World

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said late on Tuesday that no one would give peace to his country as a gift, but he believed the United States would stand alongside Kyiv as it fights to stop Russia's 34-month invasion. Zelenskiy, in a slick 21-minute New Year video greeting to his compatriots, also said only a strong Ukraine could secure peace and earn worldwide respect. "We know that peace will not be given to us as a gift, but we will do everything to stop Russia and end the war, something each of us desires," Zelenskiy said against a backdrop of the blue-and-yellow national flag, battlefield scenes and pictures of children. He recalled conversations with outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden, President-elect Donald Trump and "everyone who supports us in the United States". "I have no doubt that the new American president wants and will be able to bring peace and end (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's aggression," Zelenskiy said. "...

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ended the year with a threat over Taiwan, saying "no one can stop the reunification" with China. He said this while addressing the nation on New Year's eve. Beijing has, for long, stated that the entire nation of Taiwan is part of China. It has also shown an overt and muscular posturing by carrying out air force and naval drills around the island nation. Beijing and Taipei represent two diametrically opposite ways of life. While Taiwan is a democracy, China is a communist country. In recent times, Beijing has intensified pressure on Taipei and has made all possible efforts to isolate the island nation from the rest of the world. China has also carried out three rounds of major military drills since Taiwan's democratic election saw President Lai Ching-te come to power in May. Irked by the latest election, Beijing has said it will not renounce the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. The last of these military drills, carrie...

After social media and targeted advertising manipulated people into making impulse decisions regarding their shopping and electoral habits, the future may have just got a little more dystopian. Researchers at the University of Cambridge claim that artificial intelligence (AI) tools could soon be used to manipulate the masses into making decisions that they otherwise would not. The study introduces the concept of an "intention economy," a marketplace where AI can predict, understand, and manipulate human intentions for profit. Powered by large language models (LLMs), AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and other chatbots, will "anticipate and steer" users based on "intentional, behavioural and psychological data". The study claimed that this new economy will succeed the current "attention economy," where platforms vie for user attention to serve advertisements. "Anthropomorphic AI agents, from chatbot assistants to digital tutors and girlfrie...

The World Health Organization on Monday implored China to share data and access to help understand how Covid-19 began, five years on from the start of the pandemic that upended the planet. Covid-19 killed millions of people, shredded economies and crippled health systems. "We continue to call on China to share data and access so we can understand the origins of Covid-19. This is a moral and scientific imperative," the WHO said in a statement. "Without transparency, sharing, and cooperation among countries, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics." The WHO recounted how on December 31, 2019, its country office in China picked up a media statement from the health authorities in Wuhan concerning cases of "viral pneumonia" in the city. "In the weeks, months and years that unfolded after that, Covid-19 came to shape our lives and our world," the UN health agency said. "As we mark this milestone, le...

India's Ministry of Defence signed two significant deals to greatly enhance its submarine fleet. While one of the deals was signed with France's Naval Group, the larger of the two contracts was signed with Mumbai's Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders under the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative. The two contracts have a combined value of Rs 2,867 crore. While the contract with France's Naval Group, worth Rs 877 crore, pertains to more advanced torpedo technology, the contract with Mazagon Dock, worth around Rs 1,990 crore, is over DRDO's new indigenous submarine propulsion system. "The Ministry of Defence has signed two contracts, worth approximately Rs 2,867 crore, for the construction of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Plug for DRDO-AIP system and its integration onboard Indian submarines; and the integration of electronic heavy weight torpedo (EHWT) onboard the Kalvari-class submarines," a ministry statement read. DEAL WITH FRANCE'S NAVAL GROUP The ...

