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Roberta Flack, the iconic Grammy-winning singer renowned for hits like "Killing Me Softly With His Song," passed away on Monday at the age of 88, as confirmed by her publicist. The cause of death was not disclosed, but Flack had been battling ALS, which robbed her of her singing voice after her diagnosis in 2022. Born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, in 1937, Flack rose to fame in the 1970s, blending R&B with her unique "scientific soul" style. She gained prominence after Clint Eastwood featured her song "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" in his film "Play Misty for Me," earning her consecutive Grammys. Flack was also known for her collaborations with Donny Hathaway and her involvement in social movements. Tributes poured in from artists like Jennifer Hudson and Questlove, celebrating her profound impact on music and culture. 
Published: Feb 25 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIn San Antonio, Chile, Edita Bizama, 64, has reunited with her daughter Adamary Garcia after over 40 years apart, a separation rooted in the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. Adamary was taken from Bizama shortly after birth and adopted abroad, part of an estimated 20,000 children forcibly removed from their families during that era. The reunion was facilitated by the NGO Connecting Roots, founded by Texas firefighter Tyler Graf, which aims to reconnect adoptees with their biological families. Using DNA testing, they confirmed Bizama as Garcia's birth mother. The emotional meeting, described by Garcia as filled with "non-stop laughs and tears," allowed both women to explore their shared heritage, with Garcia learning about Chilean culture while also cherishing her adoptive family's support. Graf emphasized the urgency of their mission, noting that many mothers are aging, and time is running out to reunite families affected by this dark chapter in Chile's history.
Published: Feb 26 2025, 12 ameznews.inIndia's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the strategic significance of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral (IMTT) Highway during the Advantage Assam Summit in Guwahati, emphasizing its role in enhancing ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Despite 70% of the 1,400-km highway's construction being completed, progress is hindered by ongoing unrest in Myanmar. Jaishankar reaffirmed India's commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy, which has facilitated vaccine shipments during the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthened relations with neighboring countries like Bangladesh and Bhutan. He called for practical solutions to overcome challenges posed by Myanmar's situation, stressing that the project is crucial for boosting trade, health, education, and tourism among the three nations. Additionally, Jaishankar noted the growing influence of Japan and South Korea in India, and the liberalization of visas by Malaysia and Thailand for Indian travelers, enhancing regional cooperation.
Published: Feb 25 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA 22-member delegation from Bangladesh, including political leaders, activists, and journalists, has commenced a 10-day "goodwill visit" to China, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties amid escalating tensions with India. Led by Abdul Moyeen Khan from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the delegation will meet with Chinese officials and Communist Party members. This visit is particularly significant as it comes during a period of strained relations between Dhaka and New Delhi, exacerbated by the exile of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and India's refusal to extradite her. With a burgeoning trade relationship worth approximately $24 billion, China's increasing engagement with Bangladesh, including outreach to various political factions, underscores its ambitions in the region. Analysts suggest that as India’s influence wanes, Bangladesh may gravitate closer to China, especially in light of upcoming elections and ongoing political turmoil.
Published: Feb 25 2025, 11 pmeznews.inDBS Bank, Singapore's largest financial institution, is set to reduce its workforce by approximately 4,000 roles over the next three years, primarily affecting temporary and contract staff, as it increasingly adopts artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The bank's outgoing CEO, Piyush Gupta, emphasized that the cuts will stem from natural attrition as projects conclude, with no impact on permanent staff. DBS anticipates creating around 1,000 new AI-related positions, marking it as one of the first major banks to address the operational effects of AI. Currently, DBS employs about 41,000 people, including 8,000 to 9,000 temporary and contract workers. Gupta highlighted the bank's decade-long investment in AI, projecting an economic impact exceeding S$1 billion by 2025. As Gupta prepares to depart in March, Deputy CEO Tan Su Shan will take over, amidst ongoing global discussions about AI's potential to disrupt nearly 40% of jobs and exacerbate inequality.
