Following the death of former OpenAI researcher Suchir Balaji, his parents have commissioned an independent autopsy. Balaji, 26, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on November 26th, with the medical examiner ruling his death a suicide. However, Balaji’s parents, questioning the official findings, seek further investigation due to his recent whistleblowing activities against OpenAI, alleging copyright infringement. Balaji’s contributions to OpenAI, including work on WebGPT, were significant.
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Costco’s board of directors unanimously rejected a shareholder proposal from the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) aimed at ending the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The NCPPR, alleging potential discrimination, sought a financial risk assessment of Costco’s DEI programs. Costco countered that its DEI efforts enhance its “treasure hunt” shopping experience by fostering a diverse workforce and improving member satisfaction. The company views the NCPPR’s proposal as a thinly veiled attempt to dismantle DEI initiatives rather than a genuine concern about financial risk. Costco maintains that its DEI programs are legal and beneficial to the company and its members.
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Body-worn camera footage from the Marcy Correctional Facility depicts correctional officers fatally beating a handcuffed inmate, Robert Brooks, resulting in an investigation by the New York attorney general. The video shows officers punching and kicking Brooks, even shoving an object into his mouth and striking him with a shoe. While four officers’ body cameras recorded the visual aspects of the incident, they failed to capture audio. Governor Hochul and the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision condemned the actions, vowing institutional change to prevent future occurrences.
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In response to concerns surrounding potential mass deportations, Mexico is developing a mobile application to aid migrants in the United States. The app functions as a “panic button,” instantly notifying pre-selected family members and the nearest Mexican consulate of imminent detention. Currently undergoing small-scale testing, the app is expected to launch in January and will complement existing consular support and a 24/7 call center. This initiative aims to provide crucial assistance to the estimated 16.3 million Mexican migrants in the U.S., both documented and undocumented.
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In summary, Thomas Campbell Bolling Von Goetz, 56, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses after disrupting Christmas Eve services at two St. Mary’s County churches. His actions included dropping an onion at one church and, at a second, pouring whiskey into the holy water, threatening parishioners, and assaulting individuals with fruit and a whiskey bottle. Following a medical evaluation, Von Goetz faced charges ranging from assault and disorderly conduct to religious crimes and threats of mass violence. The incidents resulted in significant disruption to the Christmas Eve services.
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Judge Analisa Torres denied Jay-Z’s motion to dismiss a rape lawsuit filed by a Jane Doe accuser, rejecting the defense’s aggressive tactics and accusations against the plaintiff’s attorney. The judge also granted Doe’s request for anonymity, acknowledging the sensitive nature of the sexual assault allegations and potential threats against witnesses. Jay-Z, who vehemently denies the claims, and his legal team have repeatedly attempted to discredit both the accuser and her legal representation. The case, which also names Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleges that Doe was drugged and raped at a post-2000 MTV Video Music Awards party.
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US stocks experienced a significant drop on Friday, with the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all declining substantially, driven by a selloff in Big Tech stocks, particularly the “Magnificent Seven.” This downturn, occurring during a week of low trading volume, amplified the market’s reaction and followed a year of record highs fueled by AI investment. Analysts attributed the volatility to profit-taking and the market’s overreliance on a few key tech companies, a trend mirroring similar end-of-year market fluctuations in previous years. Despite the decline, some experts advise maintaining equity exposure for inflation protection.
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Sebastian Zapeta has been indicted on murder and arson charges for allegedly setting a sleeping woman on fire on a New York City subway train. The victim remains unidentified, with authorities utilizing fingerprints and DNA to establish her identity. Zapeta, a Guatemalan citizen who re-entered the U.S. illegally after deportation, faces a possible life sentence without parole. The incident has reignited concerns about subway safety, despite overall crime statistics showing a decrease in major crimes this year.
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A dramatic 18.1% surge in U.S. homelessness in 2024, totaling over 770,000 individuals, is primarily attributed to escalating housing costs, natural disasters, and increased migrant populations. This follows a 12% increase in 2023, and disproportionately affects Black individuals and families, with family homelessness rising nearly 40% nationwide. While veteran homelessness decreased, the overall increase highlights the urgent need for increased investment in affordable housing and evidence-based solutions to prevent and end homelessness.
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A new poll reveals that most Americans hold the perpetrator primarily responsible for the murder of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, Brian Thompson. However, a significant portion also attribute responsibility to the company’s profit margins and denials of health care coverage, particularly younger Americans. This widespread belief reflects long-standing frustrations with the healthcare system and insurance industry practices. About 30% of respondents reported personal struggles with insurance coverage in the past year, further highlighting public discontent.
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John Q. Hosedrinker