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A young South African activist living with HIV, Ibanomonde Ngema, will take over actress Charlize Theron's Instagram account on World AIDS Day, December 1, as part of a campaign to raise awareness about the experiences of young people living with the virus. Ngema, 21, who has dedicated her advocacy to combating stigma surrounding HIV, will manage Theron's global account, @charlizeafrica, which boasts 7.6 million followers. Theron, a UN Messenger of Peace, emphasized the importance of dismantling stigma and discrimination to make progress in ending AIDS, stating that "it's within reach" if systemic inequalities are addressed. This initiative follows a UNAIDS report revealing that women and girls represented 62 percent of new HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa last year, highlighting the urgent need for protective laws and policies. Ngema expressed admiration for Theron's influence and commitment to helping people in South Africa.
Published: Nov 28 2024, 4 pmeznews.inIn a strong condemnation of violence in Bangladesh, ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for the immediate release of a Hindu priest unjustly arrested and highlighted the tragic death of a lawyer during protests following the monk's arrest. Speaking out against escalating religious intolerance, Hasina noted that a temple in Chittagong was burned and previously, places of worship across various faiths have faced attacks. She criticized the interim government for its failure to maintain law and order, control rising prices, and protect citizens' rights. Emphasizing the need for accountability, she urged swift action against those responsible for the lawyer's murder, branding them as terrorists. Hasina warned that failure to address these human rights violations would result in consequences for the interim government, calling on the populace to unite against terrorism and ensure the safety of all communities.
Published: Nov 28 2024, 5 pmeznews.inA female stowaway managed to board a Delta Airlines flight from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Paris on Tuesday, evading multiple security checkpoints without a boarding pass or identification. The unidentified woman took advantage of the holiday rush, successfully bypassing two identity verification stations after completing a full security screening, which confirmed she carried no prohibited items. She was discovered by a flight attendant in the bathroom towards the end of the seven-hour flight. Upon landing in Paris, the crew informed passengers that French police would board the aircraft to address a "serious security issue." While the exact details of how she evaded security remain unclear, Delta Airlines has launched an investigation, emphasizing the importance of safety and security in aviation operations. The fate of the stowaway after the incident has not been disclosed.
Published: Nov 28 2024, 6 pmeznews.inActor-comedian Vir Das made history this week as the first Indian to host the International Emmy Awards in New York, delivering a monologue that has since gone viral. His performance included sharp satire on cultural stereotypes and global politics, taking aim at figures like tech billionaire Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump. Opening with a humorous nod to immigration, he quipped about his legal status in the U.S. and cleverly critiqued American voters for their choice of leadership. "You have picked someone to lead you... and I think you chose well," he said of Trump, while jokingly comparing government control to a self-driving Tesla. Das also warned against divisive speech, noting that in America, such comments could lead to election rather than ejection. This milestone follows his previous success, including an Emmy win for his Netflix special 'Landing' in 2023.
Published: Nov 28 2024, 3 pmeznews.inA severe blizzard has gripped South Korea for a second consecutive day, resulting in heavy snowfall that has led to the cancellation of over 140 flights and the suspension of ferry services. The snowfall, recorded as the third-heaviest in Seoul since 1907, has left at least five people dead in the Gyeonggi province, with fatalities attributed to collapsing structures and a traffic accident. By Thursday morning, parts of Seoul had accumulated more than 40 cm (16 inches) of snow, prompting authorities to close 1,285 schools in the region. Incheon International Airport experienced significant delays, with an average wait time of two hours. While the heavy snow warnings have since been lifted, the unusual November weather has been linked to warmer sea temperatures interacting with cold air currents. Neighbouring North Korea also reported over 10 cm (4 inches) of snow in some areas.
