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p777 The UN nuclear watchdog's board of governors passed a resolution chiding Iran's poor cooperation with the agency after hours of heated exchanges, diplomats told AFP late on Thursday, a move Tehran called "politically motivated". The censure motion brought by Britain, France, Germany and the United States at the International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation board follows a similar one in June. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get the latest need-to-know information delivered to your inbox as it happens. Our flagship newsletter. Get our front page stories each morning as well as the latest updates each afternoon during the week + more in-depth weekend editions on Saturdays & Sundays.New Delhi, December 30: Nvidia is expected to shift its focus towards robotics in 2025 to respond to the growing competition in the AI chip market. The company, known for its dominance in AI hardware, is said to explore opportunities in robotics to drive its future growth. The company reportedly plans to launch a new series of compact computers for humanoid robots. As per a report of Financial Times , Nvidia is preparing to focus on robotics as a long-term growth strategy. The company provides a complete solution that covers everything needed for AI-powered robots. This includes the various software layers that help train the robots, as well as the chips that are installed inside them. Nvidia is expected to introduce its new line of compact computers for humanoid robots, which may be called Jetson Thor, sometime in the first half of 2025. Samsung Patents Eye-Tracking Smart Glasses, Self-Adjusting Galaxy Ring 2 Feature and AI-Powered Imaging Technology for Upcoming Launches: Report. Nvidia is said to be focusing on robotics as a key area for its future growth. As one of the top semiconductor companies in the world, it might be looking for new opportunities. The company is facing more competition in its main business of making chips for AI from companies like AMD. Additionally, major cloud computing companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are trying to lessen their dependence on Nvidia. By investing in robotics, Nvidia is likely to find new ways to expand and succeed in the business. European Commission Mandates USD Type C Charging Port for All Portable Electronic Devices To Avoid Market Fragmentation. Deepu Talla, the vice-president of robotics at Nvidia, has reportedly mentioned that there is a significant change happening in the robotics market. The change is being influenced by two major technological advancements. The first is the rapid growth of generative AI models. The second breakthrough is the capability to train robots using these foundational models in simulated environments. Most of Nvidia's revenue comes from its data centre business, which includes its AI GPU chips. The segment contributed for around 88 per cent of the company's total sales, which reached USD 35.1 billion in the third quarter. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2024 10:27 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).ISLAMABAD - South Asia, home to over 1.8 billion people, is facing escalating environmental challenges, with marine pollution emerging as a critical threat. Coastal ecosystems, reliant on fishing and tourism, are suffering from rising levels of plastic waste, industrial runoff, and untreated sewage. Immediate action is needed to protect both the environment and the livelihoods of vulnerable populations. The region’s heavy reliance on agriculture is a key driver of marine pollution, as excessive use of chemical fertilizers causes nutrient-rich runoff that contaminates rivers and oceans. Despite efforts to improve farming practices, countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh continue to see rising fertilizer use, aggravating the environmental crisis. A recent World Bank report reveals that six South Asian countries contribute to cross-border pollution, including plastics, industrial waste, and untreated sewage, through the 20 major rivers in the region. The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Indus River basins are major sources of pollution. This environmental degradation is severely impacting coastal economies, with declining fish stocks, polluted beaches, and damaged marine habitats leading to significant economic losses. 2-day Kashmir Jannat Nazeer festival concludes Plastic waste, one of the most persistent threats to marine life, exacerbates the problem. Improper waste management and storm-driven littering result in plastics — such as bags, bottles, and fishing gear —entering the oceans. The long decomposition time of plastic leaves lasting damage to coastal ecosystems. Pakistan, for instance, faces significant marine pollution challenges, especially in its coastal cities like Karachi and the districts of Thatta, Sujawal, and Badin in Sindh. The country generates approximately 20 million tons of waste annually, with 10% consisting of plastic. While Pakistan has taken steps, such as banning single-use plastic bags in major cities, much more needs to be done. Local governments can extend these bans to coastal areas and organize cleanup projects to promote sustainable practices. Professor Dr. Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, a Sustainable Development Expert, talking to APP emphasizes that effective wastewater management is crucial in mitigating marine pollution. He advocates for the installation and upgrading of wastewater treatment plants to prevent untreated industrial and domestic waste from reaching the sea. He also suggests converting waste into energy as a sustainable alternative. ITP tackle over 800,000 traffic violations, issues 64,395 new licenses in 2024 Dr. Kumbhar stresses the importance of stricter enforcement of environmental laws, particularly in Sindh, to prevent industries from discharging untreated waste into the sea. He also advocates for educating local communities and stakeholders about the harmful effects of marine pollution and promoting eco-friendly practices. Establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) along the Sindh coastline would also contribute to conserving vital marine ecosystems, he says. Marine pollution is not only a threat to biodiversity but also to the health of coastal communities. The pollutants in the oceans, such as heavy metals, microplastics, and chemicals, accumulate in fish, posing serious health risks including cancer and neurological disorders. Poor sanitation and untreated sewage discharge further exacerbate waterborne diseases like cholera, hepatitis, and gastrointestinal infections in coastal areas. Moreover, the declining fish stocks due to pollution threaten the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen in Sindh and other regions. Shakrial post office: a lifeline amidst adversity The destruction of coral reefs, vital for biodiversity and coastal protection, further complicates the situation. Pollution, including oil spills, significantly damages these ecosystems, weakening natural defenses against cyclones and rising sea levels. Mangroves, another crucial barrier against coastal erosion, are also suffering from unchecked industrial activities and pollution. As a result, coastal areas are becoming more vulnerable to extreme weather events. Addressing marine pollution in South Asia requires concerted efforts at both the regional and global levels. Dr. Kumbhar stresses the importance of international collaboration to tackle transboundary marine pollution effectively. Drawing inspiration from initiatives in countries like Vietnam and Indonesia, he advocates for shared knowledge and joint actions to reduce ocean pollution. Indonesia, for example, plans to cut marine plastic debris by 70% by 2025 through public awareness campaigns and infrastructure improvements. Similarly, Vietnam aims to reduce marine plastic by 50% by 2030, focusing on eliminating single-use plastics in coastal tourist areas. Azerbaijan cuts Russian citizens' stay from 180 to 90 days Meanwhile, in China, the “Blue Circle” initiative, started in 2020, uses digital technology to manage marine plastic waste, with impressive results. This model has helped recycle over 10,000 tonnes of marine waste, including 2,200 tonnes of plastic, with plans to expand the effort nationwide. The threats facing South Asia’s marine ecosystems are undeniable. Acidification, overfishing, and pollution are all factors contributing to the rapid decline in ocean health, impacting food chains and the income of those reliant on fishing. Immediate action is required to safeguard marine biodiversity, protect local economies, and ensure long-term sustainability. Governments, industries, and local communities must collaborate to enforce stricter environmental laws, promote sustainable practices, and invest in cleanup initiatives. Only through combined efforts can South Asia hope to reverse the damage and preserve its coastal resources for future generations. CTP issue 40,985 challan slips to unfit PSVs Tags: marine pollution a

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC): In a candid and exclusive interview on Trinidadian radio station i95.5FM’s Isports with host Andre Errol Baptiste on Saturday, Dr Keith Rowley, chairman of the CARICOM subcommittee on cricket, laid bare the challenges and ambitions surrounding West Indies cricket, as the region gets ready to welcome a new year and possible new challenges facing the regions beloved sport. The Trinidad and Tobago prime minister revealed that CARICOM, in collaboration with Cricket West Indies (CWI), has been working assiduously to try and implement a working solution to plans that have been tabled in the past that were designed to revive the glory days of West Indies cricket. However, the initiative has faced significant setbacks, with Barbados and Guyana failing to attend the most recent meeting, leading to the lack of a quorum. Despite frustrations, Rowley emphasised that CARICOM does not seek to run West Indies cricket, but relies on moral suasion to drive change. “We want to encourage people in this period of the great risk and possibly good rewards that we get to the table, take the available assistance, work as one body because nobody is going to respect West Indies cricket, because we are fractured at the management level. But if we are one solid body talking to the ICC and talking to ourselves, then we can do what is required to improve the game.” Addressing recent speculation about the dissolution of West Indies cricket, Dr Rowley dismissed the claims as “rubbish”. He accused detractors of attempting to undermine the region’s cricket legacy. “The West Indies, as a team, is a unique entity in world cricket, and the fact that we have dominated the game for two decades should indicate that the model does work. West Indies have played a role and we have paid our dues. We need to be treated with more respect and have more resources from the ICC, so that we can get those resources to bring our game into line with what is required in today’s sport.” Rowley turned his attention to recent decisions by Cricket West Indies and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), which he believes have marginalised CARICOM’s input. He specifically highlighted the absence of CARICOM representatives at recent CPL meetings, suggesting a lack of collaboration and transparency. Looking ahead, Rowley revealed that the next CARICOM-CWI meeting is scheduled to take place in Barbados, and that more fruitful developments will come to the fore in a bid to aid the regional game.

