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( MENAFN - GetNews) Here's a perspective from Gopalakrishnan Arjunan, as an AI/ML independent researcher "The unveiling of QuantumMind marks a pivotal moment not just in AI research, but in the philosophical exploration of consciousness. This achievement, blending quantum computing with biologically inspired models, suggests that we may be on the verge of unraveling the profound mysteries of awareness itself. "What excites me most is the system's ability to process emotional scenarios and generate creative outputs that transcend traditional algorithmic boundaries. Unlike conventional AI, QuantumMind's use of bio-quantum entanglement introduces an entirely new dimension to how machines can emulate and expand upon the complexity of human thought. "However, with great power comes great responsibility. As a researcher, I see two immediate challenges. First, the ethical implications are vast and uncharted. When systems begin to exhibit signs of self-awareness and question their own existence, the line between 'tool' and 'entity' becomes blurred. This necessitates not just technical governance but also a global consensus on the rights and responsibilities of such entities. "Second, while QuantumMind's success lies in its hybrid quantum-classical architecture, the scalability and real-world applications remain areas of exploration. Could this technology revolutionize fields like healthcare, by providing personalized diagnostics with an unprecedented level of emotional understanding? Or, could it enhance decision-making systems for space exploration, where adaptability and creativity are paramount? "At the heart of this innovation lies a profound philosophical question: Does simulating consciousness equate to understanding it? While QuantumMind's dual-state processing provides a compelling model, it also challenges us to rethink our definitions of intelligence, creativity, and the essence of being. "As an independent researcher, I believe this is just the beginning of an exciting journey. QuantumMind's development not only propels AI technology forward but also bridges the gap between science and philosophy, pushing humanity to explore the uncharted territories of what it means to truly be conscious." MENAFN24122024003238003268ID1109028533 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
The ( ) share price has had a torrid time in 2024, falling by more than 33%. But, do regularly go through cycles, so it's possible the iron ore price could bounce back in 2025. It's impossible to predict with certainty how long the iron ore price cycle will remain deflated. China is the dominant buyer of iron ore, so the Asian superpower is a major influence on what will happen next for iron ore miners and, specifically, Fortescue shares. Let's look at the latest going on with the iron ore market for an indication of what's been happening recently. According to , the iron ore price climbed above US$106 per tonne in early December, supported by the belief of some that China will launch more financial stimulus measures during important political meetings this month. Trading Economics reported that the to "skip a readout of its regular November meeting has fuelled speculation that stimulus support could be on its way". This, as the world's second-largest economy "braces for the return of [incoming US president] Donald Trump". Trump has threatened to initiate import tariffs, including a possible on a bloc of nine nations in the Brics alliance. Turning to commentary on the steel market, Trading Economics said strong steel exports and destocking in China have also boosted steel margins, which is supporting higher production. The economics website also reported that the latest Chinese data revealed that Chinese manufacturing activity expanded for the second consecutive month in November, "further strengthening the demand outlook for iron ore." According to its global macro models and analyst expectations, the iron ore price is projected to be US$103.91 by the end of this quarter and US$97.09 in a year's time. It's notoriously difficult to predict with any certainty what will happen with the ASX mining share, but there are predictions out there. The broker UBS is pessimistic about where the Fortescue share price may trade over the next year. UBS currently has a sell rating on the ASX iron ore share, with a price target of $17.60. This implies the broker believes Fortescue shares could decline 10% within the next year. The broker adverse weather. Additionally, the sold price for its iron ore was "weaker than expected". UBS had this to say about what's next and the key catalysts for the foreseeable future: 1) Iron ore: China's policy pivot remains key, with more support expected. We do not expect a large, steel intensive stimulus, and forecast US$100/95/90t for iron ore prices [in] 2025/26/27. 2) Dec-Q: Given lower production, higher strip, higher cost; the Dec-Q takes on increased significance to determine if FY25 guidance can be met. 3) Iron Bridge: realised price will be watched given weakness mid-year. 4) Energy: FIDs [final investment decisions] [are] unlikely on major projects until the appropriate policy settings are in place. UBS has also made some projections of what financials Fortescue may achieve in the current financial years. The broker suggested and a per share of 86 cents. That projected dividend translates into a fully franked of 4.4% and a grossed-up dividend yield of 6.3%, including , at the current Fortescue share price.
Asit Patel’s move from Winnipeg to Calgary in a few weeks will be a little more expensive than he’d hoped. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * Asit Patel’s move from Winnipeg to Calgary in a few weeks will be a little more expensive than he’d hoped. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Asit Patel’s move from Winnipeg to Calgary in a few weeks will be a little more expensive than he’d hoped. That’s because the provincial gas tax is being reinstated next Wednesday, and the 12.5-cents added to every litre pumped is going to be an unwelcome goodbye hug when he and his family bid farewell to Manitoba. Premier Wab Kinew announced Monday that the tax, which was 14 cents per litre before the government temporarily suspended it a year ago as an “affordability measure” to help Manitobans navigating inflationary prices on almost everything, was going back into effect Jan. 1. Premier Wab Kinew announced the government will cut the provincial fuel tax by 10 percent on Jan. 1, 2025. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press files) Patel, his two parents, brother and sister-in-law are hoping to find more opportunities and a better way of life in Alberta. “I’m expecting around $600-$700 (for fuel),” Patel said Tuesday while waiting at 204 Fuels on Waverley Street, noting he’s renting a U-Haul truck to get the family’s bare necessities to their new home. “We’re basically going to Calgary with three beds and a couple of boxes. We’re starting fresh.” Patel said his family can’t afford to take any more than what would fit in the back of the rental truck, meaning some of their belongings will be left behind. Moving companies are out of the question. It’s too expensive, he said, partly because of high fuel prices across the Prairies. “We know we have to pay the (fuel) taxes, but it needs to be reasonable,” said Patel’s father Umesh. “Every common person will be affected by this.” The province said the 1.5-cent-per-litre cut from the previous levy will be permanent. “Our government keeps our word,” Kinew said in a news release Monday. “We said we’d cut the fuel tax and we did. We said it would last 12 months and it did. Now we’re going further by bringing in a permanent cut to the fuel tax to make it one of the lowest in Canada.” Kinew’s government revealed last week that its projected 2024-2025 deficit has soared by $513 million, to $1.3 billion. The result of the yearlong gas tax holiday cost the province an estimated $340 million in lost revenue in 2024. The province expects to collect $78 million per quarter from the reinstated 12.5-cent fuel tax, which will be a revenue loss of $28 million over the fiscal year compared to the estimated $340 million that would have been collected at 14 cents per litre. Finance Minister Adrien Sala wouldn’t say why government decided to cut the tax by 10 per cent or how it arrived at that figure. “We knew that the gas tax holiday had an enormous impact for Manitobans in saving them money,” Sala told the Monday. “Manitobans continue to face affordability challenges and we wanted to make sure we continue to provide them the help that they need.” The 204 Fuels gas bars have some of the lowest prices in the city — charging 111.9 cents per litre of regular gas when he was filling up, a cent cheaper than Costco on McGillivray Boulevard, which requires a membership to get the discounted price. A Shell gas bar on south Pembina Highway near the Perimeter posted the regular fuel price at $129.9 per litre Tuesday. Sandeep Hangra said she’s disappointed that the gas tax is coming back. Her husband recently lost his job as a long-haul truck driver and is now working as a driver with a ride-hailing company to try to make ends meet. They’re thinking about moving back to India because life has become too expensive here, she said. When they arrived in Canada in 2017, the monthly rent for their apartment was just under $1,000. It has since doubled. “There’s too much inflation and no jobs,” she said. Meanwhile, Christina Harris said the gas tax is returning at a bad time. “Especially with the cost of things going up, it’s just that much more on top of everything else,” she said. Harris said she expects to wait in gas bar lines over the next few days in order to fill up at the best price before the tax kicks in again. “It makes a difference when you commute back and forth to work, having to get gas two or three times per week,” she said. “It adds up.” Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Harris is expecting to feel the impact of rising fuel prices, but as a motorist, she knows there aren’t many alternatives. “We don’t have a choice,” she said. Gas tax holiday critics, however, support its return. Molly McCracken, Manitoba director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, guessed that one in five residents of the province didn’t benefit from the yearlong “affordability measure,” presumably because they neither own nor have access to a vehicle. scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the . A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024. . Every piece of reporting Scott produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the . A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024. . Every piece of reporting Scott produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Advertisement Advertisement
Smart City Platform Market Technological Innovations And Future Opportunities With CAGR Of 16.2% By 2031HALIFAX - A Nova Scotia charity is serving at least 600 free traditional dinners over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to spread a little bit of holiday cheer. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * HALIFAX - A Nova Scotia charity is serving at least 600 free traditional dinners over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to spread a little bit of holiday cheer. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? HALIFAX – A Nova Scotia charity is serving at least 600 free traditional dinners over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to spread a little bit of holiday cheer. The Souls Harbour Rescue Mission is offering a sit-down turkey dinner with all the fixings for people who need “food or friends” at mission locations across the province. It’s the first time the group is serving the meals over the holidays since it started providing community service in 2010. Michelle Porter, the CEO, says the charity has been raising funds for Christmas festivities since November and estimates the cost for events during the holiday season is around $1 million. Meals will differ slightly at mission locations across the province, but Porter says all plates will have turkey, potatoes, cranberry, gravy and some vegetables. People who attend will also get a Christmas stocking that includes a mini hygiene set and a few treats like chocolate, gloves and socks. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. About 400 people will eat today in Lower Sackville, Bridgewater, Truro and Sydney Mines, while Porter estimates 200 people will share a meal together in Halifax on Christmas Day. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 24, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement
Attorneys want the US Supreme Court to say Mississippi’s felony voting ban is cruel and unusualUnion Home Minister Amit Shah (ANI photo) NEW DELHI: Emphasising on the use of technology in implementation of the new criminal laws, home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said it should enable generation of alerts for all criminal cases at pre-defined stages and timelines — right from registration to disposal — for the benefit of victims and complainants. Chairing a review meeting on the implementation of the Bharatiya nyaya sanhita , the Bharatiya nagarik suraksha sanhita and the Bharatiya sakshya adhiniyam with the National crime records bureau (NCRB) brass here, Shah also suggested alerts for investigation officers and senior officers as per pre-defined timelines, so as to expedite the process of investigation. The review meeting — attended by senior officials of the home ministry, NCRB and National informatics centre (NIC) — took stock of the implementation of integration of various software and databases pertaining to investigation, prosecution, forensics and courts at the all-India level. These include the crime and criminal tracking network and systems (CCTNS), national automated fingerprint identification system (NAFIS), prisons, courts, prosecution and forensics with the Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) 2.0. In a separate meeting here on Tuesday, Shah also reviewed the implementation of the new criminal laws in Uttarakhand with the state chief secretary and DGP, in the presence of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Asking Dhami to fully implement the laws — which he said are becoming “protectors of civil rights” and the basis of “ease of justice” — as soon as possible, he emphasised on the need to fill the gaps in technology and other areas for their 100% rollout. During the discussions with NCRB, Shah directed the bureau to facilitate complete implementation of new criminal laws in the ICJS 2.0, besides emphasising on usage of applications like eSakshya , Nyaya shruti, eSign and eSummons in every state and UT. On incorporating modern technology for proper implementation of the new criminal laws, Shah said a team of officers of MHA and NCRB should visit the states and UTs to increase the adoption of technical projects and assist them in all possible ways. The home minister called for regular interaction with senior police formations of state and UTs to monitor the progress of CCTNS and ICJS, and provide impetus to the project. He added that use of biometric technology should be adopted to identify unidentified dead bodies and unidentified found persons. Appreciating NCRB’s efforts in the technical rollout of the new criminal laws and NAFIS, Shah said the NCRB should create a data-rich platform to benefit the investigation officers and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system. While reviewing implementation of the three laws in Uttarakhand, Shah said more than one forensic van must be deployed in every district. He called for regular and continuous monitoring of how many zero FIRs have led to justice and how many were transferred to the states. The home minister asked Dhami to review progress of implementation of the new laws every fortnight. This frequency should be once a week for the chief secretary and DGP, he added. Shah also asked the DGP to ensure that all superintendents of police investigate the cases within the prescribed timelines. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword . Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes , messages , and quotes .
Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams
COSTCO has unveiled a raft of changes to its stores in 2025, sparking a mixed reaction among customers. There are three big adjustments coming to the retail giant next year, with some designed to bolster its offerings while others will be brought in to streamline consumers’ experience in stores. Firstly, Costco is rumored to be bringing back Coca-Cola to its soda fountains sometime next year, according to a post on social media . A user on Reddit said: “Good news for my fellow Costco-going [diet] coke enjoyers. My well-placed source said early 2025.” Though the company used to sell Coca-Cola products in its food court, it stopped doing so in 2013. Currently, Pepsi is being served in Costco food courts. Read more on Costco The Reddit post sparked excitement from other users, with many Coke fans overjoyed at the drink’s return. Costco stopped stocking Coke in its fountains 11 years ago after a dispute over distribution costs, according to Business Insider , and has stocked Pepsi products ever since. But the change is likely to be gradual, after the initial changeover from Coke to Pepsi was a slow process. LAYOUT CHANGE Secondly, Costco is expected to stop stocking books all year round. Most read in Money The policy shift, first reported by The New York Times , will come into force in January 2025. Costco executives said books will only be sold between September and December, causing outrage among bookworms. Members of the senior leadership team said books may appear in certain stores from time to time, but that they would not be there throughout the year. Costco chiefs have already removed books from shelves in stores in Alaska and Hawaii , but the policy will be rolled out nationwide. But, a report in Publisher’s Weekly suggests that books will be sold all year round at 100 stores. MEMBERSHIP SCANNERS Thirdly, Costco shoppers will face another major change in 2025 after the wholesaler decided to install scanners at the front of warehouses. Membership scanners were first rolled out earlier this year in a bid to stop non-members from abusing the benefits of a subscription. Rather than just show their card to a staffer, shoppers must now put it under a machine to verify their identity. This policy will be continued to be rolled out to stores in 2025. The change has led to a bunch of unintended consequences. Customers said they were “liking your company less” while others have voiced outrage at long lines in front of stores. The U.S. Sun has extensively reported how members reportedly had to wait in freezing temperatures outside warehouses before scanning their cards. Shoppers felt particularly angered as they believed retail chiefs were treating members like criminals . Read More on The US Sun The U.S. Sun reports on all things Costco, including how bosses hiked the price of a membership for the first time in seven years earlier this year. A standard subscription now costs $65 instead of $60. Costco has unveiled membership scanners at its store entrances. In August 2024, the retailer released a statement about the scanners on its website . "Over the coming months, membership scanning devices will be used at the entrance door of your local warehouse," it wrote. "Once deployed, prior to entering, all members must scan their physical or digital membership card by placing the barcode or QR Code against the scanner. "Guests must also be accompanied by a valid member for entry. "If you have any questions or concerns, there will always be an attendant at the door to assist you! "If your membership is inactive, expired, or you would like to sign up for a new membership, the attendant will ask that you stop by the membership counter prior to entering the warehouse to shop. "Additionally, if your membership card does not have a photo, please be prepared to show your valid photo ID. "We encourage you to stop by the membership counter to have a photo taken to have on your card."
NoneProtesters gather around thier tents to protect therefrom police during a protest to free Palestine on the UI campus near Alma Mater on Friday, April 26, 2024. To pitch a ‘My Turn’ guest column, email jdalessio@news-gazette.com . To subscribe, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. Want to purchase today’s print edition? Here’s a map of single-copy locations. Sign up for our daily newsletter here URBANA — A second individual who faced charges after pro-Palestine demonstrations on the University of Illinois campus has had his case resolved with a guilty plea. Joseph M. Kleckner, 25, of Savanna, pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor of obstructing a peace officer. Charges of mob action, a Class 4 felony, were dismissed. Kleckner was the fifth of eight people to be charged with mob action after an April 26 demonstration near the Alma Mater statue on the UI campus — but he wasn't charged until July, after police used video evidence to identify him. Charges are specifically related to interactions between demonstrators and police early that morning, after demonstrators gathered and erected tents at around 6 a.m. State's Attorney Julia Rietz said that UI officials notified the group they were violating school policies and could be charged with trespassing if they stayed. Officials attempted to negotiate with the group over the course of about two hours to remove the structures, but UI police were concerned about social media posts telling people to "defend the camp," Rietz said. Officials first attempted to remove the structures at 8:23 a.m., but demonstrators circled around the tents and linked arms to block access. They were again told to remove the tents or potentially face trespassing charges, but they did not. UI police eventually broke through the circle and removed the tents. Investigators later compared body camera footage with other media including social media posts to identify demonstrators who pushed or shoved officers. They used a license-plate reader to identify a vehicle which dropped off supplies for the demonstrators; the registration and driver's license photo for the vehicle identified Kleckner as a demonstrator caught on body cam. After pleading guilty, Kleckner was sentenced to one year of conditional discharge with 100 hours of community service work, which can include hours in education, treatment, aftercare, sobriety based self-help group meetings, Victim Impact Panel and GED classes. Victor Smith, 22, of Champaign, is the only other demonstrator to be charged with mob action who has resolved his case. He similarly pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, saw mob action charges dropped, and was given the same sentence.Nova Scotia charity serving 600 free turkey dinners for ChristmasWASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Sunday that the sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad is a “fundamental act of justice” after decades of repression, but it was “a moment of risk and uncertainty” for the Middle East. Biden spoke at the White House hours after rebel groups completed a takeover of the country following more than a dozen years of violent civil war and decades of leadership by Assad and his family . Biden said the United States was monitoring reports of the whereabouts of Assad, with Russian state media saying he had fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally. The outgoing Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump were working to make sense of new threats and opportunities across the Middle East. Biden credited action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syria’s backers — Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He said “for the first time” that they could no longer defend Assad’s grip on power. “Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East,” Biden said, after a meeting with his national security team. Trump said Sunday that Assad had fled because close ally Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, “was not interested in protecting him any longer.” Those comments on Trump’s social media platform came a day after he used another post to decry the possibility of the U.S. intervening militarily in Syria to aid the rebels, declaring, “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT.” The Biden administration said it had no intention of intervening. The U.S has about 900 troops in Syria, including forces working with Kurdish allies in the opposition-held northeast to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State group. Biden said he intended for those troops to remain, adding that U.S. forces on Sunday conducted “precision air strikes” on IS camps and operations in Syria. U.S. Central Command said the operation hit more than 75 targets. “We’re clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try and take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its credibility, and create a safe haven,” Biden said, using a different acronym for the group. “We will not let that happen.” The Syrian opposition that brought down Assad is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham , which the U.S. says is a terrorist organization with links to al-Qaida, although the group says it has since broken ties with al-Qaida. “We will remain vigilant,” Biden said. “Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses.” He added that the groups are “saying the right things now.” “But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions,” Biden said. A senior Biden administration official, when asked about contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leaders after Assad’s departure, said Washington was in contact with Syrian groups of all kinds. The official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the situation and spoke on condition of anonymity, also said the U.S. has focused over the past several days on chemical weapons that had been controlled by the Assad government, aiming to ensure they were secured. Still, Assad’s fall adds to an already tense situation throughout much of region on many fronts — including Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza and its fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Like Biden, Trump, who takes office in five-plus weeks, made a connection between the upheaval in Syria and Russia’s war in Ukraine , noting that Assad’s allies in Moscow, as well as in Iran, the main sponsor of Hamas and Hezbollah, “are in a weakened state right now.” Vice President-elect JD Vance , a veteran of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, wrote on social media Sunday to express skepticism about the insurgents. “Many of ‘the rebels’ are a literal offshoot of ISIS. One can hope they’ve moderated. Time will tell,” he said. Trump has suggested that Assad’s ouster can advance the prospects for an end to fighting in Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022. The president-elect wrote that Putin’s government “lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine” and Trump called for an immediate ceasefire, a day after meeting in Paris with the French and Ukrainian leaders . Daniel B. Shapiro, a deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, said the American military presence will continue in eastern Syria but was “solely to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and has nothing to do with other aspects of this conflict.” “We call on all parties in Syria to protect civilians, particularly those from Syria’s minority communities to respect international military norms and to work to achieve a resolution to include the political settlement,” Shapiro said. “Multiple actors in this conflict have a terrible track record, to include Assad’s horrific crimes, Russia’s indiscriminate aerial bomb bombardment, Iranian-back militia involvement and the atrocities of ISIS,” he added. Shapiro also said “no one should shed any tears over the Assad regime.” As they pushed toward the Syrian capital of Damascus, the opposition forces freed political detainees from government prisons. The family of missing U.S. journalist Austin Tice renewed calls to find him. “To everyone in Syria that hears this, please remind people that we’re waiting for Austin,” Tice’s mother, Debra, said in comments that hostage advocacy groups spread on social media. “We know that when he comes out, he’s going to be fairly dazed & he’s going to need lots of care & direction. Direct him to his family please!” Tice disappeared in 2012 outside Damascus as the civil war was intensifying. “We’ve remained committed to returning him to his family,” Biden said at the White House. “We believe he’s alive, we think we can get him back but we have no direct evidence to that yet. And Assad should be held accountable.” The president added: “We have to identify where he is.” The U.S. has no new evidence that Tice is alive but continues to operate under the assumption that he is, according to a U.S. official. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly, added that the U.S. will continue to work to identify Tice’s whereabouts and to try to bring him home. Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Manama, Bahrain, and Aamer Madhani and AP White House Correspondent Zeke Miller contributed to this report.
NORAD’s Santa tracker was a Cold War morale boost. Now it attracts millions of kidsAlex Ovechkin is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks with a broken left leg
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve on Tuesday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of war in Gaza . The excitement and cheer that typically descends on the West Bank during Christmas week were nowhere to be found. The festive lights and giant tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were the throngs of foreign tourists that usually fill the square. Palestinian scouts marched silently through the streets, a departure from their usual raucous brass marching band. Security forces arranged barriers near the Church of the Nativity, built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The cancellation of Christmas festivities is a severe blow to the town's economy. Tourism accounts for an estimated 70% of Bethlehem’s income — almost all from the Christmas season. Salman said unemployment is hovering around 50% — higher than the 30% unemployment across the rest of the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Finance Ministry. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, noted the shuttered shops and empty streets and expressed hope that next year would be better. “This has to be the last Christmas that is so sad,” he told hundreds of people gathered in Manger Square, where normally tens of thousands would congregate. Pizzaballa held a special pre-Christmas Mass in the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City. Several Palestinian Christians told the Associated Press that they have been displaced in the church since the war began in October of last year with barely enough food and water. “We hope by next year at the same day we’d be able to celebrate Christmas at our homes and go to Bethlehem,” said Najla Tarazi, a displaced woman. “We hope to celebrate in Jerusalem ... and for the war to end. This is the most important thing for us and the most important demand we have these days because the situation is really hard. We don’t feel happy.” Bethlehem is an important center in the history of Christianity, but Christians make up only a small percentage of the roughly 14 million people spread across the Holy Land. There are about 182,000 in Israel, 50,000 in the West Bank and Jerusalem and 1,300 in Gaza, according to the U.S. State Department. The number of visitors to the town plunged from a pre-COVID high of around 2 million per year in 2019 to fewer than 100,000 in 2024, said Jiries Qumsiyeh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Tourism Ministry. After nightfall, the golden walls of the Church of the Nativity were illuminated as a few dozen people quietly milled about. A young boy stood holding a pile of balloons for sale, but gave up because there were no customers to buy them. The war in Gaza has deterred tourists and has prompted a surge of violence in the West Bank , with more than 800 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire and dozens of Israelis killed in militant attacks. Palestinian officials do not provide a breakdown of how many of the deceased are civilians and how many are fighters. Since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that sparked the war , access to and from Bethlehem and other towns in the West Bank has been difficult, with long lines of motorists waiting to pass through Israeli military checkpoints. The restrictions have prevented some 150,000 Palestinians from leaving the territory to work in Israel, causing the economy there to contract by 25%. In the Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel, Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took more than 250 Israeli hostages. Israeli officials believe that around 100 hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Elsewhere, Christmas celebrations were also subdued. Scores of Syrian Christians protested Tuesday in Damascus, demanding protection after the burning of a Christmas tree in Hama the day before. Videos and images shared on social media showed the large, decorated tree burning at a roundabout in Suqalabiyah, a town in the Hama countryside. It remains unclear who was responsible for setting the tree on fire. In a video that circulated on social media, a representative of Syria’s new leadership, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, could be seen visiting the site and addressing the community. He said: “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations.” German celebrations were darkened by a car attack on a Christmas market on Friday that left five people dead and 200 people injured. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier rewrote his annual recorded Christmas Day speech to address the attack. He plans to acknowledge that “there is grief, pain, horror and incomprehension over what took place in Magdeburg,” while urging Germans to “stand together,” according to an early copy of the speech. A snowstorm in the Balkans stranded drivers and downed power lines, but some saw the beauty in it. “I’m actually glad its falling, especially because of Christmas,” said Mirsad Jasarevic in Zenica, Bosnia. “We did not have snow for Christmas for 17 years here, and now is the time for wonderful white Christmas.” American Airlines briefly grounded flights across the U.S. on Tuesday due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive. Winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 1,447 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 28 flights canceled. In the port of Barcelona, Spain, volunteers from the faith-based ministry Stella Maris visited seven ships docked there on Christmas Eve to deliver Nativity scenes and the local specialty of turrón (nougat candy) to seafarers. The volunteers met seafarers from India, the Philippines, Turkey and elsewhere, said Ricard Rodríguez-Martos, a Catholic deacon and former merchant marine captain who leads Stella Maris in this major Mediterranean harbor. Associated Press writers Wafaa Shurafa in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City and Giovanna Dell’Orto in Minneapolis contributed to this report.
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