What's New? America's billionaires enjoyed a stellar 2024, their collective net worth soaring by hundreds of billions of dollars on the back of a sustained boom in the tech sector. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which ranks daily the world's wealthiest individuals, nine out of the 10 individuals who saw the largest growth in their net worth since January are U.S. citizens. Elon Musk , the South African-born CEO of SpaceX , Tesla , and X (formerly Twitter), saw his net worth skyrocket by an astounding $222 billion for a total of $451 billion as of December 24. His shares in Tesla, which make up a significant portion of his total fortune, have grown by 81 percent over the same period. Taken together, the 10 centibillionaires—which included perennial frontrunners Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos —notched an additional $730 billion onto their collective net worth in 2024, a few billion shy of Taiwan's GDP. Why It Matters The staggering accumulation of wealth—boosted in early November by the re-election of Donald Trump and a surge in U.S. stocks—sheds light on the dynamics of economic inequality in the U.S. and its broader implications. These debates had already been ignited by the impacts of inflation and wage stagnation as suffered by America's middle- and working-classes, and in the past such high figures have prompted calls for higher taxation on the super-wealthy, as well as examinations into the influence of money in the American political system. What To Know The individuals on Bloomberg's list, ranked by the increase in their net worth over the past 12 months, are: Elon Musk (+$222 billion), Mark Zuckerberg (+$84 billion), Nvidia founder Jensen Huang (+$77.9 billion), Jeff Bezos (+$67 billion), Larry Ellison (+$67 billion), Michael Dell (+$46.6 billion), Larry Page ($46.1 billion), Sergey Brin (+$42.2 billion), and Walmart heirs Jim (+$39.6 billion) and Alice Walton (+$39.0 billion). The nature of the billionaires on Bloomberg's list also highlights the outsized and growing impact of technology on the global economy today, nearly all of the billionaires deriving their wealth from ownership of companies in this sector. The global reach of communication technologies, and the high scalability of companies dealing in cutting edge tech, means that businesses positioned at the forefront of the digital transformation are poised to reap even greater rewards, promising today's billionaires even greater fortunes in the future. On the other end of the spectrum, the continued downturn in the luxury goods sector has seen many well-known billionaires shed significant portions from their net worth. Bernard Arnault, the founder and CEO of LVMH who once held the title of the world's richest person, saw his wealth decline by $32 billion in 2024. Arnault is followed by Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, businesswoman and heiress to the L'Oréal fortune, whose net worth sank by $25.6 billion so far this year. What People Are Saying Peter Oppenheimer , Chief Global Equity Strategist and Head of Macro Research in Europe at Goldman Sachs, spoke to financial outlet Boring Money about the future of the tech boom: "The drivers of this success have reflected their ability to leverage software and cloud computing and to fuel high profitability generated by extraordinary demand growth. But their more recent surge in performance since 2022 owes much to the hopes and aspirations around AI." What Happens Next? Some analysts have likened the tech boom to the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s and early 2000s, and warned that this too could burst, hurting those who hedged their fortunes on the transformative power of AI. For now, however, technology appears to have triggered an unparalleled rise in net worth for those at the pinnacle, leading to levels of individual wealth never before seen in history. Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about this article? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.After Juan Soto's megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soon
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CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. — Defense lawyers say the former longtime CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch may have dementia, and a competency hearing is necessary to determine if he can face sex charges. Lawyers for Michael Jeffries said in court papers unsealed this week that a neuropsychologist who examined Jeffries in October concluded he likely has dementia with behavioral disturbance, Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. The lawyers wrote that the neuropsychologist concluded that cognitive impairments, including impaired memory, diminished attention, processing speed slowness, and ease of confusion means Jeffries would not be capable of assisting his attorneys. In a letter to the judge, defense lawyers and prosecutors suggested that experts who have evaluated Jeffries testify at a hearing in June so that a ruling on competency can follow. Jeffries, 80, is free on $10 million bond after pleading not guilty in October to federal sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges. Prosecutors say Jeffries, his romantic partner and a third man lured men into drug-fueled sex parties by dangling the promise of modeling. Jeffries left Abercrombie in 2014 after more than two decades as CEO. An attorney representing alleged victims expressed skepticism about his dementia in a report in USA Today. BANGKOK — China's economy grew a bit more in 2023 than earlier thought, but the revision has not affected forecasts for "about 5 percent" growth in the GDP this year, the government said Dec. 26. The estimate for total economic activity, or gross domestic product, in 2023 for the world's second largest economy was increased by about 2.7 percent to 129.4 trillion yuan, or $17.7 trillion, based on an economic census conducted once every five years. Earlier this year, the government said the GDP was 126.06 trillion yuan. The exact impact on China's annual economic growth in 2023 was not given. Officials said further details would be released later. The economy grew at a 5.2 percent annual pace in 2023, according to the earlier estimate, up from 3 percent in 2022. The size of the U.S. economy last year was $27.36 trillion. WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. The U.S. Labor Department reported Dec. 26 that jobless claim applications ticked down by 1,000 to 219,000 for the week of Dec. 21. That's fewer than the 223,000 that analysts predicted. Continuing claims, the total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits, climbed by 46,000 to 1.91 million for the week of Dec. 14. That's more than analysts projected and the most since the week of Nov. 13, 2021. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered representative of U.S. layoffs. TOKYO — Japan Airlines has been hit by a cyberattack that caused delays to 24 domestic flights, but it managed to restore its systems within hours. The carrier said there was no impact on flight safety. JAL said the problem started Dec. 26 when the company's network connecting internal and external systems began malfunctioning. The airline said the cyberattack delayed the affected domestic flights for more than 30 minutes. JAL temporarily suspended ticket sales for both domestic and international service scheduled for departure on Thursday but they resumed a few hours later. BANGKOK — A spokesperson for Chinese automaker BYD has objected to reports about poor conditions at a construction site in Brazil where it is building a factory, saying the allegations were aimed at "smearing" China and Chinese brands. Earlier in the week, a task force led by Brazilian prosecutors said it had rescued 163 Chinese nationals it said were working in "slavery-like" conditions at the site. A video from the Labor Prosecutor's Office of dorms housing the workers showed beds with no mattresses and rudimentary cooking facilities. A BYD spokesperson, Li Yunfei, vehemently objected in a statement posted Thursday on his Weibo social media site. BYD, which stands for Build Your Dreams, is one of the world's largest producers of electric cars. The company said this week it would "immediately terminate the contract" with the factory contractor, the Jinjiang Group, and was "studying other appropriate measures." BYD said the workers would be housed in nearby hotels and would not suffer from the decision to stop work at the site. The company said that over the past few weeks it had been changing working conditions at the plant site and had told its contractors that "adjustments" had to be made.
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Ottawa mayor Mark Sutcliffe says he's disappointed in the amount of "misinformation" surrounding a plan to erect tent-like structures to accommodate hundreds of migrants in the city, a proposal that has been suggested to alleviate the city's overburdened shelter system. Sutcliffe spoke on a variety of issues in a year-end interview with CTV News, including the migrant crisis affecting municipalities across the country. Ottawa continues to face significant challenges in accommodating newcomers and refugees in the city, with a lack of temporary and permanent housing adding pressure to immigration support services and shelters. The city has proposed building at least one modular structure to be used as a newcomer reception centre at 1645 Woodroffe Ave. by the end of 2025 that could sleep up to 150 people inside. A second site in Kanata, at the Eagleson Park and Ride, would be used if the Woodroffe site proves insufficient to meet demand. The issue has proven to be polarizing, with some residents organizing large protests in opposition to the structures, raising concerns over crime and a lack of support services available in their neighbourhoods. An information session held last month to describe the project erupted into chaos after a man rushed the stage during the presentation. When asked if he regretted the way the city handled the communication with residents on the structures, Sutcliffe reiterated his support of the proposal, calling the current migrant situation "untenable" with local community centres being closed to temporarily support migrants and shelters that are at capacity. "I'm not happy about the amount of misinformation that's out there about what's going on. This is not a municipal responsibility. It's not municipal dollars that are going towards this solution. It's a federal issue and we're simply the people who are providing the solution because somebody has to," he said. "We can't have people sleeping outside, we can't have people sleeping in community centres. We need to return those community centres to those neighbourhoods and have a proper welcome centre for new arrivals to the country." He said there are several solutions in place for newcomers in many different parts of the city. "We are here simply to provide support and services to whatever new arrivals come into Ottawa so we're in a challenging position. We don't get to make the decisions about immigration, but we are here to respond to what is a migrant crisis around the world," he said. The City of Ottawa says there are 600 asylum seekers currently using Ottawa's shelter spaces. City staff say the newcomer reception centre is "intended to provide a more dignified option for newcomers who are currently sleeping on bunk beds in recreational facilities that have not been designed for human habitation." The planned structure is expected to have on-site services such as translation and asylum claim assistance. Residents would be able to stay inside the structures for up to 90 days, where they will be offered services to effectively transition into the community. If permanent housing has not been secured after 90 days, clients will move to other transitional housing facilities. Sutcliffe says city staff continue to work on a plan to open the first structure in early 2025 but says federal dollars will be needed to pay for it. He says only a small amount of municipal funds will be used for infrastructure needs. 