New Delhi: The government on Sunday said that based on the recommendations of 15th Finance Commission (XV-FC), Rs 71,889 crore has been released to the states under various heads for FY 2024-25. The 15th Finance Commission had recommended the grants-in-aid of Rs 71,889 crore to the state governments under heads like grants to local bodies; post devolution revenue deficit grant; central share of state disaster response fund and state disaster mitigation fund and health sector grant, among others, for the year 2024-25 (upto December 10). In a post on X social media platform, the Ministry of Finance also said that “based on the recommendation of @MinOfPower, Department of Expenditure @FinMinIndia allowed additional borrowing of 0.5 per cent of GSDP worth around 1.56 lakh crore linked to performance in power sector for FY2024-25”. Based on the recommendations of 15th Finance Commission (XV-FC), Rs. 71,889 crore has been released to the States under various heads for FY 2024-25. #FinMinYearReview2024 #ExpenditureInitiatives #ViksitBharat pic.twitter.com/ptUIENz5pm “The Department of Expenditure @FinMinIndia allows extra borrowing ceiling of nearly Rs 9.40 lakh crore to states in FY2024-25,” it further added. According to the ministry, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through Public Financial Management System (PFMS) supports ‘Digital India’ by enabling electronic payment and receipt for ministries/departments in both centre and states. “Department of Expenditure @FinMinIndia has been consistently improving DBT linkages between beneficiaries and onboarding with external systems to facilitate greater #EaseOfLiving,” the ministry posted. Meanwhile, the government has also unveiled the Delegation of Financial Powers Rules, 2024 — a landmark initiative that aims to imbue financial regulations with simplicity and clarity for streamlined decision-making and enhanced operational efficiency. Also, based on the recommendation of the New Pension System (NPS) Review Committee, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) in August this year.Biden says Assad’s fall in Syria is a ‘fundamental act of justice,’ but ‘a moment of risk’
The arrest of Mr. Evans marks a critical turning point in the case, providing investigators with valuable information that could lead to a potential breakthrough in uncovering the truth behind Mr. Carter's murder. The authorities are now focusing on gathering additional evidence and building a strong case against the suspect to ensure justice is served.The spread of this myth has led to a flurry of memes, jokes, and even elaborate conspiracy theories about the potential implications of the Pepsi Coke collaboration. Some netizens have speculated that the partnership is a ploy by Coca-Cola to eliminate its competition once and for all, while others have suggested that the joint product will possess supernatural powers that make consumers crave only Coca-Cola.
The story began decades ago, when Uncle Tom, the younger brother of a respected local farmer, came to stay with his family for the summer. Uncle Tom was a mysterious man, with a brooding presence and a dark past that seemed to follow him wherever he went. Despite his enigmatic nature, the farmer welcomed his brother with open arms, eager to reconnect with the sibling he had not seen in years.
