is slotomania slots legit Which ASX 200 tech stock is jumping 8% on Friday on big news?Google has just unveiled Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking, an AI model that combines the speed of its Flash technology with the same kind of chain of thought reasoning of OpenAI’s o1 model. The new model is available to everyone right now on Google’s AI Studio platform, free of charge. This free version comes with a token limit of 32,767 tokens, so it’s somewhat limited compared to other Gemini models, but what’s remarkable is how fast it deals with complicated problems that typically stump conventional AI models. The launch demos include riddles, probability problems and other examples needing complex thought. It’s not perfect, some of the examples from members of the public show it can still make mistakes, and miss key aspects of some problem prompts. However considering that this release is no more than a few hours old, it’s once again an impressive demonstration of what the DeepMind AI architecture can deliver. What is Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking One of the key differences with OpenAI ’s approach is the fact that Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking displays its reasoning as it goes, while o1 is much more bashful and hides its thoughts away. This is an important distinction for those who need to follow along to ensure no hallucinations are happening in very long thought chains. The new model already leapt to the number one spot in the Lmarena Chatbot Arena . That is a spectacular result for a model this new, in such a short period of time. I tested Flash Thinking with a riddle cheekily lifted from the OpenAI community 50 Really Hard Riddles web page, and it managed to nail the answer in 9.2 seconds. While this is not the kind of test that will prove anything meaningful, it's a fairly decent example of how competent this model seems to be. The other main difference between Google’s new reasoning model and OpenAI is the fact that Google AI Studio allows you to adjust safety settings to check for different responses. So for instance you can tweak harassment, hate, dangerous and explicit content and see how those changes affect the model’s reasoning abilities. It’s still too early to definitively state an opinion one way or the other on this new model. However first indications are that Google has once again stepped up to the plate and delivered a smashing vindication of its core AI technology and abilities. Those interested in trying out the new model for free can sign up on Google’s AI Studio platform, and select it from the model box in the right-hand sidebar. More from Tom's GuideYear Ender 2024: As we bid farewell to 2024, it’s impossible to ignore the groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) that have shaped this year. From generative AI tools revolutionising industries to cutting-edge research pushing the boundaries of machine learning, 2024 has been a pivotal year for technological progress. AI has continued to dominate headlines, whether it’s through transforming creative processes or reshaping how businesses operate. The technology’s rapid evolution has sparked both awe and debate, leaving an indelible mark on society and paving the way for the future. This year also saw AI becoming more accessible and integrated into everyday life, from smart assistants and AI-driven chatbots to innovations in autonomous vehicles and personalised medicine. Breakthroughs in areas like ethical AI, regulatory frameworks, and AI safety have added new dimensions to the conversation, ensuring that progress is balanced with responsibility. As we look back on the key AI stories of 2024, we also look ahead to how these developments will continue to influence our world, shaping industries, redefining possibilities, and addressing challenges in the years to come. ALSO READ | Squid Game 2 Full Season Leaked Online: Netflix Series Falls Victim To Piracy, Appears On Tamilrockers, Movierulz Top AI Stories This Year AI Takes Centre Stage Leading tech giants like Google Cloud and AWS have been at the forefront of developing AI agents, also referred to as agentic AI systems. These innovative tools are designed to autonomously make decisions and execute actions aligned with specific objectives. The popularity of agentic AI surged in 2024, largely due to its capacity to operate independently, enabling businesses and individuals to leverage generative AI for enhancing productivity and achieving their goals more efficiently. According to Gartner, agentic AI is set to revolutionise the workplace, with predictions indicating that by 2028, at least 15 percent of daily work-related decisions will be handled autonomously by these systems. Current applications of this technology include streamlining customer experiences through data-driven decision-making at every stage of engagement and empowering employees to tackle complex and technical projects using natural language interfaces. AI PC Is Here The integration of artificial intelligence directly into personal computers has been a major highlight in the PC market this year. However, two of the most anticipated AI-powered feature sets—Microsoft Copilot+ and Apple Intelligence—are not yet accessible to all users. Apple Intelligence is expected to roll out across all Macs equipped with the company’s M-series processors, while Copilot+ features are limited to select PCs that include a neural processing unit (NPU) in their system-on-chip architecture. These AI-enabled capabilities include advanced writing tools and an upgraded Siri voice assistant. Industry analysis firm IDC predicts that by 2027, AI-powered PCs will account for 60 percent of global PC shipments, signaling a transformative shift in computing. OpenAI Enters Search Domain To Increase Competition & Break Monopoly Google has long been the king of search, leaving other