slot tadhana OTTAWA — Justice Minister Arif Virani said the Liberal government will split up its contentious online harms bill, putting a priority on passing measures to fight child sex predators. Virani told reporters Wednesday the move will create an opening for a swath of the bill's measures to swiftly pass through the House of Commons before the next election. The online harms bill will be cleaved into two new packages, the first dealing with keeping children safe online, combating sex predators and issues related to revenge pornography. "We are putting our emphasis and prioritization and our time and efforts on the first portion of the bill," Virani said. That includes establishing a new Digital Safety Commission of Canada. The new regulator would compel social media companies to outline how they plan to reduce the risks their platforms pose to users, particularly minors. It would have the power to levy fines and evaluate companies' digital safety plans. Virani said the first portion will also include new tools for prosecuting child sex predators. Those measures deal with the mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse material by internet service providers and some online services. The bill targets seven categories of online behaviour, from the non-consensual sharing of intimate images to content that can be used to bully a child. The House has been gridlocked for months over a parliamentary privilege debate raging between the Liberals and Conservatives that has prevented most legislation from moving forward. Virani said that means there has been only one day of debate on the bill since September, a situation he described as "frustrating." "That obstruction has caused us to rethink how we can better use the precious time that we have left in this Parliament," he said. Critics have long called on the government to split up the bill to have the most controversial matters debated separately. The second package of measures will deal with Criminal Code and Human Rights Act amendments targeting hate, which include stiffer penalties for hate-related offences. Advocates and some legal experts have said the changes risk chilling free speech. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association welcomed the move to split the legislation Wednesday. "It is crucial that this new Act, which proposes to regulate online content, now be the subject of a broad public and parliamentary conversation," Anaïs Bussières McNicoll, the organization's director of the Fundamental Freedoms Program, said in a statement. Michael Geist, the Canada Research Chair in internet and e-commerce law at the University of Ottawa, called the move to split the bill in two "long overdue." He said in a post on X that the inclusion of Criminal Code and Human Rights Act provisions "undermined public support and placed (the) entire bill at risk." In response to a question about whether the government is wiling to make changes to the second part of the bill to address concerns by civil liberties activists, Virani said he is willing to consider amendments proposed by witnesses at committee. He made the announcement a day before a parliamentary committee begins hearing testimony from witnesses on the bill. Virani said the "goal is to work to find consensus amongst parliamentarians on the things that we can agree to immediately." Emily Laidlaw, a Canada Research Chair in cybersecurity law at the University of Calgary, and who was part of the government’s expert advisory group in developing the legislation, said the first part of the bill should be "should be bipartisan." She said in a post on X the first part of the bill "aligns with global standards, some of which were developed" by Conservative governments. But Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has previously vowed to repeal the legislation entirely should it become law. Asked whether Conservative MPs would support the government’s move to split the bill in two, the party shared a statement from Conservative justice critic Larry Brock that indicated a future Conservative government would repeal online regulation bills passed by the Liberal government. He said Virani is "desperately trying to salvage his deeply flawed legislation. He should give up on creating his massive, $200 million censorship bureaucracy and instead adopt our superior common sense Bill C-412 that has been widely well received." Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner introduced the private members’ bill in September. It would modernize the existing law against criminal harassment so a victim can ask a judge to force social media companies to identify someone who has repeatedly harassed them online. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2024. Kyle Duggan and Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian PressLambton County Township could land a new Ontario hydro plant, possibly nuclear-powered