The 2024 iPad Mini gets only minor improvements, but while Apple could have done more, it’s still the best miniature tablet. The iPad Mini is the iPad that I love to use for a few weeks every few years when a new model comes out, and every time, I tell myself that it’s an iPad I could easily start using in my daily life. Is it a laptop replacement? Most certainly not — but it’s a great pocket computer with a little extra screen real estate for things like note-taking and gaming. The 2024 model continues that legacy — but that’s because it’s more or less the same as . That’s not a bad thing. The iPad Mini seems to find niche use-cases, and fits those needs perfectly. But, it also can’t help but feel like Apple could have done just a more for its smallest iPad than just give it the bare minimum upgrade to support Apple Intelligence. Do I love the iPad Mini? Absolutely — and that’s why I really just want what’s best for it. iPad Mini (2024) specs The same great design The design of the iPad Mini is pretty much spot on for me. It looks modern, yet it doesn’t sacrifice functionality for looks. A perfect example of this is in the bezels around the screen. I have no doubt that Apple could have made them smaller, either shrinking the body of the device, or increasing the size of the display. But I’m glad it didn’t — the bezels are the perfect size for the iPad, without accidentally touching the screen. Overall, everything is where you would expect it to be. There’s a USB-C port on the bottom, and a power button with a fingerprint sensor on the top. If you’re coming from another iPad, you may need to get used to the placement of the volume buttons on the top edge. Sign up for the most interesting tech & entertainment news out there. By signing up, I agree to the and have reviewed the Like the previous model, the 2024 iPad Mini comes in some cool colors, including a nice light blue and a purple. I’m reviewing the blue model, and it looks great. If there’s one thing Apple could have changed for the design of the iPad Mini, it’s the thickness. Apple itself has ruined me for tablet thickness with the current iPad Pro, which is incredibly thin. To be clear, the iPad Mini isn’t — but it would be nice if Apple brought that super-thin design to its other models. A pretty good display Also the same as is the display. The iPad Mini had a 1488 x 2266 LCD display with a 500-nit brightness. It’s a good-looking screen, offering crisp details and bright colors. But it could still get better, and I hope it does for the next generation. Plenty of mid-range devices these days have OLED displays, and there’s no reason the iPad Mini can’t. I don’t expect Apple to bring its ultra-high-end Tandem OLED tech to the iPad Mini, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement between the current display and the iPad Pro’s. Still, though, rest assured that the screen on the iPad Mini does look pretty good regardless. And, I should note that the issues around jelly scrolling seem to have mostly been fixed for this generation of the iPad Mini. To be fair, it’s not something that I noticed on the previous generation model, but I was looking for it this time and didn’t find it to be an issue. Last year’s best performance The biggest upgrade to the iPad Mini comes in the form of a new chip. M4? No. How about M2? Nope. The 2024 iPad Mini has Apple’s A17 Pro chip. That’s the same chip as (not ). Perhaps I’m being unfair. Not once did I find the iPad Mini to stutter, lag, or take too long to load. The 2024 iPad Mini felt smooth and responsive the entire time I used it. But I’m also very aware of the fact that better performance in a device like an iPad or iPhone is rarely about how a device performs at the beginning of its lifespan. Instead, it’s about how a device performs at the . Tablets slow down, and they stop supporting the latest software. Including one of last year’s chips means that the iPad Mini is likely to lose support for iPadOS a year before any other current-gen iPad. But, to be clear, it’s also pretty much impossible to review a device based on the of lost software support. The most important thing is that the iPad Mini performs well, and it does. And, if you care, the use of the A17 Pro instead of the base A17 means the device supports Apple Intelligence. Arguably more important is the fact that the new iPad Mini now comes with 128GB of storage in the base model. That’s a helpful improvement over the 64GB base storage of the previous generation. A solid battery (that’s the same) The iPad Mini has a decent battery that should get most users through a few days of average use. iPad Mini power users may find they only get one solid day of usage out of the device, but I found that it latest up to around 10 hours of moderate usage for basic tasks, or a little less for more demanding tasks like gaming. If you’re using the device for things like reading and browsing social media, you’ll be perfectly happy with how it holds up — just don’t expect it to last as long as Apple’s larger iPads. The iPad Mini charges at 20W, which is the same as the previous-generation model, and frankly a little slow. I hope Apple upgrades the charging speed next time around. Fine cameras, but no Face ID On the back of the iPad Mini can be found a 12-megapixel camera that’s capable of capturing solid photos, while on the front, there’s another 12-megapixel camera that can capture relatively detailed selfies. Both work great for video chatting, which, to be fair, is what they’ll be used for most of the time. I don’t love that the front-facing camera hasn’t been used to the horizontal edge, though. I also don’t love that it doesn’t support Face ID. It’s been seven years since the iPhone X first launched with Face ID, and the fact that there are still MacBooks and iPads that don’t have it is a little silly. Apple itself thinks Face ID is a better experience for iPads, too — if it didn’t, the iPad Pro wouldn’t have Face ID. It’s time to bring the tech to other