Published: Feb 25 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA primary school teacher in the UK, Baiklautchmee Subrian, has been dismissed after jokingly threatening to "whack" a pupil during a maths SAT preparation class. The incident occurred in 2023 at Gilbert Colvin Primary School in Ilford, East London, where Ms Subrian had taught for four years. The comment, made in jest while addressing students about handling test papers, was reported by a pupil who felt threatened and was not a native English speaker. Following an investigation, the school concluded that the teacher's comment was inappropriate, particularly given the child's background. Despite Ms Subrian's argument that the child continued to attend her after-school club without issue, her dismissal was upheld by an employment tribunal. Judge Jack Feeny stated that the comment posed a significant safeguarding risk, emphasizing that even if intended as a joke, it could lead to misunderstandings among students.
Published: Feb 25 2025, 10 pmeznews.inFrench President Emmanuel Macron has expressed optimism for a peace deal in Ukraine, following a meeting with former President Donald Trump in Washington, DC. Macron, representing European interests, indicated that a ceasefire could be reached in the coming weeks, contingent upon proper negotiations involving both the US and Ukraine. He cautioned against rushing into agreements with Russia, referencing past violations of peace deals. Macron outlined a sequence for negotiations, emphasizing the need for security guarantees and a robust military presence in Ukraine to deter future aggression. He acknowledged Europe's readiness to share defense costs but stressed the importance of US solidarity in case of Russian violations. The ongoing conflict, which has resulted in significant casualties and economic devastation, marks three years since Russia's invasion, with reconstruction costs estimated at $524 billion.
Published: Feb 25 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIn a significant shift from tradition, the Vatican has begun providing daily updates on Pope Francis's health as he battles double pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli hospital. Historically, discussing the pope's health was considered taboo, but the Holy See's transparency reflects Francis's desire for openness and counteracts misinformation circulating on social media about his condition. The updates detail his treatment, including the use of high-flow oxygen and blood transfusions, and were reportedly initiated by the pope himself, who sought clarity regarding his health status. Experts have noted that this approach builds trust and is a departure from the Vatican's past reticence on such matters, exemplified by the delayed disclosures about previous popes' health issues. As misinformation proliferated, Vatican officials recognized the importance of being forthcoming to prevent conspiracy theories from taking root.
Published: Feb 25 2025, 9 pmeznews.inBilly McFarland, the convicted fraudster behind the disastrous 2017 Fyre Festival, has announced plans for a second iteration of the event, dubbed "Fyre 2," set to take place from May 20 to June 2 on Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Promising a "three-day escape to the Mexican Caribbean," McFarland's announcement on Instagram claims attendees will engage with talent by day and enjoy music at night. A website for ticket sales has launched, featuring prices ranging from $1,400 to $1.1 million for luxury packages, though no performers have been confirmed. Reflecting on his past, McFarland stated, "I'm sure many people think I'm crazy for doing this again," but he believes the new team has "amazing plans." The original Fyre Festival, co-founded with rapper Ja Rule, infamously failed to deliver on its lavish promises, leading to widespread ridicule and McFarland's conviction for wire fraud.
Published: Feb 25 2025, 7 pmeznews.inSudan has begun sending crop samples to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, often dubbed the "doomsday" vault, located in the Arctic, as a crucial measure amid the ongoing civil war that has devastated the nation. Since April 2023, conflict between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces has led to tens of thousands of deaths and left millions displaced, with over half the population facing severe hunger. The samples, including various sorghum species vital to Sudan's food security and cultural heritage, symbolize hope for the future amid the crisis. The vault, designed to withstand global disasters, serves as a genetic repository for crops worldwide, having previously assisted in restoring seed collections damaged by conflict in Syria. In total, 14,022 new samples from various countries have been deposited, highlighting the importance of preserving biodiversity and the resilience of affected communities.
Published: Feb 25 2025, 7 pm
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