Jimmy Carter, the 100-year-old former US president and Nobel peace laureate who rose from humble beginnings in rural Georgia to lead the nation from 1977 to 1981, has died, his nonprofit foundation said Sunday. Carter had been in hospice care since mid-February 2023 at his home in Plains, Georgia -- the same small town where he was born and once ran a peanut farm before becoming governor of the Peach State and running for the White House. Carter died "peacefully" at his home in Plains, "surrounded by his family," the Carter Center said in a statement. "My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights and unselfish love," Chip Carter said in the statement. Carter was the longest-lived US president -- an outcome that seemed unlikely back in 2015 when the Southern Democrat revealed he had brain cancer. But the US Navy veteran and fervent Christian repeatedly defied the odds to enjoy a long and fruitful post-preside...

Skywatchers will have the opportunity to close out the year by experiencing a rare astronomical event known as the "black moon". The fascinating-sounding term is often used to describe the second new moon that appears in a single calendar month. It is an occurrence that is not officially recognised in astronomy but over the years, has gained popularity among amateur astronomers and stargazers. As per the US Naval Observatory, the unique phenomenon will occur on December 30 at 5:27 pm ET (2227 GMT). For those in America, the black moon will be visible on December 30 itself while for those in Europe, Africa and Asia, it will take place on December 31, 2024. In India, the black moon phenomenon can be seen around 3:57 am on December 31. How does a black moon happen? A new moon happens when the sun and the moon share the same celestial longitude and the latter's illuminated side faces away from the Earth, making it invisible to the naked eye. As the lunar cycle averages 29....

Dayle Haddon, a renowned Canadian supermodel who gained international recognition for her work with prominent cosmetic and magazine brands, has died at 76. The cause of death is suspected to be carbon monoxide poisoning according to a report by ABC 6 , She was found unresponsive in a Pennsylvania home owned by her daughter, Ryan Haddon, a journalist, and son-in-law, Marc Blucas, a Hallmark actor. The incident happened on Friday morning when first responders rushed to a property after receiving a distress call at 6:30 am. Upon arrival, they found an unconscious 76-year-old man on the first floor, who was removed from the building and taken to a nearby hospital. However, responders soon discovered that 76-year-old Dayle Haddon was still inside the property. Despite efforts to save her, Haddon was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities believe that the source of the leak was a defective boiler heating unit. "It is believed a heating unit, a boiler unit, is the source ...

A plane with 181 people on board crashed at South Korea's Muan airport after it veered off the runway while landing. As per Yonhap news agency, the crash was reported in the South Jeolla province when the Jeju Air flight 2216 was returning from Thailand. Local media reported at least 23 casualties so far. Meanwhile, one person was found alive during the rescue mission. Among the 181 on board, 175 were passengers and six were flight crew. As emergency services at the airport began operations around 9 am, visuals showed black smoke rising above the crash site. Emergency office told the Associated Press that the crash occurred due to malfunctioning of the landing gear. from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/REfzNdY

A devastating plane crash in Kazakhstan has claimed the lives of 38 people, including both pilots, while half the passengers - 29 people miraculously survived. The Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 jet, carrying 67 people, was flying from Baku to Grozny when it made an emergency landing near Aktau, Kazakhstan, due to adverse weather conditions. The Associated Press posted a video of the crash which showed passengers being taken out from the aft section of the aircraft, an area which is generally considered safe in a crash. According to an analysis in 2015 by Time Magazine of US federal data from 1985 to 2000, the seats in the back of the plane had a fatality rate of 32%, compared to 39% in the middle and 38% in the front. The back middle seats had the lowest fatality rate, at 28%. The airline's president, Samir Rzayev, praised the pilots' "heroism" and dedication to saving lives, saying, "While this tragic accident brought a significant loss to our nation, the ...

Argentina, a nation once ranked among the wealthiest in the world , has found itself grappling with severe economic challenges over the past 25 years. Then, one year ago, provocative libertarian economist Javier Milei was inaugurated as its new president. Known for his flamboyant persona and radical views, Javier Milei is one of the most polarising figures in global politics, celebrated by some as a visionary reformer and dismissed by others as “ El Loco ” (“the mad one”). He pledged to take a “chainsaw” to the state and promote a free-market approach. His pro-capitalism stance extends to the promotion of culture wars. Last month, he fired his foreign secretary for voting along with 186 other countries against the US embargo on Cuba at the United Nations. Only the US and Israel voted against it. He withdrew Argentina's delegation of negotiators to the UN climate summit in Baku, claiming human-caused climate change is “a socialist lie” . Yet Milei owes his 2023 victory to Arge...

