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At least 27 migrants, including women and children, have tragically died after two boats capsized off the coast of central Tunisia, with 83 others rescued, according to a civil defence official. The victims, all from sub-Saharan Africa, were attempting to reach Europe when their boats sank near the Kerkennah Islands, a notorious departure point for irregular migrants aiming for Italy, just 150 kilometres away. Ongoing searches are being conducted by the Tunisian National Guard for any additional missing passengers. The Mediterranean crossing has become increasingly perilous, particularly amid worsening weather conditions, leading to a surge in recent shipwrecks. Earlier this month, similar incidents resulted in multiple fatalities, with human rights groups estimating that between 600 and 700 migrants have died or gone missing off Tunisia this year alone, contributing to a grim total of over 1,300 migrant deaths in 2023. 
Published: Jan 02 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe UK is facing a significant rise in flu cases, with hospital admissions related to the virus now four times higher than a month ago, according to government health officials. As of last week, approximately 5,000 patients were being treated for flu in hospitals, nearly 3.5 times more than the same period last year, although still below 2022 levels. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine described the situation as "unacceptably awful," with hospitals nearing their breaking point. Health experts warn that an impending cold snap could exacerbate the risks for vulnerable patients. Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, highlighted the alarming rate of cases, which could exceed 5,000 daily. The NHS advises individuals to monitor flu symptoms, which can develop quickly, and emphasizes the importance of vaccination for those at risk.
Published: Jan 05 2025, 12 ameznews.inAn award-winning political cartoonist for The Washington Post, Ann Telnaes, has resigned after her cartoon depicting billionaire owner Jeff Bezos and other tech moguls kneeling before Donald Trump was rejected. In a Substack post, Telnaes expressed that this was the first time her work was killed due to her chosen subject matter, calling it a "game changer" and a threat to press freedom. The Washington Post's editorial page editor, David Shipley, clarified that the rejection was not due to any malign influence but rather to avoid repetition, as the paper had recently published related content. The cartoon featured Bezos, Zuckerberg, and others prostrating before Trump, alongside Mickey Mouse, following a $15 million defamation settlement between Trump and ABC News. Telnaes, who joined the Post in 2008 and is a Pulitzer Prize winner, highlighted the changing dynamics between media moguls and Trump as he prepares for his inauguration.
Published: Jan 05 2025, 12 ameznews.inKing Charles III expressed his deep sadness following the tragic death of Edward Pettifer, 31, a British relative of his sons' former nanny, who was among the victims of a deadly truck-ramming attack in New Orleans. Pettifer, the stepson of Tiggy Pettifer, who served as a nanny to Princes William and Harry, was killed when a US army veteran, allegedly aligned with the Islamic State, drove into a crowd in the French Quarter on New Year’s Day. The King has been in touch with the Pettifer family to offer personal condolences. Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, also shared their shock and sadness on social media, extending their thoughts and prayers to the affected families. The Pettifer family described Edward as a cherished son and friend, expressing their devastation at his loss. Foreign Secretary David Lammy reiterated support for the family and solidarity with the US against terrorism.
Published: Jan 04 2025, 11 pmeznews.inUS President Joe Biden has unveiled the names of 19 distinguished individuals set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Among the awardees are former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, celebrated fashion designer Ralph Lauren, football legend Lionel Messi, and the late former Defence Secretary Ashton Carter. The Medal recognizes those who have significantly advanced America's values, prosperity, and global peace. Clinton is honored for her decades of public service, while Messi is acknowledged for his contributions to soccer and global charitable efforts through his foundation. Other notable recipients include philanthropist George Soros, civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, U2's Bono, actor Michael J. Fox, and conservationist Jane Goodall. The awards ceremony will take place at the White House, celebrating individuals who embody leadership and decency, as highlighted by Biden's remarks on their impact on America and the world.
Published: Jan 04 2025, 8 pmeznews.inApple CEO Tim Cook is set to donate $1 million to US President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural committee, viewing the event as an American tradition and a gesture of unity, according to sources reported by Axios. Cook has sought to cultivate a personal rapport with Trump over the years, employing a focused approach in their meetings to streamline discussions. Their connection dates back to 2019 when Cook gifted Trump a Mac Pro computer. The upcoming inauguration has attracted significant financial backing from high-profile donors, including Silicon Valley giants like Amazon, Meta, and Uber, each contributing substantial sums. The automotive sector has also shown strong support, with Toyota, Ford, and General Motors pledging $1 million each. Financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and Bank of America are among the seven-figure donors, with overall contributions expected to exceed those raised for President Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021, reflecting a belief in Trump's transactional leadership style.
