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Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan is set to host the first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in three years, marking a significant moment in his growing international influence. This diplomatic maneuver comes shortly after the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) announced its dissolution, a development Erdogan hopes will strengthen his domestic political position amid ongoing protests against his government. Critics argue that Erdogan often shifts focus to foreign affairs when faced with domestic challenges, such as the arrest of political rival Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, which has drawn widespread condemnation. Despite this, Erdogan's diplomatic efforts have garnered praise, including from US President Donald Trump, who emphasized Erdogan's role in facilitating peace talks. As Turkey navigates complex geopolitical waters, Erdogan's actions could reshape both regional dynamics and his own political future, with the potential for a new constitution that may extend his presidency beyond 2028. 
Published: May 14 2025, 6 pmeznews.inSri Lanka is set to implement artificial intelligence technology to monitor bus drivers and enforce mandatory seat belts on public transport following the nation's deadliest bus crash in two decades, which claimed 23 lives. Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake announced that from next year, buses will be equipped with driver monitoring systems, while seat belts will be compulsory starting in June. This initiative aims to enhance road safety and educate drivers on better practices, amidst the backdrop of approximately 3,000 annual road fatalities in the country, known for its perilous roads. The recent tragedy involved an overcrowded bus carrying 77 passengers, exceeding its capacity, which fell into a ravine in Kotmale. Preliminary investigations revealed no immediate driver error, although a prior complaint about steering issues had been reported. This incident marks the deadliest bus accident in Sri Lanka since April 2005.
Published: May 14 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking meeting in Riyadh, Donald Trump met Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former UN-designated terrorist known for his leadership of the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group. This meeting marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy as Trump announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria, which have been in place since 1979 due to its designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. Al-Sharaa, previously known as Abu Mohammad al-Jawlani, played a pivotal role in the Syrian civil war and the overthrow of the Assad regime, which collapsed in December 2024. The meeting, facilitated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has garnered global attention, with Turkey's President Erdogan also participating via phone. While Gulf nations support the new regime as a counterweight to Iran, Israel has expressed concerns over legitimizing al-Sharaa's government. Syria's Foreign Ministry hailed the sanctions removal as a vital opportunity for national reconstruction.
Published: May 14 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA rockfall in Miaoli County, Taiwan, on Monday resulted in one injury and significant damage to two vehicles. The incident unfolded when large boulders tumbled from a mountainside, impacting unsuspecting drivers. Dramatic video footage of the event, which has gone viral, shows boulders larger than SUVs crashing onto the road. A motorcyclist and a sedan driver narrowly escaped harm, while another driver sustained damage to their vehicle. The Miaoli County Government attributed the rockfall to heavy rainfall over the previous two days, which destabilized the mountainside. In response, the affected road section has been temporarily closed due to ongoing instability. This incident echoes previous viral videos of similar events, including a resurfaced clip of a scooterist narrowly escaping a landslide in Indonesia, which has been misattributed to various locations over time.
Published: May 14 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe 2024 Paris Summer Olympics left a lasting legacy as the city prepares to open the River Seine for public swimming this summer, starting July 5. Following successful open water events during the Games, which faced challenges due to pollution, Paris authorities are now allowing access to three designated swimming spots: bras Marie, Grenelle, and Bercy. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo emphasized that this initiative not only enhances quality of life but also addresses climate change. Swimming in the Seine had been banned for a century due to pollution, but the city now expects to welcome between 150 and 300 swimmers at a time, with safety monitored through a flag system indicating water quality. Daily checks will ensure conditions remain safe, with swimming potentially suspended after heavy rainfall. Officials express optimism about the Seine's improved cleanliness, marking a significant shift in the river's recreational use.
Published: May 14 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Trump administration has announced a significant rollback of regulations on toxic "forever chemicals," known as PFAS, in drinking water, reversing a key public health measure established by the Biden administration. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will now set maximum contaminant levels only for two specific PFAS compounds, PFOA and PFOS, while eliminating limits on other harmful variants. This decision affects nearly 158 million Americans whose drinking water is contaminated with PFAS, linked to serious health issues including cancer and fertility problems. Critics, including the Environmental Working Group, argue that this change undermines health protections and benefits water utilities and polluters. Furthermore, the compliance deadline for PFOA and PFOS has been extended to 2031, raising concerns over the effectiveness of the proposed measures. Legal challenges are anticipated, given the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act to maintain or improve health standards.
Published: May 14 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA remarkably preserved 47-million-year-old cicada fossil has been unearthed, showcasing intricate details, including visible wing veins. Although the fossil is of a female cicada, which typically does not produce sound, researchers believe it belongs to a lineage where males are known to sing. The fossil closely resembles modern cicadas from the Platypleurini group, primarily found in Africa and Asia, and exhibits traces of colors and patterns likely used for camouflage against predators. Dr. Hui Jiang from the University of Bonn noted that this discovery extends the known fossil record of sound-producing cicadas in the Platypleurini tribe by about 20 million years, suggesting earlier diversification than previously thought. Dr. Conrad Labandeira from the Smithsonian highlighted that the findings indicate a slower evolutionary rate for this group than earlier DNA studies suggested, and further fossil discoveries are needed to refine these evolutionary timelines.
Published: May 14 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA troubling avian mystery has emerged in Richmond, California, where residents are reporting multiple dead birds, some appearing to "explode" mid-air. Security footage has captured birds plummeting from power lines after loud pops, intensifying community fears. Necropsies conducted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on two birds indicated trauma consistent with pellet guns or slingshots, ruling out electrocution as the cause. Despite these findings, the exact reason for the deaths remains undetermined. Local residents, including Bolling, have counted at least 13 birds that have met this baffling fate, leading to speculation about everything from electrocution to a potential bird killer. Sharon Anderson, a self-described animal lover, expressed her heartbreak over the situation, which began several months ago. The California State Department of Fish and Wildlife has initiated an investigation into the disturbing incidents.
Published: May 14 2025, 8 pmeznews.inChina's former semiconductor titan, Zhao Weiguo, has been handed a suspended death sentence for embezzlement and illegal profiteering, according to state media. Zhao, who previously chaired Tsinghua Unigroup, was found guilty of causing significant financial losses and misusing his position to acquire state-owned assets at undervalued prices. His actions reportedly led to a loss of over 890 million yuan to the state. The court's ruling, which includes a lifetime ban on political rights and a fine of 12 million yuan ($1.65 million), reflects China's ongoing campaign against corruption, a key focus for President Xi Jinping. Zhao's sentence is suspended for two years, a common practice in corruption cases, allowing for potential reduction to life imprisonment upon appeal. Tsinghua Unigroup, once a leading chipmaker, has struggled with debt and restructuring under Zhao’s leadership, highlighting the challenges in China's semiconductor ambitions amid rising trade tensions with the U.S.
Published: May 14 2025, 5 pmeznews.inChina has criticized the recently signed UK-US trade deal, expressing fears that it may compel British firms to exclude Chinese products from their supply chains. Beijing's concerns stem from the deal's limited tariff relief coupled with stringent US security requirements, which they perceive as a move towards economic isolation and unfairness. China's foreign ministry stated that international cooperation should not harm third-party interests, emphasizing a principle they consider fundamental. The agreement reduces tariffs on British car exports and lifts tariffs on UK steel and aluminum, but only under specific US security conditions. A senior researcher in China described these provisions as "poison pills," arguing they unfairly target China. In response, China is focusing on boosting domestic production through a "dual circulation" strategy. Meanwhile, the UK government insists the deal is designed to protect jobs and businesses, reaffirming the importance of trade with China despite ongoing tensions.
Published: May 14 2025, 6 pm
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