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The number of homeless individuals in the United States has soared to a record high, with approximately 771,480 people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2024, marking an 18 percent increase from the previous year, according to a report by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This surge is attributed to persistent inflation, soaring housing costs—where median rents are 20 percent higher than in January 2021—and stagnating wages among lower-income households. The report also highlights the impact of systemic racism, natural disasters, rising immigration, and the cessation of Covid-19 homelessness prevention programs. Alarmingly, nearly 150,000 children were reported homeless, reflecting a 33 percent rise. While Black individuals, who represent 12 percent of the population, accounted for 32 percent of the homeless, veteran homelessness saw a decline to its lowest recorded level. HUD officials emphasize the need for evidence-based strategies to tackle this growing crisis. 
Published: Dec 28 2024, 2 pmeznews.inA Pakistani paramilitary soldier was killed and seven others injured during cross-border clashes with Afghan forces, igniting protests in Afghanistan against recent air strikes that reportedly killed 46 people, primarily women and children. The fighting erupted along the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Khost border, following allegations from the Taliban that Pakistan conducted the air strikes targeting "terrorist hideouts," a claim Islamabad has not officially confirmed. In Khost city, hundreds protested, demanding accountability for civilian casualties and global pressure on Pakistan to prevent further violence. The UN has called for an investigation into these civilian deaths, while UNICEF expressed deep concern over reports of children being among the casualties. Tensions have escalated since the Taliban's takeover in 2021, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harboring militants responsible for attacks on its territory. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need for good relations but insisted that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan must be curtailed.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 10 pmeznews.inElon Musk has sparked controversy with his outspoken defense of the H-1B visa amid ongoing debates on immigration reform within the Republican Party. In a heated exchange on X (formerly Twitter), Musk responded to a user promoting anti-H-1B sentiment by asserting that his success, along with that of many innovators at SpaceX and Tesla, is largely due to the H-1B program. He provocatively told the user to "F**K YOURSELF in the face," emphasizing his commitment to the issue. Musk's comments reflect a broader divide among GOP lawmakers and voters, with some, like himself and Vivek Ramaswamy, advocating for legal immigration, while others push for stricter immigration policies. Prior to this incident, Musk had also called for the removal of "hateful, unrepentant racists" from the Republican Party, further highlighting the tensions within the party regarding immigration and workforce policies.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 9 pmeznews.inRussian President Vladimir Putin extended his apologies to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Saturday for a "tragic incident" involving an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane that crashed in Russian airspace on Wednesday. The flight, J2-8243, went down in flames near Aktau, Kazakhstan, after diverting from southern Russia amid reports of Ukrainian drone attacks on several cities. The incident resulted in the deaths of at least 38 individuals, with 29 survivors. The Kremlin stated that Putin expressed his sincere condolences to the victims' families and wished a swift recovery for the injured. During their conversation, it was highlighted that the Azerbaijani aircraft, operating on schedule, had attempted to land at Grozny airport while Russian air defense systems were engaged in repelling Ukrainian drone strikes in the area.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 7 pmeznews.inThe Indian diaspora has issued a media advisory condemning the racist attacks directed at Sriram Krishnan, recently appointed as Senior AI Advisor by President-elect Donald Trump. The advisory denounces such "spiteful, vengeful, racially motivated" comments and reaffirms support for Krishnan's appointment, expressing confidence in his ability to serve the U.S. effectively. Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna also criticized the backlash against Krishnan, highlighting that America's ability to attract global talent exemplifies its exceptionalism. Following derogatory remarks about Krishnan's Indian origin on social media, Khanna defended him, comparing the criticism to questioning the backgrounds of other prominent figures in tech. Krishnan, who has an extensive background in the tech industry, expressed gratitude for his new role, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining American leadership in AI. He previously worked at major companies such as Meta and Microsoft and has invested in numerous startups.