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The FBI has raised alarms over an escalating cyber threat known as "smishing," where criminals target US citizens through deceptive SMS messages. With over 10,000 fraudulent domains registered, these scams aim to trick users into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links. Authorities are urging iPhone and Android users to delete suspicious texts and avoid clicking on unknown links. Smishing tactics often include urgent alerts about bank issues, enticing offers, and impersonation of trusted entities like banks and government agencies. Recent investigations highlight that many of these scams use misleading domain names, frequently ending in the Chinese .XIN top-level domain, to appear legitimate. Cities including Boston, Denver, and Houston have issued warnings, and experts advise verifying senders, using spam filters, and reporting suspicious messages to combat this rising threat effectively. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 1 pmeznews.inAs Canada prepares to host the G7 foreign ministers, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly is set to highlight the escalating trade tensions with the United States, warning allies that if the U.S. can impose tariffs on its closest partner, no nation is safe. While the agenda includes discussions on Ukraine, the Middle East, Haiti, and Venezuela, Joly plans to address U.S. tariffs and perceived threats to Canadian sovereignty, describing Canada as "the canary in the coal mine." The ongoing trade dispute has seen Canada retaliate against U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, with Joly asserting that the U.S. actions amount to economic coercion. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplayed President Trump's annexation comments, framing them as economic musings rather than serious threats. As the country prepares for a new prime minister, Mark Carney has labeled the trade conflict an "economic and sovereign crisis," emphasizing the need to protect Canada's resources and autonomy. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 2 pmeznews.inTwo young Israeli girls have made a heartfelt appeal to US President Donald Trump to help secure the release of their father, Omri Miran, who has been held captive by Hamas for 523 days. Miran, 47, was kidnapped during a Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023, leaving behind his wife, Lishay Lavi-Miran, and their daughters, Roni and Alma. In a poignant video shared on social media, the girls, aged two and six months at the time of the abduction, addressed Trump in Hebrew, asking him to "help us bring daddy from Gaza." Lavi-Miran also tagged Trump in her post, emphasizing the family's hope for his intervention. Currently, 59 hostages, including Miran, remain in Hamas's custody as negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release continue, with US envoy Steve Witkoff mediating in Qatar. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe World Bank faces criticism for its officials' significant carbon emissions during a United Nations climate summit in Azerbaijan last November, reportedly equivalent to the annual output of 350 cars. A leaked attendee list revealed that 254 officials flew from Washington, DC, to Baku, generating at least 1,500 metric tonnes of carbon emissions, according to the UN's Carbon Emissions Calculator. Critics, including Nile Gardiner from the Heritage Foundation, condemned the organization for hypocrisy, highlighting the disparity between its environmental advocacy and lavish travel practices. A World Bank spokesperson defended the use of private jets as a rare necessity for security and efficiency. Previous reports also indicated that senior officials opted for premium travel arrangements, raising further concerns about the institution's handling of climate funding. This scrutiny comes amid accusations from NGOs like Oxfam, which claimed the World Bank had "lost track" of $24 billion intended for climate initiatives. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 2 pmeznews.inA United Nations investigation has accused Israel of committing "genocidal" acts in Gaza by systematically targeting sexual and reproductive healthcare facilities. The UN Commission of Inquiry reported that Israel intentionally destroyed the main fertility clinic, Al-Basma, and imposed a siege that obstructed medical aid essential for safe pregnancies and neonatal care. The commission asserted that these actions amounted to two categories of genocidal acts, including inflicting conditions calculated to bring about the physical destruction of Palestinians and preventing births within the group. The report highlighted severe immediate and long-term impacts on the mental health and reproductive prospects of Gazans, with the chair, Navi Pillay, stating that such violations constitute crimes against humanity. Israel, however, rejected the allegations, claiming the commission is biased and politically motivated. The inquiry follows public hearings in Geneva, where testimonies from victims of sexual violence were presented. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 3 pmeznews.inDomestic cats have cohabited with humans for around 10,000 years, evolving from pest controllers to beloved companions, with over 30% of households in the US and Australia owning a cat. While often perceived as aloof, cats exhibit affection through social behaviours, such as grooming and play, and even develop specific vocalisations to communicate with their owners. However, friendships among cats can be complex; they are more likely to form strong bonds if they are female, grow up together, are related, and live in close proximity. Indoor cats tend to have better relationships than those allowed outside, where territorial behaviour can lead to conflicts. While cats can also bond with dogs, early exposure and gradual introductions are crucial. Ultimately, while feline friendships can enhance their lives, the most significant bond remains the one with their human caregivers, who provide the attention and play they crave. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 1 pmeznews.inExplorers have uncovered the wreckage of the Western Reserve, a cargo ship that capsized in Lake Superior over 130 years ago, thanks to Marine Sonic Technology's side-scan sonar. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) initially detected the ship's remnants during a research expedition in summer 2024, later confirming its identity with remotely operated vehicles. The Western Reserve, a 300-foot vessel built entirely of steel, sank during a gale on August 30, 1892, claiming 27 lives, including the family of owner Peter Minch. Only wheelsman Harry W. Stewart survived, swimming 1.6 kilometers to safety after his lifeboat overturned. The ship’s hull may have been too weak to withstand the storm, a consequence of the nascent maritime steel era. GLSHS executive director Bruce Lynn emphasized the significance of this discovery in preserving maritime history, as thousands of vessels have been lost in the Great Lakes since the 1700s. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 1 pmeznews.inAustralia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced on Thursday that his department is reviewing the visa status of American influencer Sam Jones, following widespread outrage over a now-deleted video she posted on Instagram. In the footage, which garnered attention from her 92,000 followers, Jones is seen picking up a baby wombat—an endangered marsupial native to Australia—while its distressed mother follows nearby. Burke stated that the review aims to determine if immigration laws were violated, expressing skepticism that Jones would apply for a visa again due to the scrutiny she would face. Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong also condemned the incident, describing the video as "distressing" and urging people to leave wildlife undisturbed. Jones has since made her Instagram account private, and it remains unclear whether she is still in Australia. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe mother of Suchir Balaji, an OpenAI whistleblower found dead in his San Francisco apartment last November, has released CCTV footage from the day of his death, showing him waiting for an elevator with a brown paper bag, which she claims contained his dinner. Despite an initial investigation concluding that Balaji's death was a suicide, his family has called for an FBI probe, asserting that he was murdered due to his ethical concerns about OpenAI's practices. They allege lapses in the investigation, including claims that CCTV in critical areas had malfunctioned. Balaji's mother, Poornima Rao, insists there is a "murder conspiracy" and has accused OpenAI of suppressing evidence and witnesses. She contends that her son had documents that could expose wrongdoing within the company, and she highlighted discrepancies in the autopsy report regarding the presence of GHB, a sedative. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe Australian state of Victoria has announced a ban on machetes in a bid to combat rising "knife crime," becoming the first state in the country to implement such legislation. Premier Jacinta Allan stated that broad machete blades, typically used for agricultural purposes, will now be classified as "prohibited weapons." In a statement on platform X, she emphasized that "there's no place for machetes ... on our streets," highlighting the government's commitment to addressing the issue. Although Victoria does not release specific statistics on knife crime, hospitals in Melbourne have reported an increase in stabbing incidents in recent years. Individuals found carrying machetes without an exemption could face penalties of up to two years in prison or fines of up to AU$30,000. Other Australian states have varying restrictions on machete possession, while the UK has recently enacted laws to limit online knife sales to minors. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 12 pm
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