competitors like Microsoft Bing, Mozilla Firefox, and others behind. Over the years, the Alphabet-owned company has created a monopoly in the search market. Now, Sam Altman-led OpenAI has entered this domain to break the monopoly. OpenAI unveiled SearchGPT to take on Google head-on. OpenAI gave a teaser of this back in July by unveiling a prototype and now it has been released officially. Users have been making the most of this feature. Turning Imagination Into Video Becomes A Matter Of Seconds Long gone are the days when we had to hire video creators and artists to turn our imagination into videos. We can simply type a text prompt while describing the video that we want, then AI tools like Midjourney, Sora, and others will turn that text prompt into a final output video which will resemble what we wanted in the first place. Though there's a limit on the free version of these tools, the paid versions offer more accessibility. We can hope that in the coming time, these AI companies would be a bit more kind and increase free accessibility to users. Telecom Operators Using AI To Block Scam Calls Airtel's AI-powered spam filter has marked a significant milestone by identifying 8 billion spam calls and 0.8 billion spam SMS within just 2.5 months of its launch, the company announced. The advanced system has been able to detect nearly 1 million spammers daily on Airtel's network, with 6 percent of all calls and 2 percent of all SMS flagged as spam. Launched in late September, Airtel was the first telecom operator to introduce a network-level spam filter. In a short span, the AI-driven technology has demonstrated its effectiveness, providing robust protection against spam communications by detecting and blocking millions of unwanted interactions every day. Airtel said, "In this period, the company has notified around 252 million unique users about suspicious calls, leading to a 12 per cent reduction in the number of customers responding to them."

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Jets were the preseason favorites to win the AFC East. But the real kings of the division swept the Jets for the first time since 2021. Bills (13-3) embarrassed the Jets (4-12) 40-14 behind three defensive turnovers and five sacks. In addition to being sacked four times, once for a safety, Aaron Rodgers completed 12-of-18 passes for 112 yards and two interceptions. In the fourth quarter, Tyrod Taylor eventually replaced him, who finished 6-for-8 for 46 yards and a touchdown. Garrett Wilson finished with seven catches for 66 yards and a touchdown reception. Bills quarterback Josh Allen continued his MVP campaign with another solid game. He completed 16-of-27 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns before Mitchell Trubisky replaced him with a significant lead. Sunday’s game against the Bills was a microcosm of the Jets’ season. Penalties, mistakes, and poor decisions plagued the Jets. Gang Green had two attempts for points. In the first quarter, Rodgers threw a poor incompletion to Kenny Yeboah instead of running for the first down on 3rd and 1. On the next play, Braelon Allen was stuffed for no gain on 4th and 1, and the Jets turned the ball over on downs. Then, during the second quarter, the Jets reached the 12-yard line when Rodgers’ pass to Davante Adams on a screen was tipped by Greg Rousseau and intercepted by Jordan Phillips. It was Rodgers’ first interception since Dec. 1 against Seattle. Gang Green committed six penalties for 42 yards in just the first half against the Bills. They finished with 14 penalties for 120 yards. Penalties have been an issue for the Jets this season. Entering Sunday’s game, they ranked fourth (115) in infractions. In addition to the first-half penalties, in the third quarter, the Jets were going for it on 4th and 5 at the Bills’ 37 but were called for a delay of game when Rodgers didn’t snap the ball in time. After the penalty, the Jets eventually had to punt on 4th and 10. The hits just kept coming for the Jets during the second half. When they were on the Bills’ 29, Rodgers’ pass to Allen Lazard was intercepted by Christian Benford, which was his second of the day. As Benforranng out of bounds, Rodgers pushed him and received an unnecessary roughness penalty putting them on the Bills on the Jets’ 37-yard-line. That eventually set up Allen’s 30-yard bomb to Amari Cooper, which put the Bills up 19-0. The Bills got the ball and scored on their opening drive. Mack Hollins’ multiple catches and the Jets’ three defensive penalties helped set up Allen’s one-yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown, which put the Bills up 7-0 early in the game. The game remained 7-0 until 2:31 left in the second quarter. A.J. Epenesa sacked Rodgers in the end zone, resulting in a safety, increasing Buffalo’s lead to 9-0. Tyler Bass’ 39-yard field goal as the clock expired put the Bills up 12-0 at halftime. With 5:13 left in the third quarter, Buffalo scored their second touchdown of the day. Allen found Cooper for a 30-yard touchdown pass, which put the Bills up 19-0. The Bills onslaught continued after James Cook scored a one-yard touchdown, putting them up 26-0. Then, on the next drive, Garrett Wilson fumbled the ball at the Jets’ 21 and Bills linebacker Matt Milano recovered the ball on the 15. That eventually led to an Allen 14-yard touchdown pass to Keon Coleman, increasing their lead to 33-0. The embarrassment continued after Allen left the game. Trubisky completed a 69-yard touchdown pass to Tyrell Shavers, extending the Bills lead to 40-0. The Jets finally got on the board after Taylor found Wilson for a nine-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion made the score 40-8 late in the fourth quarter. The Jets’ disappointing 2024 campaign will end in Week 18. They will host the Dolphins, who defeated them in overtime on Dec. 8 to eliminate them from playoff contention.

