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France's education ministry has scrapped a modern illustrated version of "Beauty and the Beast" by cartoonist Julien Berjeaut, known as Jul, deeming it unsuitable for tweens. The book, intended to provide 800,000 primary school graduates with a classic tale for summer reading, featured contemporary elements like a police sniffer dog and smartphones, alongside a depiction of the heroine with Mediterranean features. Education Minister Elisabeth Borne criticized the illustrations for addressing "complex realities" such as alcohol and police scrutiny, suggesting they were more appropriate for older students. Jul condemned the ministry's decision as political censorship, questioning whether the rejection stemmed from discomfort with diverse representations of characters. He drew parallels with the U.S. under Donald Trump, warning that France might be following a similar path of restricting educational content. The debate highlights ongoing tensions in France regarding immigration and representation in literature. 
Published: Mar 20 2025, 10 pmeznews.inNASA astronaut Butch Wilmore's daughter, Daryn, is eagerly anticipating her father's return after his extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Originally scheduled for an eight-day stay, Wilmore spent 286 days in space due to technical issues, returning safely on March 19. Daryn plans to celebrate by baking his favourite pecan pie and has compiled a list of cherished activities to enjoy together before she returns to school. Sharing her excitement on TikTok, she expressed pride in her father's achievements and noted the family's preference for a small gathering over a large celebration. Daryn also mentioned that her father would undergo tests as part of ongoing research in human spaceflight, highlighting the challenges the family faced during his prolonged absence. In a light-hearted moment, she suggested the potential for a film about their experience, stating, "Hollywood, I believe a movie should happen."
Published: Mar 21 2025, 3 pmeznews.inBadar Khan Suri, an Indian national, and his wife Mapheze Saleh, an American with Palestinian roots, faced an unexpected turn of events when their dream wedding in Gaza was thwarted by escalating violence in Egypt, leading them to marry in Delhi on January 1, 2014. The couple later relocated to the US, where their lives took a dramatic turn amid the ongoing Middle East conflict and changes in US policy under Donald Trump. Suri, a post-doctoral fellow at Georgetown University, was arrested by Homeland Security agents on March 17, accused of spreading "Hamas propaganda" and having ties to a "suspected terrorist." His lawyer described the arrest as retaliatory, linked to Saleh's Palestinian heritage. Amidst rising tensions, Saleh has publicly advocated for her husband’s release, expressing fears for her safety and that of their children. A local court has temporarily blocked Suri's deportation as the situation continues to unfold.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 4 pmeznews.inEli Sharabi, a freed Israeli hostage who endured 491 days of captivity by Hamas, voiced his anguish at the UN Security Council, questioning the absence of global support during his ordeal. He demanded action for the 59 hostages still believed to be in Gaza, many of whom may have perished. His release followed a six-week pause in fighting that allowed for some hostages to return in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, but hostilities resumed recently, resulting in over 400 Palestinian deaths from Israeli airstrikes. Sharabi, who weighed just 44 kilos upon his release, highlighted the stark contrast between his starvation and the abundance of food available to Hamas militants. While various nations condemned both Hamas and Israeli actions, Sharabi's plea was clear: "Bring them all home. Now!" His testimony underscored the urgent need for humanitarian aid and a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe Kremlin reaffirmed on Friday that President Vladimir Putin's directive to avoid strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure remains in effect, despite allegations from Kyiv that Russia has violated this order multiple times. Following an attack on a Russian energy facility near the Ukrainian border, which both nations have attributed to each other, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized the credibility of Ukrainian claims, asserting that the Russian armed forces are adhering to Putin's order. This directive, which entails a 30-day pause on targeting energy facilities, was issued after a conversation between Putin and US President Donald Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky countered that attacks on energy sites persist, calling into question the effectiveness of the ceasefire. Meanwhile, delegations from both countries are scheduled to meet with US officials in Saudi Arabia on Monday, where Trump has expressed confidence in his ability to resolve the ongoing conflict.