The US stock market closed out its record-breaking year on a mixed note, with the S&P 500 down 0.4% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipping 0.1%. The Nasdaq composite lost 0.9%, but big tech stocks still drove the rally, pushing the Nasdaq to a yearly gain of 28.6%. The market’s stellar run was driven … Read more
The field of artificial intelligence (AI) language models has seen significant developments in 2024, driven by advances in smaller language models, frameworks for developing AI agents, and increased access to these powerful tools. At the heart of commercially available generative AI products like ChatGPT are large language models (LLMs), which produce convincing human-like language trained … Read more
The Financial Times, a renowned financial news organization, has made a significant change in its subscription model for users from Macau. Macau, formerly known for being a major gambling hub, is now shifting away from its lucrative ‘big money days.’ Instead, the Financial Times aims to provide premium digital access to quality journalism at an … Read more
Norway has set an ambitious climate target, with all newly registered cars expected to be emissions-free from 2025. The country aims to meet its goal without introducing a ban on combustion engines. This move is part of Norway’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and become carbon neutral. As the country transitions towards electric vehicles, … Read more
Chinese car maker BYD has seen its sales jump at the end of last year, narrowing the gap with rival Tesla. The company reported 207,734 electric vehicles sold in December, taking its annual total to 1.76 million. Subsidies and discounts have attracted customers. Tesla’s lead in EV sales is expected to be announced on Thursday. … Read more
Whooping cough, a highly infectious respiratory infection that had seen a decline in recent years, has made a significant comeback in the United States. According to federal data, cases have doubled in Ohio, from nearly 800 in 2023 to over 1,600 as of mid-December. Dr. Amy Edwards, associate medical director of pediatric infection control at … Read more
The Parker Solar Probe, named after astrophysicist Eugene Parker, has made a groundbreaking “trip around the sun” like never before. Launched in 2018, the 1.5 billion-dollar spacecraft has completed seven orbital slingshot maneuvers around Venus and reached speeds of 394,736 mph toward the Sun. On Christmas Eve, the probe entered the outer atmosphere of the … Read more
Big box retailers Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s, and Costco plan to open new stores across the US in 2025. The retail giants expect to add locations in over 10 states, including California, Texas, Michigan, and more. Walmart plans to open six Supercenters and three Neighborhood Markets in California, Texas, Alabama, and Florida. This includes locations … Read more
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has granted temporary relief on crypto cost-basis reporting rules, aiming to alleviate tax liabilities for digital asset investors. The agency acknowledges the complexities in crypto taxation and recognizes the need for regulatory adaptability amid evolving markets. The postponement defers a rule that would have mandated centralized exchanges to use the … Read more
Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano off the Oregon coast, may erupt between July 2024 and the end of 2025, according to researchers. The team, led by geophysicist William Chadwick, analyzed indicators such as surface swelling and increased seismic activity. The surface of Axial Seamount swelled in November to nearly the same height as before its … Read more