With his unique ability to push boundaries and challenge traditional norms, White Jingting is reshaping the outdoor fashion landscape, infusing it with a touch of modernity and sophistication. Whether he is hitting the trails for a weekend adventure or attending a red carpet event, he always manages to strike the perfect balance between functionality and fashion, inspiring his followers to embrace their individuality and express themselves through their personal style.and were home sick. was in the back getting his injured ankle treated. and Jaxson Hayes weren’t healthy enough to participate in a full practice. And still, there was optimism. Friday marked the beginning of a stretch when the truly can unpack and get comfortable, the rigors of the NBA and its travel schedule about to slow down for the longest stretch of their season. Beginning Saturday against Sacramento, 11 of their next 14 games are in Los Angeles. Ten will be at home (one will be the Lakers’ Intuit Dome debut against the Clippers). Heading into Friday’s games around the NBA, the Lakers (17-13) had played a conference-high 17 road games, tied with the Utah Jazz for most in the West. Only the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers had played more road games. “We’ve played together, tried to play the right way,” coach said after practice. “I think our game plan discipline has been really good. So I like where our team is at. I like where our team is trending. I’m going to really like it when we’re completely healthy.” Hachimura and James are questionable for Saturday because of illnesses. Davis also will be listed as questionable because of the ankle injury he suffered in the first quarter on Christmas. He told The Times after the game that he expected to be “fine.” Russell, who missed that win over the Golden State Warriors, was able to take part in the noncontact portions of Friday’s practice with his sprained thumb and seemed on track to return against the Kings (13-18). And Hayes, who has played just once since Nov. 10 because of consecutive injuries to his right ankle, also participated in some noncontact portions of practice. He appears close to returning after Redick termed him “day to day.” Redick said Hayes “moved well” in practice Friday, the Lakers close to adding a dynamic big man back to their bench lineups. “Offensively for us, just the rim running, the pace with which he’s able to get from one action to the next as a big. He’s really good in the half court at screening, rolling, getting back to a second action. And [Russell], with some of the lob stuff, he just, he puts pressure on the rim as a roller,” Redick said of what the Lakers have missed without Hayes. “And then defensively, he had his best stretch for us prior to being injured. He had a four- or five-game stretch where he was great on both ends and he was also crashing. He was getting offensive rebounds for us. So we’ve missed him.” The Lakers don’t have timetables for Christian Wood and Jared Vanderbilt, who both have yet to play this season. However, Redick said he hoped both would be back during this stretch of home games. Asked about potential evaluations of the roster prior to the Feb. 6. trade deadline, Redick said he thinks a complete Lakers roster is good enough to fight. “Rob [Pelinka, GM] and I, we talk all the time, but my focus is on coaching this group and trying to maximize this group,” Redick said. "Frankly, I have belief that when this group is healthy, we can compete. If there’s a move to be made, there’s a move to be made, but I’m focused on this group.” This story originally appeared in .
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2024 shook the world in more ways than one. It was the rumble of discontent as half the world went to the polls. It was the shudder that went through financial markets following the largest-ever IT outage. It was the Earth shaking, literally, as thousands danced at the biggest concert tour in history. It was the shock waves that bloodshed in Ukraine, Gaza and more than 50 other conflict zones sent across the globe. From politics to pop culture, climate to conflict, the charts below reveal seven ways 2024 sent records tumbling. Global conflict reached new heights 2024 ranks among the most violent years in recent history, according to at least two datasets tracking armed conflict around the world. Political violence hit a high in 2024 Political violence rose for the third year in a row in 2024 to nearly 180,000 events, spurred mainly by conflicts in Ukraine, the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Myanmar, according to the US-based . A "political violence event" is defined as a single altercation where force is used by one or more groups toward a political end. The upward trend in conflict is backed by separate figures from the Sweden-based , which rank 2024 as the equal-second most violent year (alongside 2020 and 2022) in nearly three decades of records. The dataset counts state-based armed conflicts with at least 