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When the U.S. Split into Two Nations with Two Flags

On Christmas Day in 1991, the Soviet Union's hammer-and-sickle flag was lowered for the last time over the Kremlin, marking the dissolution of the USSR into Russia and fourteen independent nations, including Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Mikhail Gorbachev resigned, leaving Boris Yeltsin as President of Russia, a moment etched in the memories of those born before the 1980s. This event echoed a similar historical fracture 130 years earlier, when the United States split into two entities—the Union and the Confederate States of America (CSA)—following the election of Abraham Lincoln, who opposed slavery. The CSA, formed by eleven southern states, declared independence but was never recognized as a separate nation. The ensuing American Civil War lasted nearly five years, ultimately resulting in the Union's victory and the re-establishment of control over the southern states, paving the way for the United States to grow into its current 50-state form. sources

Published:
Jan 15 2025, 9 pm

Indian Man Sentenced to 30 Months for Jewelry Duty Evasion

An Indian businessman, Monishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah, aged 40, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for customs duty evasion and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. Shah, who ran jewellery companies in New York, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aiding in illegal money transfers, amassing over $13.5 million in jewellery imports while evading duties. From December 2019 to April 2022, he orchestrated a scheme where jewellery shipped from Turkey and India was falsely labelled as originating from South Korea to avoid approximately 5.5% in duties. Additionally, he illegally processed over $10.3 million through his New York businesses. The court ordered Shah to pay $742,500 in restitution and forfeited $11,126,982.33, alongside a two-year supervised release. Federal prosecutors highlighted Shah's extensive network in facilitating these fraudulent transactions. sources

Published:
Jan 24 2025, 9 am

Two Indian-Origin Individuals Charged in US Robbery Case

Five individuals, including two of Indian origin, have been charged in New York for a violent home invasion robbery that occurred in December 2024. Bhupinderjit Singh and Divya Kumari, both 26, along with Elijaih Roman, 22, Corey Hall, 45, and Erik Suarez, 24, allegedly invaded the home of a small business owner in front of his four young children, threatening them with a firearm. The defendants face multiple charges, including robbery conspiracy and robbery, each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years, while some also face a life sentence for brandishing a firearm during the crime. According to the FBI, the robbers zip-tied the parents and terrorized the children, demanding access to the family's safe, from which they stole jewelry and around $10,000. Kumari acted as a lookout during the robbery, which has drawn significant condemnation for violating the sanctity of home life. sources

Published:
Jan 24 2025, 9 am

Massive Iceberg Heading for Remote British Island, Visible from Space

A23a, the world's largest iceberg, weighing over one trillion tons, is on a collision course with South Georgia, a remote British island off Antarctica, according to a BBC report. Covering nearly 3,900 square kilometers—three times the size of New York City—the iceberg is now just 280 km away and is expected to collide within two to four weeks, depending on ocean currents. Marine ecologist Mark Belchier warns that the iceberg's impact could disrupt local fisheries and wildlife, particularly king penguins and seals, by blocking access to feeding grounds. This isn't the first threat to the region's wildlife; a similar incident in 2004 saw another iceberg hinder foraging routes, leading to a decline in seal and penguin populations. A23a, which broke free from the Filchner Ice Shelf in 1986, has a complex journey marked by years of being trapped before finally drifting northward. Scientists are closely monitoring its movements. sources

Published:
Jan 24 2025, 9 am

Nadella: "I'm Good For $80 Billion" Amid Musk's Claims

Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella has addressed concerns raised by Tesla chief Elon Musk regarding the funding for the Stargate project, a major artificial intelligence initiative announced by former President Donald Trump. Musk questioned the financial backing of the joint venture involving OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle, claiming SoftBank has "well under $10B" secured. In response, Nadella reaffirmed Microsoft's commitment to invest $80 billion in expanding its Azure cloud computing platform, emphasizing that the funds are aimed at creating practical solutions rather than merely promoting AI hype. The Stargate project is set to invest at least $500 billion over four years to develop AI infrastructure in the U.S., with OpenAI managing operations and SoftBank overseeing financial aspects. Amidst the exchanges, Nadella expressed confidence in Microsoft's financial capabilities, while Musk acknowledged his trust in Nadella's resources. sources

