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A passenger aboard the Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, which crashed in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, reported hearing a loud bang as the plane approached its intended destination of Grozny in southern Russia. The Embraer jet, which had taken off from Baku, veered off course and crashed near Aktau, resulting in at least 38 fatalities and 29 survivors. Subhonkul Rakhimov, a passenger, described the chaotic moments leading up to the crash, stating the aircraft behaved erratically after the noise. Preliminary findings from Azerbaijan's investigation suggest that Russian air defences may have mistakenly shot down the plane, prompting Azerbaijan Airlines to suspend flights to Russian cities. The Kremlin has refrained from commenting on these allegations, awaiting the official investigation’s conclusions. Meanwhile, Russia's aviation authority indicated that the pilot had opted to land in Kazakhstan despite being offered alternative airports. 
Published: Dec 27 2024, 5 pmeznews.inOutgoing US President Joe Biden has paid tribute to former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away at the age of 92. Describing Singh as a "true statesman" and "dedicated public servant," Biden highlighted his pivotal role in fostering US-India relations, particularly through the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement and the establishment of the Quad alliance. Biden noted that the deep cooperation between the two nations today is a testament to Singh's "strategic vision and political courage." He reminisced about their meetings, emphasizing the significance of the US-India partnership in shaping a future of dignity and potential for both countries. Biden extended condolences to Singh's family, including former First Lady Gursharan Kaur, as the nation prepares to conduct Singh's last rites with full state honors in Delhi, attended by prominent political figures, including President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 9 ameznews.inA recent investigation by _Fox Business_ has revealed that several major US fast food chains do not serve "real whole eggs" in their breakfast offerings, despite customer expectations. The report highlights that chains like Starbucks, Dunkin', Subway, Chick-fil-A, and Burger King use egg products that contain various additives, such as water and modified starch, instead of whole eggs. While some companies, like Subway and Chick-fil-A, are working towards using cage-free eggs, they still rely on processed egg mixtures. In contrast, five prominent chains—McDonald's, Taco Bell, Panera, Wendy's, and Whataburger—do serve 100% whole eggs in their breakfast items. The findings underscore the differences in egg sourcing practices among fast food restaurants, with many opting for convenience and safety in using pasteurized egg products over genuine whole eggs.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 10 ameznews.inSupporters of US President-elect Donald Trump are experiencing a rift over immigration policies, sparked by the appointment of Indian-origin venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan to lead AI policy in the incoming administration. While tech mogul Elon Musk and newly appointed co-chair Vivek Ramaswamy advocate for merit-based immigration reforms, emphasizing the need for top global talent to maintain America's technological edge, hardline Trump supporters view these views as a betrayal of their populist ideals. Critics like far-right commentator Laura Loomer have condemned Krishnan's stance on green card reforms, accusing him of prioritizing foreign workers over Americans. This discord is further complicated by Trump's fluctuating immigration rhetoric, which has included both restrictive measures during his first term and recent suggestions of a more lenient approach for skilled immigrants. Amidst this turmoil, figures like Nikki Haley have called for a focus on American talent, heightening tensions within the MAGA camp.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 10 ameznews.inSuchir Balaji, a former employee of OpenAI, raised concerns about the company's copyright practices before his tragic death in December 2023. In an October interview with The New York Times, Balaji expressed disillusionment over OpenAI's shift from its nonprofit origins to a profit-driven model, particularly regarding its use of internet-sourced data to train AI models. His mother, Poornima Ramarao, recounted Balaji's impressive early achievements and his growing unease with the company's direction, culminating in his resignation in August. Following his public criticisms, Ramarao feared for her son's safety, especially after he celebrated his 26th birthday just days before his death. While authorities ruled his passing a suicide, the family remains skeptical and is pursuing a private autopsy and further investigation, with Ramarao stating, “It doesn’t look like a normal situation.”
