How Elon Musk Makes "Fewer Dumb Mistakes"

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has shared his mantra to reduce errors and improve decision-making at his companies. This “simple algorithm” forms the backbone of the tech billionaire's productivity and operational efficiency strategies.

The method was first highlighted in a post on X (formerly Twitter), where an image of the algorithm displayed on a wall at SpaceX drew attention. Mr Musk responded to the post, explaining the rationale behind his creation.

“This simple algorithm that I came up with to help me make fewer dumb mistakes in the future is incredibly powerful,” he wrote.

The five steps of Mr Musk's algorithm are:

• Make requirements less dumb
• Delete the part or process step
• Optimise
• Accelerate
• Automate

This simple algorithm that I came up with to help me make fewer dumb mistakes in the future is incredibly powerful https://t.co/tRJhe0gy6y

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 29, 2024

Walter Isaacson mentioned the algorithm in Mr Musk's biography and detailed each step. He said that Mr Musk insists every requirement be scrutinised and traced back to an individual, rather than accepting it as a directive from a vague entity such as the “legal department” or “safety department.”

Mr Musk also advocates deleting parts or processes wherever possible. He notes they may have to be added back later, adding that if people do not end up adding back at least 10 per cent of them, they didn't delete enough.

Optimisation should only come after unnecessary elements have been removed. Mr Musk warns against the common mistake of simplifying and optimising components or processes that shouldn't exist in the first place.

The world's richest man also encourages accelerating processes only after ensuring the first three steps have been thoroughly addressed. Reflecting on his experience, in the biography, Mr Musk noted, “In the Tesla factory, I mistakenly spent a lot of time accelerating processes that I later realised should have been deleted.”

Automation should be the final step in the process. Mr Musk noted that attempting to automate flawed systems early on can lead to significant inefficiencies.

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Fossil Footprints Show Two Ancient Human Ancestors "Crossed Paths"

About 1.5 million years ago, individuals of two different species in the human evolutionary lineage trudged on a muddy lakeshore in northern Kenya, leaving behind intersecting trackways alongside the footprints of antelopes, horses, warthogs, giant storks and other animals.

These tracks turned into fossils that scientists have now discovered at a location called Koobi Fora, providing the first evidence that these two species - Paranthropus boisei and Homo erectus - shared the same landscape, literally crossing paths. The discovery raises intriguing questions about the relationship between the two species and any competition for resources.

Paranthropus boisei, the more distantly related to modern humans of the two, lived from about 2.3 to 1.2 million years ago, standing up to about 4 feet 6 inches (137 cm) tall. They had a skull adapted for large chewing muscles, including a cranial crest like those in male gorillas, as well as massive molars. Their feet bore ape-like traits including in the big toe.

Homo erectus, an early member of our evolutionary line with body proportions like those of Homo sapiens, lived from about 1.89 million to 110,000 years ago, ranging from about 4 feet 9 inches to 6 feet 1 inch (145-185 cm) tall. They had large brow ridges and bigger brains than Paranthropus boisei, though smaller than our species.

The researchers found the footprints in 2021 in the vicinity of Lake Turkana. They identified one long trackway of 12 footprints, each about 10.25 inches (26 cm) long, attributed to an adult Paranthropus boisei individual based on their shape and the manner of locomotion.

Three isolated footprints, ranging from 8-9.25 inches (20.5-23.5 cm) long and resembling those of modern people, were almost perpendicular to the main trackway. Two were complete enough to attribute to Homo erectus, possibly a juvenile. The third was harder to assign confidently.

The researchers said the trackways appear to have been left within hours or perhaps a couple of days - the mud had never dried and cracked - and the individuals even may have seen each other. There was no evidence of interaction.

"The fossil footprints provide us a clear picture of that instant in time, 1.5 million years ago. The different human ancestors may well have passed by each other, wading in the shallow water, possibly hunting and gathering," said paleoanthropologist Louise Leakey, director of the Koobi Fora Research Project and co-author of the study published on Thursday in the journal Science.

The researchers reanalyzed trackways that were previously discovered nearby, determining that both species were present together on fossilized muddy surfaces over a period spanning roughly 200,000 years.

"It is possible that they competed directly, but also possible that they were not in direct competition and both had access to the resources that they needed on this shared landscape," said paleoanthropologist and study lead author Kevin Hatala of Chatham University in Pittsburgh.

Dietary differences may have mitigated competition.

"Paranthropus boisei consumed low-quality forage that likely required repetitive chewing. Homo erectus was likely to be omnivorous, using tools to butcher carcasses, and also had meat in its diet," Leakey said.

The human and chimpanzee evolutionary lineages split roughly 7 million years ago in Africa. Species in the human lineage are called hominins.

Footprints provide information on anatomy, locomotion, behavior and environments that skeletal fossils or stone tools cannot. The feet of these two species were anatomically distinct, and they had different gaits.

"The tracks we attribute to Homo erectus have a very modern human-like shape with a tall arch of sediment in the middle of the track that indicates a stiff foot and a walking gait that includes pushing off of the toes," said Harvard University evolutionary biologist and study co-author Neil Roach.

"The Paranthropus tracks lack this tall arch and indicate a more flat-footed walk. Additionally, the Paranthropus tracks show a big toe that is a bit more diverged from the other toes and more mobile. Both of these aspects are more similar to the way a chimpanzee walks, although clearly distinct and intermediate between chimpanzee and human footprints," Roach said.

Paranthropus boisei disappeared a few hundred thousand years after these footprints, while Homo erectus flourished. Possibly a direct ancestor of Homo sapiens, Homo erectus was the first human species to spread beyond Africa.

The fossil site was a resource-rich lakeshore near the mouth of a river.

"The fact that we consistently see two species of hominins in these landscapes, in spite of the presence of dangerous animals such as hippos and crocodiles, suggests that these environments were important enough to our ancestors to be worth the risk of visiting," Roach said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Greenland Gets International Airport In Capital: All You Need To Know

Nuuk, the capital city of Greenland, has a new international airport. Equipped with a 2,200-meter (7,217-ft) runway, the airport will allow larger planes to land in the region, connecting it with the rest of the world, CNN reported.

On average, 130,000 visitors come to Greenland every year on cruise ships or planes. The number is expected to increase with the country's tourism sector opening up. But officials hope it doesn't become too unwieldy.

Greenland's tourism sector and economy are expected to grow with the inauguration of the new airport.

Jens Lauridsen, chief executive of Greenland Airports, estimated that each flight will add $200,000 to the nation's economy. Those arriving in Greenland should know they are not in for a standard tourism experience, he said.

“We're located in the Arctic,” Lauridsen said, adding that visitors will be in for an "adventure".

Starting in June, United Airlines will offer nonstop seasonal flights to the region from major cities such as  Newark and New Jersey, and the journey will take a little over four hours only.

Before the new airport, people who wished to travel to Greenland by air had to fly into smaller cities like Kangerlussuaq to the north or Narsarsuaq. 

The US military bases, built there during the Second World War, are capable of accommodating larger planes.

The new airport will now serve as the base for Air Greenland, which will operate Airbus A330neo planes to Copenhagen, Denmark. This will allow the airline to handle 800 passengers an hour. There will also be flights linking Nuuk to Reykjavik, Iceland.

By 2026 end, two more airports are scheduled to be inaugurated in Greenland. These will connect Ilulissat in the north and Qaqortoq in the south. 

With only around 56 miles (90 kilometres) of paved roads, locals and tourists in Greenland will still be required to fly or take boats to reach their desired destinations, while these airports will significantly open up travel.
 

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Honda Unveils Activa e and QC1 Electric Scooters In India

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has introduced its first electric scooters in the Indian market: the Activa e: and QC1. The Activa: e uses a swappable battery setup, while the QC1 has a fixed battery setup and relies on a charging cable to gain power. These are the Japanese automaker's 12th and 13th electric vehicles in the global market and contribute to the manufacturer's goal of launching 30 EVs globally.

Earlier, the brand announced plans to achieve carbon neutrality in all of its products while simultaneously moving toward the same goal in corporate activities in 2050. To further this goal, the brand will also work on electrifying motorcycles. The introduction of Activa e: and QC1 are the first models in the country to achieve this goal. Here are all the details of the new electric scooters.

Honda Activa e

Honda Activa e comes as a completely new model carrying forward the name of the popular ICE scooter. It not only takes the name of the scooter but also the body and frame of its ICE counterpart. However, the styling of the EV is completely different, following a rather minimalistic approach. This can be seen in the form of a slightly different look for the apron of the EV housing the LED headlamp with turn indicators on either side. The brand has added an LED DRL on the head of the vehicle. It seems to have a small floorboard with a long seat. The rear end of the bike has the "Activa e:" badge integrated into the tail lamp unit.

Also Read: River Indie Electric Scooter Updated; Priced At ₹ 1.43 Lakh

Under the seat, the Activa e: gets a swappable battery setup housing two 1.5 kWh batteries. The power from these units is transferred to a wheel-side electric motor, which is rated to have a power output of 4.2 kW (5.6 bhp) of power. This output can be increased to a maximum of 6.0 kW (8 bhp). All of this can contribute to offering a range of 102 km on a single charge. The brand is also offering three riding modes: Standard, Sport, and Econ.

Honda QC1

The QC1 will be launched exclusively for the Indian market in the spring of 2025. Designed for short-distance travel, the scooter has design similarities with the Activa e: this can be seen in the form of the apron and the side panels of the vehicle. However, the head of the scooter is different with the absence of LED DRL.

The list of differences between QC1 and Activa e: further extends in the form of the powertrain setup. The QC1 comes with a fixed 1.5 kWh battery pack. It gets a dedicated charger that can be connected to the scooter via a socket placed over the floorboard. The power from the batter is transferred to the compact in-wheel motor, which is rated to have a power output of 1.2 kW (1.6 bhp) and 1.8 kW (2.4 bhp). All of this makes the EV capable of offering a range of 80 km.

The QC1 gets a 5-inch LCD instrument panel, which helps the rider interact with the EV by displaying crucial information. The EV also offers features like under-seat storage, USB Type-C socket, and more.

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Elon Musk Hints X Is Making It Harder For People To Read News

If you've noticed fewer news stories while scrolling through X, there may be a simple reason: the platform is actively limiting its visibility on your feed. Elon Musk appeared to confirm this on November 24 when he replied to a user on X - the site formerly known as Twitter - who claimed that the platform throttled posts containing links. This would likely result in fewer articles from actual news sources appearing in your feed.

Paul Graham, a well-known figure with around 2 million followers, argued that "deprioritizing tweets with links is Twitter's biggest flaw," explaining that "what draws me to Twitter is finding out what's going on, and you can't do that without links."

Musk's response seemed to acknowledge Graham's concern, implying that posts with links are indeed deprioritized.

In the response, Musk wrote, "Just write a description in the main post and put the link in the reply. This just stops lazy linking."

Just write a description in the main post and put the link in the reply. This just stops lazy linking.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 24, 2024

His response echoed previous suggestions that posting content directly on X - such as videos, podcasts, and articles - generates better traffic and engagement than sharing links to third-party websites.

However, the user remained unconvinced by this reasoning and questioned why including a link and its description in a single post was considered "lazy."

Since the U.S. presidential election that saw Donald Trump's victory, many users have left X, with a significant number migrating to the rival platform Bluesky. Despite this, numerous official accounts, celebrities, and high-profile users continue to engage on X due to its larger user base.

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Bitcoin Millionaire Sparks $2 Million Treasure Hunt, Leaves Clues Across US

A former Bitcoin investor has launched a treasure hunt, hiding over $2 million in valuables at five secret locations in the United States. Jon Collins-Black, who amassed his fortune through Bitcoin, has concealed chests filled with treasures ranging from gold doubloons to rare Pokemon cards, all carefully hidden and accompanied by cryptic clues for would-be adventurers to decipher, reported The New York Post.

The hidden treasures are part of a challenge Collins-Black created to spark curiosity and excitement. The 43-year-old entrepreneur has published a book titled ‘There's Treasure Inside,' which contains detailed puzzles, maps and clues to guide treasure hunters to the five elusive chests.

“You don't have to be a genius to solve the clues. There's no grand cypher. If you have curiosity, imagination and the willingness to try something new, you can find the treasures that I've hidden,” Collins-Black was quoted as saying by the New York Post.

The chests include valuable items such as a diamond and sapphire brooch once owned by Jacqueline Onassis, a fourth-century BCE Greek gold laurel, a Picasso-designed coin, and even a rare piece of lunar rock. Some chests also contain iconic items such as a 1986 Michael Jordan rookie trading card and a single Bitcoin, currently worth nearly $1,00,000.

Collins-Black assured none of the treasure chests were hidden in dangerous locations. All five were placed within 4.8 kilometres of a public road and not buried. He also confirmed that the chests were not on private property, ensuring the hunt was open to all.

“I created this treasure hunt because I live for adventure. I hope to ignite that same sense of wonder and curiosity in everyone who joins this journey,” Collins-Black said, according to WKRC.

The idea for the treasure hunt came to Collins-Black during the COVID-19 lockdowns. By combining his love of adventure with his wealth, he created an ongoing mystery for anyone with the desire to embark on a real-life treasure hunt.

While Collins-Black's treasure hunt is only the latest to capture the public's imagination, it has drawn comparisons to a similar challenge from the past. In 2010, New Mexico art dealer Forrest Fenn hid a chest containing gold and jewels worth around $2 million somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. Fenn released a poem full of clues, and for a decade, treasure seekers risked their lives searching for it—resulting in at least five deaths.

The treasure was eventually found in June 2020, though the identity of the finder was never revealed. Fenn's death shortly afterwards raised questions about whether the chest had truly been located, leaving many to wonder about the authenticity of the discovery.

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18 Years On, A War Crime Investigation Haunts Trumps Defence Secretary Pick

Eighteen years ago, an operation targeting suspected al-Qaeda militants in Iraq took a dark turn when US soldiers killed three detainees under suspicious circumstances. At the centre of renewed scrutiny is Pete Hegseth, a former platoon leader in the brigade involved, now a US President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defence.

The events of May 9, 2006, during Operation Iron Triangle, remain one of the most infamous examples of misconduct from the Iraq War. US Army soldiers reported killing three detainees, claiming they broke free of their restraints and attacked them. But a subsequent investigation uncovered a darker truth: the detainees had been deliberately released and shot as they fled. This led to court-martial, convictions, and a reprimand for Col. Michael Steele, the brigade commander, whose leadership and command culture were scrutinised.

Pete Hegseth, then a 26-year-old lieutenant in the Army National Guard, joined the 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team in 2005, ahead of its deployment to Iraq. Although he was not directly involved in the killings, his deployment with the unit exposed him to the fallout of military misconduct and its impact on the soldiers involved.

“Every single person that was involved in that has had an indelible mark left on them,” Col. Steele said in an interview years later, as per The Washington Post.

Interviews with Hegseth's peers paint a picture of a young officer navigating an intensely aggressive operational environment. The brigade, particularly Charlie Company – labelled “Kill Company” – earned notoriety for its combative tactics. The unit kept a tally of confirmed kills, including civilians, on a whiteboard, signalling a culture that, according to some accounts, blurred ethical lines.

Hegseth himself expressed discomfort with these tactics. In a 2009 interview with The New Yorker, he recalled challenging orders to enter buildings “hot,” or with weapons drawn, fearing civilian casualties. Yet, he also defended the need for aggressiveness, given the insurgency's intensity.

The operation targeted an al-Qaeda training hub on Lake Tharthar, believed to house associates of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the al-Qaeda leader in Iraq. Initial reports described a chaotic firefight, but investigations revealed that three detainees, captured during the raid, were executed.

Cpl. William Hunsaker and Pfc. Corey Clagett admitted to killing the detainees under orders from Staff Sgt. Raymond Girouard. Another soldier, Spec. Juston Graber, carried out what he described as a “mercy killing” of a detainee. The investigation uncovered a systematic effort to cover up the crimes, leading to convictions and prison sentences for those involved.

While Hegseth had already been reassigned to governance duties at the time of the killings, his association with the unit exposed him to the long shadow of the incident. Former colleagues describe a fractured morale, as many soldiers felt the Army had unfairly scapegoated the brigade.

In the years since, Pete Hegseth has become an outspoken advocate for US troops accused of war crimes, arguing that restrictive rules of engagement put soldiers in untenable positions. His defence of high-profile cases, such as that of Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher, aligns with his criticism of what he perceives as the military's failure to protect its rank-and-file soldiers.

As a media personality on Fox & Friends Weekend, Hegseth gained the attention of President-elect Trump, who sought his advice on cases involving troops accused of misconduct. Trump's 2019 pardons of soldiers convicted or accused of war crimes reflected Hegseth's influence and populist appeal.

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"100% Not True": Jeff Bezos' Response To Elon Musk's Big US Election Claim

Jeff Bezos has reacted to Elon Musk's claim that the Amazon founder had advised people to sell their Tesla and SpaceX stocks because he expected Donald Trump to lose the US election. Musk, who is the CEO of both Tesla and SpaceX, posted on Thursday that he "just learned that at Mar-a-Lago Jeff Bezos was telling everyone Donald Trump would lose for sure, so they should sell their Tesla and SpaceX stock". Hours later, Mr Bezos responded to the tweet, refuting the claim. 

"Nope. 100% not true," the billionaire, who also owns The Washington Post and aerospace giant Blue Origin, wrote. "Well, then, I stand corrected," Elon Musk replied with a laughing face emoji.

Well, then, I stand corrected 😂

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 21, 2024

Notably, Jeff Bezos' tweet is his first since November 6 when he broke his four-month silence on the microblogging platform to congratulate Donald Trump. "Big congratulations to our 45th and now 47th President on an extraordinary political comeback and decisive victory. No nation has bigger opportunities. Wishing @realDonaldTrump all success in leading and uniting the America we all love," he tweeted. 

Meanwhile, before this, Mr Bezos made headlines after The Washington Post decided to stop making presidential endorsements. According to Deadline, the publication had planned to endorse Kamala Harris. Mr Bezos said that the action was necessary to help restore trust in the media.

However, after facing criticism over non-endorsement, the Amazon boss explained in an op-ed article that presidential endorsements created the "perception of bias" and did not "tip the scales" of an election.

Also Read | Argentina President's Gift To Italy PM Georgia Meloni: A Chainsaw-Wielding Figurine Of Himself

"No undecided voters in Pennsylvania are going to say, 'I'm going with Newspaper A's endorsement'. None," Mr Bezos wrote. "What presidential endorsements actually do is create a perception of bias. A perception of non-independence. Ending them is a principled decision, and it's the right one," he added. 

Elon Musk, on the other hand, reportedly spent more than $100 million to boost Donald Trump's election bid. Now, Mr Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have been appointed by the president-elect to lead an effort called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to remake the federal government and provide guidance for massive cuts.

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"100% Not True": Jeff Bezos' Response To Elon Musk's Big US Election Claim

Jeff Bezos has reacted to Elon Musk's claim that the Amazon founder had advised people to sell their Tesla and SpaceX stocks because he expected Donald Trump to lose the US election. Musk, who is the CEO of both Tesla and SpaceX, posted on Thursday that he "just learned that at Mar-a-Lago Jeff Bezos was telling everyone Donald Trump would lose for sure, so they should sell their Tesla and SpaceX stock". Hours later, Mr Bezos responded to the tweet, refuting the claim. 

"Nope. 100% not true," the billionaire, who also owns The Washington Post and aerospace giant Blue Origin, wrote. "Well, then, I stand corrected," Elon Musk replied with a laughing face emoji.

Well, then, I stand corrected ?

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 21, 2024

Notably, Jeff Bezos' tweet is his first since November 6 when he broke his four-month silence on the microblogging platform to congratulate Donald Trump. "Big congratulations to our 45th and now 47th President on an extraordinary political comeback and decisive victory. No nation has bigger opportunities. Wishing @realDonaldTrump all success in leading and uniting the America we all love," he tweeted. 

Meanwhile, before this, Mr Bezos made headlines after The Washington Post decided to stop making presidential endorsements. According to Deadline, the publication had planned to endorse Kamala Harris. Mr Bezos said that the action was necessary to help restore trust in the media.

However, after facing criticism over non-endorsement, the Amazon boss explained in an op-ed article that presidential endorsements created the "perception of bias" and did not "tip the scales" of an election.

Also Read | Argentina President's Gift To Italy PM Georgia Meloni: A Chainsaw-Wielding Figurine Of Himself

"No undecided voters in Pennsylvania are going to say, 'I'm going with Newspaper A's endorsement'. None," Mr Bezos wrote. "What presidential endorsements actually do is create a perception of bias. A perception of non-independence. Ending them is a principled decision, and it's the right one," he added. 

Elon Musk, on the other hand, reportedly spent more than $100 million to boost Donald Trump's election bid. Now, Mr Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have been appointed by the president-elect to lead an effort called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to remake the federal government and provide guidance for massive cuts.

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Who Was Simone White, UK Lawyer Killed In Suspected Methanol Poisoning

A young UK lawyer has become the latest victim of a suspected methanol poisoning incident in Laos. Simone White, from Orpington, Kent, was among the five tourists who allegedly died after consuming drinks thought to have been spiked with methanol in the backpacker hub of Vang Vieng.

Who was Simone White?

Simone White, 28, was an associate lawyer who specialised in technology and intellectual property at Squire Patton Boggs, a law firm in London. Her work primarily focused on general commercial matters as well as both contentious and non-contentious intellectual property law, according to the firm's website.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Ms White had experience working across sectors. She also worked in the in-house legal team of a publicly listed global out-of-home advertising company.

Her employment history on LinkedIn shows that she's been associated with Squire Patton Boggs for over three years. She joined the firm as a trainee solicitor in August 2021, completing her two-year training period before she was promoted to associate in September 2023. Before this, she gained experience as a paralegal at Clear Channel Outdoor, working full-time from July 2019 to July 2020. Her connection with Squire Patton Boggs began earlier, during a one-month vacation scheme internship in July 2018, which further solidified her interest in the legal profession.

Ms White completed a fast-track LPC at BPP Law School between August 2020 and February 2021. Before that, she obtained her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from Newcastle University in 2019.

The incident in Laos

Simone White was visiting Vang Vieng, a popular destination for backpackers travelling across south-east Asia. Reports suggest she and others consumed drinks containing methanol, a toxic substance often found in illegally produced alcohol.

She was taken to a hospital following the incident but did not survive. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has confirmed it is supporting her family during this difficult time.

Methanol is a colourless liquid with a taste similar to regular alcohol, but even a small amount can be deadly if consumed.

Ms White's death comes amid a spate of similar fatalities in Vang Vieng. According to the BBC, among the other victims are Bianca Jones, a 19-year-old Australian, two Danish women aged 19 and 20, and an American tourist.

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Opinion: Intel's Downfall Is A Lesson In Why Not To Ignore AI

Do you remember brands like Remington and Olivetti? Or, if you are less than 30 years old, it's better to ask, have you ever heard of these brands? Chances are you have yet to hear of them or see the typewriters they used to make. Thereby hangs the tale of how big brands can emerge and vanish as the shifting sands of technology tear businesses apart, producing new winners and losers.

As the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution sweeps the world of economics, business, and much else, it is best to reveal the moral of the story before telling that tale: it is better to disrupt yourself and feel some gainful pain rather than be rudely disrupted by forces beyond your control.

The chips are down for Intel. The microchip maker has been summarily steamrollered by the rise of Nvidia in an AI upsurge. It calls for a Bollywood-style flashback to the days when Intel was steamrollering Texas Instruments (TI) and Motorola, the world's early integrated circuit (IC) manufacturers.

The Elephant Couldn't Dance, After All

Intel reminds one of Guru Dutt's semi-autobiographical classic, Kagaz Ke Phool (Paper Flowers) in which a filmmaker falls on bad days after a phenomenal period. The chipmaker falling to Nvidia's surge could have picked up a lesson or two from IBM, whose famous ability to adapt was captured in a book titled Who Says Elephants Can't Dance? The writer, Louis Gerstner Jr., was IBM's CEO during a tumultuous period of restructuring.

To understand the forces behind such change, it is best to remember two things: some technology changes may appear like extensions of an old one, but are in effect epoch-making paradigm shifts during which what we end up with is not an improved product but a whole new category of products or services that lead to the emergence of new brands that often kill establish leaders.

IBM used to dominate the market with large mainframe computers and proprietary software inside until the 1980s. But it embraced computer brands such as Compaq so that smaller computers could be made as "IBM compatible" ones to boost penetration and reach in a vast market. Later, it embedded Microsoft's famous Disk Operating System software. DOS, which then gave rise to Microsoft's Windows OS, refers to several closely related operating systems that dominated the IBM PC-compatible market between 1981 and 1995 as PCs (personal computers) replaced typewriters, including short-lived electronic typewriters worldwide. The PC revolution was enabled by ‘Intel Inside' microchips'; the ‘Wintel' (Windows + Intel) combination overshadowed Apple's Mac as the planet's ubiquitous desktop, and later, laptop PCs increasingly linked to networks.

How IBM And Microsoft Kept Up

A hard look would tell you that while IBM and Microsoft successfully reinvented themselves, Intel never really went there. The current AI revolution has left it in a difficult spot in the semiconductor stakes in a reversal of fortunes from its PC revolution days.

The writing is on the wall for industry watchers and insiders alike as AI is only just taking off: Do not mistake a paradigm (framework) shift that will shape a new ecosystem for an improvement in the old product line. New-age partnerships, services, regulation and laws will dramatically change the landscape that would require industry elephants to dance innovatively or be swatted like bees.

Olivetti and Remington were typewriter brands that were killed by the rise of PCs. As a result, you rarely hear of careers or job titles like "stenographer" in an age when data scientists and software engineers spell new career horizons. In fact, even software engineers are under threat from AI models, much like basic writers or graphic artists. You have to get better in the old game, and, in addition, learn how to play the new game to be on top of the situation.

IBM, which has since sold off its PC business to the Chinese Lenovo, is now focused on providing hybrid cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to businesses, while Microsoft, which once made PC software, is today a cutting-edge player through its difficult but fruitful partnership with OpenAI, whose ChatGPT chatbot generates human-like conversational responses to user questions.

Dwindling Numbers

Market numbers starkly reveal how Intel has fallen, reminding one of brands like early smartphone maker Nokia and Web content company Yahoo, both of which failed to respond adequately to revolutionary changes in technology-driven ecosystems.

Apple, like IBM and Microsoft, has embraced change well, and, in fact, generated new categories that keep its brand alive. It has shifted from Mac (desktop) to iPod (music player) to iPhone (smartphone with content ecosystem) to Apple Watch (wearable computer).

Nvidia has stolen what could have been Intel's thunder if only the Windows-era giant had spotted a new threat from AI and turned it into an opportunity. Intel's 12-month revenues to June 2024 rose year-on-year by a mere 1.99% to $55.11 from $54.22 billion, while Nvidia Corporation's fiscal 2024 revenue, at $60.9 billion, is up 126% from the previous year's $26.97 billion.

The market capitalisation of these two corporate brands shows the contrast between growth and decline, even though their annual revenues are comparable in absolute numbers. Intel's market value on stock exchanges is $104.4 billion, while Nvidia stands at $3.61 trillion. The market worth of Nvidia is now about 35 times that of Intel. Let that sink in.

A Tech-Tonic Shift

New-age data centres are embracing Nvidia's AI-powering microchips favoured by cutting-edge users and gaming industries. Intel's data centre revenues are going downhill. While Intel faces the music, Nvidia, which used to be a graphics processing unit (GPU) maker that played second fiddle to Intel in the PC era, is now an AI-age leader. Cloud-computing giants such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure are among its collaborators as critical AI infrastructure grows in size and scale.

Intel is an elephant that could not learn the steps necessary to dance. The tectonic industry shift shows how AI is a bus that cannot be missed. It should better be seen as a new category spawning a new ecosystem that needs to be understood from scratch. It is a leap, not a jump.

The good news is that AI is also throwing up new opportunities. That would be another story.

(Madhavan Narayanan is senior editor, writer and columnist with more than 30 years of experience, having worked for Reuters, The Economic Times, Business Standard and Hindustan Times after starting out in the Times of India Group.) 

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Survey Finds Nearly 40% Of Young Americans Rely On Influencers For News

A new Pew Research Center survey reveals that young Americans increasingly rely on social media influencers for news, with the majority of these influencers being men and leaning politically to the right. 

The survey found that while one in five U.S. adults regularly consumes news from online "news influencers" who discuss current events, the figure rises to nearly 40% among young adults aged 18 to 29. Among those who turn to influencers for news, 65% said it helped shape their understanding of current events and civic issues.

Conducted during three weeks in July and August, as the presidential election campaign ramped up, the study analyzed 500 popular news influencers with followings exceeding 100,000 and surveyed 10,658 Americans about their news habits. Influencers and podcasters, including Joe Rogan and Alex Cooper, played significant roles in campaign strategies. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump both leveraged these platforms, with Trump specifically engaging "manosphere" influencers to connect with male voters.

"News influencers have emerged as one of the key alternatives to traditional outlets as a news and information source for a lot of people, especially younger folks. And these influencers have really reached new levels of attention and prominence this year amid the presidential election," Galen Stocking, a senior computational social scientist at the Pew Research Center, said in a statement. "We thought it was really important to look at who is behind some of the most popular accounts - the ones that aren't news organizations, but actual people."

The study revealed that, despite allegations of right-wing censorship, news influencers were more likely to lean conservative. Among them, 27% explicitly identified as Republican or pro-Trump, compared to 21% who identified as liberal. On Facebook, conservative news influencers were three times more prevalent than liberals (39% vs. 13%), while on Instagram, conservatives also outnumbered liberals, 30% to 25%.

"Many Republicans have long believed that social media sites censor conservative viewpoints. But overall, more news influencers explicitly present a politically right-leaning orientation than a left-leaning one in their account bios, posts, websites or media coverage," Pew said.

The study found that most news influencers have no affiliation with traditional news outlets, with 77% reporting no past or current ties to media organizations. Influencers who are affiliated with news organizations were less likely to openly express a clear political stance. However, when they did share political views, they were more likely to align with right-leaning news sources.

Unlike trained journalists, social media influencers often mix personal opinions with reporting, presenting views as facts. While news organizations separate reporting and opinion, influencers typically produce content, such as podcasts or newsletters, that doesn't distinguish between factual reporting and opinionated commentary.

During the final months of the election, political content from news influencers became critical for campaigns, as they used their large, loyal followings to engage undecided voters. Unlike political TV ads, influencers aren't required to disclose whether they are paid by candidates to discuss certain issues or express opinions.

While both presidential candidates engaged with influencers, President-elect Trump primarily sought out influencers who were supportive of his campaign and avoided those who might challenge his political record or policies. This strategy gave many young voters a largely favourable view of Trump as a candidate.

The Pew study also found that the news influencer space was predominantly male, with 63% identifying as male compared to just 30% female. This gender disparity was consistent across most platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, X, and Instagram, where men outnumbered women by two to one.

TikTok had the smallest gender gap and was the only platform where conservative influencers did not outnumber liberals. Influencers on TikTok were also more likely to show support for LGBTQ rights.

In the aftermath of the election, many social media users and public figures left X due to its owner, Elon Musk, openly supporting Trump and spreading misleading election claims. This led to millions of new sign-ups for Bluesky, which quickly rose to the top of the Apple App Store.

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Earth Had Ring System Similar To Saturn Roughly 466 Million Years Ago: Study

Like Saturn, Earth may have also had its ring system circling the planet 466 million years ago.

These rings seem to have existed during the Ordovician Period when the Earth's life forms and plate tectonics witnessed significant changes after a peak in meteorite strikes, a study published in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters said.

The researchers have based their hypothesis on the positioning of nearly two dozen impact craters -- all placed within 30 degrees of the Earth's equator. This signals that these meteoroids might have rained down from a rocky ring around the planet, the study said.

Andrew Tomkins, a geologist and professor of Earth and planetary sciences at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, said it was "statistically unusual" getting 21 craters all relatively close to the equator. "It shouldn't happen. They should be randomly distributed," Tomkins, also the lead author of the study, told CNN.

Besides shedding light on the origins of the spike in meteorite impacts, the latest hypothesis further tries to answer an unexplained event in history -- the global deep freeze, which remains among the coldest climate events in the planet's history.

Near the end of the Ordovician, this period is considered one of the coldest in the last 500 million years, Earth.com reported.

Scientists have suggested the ring system might have cast a shadow over the Earth, thereby blocking sunlight and causing temperatures to drop on the planet.

Earlier, scientists suggested a large asteroid broke apart within the solar system and created the meteorites that hit the Earth during the Ordovician Period. However, Tomkins claimed such an impact could have likely randomly distributed the strikes like the craters on the Moon.

In the latest study, the researchers hypothesise that a large asteroid, measuring around 7.5 miles (12 kilometres) in diameter, had reached the planet's Roche limit -- the distance at which the celestial body gets enough gravitational pull to break the approaching body.

This may have taken place around 9,800 miles (15,800 kilometres) from the planet if the measurements of past rubble-pile asteroids are to be considered.

Tomkins claimed the asteroid might have been largely hit by other collisions.

He added that the right might have formed along the equator due to the planet's equatorial bulge -- similar to the ones of Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune.

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Explained: Why Saudi Arabia Executed Over 100 Foreigners This Year

Saudi Arabia executed 101 foreigners in 2024, the largest number of people put to death in a single year in the kingdom's history. The figure represents nearly three times the number of foreigners executed in 2023 and 2022 (34 each year).

Human rights organisations have accused the kingdom of an unprecedented escalation in its use of the death penalty.

Drug-related offences drove many of these deaths. Of the 92 executions linked to drug crimes this year, 69 involved foreign nationals.

"Foreigners are the most vulnerable group," Taha al-Hajji, the legal director of the European-Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR), was quoted as saying by the news agency AFP. "They are often victims of major drug dealers and subjected to a series of violations from the moment of their arrest until their execution."

As the number of executions continues to rise, families of those on death row are left in constant fear.

"Families of foreign nationals on death row are understandably terrified that their loved one will be next," said Jeed Basyouni from the anti-death penalty group Reprieve.

He called the situation an "unprecedented execution crisis."

According to AFP, foreigners executed this year included 21 from Pakistan, 20 from Yemen, 14 from Syria, 10 from Nigeria, nine from Egypt, eight from Jordan and seven from Ethiopia. There were also three each from Sudan, India and Afghanistan, and one each from Sri Lanka, Eritrea and the Philippines.

The kingdom has been under increasing scrutiny for its use of the death penalty, with international organisations such as Amnesty International citing Saudi Arabia as the third-largest executor of prisoners worldwide, behind China and Iran.

The high number of executions this year contradicts claims of Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who, in a 2022 interview with The Atlantic, said the kingdom had abolished the death penalty, except for cases involving murder or individuals posing a threat to many lives.

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Video: Fliers Panic As Phone Catches Fire Inside Plane At US Airport

People aboard a Southwest Airlines flight in the United States were forced to evacuate after a passenger's smartphone battery caught fire and damaged a seat. The Boeing 737-700 was preparing for take-off in Denver, Colorado, on Friday, when the incident was reported, forcing all 108 passengers to deboard immediately.

Officials at the Federal Aviation Administration and the airline said that passengers in the back seats of the plane fled with the help of rear emergency slides. Those in the front seats had to reportedly use the front door via the jet bridge to get out of the aeroplane.

A passengers cellphone caught on fire after boarding a Southwest Airlines flight pic.twitter.com/Epit1PGV62

— non aesthetic things (@PicturesFoIder) November 16, 2024

In its statement, the Dallas-based airline said the preliminary reports in the incident stated that one of the passengers onboard suffered a minor injury during the evacuation process. The person, whose phone caught fire, was being treated for the burns.

Acting swiftly on the matter, the crew members extinguished the seat fire.

Due to the inconvenience caused to the passengers, the airline said they worked to accommodate them on another flight so that they could reach their destination on time.

"Southwest's customer care team is working to accommodate the passengers on another aircraft to their original destination of Houston... Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of its customers and employees," an airline spokesperson said.

The airline said the reason behind the incident currently "remains under investigation."

On the other hand, the Federal Aviation Administration added it was looking into the matter and would investigate how the smartphone caught fire.

Due to the incident, the flight got delayed for three hours before reaching its destination at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, data from FlightAware showed.

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No Communication From Gambhir? India Star Breaks Silence On Australia Snub

With the highly anticipated five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia set to commence on November 22 at Perth, Indian cricketer Shardul Thakur has expressed confidence in Virat Kohli's ability to deliver in the series despite recent struggles. Both Kohli and Rohit Sharma have faced scrutiny for their inconsistent form during the New Zealand tour, managing a combined 184 runs across six innings. As fans and experts debate their place in the Test side, Thakur believes Kohli's stellar record and experience in Australia will prove invaluable.

Thakur shed light on the immense pressure that Kohli faces, emphasising the high expectations surrounding the star batter. "With playing, criticism will always come. When Virat bats, we tend to expect him to score a century every time. So, even if he scores 70 runs, it feels like he has failed, but the reality is, he has still scored 70 runs. He has made so many centuries; after Sachin Tendulkar, he is the one with the most centuries in the world," Thakur told IANS after finishing the third day's play in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match against Services at the Air Force ground at Palam here on Friday.

Thakur further highlighted Kohli's outstanding performances in Australia over the years, where the former Indian captain has accumulated over 600 runs in 13 Tests at an average exceeding 50.

“Everyone knows, deep down, how well Virat plays in Australia. He has everything — whether it's technique or the right approach — to succeed on the Australian tour. He has proven it time and again whenever he has toured Australia, and I am confident he will do it again this time. He will be back don't worry,” Thakur asserted confidently.

Thakur himself has been on a determined journey of recovery and improvement. Returning from surgery, Shardul delivered a match-winning performance in Mumbai's Elite Group A clash against Services. He picked up a total of seven wickets across both innings, with standout figures of 12-0-39-3 in the third day's play. His early strikes had Services reeling at 60/3 by lunch, and Mumbai closed in on a potential outright victory, bolstered by Thakur's efforts.

Reflecting on his comeback, Thakur admitted to initial hesitation after his surgery. "In the initial one or two matches, I had a bit of hesitation while starting, but as I kept playing matches post-surgery, my confidence gradually developed. Now, I have achieved 100% fitness, and it's reflected in my bowling as well. In the past three or four matches, I have been bowling in full rhythm.

"Although quite a few catches were dropped, so the wickets aren't reflecting on the board. If those catches were taken, I would have had around 20 wickets in five matches. But that's part and parcel of the game. Overall, I'm feeling quite good in terms of fitness and bowling. It's a satisfying feeling, I would say," said Thakur.

Despite his impressive domestic performance, Thakur was overlooked for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad. However, he remains optimistic about future opportunities, particularly with a packed schedule that includes Australia's tour, England's white-ball matches in India, and the Champions Trophy.

"I haven't had any communication yet. But right now, I have just returned from surgery, so it's obvious that's the reason I am not on the team at the moment. However, my fitness is in great shape now, and since the Australia tour is a long one, opportunities can come anytime.

"Following that, the England team is also coming to India for white-ball matches, then there's the Champions Trophy, so there's a lot of cricket ahead. So, there will surely be chances somewhere down the line. My only focus at the moment is to further improve my fitness, work harder on my bowling, and always give 100% when I step onto the ground," said Thakur.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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US Man Who Went On Crime Spree With Mother 'Dragon Lady' Speaks Out

Notorious criminal Sante Kimes' son Kenneth, now 49, has opened up about his tumultuous childhood and years as an accomplice to his mother's crimes. "If I could only have an hour with my younger self, I would say, 'buddy … you have to file for emancipation from your parents,'" Kimes told CNN from prison. "You have to save yourself."

Kimes and his mother, infamously known as the Dragon Lady, were convicted of killing New York socialite Irene Silverman in 1998. 

The pair's crimes stretched beyond New York. At the time of Ms Silverman's disappearance, they were wanted for arson, insurance fraud, and a shooting in California, along with a suspected murder in the Bahamas. Their arrests revealed an even darker past. They were linked to a series of crimes involving kidnapping and enslaving domestic workers, including a notorious case in the mid-1980s where Sante Kimes was sentenced to prison for running a human trafficking operation across several states.

Read | How A Brooklyn Neighbourhood Gave Rise To The Dreaded New York Mafia

When the police arrested them in New York, they discovered incriminating evidence in their car, including weapons, wigs, and personal items belonging to Ms Silverman, including a forged deed to her property. Despite this, the Kimes denied any involvement in Ms Silverman's disappearance.

Sante Kimes called their arrest a "witch hunt" and denied all charges, claiming they were victims of mistaken identity.

In 2000, a jury convicted the Kimes of Ms Silverman's murder, sentencing them to 120 years to life in prison. However, four years later, Kenneth Kimes made a stunning revelation. He confessed to killing the elderly socialite, implicating his mother in the crime in exchange for a plea deal. "I want to make it clear that I did not confess because I wanted to rat my mom out. I confessed because I was afraid of the death penalty for me or her," Kimes said.

Read | US Man Stabs Girlfriend To Death Because He Didn't Like Her New Haircut

Kimes described how he tackled Ms Silverman in her bedroom while his mother turned on the television to mask the noise. He then strangled her, stuffed her body in a car, and dumped it at a construction site in northern New Jersey. Her body was never found. The last time he saw his mother was during his confession in 2004. “When I started confessing, she started crying,” Kimes recalled.

His mother died in 2014 while serving her prison sentence.

Kimes described his childhood as marked by lies, uncertainty, and FBI raids. His mother's 1985 prison sentence for kidnapping and enslaving maids was a significant moment. "It had a huge, damaging effect on my perspective," he said. He also recalled his mother's charisma and manipulative nature, saying, "My mom could make every man in the room feel like the most important person in the planet."  

Read | US Woman Arrested For Chopping Mother Into Pieces And Cooking Body Parts

Kimes also remembered a brief period of stability with his father after his mother was imprisoned in the 1980s. "It was the most stable period of my young life," he said. However, when his father died suddenly, his mother manipulated him, hiding the news of his death for months.

Now serving time in the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, Kimes has spent years reflecting on his past and the consequences of his upbringing. He often thinks about the lack of intervention during his childhood, and what might have happened if someone had taken him away from his parents. “Maybe I wouldn't have been a high-profile murderer,” he said. “My whole life and criminality is a study on the outcome of lack of prevention. There are many kids like me who are on the road to destruction.”

Kimes has turned to religion and believes he will meet his late partner in heaven. He also regretted his actions and offered an apology to the families of his victims: "To anyone I've harmed, I know it's worthless, but I'm sorry.”

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"We Ran Out Of Missiles": US Fighter Pilots Recall Iran's Attack On Israel

The F-15 fighter pilots from the US have recounted how they ran out of air-to-air missiles and switched to guns during the massive Iranian attack on Israel. In April this year, Iran fired more than 300 drones, ballistic and cruise missiles on Israel, a far larger strike than the US military anticipated.

Major Benjamin “Irish” Coffey, an F-15 fighter pilot, has recalled how he was not expecting to run out of missiles while taking on the Iranian attack.

While they were instructed to use every weapon at their disposal to help Israel, Major Coffey and his crew-mate, weapons systems officer Captain Lacie “Sonic” Hester soon came up with a plan when they ran out of air-to-air missiles.

They recalled how they flew as close as they could to an Iranian drone — way below the minimum safe altitude for the F-15 Strike Eagle — and used a gun against a target that was barely visible. This was an extremely dangerous maneuver for the pilots in total darkness. However, they still ended up missing the target.

“You feel the terrain rush, you feel yourself getting closer and closer to the ground. The risk was just too high to try again," Major Coffey told CNN.

In the end, the US forces, both in the air as well as at sea, were able to intercept 70 drones and three ballistic missiles during the attack, which was largely thwarted.

This was the US Air Force's maiden “real test” against a prolonged and large-scale drone attack as the fighters spent multiple hours in the air that night.

The situation was equally chaotic at the undisclosed US military base in the Middle East as the air defenses there had shot down Iranian missiles and drones overhead, while troops were rushed to bunkers.

The attack by Iran was in retaliation for Israel's attack on the Iranian consulate building in Syria, leaving several members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps dead.

Captain Hester said that when they were getting briefed that night, they "had no idea” about what could have happened.

Sharing his thoughts, F-15 pilot Lieutenant Colonel Timothy “Diesel” Causey added that they did not have much time before then to practice. He went on to call the attack drones a "low cost, low risk for the enemy to employ."

The weapons of the fighter jets were depleted quickly as the F-15E Strike Eagle is able to carry only eight air-to-air missiles at a time. “We ran out of missiles pretty quickly…20 minutes maybe," said F-15 pilot Lieutenant Colonel Curtis “Voodoo” Culver.

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Scientists Stunned By Enormous Coral Discovery In Solomon Islands

Scientists have found the world's largest coral -- as big as two basketball courts -- visible from space and at least 300 years old in the waters of the Solomon Islands, CNN reported. The gigantic coral was discovered in October during a scientific expedition launched by the National Geographic Pristine Seas program to study ocean health. According to Pristine Seas, the coral is longer than a blue whale, the largest mammal on Earth. In contrast to a reef, which is made up of numerous colonies, it is a single specimen that developed continuously for centuries.

“Just when we think there is nothing left to discover on planet Earth, we find a massive coral made of nearly 1 billion little polyps, pulsing with life,” said Enric Sala, marine ecologist and founder of Pristine Seas.

From above, the coral resembles a massive, swaying brown rock. At first, several members of the team, even thought it was a shipwreck. "I knew right away that I was looking at something special," said underwater videographer and marine biologist Manu San Félix. It's “close to the size of a cathedral.”

Later, when scientists looked at satellite photos, they discovered the coral was so enormous and could be seen from space.

With its intricate web of polyps and bursts of vibrant purples, yellows, blues, and reds contrast with its brown colour, the coral transforms into something amazing up close. Fish, crabs, and shrimp are among the many marine creatures that call the coral home. According to San Féliz, it's also like a living encyclopedia, with data on ocean conditions dating back hundreds of years.

Corals are vital for both humans and marine life. While marine creatures depend on them for food and shelter, corals indirectly provide food for an estimated 1 billion people by supporting fisheries and acting as a barrier against storms and sea level rise. 

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"Only Survivor": Gaza Child Left Alone After Family Killed In Israeli Attacks

A video of a child being carried by his neighbour in the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes in Northern Gaza shows the extent of the mental and physical toll the war has taken on Palestinians. The boy, Mohammad, whose family was killed in overnight airstrikes, is the sole surviving member. His neighbour carried him in arms while people in the Beit Hanoun fled the area to escape Israeli airstrikes and bombs, CNN reported.

In a video dated November 12, the neighbour carrying the kid described the events of the previous night. “This child is the only survivor from all his family members who were killed overnight,” the man said, visibly distressed. “He is all burnt, he is the only survivor.”

The neighbour recounted how Israeli forces launched the attacks in the area, forcing families to flee under intense bombardment. “All of a sudden, they entered our houses, under heavy fire and explosives,” the man added. “This child is the only one alive.”

The child was rescued amid widespread displacement in the area. According to Gaza's civil defence, at least 15 people were killed in the Israeli airstrikes in Beit Hanoun. Hundreds of families are now fleeing the city, as Israeli forces continue their onslaught, pushing civilians out of their homes, reported CNN.

With their belongings packed into whatever they could carry — from bicycles to wheelchairs — families were seen evacuating under duress. “Yesterday, they brought us flour, and this morning, we were forced to be displaced. We didn't sleep the night from Israeli strikes. They struck houses next to us, surrounded us, raided our homes under gunfire, and forced us out,” one displaced woman said.

This forced evacuation comes after the first humanitarian aid truck reached Beit Hanoun in over a month, bringing food and supplies to the population. The World Food Programme, which delivered the aid, said the situation had rapidly deteriorated, with families being pressured to flee under the threat of further military action.

The Israeli military confirmed that its troops had moved into Beit Hanoun, where humanitarian aid had recently been distributed.

Al Jazeera reported that Palestinians in northern Gaza, including those sheltering in camps and makeshift shelters, have been forced to flee as Israeli airstrikes and ground operations intensify.

In over a year of Israeli bombardment and airstrikes in Gaza, over 43,000 people have been killed, and almost the entire population of the narrow strip -- already cut off from the wider world -- has been displaced. Israel's relentless bombing started after the October 7 Hamas attack in which 1200 people were killed.

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Donald Trump's Presidency Raises Fresh Conflict Of Interest Concerns

Donald Trump's impending White House return poses questions once again about conflicts of interest related to his business empire, with new cryptocurrency and other ventures raising fresh concerns.

The billionaire's stunning political comeback is "rocket fuel for the Trump Empire," said Mark Hass, an Arizona State University marketing professor.

After almost a decade of making headlines around the globe, Trump's "brand is... sort of the Nike or Apple of politics," he said.

Everybody in the world knows what it stands for.

Trump no longer holds an executive title at the Trump Organisation, which has been run by his two eldest sons since his 2016 election win.

However, the 78-year-old has retained his stake in the family business via a trust, which during his first term in office was managed by a third party.

After he left the White House, Trump made himself a co-administrator of the trust. He has yet to say if he will relinquish the position when he takes office again in January.

Regardless, according to Hass, Trump's association with his businesses will persist.

"Maybe he does not have a direct role in it, but you couldn't get as close to the business without directly running it, than having your sons run it and to have your name on it," he said.

Tim Calkins, a Northwestern University marketing professor, said that Trump's victory has likely revived the family's brand.

"Brands are associations and at the moment the Trump brand is associated with winning, comebacks and momentum," he told AFP.

"Trump is still a very polarizing brand, but the election outcome has strengthened the positive associations," he said.

Since Trump's last term in office, the family business has struck substantial deals overseas, with several linked to Saudi Arabia.

The Trump Organization has partnered with Saudi developer Dar Global on a high-rise apartment complex in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, a luxury building in Dubai and a hotel complex in Oman.

It has also signed an agreement with LIV Golf, controlled by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, and has hosted several LIV events on Trump-owned golf courses.

Haas said that such partners understand the contracts give them "influence" over Trump, and will ultimately produce financial benefits for him.

Stock price

Trump's conflicts of interest will be "a lot worse" than his last presidency, said Jordan Libowitz, vice president of communications at CREW, a government ethics watchdog group.

Libowitz pointed to Trump's expanded portfolio, which now includes a media group trading on the public market.

"There's nothing stopping, say, the Saudi wealth fund, the Emirati wealth fund, the Kuwait wealth fund -- which all do major investments in technology stocks... from pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into the stock," he said.

Trump owns nearly 53 percent of the Trump Media Technology Group (TMTG), the parent company of his Truth Social platform.

That stake is currently valued at around $3.8 billion -- making up the majority of his estimated $5.9 billion wealth, according to Forbes.

Foreign investors buying up the stock could raise its price greatly, said Libowitz. "But they can also crash it by selling all en masse."

The New York Post has reported, citing members of Trump's campaign team, that billionaire ally Elon Musk is considering acquiring Truth Social through X, his platform formerly known as Twitter.

The president-elect has also recently ventured into the world of cryptocurrencies, joining his sons in backing a new exchange platform called World Liberty Financial.

Trump is not a shareholder or board member of the start-up, but will receive compensation for the platform using his name.

"It's still not clear how it works or what it's doing," Libowitz said. "But cryptocurrency is notorious for its ability to funnel money anonymously, particularly from overseas."

CREW is considering filing suit against Trump -- as it did during his first administration -- arguing that the president is receiving payments from foreign clients in violation of the US Constitution.

The group's previous suit eventually made its way to the Supreme Court, but it was dismissed because Trump had already left the White House.

"I think it'll be a much more transactional presidency, because there are no obstacles," Hass said of Trump's second term.

"Trump, if nothing else, understands how to monetize his name and his fame."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Odisha College Student Trishna Ray Crowned Miss Teen Universe 2024

Trishna Ray, a student of KIIT University in Bhubaneswar, has been crowned Miss Teen Universe 2024. Ms Ray was given the coveted crown at the pageant held in South Africa's Kimberley, and its photos and videos have been posted by the event organisers on Instagram. The event was held from November 1 to 9; the 10 finalists came from countries including Peru, South Africa, Brazil, Kenya, Portugal, and Netherlands but Ms Ray beat all of them to become Miss Teen Universe 2024.

Peru's Anne Thorsen and Namibia's Precious Andre were first and second runner-up.

Watch the video of Trishna Ray's win:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Miss Teen Universe (@orgmissteenuniverse)

According to Kalinga TV, she is the daughter of Colonel Dillip Kumar Ray and Rajashree Ray and studies fashion technology at KIIT.

The institute's founder Dr Achyuta Samanta congratulated the 19-year-old.

Congratulatory messages poured in on social media too.

"It was your time," said one user on Instagram. "India came, India shined, India conquered. Trishna Ray thank you for bringing this honour for the nation," said fashion designer Shaine Soni.

"We now have the golden and the pink crowns both the first time for India. What a year. What an ND. What girls," a third user commented.

Miss Ray won the Miss Teen Universe India pageant on April 13 last year. 

Her institute posted the news of her win on its website, which talks about her struggles and setbacks. It said that the win is special since Miss Ray had missed competitions in Colombia and the Dominican Republic due to visa issues.

Her win is a testament to her perseverance, making both Odisha and India immensely proud, the institute said while congratulating the young winner.

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China Woman Dies After 6 Cosmetic Surgeries In A Day, Family Files Lawsuit

In a tragic incident, a woman in China died after undergoing six cosmetic surgeries in a single day, sparking a lawsuit filed by her family against the clinic involved. Her family sought compensation of USD 168,000, alleging negligence and improper care. However, they received only half of the requested amount in the settlement. This case has sparked discussions about the risks associated with multiple surgical procedures and the growing demand for cosmetic enhancements in China. 

According to the South China Morning Post, the woman who has been identified as Liu, belonging to a rural area in Guigang, Guangxi province, southern China visited a clinic in Nanning on December 9, 2020. She also took out a loan of over 40,000 yuan (US$5,600) to finance the procedures. Liu first underwent double eyelid surgery and a nose job, which lasted five hours, followed by liposuction on her thighs the next morning.

The extracted fat was then injected into her face and breasts in another five-hour procedure. However, just as Liu was discharged on December 11, she suddenly collapsed in the clinic's lift. Despite emergency efforts by the clinic staff, Liu's condition deteriorated rapidly. She was rushed to The Second Nanning People's Hospital, where she was pronounced dead later that afternoon. The autopsy report showed that she died from ''acute respiratory failure due to pulmonary embolism after liposuction''.

In the aftermath, Liu's family took legal action, filing a lawsuit against the clinic at Jiangnan District People's Court of Nanning City. They demanded compensation of 1.18 million yuan (US$168,000), alleging negligence and malpractice on the part of the clinic. 

Her husband said, ''The clinic offered me 200,000 yuan as compensation. I said that at least one million yuan should be given for a person's death. Even if we split the responsibility, it should still be at least 500,000 yuan. I refused their private settlement, and I said we should just go to court.''

The legal battle intensified as the clinic shifted blame to Liu, claiming she should have understood the risks associated with cosmetic surgery. Despite the autopsy report, the clinic argued that malpractice had not been proven. However, when multiple court-commissioned agencies requested the clinic's treatment standards, they refused to comply. In May 2021, the court initially held the clinic fully responsible for Liu's death, ordering compensation of over one million yuan (US$140,000). The clinic appealed, and in August, the court revised the ruling, acknowledging partial responsibility and reducing compensation to 590,000 yuan.

The court-ordered evaluation revealed that Liu's pre-existing physical condition may have played a role in her death, leading to a revised judgment of shared liability between Liu and the clinic. 

The tragic incident went viral on social media, garnering over 50 million views and unleashing a torrent of public outrage against the clinic. One user wrote, ''Six surgeries in one day? Does the clinic have no common sense? Did they not consider the risk of complications, especially with liposuction, which can easily lead to blood clots?''

Another commented, ''Dying in the pursuit of beauty. This is really beyond extreme.''

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"Are We Being Fair To Rinku Singh?" SKY Faces Tough Question On India Star

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has criticised the team management for under utilising star batter Rinku Singh during the 1st T20I against South Africa on Friday. Rinku, who has scored 490 runs in 27 T20Is at an average of 54.44, came out to bat at no. 6 and could score only 11 off 10 balls. While India won the match by 61 runs, courtesy of Sanju Samson's century, Chopra argued if the management is being fair with Rinku, who hasn't been getting enough opportunities with the bat in recent times.

Chopra suggested that the team management should promote Rinku up the order as the explosive batter has scored runs whenever he has been sent up the order.

"Are we being fair to Rinku? It's a very important question. Why am I asking this question? You kept him in the team first, he is your original choice player. He was in your team against Bangladesh and before that as well. Whenever you have sent him up the order or he has got to bat in the powerplay, he has scored runs every time," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Chopra explained that Rinku isn't just a finisher as he can bat up the order, labelling him a crisis man.

"He has scored a half-century every time. He has emerged as a crisis man. He scored those half-centuries at very good strike rates. So this was that opportunity. Why don't you send him at No. 4? What is the reason that you only send Rinku down the order, always at No. 6?"

"I am asking this question only because Rinku can finish, but he is not just a finisher. This is my understanding. I feel he knows how to drive the game. He is hitting sixes but he is not someone who muscles the ball. He is not Andre Russell and he is not Hardik Pandya as well," he added.

Team India took a 1-0 lead in the series and Rinku will be in action next in the 2nd T20I in Gqeberha on November 10.

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Ukraine Launches Drone Attack On Moscow, Two Airports Shut

Ukraine launched at least 17 drones targeting Moscow early on Sunday, forcing the temporary closure of two of the capital's airports, Russian officials said.

Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the 12 drones were destroyed in the Ramenskoye and Kolomensky districts of the Moscow region, as well as in Domodedovo city, southwest of Moscow.

"According to preliminary information, there is no damage or casualties at the site of the fall of the debris," Sobyanin said on the Telegram messaging app. "Emergency services are on the sites."

The Ramenskoye district, some 45 km (30 miles) southeast of the Kremlin, was last targeted in September Ukraine's biggest attack on the Russian capital, when Russian air defence units destroyed 20 drones.

Rosaviatsia, Russia's federal air transport agency, said on Telegram that "to ensure the safety of civil aircraft flights, temporary restrictions have been introduced on the operation of the Domodedovo and Zhukovo airports," starting at 0530 GMT.

It did not say how long the restrictions would be in force.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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After US Election Loss, What's Next For Kamala Harris?

US Vice President Kamala Harris addressed a sombre crowd at her alma mater Howard University after she lost to Republican rival Donald Trump. She vowed to continue the fight that fuelled her campaign for the US election.

The 60-year-old will demit office in 72 days and has announced no immediate plans as far as her political career is concerned.

So what is next for Kamala Harris?

Prepare For 2028?

The most obvious choice before the former Democratic nominee is to take time and prepare for another bid in 2028. There are a few examples from the past. John Kerry, the 2004 nominee, lost to George Bush but didn't entirely disappear from the political scene after that. He served as the Secretary of State in Barack Obama's second term.

Back To The Senate?

Like John Kerry, returning to state politics and building the momentum again is an option. However, the road for Ms Harris doesn't appear to be an easy one. Longtime Democrat donor Mark Buell expressed the disappointment shared by many in her home state. “Everybody is devastated,” he was quoted as saying by New York Times.

Richie Greenberg, a Republican commentator based in San Francisco, said that Ms Harris might struggle to secure the fundraising support she once enjoyed.

Role In The Democratic Party

One potential path for Ms Harris could be that of a spokesperson within the Democratic Party, given her broad name recognition and connections. However, Greenberg thinks she will face challenges reigniting financial support from her base in San Francisco.

A Tell-All Book

Like at least two of the former Democratic nominees -- Hillary Clinton and Al Gore -- who lost the Presidential bids and decided to immerse themselves in writing and other pursuits, Ms Harris could also think in the same direction. While Hillary wrote a book titled 'What Happened' after losing to Trump in 2016, Gore produced a documentary film 'An Inconvenient Truth'.

Enjoy Time Away From Politics

In a couple of months, Ms Harris will be out of the Vice-President's office and can do what she promised to herself on October 27. “I plan on putting on some pounds after this is over,” she said at a Pennsylvania bookstore. “They're working me to the bone.”

Other than that, Harris could also follow in the footsteps of Ms Clinton, who hasn't been that active in politics and is more focused on her personal life. However, she continues to maintain a good rapport with donors.

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Opinion: Private Property And The Question Of 'Constitutional Socialism'

Recently, an ideological dialogue happened in the Indian Supreme Court on Article 39(b) of the Constitution. The judgment by a nine-judge Bench in Property Owners Association v. State of Maharashtra last Tuesday reflects a division of opinion on the topic, though the majority on the Bench laid down the law.

Constitutional socialism, like political socialism, has remained a controversial issue in the Indian juridical discourse. Article 39(b) of the Constitution, together with other provisions under the directive principles in part IV of the Constitution, embodies an idea of constitutional socialism. This, however, is a contested argument. To understand the legal and political ramifications of the verdict, let us now examine the crux of the judgment.

The Fundamentality Of Directive Principles

The Court in the current case broadly did two things. First, it said that the annulment of certain amendments made to Article 31-C of the Constitution would not nullify Article 31-C in the unamended form. This is the Article that gives immunity to certain laws from judicial review if the laws are made to further the directive principles of state policy stated in the Constitution. The Article says that such laws cannot be assailed on grounds of violation of the equality clause (Article 14) or the freedom clause (Article 19) in the Constitution. This signifies the fundamentality of directive principles in the process of governance, which are otherwise not enforceable. This takes us to the second and the more vital part of the judgment. The majority held that the interpretation given to Article 39(b) of the Constitution by Justice Krishna Iyer in a minority judgment in 1977 in Ranganatha Reddy endorsed by the five-judge Bench in Sanjeev Coke (1982) was not good law on Article 39(b). Thus, the Court overturned the precedential materials in the Article that gave an expanded connotation to this constitutional provision.

Article 39(b) says that the State shall strive for policy to secure that “the ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed as best to subserve the common good”. In a minority judgment in State of Karnataka v. Ranganatha Reddy (1977) Justice Krishna Iyer analysed the Article and said that all individual wealth is part of the community's wealth and therefore, private property is well within the ambit of “material resources of the community”. He said that “material resources of the community in the context of re-ordering the national economy embraces all the national wealth, not merely natural resources, all the private and public sources of meeting material needs, not merely public possessions”. He added that “to exclude ownership of private resources from the coils of Article 39(b) is to cipherise its very purpose of redistribution the socialist way”. This minority verdict in Ranganatha Reddy was endorsed by a five-judge Bench in Sanjeev Coke. Thus, the minority verdict [which essentially has not expressly disagreed on the point of Article 39(b)] got an authoritative endorsement in Sanjeev Coke. This interpretation was validated in a series of judgments that followed Sanjeev Coke. Thus, the ”Krishna Iyer doctrine”, as CJI Chandrachud calls it, got judicially reaffirmed.

What Ambedkar Said 

It is this constitutional landscape that is now thoroughly altered by the majority judgment in the Property Owners Association case. According to CJI Chandrachud, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar did not perceive the Article in the way Krishna Iyer did. Relying on the reply given by Dr Ambedkar to Prof. K.T. Shah in the Constituent Assembly, Justice Chandrachud said that the Court is unable to subscribe to “the expensive view” of Justice Iyer. He wrote: ”...(T)his Court must not tread into the domain of economic policy, or endorse a particular economic ideology while undertaking constitutional interpretation”.

The counter view on Article 39(b) is well reflected in Justice Dhulia's minority view. He endorses Krishna Iyer's approach on the ground that the Constitution in general and the directive principles [including Article 39(b)] are essentially socialist in their tone and tenor. Curiously again, Justice Dhulia relies on Dr Ambedkar's reply (relied on by Chandrachud) to say quite the opposite of what Justice Chandrachud said. According to him, the very scheme of the directive principles reflected the idea of constitutional socialism. He also relied on Ambedkar's famous speech in the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949, underscoring the absence of socio-economic equality in the country. He also put forward a blunt commonsensical reading of the Article, saying that for utilising public assets for public good, no constitutional provision is required, and the very purpose of Article 39(b) is to empower the state to ensure public good by resorting to privately owned resources. He said public property will be used for public good only, even if it is not contemplated in the directive principles. Criticism of the 'Krishna Iyer doctrine' by Chief Justice Chandrachud is not endorsed by Justice Nagarathna either, though the judge agreed substantially with the majority judgment.

Law, Politics, And The 'Iyer Doctrine' 

It is necessary to understand the constitutional, political and economic context in which the ‘Iyer doctrine' evolved. The era of Land Reforms Acts by different states, laws for abolition of the Zamindari system and privy purses, and nationalisation of private banks were all developments that facilitated a political climate of Nehruvian socialism that paved the way to the Krishna Iyer doctrine. Laws are essentially political statements made by the regime of the day. The preambular addition of the word “socialist” did not indicate anything new but only restated the socialist inclination of the Constitution, which was otherwise clear, as elaborated by Justice Dhulia in the present minority verdict.

The present judgment also held that Article 31-C in the unamended form will hold good. Certain additions to this Article made by way of the 42nd amendment in 1977 were struck down in the Minerva Mills Case (1980). The curious aspect, however, is that the Centre argued in favour of the State's power to treat private properties as “material resources of the community”, relying on Krishna Iyer's doctrine. This argument was repelled by the majority on the Bench. In an era of privatisation of public properties, this gesture may appear to be a bit ironic.

At any rate, the present regime at the Centre is not a proponent of Nehruvian socialism. Political and ideological shifts play a big role in determining what the Constitution means, what it says and how it is invoked. The distance that the nation has travelled since 1977 is reflected in the Property Owners Association case and the dissent in the judgment shows the other side of the coin. The judgment will carry forward the eternal discourse on the socialist traits in the country's Constitution. The juridical discourse on the topic underlines the quality of deliberative democracy within the system of judiciary.

(Kaleeswaram Raj is a lawyer at the Supreme Court of India)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

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