Published:
Jan 24 2025, 10 am

Trump Dismisses Musk's Criticism of $500 Billion AI Project

US President Donald Trump has brushed off criticism from his ally Elon Musk regarding a $500 billion artificial intelligence initiative announced earlier this week. The project, called Stargate, involves a collaboration between OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle to establish data centers and create over 100,000 jobs in the US. Musk, who is embroiled in a lawsuit with OpenAI and has a contentious relationship with its CEO Sam Altman, expressed skepticism about the project's funding, claiming SoftBank has less than $10 billion secured. Trump, responding to Musk's comments, emphasized the intelligence of the involved parties and downplayed concerns over funding, asserting that the investors are wealthy individuals. An adviser speculated that this disagreement could signal a rift between Trump and Musk, who is also leading a government efficiency project for Trump. sources

Published:
Jan 24 2025, 8 am

Study Suggests Mothers May Influence Brain Aging

A recent study has uncovered a potential link between the maternal X chromosome and accelerated brain aging, which may heighten the risk of Alzheimer's disease in women. While females possess two X chromosomes (XX) compared to males' one (XY), this research highlights how variations in the X chromosome can significantly impact cognitive health. Despite women generally enjoying longer lifespans and lower dementia rates, Alzheimer's disproportionately affects them. Researchers, led by Dena Dubal, investigated this phenomenon using female lab mice, some of which had their paternal X chromosomes silenced. The findings revealed that older mice with a dominant maternal X chromosome exhibited marked cognitive decline, suggesting that maternal X expression could contribute to increased cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's risk. While the study was conducted on mice, its implications may pave the way for understanding sex-specific cognitive decline and developing preventive strategies for brain aging in humans. sources

Published:
Jan 24 2025, 9 am

Meta AI Confused: Trump or Biden as US President?

Meta's AI chatbot faced criticism this week for incorrectly identifying Joe Biden as the current president of the United States, despite Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025. This prompted the company to initiate an emergency troubleshooting procedure known as a SEV, as the chatbot continued to provide outdated information. Meta spokesperson Daniel Roberts acknowledged the error, emphasizing that generative AI systems can sometimes return outdated results. This incident is part of a broader pattern of emergency responses from Meta during the U.S. presidential transition, including complaints about users being forced to re-follow Trump and other prominent Republicans on social media. Additionally, some users experienced issues with Instagram's search functionality, which blocked hashtags related to Democrats while allowing Republican tags. These incidents have raised concerns over potential political biases in Meta's platforms following recent leadership changes and policy adjustments aimed at improving relations with the new administration. sources

Published:
Jan 24 2025, 7 am

Google Removes Biden from 'US Presidents' Search Results

Former US President Joe Biden's name was inexplicably missing from Google search results for queries like "US Presidents" and "US Presidents in order" on January 23, 2025, leading to widespread confusion and criticism on social media. Users reported that the search results erroneously listed Donald Trump as the last two presidents, while Biden's name was omitted entirely. Google later attributed the issue to a "data error" in its knowledge graph and confirmed that the glitch was resolved by 2 AM ET. The incident sparked speculation among users, with some alleging that it reflected a bias from big tech towards Trump, especially given Google's past financial support for his inauguration. Critics expressed concerns over the implications of such omissions, suggesting it represented a dangerous precedent for information control on the internet. sources

Published:
Jan 24 2025, 7 am

Romanian Woman Found Partially Eaten by Her Pet Dogs

A 34-year-old woman, Adriana Neagoe, was found dead in her Bucharest apartment under tragic circumstances, prompting a police investigation. Family members had grown concerned after she failed to respond to calls for several days, leading them to alert authorities. Upon entering her home, responders discovered Neagoe's half-eaten body on the floor, with her two pugs beside her, reportedly having begun to eat her remains due to lack of food. While there were no immediate signs of violence, an autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of death. Neagoe's sister confirmed the heartbreaking news on Facebook, expressing her grief and announcing the funeral arrangements. Tributes from friends and family poured in, reflecting the shock and sadness surrounding her untimely death. The two pugs have since been taken to a shelter for care. sources

Published:
Jan 24 2025, 7 am

Trump Grants Pardons to 23 Anti-Abortion Activists

US President Donald Trump signed pardons for 23 anti-abortion protesters on Thursday, who were prosecuted during Joe Biden's administration. Trump stated that these individuals, many of whom are elderly, "should not have been prosecuted," emphasizing the honor of signing the pardons in the Oval Office ahead of a major anti-abortion march in Washington. While details about the protesters were not disclosed, reports indicate they were convicted for blocking access to abortion clinics. Trump is expected to address the "March for Life" via video, with Vice President JD Vance attending in person. Although Trump has maintained a vague stance on abortion, he credits the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling, which overturned federal abortion rights, to justices he appointed. His recent pardons reflect an effort to reconnect with his base, following a series of high-profile clemencies since his second presidential term began. sources

Published:
Jan 24 2025, 6 am

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