'A long way to go' for ByWard Market revitalization, housing starts The mayor also spoke on plans to revitalize the ByWard Market ahead of its 200th birthday in 2027. The city is undertaking a $129 million plan to guide the market's evolution as business owners and residents continue to express concerns over homelessness and public safety in the area. Sutcliffe says he has heard positive feedback from business owners but said there is still work to be done. "We're making progress, but we still have a long way to go. We all want the ByWard Market to be what it was in the past — a real gathering place for the city, a real source of pride," he said. The provincial government announced earlier this month that it would be investing $20 million into the market, which includes funds to transform William Street into a pedestrian-only corridor and developing a "cultural and entertainment district." The Ottawa Police Service unveiled its new CORE strategy this year, which included the opening of a new police hub in the Rideau Centre and increased foot-patrols in certain crime "hot spots." The ByWard Market District Authority unveiled a new synthetic skating rink and winter market this year to attract residents to the area during the holiday season. Housing a priority for the city When asked what other issues he will be focused on this year, Sutcliffe said housing was top of mind for him and a big priority for the city while adding that more work needs to be done to build more. While the latest statistics have shown a boost in housing starts this year, the number of new homes under construction in the capital is 14 per cent lower than last year, according to a CMHC report. Housing experts have blamed the problem on higher interest rates in recent years and an increase in development fees for builders. "It's a very challenging, complicated file but we need to do more work to streamline our processes at the city of Ottawa and make it easier for homes to be approved," Sutcliffe said. "At the same time, we need the developers to build the homes that have already been approved. We've approved tens of thousands of homes of homes already that are still not being built by the developers that own those properties." When will the skateway open? The top-of-mind question for many residents this year is whether the Rideau Canal will be open for skating this winter. Sutcliffe wouldn't speculate on an opening date but said he hopes there will be more skating this year than the past two seasons. "Theres no question that that's become a big issue," he said. "It's amazing to me when I meet people from all over the world, one of the things they identify with Ottawa is the Rideau Canal and being able to skate on it during the winter. It's a real shame that we have only been able to have it open for a few days the last two winters." Sutcliffe says the city has faced several challenges this year but said he's optimistic about the future. He added he was proud of the amount of collaboration and consensus on city council, noting it has been better than previous terms. "I promised in 2022 that I would work very hard for the people of Ottawa every single day – I've done that. We've faced some big challenges this year, but we've accomplished a lot working together," he said. "At this time of year, I'm reflecting on how lucky I am to be the mayor, how lucky we are to live in Ottawa. It's a wonderful, kind, generous community." Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. Editor's Picks 10 Family Calendars And Planners That'll Help You Keep Track Of Everything In The New Year Our Guide To The Best Winter Boots You Can Get In Canada 16 Cozy Home Essentials That Cost Less Than $100 Home Our Guide To The Best Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) 14 Of The Best Home Security Devices You Can Find Online Right Now (And They've Got The Reviews To Prove It) 13 Of The Best Fidget Toys For Adults Gifts The Clock Is Ticking — Shop These 25 Last-Minute Amazon Prime Gifts Now If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 70+ Crowd-Pleasing Gifts Will Still Arrive Before Christmas If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 50 Brilliant Stocking Stuffers Will Still Arrive Before Christmas Beauty 20 Products Your Dry, Dehydrated Skin Will Thank You For Ordering 14 Hydrating Face Masks That’ll Save Your Skin This December 12 Budget-Friendly Products To Add To Your Winter Skincare Routine Deals 50+ Of The Best Amazon Canada Boxing Day Sales, Deals, And Discounts For 2024 The Altitude Sports Boxing Day Sale Has Begun — Here's What We're Shopping For PSA: The Michael Kors Boxing Week Sale Is Happening Right Now Ottawa Top Stories PART 2 | Ottawa mayor speaks on Sprung structures, challenges facing the city in year-end interview OPP and Ottawa firefighters help remove vehicle wedged into Highway 417 overpass Ottawa driver gets double licence suspension after allegedly going 3 times the speed limit Last minute shoppers in Ottawa wrap up Christmas wish lists Shoppers in Brockville, Ont. enjoying stress-free last-minute shopping What's open and closed in Ottawa over the holidays Ottawa welcomes new Team Canada fans with citizenship ceremony ahead of the World Juniors Five vehicles stolen while idling in Gatineau, Que. in recent weeks CTVNews.ca Top Stories What is flagpoling? A new ban on the practice is starting to take effect Immigration measures announced as part of Canada's border response to president-elect Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariff threat are starting to be implemented, beginning with a ban on what's known as 'flagpoling.' Hong Kong police issue arrest warrants and bounties for six activists including two Canadians Hong Kong police on Tuesday announced a fresh round of arrest warrants for six activists based overseas, with bounties set at $1 million Hong Kong dollars for information leading to their arrests. Indigenous family faced discrimination in North Bay, Ont., when they were kicked off transit bus Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination. OPP