eznews.in
A powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck near the Tibet-Nepal border on January 7, 2025, with tremors felt across several regions in India, notably Bihar and Assam. The quake occurred in a seismically active area where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge, contributing to the region's frequent seismic activity. In Bihar, residents evacuated their homes and apartments as a precaution, but fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and assess any potential impacts. Further updates are expected as more information becomes available. 
Published: Jan 07 2025, 7 ameznews.inA six-month-old girl in Mumbai has been confirmed as the eighth case of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in India and the third in Maharashtra. The infant was hospitalized on January 1 due to severe respiratory symptoms, including a significant drop in oxygen levels, but was discharged after five days. Previously, two cases were reported in Nagpur, involving a seven-year-old and a 13-year-old, while additional cases have emerged in Karnataka, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. In response to the situation, several states are advising the public to remain calm, with Mizoram establishing a monitoring committee. Isolation wards have been set up in three cities in Gujarat, and the Centre has urged states to enhance surveillance for respiratory illnesses. HMPV, a common respiratory virus typically causing mild infections, has no correlation with COVID-19, according to former WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan, who also recommended mask-wearing as a precaution.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 10 ameznews.inFive years after the onset of Covid-19, the virus continues to circulate globally, with over 777 million cases and more than seven million deaths officially recorded, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The pandemic has left lasting impacts, crippling health systems and economies, although infection and death rates have significantly declined since late 2022 due to increased immunity and less severe variants. In May 2023, the WHO declared the emergency phase over, marking a shift towards endemicity. However, the long-term effects of Covid, including long Covid, remain a concern, affecting millions. Vaccination efforts have seen over 13.6 billion doses administered, yet booster uptake is low, particularly among healthcare workers. As the world grapples with the legacy of Covid, experts warn of future pandemics, emphasizing the need for preparedness amid ongoing negotiations for a global treaty on pandemic response.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 11 ameznews.inRepublican Congressman Lance Gooden has criticized the Biden administration's investigation into billionaire Gautam Adani's companies, suggesting it is an attempt to disrupt the transition to Donald Trump’s presidency. In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Gooden questioned the necessity of the probe, which he argues could strain U.S.-India relations, a vital alliance given India’s status as a major economic partner. The Adani Group has faced allegations of defrauding U.S. investors through a bribery scheme linked to Indian government contracts, claims the conglomerate has dismissed as unfounded. Gooden urged the Justice Department to prioritize domestic issues like violent crime over foreign investigations, warning that targeting foreign investors could deter economic growth in the U.S. He also posed several questions regarding the legal implications of the case, including the potential for international tensions if India does not cooperate with extradition requests.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 11 ameznews.inAbdul Qadir Mumin, the Somali leader of the Islamic State (IS) group, has emerged as a pivotal figure within the organization, despite lacking an official title. Analysts suggest he may be effectively managing IS's global operations from Somalia, controlling financial networks that extend to regions like Congo and South Africa. Mumin, who previously lived in Sweden and England, gained notoriety as a radical preacher before defecting from Al-Shabaab to IS in 2015. He is believed to finance various militant groups, including the Allied Democratic Forces in Uganda. While some observers speculate he could be viewed as a caliph, his Somali origins and the group's traditional leadership criteria complicate this notion. The shift of IS's focus towards Africa, alongside Mumin's survival amid a leadership purge, underscores the evolving dynamics within the organization, which still maintains a centralized command in the Middle East.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 11 ameznews.inResearch from Queen's University Belfast has revealed that a dog's stress levels at the vet can be significantly influenced by their owner's emotional state. In a controlled study involving 28 owner-dog pairs, both parties wore heart-rate monitors to assess stress during veterinary visits. The findings indicated that dogs' heart rates decreased as they acclimated to the clinic environment, suggesting that allowing dogs time to adjust could enhance their comfort and improve the accuracy of veterinary assessments. Notably, the study showed a direct correlation between the stress levels of owners and their dogs, indicating a phenomenon known as "emotional contagion." This highlights the importance of a calm environment for both owners and pets during vet visits. Furthermore, the research suggests that the stress of unfamiliar humans can also impact dogs, underscoring the need for a holistic approach to veterinary care that considers the emotional well-being of both animals and their owners.