eznews.in
Jarred Dwayne Shaw, a 34-year-old American basketball player, was arrested in Indonesia for attempting to smuggle cannabis-infused candies into the country. Indonesian police seized 132 pieces of cannabis-laced candies weighing 869 grams during a raid on his apartment in Tangerang Regency on May 7, 2025. The operation followed a tip-off about a suspicious package from Thailand, where cannabis was decriminalised in 2024. Shaw, who has played in the Indonesian Basketball League since 2022, claimed he intended to share the candies with teammates. Following his arrest, the Tangerang Hawks terminated his contract and the league imposed a lifetime ban. Under Indonesia's strict drug laws, Shaw faces severe penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty, as the country maintains a zero-tolerance stance on drug-related offences, with over 500 individuals currently on death row for such crimes. 
Published: May 16 2025, 3 pmeznews.inKing Charles III's wealth surged by approximately GBP 30 million over the past year, reaching GBP 640 million, according to the 2025 'Sunday Times Rich List,' where he ranks 238th, up 20 places. His fortune primarily stems from inherited estates and a profitable investment portfolio, bolstered by the Crown Estate's wind farm licenses that have doubled profits and increased the sovereign grant funding royal activities. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty also share a combined wealth of GBP 640 million, rising in rank despite a decline in the value of Murty's Infosys stake. The Hinduja family leads the list for the fourth year with GBP 35.3 billion, while the number of billionaires in the UK has dropped to 156, the lowest in the list’s 37-year history, reflecting ongoing economic challenges. 
Published: May 16 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIn a significant development, Russia announced on Friday that its first direct talks with Ukraine in over three years resulted in an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from each side and to resume discussions on a potential ceasefire. Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, expressed satisfaction with the progress made during the Istanbul negotiations, noting that both nations would outline their visions for a future ceasefire before further talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the discussions, but a mid-level delegation represented Russia instead. While Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, Russia is cautious, wanting to finalize ceasefire terms first. Medinsky highlighted that ceasefires do not always precede peace talks, referencing historical conflicts. Additionally, the Kremlin emphasized the need for a preparatory meeting between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump to advance discussions on Ukraine and other issues. 
Published: May 16 2025, 10 pmeznews.inJustin Bieber has clarified that he is not among the victims of Sean "Diddy" Combs, who is currently facing federal sex trafficking charges, according to reports from TMZ and People. Bieber, who rose to fame as a teenager and has socialized with the 55-year-old hip-hop mogul, expressed support for those genuinely harmed by Combs through a spokesperson. The statement emphasized the importance of focusing on the victims rather than shifting attention away from their pursuit of justice. Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to multiple felony counts, including racketeering and sex trafficking, maintains that any sexual activity at his infamous "Freak Offs" parties was consensual. Videos from their past interactions have sparked speculation online regarding the nature of their relationship, but Bieber's representative urged that the focus should remain on the victims of Combs' alleged actions. 
Published: May 16 2025, 11 pmeznews.inAdriana Smith, a 30-year-old pregnant woman in Georgia, remains on life support after being declared brain dead three months ago, a situation complicated by the state's strict anti-abortion laws. Her mother, April Newkirk, revealed that doctors are unable to remove life support due to the "heartbeat law," which restricts abortions once cardiac activity is detected, typically around six weeks. Smith is currently 21 weeks pregnant, raising concerns about the viability of her fetus. While proponents of the law argue for the rights of the fetus, critics, including Monica Simpson of SisterSong, emphasize the family's lack of decision-making power and the emotional toll of their ordeal. The law has faced scrutiny following the deaths of two women who allegedly did not receive adequate medical care due to abortion restrictions, prompting further debate over the implications of such legislation in Georgia. 
Published: May 16 2025, 8 pmeznews.inHadi Matar, 27, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the attempted murder of author Salman Rushdie, who was stabbed multiple times during a lecture in New York in 2022, resulting in Rushdie losing sight in one eye. Matar was found guilty in February, with Rushdie submitting a victim impact statement but not attending the sentencing. Matar, who called Rushdie a hypocrite while wearing jail attire, received the maximum sentence for the attack, which also injured another man on stage. Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt emphasized that Matar deliberately planned the assault to inflict maximum harm on Rushdie and the audience. Matar, a U.S. citizen, is also facing federal terrorism charges linked to a fatwa issued in 1989 by Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini, which called for Rushdie's death over his novel "The Satanic Verses." 
