OpenAI. Balaji was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on Nov. 26 in what police said “appeared to be a suicide. No evidence of foul play was found during the initial investigation.” The city’s chief medical examiner’s office confirmed the manner of death to be suicide. His parents Poornima Ramarao and Balaji Ramamurthy said they are still seeking answers, describing their son as a “happy, smart and brave young man” who loved to hike and recently returned from a trip with friends. Balaji grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and first arrived at the fledgling AI research lab for a 2018 summer internship while studying computer science at the University of California, Berkeley. He returned a few years later to work at OpenAI, where one of his first projects, called WebGPT, helped pave the way for ChatGPT. “Suchir’s contributions to this project were essential, and it wouldn’t have succeeded without him,” said OpenAI co-founder John Schulman in a social media post memorializing Balaji. Schulman, who recruited Balaji to his team, said what made him such an exceptional engineer and scientist was his attention to detail and ability to notice subtle bugs or logical errors. “He had a knack for finding simple solutions and writing elegant code that worked,” Schulman wrote. “He’d think through the details of things carefully and rigorously.” Balaji later shifted to organizing the huge datasets of online writings and other media used to train GPT-4, the fourth generation of OpenAI’s flagship large language model and a basis for the company’s famous chatbot. It was that work that eventually caused Balaji to question the technology he helped build, especially after newspapers, novelists and others began suing OpenAI and other AI companies for copyright infringement. He first raised his concerns with The New York Times, which reported them in an October profile of Balaji. He later told The Associated Press he would “try to testify” in the strongest copyright infringement cases and considered a lawsuit brought by The New York Times last year to be the “most serious.” Times lawyers named him in a Nov. 18 court filing as someone who might have “unique and relevant documents” supporting allegations of OpenAI’s willful copyright infringement. His records were also sought by lawyers in a separate case brought by book authors including the comedian Sarah Silverman, according to a court filing. “It doesn’t feel right to be training on people’s data and then competing with them in the marketplace,” Balaji told the AP in late October. “I don’t think you should be able to do that. I don’t think you are able to do that legally.” He told the AP that he gradually grew more disillusioned with OpenAI, especially after the internal turmoil that led its board of directors to fire and then rehire CEO Sam Altman last year. Balaji said he was broadly concerned about how its commercial products were rolling out, including their propensity for spouting false information known as hallucinations. But of the “bag of issues” he was concerned about, he said he was focusing on copyright as the one it was “actually possible to do something about.” He acknowledged that it was an unpopular opinion within the AI research community, which is accustomed to pulling data from the internet, but said “they will have to change and it’s a matter of time.” He had not been deposed and it’s unclear to what extent his revelations will be admitted as evidence in any legal cases after his death. He also published a personal blog post with his opinions about the topic. Schulman, who resigned from OpenAI in August, said he and Balaji coincidentally left on the same day and celebrated with fellow colleagues that night with dinner and drinks at a San Francisco bar. Another of Balaji’s mentors, co-founder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, had left OpenAI several months earlier, which Balaji saw as another impetus to leave. Schulman said Balaji had told him earlier this year of his plans to leave OpenAI and that Balaji didn’t think that better-than-human AI known as artificial general intelligence “was right around the corner, like the rest of the company seemed to believe.” The younger engineer expressed interest in getting a doctorate and exploring “some more off-the-beaten path ideas about how to build intelligence,” Schulman said. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Balaji’s family said a memorial is being planned for later this month at the India Community Center in Milpitas, California, not far from his hometown of Cupertino. —————- EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. —————– The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement allowing OpenAI access to part of the AP’s text archives. Advertisement Advertisement
According to "Local Records of Wuzhen", the town's interconnected waterways made it a hub for commerce in ancient times. By the late 1990s, tourism emerged as a new driver of economic growth. In 2014, Wuzhen was chosen as the permanent venue of China's World Internet Conference. Since then, digital technology has strengthened the town's economy, blending traditional industries with innovative sectors.
