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Turkey's drug enforcement agency has eradicated 30,000 marijuana plants from the Hevsel Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site located by the Tigris River in Diyarbakir. Reports indicate that a coordinated operation, involving divers, boats, helicopters, and drones, targeted the secret cultivation of cannabis within the gardens, which span approximately 700 hectares. The operation uncovered marijuana plants at 31 different locations, with an estimated yield of 5.3 tonnes, valued at around two billion Turkish lira ($51 million). The growers had strategically set up tents to shield their crops, utilizing irrigation systems to draw water from the river, taking advantage of the site's accessibility challenges. As of now, there has been no confirmation of arrests, and the Turkish interior ministry has not commented on the operation. The Hevsel Gardens, still used for agricultural purposes, were recognized for their cultural importance in 2015. 
Published: May 18 2025, 11 pmeznews.inMicrosoft has announced layoffs affecting around 6,000 employees, or three percent of its global workforce, as part of a strategy to streamline management and enhance its focus on artificial intelligence (AI). The decision has sparked outrage and sympathy across social media, particularly following a poignant Reddit post from the wife of a long-time employee who was laid off on his birthday after 25 years with the company. She described how her husband, who had consistently worked long hours and mentored colleagues, was "randomly selected by a computer algorithm" for termination. The layoffs have led to criticism of Microsoft, with users questioning the ethics of such decisions and expressing concern over the impact on loyal employees, especially those facing health challenges. The company maintains that these changes are necessary to remain competitive as it integrates AI into its operations.
Published: May 18 2025, 11 pmeznews.inAustralian citizen Matthew Radalj has recounted his harrowing nearly five-year imprisonment in China, detailing experiences of torture, forced labour, and psychological abuse at Beijing No. 2 Prison. Convicted following a dispute over a mobile phone repair that escalated into a fight, Radalj was coerced into signing a false confession, leading to a four-year sentence. His time in detention included brutal treatment during a "transition phase," where he endured physical abuse and harsh living conditions, including limited access to sanitation and food. He described a manipulative points system designed to psychologically torture inmates, alongside severe food shortages that left many malnourished. After a prolonged solitary confinement, Radalj was released on October 5, 2024, and has since dedicated himself to helping fellow inmates by contacting their families. He expressed a profound sense of gratitude for his freedom while feeling a deep responsibility for those he left behind.
Published: May 18 2025, 11 pmeznews.inBangladeshi actress Nusraat Faria, known for her portrayal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the biopic "Mujib: The Making of a Nation," has been arrested at Dhaka's Shahjalal International Airport as she attempted to travel to Thailand. The 31-year-old's detention comes after an arrest warrant was issued in connection with an attempted murder case involving anti-government protests last year, during which 17 individuals, including Faria, were implicated in an incident involving a student in Vatara. Police confirmed that Faria was apprehended based on information from Immigration Police, with a court having recently approved the charges against her. Following her arrest, she was initially taken to Vatara police station but later transferred to the Detective Branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Faria, who debuted in the successful film "Aashiqui" in 2015, has starred in several popular films and gained significant recognition for her recent role in the biopic.
Published: May 18 2025, 8 pmeznews.inAmit Ghose, a 35-year-old man from Birmingham with Neurofibromatosis type 1, claims he was denied service at a London cafe due to his facial disfigurement, describing the experience as distressing and leaving him feeling like a "ghost." Ghose, who underwent surgery to remove his left eye at age 11, has faced years of bullying and intrusive reactions, including stares and hurtful comments. Inspired to promote self-acceptance, he shares his story through motivational speaking and social media, amassing nearly 200,000 followers on TikTok. His wife, Piyali, has been instrumental in his journey to self-acceptance, encouraging him to embrace his uniqueness. Ghose aims to inspire others, stating, "Disability or no disability, we all have insecurities... if we truly celebrate who we are, we can be more confident." His recent experiences have also led him to self-publish a children's book titled *Born Different*.
Published: May 18 2025, 8 pmeznews.inLashkar-e-Taiba operative Razaullah Nizamani, also known as Abu Saifullah, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Sindh province, Pakistan, according to officials. Nizamani, who had previously masterminded the 2006 attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur, was reportedly under government protection and was targeted shortly after leaving his home in Matli. His militant activities included involvement in the 2005 Indian Institute of Science attack in Bengaluru and the 2001 terror strike at a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Rampur. The incident underscores ongoing security challenges in the region, despite efforts to manage and control militant activities.
Published: May 18 2025, 8 pmeznews.inMalia Obama is facing allegations of copying the work of indie filmmaker Natalie Jasmine Harris in her debut Nike commercial. Harris claims the ad, which features scenes resembling her Sundance short film _'Grace'_, particularly a moment with two young Black girls playing pat-a-cake, shares striking similarities in camera angles, framing, and color palette. In a social media post, Harris expressed her disappointment, stating that her heartfelt storytelling deserved recognition rather than appropriation. The internet has reacted to her claims, with some users agreeing on the similarities, while others defended Obama, suggesting the overlap was coincidental. Notably, both women competed at the Sundance Film Festival last year, where Harris's film was screened and Obama made her red-carpet debut under her first name to counter nepotism perceptions. The situation has sparked a broader discussion about originality and recognition in the creative industry.
Published: May 18 2025, 8 pmeznews.inPriya Saxena, a 28-year-old Indian PhD graduate from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, has received a legal reprieve allowing her to remain in the United States after the Trump administration sought to deport her. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked her F-1 student visa in April due to a minor traffic violation from 2021, where she failed to stop for an emergency vehicle. Saxena, whose visa was valid until February 2027, sued the administration, resulting in a federal judge granting a temporary restraining order that enabled her to graduate on May 10. The court later issued a preliminary injunction preventing DHS from detaining her without judicial approval, citing the agency's actions as potentially unlawful. This case highlights the Trump administration's broader crackdown on immigration, which has disproportionately affected international students over minor infractions and other issues.
Published: May 18 2025, 7 pmeznews.inChaos unfolded on Saturday evening when the Mexican Navy training ship Cuauhtemoc collided with New York's iconic Brooklyn Bridge at around 8:30 PM. The vessel, carrying 277 crew members, primarily cadets, reportedly lost power, resulting in the catastrophic crash that sheared off its 147-foot masts, which exceeded the bridge's 135-foot clearance. The collision tragically resulted in two fatalities and 19 injuries. Witnesses described a harrowing scene, with screams echoing as the ship drifted dangerously close to onlookers, and some sailors were seen falling from the sails. Eyewitness Elijah West recounted the panic, stating, "It was crazy," while Ismari Romero reflected on the abrupt shift from celebration to chaos. The Brooklyn Bridge, a vital thoroughfare since 1883, sees over 100,000 vehicles and 32,000 pedestrians daily, making this incident particularly shocking for both locals and tourists alike.
Published: May 18 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled a potential shift in Israel's stance towards Hamas, expressing openness to negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Prime Minister's Office revealed that a team in Doha is exploring a proposal from US special envoy Steve Witkoff for a limited hostage exchange and a ceasefire, alongside a broader agreement that could involve the release of all hostages and the exile of Hamas operatives. Currently, 58 hostages are believed to be held by Hamas, with around 23 reportedly alive. Meanwhile, Hamas has stated it will only release hostages in exchange for a ceasefire. Complicating matters, reports suggest that Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar may have been killed in an Israeli airstrike. Amid escalating violence, Israeli military strikes have resulted in significant Palestinian casualties, raising pressure on Netanyahu from families of hostages demanding a resolution.
Published: May 18 2025, 5 pm
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