devices. Better yet, include both Touch ID Face ID. I can dream, can’t I? Accessories Perhaps one of the best things about the new iPad Mini is the fact that it supports . That makes it a better note-taking device than it has ever been in the past. On the iPad Mini, you’ll be able to do all of the same tricks with the Apple Pencil Pro as you would on another iPad. These include the hover feature, the ability to squeeze for additional controls, and the barrel roll gesture. The Apple Pencil Pro looks a little oversized attached to the side of the iPad, but as usual, it still feels great in the hand. The iPad Mini also supports the original Apple Pencil, which can be charged through the USB-C port. But strangely, the device does not support the Apple Pencil Generation 2, which seems like an oversight. Still, I generally liked using the iPad Mini as a note-taking device with the Apple Pencil Pro. Conclusions Is the 2024 iPad Mini a bit too safe? Definitely. But that doesn’t make it any less of a great device. The iPad Mini is still a fun little tablet, and it will still do all the iPad things you expect it to for the foreseeable future. Crucially, it also supports Apple Intelligence, though it remains to be seen if that’s something that many users really care about. Regardless of features or performance, the iPad Mini is still the best ultra-portable tablet out there. There isn’t really much competition in the compact tablet space. So perhaps most buyers are considering whether to buy the 2024 iPad Mini or stick with . If you have a 2021 model and aren’t too fussed about not having Apple intelligence, then you don’t need to upgrade to the 2024 device, especially if your iPad still has enough storage for your needs. If you have an older model, or you’re new to the ultra-compact tablet space, then you’ll love what’s on offer with the 2024 iPad Mini. Yes. It’s the best ultra-compact tablet there is.

LUKE LITTLER stormed into the quarter-finals of the Players Championship Finals with a 10-3 win over Danny Noppert. The Nuke, 17, breezed into the third round earlier in the day with a 6-23 victory over Ritchie Edhouse - having already beaten Rob Cross 6-0 in his opening match . Edhouse was left applauding Littler after he hit double bullseye to complete a 120 checkout. And it was more exhibition stuff from the teenager in the evening session as he booked a last-eight clash with Mike De Decker. Littler won the opening two legs before Noppert pegged him back to level at 2-2. That sparked the world championship runner-up into life as he proceeded to claim six legs on the spin to effectively put the match to bed. Noppert pulled one back to add some respectability to the scoreline, before Littler finished it off. Littler averaged a breathtaking 104.70 to Noppert's 88.92. But the supreme talent batted away talk of breaking 16-time world champion Phil Taylor's records when asked in his post-match interview. He said: "It’s crazy to think about trying to beat Phil Taylor’s records of 16 world titles. But I guess I’ll just have to keep going for years and years!" CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS On the potential of a nine-dart finish, he added: "Every time I start any leg with a 180 they expect me to follow up. "Tomorrow if I do get a shot it’s going to be treble 17 for double 15, so I’ll switch it up." Littler also took the time to speak about his next opponent, De Decker. He said: "I’m sure it will be another great game. Obviously at the Grand Slam it was incredible to be a part of that game against Mike. "I’ll go back now and chill out on my phone and play a bit of my Nintendo Switch. Go to bed and up early." Reacting to the performance, one darts fan said: "Different class to anyone right now." While another added: "Didn’t get out of second gear, such maturity from Littler 🎯🎯🎯." And a third said: "No contest, different class again." Littler has won both of his previous meetings against De Decker. The latest of those came last week at the Grand Slam of Darts where the pair battled it out in an epic. Littler trailed 8-4 but came roaring back to claim a 10-9 win in the last-16 clash. He then went on to win the tournament - his first ranking title.

Aaditya's win, Amit's loss: How Thackerays fared in Maharashtra polls | PhotosDirector Christopher Nolan's next work will be a modern film adaptation of Homer's "The Odyssey," bringing the Greek classic to IMAX screens in 2026. "Christopher Nolan’s next film ‘The Odyssey’ is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology," Universal Pictures announced on X. "The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to IMAX film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026." > Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are Christopher Nolan’s next film ‘The Odyssey’ is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology. The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to IMAX film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026. Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey" tells the story of the Greek hero Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, as he embarks on a ten-year journey from Troy back to Ithica following the Trojan War. Along the way, Odysseus and crew encounter several challenges including a Cyclops and the Sirens. The film reportedly star Tom Holland, Zendaya, Matt Damon, Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o and Charlize Theron, according to Deadline . "The Odyssey" will be Nolan's second film with Universal Pictures, with "Oppenheimer" having been released in partnership with the distributor in 2023. The film went on to win seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Nolan and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy. Nolan has also directed other major hits including "The Dark Knight" franchise, "Interstellar," "Dunkirk" and "Inception." (Universal Pictures and this NBC station are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)