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At Columbia University's graduation ceremony on Wednesday, pro-Palestinian student protest leader Mahmoud Khalil was notably absent, prompting chants of "Free Mahmoud" from attendees. Khalil, a prominent figure in nationwide protests against Israel's actions in Gaza, has been detained for over two months by US authorities and faces deportation despite being a permanent resident. The ceremony, attended by 16,000 graduates, was marked by tension, with interim president Clare Shipman acknowledging Khalil's absence and defending free speech amid increasing government scrutiny of campus activism. Students expressed shame over the university's handling of pro-Palestinian protests, particularly following recent arrests of 80 students. As graduates celebrated, the atmosphere remained charged, reflecting broader concerns about academic freedom and the impact of the Trump administration's policies on student activism. Outside the campus, pro-Palestinian demonstrators highlighted ongoing struggles, with one sign reading: "There is no graduation in Gaza today." 
Published: May 22 2025, 6 ameznews.inIn a troubling incident on Wednesday, the Israeli military fired "warning shots" at a group of 25 diplomats visiting Jenin in the occupied West Bank, organized by the Palestinian Authority to assess the humanitarian situation. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claimed the shots were intended to prevent the diplomats from straying off an approved path, expressing regret for the disruption. The delegation included representatives from 31 nations, such as the UK, Italy, and Canada, who were forced to take shelter in their vehicles after the gunfire erupted. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with several countries, including Egypt and France, calling for accountability and denouncing the threat to diplomats' safety. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry described the act as a "deliberate and unlawful" targeting of an accredited diplomatic mission, amid growing international concern over Israel's military actions in the region and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has seen a lack of aid since March. 
Published: May 22 2025, 12 pmeznews.inAs the Taliban-led Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) approaches its fourth anniversary in power, India has cautiously intensified its engagement with the regime, exemplified by a recent phone call between External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and IEA Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Jaishankar expressed gratitude for the Taliban's condemnation of a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, indicating a mutual interest in maintaining stability amid regional tensions, particularly with Pakistan. India's strategy has evolved to enhance humanitarian cooperation while acknowledging the Taliban's security concerns. Meanwhile, other nations, including Russia, Iran, and Central Asian countries, have also increased their ties with the Taliban, complicating India's position. Recent trilateral talks between Pakistan and China suggest a realignment that may challenge India's strategic interests. Despite these developments, India must remain vigilant regarding the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan and the Taliban's commitment to countering them. 
Published: May 22 2025, 1 pmeznews.inDuring a recent visit to the White House, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa aimed to persuade President Donald Trump to abandon his claims of a genocide against White farmers in South Africa. Ramaphosa, who played a pivotal role in ending apartheid, sought to strengthen bilateral relations and trade, bringing along two White South African golfers and the agriculture minister as symbols of cooperation. He argued, “If there was Afrikaner farmer genocide I can bet you these three gentlemen would not be here.” However, the meeting took an unexpected turn when Trump requested the lights be dimmed to show a video supporting his assertions. The footage included controversial images, such as opposition leader Julius Malema chanting "kill the Boer," and Trump claimed it illustrated the execution of White farmers, stating, “You’re taking people’s land away from them and those people in many cases are being executed.” 
Published: May 22 2025, 1 pmeznews.inHarold Adrian Russell "Kim" Philby, a quintessential British gentleman and MI6 officer, led a perilous double life as a Soviet spy for nearly three decades. Recruited in 1934 through his communist wife, Philby became a trusted member of the British intelligence community, all while secretly relaying sensitive information to Moscow. His most notorious act of betrayal involved thwarting the defection of fellow Soviet officer Konstantin Volkov, ensuring that British intelligence remained oblivious to his espionage activities. Despite growing suspicions and a brief interrogation in 1951, Philby evaded capture due to his charm and the lack of concrete evidence. In 1963, he confessed to a friend, Nicholas Elliott, but continued to lie about the extent of his spying. Soon after, he escaped to the Soviet Union, where he lived until his death in 1988, feeling justified in his actions and later honored by Russian intelligence with a commemorative plaque. 