and Ottawa firefighters help remove vehicle wedged into Highway 417 overpass Ottawa firefighters and local Ontario Provincial Police officers were called to a bizarre scene Tuesday morning along Highway 417, where a driver managed to wedge his vehicle under an overpass. On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis appeals for courage to better the world Pope Francis said the story of Jesus' birth as a poor carpenter's son should instill hope that all people can make an impact on the world, as the pontiff on Tuesday led the world's Roman Catholics into Christmas. Read Trudeau's Christmas message Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued his Christmas message on Tuesday. Here is his message in full. Ontario First Nation challenging selection of underground nuclear waste site in court A First Nation in northern Ontario is challenging the selection of a nearby region as the site of a deep geological repository that will hold Canada's nuclear waste, arguing in a court filing that it should have had a say in the matter as the site falls "squarely" within its territory. Dismiss Trump taunts, expert says after 'churlish' social media posts about Canada U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada. Two arrested in Egypt after attempting to steal hundreds of ancient artifacts from the bottom of the sea Egyptian authorities have arrested two men for attempting to steal hundreds of ancient artifacts from the bottom of the sea, the country’s interior ministry said in a Monday statement. Atlantic Two deaths in Truro ruled homicides: RCMP Police in Nova Scotia are investigating after two deaths in Truro, N.S., over the weekend have been ruled homicides. Snow forecast through Christmas Eve for parts of the Maritimes Parts of the Maritimes that were hit by a weekend snowstorm are in for more of the white stuff this Christmas Eve. 'Can I taste it?': Rare $55,000 bottle of spirits for sale in Moncton, N.B. A rare bottle of Scotch whisky is for sale in downtown Moncton, N.B., with a price tag reading $55,000. Toronto Trudeau could stay or go. Either way, Canadians should brace for a spring election Canada appears to be barrelling toward a spring election now that the NDP is vowing to vote down the government early next year -- whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stays on or not. Premiers urge Trudeau to extend deadline for charitable donations after postal strike Canada’s premiers are calling on the federal government to extend the deadline for claiming charitable donations on tax returns through to the end of February. Police seek six suspects after Markham financial institution and customers robbed at gunpoint The York Regional Police (YRP) Hold-Up Unit is on the hunt for six suspects who robbed a financial institution and its customers at gunpoint in Markham on Monday. Montreal Snowfall means a white Christmas, but also traffic woes across southern Quebec roads A heavy snowfall has guaranteed much of Quebec a white Christmas, but it has also sent cars skidding off the province's roads during the busy holiday travel period. As governments try to solve housing crisis, modular homes emerge as potential solution With all three levels of governments looking to find ways to build more housing and faster, one Quebec builder says it has the solution. Quebec doing better job at retaining immigrants, Atlantic Canada still struggling Immigrants are increasingly choosing to stay in Quebec, according to a new report from Statistics Canada, but the same isn't true in the Atlantic region, which continues to lose newcomers to the rest of the country. Northern Ontario Indigenous family faced discrimination in North Bay, Ont., when they were kicked off transit bus Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination. Norad crew waiting for Santa to fly over Canada as annual holiday track underway Departing from the North Pole while we were all sleeping, Santa Claus' journey around the world bringing presents and Christmas cheer for all of the good boys and girls who believe is underway. Dismiss Trump taunts, expert says after 'churlish' social media posts about Canada U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada. Windsor Been to Detroit lately? Keep an eye out for these scam parking invoices The City of Detroit has issued a warning to motorists that scam texts are circulating asking for payment for unpaid parking invoices from the city. VIDEO | From a repaired stuffed animal to an ATV, shoppers reveal the best gift they have ever received With Christmas just hours away, the search for the perfect gift is on at stores and malls across the country. Chatham police aware of physical incident between two children going viral on social media The Chatham-Kent Police Service said it is aware of a video going viral on social media, showing a physical incident between two children in the area. London Palace Theatre boarded up over the holidays due to recent damage A break in, theft, and continued property damage has led to the boarding up of the Palace Theatre over the Christmas holidays. Knights stars ready to help Canada chase gold at World Juniors Three London Knights are on the roster, including Easton Cowan, who scored a hat-trick in Canada’s first exhibition game. London fire responds to Wellington Road collision, contains fuel leak London Fire Department was on the scene of a two vehicle collision involving a delivery truck on Tuesday morning. Kitchener Why holiday shopping may feel a little different this year At around 11 a.m. Tuesday at Kitchener’s Fairview Park Mall, there were plenty of parking spots available. It’s a sign that maybe this year, the rush for last minute gifts is no more. What’s open and what’s closed over the holidays A detailed guide to what’s open and closed between Dec. 24 and New Year's Day. Police investigating after vandalization of Pride crosswalk in Waterloo Waterloo Regional Police are investigating after a Pride crosswalk was vandalized in Waterloo on Sunday. Barrie Here's when Santa is coming down your chimney, live tracking underway