25 deaths in any calendar year. With a month to go, 2024 was already the second-most violent year since WWII According to unpublished data shared with the ABC, UDCP has tallied 56 such conflicts from January to November 2024. This is three fewer than 2023, the worst year since 1946. However, the 2024 figure is based on provisional data, so could rise. "The final figure will be at least 56 but could be higher when [data for] December is added and everything is finalised," UCDP project manager Therese Pettersson told the ABC. Sarah Phillips, Professor of Global Conflict and Development at the University of Sydney, said we're seeing more conflicts around the world because weakened states have allowed or even encouraged violent groups like militia and terrorists to flourish. "We talk about states as the primary unit of power in the world, but the reality is that they have been hollowed out for decades," she says. "As state power becomes more tenuous, many leaders hold on ... by turning a blind eye to, or even facilitating, the violent groups that would seem to be their natural rivals." It's a kind of divide-and-conquer strategy aimed at fragmenting the state's opponents. But it often comes with unintended consequences, Professor Phillips explained. "This is a common tactic but the more it's used, the more it cannibalises the legitimacy of the state and feeds opposition to it, amplifying the cycle of violence." Half the world went to the polls More than 60 countries plus the 27 member states of the European Union held elections in 2024. Combined, these countries are home to some 4.2 billion people or half the world's population. 2024 was the biggest-ever election year From Senegal to South Korea, power in 2024 shifted at a sometimes dizzying pace. In the UK, the Conservative Party lost its 14-year grip on power while across the channel in Europe, far-right parties took centre stage. South Africa's African National Congress lost its majority for the first time since taking power in the country's first democratic elections in 1994. Mexico elected its first female president in a landslide. Mass government protests in Bangladesh forced the prime minister to flee following a poll boycotted by the main opposition party. In Iran, conservatives won most of the seats in a contest with the lowest voter turnout since the 1979 revolution. Meanwhile, the US is poised for a convicted felon to assume the presidency for the first time. Perhaps what emerges most clearly from the tumult is a desire for change, in whatever form. The ParlGov global research project found every single governing party facing election in a developed country this year lost vote share — a first in nearly 120 years of records, . This is the disinhibiting power of hopelessness, according to Michael Bruter, director of the Electoral Psychology Observatory at the London School of Economics and Political Science. When things feel so bad that they can't get worse, some people will vote for parties they don't believe have the solutions, . "The situation is so desperate that they want change at any cost." Taylor Swift eclipsed all concert tours in history It shattered numerous attendance records, produced the highest-grossing concert film ever and triggered seismic activity equivalent to a 2.3-magnitude earthquake with its dancing, . By virtually any measure, Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, which wrapped up in Vancouver, Canada on December 8, was an astronomical success. So below we've illustrated just one data point: Eras sold an unprecedented $US2.078 billion ($3.33 billion) in tickets, according to Swift's production company. This is more than double the previous record and eclipses every other concert tour in history, even after adjusting for inflation and the number of shows. The 20 highest-grossing concert tours in history Liz Giuffre, a senior lecturer in communication and music, and sound design at UTS, said many of Swift's biggest fans are groups that have always been big concert-goers but are often overlooked. "She has such strong appeal for young women, girls and LGBTQI+ audiences... Think about how powerful the early Beatles were," she says, pointing out that, in demographic terms, Swift and the Beatles share the same group of fans. "There's a real force in this demographic; one that seldom gets as strongly served, especially by a female artist." Ozempic's maker became a $US500 billion behemoth Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, manufacturer of weight-loss wonder drug Ozempic, hit a market capitalisation of half-a-trillion US dollars ($800.77 billion) in 2024. Novo Nordisk is bigger than Denmark's entire economy Despite the company's history stretching back 100 years, Novo Nordisk only recently exploded into the public eye when social media videos spruiking Ozempic for rapid weight loss went viral and celebrities like Elon Musk and Kim Kardashian publicly lauded the drug for its weight-loss effects. The worldwide stampede and resulting global shortage of the injectable medicine has created serious problems for people who need the drug for its original purpose: to treat diabetes. Now, Novo Nordisk's spectacular growth has sparked new concerns in its home country. With a market value larger than Denmark's annual GDP, Novo Nordisk was the key force behind the expansion of Denmark's economy last year, fuelling fears that if Novo Nordisk stumbles or falls, . We're headed for the hottest year on record 2024 is set to be the warmest year since records began in the 1850s and the first year to average 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, . 