Published: May 22 2025, 1 pmeznews.inA New York man, Drew Garnier, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for fatally stabbing his pregnant wife, Samantha, and attacking their two young daughters, Izzie, 6, and Adelina, 9. The horrific incident, which occurred in 2024, was reportedly fueled by Garnier's anger over the couple's impending third daughter. Samantha's father, Gregory Vernagallo, testified that Garnier's desire for a son led to the tragic attack. Following the stabbings, which left the daughters seriously injured, Garnier was taken into custody on September 5, 2024. He pleaded guilty to first-degree homicide and assault charges, receiving a sentence that included 15 years of supervised release. Garnier is barred from contacting his daughters until 2056, although they have the option to see him in the future if they choose. The Delaware County District Attorney's Office noted that the sentence reflects the trauma endured by the children. 
Published: May 22 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIn a controversial statement, far-right Israeli politician Moshe Feiglin declared that every child in Gaza is an enemy, advocating for the occupation and colonization of the territory. His remarks followed criticism from Yair Golan, a former Israeli military leader, who accused the government of "killing babies as a hobby" and warned that Israel risks becoming a pariah state. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Golan's comments as "wild incitement," defending the Israel Defense Forces as the "most moral army in the world." Amid escalating military actions in Gaza, where over 600 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in recent strikes, international criticism of Israel's tactics is mounting. The UK has paused free trade talks and announced sanctions against West Bank settlers, while humanitarian aid access remains severely restricted, with only five UN aid trucks allowed into Gaza recently, raising concerns of an impending famine. 
Published: May 22 2025, 11 ameznews.inIndia hosted a special event at the United Nations on Wednesday to celebrate International Tea Day, focusing on the beverage's role in community empowerment and economic growth. Titled 'Tea for Livelihoods, Tea for SDGs,' the gathering featured a curated tea tasting, showcasing varieties like Darjeeling, Assam, and Masala chai. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, emphasized tea's transformative impact on rural employment and women's empowerment, while also addressing challenges such as climate change, market volatility, and the need for better working conditions for small tea farmers. The event highlighted the importance of sustainable practices and innovation in the tea industry, with calls for stronger support for smallholders, who constitute a significant portion of global tea production. Representatives from Kenya, Sri Lanka, and China also participated, discussing the need for collaborative efforts to enhance resilience and sustainability in tea farming. 
Published: May 22 2025, 11 ameznews.inTwo Israeli embassy staff members were shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, on Wednesday evening by a gunman who reportedly shouted "free Palestine." The victims, identified as a young couple engaged to be married, were leaving an event at the museum when the attack occurred. Israeli Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, while Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the shooting as a "despicable act of hatred." US leaders, including President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, denounced the violence, labeling it as antisemitic and pledging to bring the perpetrator to justice. The attack comes amid heightened tensions following Israel's military actions against Hamas in Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, resulting in significant casualties and hostages. Israeli officials emphasized solidarity with the Jewish community in the US and called for robust action against such acts of terror. 
Published: May 22 2025, 11 ameznews.inA partial collapse of the Fengyang Drum Tower, a historic structure in Anhui, China, occurred on Monday, sending debris tumbling and prompting tourists to flee for safety. The 650-year-old tower, originally built in 1375 during the Ming Dynasty, lost hundreds of roof tiles, creating chaos as visitors scrambled to avoid falling debris. Eyewitnesses reported that the tile collapse lasted for a minute or two, and fortunately, no injuries were reported, as the area was relatively empty at the time. The tower had undergone restoration, completed in March 2024, but social media users expressed concerns about the quality of modern construction, comparing it unfavorably to the durability of ancient techniques. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, which has drawn significant attention online. The Fengyang Drum Tower is a prominent tourist attraction and is located approximately 320 kilometers from Beijing. 
Published: May 22 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday that Mohammed Sinwar, the de facto leader of Hamas in Gaza, has "probably" been killed in an Israeli airstrike on the European hospital in Khan Younis, which resulted in the deaths of 28 Palestinians. While Hamas has yet to confirm his death, Netanyahu stated that Israel has successfully targeted numerous high-ranking Hamas figures, including Sinwar's brother, Yahya Sinwar, who was killed in October 2024. Netanyahu, addressing rising criticism over the Gaza conflict, indicated Israel's willingness to consider a "temporary ceasefire" to facilitate hostage returns, contingent upon Hamas releasing all hostages and agreeing to terms such as the demilitarisation of Gaza. He emphasized that Israel aims to maintain operational freedom while avoiding a humanitarian crisis, asserting that the Gaza Strip would ultimately be under Israeli control as the offensive continues. 
Published: May 22 2025, 10 am
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