in Simcoe County The spirit of Christmas is in the air as Santa Claus begins his lasting journey to deliver presents to children around the region. Help this missing pup make it home for Christmas The Ontario SPCA in Barrie needs your help bringing this handsome pup home to his family before Christmas. Here's where you can retire your spruce after the holiday season If you got a retired spruce that you’d like to put to rest after the holidays, here are a few options you may want to consider. Winnipeg One person dead, another injured following Monday night house fire One person has died and another is in unstable condition following a house fire Monday evening. Winnipeg police investigating string of packages being stolen The Winnipeg Police Service is investigating a string of package thefts in the Transcona area. ‘Choosing your own adventure’: Winnipeg’s Select Start readies Exchange District for brand new ‘barcade’ experience A new ‘barcade’ in the heart of the Exchange District is hoping to be a successful launch title for a new generation of players. Calgary Three sent to hospital after Glenmore Trail crash Calgary police shut down Glenmore Trail overnight following a crash between a car and a crane truck. Person in critical condition after downtown Calgary fire A person was sent to hospital in life-threatening condition after a fire in downtown Calgary on Tuesday morning. Skier seriously injured in avalanche near Revelstoke, B.C. A skier was seriously injured after an avalanche near Revelstoke, B.C., over the weekend. Edmonton Edmonton apartment building boarded up after evacuation order from the city An Edmonton apartment building that was evacuated for safety reasons on Monday now sits boarded up. 1 charged after van stolen from Edmonton's Food Bank on Monday One person has been arrested after a van was stolen from Edmonton's Food Bank on Monday. Homelessness, rising property taxes major matters for Edmonton's mayor in 2024 Amarjeet Sohi looked back on the calendar year that's soon coming to a close with CTV News Edmonton, detailing recent challenges he and city council faced – typical year-end matters such as property taxes and finances – plus ongoing questions and efforts surrounding homelessness. Regina Sask. RCMP still searching for man suspected of small-town break-ins spanning years A man suspected of breaking into offices and small businesses across Saskatchewan over the past number of years has struck again – according to RCMP. 'A nice way to connect': Christmas card exchange between Sask. friends spans 60 years What started out as a little holiday fun between two Regina friends has turned into a tradition that now spans six decades. A separate Ukrainian Christmas may be a thing of the past There might be more households than usual celebrating this Christmas Eve, as many Ukrainians around the world are opting to abandon the orthodox calendar. Saskatoon 'People prop the doors open': Saskatoon resident concerned as people shelter in her stairwell With the number of homeless people in Saskatoon at an unprecedented high, it’s no surprise people are looking for places to warm up. A separate Ukrainian Christmas may be a thing of the past There might be more households than usual celebrating this Christmas Eve, as many Ukrainians around the world are opting to abandon the orthodox calendar. Saskatoon-born comedian Brendan Flaherty returns to ask, 'what'd I miss?' As a Saskatoon-born comedian pursuing a career in the Six, Brendan Flaherty says he often hears the same question from friends back home. Vancouver Woman struck by vehicle dies in Burnaby, B.C. A 24-year-old woman who was struck by a vehicle last week in Burnaby, B.C., has died. Ripe avalanche conditions for parts of B.C. expected to persist this week A forecaster says ripe avalanche conditions are expected to persist across much of British Columbia for the rest of the week. BREAKING | BC Ferries cancels some Christmas Day sailings, says many others 'at risk' due to weather The stormy weather in the forecast for B.C.'s South Coast could make getting around on Christmas Day challenging for some holiday travellers. Vancouver Island Ripe avalanche conditions for parts of B.C. expected to persist this week A forecaster says ripe avalanche conditions are expected to persist across much of British Columbia for the rest of the week. Woman struck by vehicle dies in Burnaby, B.C. A 24-year-old woman who was struck by a vehicle last week in Burnaby, B.C., has died. Homicide victim identified as 36-year-old man from Langley, B.C. Homicide investigators are identifying the victim of a suspected murder last year in Langley, B.C. Kelowna Forfeited Hells Angels clubhouse in Kelowna, B.C., sold to the city A former Hells Angels clubhouse that was seized by the British Columbia government in 2023 after years of fighting in court has been sold to the City of Kelowna. Death of woman found in Kelowna's Waterfront Park in June deemed 'non-criminal in nature': RCMP Police in Kelowna say a death they began investigating back in June has now been confirmed as "non-criminal in nature." B.C. man sentenced for 'execution-style' murder of bystander in drug trade conflict A B.C. man convicted of the "intentional and ruthless killing of a bystander" while acting as an enforcer in the drug trade has been sentenced for a second time in the slaying. 