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blackjack image India Bids Adieu To Manmohan Singh: BJP Blasts Rahul Gandhi For Politicising Former PM's Death, AAP Criticises Centre Over Last Rites | UpdatesSuchir Balaji , a 26-year-old Indian-origin former OpenAI employee, was discovered dead in his Buchanan Street apartment on Thanksgiving Day last week. The San Francisco Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death as suicide, with no signs of foul play. Days after, his mother Poornima Ramarao has opened up about her son’s death. In an interview with Business Insider, his mother revealed that Balaji had grown increasingly disillusioned with artificial intelligence (AI), particularly OpenAI’s shift toward commercialization with ChatGPT . Poornima Ramarao said, “He felt AI is a harm to humanity,” describing how her son, Suchir Balaji, transitioned from boundless optimism about AI’s potential to profound skepticism. Reflecting on his tragic death, she added, “It doesn’t look like a normal situation.” Suchir Balaji worked at OpenAI for nearly four years before resigning in August this year. One of his early contributions, a project called WebGPT , is credited with laying the groundwork for ChatGPT. Balaji had openly voiced concerns about potential copyright violations by OpenAI and other AI firms, particularly the use of copyrighted material to train generative AI models like ChatGPT. These concerns drew attention amid a growing wave of lawsuits from writers, programmers, and journalists accusing AI companies of unauthorized use of their work. OpenAI issues statement Expressing its condolences following the passing of the former researcher, OpenAI has released a statement on Thursday, December 26. The company confirmed its support for Balaji's family during this challenging time. The statement, shared on OpenAI's newsroom, marks exactly one month since Balaji's death on November 26. “We were devastated to learn of this tragic news and have been in touch with Suchir's family to offer our full support,” the statement read. “Our priority is to continue to do everything we can to assist them.”

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina election officials won’t order another recount in a close state Supreme Court race after a partial hand recount failed to suggest the trailing Republican candidate could overtake the Democratic incumbent. Following the completion of a machine recount of over 5.5 million ballots last week, Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs maintained a 734-vote lead over Republican Jefferson Griffin, who is currently a state Court of Appeals judge. Griffin then requested a partial hand recount in which randomly chosen ballots from 3% of the voting sites in all 100 counties were reexamined. The law says a statewide hand recount would have been required if the sample results differed enough so that the result would be reversed if the difference were extrapolated to all ballots. But the sample tabulations, which finished Tuesday, showed Riggs actually picking up more votes than Griffin. As a result, the State Board of Elections said a total recount won’t be ordered. The election, however, has not been fully resolved. The five-member state board was scheduled to hear arguments Wednesday on protests previously filed by Griffin and three GOP legislative candidates who also are in very close elections. More election coverage Elon Musk warns Republicans against standing in Trump’s way — or his Trump’s Cabinet picks set off political chain reaction in Florida congressional races Wisconsin Republicans sue to resolve conflict of when Electoral College votes must be cast for Trump Riggs, one of two Democrats on the seven-member court, declared victory again on Tuesday, and her campaign renewed calls for Griffin to concede. Griffin didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The protests going before the state board, which question if well over 60,000 ballots should have been counted, cover three categories of voting. They include votes cast by people with voter registration records that lack driver’s licenses or partial Social Security numbers; overseas voters who have never lived in North Carolina but whose parents were deemed state residents; and military or overseas voters who did not provide copies of photo identification with their ballots. Separately Tuesday, a Court of Appeals panel unanimously declined Griffin’s request to order the state board to rule on the protests before Wednesday’s meeting to accelerate the process. The board could dismiss the protests or — if problems are found — order corrected ballot tallies, more recounts or new elections. Decisions by the board — with a 3-2 Democratic majority — can be appealed to state courts. Other protests filed by Griffin and the legislative candidates are being first considered by county boards. The state Democratic Party filed a federal lawsuit last week seeking to block the State Board of Elections from ruling in any way to throw out the disputed ballots. The Democrats’ lawyers say federal law prohibits such systematic challenges to voter eligibility for an election that has already passed. Some of the protests focus on activities that Republicans already sued over before the November election. Democratic officials and their allies held a news conference early Tuesday outside the state Supreme Court building and strongly criticized Griffin and other Republicans for initiating claims they say would disenfranchise legal voters. North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton said she fears the state Supreme Court could ultimately side with Republicans and remove the challenged ballots. “We are trying to make sure that people are raising their voices, that we are filing lawsuits where we can,” Clayton said. “And we are also trusting the process of our board of elections officials to do their job and to count every single vote.” Griffin led Riggs by about 10,000 votes on election night, but that lead dwindled and flipped to Riggs as qualifying provisional and absentee ballots were added to the totals. Other types of protests filed by Griffin and the legislators are being considered by county boards. The Associated Press has not called the Supreme Court race and two of the three legislative races highlighted in the protests. In one of the two, Republican state Rep. Frank Sossamon trails Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn. A Cohn victory would mean Republicans fall one seat short of retaining their current veto-proof majority starting next month.

