US announces nearly $1 bn in new military aid for Ukraine

 The United States on Saturday announced a new $988 million security assistance package for Ukraine as Washington races to provide aid to Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Trump's November election victory has cast doubt on the future of American aid for Ukraine, providing a limited window for billions of dollars in already authorized assistance to be provided before he is sworn in next month.

The package features drones, ammunition for precision HIMARS rocket launchers, and equipment and spare parts for artillery systems, tanks and armored vehicles, the Pentagon said in a statement.

The aid will be funded via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, under which military equipment is procured from the defence industry or partners rather than drawn from American stocks, meaning it will not immediately arrive on the battlefield.

Paris unveils famed Notre-Dame Cathedral after mammoth five-year reconstruction

After five years of intense restoration works following a devastating fire, the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris reopened its doors on Saturday evening. With a symbolic three knocks from Archbishop Laurent Ulrich and a standing ovation for the heroes who saved it, the cathedral’s rebirth was marked by a moving ceremony of song, prayer, and celebration.

France celebrated the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral on Saturday at a special church service that featured a standing ovation for the firefighters who saved the 12th-century landmark from destruction during a 2019 blaze.

A two-hour service attended by incoming US president Donald Trump among other world leaders began with the archbishop of Paris knocking on the doors of the cathedral three times.

"Notre Dame, model of faith, open your doors to bring together the far-flung children of God in joy," archbishop Laurent Ulrich commanded, banging with a wooden staff crafted from a roof beam that survived the inferno five years ago. 

Storm Darragh: Fire crews called to Oxfordshire flats

 

Fire crews were called to an incident at some south Oxfordshire flats due to reported Storm Darragh damages.

A road in the south Oxfordshire town was reportedly temporarily closed while firefighters with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue responded to an incident at some flats.

Eyewitnesses saw fire crews respond to an incident at St Mary's flats on Ormond Road in Wantage this evening (Saturday, December 7) around 7pm.

One witness reportedly removed bricks from the roadway that had fallen from the roof of the building.

Eyewitnesses saw firefighters working to remove what appeared to be part of the roof hanging from the building.

Emergency services have responded to numerous calls across Oxfordshire throughout today, Saturday, December 7, due to Storm Darragh.

There have been numerous reports of trees falling across roadways all over Oxfordshire.

Asia, Middle East Take the Lead in Internet Speed Rankings for 2024

 Asia and the Middle East continue to lead the global rankings in mobile internet speeds, outpacing powerful nations like the United States. Since 2018, 1.5 billion people have come online, yet the digital divide persists, with significant disparities in speed and data usage across regions.

High-income countries experience median mobile broadband speeds that are five times greater than those found in low-income nations, and they generate twenty times more data traffic per capita. Despite this, the most recent findings from Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index, which utilizes data gathered until October 2024, indicate significant changes in global rankings.

The United Arab Emirates and Qatar maintain their leading positions, while Kuwait has made an unexpected advancement to the third position. Kuwait’s median download speed of 258.51 Mbps now positions it among the foremost mobile internet providers, representing a significant enhancement from 2023, when it failed to secure a place within the top five.

Denmark and Bulgaria have ascended into the top five rankings, with Denmark advancing two positions to attain a median bandwidth of 149.73 Mbps. Concurrently, Bulgaria ascended three positions to establish its standing within the prestigious group. South Korea, which was previously a leading competitor, has now completely exited the top five rankings.

In contrast, Pakistan is positioned 100th in the world regarding mobile internet capabilities, exhibiting a median download speed of 20.61 Mbps. In the realm of broadband connectivity, Pakistan ranks 141st, with a median download speed of 15.6 Mbps. However, the nation has demonstrated modest advancement, ascending two positions in the broadband rankings.

These rankings underscore the increasing digital divide between high-income and low-income countries. As the Middle East and Asia establish benchmarks for mobile internet speeds, regions that are currently languishing must confront infrastructure challenges to remain competitive in the digital era.

As mobile internet becomes progressively essential, global attention is focused on how these changes in speed and accessibility will influence connectivity in the upcoming years,

Google Search Set for Profound Changes by 2025, Says Sundar Pichai

 Google CEO, Sundar Pichai, recently stated that the company’s search engine would undergo a significant evolution by 2025, owing to advanced artificial intelligence.