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( MENAFN - The Conversation) On this day three years ago, we witnessed the nail-biting launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the largest and most powerful telescope humans have ever sent into space. It took 30 years to build, but in three short years of operation, JWST has already revolutionised our view of the cosmos. It's explored our own Solar System, studied the atmospheres of distant planets in search of signs of life and probed the farthest depths to find the very first stars and galaxies formed in the universe. Here's what JWST has taught us about the early universe since its launch – and the new mysteries it has uncovered. JWST has pushed the boundary of how far we can look into the universe to find the first stars and galaxies. With Earth's atmosphere out of the way, its location in space makes for perfect conditions to peer into the depths of the cosmos with infrared light. The current record for the most distant galaxy confirmed by JWST dates back to a time when the universe was only about 300 million years old . Surprisingly, within this short time window, this galaxy managed to form about 400 million times the mass of our Sun. This indicates star formation in the early universe was extremely efficient. And this galaxy is not the only one. When galaxies grow, their stars explode, creating dust. The bigger the galaxy, the more dust it has. This dust makes galaxies appear red because it absorbs the blue light. But here's the catch: JWST has shown these first galaxies to be shockingly bright, massive and very blue , with no sign of any dust. That's a real puzzle. There are many theories to explain the weird nature of these first galaxies. Do they have huge stars that just collapse due to gravity without undergoing massive supernova explosions? Or do they have such large explosions that all dust is pushed away far from the galaxy, exposing a blue, dust-free core? Perhaps the dust is destroyed due to the intense radiation from these early exotic stars – we just don't know yet. The early stars were the key building blocks of what eventually became life. The universe began with only hydrogen, helium and a small amount of lithium. All other elements, from the calcium in our bones to the oxygen in the air we breathe, were forged in the cores of these stars. JWST has discovered that early galaxies also have unusual chemical features . They contain a significant amount of nitrogen, far more than what we observe in our Sun, while most other metals are present in lower quantities. This suggests there were processes at play in the early universe we don't yet fully understand. JWST has shown our models of how stars drive the chemical evolution of galaxies are still incomplete, meaning we still don't fully understand the conditions that led to our existence. Using massive clusters of galaxies as gigantic magnifying glasses, JWST's sensitive cameras can also peer deep into the cosmos to find the faintest galaxies . We pushed further to find the point at which galaxies become so faint, they stop forming stars altogether. This helps us understand the conditions under which galaxy formation comes to an end. JWST is yet to find this limit. However, it has uncovered many faint galaxies, far more than anticipated, emitting over four times the energetic photons (light particles) we expected. The discovery suggests these small galaxies may have played a crucial role in ending the cosmic“dark ages” not long after the Big Bang. Read more: What ended the 'dark ages' in the early universe? New Webb data just brought us closer to solving the mystery The very first images of JWST resulted in another dramatic, unexpected discovery. The early universe is inhabited by an abundance of“little red dots”: extremely compact red colour sources of unknown origin. Initially, they were thought to be massive super-dense galaxies that shouldn't be possible , but detailed observations in the past year have revealed a combination of deeply puzzling and contradictory properties. Bright hydrogen gas is emitting light at enormous speeds, thousands of kilometres per second, characteristic of gas swirling around a supermassive black hole. This phenomenon, called an active galactic nucleus, usually indicates a feeding frenzy where a supermassive black hole is gobbling up all the gas around it, growing rapidly. But these are not your garden variety active galactic nuclei. For starters: they don't emit any detectable X-rays, as is normally expected. Even more intriguingly, they seem to have the features of star populations. Could these galaxies be both stars and active galactic nuclei at the same time? Or some evolutionary stage in between? Whatever they are, the little red dots are probably going to teach us something about the birth of both supermassive black holes and stars in galaxies. As well as extremely lively early galaxies, JWST has also found extremely dead corpses : galaxies in the early universe that are relics of intense star formation at cosmic dawn. These corpses had been found by Hubble and ground-based telescopes, but only JWST had the power to dissect their light to reveal how long they've been dead. It has uncovered some extremely massive galaxies (as massive as our Milky Way today and more) that formed in the first 700 million years of cosmic history. Our current galaxy formation models can't explain these objects – they are too big and formed too early. Cosmologists are still debating whether the models can be bent to fit (for example, maybe early star formation was extremely efficient) or whether we have to reconsider the nature of dark matter and how it gives rise to early collapsing objects. JWST will turn up many more of these objects in the next year and study the existing ones in greater detail. Either way, we will know soon. Just within its first steps, the telescope has revealed many shortcomings of our current models of the universe. While we are refining our models to account for the updates JWST has brought us, we are most excited about the unknown unknowns. The mysterious red dots were hiding from our view. What else is lingering in the depths of cosmos? JWST will soon tell us. Read more: 10 times this year the Webb telescope blew us away with new images of our stunning universe MENAFN24122024000199003603ID1109028509 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. 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Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling
As her students finished their online exam, Arlet Lara got up to make a cafe con leche. Her 16-year-old son found her on the kitchen floor. First, he called Dad in a panic. Then 911. “I had a stroke, and my life made a 180-degree turn,” Lara said, recalling the medical scare she experienced in May 2020 in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The stroke affected my left side of the body.” Lara, an avid runner and gym-goer couldn’t even walk. “It was hard,” said the 50-year-old mom from North Miami and former high school math teacher. After years of rehabilitation therapy and a foot surgery, Lara can walk again. But she still struggles with moving. This summer, she became the first patient in South Florida to get an implant of a new and only FDA-approved-nerve stimulation device designed to help ischemic stroke survivors regain movement in their arms and hands. People are also reading... Every year, thousands in the United States have a stroke, with one occurring every 40 seconds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of strokes are ischemic, often caused by blood clots that obstruct blood flow to the brain. For survivors, most of whom are left with some level of disability, the Vivistim Paired VNS System — the device implanted in Lara’s chest — could be a game changer in recovery, said Dr. Robert Starke, a neurosurgeon and interventional neuroradiologist. He also serves as co-director of endovascular neurosurgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where Lara underwent the procedure. The Vivistim Paired VNS System is a small pacemaker-like device implanted in the upper chest and neck area. Patients can go home the same day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the stroke rehabilitation system in 2021 to be used alongside post-ischemic stroke rehabilitation therapy to treat moderate to severe mobility issues in hands and arms. Lara’s occupational therapist can activate the device during rehabilitation sessions to electrically stimulate the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain down to the abdomen and regulates various parts of the body’s nervous system. The electrical stimulation rewires the brain to improve a stroke survivor’s ability to move their arms and hands. Lara also has a magnet she can use to activate the device when she wants to practice at home. Her therapy consists of repetitive tasks, including coloring, pinching cubes and grabbing and releasing cylindrical shapes. After several weeks of rehabilitation therapy with the device, Lara has seen improvement. “Little by little, I’m noticing that my hand is getting stronger,” Lara said in September. “I am already able to brush my teeth with the left hand.” Since then, Lara has finished the initial six-week Vivistim therapy program and is continuing to use the device in her rehabilitation therapy. She continues to improve and can now eat better with her left hand and can brush her hair with less difficulty, according to her occupational therapist, Neil Batungbakal. Starke sees the device as an opportunity to help bring survivors one step closer to regaining full mobility. Strokes are a leading cause of disability worldwide. While most stroke survivors usually can recover some function through treatment and rehabilitation, they tend to hit a “major plateau” after the first six months of recovery, he said. Vivistim, when paired with rehabilitation therapy, could change that. Jackson Health said results of a clinical trial published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet in 2021 showed that the device, “when paired with high-repetition, task-specific occupational or physical therapy, helps generate two to three times more hand and arm function for stroke survivors than rehabilitation therapy alone.” The device has even shown to benefit patients 20 years after their original stroke, according to Starke. “So now a lot of these patients that had strokes 10 to 15 years ago that thought that they would never be able to use their arm in any sort of real functional way are now able to have a real meaningful function, which is pretty tremendous,” Starke said. Vivistim’s vagus-nerve stimulation technology was developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas’ Texas Biomedical Device Center and is being sold commercially by Austin-based MicroTransponder, a company started by university graduates. Similar devices are used to treat epilepsy and depression. For Lara, the device is a new tool to help her recovery journey. “Everything becomes a challenge, so we are working with small things every day because I want to get back as many functions as possible,” Lara said. Patients interested in Vivistim should speak with their doctor to check their eligibility. The FDA said patients should make sure to discuss any prior medical history. “Adverse events included but were not limited to dysphonia (difficulty speaking), bruising, falling, general hoarseness, general pain, hoarseness after surgery, low mood, muscle pain, fracture, headache, rash, dizziness, throat irritation, urinary tract infection and fatigue,” the FDA said. MicroTransponder says the device is “covered by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance with prior authorization on a case-by-case basis.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers formally asked a judge Monday to throw out his hush money criminal conviction , arguing that continuing the case would present unconstitutional “disruptions to the institution of the Presidency.“ In a filing made public Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers told Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan that anything short of immediate dismissal would undermine the transition of power, as well as the “overwhelming national mandate" granted to Trump by voters last month. They also cited President Joe Biden’s recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges . “President Biden asserted that his son was ‘selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,’ and ‘treated differently,’" Trump’s legal team wrote. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, they claimed, had engaged in the type of political theater "that President Biden condemned.” Prosecutors will have until Dec. 9 to respond. They have said they will fight any efforts to dismiss the case but have indicated a willingness to delay the sentencing until after Trump’s second term ends in 2029. In their filing Monday, Trump's attorneys dismissed the idea of holding off sentencing until Trump is out of office as a “ridiculous suggestion.” Following Trump’s election victory last month, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed his sentencing, previously scheduled for late November, to allow the defense and prosecution to weigh in on the future of the case. He also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier. He says they did not and denies any wrongdoing. The defense filing was signed by Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, who represented Trump during the trial and have since been selected by the president-elect to fill senior roles at the Justice Department. Taking a swipe at Bragg and New York City, as Trump often did throughout the trial, the filing argues that dismissal would also benefit the public by giving him and “the numerous prosecutors assigned to this case a renewed opportunity to put an end to deteriorating conditions in the City and to protect its residents from violent crime.” Clearing Trump, the lawyers added, would also allow him to “to devote all of his energy to protecting the Nation.” Merchan hasn’t yet set a timetable for a decision. He could decide to uphold the verdict and proceed to sentencing, delay the case until Trump leaves office, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court or choose some other option. An outright dismissal of the New York case would further lift a legal cloud that at one point carried the prospect of derailing Trump’s political future. Last week, special counsel Jack Smith told courts that he was withdrawing both federal cases against Trump — one charging him with hoarding classified documents at his Florida estate, the other with scheming to overturn the 2020 presidential election he lost — citing longstanding Justice Department policy that shields a president from indictment while in office. The hush money case was the only one of Trump’s four criminal indictments to go to trial, resulting in a historic verdict that made him the first former president to be convicted of a crime. Prosecutors had cast the payout as part of a Trump-driven effort to keep voters from hearing salacious stories about him. Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels. Trump later reimbursed him, and Trump’s company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses — concealing what they really were, prosecutors alleged. Trump has said the payments to Cohen were properly categorized as legal expenses for legal work. A month after the verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that ex-presidents can’t be prosecuted for official acts — things they did in the course of running the country — and that prosecutors can’t cite those actions to bolster a case centered on purely personal, unofficial conduct. Trump’s lawyers cited the ruling to argue that the hush money jury got some improper evidence, such as Trump’s presidential financial disclosure form, testimony from some White House aides and social media posts made during his first term. Prosecutors disagreed and said the evidence in question was only “a sliver” of their case. If the verdict stands and the case proceeds to sentencing, Trump’s punishments would range from a fine to probation to up to four years in prison — but it’s unlikely he’d spend any time behind bars for a first-time conviction involving charges in the lowest tier of felonies. Because it is a state case, Trump would not be able to pardon himself once he returns to office.
Troubled Manchester City held by lowly EvertonThis Cloud Deal Could Shake Up Silicon Valley. But is Nvidia Really in Trouble?The prime minister’s top security adviser says the Canadian government is not aware of evidence linking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to criminal activity in Canada. “The Government of Canada has not stated, nor is it aware of evidence, linking Prime Minister Modi, Minister Jaishankar, or NSA Doval to the serious criminal activity within Canada,” she said. “Any suggestion to the contrary is both speculative and inaccurate.” Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, including its high commissioner, in relation to the accusations and India responded in kind. The Globe’s report said Canadian and U.S. intelligence had tied the assassination operations to Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, and that External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and national security adviser Ajit Doval were also aware of the matter. Such information had not been provided by Canadian authorities when they made public accusations in mid-October linking Indian government agents to homicides and extortion and Canada. The Privy Council Office, which houses the NSIA, said that Drouin and Morrison had not provided classified information to the Washington Post. Morrison told the committee that the Post’s journalist had called him and asked if Shah was involved. “I confirmed it was that person,” Morrison said. “I’m trying to understand why it is the Washington Post received information when the ... [RCMP] commissioner, the prime minister, the public safety minister, and the minister of Foreign affairs, did not provide that information to Canada,” she said. Drouin said it was to ensure Canada’s side of the story would be “clearly” and “widely spread, especially at the international level.” Drouin said Ottawa had to go public because New Delhi had refused to cooperate on the issue of criminality in Canada. New Delhi has denied any involvement in criminal activity in Canada. It says Ottawa’s accusations are politically motivated and that it has not shared proper evidence about the matter. “Everything we have done over the past years in multiple difficult situations is to put the emphasis on keeping Canadians safe here at home, across the country, and making sure we’re standing up for the rule of law,” he added.
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