Published: Nov 28 2024, 4 pmeznews.inConcerns over rising violence against Bangladesh's Hindu minority have prompted Indian Parliament to question the government on human rights violations. Reports indicate a surge in attacks on Hindu temples and deities, including a recent theft of a crown from the Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple, gifted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021. Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, acknowledged these incidents and emphasized that the protection of all citizens, including minorities, is the responsibility of the Bangladeshi government. The arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das, following protests in Rangpur demanding better protections for minorities, has further escalated tensions. Bangladesh's interim government has labeled ISKCON a "religious fundamentalist" group, leading to international criticism and calls from India for enhanced safety measures for Hindus. The situation reflects ongoing political instability and rising sectarian violence in the country.
Published: Nov 28 2024, 4 pmeznews.inThe US Mission in Peshawar has issued a security alert advising American citizens to avoid travel to the city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province until December 16, citing heightened security concerns. The alert, titled 'Threat to Serena Hotel, Peshawar,' specifically warns against visiting the Serena Hotel and surrounding areas, urging citizens to reconsider their travel plans. This warning follows a 'Do Not Travel' advisory issued in September, which classified Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a 'Level 4' threat due to ongoing terrorism risks. The advisory highlights the presence of active terrorist and insurgent groups that frequently attack civilians, NGOs, and security forces, with incidents of assassination and kidnapping attempts, particularly targeting government officials and polio eradication teams. There has been a notable increase in violent activities in the region in recent months, prompting these precautionary measures.
Published: Nov 28 2024, 4 pmeznews.inA senior Chinese military official, Admiral Miao Hua, has been suspended amid allegations of "serious violations of discipline," a term often associated with corruption in China. Miao, who led the Central Military Commission's Political Work Department, is the latest casualty in an ongoing anti-graft campaign targeting the armed forces initiated by President Xi Jinping. The crackdown has intensified over the past year, driven by concerns that corruption could compromise China's military readiness. At a recent press briefing, Defence Ministry spokesman Wu Qian denied rumors that Defence Minister Dong Jun was under investigation for corruption, calling such reports "pure fabrications." Dong, who took office in December, succeeded Li Shangfu, who was expelled from the Communist Party for suspected bribery. The Rocket Force, responsible for China's strategic missile arsenal, has faced heightened scrutiny, with multiple high-ranking officials removed for graft.
Published: Nov 28 2024, 2 pmeznews.inUkraine's energy infrastructure faced a significant assault on Thursday, prompting nationwide air raid alerts as missiles targeted various regions, including Kharkiv and Odesa. Energy Minister German Galushchenko reported that emergency power cuts were implemented due to the attacks amid plummeting temperatures. The UN's Rosemary DiCarlo warned that this winter could be the harshest yet for civilians due to the ongoing conflict with Russia, which has increasingly focused on Ukraine's energy facilities. In a related political development, US president-elect Donald Trump appointed retired General Keith Kellogg as his envoy to Ukraine, aiming to negotiate an end to the conflict. Critics, however, fear that Trump may pressure Ukraine into unfavorable agreements regarding occupied territories. Amidst these developments, Ukraine is grappling with a recruitment crisis, as officials indicate that troop numbers are insufficient to match Russian military strength.
Published: Nov 28 2024, 2 pmeznews.inIn a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, authorities from over 30 countries have seized 225 metric tons of cocaine as part of a six-week operation dubbed "Orion," which revealed a new trafficking route from South America to Australia. The Colombian Navy reported that the operation, which took place in October and November, resulted in the confiscation of more than 1,400 tons of drugs and the arrest of over 400 individuals. The coordinated effort involved security agencies from the United States, Brazil, Spain, and the Netherlands, among others, and is estimated to have deprived drug cartels of more than $8.4 billion. Notably, a semisubmersible vessel carrying five tons of cocaine was intercepted, highlighting the emergence of sophisticated trafficking methods. With cocaine prices in Australia reaching up to $240,000 per kilogram—six times the U.S. price—this route is becoming increasingly lucrative for organized crime networks that now span multiple countries.
Published: Nov 28 2024, 2 pm
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