Published: May 16 2025, 9 pmeznews.inUS President Donald Trump hailed what he called a "big success" in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, stating that the previous levels of hostility between the two nations were concerning. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on May 16, Trump reiterated his claims of US mediation, marking the seventh time since May 10 that he has asserted this role. His comments followed India's precision strikes against terrorist infrastructure on May 7, which were a response to a deadly attack that killed 26 people. In the ensuing days, both nations engaged in cross-border military actions before reaching an understanding to cease hostilities on May 10. While Trump announced a "full and immediate ceasefire" after US-mediated talks, Indian officials have insisted that the agreement was reached bilaterally, without third-party involvement, maintaining that Kashmir remains a bilateral issue. 
Published: May 16 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA team of students from Purdue University has set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest Rubik's Cube-solving robot, achieving a remarkable time of just 0.103 milliseconds. This feat surpasses the previous record held by Mitsubishi, which was set at 0.303 seconds. Led by Matthew Patrohay, the team, including Junpei Ota, Aden Hurd, and Alex Berta, was inspired to break the record after witnessing Mitsubishi's achievement. The robot, named Purdubik's Cube, faced significant engineering challenges, as the cubes often disintegrated under the intense forces needed for such speed. The rapid solution time is faster than a human blink, which averages 200 to 300 milliseconds. The robot was first showcased at Purdue's SPARK competition, where it won first place. Additionally, the Purdubik's Cube features a Bluetooth-enabled "Smart Cube," allowing users to scramble the puzzle in real time while the robot solves it instantly. 
Published: May 16 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAlbania's Prime Minister Edi Rama showcased his charismatic flair while hosting over 40 European leaders in torrential rain for the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Tirana on Friday. Fresh from securing a fourth term with a pledge to bring Albania into the EU by 2030, Rama welcomed dignitaries, including Italy's Giorgia Meloni and France's Emmanuel Macron, with playful gestures, such as kneeling for Meloni and jokingly attributing the rain to the British delegation. The summit, initiated by Macron in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, focused on pressing issues like migration and the ongoing conflict. Rama, standing at six-foot-seven, emphasized Albania's pride in hosting the event, blending humor with diplomacy as he introduced AI-generated images of leaders as babies, eliciting laughter from attendees. The meeting underscored Albania's growing role in European affairs amid a backdrop of serious geopolitical discussions. 
Published: May 16 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, have been resentenced to 50 years to life for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, making them eligible for parole. This decision comes amid a resurgence of public interest in their case, fueled by a wave of true crime documentaries and dramatizations that have re-examined their story. Their initial trials in the 1990s captivated audiences and were landmark events for Court TV, with the brothers' claims of abuse sparking intense debate. Over the years, the case faded from public view, but recent media portrayals, including a 2023 docuseries and a Netflix drama, have reignited discussions around their actions and motivations. Despite opposition from the Los Angeles District Attorney's office, a judge has now opened the door for potential release, reflecting changing societal views on crime and justice. 
Published: May 16 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA Hong Kong woman, Huang, 25, has been convicted of abandoning her stillborn baby in a hospital freezer in Taiwan, where she had been studying. The incident occurred in 2022 when Huang delivered a baby boy at just 21 weeks of pregnancy at a hospital in Taichung. After placing the body in the freezer, she contacted a funeral company to arrange for its pickup, promising payment by December. Huang was later apprehended by police after evading authorities. During her trial, she claimed she did not intend to abandon the body and was unaware of her pregnancy until seeking medical help for stomach issues. Her defense argued that the fetus should be classified as medical waste due to its age, but the court determined it had developed into a distinct human form. Ultimately, Huang received a four-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, due to her emotional and financial struggles as an international student. 
Published: May 16 2025, 8 pm
For the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