Sundar Pichai spoke at the New York Times’ DealBook Summit, expressing trust in artificial intelligence as the driving force behind revolution. “Search itself will continue to change profoundly in 2025,” he stated. “I think you’ll be surprised, even early in [2025], by the newer things search can do compared to where it is today.”

These updates are intended to revolutionize how individuals locate and engage with information. revealed that even as early as 2025, individuals would discover improved search capabilities.

Recent advances include AI-powered summary creation and improved video search capabilities via Google Lens. Furthermore, Google’s model Gemini, which enables some of the AI applications presently in use, will be improved. Over a billion people already utilize AI-powered technologies embedded into Google products.

Google is currently undertaking preparations for a significant update to its Gemini model to enhance its competitive stance against competitors, including Microsoft and OpenAI.

Pichai emphasized that artificial intelligence technologies, such as BERT and MUM, have significantly enhanced the precision and efficacy of search results. He remarked that more than one billion consumers interact with AI features powered by Gemini.

During the summit, Sundar Pichai responded to remarks made earlier this year by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who posited that Google ought to have been the “default winner” in the competition for artificial intelligence supremacy. Pichai made a pointed remark regarding Microsoft’s dependence on OpenAI models, stating, “I would love to do a side-by-side comparison of Microsoft’s own models and our models. They’re using someone else’s models.”

The discussion also shifted to the point of balance between fair use and compensation for content creators. While Pichai referenced Google’s licensing agreements with platforms such as Reddit, the Associated Press, and The New York Times, he recognized the persistent discourse surrounding the significance of intellectual property in the context of artificial intelligence.

Sundar Pichai proposed that a forthcoming marketplace may enable creators to produce content tailored specifically for artificial intelligence models and receive direct remuneration for their contributions.

Sundar Pichai concluded by emphasizing the importance of search in an age overwhelmed by information. “In a world inundated with content, search becomes even more valuable,” he said. With significant changes on the horizon, Google is preparing to remain a leader in the AI-driven development of technology.

Google’s New AI Model GenCast Revolutionizes Weather Forecasting

 Google has introduced a cutting-edge AI model, GenCast, which is set to transform weather forecasting by providing more accurate predictions up to 15 days in advance. This high-resolution (0.25°) ensemble model outperforms traditional systems like ECMWF’s ENS, offering superior accuracy for both daily weather and extreme events.

Unlike prior models, which produced a single prediction of future weather, GenCast employs 50 or more simulations to reflect numerous possibilities, providing a more complete view of probable outcomes. It uses four decades of global meteorological data to provide more exact predictions for severe circumstances such as heatwaves, high winds, and tropical cyclones.

One of the most noteworthy improvements of GenCast is its speed. Unlike previous models, which need hours of supercomputing power, GenCast produces a 15-day prediction in 8 minutes using a single Google Cloud TPU v5. This quick processing guarantees that decision-makers obtain accurate projections for long-term planning and emergency action.

GenCast is also making significant advancements in areas beyond meteorological forecasting. For instance, it enhances the forecasting of wind power, thereby facilitating the planning of renewable energy initiatives, and it bolsters disaster preparedness by providing precise predictions of extreme weather phenomena.

In line with Google’s dedication to the advancement of artificial intelligence and meteorological science, GenCast is being launched as an open-source model. This enables researchers and meteorologists globally to incorporate its outputs into their respective procedures, thereby promoting collaboration and advancing innovation in the field of weather forecasting.

GenCast’s integration of rapid processing, precision, and sophisticated artificial intelligence technology establishes it as an essential resource for both industries and governmental entities confronting the escalating challenges posed by extreme weather events and climate change. With its launch, Google is facilitating the provision of more dependable and expeditious weather forecasts, yielding extensive advantages for both society and the environment.

Is TikTok’s Popularity at Risk? Ban Expected by January 2025

 The United States federal appeals court has affirmed a statute mandating that ByteDance, a Chinese-owned entity, divest its widely-used short-video application, TikTok, by January 19th, 2025, or confront a nationwide prohibition.

The ruling amplifies scrutiny of TikTok, which boasts 170 million users in the United States and indicates an increasing bipartisan determination to address perceived national security threats emanating from China.

Asserting that the laws align with constitutional clauses, the three-judge panel, which consists of Sri Srinivasan, Neomi Rao, and Douglas Ginsburg, rejected the legal concerns TikHub and users brought forth.

They underscored the law as a result of bipartisan cooperation and a response to “a well-substantiated national security threat posed by the People’s Republic of China.”