Published: Jan 04 2025, 4 pmeznews.inTomiko Itooka, the world's oldest person, has passed away at the age of 116, as announced by the city of Ashiya, Japan, where she lived. Itooka died on December 29 at a nursing home, having resided there since 2019. Born on May 23, 1908, in Osaka, she witnessed significant historical events, including world wars and technological advancements. Recognized as the oldest person following the death of Spain's Maria Branyas Morera in August 2024, Itooka is remembered for her resilience and spirit. Ashiya's mayor, Ryosuke Takashima, expressed gratitude for her inspiring life, stating, "Ms Itooka gave us courage and hope." Japan faces a demographic crisis, with over 95,000 centenarians, predominantly women, and nearly a third of its 124 million population aged 65 or older, leading to increasing medical and welfare costs.
Published: Jan 04 2025, 5 pmeznews.inAn eight-year-old boy, Tinotenda Pundu, was found alive after going missing for five days in Matusadona National Park, a wildlife reserve in northern Zimbabwe known for its dangerous animals, including lions and elephants. Tinotenda disappeared from his village on December 27 and was located approximately 30 miles away, weak and dehydrated but remarkably alive. During his ordeal, he survived by digging for water in riverbanks and foraging for wild fruit known as tsvanzva. Local MP P Mutsa Murombedzi praised the efforts of park rangers and the Nyaminyami community, who played a crucial role in the search, including beating drums at night to guide him home. He expressed deep gratitude for the collective efforts that ultimately led to Tinotenda’s safe return, highlighting the power of unity and hope in overcoming adversity.
Published: Jan 04 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIndia has underscored the significance of skilled professionals' movement between itself and the US, particularly amid ongoing debates surrounding the H-1B visa program. President-elect Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk have both weighed in, with Musk defending the program as crucial for America's tech industry and vowing to "go to war" for it. The discussion has revealed divisions among Trump's supporters, with some advocating for the program's necessity while others view it as a job threat. India's foreign ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, highlighted the economic and technological partnership between the two nations, noting that 78% of the 265,777 H-1B visas issued in the last fiscal year went to Indian professionals. As India seeks to strengthen ties with the US, the movement of skilled workers is seen as vital for mutual economic benefits, with bilateral trade rising by 7.65% to USD 129 billion in 2022-23.
Published: Jan 04 2025, 5 pmeznews.inUS Vice President Kamala Harris faced backlash after appearing to forget the Pledge of Allegiance during a swearing-in ceremony for new senators at Capitol Hill. Video footage of the incident, which has since gone viral, showed Harris starting the pledge but omitting crucial phrases, including "to the flag," as she trailed off while others continued. Conservative commentators quickly seized on the mistake, with former Trump aide Chester Tam calling it "absolutely pathetic," and Donald Trump Jr. sharing the clip with laughing emojis. Critics questioned Harris's preparedness for her role, emphasizing the significance of upholding American traditions. While some defended the blunder as a minor error, others argued it reflected a broader disrespect for American values. Despite the criticism, Harris appeared unfazed, smiling at Republicans after the ceremony, as the incident sparked a wider dialogue on the responsibilities of public officials.
Published: Jan 04 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has unveiled its first space robotic arm, RRM-TD, demonstrating its capabilities aboard the POEM4 platform. A video released by ISRO showcases the arm’s precise movements, beginning with "Unlocking and lifting from base position," and highlighting its manipulation through seven actuators. The footage includes operations such as "POEM deck imaging" and "positioning using visual serving," illustrating the arm's advanced functionality in microgravity. The POEM4 mission, part of the PSLV-C60 SpaDeX initiative, utilizes the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle's fourth stage to facilitate scientific experiments in space, including three biological experiments involving living cells—an unprecedented venture for an Indian-made rocket. The mission aims to test new technologies and support life in the challenging conditions of space, marking a significant milestone for India’s space robotics efforts. ISRO celebrated this achievement with the hashtag #MakeInIndia.
Published: Jan 04 2025, 2 pm
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