In a groundbreaking scientific achievement, researchers have figured out a way to achieve the unthinkable: quantum teleportation. While the name may suggest that humans could be teleported through the technology, it is far from the real-life implication of the technology. Quantum teleportation allows the transfer of information instantly and over any distance without needing any future technology. Led by Prem Kumar from Northwestern University, Illinois, US, scientists demonstrated quantum teleportation over standard fibre optic cable that already carries everyday internet traffic, according to a report in ScieneAlert. In simple terms, quantum teleportation involves sending information from one place to another using something called "quantum entanglement". Think of entanglement like an invisible twin connection where two particles, even if miles apart, are linked in a way that what happens to one instantly affects the other. Unlike sending a physical object, you are sending...

Israeli Air Force conducted strikes on military targets belonging to Houthis on the western coast and inland Yemen, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) said on Thursday. The IDF said that the plan of the airstrike was approved by the Prime Minister, Defence Minister and the Chief of the General Staff of Israel. The attacks were carried upon the Houthi military infrastructure used for its military activities. The sites targeted include the Al-Hudaydah, Salif and Ras Kanatib ports on the western coast. "The Houthi terrorist regime has repeatedly attacked the State of Israel and its citizens, including in UAV and surface-to-surface missile attacks on Israeli territory. The targets that were struck by the IDF include military infrastructure used by the Houthi terrorist regime for its military activities in both the Sana'a International Airport and the Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power stations. In addition, the IDF struck military infrastructure in the Al-Hudaydah, Salif and Ras Kanatib ...

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino on Thursday ruled out negotiations with US President-elect Donald Trump over control of the Panama Canal, denying that China was interfering in its operation. Mulino also rejected the possibility of reducing tolls for US vessels in response to Trump's threat to demand control of the vital waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans be returned to Washington. "There's nothing to talk about," Mulino told a press conference. "The canal is Panamanian and belongs to Panamanians. There's no possibility of opening any kind of conversation around this reality, which has cost the country blood, sweat and tears," he added. The canal, inaugurated in 1914, was built by the United States but handed to Panama on December 31, 1999, under treaties signed some two decades earlier by then-US president Jimmy Carter and Panamanian nationalist leader Omar Torrijos. Trump on Saturday slammed what he called "ridiculous...

Today, India mourns the loss of its former Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away at the age of 92 due to age-related medical conditions. According to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, where he was admitted, Dr. Singh had a sudden loss of consciousness at home on December 26, 2024. Dr. Singh is survived by his wife, Gurcharan Singh, and their three daughters. His legacy, however, extends far beyond his family. As a renowned economist and statesman, Dr. Singh played a pivotal role in shaping India's economic transformation. His tenure as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 was marked by significant economic reforms, which lifted millions of people out of poverty. Former US President Barack Obama, in his memoir "A Promised Land," paid tribute to Dr. Singh's exceptional leadership, describing him as a "man with uncommon wisdom". Obama praised Dr. Singh's commitment to economic reform, his dedication to the well-being...

A daring paragliding stunt by Wandi Wang, also known as 'Hello Didi' on Instagram, has left social media users spellbound. Dressed in a spooky witch costume, complete with a broomstick, Wang's adventure has garnered widespread attention and admiration for her creativity. The thrilling video showcases Wang's unique paragliding style, which has drawn comparisons to the iconic Quidditch scenes from the beloved Harry Potter series.  The video showcases Wang's fearlessness and skill as she confidently soars through the air, broomstick in hand. "Today, I'm going to make all the ski resort pros look up to me. I know skiing I can't beat them, but I can reduce dimensionality. Hahaha, I will fly down," she says in the video. "Harry Didi flew on a broomstick," the video was captioned. Watch the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wandi Wang (@flyhellodidi) The clip has sparked w...

