A mass shooting unfolded late Wednesday night near the Amazura nightclub in Jamaica, Queens, New York, leaving at least 10 people injured. The incident occurred around 11:20 p.m., as reported by the New York Police Department (NYPD).

According to authorities, none of the injured are in critical condition, and all are expected to recover. The victims were transported to Long Island Jewish Hospital and Cohen’s Children Medical Center for medical attention.

The Amazura nightclub, a venue known for hosting DJs and live performances, had reportedly organized a private gathering in memory of a deceased gang member. Approximately 80 individuals had gathered outside the club, waiting to enter, when gunfire erupted, according to local news outlet AMNY.

Social media posts from the scene depicted a significant police and emergency response, with numerous police cars and ambulances stationed outside the club. However, the NYPD has yet to release official details regarding the shooting or potential suspects.

This mass shooting comes amid other alarming incidents across the United States. On New Year’s Day, a deadly attack in New Orleans claimed the lives of 15 people when a US Army veteran, Shamsud Din Jabbar, drove a pickup truck into a crowd. Jabbar, 42, was shot dead during an exchange of gunfire with police. Authorities later identified the act as terrorism, revealing Jabbar had carried an ISIS flag during the attack.

In a separate event, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, resulting in one fatality. Investigations revealed the vehicle contained fireworks, gas tanks, and camp fuel.

President Joe Biden addressed the incidents, confirming law enforcement is exploring any potential connections between the New Orleans attack and the Las Vegas explosion. Both vehicles were reportedly rented through the same car-sharing platform, Turo. “Law enforcement and intelligence agencies are working diligently to determine if there is a link,” President Biden stated.

As investigations continue, these events underscore ongoing concerns surrounding public safety and domestic terrorism in the United States.

In a recent strategy meeting held in California, Google CEO Sundar Pichai addressed the company’s future in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing that 2025 would be a pivotal year for the tech giant. Pichai stressed the importance of speed and focus, urging employees to “internalize the urgency of this moment” and move faster to address the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

“The stakes are high,” Pichai said, as reported by CNBC. “These are disruptive moments. In 2025, we need to be relentlessly focused on unlocking the benefits of this technology and solving real user problems.” His remarks underscored the pressure Google faces to stay ahead in the competitive AI landscape, where breakthroughs are happening at an unprecedented pace.

At the heart of Google’s AI strategy is the Gemini app, which Pichai views as a key player in the company’s drive to lead the generative AI space. The app has already gained significant traction, but Pichai acknowledged that more work is needed to establish it as an industry leader. “With the Gemini app, there is strong momentum, particularly over the last few months. But we have some work to do in 2025 to close the gap and establish a leadership position there as well,” he stated.

Scaling Gemini to a broader consumer base is one of Google’s most ambitious goals for the upcoming year. Pichai outlined a target of reaching 500 million users, positioning Gemini alongside other flagship Google products. “Scaling Gemini on the consumer side will be our biggest focus next year,” he said, underlining the company’s commitment to its AI initiatives.

The meeting, which took place on December 18, occurred amid growing scrutiny of Google. In August, a federal judge ruled that the company had violated antitrust laws by maintaining a monopoly in the search market. Additionally, other legal challenges are underway that could impact the company’s operations. Despite these obstacles, Pichai remained resolute. “It’s not lost on me that we are facing scrutiny across the world. It comes with our size and success. It’s part of a broader trend where tech is now impacting society at scale. So more than ever, through this moment, we have to make sure we don’t get distracted,” he said.

While acknowledging increasing competition in the AI space, Pichai noted that success doesn’t always come from being first to market. “In history, you don’t always need to be first, but you have to execute well and really be the best in class as a product,” he said. He emphasized that 2025 would be about executing Google’s AI vision to the highest standard.

During the meeting, Google also showcased several upcoming AI tools, including the Jules coding assistant and an AI-powered notetaking product, NotebookLM. These tools highlight the company’s continued efforts to innovate and expand its AI capabilities across various sectors.

As Google prepares for a high-stakes 2025, the company’s focus remains on harnessing AI’s potential to transform user experiences while navigating significant legal and competitive challenges.

Yemen’s President, Rashad al-Alimi, has confirmed the death sentence of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, who has been incarcerated in Yemen since 2017 for the murder of a Yemeni national. The death sentence, which could be carried out within a month, has drawn significant concern from India, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressing its intent to provide full assistance to Priya’s family in their efforts to overturn the sentence.

The ruling by President al-Alimi came as a devastating blow to Priya’s family, particularly her mother, Prema Kumari. Kumari, who traveled to Yemen earlier this year to advocate for her daughter’s release, has been negotiating with the victim’s family and local tribal leaders in hopes of securing a pardon. The only avenue for Priya’s release now rests on the forgiveness of the victim’s family and the payment of blood money, a common practice in Yemen to resolve such cases.

The case of Nimisha Priya: A fight for Justice

Nimisha Priya, a 36-year-old nurse from Kerala, was convicted of murdering Talal Abdo Mahdi, a Yemeni national, in 2017. According to reports, the incident occurred when Priya attempted to retrieve her passport from Mahdi, who had been a substance abuser. Priya had sought to sedate him to take back her passport, but the sedative proved fatal, causing Mahdi’s death due to an overdose.

In 2018, Priya was sentenced to death by a Yemeni trial court, and despite attempts by her family to appeal the verdict, their efforts were unsuccessful. The Yemeni Supreme Court rejected their appeal in 2023, and the latest ruling from President al-Alimi has only intensified the urgency of the situation.

India’s response and diplomatic efforts

Reacting to the developments, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal acknowledged India’s awareness of the situation and assured that the government was working closely with Priya’s family. “We understand that the family of Priya is exploring relevant options. The government is extending all possible help in the matter,” Jaiswal stated.

Prema Kumari has been engaged in complex negotiations with the victim’s family over the blood money, a critical component for securing a pardon under Yemeni law. However, these negotiations faced setbacks earlier this year when a lawyer appointed by the Indian Embassy demanded a pre-negotiation fee of $20,000, which led to a halt in discussions.

The case has sparked widespread concern and calls for justice both within India and internationally, as the family continues to fight against the execution order. Despite the setbacks, the Indian government remains committed to providing legal and diplomatic support in the hopes of securing Priya’s release.

A mother’s unyielding fight

Throughout this tumultuous period, Prema Kumari has remained steadfast in her efforts to save her daughter, moving to Sana’a and staying there in the hopes of reaching a resolution. The outcome of her negotiations will play a pivotal role in determining whether the death sentence can be avoided, as the fate of Nimisha Priya now hinges on the victim’s family’s forgiveness and the payment of blood money.

As India and Yemen continue to navigate the complexities of this case, Nimisha Priya’s fate remains uncertain, but the Indian government’s continued efforts to intervene show its commitment to ensuring justice and diplomatic resolution.