KYIV, Ukraine — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile. escalating the nearly 33-month-old war. The conflict is “entering a decisive phase,” Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday, and “taking on very dramatic dimensions.” Ukraine’s parliament canceled a session as security was tightened following Thursday’s Russian strike on a military facility in the city of Dnipro. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was in retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks Friday during a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense, representatives of the military-industrial complex and developers of missile systems at the Kremlin in Moscow. Putin said Western air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile. Ukrainian military officials said the missile that hit Dnipro reached a speed of Mach 11 and carried six nonnuclear warheads, each releasing six submunitions. Speaking Friday to military and weapons industries officials, Putin said Russia will launch production of the Oreshnik. “No one in the world has such weapons,” he said. “Sooner or later, other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development. “We have this system now,” he added. “And this is important.” Putin said that while it isn’t an intercontinental missile, it’s so powerful that the use of several of them fitted with conventional warheads in one attack could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Gen. Sergei Karakayev, head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, said the Oreshnik could reach targets across Europe and be fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads, echoing Putin’s claim that even with conventional warheads, “the massive use of the weapon would be comparable in effect to the use of nuclear weapons.” In this photo taken from a video released Friday, a Russian serviceman operates at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov kept up Russia's bellicose tone on Friday, blaming “the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries” in supplying weapons to Ukraine to strike Russia. "The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities, and the contours of further retaliatory actions in the event that our concerns were not taken into account have also been quite clearly outlined," he said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, widely seen as having the warmest relations with the Kremlin in the European Union, echoed Moscow’s talking points, suggesting the use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Ukraine likely requires direct American involvement. “These are rockets that are fired and then guided to a target via an electronic system, which requires the world’s most advanced technology and satellite communications capability,” Orbán said on state radio. “There is a strong assumption ... that these missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel.” Orbán cautioned against underestimating Russia’s responses, emphasizing that the country’s recent modifications to its nuclear deployment doctrine should not be dismissed as a “bluff.” “It’s not a trick ... there will be consequences,” he said. Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky speaks to journalists Friday during a joint news conference with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha in Kyiv, Ukraine. Separately in Kyiv, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called Thursday’s missile strike an “escalatory step and an attempt of the Russian dictator to scare the population of Ukraine and to scare the population of Europe.” At a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Lipavský also expressed his full support for delivering the necessary additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians from the “heinous attacks.” He said the Czech Republic will impose no limits on the use of its weapons and equipment given to Ukraine. Three lawmakers from Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, confirmed that Friday's previously scheduled session was called off due to the ongoing threat of Russian missiles targeting government buildings in central Kyiv. In addition, there also was a recommendation to limit the work of all commercial offices and nongovernmental organizations "in that perimeter, and local residents were warned of the increased threat,” said lawmaker Mykyta Poturaiev, who said it's not the first time such a threat has been received. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said the Oreshnik missile was fired from the Kapustin Yar 4th Missile Test Range in Russia’s Astrakhan region and flew 15 minutes before striking Dnipro. Test launches of a similar missile were conducted in October 2023 and June 2024, the directorate said. The Pentagon confirmed the missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range missile based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Thursday's attack struck the Pivdenmash plant that built ICBMs when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. The military facility is located about 4 miles southwest of the center of Dnipro, a city of about 1 million that is Ukraine’s fourth-largest and a key hub for military supplies and humanitarian aid, and is home to one of the country’s largest hospitals for treating wounded soldiers from the front before their transfer to Kyiv or abroad. We're all going to die someday. Still, how it happens—and when—can point to a historical moment defined by the scientific advancements and public health programs available at the time to contain disease and prevent accidents. In the early 1900s, America's efforts to improve sanitation, hygiene, and routine