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 7 pmeznews.inGreg Gumbel, the esteemed sports broadcaster known for his influential role in college basketball and NFL commentary, passed away on December 27 at his Florida home, aged 78. His family confirmed the news via a post from CBS Sports, where he had been a fixture since 1989, following a battle with cancer. Gumbel's career spanned over 50 years, during which he became the first Black commentator to provide play-by-play coverage of a major sports championship at Super Bowl XXXV. His wife, Marcy, and daughter, Michelle, highlighted his legacy of love and inspiration in a heartfelt statement. CBS Sports president David Berson praised Gumbel as a groundbreaking broadcaster, while fans took to social media to express their sorrow and reminisce about his iconic voice, particularly during March Madness. Born in New Orleans and raised in Chicago, Gumbel began his career in the early 1970s and won numerous accolades, including the 2007 Pat Summerall Award.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 5 pmeznews.inPresident-elect Donald Trump has invited Microsoft founder Bill Gates to meet at his Mar-a-Lago residence, a revelation made in a social media post directed at Elon Musk. Trump's message, which included a friendly mention of Musk's son, X Æ A-Xii, also expressed excitement for an upcoming New Year's Eve celebration. Gates has reportedly contacted Trump's transition team regarding the potential meeting, although confirmation of the encounter remains uncertain. This invitation follows a series of meetings Trump has held with various tech CEOs since his election victory in November. Notably, Musk has been appointed co-leader of Trump's government efficiency initiative, despite facing backlash from some Trump supporters over his advocacy for a visa program for skilled foreign workers. Many CEOs view their discussions with Trump as a strategic move to align with his administration's priorities, particularly in revitalizing American manufacturing and job creation.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 5 pmeznews.inUS President-elect Donald Trump is set to make history as the first elected politician to receive two state visits from the British royal family, with plans for a second visit being prepared by Downing Street and the Foreign Office for 2026. This initiative aims to strengthen UK-US relations, capitalizing on Trump's well-documented admiration for the Royal Family. A senior Whitehall source highlighted Trump's fondness for the royals, noting his personal photo album from his previous state visit in 2019, which included a lavish three-day itinerary featuring Queen Elizabeth II. Recently, Trump and Prince William met at the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, where they engaged in a warm conversation about global issues and the UK-US partnership. If realized, this upcoming state visit is anticipated to be a significant event, closely monitored by diplomats and politicians on both sides of the Atlantic.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 3 pmeznews.inA London chauffeur, Jihad Abousalah, has been sentenced to a 12-month community order and a 30-day rehabilitation requirement after being found guilty of stalking Qatari princess Haya Al-Thani. The 47-year-old, who believed he was in a romantic relationship with Al-Thani while employed as her chauffeur, exhibited alarming behaviour, including sending gifts and making numerous phone calls while she was in Doha. His actions prompted Al-Thani to seek private security due to fears for her safety and that of her children, as she felt unsafe in her own home. The court acknowledged Abousalah's mental health issues, which contributed to his misguided beliefs, but highlighted the significant distress caused to Al-Thani. A three-year restraining order was also issued, preventing Abousalah from contacting the princess or her husband and barring him from London's Hyde Park area.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 3 pmeznews.inIn a light-hearted revelation, the Prince of Wales shared during an interview that he once gifted the Princess of Wales a pair of binoculars, a decision that has since become a humorous anecdote in their relationship. "I did get my wife a pair of binoculars once. She's never let me forget that," Prince William admitted, reflecting on the early days of their courtship at the University of St. Andrews. Despite his intentions, he acknowledged that the gift did not go over well, describing it as a puzzling choice. The couple, who married in April 2011, have since embraced the tradition of exchanging playful gifts within the royal family. This Christmas, the family gathered at Sandringham Estate, hosting 45 guests for a festive celebration, although Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were notably absent from the festivities.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 4 pmeznews.inGeoffrey Hinton, the British-Canadian computer scientist dubbed the “godfather” of artificial intelligence (AI), has expressed alarming concerns about the potential for AI to cause human extinction within the next 30 years, estimating a 10% to 20% chance of this occurring. In a recent interview on BBC Radio 4, Hinton, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics earlier this year, noted that his views have not changed and that the risks may have increased, given that humanity has never faced entities more intelligent than itself. He likened humans to toddlers in comparison to advanced AI systems and emphasized the urgent need for government regulation to ensure safe AI development, as reliance on profit-driven companies alone is inadequate. Hinton, who resigned from Google to speak openly about these dangers, cautioned that “bad actors” could exploit AI, highlighting the rapid pace of technological advancement as a significant concern.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 1 pm
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