TikTok has announced its intention to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court, with CEO Shou Zi Chew terming the decision “disappointing” in an email to staff.

The law’s implications have drawn sharp criticism from digital rights advocates. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argued that banning TikTok infringes on the First Amendment rights of millions of Americans who rely on the platform for expression and communication.

Michael Hughes, a spokesperson for TikTok, reiterated the company’s stance, calling the ban “outright censorship.” He added that the company believes the Supreme Court will safeguard the constitutional rights of Americans, asserting, “This decision silences over 170 million voices without concrete evidence of harm.”

The ruling occurs within the context of intensifying tensions between the United States and China, characterized by the implementation of restrictions by both countries on vital industries. The administration of President Joe Biden has adopted a resolute position regarding potential data vulnerabilities associated with Chinese technology, having previously implemented restrictions on China’s semiconductor industry.

In response, Beijing prohibited the export of essential raw materials, including gallium and germanium, which are critical to the technology sector in the United States. The Chinese Embassy in Washington condemned the court’s ruling as a “blatant act of commercial robbery,” cautioning that it may jeopardize diplomatic relations.

The Department of Justice has consistently cautioned that the Chinese ownership of TikTok presents significant risks, particularly to the potential misuse of user data by the Chinese government. Attorney General Merrick Garland characterized a recent judicial ruling as “a critical step in blocking Beijing’s ability to weaponize TikTok.” Proponents of the prohibition, including Congressman Josh Gottheimer, contend that the platform has the potential to disseminate Chinese propaganda and sway public opinion.

TikTok has addressed these concerns by asserting that its operations within the United States are autonomous and that the data of American users is stored domestically by Oracle. Despite these assurances, critics continue to express skepticism owing to ByteDance’s affiliations with Beijing.

The company is experiencing mounting pressure from state governments, exemplified by Montana’s enactment of a TikTok ban earlier this year; however, a judicial ruling has impeded its enforcement. As the deadline for ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations draws near, the resolution of an impending Supreme Court appeal may establish a substantial precedent for foreign-owned platforms operating within the United States. As the situation evolves, the millions of TikTok users in the United States may soon be compelled to consider alternative platforms.

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Punjab Launches Free Solar Panel Scheme for 100,000 Consumers

 In an effort to mitigate the financial burden associated with escalating electricity expenses, the Punjab government has introduced an innovative initiative known as the “CM Punjab Free Solar Panel Scheme.”

The initiative, designed to supply solar systems to 100,000 consumers within the forthcoming year, was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. During the inauguration, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz underscored that the initiative would provide enduring respite to consumers grappling with elevated electricity costs.

“The free solar panel scheme aims to provide permanent relief to the public from high electricity costs,” she stated. Moreover, she emphasized the beneficial effects of prior governmental initiatives, indicating that 73 million consumers in Punjab had already reaped the advantages of a subsidy of Rs 14 per unit for electricity.

The initiative highlights the Punjab government’s sustained dedication to improving living standards and ensuring that public resources are allocated for the benefit of the populace.

The Provincial Secretary for Energy delivered a comprehensive briefing, elucidating that the installation of solar systems would be directed toward both urban and rural regions, thereby offering solar energy solutions to households throughout the province.

Eligibility and Installation Details

The initiative will supply solar energy systems to consumers whose monthly electricity consumption does not exceed 200 units. Individuals who utilize up to 100 units will be provided with a 550-watt solar system, whereas households that consume up to 200 units per month will be assigned a 1,100-watt system.

The initiative is anticipated to substantially diminish carbon emissions by 57,000 tons per year, while concurrently alleviating the financial burden on the federal government through a reduction in electricity subsidies.

Punjab’s dedication to advancing sustainable energy is demonstrated by the allocation of specialized funds in the forthcoming fiscal year’s budget for the implementation of solar energy systems.

How to Apply

Residents interested in participating in the scheme can apply through the official online portal at cmsolarscheme.punjab.gov.pk or by sending their information via SMS to the number 8800 before 5th January 2025.

Applicants are required to submit their Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) along with reference numbers from their electricity invoices for verification. To uphold principles of impartiality and transparency, a computerized ballot system will be employed to determine the recipients.

A helpline will be established shortly to facilitate users in navigating the scheme. This initiative exemplified the government’s dedication to enhancing affordability and promoting energy sustainability for the inhabitants of the province.

CKay - Love Nwantiti [Acoustic Version]