Many Indians have chosen to settle abroad, driven by the promise of better career opportunities and financial stability. The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Singapore are among the most popular destinations, offering a haven for Indians seeking professional growth and financial success. However, many Indians often face issues and choose to return. Recently, an Indian doctor who passed the PLAB exam shed light on the realities of working in the UK's healthcare system. The doctor shared his journey, explaining the challenges he faced and the reasons behind his decision to leave the UK after gaining firsthand experience of the country's healthcare and economic landscape. "As an Indian doctor who passed the PLAB and aspired to build a life in the UK, I had high hopes for better professional opportunities, financial stability, and a higher quality of life. However, after spending time in the UK and experiencing its healthcare system and broader economic e...

Amid a year marked by significant political changes, no shortage of viral moments captured everyone's attention. Here are some of the most memorable ones, in no particular order. The Turkish shooter: A standout moment came when a Turkish shooter arrived at a competition without any of the specialized gear but brought an overwhelming dose of charisma, winning hearts across the internet. Turkish shooter Dikec Yusuf is a legend for this ?? (h/t @PicturesFoIder , @TurkishArc ) pic.twitter.com/XPW1SaUbf3 — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 31, 2024 Moo Deng, the pygmy hippo sensation: The internet's obsession with adorable animals reached new heights with Moo Deng, a pygmy hippo who became a viral star. Videos of her waddling around her enclosure, pestering her mother, and playfully nibbling her handlers' knees took TikTok by storm. She now joins the ranks of internet-famous animals like Grumpy Cat and Keyboard Cat. I wonder why ?? pic.twitter.com/u54zErzYgh —...

For those relying on a warm mug of tea or coffee to tackle holiday chores, there may be an added reason to indulge. A recent study has found that regular tea and coffee drinkers exhibit a slightly lower risk of developing head and neck cancers. According to Cancer Research UK , approximately 12,800 cases of head and neck cancer are diagnosed annually in the UK, leading to around 4,100 fatalities. While the new research stops short of proving a direct protective effect from these popular beverages, experts believe the findings offer valuable insights into a long-discussed but inconclusive area of study. The results contribute to understanding potential dietary and lifestyle factors influencing cancer risks, although researchers caution against overinterpreting the association. According to Medical News, head and neck cancer is the seventh most common cancer worldwide, and rates are rising in low- and middle-income countries. Many studies have assessed whether drinking coffee or tea ...

A series of Pakistani airstrikes on the Barmal district of Paktika province in Afghanistan has resulted in the death of at least 15 people, including women and children, with the toll expected to rise. The attacks, which took place on the night of December 24, targeted seven villages, including Laman, where five members of a family were killed, as reported by Khaama Press. Local sources claim that Pakistani jets were responsible for the bombings. Reports indicate that the Murg Bazaar village in Barmal was destroyed, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The airstrikes have caused severe civilian casualties and widespread destruction, further escalating tensions in the region. As recovery efforts continue, further investigation is required to confirm details and clarify responsibility for the attacks, Khaama Press reported. The Taliban's Ministry of Defence has vowed to retaliate following the airstrike on Barmal, Paktika. The Ministry stated that defending their land a...

New Year is always such a overwhelming time, full of anxieties regarding what's about to come, what's about to change, what's the next thing to happen, however, it is important to hold a neutral position about what's to come, and it would be even better if one finds things to look forward to. Here are the top 10 things you can await with pleasure over the next year. Future of TikTok? Congress has overwhelmingly passed legislation for TikTok to be banned from US app stores by January 19 unless Beijing-based ByteDance sells its stake. However, after they appealed to the Supreme Court on grounds that the ban violates First Amendment rights to free speech, the court will hear the case on January 10th. Yet, with Trump's aligned conservatives in the court and Trump himself batting for the app saying, "We got to keep this sucker around for a little while", it will be interesting to see if both US and ByteDance's concerns could be satisfied. Photo Credit...