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe United States has commended Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, for her "nuanced understanding" of the Indo-Pacific region following her recent visit to India, where she met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During her trip, Gabbard addressed issues such as the rising persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, attributing it to extremist ideologies linked to an "Islamic Caliphate." This assertion was met with a strong rebuttal from Bangladesh, which labeled her comments as "misleading" and damaging to its reputation for inclusivity. Gabbard's visit included discussions on intelligence-sharing and counter-terrorism, highlighting the enduring US-India relationship. The US State Department echoed Gabbard's concerns regarding minority rights while also acknowledging Bangladesh's recent efforts to combat extremism. Gabbard's trip marked her first multi-nation visit as DNI, encompassing stops in multiple countries, including Japan and Thailand.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 4 pmeznews.inUS Education Secretary Linda McMahon, confirmed in February as part of President Donald Trump's cabinet, faces uncertainty as Trump signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education. During a White House announcement, Trump stated, "We're going to shut it down as quickly as possible," framing the move as a means to reduce federal oversight in education. While McMahon has been assigned the task of overseeing the department's dissolution, its complete closure hinges on Congressional approval. A former WWE executive and significant supporter of Trump's political endeavors, McMahon has a diverse background, including a brief tenure on the Connecticut State Board of Education and a previous role as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration. However, she and her husband, Vince McMahon, are currently embroiled in legal challenges related to allegations of abuse within WWE, which they have denied.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndia is poised to become the world's consumption capital, surpassing major economies, according to a report by Angel One, Iconic Asset. Currently, consumption constitutes 56% of India's GDP, making it the fastest-growing segment of the economy, with projections indicating that it will double by 2034. This surge is driven by the rise of nuclear families, which is outpacing population growth, and a burgeoning consumer base. The report forecasts that India's savings will increase tenfold over the next 25 years, reaching USD 103 trillion by 2047, significantly boosting consumption potential. Recent tax cuts are expected to unlock Rs 1 lakh crore, leading to an incremental consumption increase of Rs 3.3 lakh crore, potentially enhancing GDP by 1%. With a large Gen Z population driving spending, particularly in consumer electronics and apparel, India is on track to mirror the discretionary consumption trends seen in the US and China during economic expansions.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking initiative, Italian newspaper Il Foglio has launched a month-long experiment featuring a fully AI-generated edition, aimed at revitalizing journalism rather than replacing it. The daily broadsheet, known for its irreverent style and a circulation of approximately 29,000, began this endeavor on Tuesday, producing a four-page edition filled with 22 articles and three editorials crafted by AI technology. Journalists at Il Foglio utilize a version of OpenAI's ChatGPT to generate content on various topics, including analyses of political speeches and fashion stories. Director Claudio Cerasa emphasized that the project seeks to explore the potential and limitations of AI while fostering creativity among journalists. Initial feedback indicates that readers are largely entertained, with a 60% rise in sales on the first day, although concerns about maintaining the uniqueness of human-written articles persist.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 2 pmeznews.inA fire at an electricity substation supplying power to Heathrow Airport has been brought under control, according to the London Fire Brigade. The incident, which prompted the airport's temporary closure, was described as "very visible and significant" by Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne. Firefighters faced challenging conditions but worked diligently to contain the blaze, preventing its spread and minimizing disruption. The coordinated response involved multiple agencies, highlighting the effective collaboration in managing the emergency. Heathrow Airport is now expected to resume normal operations following the successful containment of the fire.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn a significant shift in U.S. education policy, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education, a cabinet-level agency established in 1979 during Jimmy Carter's presidency. The order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to initiate the closure process, emphasizing a conservative belief that education should be managed at the state and local levels. Trump's administration has already reduced the department's workforce and curtailed its research capabilities, while also targeting federal funding for schools promoting what he deems "woke" ideologies. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, who argue it threatens essential funding and protections for students, particularly in areas like special education and civil rights. While Trump’s plan faces hurdles, including the need for congressional approval to fully eliminate the department, it underscores a broader Republican agenda to reshape American education policy.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 3 pm
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