2024 will be the first year to exceed the 1.5oC threshold Average temperatures for 16 of the past 17 months reached past the 1.5 degree threshold set by the Paris Agreement. November 2024 was 1.62 degrees above the pre-industrial level (1840-1900). The global average temperature in 2024 is virtually certain to be more than 1.55oC, compared to 1.48oC in 2023, according to ERA5 data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service. 2023 previously held the title for hottest year on record. "For 2024 to not be warmer than 2023, the average temperature anomaly for the remaining two months of this year would have to decrease by an unprecedented amount, nearly reaching zero," . Artificial intelligence sent emissions soaring Our seemingly insatiable appetite for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency has added a whole new dimension to the problem of reducing emissions. According to one estimate, the computational power needed to sustain the rise of AI alone is . The International Energy Agency (IEA) , fuelled by the rise of AI and cryptocurrency mining. This mammoth demand for energy comes with enormous environmental impacts. Tech titans Meta, Microsoft and Google — Meta's rose by 65 per cent in two years, Google's by 48 per cent in five years and Microsoft by 40 per cent in four years. Paul Haskell-Dowland, professor of computing and security at Edith Cowan University, said investing in green technologies alongside AI might buy us enough time to reach the point where AI itself could recommend ways to solve the problem. Another shorter-term possibility with more dramatic consequences, is companies charging for AI products as a way to reduce demand. Such a move, he warned, "would also introduce significant disadvantage to those unable or unwilling to afford the 'premium' services". A Chat-GPT text query uses nearly 10 times the power of a traditional Google search; an AI-powered Google search uses roughly 26 times the energy as the old-fashioned search. But these are a drop in the ocean compared to a single bitcoin transaction. This sucks up roughly 3.3 million times as much energy as a traditional Google search. AI and cryptocurrency have turbocharged energy consumption An 'embarrassing' blunder caused the worst-ever tech outage The faulty software update by US cybersecurity company Crowdstrike threw airports into chaos, sent banks and other businesses into meltdown and from Fortune 500 companies. Crowdstrike apologised "unreservedly" for the failure after its CEO George Kurtz was called to testify before the US Congress and explain what happened. But the most embarrassing part, according to one expert, was that the dodgy update that trapped millions of users in a blue screen of death (BSOD) loop is the kind of mistake that . Reporting and data: Design and development: Related topics Armed Conflict Artificial Intelligence Australia Business, Economics and Finance Climate Change Computer Science Cryptocurrency Denmark Elections Gaza Information Technology Industry Music Music Industry Myanmar Pharmaceutical Industry Pharmaceuticals Ukraine War World Politics
Stepping onto the stage for the first time was a nerve-wracking experience. The familiar comfort of a TV studio was replaced by the vast expanse of a theater, where live audiences hung on every word and gesture. The immediacy of the feedback, the energy of the crowd, and the adrenaline rush of performing live created a different kind of adrenaline rush, one that **(former CCTV host's name)** had never experienced before.At the heart of 'Feast Chronicles' lies a unique and complex cross-border romance that promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The show follows the intertwining lives of two individuals from vastly different backgrounds, whose paths cross in the most unexpected and enchanting of ways.
India plans intact; to add more headcount despite global turbulence: Nissan
NoneIn a surprising move that has sent shockwaves through the transportation industry, the German railway freight company has announced a plan to lay off 5000 employees as part of a strategic restructuring to cut costs and streamline operations. The company, which has been facing increasing competition and financial challenges in recent years, is now looking to overhaul its business model and make significant changes to ensure its long-term sustainability and success.