vaccinations were still in their infancy. Maternal and infant mortality rates were high, as were contagious diseases that spread between people and animals. Combined with the devastation of two World Wars—and the Spanish Flu pandemic in between—the leading causes of death changed significantly after this period. So, too, did the way we diagnose and control the spread of disease. Starting with reforms as part of Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930s, massive-scale, federal interventions in the U.S. eventually helped stave off disease transmission. It took comprehensive government programs and the establishment of state and local health agencies to educate the public on preventing disease transmission. Seemingly simple behavioral shifts, such as handwashing, were critical in thwarting the spread of germs, much like discoveries in medicine, such as vaccines, and increased access to deliver them across geographies. Over the course of the 20th century, life expectancy increased by 56% and is estimated to keep increasing slightly, according to an annual summary of vital statistics published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2000. Death Records examined data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to see how the leading causes of death in America have evolved over time and to pinpoint how some major mortality trends have dropped off. According to a report published in the journal Annual Review of Public Health in 2000, pneumonia was the leading cause of death in the early 1900s, accounting for nearly 1 in 4 deaths. By the time World War I ended in 1918, during which people and animals were housed together for long periods, a new virus emerged: the Spanish Flu. Originating in a bird before spreading to humans, the virus killed 10 times as many Americans as the war. Many died of secondary pneumonia after the initial infection. Pneumonia deaths eventually plummeted throughout the century, partly prevented by increased flu vaccine uptake rates in high-risk groups, particularly older people. Per the CDC, tuberculosis was a close second leading cause of death, killing 194 of every 10,000 people in 1900, mainly concentrated in dense urban areas where the infection could more easily spread. Eventually, public health interventions led to drastic declines in mortality from the disease, such as public education, reducing crowded housing, quarantining people with active disease, improving hygiene, and using antibiotics. Once the death rates lagged, so did the public health infrastructure built to control the disease, leading to a resurgence in the mid-1980s. Diarrhea was the third leading cause of death in 1900, surging every summer among children before the impacts of the pathogen died out in 1930. Adopting water filtration, better nutrition, and improved refrigeration were all associated with its decline. In the 1940s and 1950s, polio outbreaks killed or paralyzed upward of half a million people worldwide every year. Even at its peak, polio wasn't a leading cause of death, it was a much-feared one, particularly among parents of young children, some of whom kept them from crowded public places and interacting with other children. By 1955, when Jonah Salk discovered the polio vaccine, the U.S. had ended the "golden age of medicine." During this period, the causes of mortality shifted dramatically as scientists worldwide began to collaborate on infectious disease control, surgical techniques, vaccines, and other drugs. From the 1950s onward, once quick-spreading deadly contagions weren't prematurely killing American residents en masse, scientists also began to understand better how to diagnose and treat these diseases. As a result, Americans were living longer lives and instead succumbing to noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs. The risk of chronic diseases increased with age and, in some cases, was exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyles. Cancer and heart disease shot up across the century, increasing 90-fold from 1900 to 1998, according to CDC data. Following the post-Spanish Flu years, heart disease killed more Americans than any other cause, peaking in the 1960s and contributing to 1 in 3 deaths. Cigarette smoking rates peaked at the same time, a major risk factor for heart disease. Obesity rates also rose, creating another risk factor for heart disease and many types of cancers. This coincides with the introduction of ultra-processed foods into diets, which plays a more significant role in larger waistlines than the increasing predominance of sedentary work and lifestyles. In the early 1970s, deaths from heart disease began to fall as more Americans prevented and managed their risk factors, like quitting smoking or taking blood pressure medicine. However, the disease remains the biggest killer of Americans. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death and rates still indicate an upward trajectory over time. Only a few types of cancer are detected early by screening, and some treatments for aggressive cancers like glioblastoma—the most common type of brain cancer—have also stalled, unable to improve prognosis much over time. In recent years, early-onset cancers, those diagnosed before age 50 or sometimes even earlier, have seen a drastic rise among younger Americans. While highly processed foods and sedentary lifestyles may contribute to rising rates, a spike in cancer rates among otherwise healthy young individuals has baffled some medical professionals. This follows the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020. At its peak, high transmission rates made the virus the third leading cause of death in America. It's often compared to the Spanish Flu of 1918, though COVID-19 had a far larger global impact, spurring international collaborations among scientists who developed a vaccine in an unprecedented time. Public policy around issues of safety and access also influences causes of death, particularly—and tragically—among young Americans. Gun control measures in the U.S. are far less stringent than in peer nations; compared to other nations, however, the U.S. leads in gun violence. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens (around 2 in 3 are homicides, and 1 in 3 are suicides), and deaths from opioids remain a leading cause of death among younger people. Globally, the leading causes of death mirror differences in social and geographic factors. NCDs are primarily associated with socio-economic status and comprise 7 out of 10 leading causes of death, 85% of those occurring in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization. However, one of the best health measures is life expectancy at birth. People in the U.S. have been living longer lives since 2000, except for a slight dip in longevity due to COVID-19. According to the most recent CDC estimates, Americans' life expectancy is 77.5 years on average and is expected to increase slightly in the coming decades. Story editing by Alizah Salario. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Death Records and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Wild horse roundup to begin in Murderers Creek Joint Management Area

Shares of Chinook Tyee Industry Ltd ( CVE:XCX – Get Free Report ) shot up 21.6% during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as C$0.53 and last traded at C$0.45. 203,469 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 356% from the average session volume of 44,615 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.37. Chinook Tyee Industry Price Performance The company has a market cap of C$9.10 million and a PE ratio of -2.60. The business has a 50 day moving average of C$0.45 and a 200 day moving average of C$0.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.15, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.55. Chinook Tyee Industry Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Chinook Tyee Industry Limited operates as a financial service company in Canada. The company was formerly known as Global Railway Industries Ltd. and changed its name to Chinook Tyee Industry Limited in August 2013. Chinook Tyee Industry Limited is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Chinook Tyee Industry Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chinook Tyee Industry and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday voiced his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports, saying that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. Related Articles National Politics | Will Kamala Harris run for California governor in 2026? The question is already swirling National Politics | Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people National Politics | Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America National Politics | Trump extends unprecedented invites to China’s Xi and other world leaders for his inauguration National Politics | Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump The incoming president posted on social media that he met Harold Daggett, the president of the International Longshoreman’s Association, and Dennis Daggett, the union’s executive vice president. “I’ve studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it,” Trump posted. “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen. Foreign companies have made a fortune in the U.S. by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. At the heart of the dispute is whether ports can install automated gates, cranes and container-moving trucks that could make it faster to unload and load ships. The union argues that automation would lead to fewer jobs, even though higher levels of productivity could do more to boost the salaries of remaining workers. The Maritime Alliance said in a statement that the contract goes beyond ports to “supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace – from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products.” “To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains,” said the alliance, adding that it looks forward to working with Trump. In October, the union representing 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for three days, raising the risk that a prolonged shutdown could push up inflation by making it difficult to unload container ships and export American products overseas. The issue pits an incoming president who won November’s election on the promise of bringing down prices against commitments to support blue-collar workers along with the kinds of advanced technology that drew him support from Silicon Valley elite such as billionaire Elon Musk. Trump sought to portray the dispute as being between U.S. workers and foreign companies, but advanced ports are also key for staying globally competitive. China is opening a $1.3 billion port in Peru that could accommodate ships too large for the Panama Canal. There is a risk that shippers could move to other ports, which could also lead to job losses. Mexico is constructing a port that is highly automated, while Dubai, Singapore and Rotterdam already have more advanced ports. Instead, Trump said that ports and shipping companies should eschew “machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced.” “For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries,” Trump posted. “It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!”Clearwater Paper (NYSE:CLW) Trading Down 2.3% – Time to Sell?

Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen have targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said the bombardment on Thursday took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military later said it wasn’t aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. An uneasy calm settles over Syrian city of Homs after outbreak of sectarian violence HOMS, Syria (AP) — Syria’s new security forces checked IDs and searched cars in the central city of Homs a day after protests by members of the Alawite minority erupted in gunfire and stirred fears that the country’s fragile peace could break down. A tense calm prevailed Thursday after checkpoints were set up throughout the country’s third-largest city, which has a mixed population of Sunni and Shia Muslims, Alawites and Christians. The security forces are controlled by the former insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which led the charge that unseated former President Bashar Assad. The US says it pushed retraction of a famine warning for north Gaza. Aid groups express concern. WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say they asked for — and got — the retraction of an independent monitor's warning of imminent famine in north Gaza. The internationally Famine Early Warning System Network issued the warning this week. The new report had warned that starvation deaths in north Gaza could reach famine levels as soon as next month. It cited what it called Israel's “near-total blockade” of food and water. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, criticized the finding as inaccurate and irresponsible. The U.S. Agency for International Development, which funds the famine-monitoring group, told the AP it had asked for and gotten the report's retraction. USAID officials tell The Associated Press that it had asked the group for greater review of discrepancies in some of the data. Powerful thunderstorms rumble across Texas, delaying holiday travel DALLAS (AP) — Severe thunderstorms are firing up in parts of Texas and could trigger high winds, hail and potential tornadoes. More than 100 flights were delayed and dozens more were canceled Thursday at airports in Dallas and Houston. The National Weather Service says the greatest weather risk stretched from just east of Dallas, and between Houston and portions of southern Arkansas and western Louisiana. The risk includes the possibility of tornadoes and wind gusts between 60 and 80 miles per hour, and large hail. The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for several counties in southeast Texas, including the Houston area. Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen ATLANTA (AP) — Republicans in Congress plan to move quickly in their effort to overhaul the nation’s voting procedures, seeing an opportunity with control of the White House and both chambers of Congress. They want to push through long-sought changes such as voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements. They say the measures are needed to restore public confidence in elections. That's after an erosion of trust that Democrats note has been fueled by false claims from Donald Trump and his allies of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Democrats say they are willing to work with the GOP but want any changes to make it easier, not harder, to vote. Americans are exhausted by political news. TV ratings and a new AP-NORC poll show they're tuning out NEW YORK (AP) — A lot of Americans, after an intense presidential election campaign, are looking for a break in political news. That's evident in cable television news ratings and a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll found nearly two-thirds of Americans saying they've found the need recently to cut down on their consumption of political and government news. That's particularly true among Democrats following President-elect Donald Trump's victory, although a significant number of Republicans and independents feel the same way. Cable networks MSNBC and CNN are really seeing a slump. That's also happened in years past for networks that particularly appeal to supporters of one candidate. Aviation experts say Russia's air defense fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns Aviation experts say that Russian air defense fire was likely responsible for the Azerbaijani plane crash the day before that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured. Azerbaijan is observing a nationwide day of mourning on Thursday for the victims of the crash. Azerbaijan Airlines’ Embraer 190 was en route from Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus on Wednesday when it was diverted for reasons yet unclear and crashed while making an attempt to land in Aktau in Kazakhstan. Cellphone footage circulating online appeared to show the aircraft making a steep descent before smashing into the ground in a fireball. Ukraine's military intelligence says North Korean troops are suffering heavy battlefield losses KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's military intelligence says North Korean troops are suffering heavy losses in Russia's Kursk region and face logistical difficulties as a result of Ukrainian attacks. The intelligence agency said Thursday that Ukrainian strikes near Novoivanovka inflicted heavy casualties on North Korean units. Ukraine's president said earlier this week that 3,000 North Korean troops have been killed and wounded in the fighting in the Kursk region. It marked the first significant estimate by Ukraine of North Korean casualties several weeks after Kyiv announced that North Korea had sent 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia to help it in the almost 3-year war. Ex-Sen. Bob Menendez, citing 'emotional toll,' seeks sentencing delay in wake of wife's trial NEW YORK (AP) — Former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez is asking a federal judge to delay his end-of-January sentencing on bribery charges, saying his family would suffer a “tremendous emotional toll” if the New Jersey Democrat was sentenced during his wife's trial. His lawyers told Judge Sidney H. Stein in a letter that Nadine Menendez would face a jury that might find it impossible not to hear about her husband's sentencing if it occurred eight days into her trial. The 70-year-old Menendez was convicted in July of 16 charges, including bribery. His wife, whose trial was postponed when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, faces much of the same evidence as her husband. How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze.