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 11 ameznews.inIn a provocative move, President-elect Donald Trump has shared a map depicting Canada as part of the United States, following his declaration of a potential "golden age" for America. This announcement came shortly after he threatened to use "economic force" to integrate Canada as the 51st state, citing concerns over Canada's military spending and reliance on U.S. defense. Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump emphasized the benefits of eliminating the "artificially drawn line" between the two nations, while asserting that Canada must contribute more to its own defense. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau firmly rejected the notion of merging the two countries, stating, "There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell" that Canada would become part of the U.S. Trump, who has a history of contentious relations with Trudeau, has repeatedly floated the idea since his electoral victory on November 5.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 10 ameznews.inMelania Trump has signed a lucrative $40 million deal with Amazon to produce a documentary about her life, set to stream on Prime Video in mid-2025. Directed by Brett Ratner, the film will feature appearances from her husband, Donald Trump, and their son, Barron. The deal includes a two-to-three-episode follow-up docuseries, with Melania serving as an executive producer, allowing her significant control over the content. Sources indicate that Melania has grown more comfortable in the public eye, leveraging her private nature to create intrigue and drive up her value. This collaboration follows a meeting between Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where Bezos announced a $1 million donation to Trump's inaugural fund. An Amazon spokesperson expressed enthusiasm for sharing Melania's unique story with a global audience, promising a rare glimpse into the life of the former First Lady.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 8 ameznews.inIn a shocking incident on New Year's Day, a decorated soldier, Matthew Livelsberger, used generative AI, specifically ChatGPT, to plan an attack outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. Livelsberger, 37, fatally shot himself in a rented Tesla Cybertruck packed with fuel containers and fireworks, which subsequently exploded, injuring seven bystanders. Investigations revealed that he sought information on the legality of fireworks in Arizona and explosive targets through the AI chatbot. Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill described this as a concerning first instance of ChatGPT being used to assist in creating a dangerous device, highlighting the potential misuse of accessible AI technology. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, stated that their tools are designed to discourage harmful actions and confirmed they are cooperating with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 8 ameznews.inIn Buenos Aires, David Ezequiel Pereyra, 21, has surrendered to authorities, becoming the second man charged with supplying drugs to British singer Liam Payne, who tragically fell to his death from a hotel balcony last October. Pereyra, an employee at the Casa Sur Hotel, turned himself in on Monday, following the arrest of 24-year-old Braian Paiz, a hotel waiter, who is also implicated in the case. Additionally, three others, including Payne's Argentine representative and hotel staff, face manslaughter charges. Prosecutors revealed that Payne had ingested cocaine, alcohol, and a prescription antidepressant prior to his fatal fall. The former One Direction star had openly discussed his struggles with substance abuse and the pressures of early fame, leading to widespread mourning from fans and peers alike after his death. One Direction, once a leading global music act, has been on hiatus since 2016.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 6 ameznews.inMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook and Instagram will adopt a community-based approach to content moderation, similar to X's "Community Notes," moving away from reliance on professional fact-checkers. In a blog post, Zuckerberg emphasized that this shift empowers users to assess potentially misleading posts through diverse perspectives. Community Notes, introduced in January 2021 and expanded under Elon Musk, allows any user to contribute by rating notes before publishing them. While some researchers argue that Community Notes can enhance information quality, others express concerns about the potential for misinformation. This decision may conflict with the European Union's Digital Services Act, which promotes the use of professional fact-checkers to combat misinformation. Critics, including fact-checking advocates, warn that this shift could lead to censorship claims and challenges with regulatory compliance. Trump suggested that Zuckerberg's decision might be a reaction to his criticisms of Meta.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 7 am
For the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
India
World
Economy
Science
Health
Showbiz
Contact