The Transportation Security Administration has some reminders for those heading to airports during the holidays. “People seem to forget some of the more common and routine steps that they need to take when packing for a flight or when they are going through a checkpoint, perhaps because they’re focused on being at their destination and not focusing on what needs to happen before getting there,” said TSA officer Christopher Kirchein of John F. Kennedy International Airport. “Travelers sometimes ignore the advice that we give them,” said TeaNeisha Barker, a TSA uniformed adviser. “We are providing guidance so that they get through the checkpoint as simply and conveniently as possible. Not every airport has the same technology, so listen to the guidance we are offering.” “Passengers forget that knives and other weapons are not allowed through our checkpoints. It’s shocking to see so many people with knives,” said TSA officer Aisha Hicks of Philadelphia International Airport. “Weapons of any kind are prohibited through a TSA checkpoint.” TSA officers shared this list of the common things that travelers forget and should remember when coming to a security checkpoint. Ten things that travelers need to remember when preparing to go through the security screening process: • Remember that you cannot bring bottles of water, energy drinks, juice, coffee, soda or any filled insulated reusable container through a security checkpoint. However, they can finish their beverage and bring the empty bottle or container with them. • Remember to bring your ID to the checkpoint. • Remember when TSA officers remind you to remove everything from your pockets that it does not only mean metallic items such as keys and mobile phones, but it means everything, including non-metallic items such as tissues, lip balm, breath mints, etc. • Remember that you cannot bring a firearm through a checkpoint. Instead, pack your unloaded firearm in a locked hard-sided case and declare it at your airline check-in counter and the airline will ensure it is transported in the belly of the plane where nobody has access to it. • Remember that you need to remove your shoes when getting screened and then end up barefoot on the floor. It’s probably a good idea to wear socks. • Remember that children 12 and under are allowed to travel through a TSA PreCheck screening lane with a parent who has TSA PreCheck on their boarding pass. In addition, don’t forget that children up to the age of 18 can also come into the TSA PreCheck lane with their parent if they are on the same airline reservation as their parent. • Remember that passengers that appear 12 and under or 75 and older do not need to remove their shoes and light jacket. • Remember, if you are putting a lock on your luggage, make sure it is a TSA compatible lock so that if TSA officers need to open your luggage, they can unlock it and relock it. If the lock is not TSA compliant, TSA officers who need to open your luggage will cut off the lock, rendering it useless. • Remember that you can bring medications through a security checkpoint, even liquid medication. Just let the TSA officer know that you have liquid medication with you so it can be screened separately. • Remember to get a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license sooner rather than later because REAL ID goes into effect on May 7.TOKYO , Dec. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Representatives from China and Japan shared their insights on promoting artificial intelligence (AI) governance and data sharing at a sub-forum of the 20th Beijing-Tokyo Forum in Tokyo recently. The sub-forum contributed eastern wisdom to AI governance and digital social development, demonstrating the significance of international cooperation for the development of the digital economy, according to Gao Shaolin, advisor at Peking University's Legal Artificial Intelligence Research Center. AI governance framework The participants agreed that the next 10 years will be a critical period for the development of AI. Gao Wen, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), said since China's State Council issued a guideline on developing AI in 2017, the nation has made significant progress in AI research and development and industrial layout, especially in computing power and 5G network construction. By the end of 2023, China had over half of the world's 1.57 billion 5G users, according to the World Internet Development Report 2024. It ranked second globally in AI and computing power scale, which has laid a solid foundation for the rapid development of AI. Tatsuo Yamazaki , project professor at the International University of Health and Welfare, said it was very meaningful for Japan and China to discuss strengthening AI governance rules. Fumihiko Kamio , research director of the Nomura Research Institute, echoed his view. He emphasized that the core goal of AI technology is to improve productivity and eliminate obstacles to social development, and called on Chinese and Japanese experts to work together to build an AI governance framework to cope with the global challenges. Deepening international cooperation China put forth the Global AI Governance Initiative in October last year. In July, the UN General Assembly adopted a China -sponsored resolution on enhancing international cooperation on AI capacity-building. The participants spoke highly of the Global Cross-Border Data Flow Cooperation Initiative recently proposed by China . They agreed that AI governance requires global collaboration, especially in the formulation of international standards and the construction of ethical frameworks, where China and Japan can play an active role. Ding Wenhua, academician of the CAE, said China and Japan have both similarities and differences in technology development and governance