The 25-year-old Sweden international took his goal tally for the season to 12 in the 3-0 Boxing Day win over Aston Villa at St James’ Park, 10 of them in his last 10 Premier League games, after a challenging start to the new campaign. Isak managed 25 goals in a black and white shirt last season to further justify the club record £63million the club paid to bring him to Tyneside from Real Sociedad during the summer of 2022, but as delighted as he is with his big-money signing, head coach Howe is confident there is even more to come. Asked where the former AIK Solna frontman currently ranks in world football, he said: “My biggest thing with Alex is I am evaluating his game on a daily and weekly basis and I just want to try to push him for more. “Everyone else can say where he is in the pecking order of world football. His game is in a good place at the moment. “My job is to not sit back and appreciate that, my job is to try and find areas he can improve, push him towards that and never stop pushing him. He has all the ingredients in there. Football never stops evolving and changing and he has to evolve with it. “There is a lot more to come from him. Our job is to help him deliver that. “Of course the main responsibility is for Alex to keep his focus, ignore the plaudits and keep helping the team, not be selfish. It is about Newcastle and he plays his part.” It is no coincidence that Newcastle have prospered as Isak has rediscovered his best form, and they will head for Manchester United – where they have won only once in the top flight since 1972 – on Monday evening looking for a fifth successive win in all competitions. He has scored in each of the last five league games having grown into the mantle of the Magpies’ main man, a role performed with such distinction in the past by the likes of Jackie Milburn, Malcolm Macdonald and Alan Shearer, and he has done so with the minimum of fuss. Asked about his character, Howe said: “He is calm, cool – he is what you see on the pitch. “He doesn’t get overly emotional, which for a striker is a great quality because that coolness you see and calmness in front of goal is part of his personality, part of what he is. He seems to have an extra half a second when other players don’t. “With Alex, the beauty of his attitude is that he wants to improve. We give him information and he is responsive. He is not a closed shop. “He is in no way thinking he has arrived at a certain place. He knows he has to keep adding to his game. The challenge is great for him to keep scoring freely as he is now.”The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana ( AB-PMJAY ) has reduced the cancer patients' financial burden significantly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday. Modi highlighted the achievements made in the fight against malaria and cancer in the 117th episode of his ' Mann Ki Baat '. He said the success on this front has attracted the attention of the world today. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for On the fight against cancer, the prime minister talked about a study by Medical Journal Lancet according to which the chances of starting cancer treatment in time in India have increased significantly. Modi also emphasised the role of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana in ensuring timely treatment of cancer patients, within 30 days. "Because of this scheme, 90 percent of cancer patients have been able to start their treatment on time. This has happened because earlier, due to lack of money, poor patients used to shy away from getting tested for cancer and its treatment. Now, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana has become a big support for them. Now they are coming forward to get themselves treated," he said. "The Ayushman Bharat Yojana has reduced the financial problems in cancer treatment to a great extent," he stated. 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"Even at the time of Independence, it was one of our biggest health challenges. Malaria ranks third among all infectious diseases that kill children between one month and five years of age. Today, I can say with satisfaction that the countrymen have collectively, strongly fought this challenge," he said in the radio broadcast. He highlighted the report of the World Health Organization (WHO) which mentions, "In India, there has been an 80 percent reduction in the number of malaria cases and deaths due to it between 2015 and 2023." Underscoring that this success has been achieved through everyone's participation, the prime minister especially mentioned the contribution of tea garden dwellers of Jorhat in Assam and the people of the Kurukshetra district of Haryana for taking the war against malaria more vigorously. "In the tea gardens of Jorhat in Assam, malaria used to be a major cause of concern for people until four years ago. But when the tea garden dwellers united to eradicate it, they started getting success to a great extent. In this effort, they have made full use of technology as well as social media," he said. "Similarly, the Kurukshetra district of Haryana has presented a very good model for controlling malaria. Here, public participation for monitoring Malaria has been quite successful. Through street plays and radio, emphasis was laid on messages which helped a lot in reducing the breeding of mosquitoes", he further stated. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )