Google has launched Gemini 3 Flash as its new default AI model across the Gemini app and Search, saying it delivers faster performance and stronger reasoning skills than previous releases. The company claims Gemini 3 Flash not only surpasses 2.5 Flash, but also comes close to matching its advanced Pro model. The move strengthens Google’s position in the competitive AI market, where OpenAI recently released GPT-5.2. With Gemini 3 Flash now becoming the primary experience for millions of user

Thousands of passengers across multiple continents faced significant travel disruptions after Airbus ordered an immediate software update for approximately 6,000 A320-series aircraft. The unexpected directive, one of the largest issued in the manufacturer’s history, resulted in widespread grounding of narrow-body jets during a peak travel period and triggered delays and cancellations across Asia, Europe, the United States, and Australia. Airlines were instructed to complete the corrective a

India’s economy recorded a faster pace of expansion in the July–September quarter, with official data showing that gross domestic product rose 8.2% year-on-year. The acceleration reflects a combination of stronger consumer demand, a revival in manufacturing activity, and accelerated production schedules ahead of India’s major festive season. Economists had widely expected the quarter to deliver robust growth, but the latest figure surpassed the projected 7.3% expansion for the period, e

The massive fire that devastated several high-rise buildings in Hong Kong, claiming 55 lives and injuring more than 70 residents, has triggered a detailed investigation into the construction materials used during the renovation of the tower complex. Authorities believe these materials played a significant role in the unusually fast spread of the flames. Three senior officials from the engineering company handling the renovation have already been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, after ea

A growing number of Texas families are finding it increasingly difficult to put food on the table as financial pressures continue to mount. Rising grocery prices, inflation, employment disruptions and reported delays in SNAP benefits have created an environment where many households are struggling to cover even basic needs. Nonprofits across North Texas have been working to bridge the gap, relying heavily on community support to meet the surge in demand for food assistance. Among th

Former president Joe Biden is scheduled to attend the memorial service for former vice president Dick Cheney on Thursday, joining a group of national leaders and longtime associates gathering in Washington to honor the influential political figure. The service, set to begin at 11 a.m. ET at Washington National Cathedral, will include tributes from several individuals who worked closely with Cheney throughout his decades of involvement in public life. Former president George W. Bush, under who

A significant privacy issue in WhatsApp has come to light after researchers revealed that a long-standing flaw exposed the phone numbers and profile photos of nearly 3.5 billion users worldwide. The discovery was made by a team from the University of Vienna, who found that WhatsApp’s contact-discovery system lacked proper rate limiting, allowing automated tools to check millions of phone numbers per hour. Through this gap, researchers were able to confirm whether a number was registered on

The United States has officially ended production of the one-cent coin, closing the chapter on more than two centuries of penny circulation. The decision marks the first time since 1793 that the US Mint will no longer manufacture the nation’s lowest-value currency, and it comes after years of financial losses tied to the cost of producing each coin. The final penny was struck on November 12 at the Philadelphia Mint by US Treasurer Brandon Beach, symbolically concluding 232 years of continuo

  US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order removing import tariffs on a broad selection of food products in an effort to curb rising grocery costs and ease pressure on consumers. The decision marks one of the most significant adjustments to his trade policy since tariffs were introduced as a central feature of his economic agenda. The order comes at a moment when Americans have voiced growing frustration over inflation, particularly food prices, following last we

The longest government shutdown in United States history has finally come to an end, but the deep wounds it has inflicted across the economy and federal systems will not heal anytime soon. Though President Donald Trump signed a funding bill to reopen the government after a record 43 days, the aftershocks continue to ripple through essential sectors. With another possible shutdown looming on January 30, the reprieve may be only temporary, leaving the nation bracing for renewed political and econo

On Tuesday night, residents throughout the Chicago metropolitan area were treated to a rare celestial display as the multi-hued ribbons of the aurora borealis lit up the sky following a powerful solar flare. From the heart of the city to suburban neighbourhoods, witnesses described vivid shades of pink, purple, green and yellow drifting across the horizon, signalling the arrival of an energetic stream of solar particles. Meteorologists and space-weather experts attribute the spectac

A powerful and fast-moving storm system is forecast to sweep across the Northeast on Thursday, bringing heavy rain, gusty winds, and the potential for flash flooding that could disrupt commutes and Halloween celebrations. Meteorologists are monitoring the system closely, warning residents to prepare for possible power outages and hazardous travel conditions through Friday morning. Forecasters say the storm will arrive in two primary waves, both capable of producing intense rainfall.

Saudi Arabia has officially abolished the long-standing Kafala system, a major labour reform hailed as a landmark shift for millions of migrant workers across the Gulf region. The decision marks a new chapter in the kingdom’s ongoing transformation under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, an ambitious roadmap to modernize the economy, attract foreign investment, and improve the country’s global image. The Kafala system, which governed the relationship between empl

The cryptocurrency market witnessed another downturn over the past 24 hours, mirroring the broader risk-averse sentiment in global markets. The overall market capitalization fell by 1.06%, led by weakness in major tokens as investors reassessed their exposure amid rising U.S. inflation expectations, ETF outflows, and growing uncertainty in digital asset trading. Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency by market value, dropped 0.64% in the last day and was trading around $121,186 at the

A protest encampment set up outside Washington, D.C.’s Union Station was dismantled early Friday morning by crews believed to be part of the U.S. National Park Service and United States Park Police. According to members of the activist group For Liberation and Resistance Everywhere (FLARE), the removal took place around 5 a.m., when officers arrived and began clearing tents and other property from the site. FLARE claims the action was carried out without prior notice and amounted to an

A controversy has erupted after Kash Patel, serving as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, dismissed an employee for displaying a Pride flag at his workstation. The employee was in the process of new agent training at the FBI academy in Quantico, Virginia, when he received a dismissal letter ordering his immediate removal. The decision has generated debate over workplace neutrality, diversity, and the boundaries of acceptable expression in federal institutions. The em

The Union Cabinet has approved a 3% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and pensioners, with the revised rate taking effect from July 1, 2025. This move, announced after the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, is expected to benefit nearly one crore individuals, including both serving employees and retired staff. Dearness Allowance is a cost-of-living adjustment paid by the government to offset

Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince has raised concerns that artificial intelligence could reshape the internet in ways that threaten its openness and diversity. Speaking on WIRED’s Big Interview Podcast, Prince compared one potential outcome to a “Black Mirror” scenario, where a handful of tech giants decide what information people consume, much like patrons of Renaissance art influencing creative output centuries ago.

A new twist on Chicago’s beloved deep dish pizza has arrived, and it comes with an unexpected ingredient: mustard. Giordano’s, the iconic name in Chicago style pizza, has partnered with Jim’s Original, the legendary Maxwell Street Polish sausage brand, to create a collaboration that brings together two of the city’s most recognizable food traditions. The result is the Jim’s Original Deep Dish Pizza, part of Giordano’s Chi Town Flavors series. The

The troubling case of suburban ice cream shop owner Steven Weisberg has taken another serious turn as a new lawsuit has been filed against him following allegations that extend beyond his business. Weisberg, who owns the once-popular shop Flavor Frenzy in Addison, is already facing criminal charges after police discovered a hidden camera in the restroom of his shop. Now, a civil lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court reveals that authorities allegedly found an additional hidden camera ins