priorities, so deepening cooperation will bring unique value to global AI governance. " China and Japan should deepen AI technology cooperation between enterprises, work together in AI security research, talent exchange, and jointly explore more possibilities for the application of technology," Wang Zhongyuan , president of the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence, said. Balancing development & risks AI governance refers to the guardrails established to ensure AI systems and tools remain safe and ethical and respect human rights. Xu Zhilong , editor-in-chief of Science and Technology Daily, stressed that AI, as a revolutionary technology, has far-reaching impacts on all areas of society and economy. However, its potential risks such as data leakage and the spread of false information should not be ignored. "Technological progress and security ethics should be developed in a balanced way to ensure that AI technology always serves the progress of human civilization," Xu said. AI governance should not only heed the current technological ethics issues, but also prevent possible long-term risks, such as AI going out of human control, according to Toshio Iwamoto , senior corporate advisor of NTT DATA. He said AI R&D and application should abide by the principles of fairness, transparency, safety and availability. Yuan Yue, chairman of Beijing Dataway Horizon, shared his view from the perspective of regulatory models. "Policy choices should be based on the current status and goals of national technological development," Yuan said, adding that China prefers to provide a more friendly development environment for enterprises while ensuring an effective response to risks. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/science-and-technology-daily-promoting-ai-governance-jointly-302332050.html SOURCE Science and Technology DailyThe first signal that caught the attention of market participants was the sudden surge in trading volume across various sectors. Unprecedented levels of trading activity were observed, reflecting heightened investor interest and a flurry of buying and selling. This surge in volume is often interpreted as a precursor to increased market volatility and potential price fluctuations. As investors scrambled to adjust their positions, the market atmosphere grew increasingly tense, with uncertainty looming large.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee running back is heading to the NFL draft after leading the Southeastern Conference in rushing and setting a handful of school records. The announced his intention Friday to leave after his junior season. He helped the seventh-ranked Vols go 10-3 with a first-round loss in the College Football Playoff where Sampson was limited by an injured hamstring. Sampson thanked his family, Tennessee coaches and fans, saying he learned so much and had the chance to be part of something special. Tennessee went 3-7 in 2020, and he leaves with the Vols having won 30 games over his three seasons. “I poured my heart and soul into this program and this community,” Sampson wrote. “With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.” Sampson set a school record running for 1,491 yards. He also set a program record with a league-best 22 rushing touchdowns, breaking a mark that had stood for 95 years. He was part of coach Josh Heupel's first full signing class in December 2021 out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He also set school records for total touchdowns scored (22), points scored (132) and consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (11). He led the SEC in nine different categories, including rushing attempts (258), rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, 100-yard rushing games with 10, averaging 114.7 yards rushing per game, points scored, points per game (10.2), all-purpose yards (1,638) and all-purpose yards per game (126.0). He finished this season tied for fifth all-time in the SEC ranks for rushing TDs in a single season with Leonard Fournette of LSU. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP college football: andIn a world where selfishness and greed seem to dominate the headlines, a heartwarming story has emerged that restores faith in the inherent goodness of humanity. A Rolls-Royce owner, who was recently involved in a car accident, has decided to donate all of the tips he has received as a ride-sharing driver to those in need.
Amidst these discussions and debates, the U.S. government has issued statements reiterating its commitment to fighting terrorism and promoting stability in Syria. Officials have emphasized the importance of finding a balance between supporting local partners like the SDF and respecting the concerns of allies like Turkey. The delicate diplomatic dance required in navigating these complex relationships highlights the challenges of crafting a coherent and effective foreign policy in the volatile Middle East.
As the final whistle blew and the crowd erupted in cheers, it was clear that Sandberg's triumph over Arsenal was not just a victory on the scoreboard but a triumph of the human spirit. The team had overcome a daunting challenge and emerged victorious, etching their names in the annals of football history with a performance that will be remembered for years to come.In addition to the technical aspects of the system, Wang Chun Qin also highlighted the importance of fair play and sportsmanship in esports. He emphasized that success in esports should be based on skill, dedication, and hard work, rather than on external factors or controversies. Wang Chun Qin encouraged his fellow players to focus on developing their abilities and honing their competitive spirit, rather than worrying about outside influences.Science and Technology Daily: Promoting AI Governance Jointly