SAN FRANCISCO — The parents of a former OpenAI researcher known for recently blowing the whistle on the company’s business practices are questioning the circumstances of their son’s death last month. In an interview this week, Suchir Balaji’s mother and father expressed confusion and shock over his sudden passing, expressing doubt their son could have died by suicide, as determined by the county medical examiner. The family hired an expert to perform an independent autopsy but has yet to release the report’s findings. “We’re demanding a thorough investigation — that’s our call,” said Balaji’s mother, Poornima Ramarao. San Francisco police found Balaji dead in his Lower Haight apartment on Nov. 26, less than a week after his 26th birthday. The San Francisco Medical Examiner’s Office later told this news agency his death was ruled a suicide, though a final autopsy report has yet to be released while the office completes toxicology tests. Earlier this month, San Francisco police officials said there is “currently, no evidence of foul play.” Balaji’s death sent shockwaves throughout Silicon Valley and the artificial intelligence industry. He garnered a national spotlight in late October when he accused his former employer, OpenAI, of breaking federal copyright law by siphoning data from across the internet to train its blockbuster chatbot, ChatGPT. His concerns backed up allegations aired in recent years by authors, screenwriters and computer programmers who say OpenAI stole their content without permission, in violation of U.S. “fair use” laws governing how people can use previously published work. Media companies have been among those to sue the company, including The Mercury News and seven of its affiliated newspapers, and, separately, The New York Times. In an interview with The New York Times published in October 2024, Balaji described his decision to leave the generative artificial intelligence company in August while suggesting that its data collection practices are “not a sustainable model for the internet ecosystem as a whole. “If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company,” he told the newspaper. By Nov. 18, Balaji had been named in court filings as someone who had “unique and relevant documents” that would support the case against OpenAI. He was among at least 12 people — many of them past or present OpenAI employees — to be named by the newspaper in court filings as having material helpful to their case. His death a week later has left Balaji’s parents reeling. In an interview at their Alameda County home this week, his mother said her only child “was an amazing human being, from childhood.” “No one believes that he could do that,” Ramarao said about his taking his own life. OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment but in a statement to Business Insider said it was “devastated” to learn of Balaji’s death and said they had been in touch with his parents “to offer our full support during this difficult time.” “Our priority is to continue to do everything we can to assist them,” the company’s statement read. “We first became aware of his concerns when The New York Times published his comments and we have no record of any further interaction with him. “We respect his, and others’, right to share views freely,” the statement added. “Our hearts go out to Suchir’s loved ones, and we extend our deepest condolences to all who are mourning his loss.” Related Articles National News | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National News | U.S. homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people National News | Most Americans blame insurance profits and denials alongside the killer in UHC CEO death, poll finds National News | Another jackpot surpasses $1 billion. Is this the new normal? National News | Most Americans blame insurance profits and denials alongside the killer in CEO death, poll finds Born in Florida and raised in the Bay Area, Balaji was a prodigy from an early age, his mother told this news agency. He spoke her name at 3 months old; at 18-months he would ask “me to light a lamp to cheer me up” and could recognize words at 20 months, she said. Balaji appeared to have a knack for technology, math and computing, taking home trophies and earning renown, including in the 2016 United States of America Computing Olympiad. In 2020, he went to work for OpenAI — viewing the company’s then-commitment to operating as a nonprofit as admirable, his mother said. His opinion of the company soured in 2022 while he was assigned to gather data from the internet for the company’s GPT-4 program, the New York Times reported. The program analyzed text from nearly the entire internet to train its artificial intelligence program, the outlet reported. Ramarao said she wasn’t aware of her son’s decision to go public with his concerns about OpenAI until the paper ran his interview. While she immediately harbored anxiety about his decision — going so far as to implore him to speak with a copyright attorney — Ramarao also expressed pride in her son’s bravery. ‘He kept assuring me, ‘Mom, I’m not doing anything wrong — go see the article. I’m just saying, my opinion, there’s nothing wrong in it,” said Ramarao, herself a former employee of Microsoft who worked on its Azure cloud computing program. “I supported him. I didn’t criticize him. I told him, ‘I’m proud of you, because you have your own opinions and you know what’s right, what’s wrong.’ He was very ethical.” After leaving the company, Balaji settled on plans to create a nonprofit, one centering on the machine learning and neurosciences fields, Ramarao said. He had already spoken to at least one venture capitalist for seed funding, she said. “I’m asking, like, ”How will you manage your living?’ ” Ramarao said. She recalled how her son repeatedly tried to assuage any concerns about his finances, suggesting that “money is not important to me — I want to offer a service to humanity.” Balaji also appeared to be keeping a busy schedule. He turned 26 while on a backpacking trip in the Catalina Islands with several friends from high school. Such trips were commonplace for him — in April he went with several friends to Patagonia and South America. Balaji last spoke to his parents on Nov. 22, a 10-minute phone call that centered around his recent trip and that ended with his talking about getting dinner. “He was very happy,” Ramarao said. “He had a blast. He had one of the best times of his life.” Ramarao remembers calling her son shortly after noon on Nov. 23 but said it rang once and went to voicemail. Figuring that he was busy with friends, she didn’t try visiting his apartment until Nov. 25, when she knocked but got no answer. She said she called authorities that evening but was allegedly told by a police dispatch center that little could be done that day. She followed up Nov. 26, and San Francisco police later found Balaji’s body inside his apartment. Ramarao said she wasn’t told of her son’s death until a stretcher appeared in front of Balaji’s apartment. She was not allowed inside until the following day. “I can never forget that tragedy,” Ramarao said. “My heart broke.” Ramarao questioned authorities’ investigation of her son’s death, claiming that San Francisco police closed their case and turned it over to the county medical examiner’s office within an hour of discovering Balaji’s body. Ramarao said she and her husband have since commissioned a second autopsy of Balaji’s body. She declined to release any documents from that examination. Her attorney, Phil Kearney, declined to comment on the results of the family’s independent autopsy. Last week, San Francisco police spokesman Evan Sernoffsky referred questions about the case to the medical examiner’s office. David Serrano Sewell, executive director of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, declined to comment. Sitting on her living room couch, Ramarao shook her head and expressed frustration at authorities’ investigative efforts so far. “As grieving parents, we have the right to know what happened to our son,” Ramarao said. “He was so happy. He was so brave.” If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, round-the-clock support, information and resources for help. Call or text the lifeline at 988, or see the 988lifeline.org website, where chat is available.Farmers' Stir: No Response From Centre, Farmers Set To Resume 'Delhi Chalo' Foot-March On December 8 (VIDEO)
Appalachian State hires South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains as head coachQatar tribune Tribune News Network Doha The all-new MG RX9 premium SUV combines elegant design, advanced technology, and powerful driving performance. It represents the next level of luxuri-ous SUV experience, dedicated for modern lifestyle suitable for both city and outdoor use. The MG RX9 and the full line-up of MG cars are available at MG showrooms in Qatar on Salwa Road in Doha and Lusail. The MG RX9 is available in two distinct trim levels: the mid-tier COM 2.0 Turbo, and the top-tier LUX 2.0 Turbo. Designed to meet the needs of modern families, travel enthusiasts, and drivers who desire comfort and capability in a 7-seater configuration. The new MG RX9 offers a blend of modern design, power, and versatility, ensuring the new model offers remarkable value for its class. Additionally, customers will benefit from a gener-ous 6-year/200,000 km manufacturer’s warranty, providing exceptional peace of mind. Exterior and Design The MG RX9’s robust and striking exterior design ensures it stands out on the road. At 1967mm wide, it has the widest body in its class, providing a powerful yet elegant presence on the road. The vehicle’s Starburst Wing Grille, integrated with the sleek headlight design fea-turing 245 laser-engraved LED light units, further enhances its striking front profile. Comple-menting this dynamic front face are 21-inch wheels, which not only elevate the vehicle’s look but also ensure stability and performance on various terrains.The MG RX9 comes in Six exte-rior colours inspired by nature, offering a choice to suit all drivers’ preferences. Interior Inside the MG RX9, drivers are greeted by a luxurious and spacious cabin, crafted for comfort and functionality. This 7-seater SUV offers generous legroom and headroom for passengers and drivers alike, boasting the largest 3-row seating space in its class. The boot space, which can expand to accommodate 1026 litres in the 5-seat configuration, provides plenty of room for luggage, making it ideal for long trips. In the front, the dashboard features premium materials, including high-quality wood grain or aluminium dashboard trim and soft-plated keys, adding an additional touch of elegance. Fea-tures such as the 12.3-inch touch screen, virtual cluster, and hidden