Qatar tribune Satyendra Pathak Doha Marking a historic milestone as the first event of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the inaugural World Summit AI Qatar 2024 commenced in Doha on Tuesday. Under the esteemed patronage of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the summit welcomed ministers, high-ranking officials, and international experts to deliberate on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI). At the opening ceremony, the prime minister inaugurated Fanar, an ambitious Arab AI initiative aimed at amplifying the global presence of the Arabic language in AI technologies. The initiative, a collaboration between the Qatar Computing Research Institute at Hamad Bin Khalifa University and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), underscores Qatar’s commitment to promoting Arabic cultural and linguistic identity in the digital age. It underscores Qatar’s dedication to preserving its cultural heritage while innovating digitally. The Fanar platform not only supports Arabic language processing but also seeks to develop applications that align with the linguistic and cultural needs of the Arab world. Held under the theme “Putting Humanity at the Heart of AI,” the two-day event has brought together government leaders, international AI experts, and industry stakeholders to explore the vast potential of AI in advancing societal progress. This gathering reflects Qatar’s commitment to integrating AI into its industries while ensuring responsible and ethical practices. With nearly 3,000 attendees, including 44 percent from international backgrounds, the summit has garnered global attention. The event features an impressive lineup of 76 speakers presenting across four stages on key topics such as responsible AI governance, the rise of generative AI, accelerating sectoral adoption, and integrating AI into everyday life. Keynote addresses by three distinguished speakers offer visionary insights into the future of AI and its transformative impact on society. The summit also highlights cutting-edge innovation with 25 startups showcasing their AI-driven solutions. The event is supported by 27 sponsors and contributors and emphasizes Qatar’s role as a hub for technological advancement and collaboration. One of the most engaging features of the summit is the Fanar Booth organised by MCIT. This interactive exhibition allowed attendees to explore the capabilities of the Fanar platform, offering hands-on experiences with its AI functionalities.Visitors were encouraged to provide feedback, demonstrating Qatar’s focus on fostering user-centric innovation. The platform’s development is part of Qatar’s broader strategy to ensure that the Arabic language is well-represented and optimized within the global AI landscape. In tandem with Fanar, MCIT also organized the Qatar AI Pavilion, a showcase of the nation’s AI-driven achievements across various sectors. Government entities such as the Ministry of Labour, the Supreme Judiciary Council, Qatar Tourism, the Public Prosecution, and Qatar University participated, presenting innovative initiatives that leverage AI to enhance efficiency and drive digital transformation. This pavilion exemplified how AI is being integrated into public services and industries to align with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. A significant moment at the summit was the launch of the report “Data & AI: Redefining the Growth Frontier in Qatar,” a joint initiative by the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar) and Accenture. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of how data and AI are shaping Qatar’s economic landscape, emphasizing the nation’s potential to lead in regional digital transformation. The report highlights the growing reliance on AI across industries, from healthcare and finance to energy and manufacturing. It estimates that AI could contribute $19.9 trillion to the global economy by 2030, representing 3.5 percent of global GDP. With 98 percent of business leaders prioritizing AI investments, the report underscores the technology’s critical role in driving innovation and economic growth. Qatar’s focus on AI positions it as a leader in harnessing these opportunities, particularly in sectors poised for AI-driven advancements. The summit’s discussions and workshops delve into the most pressing issues surrounding AI, including ethical considerations, governance frameworks, and the societal impact of generative AI. These sessions aim to foster collaboration among policymakers, researchers, and private sector leaders to ensure that AI development aligns with global standards of responsibility and inclusivity. Copy 11/12/2024 10Formula 1 expands grid to add General Motors' Cadillac brand and new American team for 2026 seasonQOC & University of Doha for Science and Technology sign cooperation agreement

NoneFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — This was not the homecoming scenario Kirk Cousins would have scripted. Cousins' return to Minnesota, his NFL home from 2018 through 2023, on Sunday comes as he is hearing speculation about his job security in Atlanta. Cousins has thrown six interceptions with no touchdowns in the Falcons' three-game losing streak. That includes four picks in last week's 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, his most in a decade. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.D.R. Horton director Barbara Allen sells $921,515 in stock

Losses for big technology stocks pulled major indexes lower on Wall Street. The S&P 500 fell 0.4% Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.3% from its record high a day earlier, and the Nasdaq composite lost 0.6%. Losses for Nvidia, Microsoft and Broadcom were the biggest weights on the market. Dell sank 12.2% after reporting revenue that fell shy of forecasts, and HP dropped 11.4% after giving a weaker-than-expected outlook. Treasury yields fell in the bond market. U.S. financial markets will be closed Thursday for Thanksgiving, and will reopen for a half day on Friday. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.BCRC Mentorship Program marks its 10th anniversary