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Billionaire Elon Musk has been nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, primarily for his advocacy of free speech. The nomination was announced by Slovenian European Parliament member Branko Grims, who submitted the petition to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, emphasizing Musk's contributions to the fundamental human right of freedom of speech and peace. Grims shared a confirmation email from the committee, expressing gratitude to co-proposers involved in the nomination process. He reiterated his belief that Musk deserves the accolade for his significant efforts in promoting free speech, which he described as a basic human right. This nomination follows a similar proposal made by Norwegian MP Marius Nilsen in February 2024, who praised Musk for his steadfast defense of dialogue and free expression in an increasingly polarized world, asserting that Musk's ventures have fostered greater connectivity and safety globally.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 11 ameznews.inIn the early days of his second term, President Donald Trump has swiftly moved to implement his populist agenda, including withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the WHO, while focusing heavily on anti-immigration policies. These measures, framed as necessary for national security, have intensified social anxieties towards minorities and immigrants, with Trump labeling deportation efforts as a defense against "invasion." A notable confrontation arose with Colombian President Gustavo Petro over the acceptance of deportees, which Trump resolved through diplomatic pressure. Trump's administration has reinstated strict immigration measures from his first term, suspending the US refugee admissions program and empowering ICE to detain undocumented migrants. While these policies have sparked concern among immigrant communities, particularly Indians, their broader impact on international relations may be limited. The ongoing trend reflects a global rejection of globalization, with the U.S. continuing to wield significant influence in global politics despite the humanitarian implications of its immigration policies.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIn a historic ruling, New Zealand has granted Mount Taranaki, now officially named Taranaki Maunga, the same legal rights as a human being, making it the third natural feature in the country to receive such status, following the Whanganui River and Te Urewera National Park. This recognition acknowledges the mountain as an ancestral entity for Indigenous Maori people and aims to address historical injustices, including land confiscation during colonization. Under the new law, Taranaki Maunga will effectively own itself, with local iwi and government representatives collaborating to manage it. The mountain, which stands at 8,261 feet and is a popular destination for tourism and outdoor activities, will also be renamed Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki, meaning "the highly regarded and treasured lands of Taranaki." The legal framework, referred to as Te Kahui Tupua, grants Taranaki Maunga full rights, powers, and responsibilities akin to those of a person.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 2 pmeznews.inJapan has scrambled fighter jets in response to Russian bombers flying over international waters near its territory, according to government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi. The incidents occurred in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan, prompting Japan's Air Self-Defense Force to take action. Hayashi noted the ongoing activity of Russian military aircraft in the region but did not specify the purpose of the flights. This follows previous diplomatic protests from Tokyo regarding airspace incursions, including a September incident that Russia denied. Meanwhile, Russia's defense ministry claimed that the bombers, identified as Tupolev-95s, were conducting a routine flight over the waters, asserting that all operations adhered to international airspace regulations. Hayashi emphasized Japan's commitment to closely monitor the situation and enhance patrol measures against airspace violations.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 2 pmeznews.inElon Musk, CEO of Tesla and X, has reportedly taken his commitment to work to an extreme by living at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) headquarters in Washington D.C., as reported by WIRED. This unusual arrangement allows him to maintain direct oversight of the department, which aims to reduce federal spending and streamline operations. Musk's decision to stay at DOGE, located near the White House, came after he was denied office space in the West Wing. His leadership style, characterized by a "hardcore" work ethic, has included sleeping on factory floors during Tesla's early days to demonstrate dedication. Under his guidance, DOGE has already saved taxpayers approximately $1 billion daily by cutting unnecessary hiring and eliminating diversity initiatives. The department is also reviewing penny production, which costs more than the coins' face value, potentially leading to significant taxpayer savings. However, concerns persist regarding the toxic workplace culture Musk's methods may foster.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 2 pmeznews.inA tragic mid-air collision occurred on Wednesday evening when an American Airlines passenger plane, piloted by 28-year-old Sam Lilley, collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C. Lilley, who was looking forward to marrying his fiancée this fall, was remembered by his father, Timothy, a former Army helicopter pilot, in an emotional Facebook post. Timothy expressed pride in his son's achievements but lamented the devastating loss, describing the moment he learned of the crash as the worst day of his life. The incident, which took place around 8:47 PM EST, resulted in the deaths of all 67 individuals on board, marking it as the deadliest US air crash since 2001. Investigators have since recovered the black boxes from the passenger jet, which was transporting athletes and coaches, including former Russian world pairs champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, to the capital.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 2 pmeznews.inA recent collision between a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and American Eagle Flight 5342 near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has raised concerns about the safety record of the Army's "workhorse" helicopter, in service since 1979. Despite its reputation for reliability and survivability, the Black Hawk has been involved in several fatal incidents, including a training exercise collision in Kentucky that resulted in nine deaths. Retired Army Lt. Col. Darin Gaub noted that the crew may not have detected the passenger jet, as video showed no change in course or altitude before the crash, and the mission had fewer crew chiefs than usual, potentially impairing situational awareness. Following this and another fatal incident involving Apache helicopters, the Army has grounded its aviation units for non-critical missions. A review found that while 60 fatalities occurred in Black Hawk training incidents over the past decade, it has a lower fatality rate compared to other Army helicopters.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 1 pmeznews.inZaya Perysian, a US-based transgender influencer, has alleged that the Trump administration has forced her to identify as male by changing the gender on her passport, despite all her other documents reflecting her identity as female. This controversy stems from an executive order signed on January 20, which asserts that "sex" refers strictly to biological classification and explicitly denies recognition of gender identity as a substitute for sex. In a recent Instagram video, Zaya displayed her passport, which she described as having a "big ugly M" under the sex designation, while emphasizing that she has undergone sex reassignment surgery. She expressed concerns for her safety while traveling and announced plans to pursue legal action, claiming the government's stance is a direct violation of her rights under the Equal Rights Amendment. Zaya remains resolute in her fight for transgender rights, stating, "I am not scared. I am not gonna cry."
Published: Jan 31 2025, 11 ameznews.inIn his first major crisis as president, Donald Trump addressed a devastating midair collision in Washington that resulted in 67 fatalities, initially adopting a somber tone before quickly shifting to blame. He criticized helicopter pilots and night-vision technology, but notably attributed the tragedy to diversity hiring practices, targeting former Presidents Obama and Biden. This assertion drew on his broader agenda against "woke" policies, as he sought to position himself as the decisive leader in a time of national grief. Flanked by officials who praised his leadership, Trump reiterated that the crash was not the fault of his administration, despite significant scrutiny over his plans to reshape federal agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which lacked a permanent leader following his cost-cutting measures. The incident raises questions about the potential impact of his controversial policies on aviation safety and crisis management.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 11 ameznews.inDominique Pelicot, a 72-year-old Frenchman previously convicted for orchestrating the rape of his then-wife Gisele by multiple men, was interrogated on Thursday regarding a 1991 rape and murder case and a 1999 attempted rape. Pelicot, who received a 20-year sentence in December, has denied involvement in the 1991 incident but admitted to the attempted rape, which DNA evidence linked to him. His lawyer stated that the investigation into these cold cases has been ongoing since October 2022. The similarities between the cases, including the use of ether, have raised concerns about Pelicot's potential involvement in other crimes. Gisele Pelicot, who bravely testified against him, has been praised for her courage throughout the trial, which resulted in convictions for all 51 defendants. Pelicot's daughter, Caroline Darian, believes she was also a victim of her father's abuse and has called for him to remain imprisoned.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 11 am
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