intelligent air-conditioning controls ensure drivers are equipped with all the latest features. Available in black or two-tone beige and brown leather, the cabin maintains a sophisticated yet practical design. Seating comfort is further enhanced by the 8-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat (with memory function in the LUX trim) and the 4-way electrically adjustable passenger seat, providing per-sonalised comfort for all. The RX9 comes in multiple trim options. The mid-tier trim, COM 2.0 Turbo introduces four-wheel drive capability. At the top of the range, the LUX 2.0 Turbo trim offers the ultimate luxu-ry, with premium leather seats, an advanced 12 speakers premium Bose audio, driver’s seat memory, and additional front parking sensors, providing an unparalleled driving experience and the highest level of comfort. Performance The MG RX9 is designed for exceptional performance across all terrains. Powered by new Net Blue 2.0 Turbo super-efficient engine and paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, it de-livers smooth, responsive handling in any environment. With five adaptive driving modes — Auto, Eco, Sport, Snow, and Off-road — drivers can easily adjust settings to suit road conditions. Whether in the city, on the highway, or off-road, the MG RX9 offers a seamless driving experi-ence, enhanced by its advanced intelligent driving system and all-road intelligent cruise assist. Technology and Safety Safety is at the forefront of the MG RX9’s design. Equipped with Bosch’s 3rd Generation Intelli-gent Front View Camera and 5th Generation Millimetre Wave Radar, the RX9 offers advanced driver-assistance systems for all-around protection. The SUV also features HD 360-degree sur-round view cameras, allowing drivers to have complete visibility, whether parking or manoeu-vring in tight spaces. Besides these, MG RX9 also comes with “MG Pilot” level 2 ADAS on the LUX trim, which includes Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK), Intelligent High Beam Control (IHC), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Blind Spot Monitoring System (BLIS). The vehicle’s robust structure also incorporates over 81% high-strength steel, with ultra-high strength thermoformed steel in key areas of the passenger compartment for enhanced protec-tion. The RX9 meets the latest C-NCAP crash safety standards, ensuring the highest levels of occupant safety. Copy 08/12/2024 10
Political leaders across party lines gathered at 3, Motilal Nehru Road in New Delhi on Friday to pay their last respects to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away at 92 the previous day. As the nation began a seven-day state mourning, leaders left heartfelt messages in the condolence registers, painting a portrait of a leader remembered for both his economic vision and personal integrity. Union home minister Amit Shah’s described Singh as an “Ajatshatru Rajnitigya” (a politician who has no enemies). “Manmohan Singh ji has set a benchmark in India’s public life. As the Prime Minister, finance minister and Governor of the RBI, his contributions in the country’s development remain unprecedented,” Shah wrote. Some leaders separately too paid tributes. Former President Ram Nath Kovind expressed personal grief, calling Singh’s death “not only a tragedy for the nation but an irreversible loss for me.” Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia highlighted Singh’s “indelible legacy” as an educationist, reformer, and public servant. “He was a technocrat who ushered in the economic reforms and liberalisation of 1991, opening the doors to India’s economic progress,” Scindia said in a video message, offering condolences to the deceased leader’s family. At Singh’s residence, where his body lay draped in the Tricolour, two black notebooks filled rapidly with messages from visitors. BJP president JP Nadda praised Singh’s “foresight,” while environment minister Bhupendra Yadav described him as a symbol of “simplicity, honesty, and purity.” Industrialist-turned-politician Naveen Jindal, who worked with Singh for a decade as a Congress MP, wrote in the condolence book: “He was a silent doer and an exceptional leader. He was a legendary example of modesty and humbleness. He will always be source of inspiration not only for Indians, but world over.” Congress leaders’ messages were notably concise. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed pride in having served under Singh, while former colleague Ghulam Nabi Azad prayed for Singh to “have a place in heaven.” Among the most poignant messages was from Montek Singh Ahluwalia, the last Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, who simply wrote: “I have no words to express my sense of loss.” Separately, regional leaders emphasised Singh’s impact on their states. Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu credited him for landmark policies including the Right to Information, NREGA, Right to Education, and Aadhaar. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin recalled Singh’s contributions to his state’s infrastructure, including the Metro rail project and declaring Tamil a classical language. Former colleagues in the government shared personal memories. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah highlighted Singh’s recognition of renewable energy, while PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti remembered her first meeting with him in 2002, struck by his humility. RJD president Lalu Prasad, who served as railway minister in Singh’s cabinet, praised his dedication to honesty. The national flag will fly at half-mast across India during the mourning period, which will continue until January 1, as the nation remembers a leader widely praised for his economic reforms and celebrated for his integrity in public life. (With Agency inputs)
ALBANY — The Democratic leaders of the state Legislature on Tuesday rejected the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s capital proposal intended to pay for billions of dollars in critical upgrades and repairs on the massive transit system, according to a letter from Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. The Democratic leaders said the plan must be part of budget deliberations with Gov. Kathy Hochul. The 2025 state budget is due April 1. In September, the MTA board approved a $68.4 billion capital plan that included several critical improvements to the Long Island Rail Road. The program included $6 billion for the LIRR over the next five years, with the planned work to include electrifying the Main Line to Yaphank and the Port Jefferson branch. But the legislative leaders said the proposed program includes a deficit of at least $33 billion. That hole "is a specific concern that needs to be addressed before we can approve the program," stated Heastie and Stewart-Cousins. The legislative leaders are also members of the MTA Capital Program Review Board, which gave them the authority to reject the proposal. Get the latest political news stories, from local elections and legislation to reaction to national events. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . "It’s not the plan, it’s the money that’s lacking and where the money is coming from," said a state official familiar with the leaders’ effort who wasn’t authorized to comment. The MTA said the Christmas Eve rejection was a surprise, after the capital program was prepared and announced without objection. "This Capital Program was grounded in our 20-year needs assessment, and we haven’t heard any concerns or objections from the Legislature since it was approved by the MTA Board in September," said John J. McCarthy, the state authority’s chief of policy and external relations. "It will unlock dozens of transformative projects — many of which are funded and ready to go on January 1st. We remain optimistic that the Legislature will join the governor in supporting safer, more reliable, and expanded transit." Hochul spokesman Avi Small said in a written statement that the MTA's plan would improve subway service, support suburban commuter rail and meet other needs. "Now that the Legislature has raised these objections to the capital plan," Small said, "we look forward to seeing their recommendations on which of these projects should be deprioritized and which revenue streams they are willing to propose." Federal help? Heastie spokesman Michael Whyland, however, said Tuesday that several MTA capital projects are already underway and the rejection shouldn’t delay or derail any major work. The state legislative leaders also noted that the state needs to see how much the Trump administration, which takes office Jan. 20, will contribute to the capital program for the nationally critical transit system. "The federal government needs to step up and do its part because we don’t know if we can do it alone," Whyland told Newsday. The MTA program was funded in part by fees from the congestion pricing plan approved by the state Legislature and then-Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in 2019. But days after the MTA approved its capital program in September, Hochul "paused" the congestion pricing plan. She eventually reduced its revenue by decreasing the basic fee to $9, from $15. She said New Yorkers hit by inflation and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t handle the $15 fee. Stewart-Cousins and Heastie said in the letter that filling the gap may require action by the state Legislature, which isn’t scheduled to start to 2025 session until Jan. 8. That would allow for development of "non-state revenue sources," such as federal funding. The legislative leaders said they will work to create a "fully funded capital program." But placing the MTA capital program into Albany’s closed-door budget negotiations between Heastie, Stewart-Cousins and Hochul means the issue could be part of notorious horse-trading of disparate items. Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.Bills welcome back LB Nicholas Morrow, put Baylon Spector on IR
WASHINGTON — Kristi Noem visited key senators Wednesday in her bid to become secretary of Homeland Security in the upcoming Trump administration, stressing her support for President-elect Donald Trump’s tough-on-immigration stances. Noem had visited incoming Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Rand Paul, R-Ky., on Tuesday, and followed up Wednesday with a meeting with outgoing panel chair Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich. After leaving Peters’ office, Noem said she hoped for Democratic support for her confirmation. She will be a key leader in implementing Trump’s campaign promises for a tough-on-immigration policy, including mass deportation of undocumented immigrants. “We’ve just had great conversations with Sen. Peters, talked about some concerns within the agency, what we can do to solidify our national security interests,” Noem told reporters. “And I think Republicans and Democrats in this country recognize how important homeland security is, and that we’re working together to make sure that we’re safe.” Noem traversed the Senate on Wednesday with aides affiliated with Trump’s transition team and Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., who represents a neighboring state of the South Dakota governor. Noem posted about her meetings with committee members on social media, writing that Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., “knows we need a safer border and more secure nation” and how Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., “understands how the open border impacts every state, including our Midwestern states.” Trump signaled during the weekend in a “Meet the Press” interview he’d be open to legislative protections for Dreamers, undocumented immigrants who were brought into the country at a young age and remain in the United States. Asked about her views on Trump’s comments on the Dreamers, Noem signaled her support for the president-elect but was noncommittal. “You know, I appreciate the president’s word on this issue, and I know he wants our laws to be followed, so I’ll work with him to get his vision accomplished,” Noem told a CBS reporter. Unlike other Trump nominees, Noem has not faced the same strong headwinds. But her confirmation is not without criticism. On Wednesday, CNN reported some South Dakota residents are unhappy with the way she handled key issues and accused her of neglecting her state to raise her national profile. When a reporter asked Noem about the story during her visit to Capitol Hill, Noem rejected the assertions as “absolutely not true whatsoever.” “The CNN report left out some incredibly important information on the 1,000-year flood we had in South Dakota this last year and our response to it immediately days before the flood came and hit the state,” Noem said. “Those families went through something extremely tragic and we’re continuing to work through the FEMA process to bring them all the resources that they need.” ©2024 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Visit cqrollcall.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
– Nuvo Int'l Group Ltd. Selected as Winning Bidder in Court-Supervised Sale Process, Subject to Court Approval – – Deal Includes Acquisition of Substantially All of the Company's Assets, Ensuring Business Continuity for Customers, Partners and Employees – TEL AVIV, Israel , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nuvo Group Ltd. ("Nuvo"), the maker of Invu, a pregnancy monitoring device recently named as one of Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2024, has entered into a binding term sheet with Nuvo Int'l Group Ltd. ("Nuvo Int'l"), an acquisition company funded by Kips Bay Select LP., and selected Nuvo Int'l as the winning bidder at Nuvo's auction in its sale process under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Nuvo Int'l will acquire substantially all of the Company's assets and assume certain of its liabilities for cash and non-cash consideration. "The agreement with Nuvo Int'l marks a significant step in our financial restructuring, and when consummated will allow us to continue to deliver best-in-class pregnancy support to moms-to-be and their doctors," said Rice Powell, CEO of Nuvo. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court hearing to approve the sale is currently scheduled for December 3, 2024 . With Court approval, the transaction is expected to close in the first week of December 2024 . Nuvo is advised in this matter by Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP and Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnell LLP as legal counsel, Teneo Capital LLC as financial advisor, and Intrepid Investment Bankers LLC as investment banker. About Nuvo Nuvo is leading a transformation in pregnancy care by providing clinicians and expectant mothers with access to medically necessary remote pregnancy monitoring anytime, anywhere. Nuvo's INVUTM platform is an FDA-cleared remote pregnancy monitoring and management system. It enables the delivery of remote non-stress tests (NSTs) and maternal and fetal heart rate monitoring, while pioneering new data-driven personalized pathways that Nuvo believes can improve future health outcomes. INVU is being used by leading health providers and research institutions across the US and Israel. Nuvo plans to continue to expand the footprint of sales in the US and Israel and plans to introduce its INVU platform in Europe in 2024, subject to granting of the CE mark it filed in Europe in March 2023, to provide remote access and insights not previously deemed possible. Nuvo is led by a diverse team of experienced business, medical and technology leaders, united in the mission of breaking down barriers to pregnancy care to give every life a better beginning. For more information and complete indications, contraindications, warnings and precautions, and instructions for use, visit www.nuvocares.com . View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nuvo-group-enters-into-agreement-for-sale-of-pregnancy-support-business-302314626.html SOURCE Nuvo Group Ltd
NoneKristi Noem meets senators as Trump’s pick to lead Homeland Security