Published: Dec 28 2024, 10 ameznews.inBodycam footage released on Friday reveals a disturbing incident at Marcy Correctional Facility in New York, where correctional officers were seen beating a handcuffed inmate, Robert Brooks, 43, who died the following day. Brooks, who was serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault, had only arrived at the facility hours before the December 9 assault. New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is investigating the case, made the footage public, prompting Governor Kathy Hochul to order the dismissal of 13 officers and a prison nurse involved in the incident. Hochul expressed her outrage over Brooks' "senseless killing." The footage shows officers striking Brooks multiple times, with preliminary medical findings suggesting asphyxia due to neck compression as the cause of death, linked to the officers’ actions. The union representing prison workers has described the footage as "incomprehensible."
Published: Dec 28 2024, 10 ameznews.inAn Israeli military operation on Friday has rendered the Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last major health facility in northern Gaza, inoperable, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The raid reportedly caused significant damage, destroying key departments, while around 60 health workers and 25 critically ill patients, including those on ventilators, remain trapped inside. Israel's military justified the operation by claiming the hospital was being used as a stronghold by Hamas militants, a charge the group vehemently denies. The WHO expressed deep concern for the patients' safety and reiterated calls for a ceasefire, highlighting the systematic dismantling of Gaza's health system as a "death sentence" for thousands in need of care. Witnesses reported that many residents were forced to evacuate to nearby facilities amid ongoing violence, with the situation at the hospital described as "appalling" by the WHO.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 7 ameznews.inUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that several wounded North Korean soldiers died after being captured by Ukrainian forces, accusing Russia of sending them into battle with insufficient protection. This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, as Ukraine and its allies allege that North Korea has dispatched thousands of troops to support Russian military efforts. In his address, Zelensky noted that North Korea has suffered nearly 3,000 casualties since joining the fight, a figure corroborated by South Korea's intelligence service. The White House echoed these concerns, stating that North Korean soldiers are being viewed as expendable by their commanders. Meanwhile, military ties between North Korea and Russia have strengthened, with a recent defense pact taking effect. South Korea's military is reportedly preparing for further North Korean troop deployments and supplying artillery to Russia, amid rising tensions and concerns over potential arms support to Ukraine.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 7 ameznews.inThe US mission in India announced on Friday that it has issued over one million nonimmigrant visas for the second consecutive year, including a record number of visitor visas, reflecting the strong demand among Indians for travel to the United States. In 2024, more than two million Indians traveled to the US, marking a 26% increase from the previous year. Additionally, the State Department is set to establish a US-based H-1B visa renewal program in 2025, benefiting many Indian workers. The mission also reported that India has become the largest source of international students in the US, with over 331,000 students, including nearly 200,000 graduate students. Efforts to streamline visa processing have reduced wait times, and the embassy has introduced a new Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to enhance communication with American citizens in India. The US mission reiterated its commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and providing exceptional consular services.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 7 ameznews.inUS President-elect Donald Trump has urged the Supreme Court to pause a law that would ban TikTok the day before his inauguration on January 20, unless it is sold by its Chinese owner, ByteDance. In a brief filed on Friday, Trump's legal team argued that the court should allow more time to address the complexities of the case, enabling him to seek a political resolution. Trump, who previously attempted to ban TikTok during his first term over national security concerns, has recently shifted his stance, expressing support for the app as a competitor to platforms like Facebook and Instagram. His lawyers clarified that Trump does not take a position on the case's legal merits but requests a delay in the divestment deadline of January 19, 2025, to allow his administration to explore potential solutions.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 4 ameznews.inOpenAI recently launched a voice service in the US, allowing users to call toll-free number 1-800-ChatGPT for assistance on a variety of topics, from recipes to historical insights. This initiative aims to make AI more accessible to those without smartphones or high-speed internet, offering 15 minutes of free service per month. However, concerns have emerged regarding user privacy, including questions about call recording and data usage. Users must agree to OpenAI's privacy policy before engaging with the service. Meanwhile, OpenAI has announced plans to transition from a non-profit to a Public Benefit Corporation, enabling it to raise capital more effectively. This restructuring faces potential legal challenges, notably from co-founder Elon Musk, who has sought to halt the transition. The move marks a significant shift in OpenAI's operational approach as it aims to balance profit-making with public benefit.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 4 am
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