1 2 3 4 On Dec 20, the Ajmer Sharif Dargah Committee (DC), functioning under the Union Minority Affairs ministry, submitted a 5-page application to the Munsif Court in Ajmer, urging dismissal of a plea alleging the presence of a temple beneath the Ajmer Dargah. The court scheduled the next hearing for Jan 24. Why the Dargah committee's Dec 20 plea is significant? The Dargah Committe's (DC) plea challenged a Nov 27 plea filed by one Vishnu Gupta of Hindu Sena, on the basis of which notices were issued to it, the ministry, and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Dargah committee strongly opposed the plea, stating that the claim "does not hold ground on any legal or factual basis." While its response may be regarded as reflecting the opinion of the minority affairs ministry, legal experts have underscored the dargah committee's autonomy under the governing act and said its stance may not necessarily align with the stated positions of the ministry or ASI. However, considering that Ajmer Dargah is the only Waqf property in India to be operated under and funded by the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs (MMA), the committee's response to the Hindu Sena's plea is significant. Advocate Ashok Mathur, representing the committee in court, said, "DC will plead in court as the main respondent, irrespective of what other parties admit in court." Ministry of minority affairs seeks petition copy MMA has requested a copy of the petition to file its reply, raising questions about its intent, says Shafquatullah Sultani, an advocate at the Rajasthan High Court. He criticised MMA's delayed reponse. "If MMA's stance were somewhat aligned with the DC, they would have moved an application seeking dismissal of the application on December 20. This tactic of withholding their position raises suspicions about their intent of prolonging the issue," he remarked. What happens next? Prime Minister Narendra Modi's annual offering of the ‘Chadar' to Dargah Ajmer Sharif is likely to arrive on Jan 4, through his emissary, Union minister Kiren Rijiju. During his visit, Rijiju is also set to launch a book titled ‘Operations Manual for the Conduct of Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti' at the Dargah premises. This year's Urs begins on January 2 or 3. If the ‘Chadar' is offered, it is likely to be seen as a reaffirmation of the govt's support to the Dargah, despite ongoing controversies. Modi has sent a ‘Chadar' to Ajmer Sharif annually since 2014. The next court hearing on Jan 24 may see the court decide on whether to add Dargah Dewan and Anjuman as parties to the case. The ministry and ASI are expected to submit their responses, while Vishnu Gupta's counsel may reply to the dargah committee's request for dismissal of his plea. The outcome of the case could set a significant precedent for similar petitions across India, influencing how courts address heritage and religious disputes. Stakeholders file petitions to become parties While the committee governs the Dargah, its two primary stakeholders—Dargah Dewan and Anjuman (a body of Khadims)—filed petitions to be added as parties to the case. Their petitions, submitted by Syed Zainual Abedin Ali Khan and Syed Sarwar Chishti respectively, emphasise their exclusive customary rights over the shrine. Political and diplomatic implications The Ajmer Dargah, a 12th-century Sufi shrine of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti, holds immense spiritual significance and is revered equally by Hindus and Muslims. Questions over the existence of a temple beneath have reignited a political debate, with parties like Congress, AAP, AIMIM, and SP urging Modi govt to take a definitive stance against the Hindu Sena claim. Cong MPs Imran Masood, Mohibbullah Nadvi, AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi, and AAP's Sanjay Singh, among others, have sought the Supreme Court's intervention, and demanded that a survey not be permitted in keeping with the Places of Worship Act, which mandates that the religious character of any place of worship should remain as it existed on 15th August, 1947. Since Dargah Ajmer Sharif predates this order, observers view the matter as a litmus test for the Union govt, which must navigate between cultural heritage and communal sensitivities. Beyond the domestic context, the case also impacts the Dargah's status as an institution integral to India's cultural diplomacy among Muslims globally, particularly in South Asia. The shrine's historical and spiritual significance has long been a pillar of India's soft power diplomacy as it receives offerings from several countries. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword . Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes , messages , and quotes .While the rest of the Notre Dame community figures out whether it's worth paying four figures for a ticket to the College Football Playoff first-round home game against Indiana, the men's basketball team continues to figure out how to survive without Markus Burton. Notre Dame (5-5) hosts its next-to-last nonconference game Wednesday night against Dartmouth (4-4), which plays its sixth contest of a seven-game road trip. The Fighting Irish took a promising step -- and snapped a five-game losing streak -- on Saturday by edging Syracuse 69-64 in their ACC opener. "We needed to be in a close game and we needed to win a close game so our guys can build some belief back," head coach Micah Shrewsberry said. "We can't take any steps back on Wednesday." Without Burton -- the stat sheet-stuffing sophomore point guard who injured the medial collateral ligament in his knee Nov. 26 against Rutgers -- the Irish are struggling to find someone to run the offense, as evidenced by their seven assists versus 15 turnovers against Syracuse. At the same time, players are filling the scoring void. Braeden Shrewsberry poured in a career-high-tying 25 points versus the Orange while hitting 6 of 11 3-point attempts. Tae Davis averaged 12.4 points and 7.2 shots per game when Burton was healthy, but he has upped his mean production to 16.6 points and 12.2 shots in the past five games. Micah Shrewsberry, though, prefers to measure progress on a possession-by-possession basis. "Just the toughness," he said. "There have been times when we haven't gotten the key stop. We haven't gotten the bucket when we quite need it. It gets deflating sometimes." Dartmouth knows that feeling. On Sunday, the Big Green took a one-point lead with 4:03 left in overtime at UIC -- and then failed to score on their final six possessions to suffer a 69-68 loss. The Big Green, who haven't posted a winning season since 1998-99, believe whole-heartedly in launching 3-pointers as they take 48 percent of their shots from behind the arc. Senior Cade Haskins (13.6 ppg) has hit a team-high 28 of 68 3-pointers this season, though fellow senior Ryan Cornish stacks up as the team's top scorer (14.3 ppg), passer (3.0 assists per game) and defender (2.3 steals per game). In its only previous game against a power-conference opponent, Dartmouth upset Boston College 88-83 on Nov. 29. --Field Level MediaLightchain AI Price Predictions– What Investors Should Expect in the Next Bull Cycle

S&P/TSX composite down more than 100 points Tuesday, U.S. stock markets also lower

Salman Sagar visits fire victims in Khanyar, reviews snow-clearance operations

Artificial intelligence. Abortion. Guns. Marijuana. Minimum wages. Name a hot topic, and chances are good there’s a new law about it taking effect in 2025 in one state or another. Many of the laws launching in January are a result of legislation passed this year. Others stem from ballot measures approved by voters. Some face legal challenges. Here’s a look at some of the most notable state laws taking effect: California, home to Hollywood and some of the largest technology companies, is seeking to rein in the artificial intelligence industry and put some parameters around social media stars. New laws seek to prevent the use of digital replicas of Hollywood actors and performers without permission and allow the estates of dead performers to sue over unauthorized AI use. Parents who profit from social media posts featuring their children will be required to set aside some earnings for their young influencers. A new law also allows children to sue their parents for failing to do so. New social media restrictions in several states face court challenges. A Florida law bans children under 14 from having social media accounts and requires parental consent for ages 14 and 15. But enforcement is being delayed because of a lawsuit filed by two associations for online companies, with a hearing scheduled for late February. A new Tennessee law also requires parental consent for minors to open accounts on social media. NetChoice, an industry group for online businesses, is challenging the law. Another new state law requires porn websites to verify that visitors are at least 18 years old. But the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry, has filed a challenge. Several new California measures aimed at combating political deepfakes are also being challenged, including one requiring large social media platforms to remove deceptive content related to elections and another allowing any individual to sue for damages over the use of AI to create fabricated images or videos in political ads. In a first nationally, California will start enforcing a law prohibiting school districts from adopting policies that require staff to notify parents if their children change their gender identification. The law was a priority for Democratic lawmakers who wanted to halt such policies passed by several districts. Many states have passed laws limiting or protecting abortion rights since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a nationwide right to the procedure in 2022. One of the latest is the Democratic-led state of Delaware. A law there will require the state employee health plan and Medicaid plans for lower-income residents to cover abortions with no deductible, copayments or other cost-sharing requirements. A new Minnesota law prohibits guns with “binary triggers” that allow for more rapid fire, causing a weapon to fire one round when the trigger is pulled and another when it is released. In Delaware, a law adds colleges and universities to a list of school zones where guns are prohibited, with exceptions for those working in their official capacity such as law officers and commissioned security guards. Kentucky is becoming the latest state to let people use marijuana for medical purposes. To apply for a state medical cannabis card, people must get written certification from a medical provider of a qualifying condition, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy, chronic nausea or post-traumatic stress disorder. Nearly four-fifths of U.S. states have now legalized medical marijuana. Minimum wage workers in more than 20 states are due to receive raises in January. The highest minimum wages will be in Washington, California and Connecticut, all of which will top $16 an hour after modest increases. The largest increases are scheduled in Delaware, where the minimum wage will rise by $1.75 to $15 an hour, and in Nebraska, where a ballot measure approved by voters in 2022 will add $1.50 to the current minimum of $12 an hour. Twenty other states still follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. In Oregon, using drugs on public transit will be considered a misdemeanor crime of interfering with public transportation. While the measure worked its way through the legislature, multiple transportation officials said drug use on buses and trains, and at transit stops and stations, was making passengers and drivers feel less safe. In Missouri, law enforcement officers have spent the past 16 months issuing warnings to motorists that handheld cellphone use is illegal. Starting with the new year, penalties will kick in: a $150 fine for the first violation, progressing to $500 for third and subsequent offenses and up to 15 years imprisonment if a driver using a cellphone cause an injury or death. But police must notice a primary violation, such as speeding or weaving across lanes, to cite motorists for violating the cellphone law. Montana is the only state that hasn’t banned texting while driving, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tenants in Arizona will no longer have to pay tax on their monthly rent, thanks to the repeal of a law that had allowed cities and towns to impose such taxes. While a victory for renters, the new law is a financial loss for governments. An analysis by Arizona’s nonpartisan Joint Legislative Budget Committee estimated that $230 million would be lost in municipal tax revenue during the first full fiscal year of implementation. Meanwhile Alabama will offer tax credits to businesses that help employees with child care costs. Kansas is eliminating its 2% sales tax on groceries. It also is cutting individual income taxes by dropping the top tax rate, increasing a credit for child care expenses and exempting all Social Security income from taxes, among other things. Taxpayers are expected to save about $320 million a year going forward. An Oklahoma law expands voting privileges to people who have been convicted of felonies but had their sentences discharged or commuted, including commutations for crimes that have been reclassified from felonies to misdemeanors. Former state Sen. George Young, an Oklahoma City Democrat, carried the bill in the Senate. “I think it’s very important that people who have gone through trials and tribulations in their life, that we have a system that brings them back and allows them to participate as contributing citizens,” Young said.

NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (the "Company”) (NYSE:ARI) today announced the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.25 per share of common stock, which is payable on January 15, 2025 to common stockholders of record on December 31, 2024. About Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NYSE: ARI) is a real estate investment trust that primarily originates, acquires, invests in and manages performing commercial first mortgage loans, subordinate financings and other commercial real estate-related debt investments. The Company is externally managed and advised by ACREFI Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an indirect subsidiary of Apollo Global Management, Inc., a high-growth, global alternative asset manager with approximately $733 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2024. Additional information can be found on the Company's website at www.apollocref.com . Please note that our URL address has changed. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of the Company's business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives. When used in this release, the words believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, plan, continue, intend, should, may or similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward-looking: higher interest rates and inflation; market trends in the Company's industry, real estate values, the debt securities markets or the general economy; the timing and amounts of expected future fundings of unfunded commitments; the return on equity; the yield on investments; the ability to borrow to finance assets; the Company's ability to deploy the proceeds of its capital raises or acquire its target assets; and risks associated with investing in real estate assets, including changes in business conditions and the general economy. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements, and other risks, uncertainties and factors are based on the Company's beliefs, assumptions and expectations of its future performance, taking into account all information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking statements are not predictions of future events. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.Sportscaster Greg Gumbel dead from cancer at 78