NoneThe Senate Committee on Science and Technology recently approved the bill seeking to expand the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) system, a measure aimed at improving access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education nationwide. The proposed “Expanded Philippine Science High School System Act” aims to address geographic disparities, infrastructure limitations and socioeconomic barriers. “It no longer be one by region, we are longing to have two campuses per region,” PSHS Executive Director Ronnalee Orteza said during the Senate hearing. At present, the PSHS system admits only around 1,875 students annually out of 23,000 to 30,000 examinees. Orteza explained that this represents less than 1 percent of the country’s estimated gifted population. She said the proposed expansion may help to bridge this gap by increasing available slots for deserving students, particularly in regions with larger populations, such as Calabarzon. The bill also seeks to address teacher shortages and the lack of PSHS campuses in underserved areas, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). “We do not have a [PSHS] campus there [BARMM], sir, but we are helping them establish their science high school,” she said. “Last week, we met with the [BARMM] Ministry of Science and Technology. They will open Bangsamoro Science High School next year [on a] 14.2 hectare land.” Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, who presided over the Senate hearing, reiterated the importance of codifying support for BARMM in the proposed law to ensure continuity across future leaders. Based on Orteza’s presentation, the PSHS System expansion requires substantial funding, with an estimated budget of P333 million in the first year and over P1 billion spread across six years. “The operation will only stabilize when all the campuses are established, so after six years,” she said partly in Filipino. PSHS scholars currently cost P224,211 per capita, with the system’s total budget declining slightly from P2.9 billion in 2023 to P2.7 billion in 2024 and 2025. The site selection criteria for new campuses include the quality of feeder schools, accessibility, land size and topography, and support from local government units. The PSHS system also partners with the DOST-Science Education Institute to raise awareness and promote science education in public schools. Since its establishment in 1969, the PSHS System has produced 27,156 graduates, 98 percent of whom pursued STEM-related courses. The measure will undergo further refinement by a technical working group before being presented for plenary deliberations. Zubiri expressed optimism about its passage before February 14, 2025.
As the Canada Post strike reaches one week, some union members on Vancouver Island were able to cross picket lines to deliver cheques to those who need them most. Union members created a one-day memorandum to have carriers deliver socio-economic cheques such as Old Age Security, CPP, the Child Tax Credit and Social Assistance to the public Wednesday. Striking workers volunteered to pick up and deliver the cheques to make sure disruptions to those in need of them were minimal, said Dave Kelly, a letter carrier who has worked for Canada Post the last 30 years. READ MORE: Cancer patient and charity caught in crosshairs of Canada Post strike “Our fight is not with the public,” said Kelly. “We do not want to impact the people that need their money, so we volunteered to come out, deliver their cheques so they’re not without.” Workers who delivered the cheques were paid an honorarium so they could continue to be covered by workers compensation in the event anything happened during the mail runs. Meanwhile, morale on Greater Victoria picket lines continues to be strong – even during Tuesday evening’s windstorm – as workers continue to fight for a fair deal, said CUPW Victoria second vice-president Georgina Johnston. “Last night during the storm we did have a full picket line up at the Saanich station,” said Johnston. “They braved the storm because they genuinely believe in the cause we’re fighting for, they believe that they should have a fair living wage.” The union and Canada Post are still at the negotiating table with the help of a special mediator to try to end the walkout that’s impacting the country, after more than 55,000 workers walked off the job last Friday. Both sides are negotiating wages, job security, working conditions and other issues. The B.C. government says anyone who is waiting on an income assistance cheque can pick it up at a ministry office so long as they provide two piece of identification. With files from The Canadian Press.Explained: How Perth pitch changed its colours on Day 2 - The Times of IndiaLucknow: Emphasising the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare , IIT-Kanpur director Prof Manindra Agrawal said that while AI will not replace human intelligence, it will redefine the role of humans. Speaking at KGMU Foundation Day, Prof Agrawal highlighted key impacts of AI expected in the near future: precision and efficiency, alongside consistency. He explained that AI could revolutionise healthcare by enhancing diagnostic and surgical accuracy while ensuring uniformity in operations, thereby reducing human errors. He cited examples of robots developed by companies such as Tesla and Boston Dynamics, capable of performing complex tasks like climbing mountains or assisting in intricate medical procedures. Despite these advancements, he reassured that the human touch in healthcare would remain indispensable. "Doctors would continue to oversee surgeries conducted by robots, ensuring precision and offering critical judgment in complex scenarios," he said. Prof Agrawal also discussed AI's expanding role in medical analytics, where vast datasets are analysed to identify patterns and correlations. He explained how AI systems could link diseases to environmental factors like weather, enabling faster and more accurate diagnostics. For instance, he cited liquid biopsies for cancer detection as a demonstration of AI's potential to improve medical outcomes. Highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, Prof Agrawal said innovation thrives when experts from diverse fields come together. He pointed to the USA as a model, where partnerships between medical schools and engineering faculties have driven significant technological advancements . He described AI as a powerful tool to enhance precision and open new avenues for innovation. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .