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An American-Lebanese man, Hadi Matar, was found guilty on Friday of attempting to murder Salman Rushdie by stabbing the author of "The Satanic Verses" multiple times during a 2022 event in New York. Matar, who faces up to 25 years in prison and will be sentenced on April 23, had attempted to argue against characterizing Rushdie as a victim of persecution due to the 1989 fatwa issued by Iran. Rushdie recounted the harrowing experience, describing intense pain and the moment he feared he was dying after being stabbed about ten times. His injuries included severed nerves in his right eye and damage to his liver and small bowel. The case has reignited debates over free speech and the limits of religious criticism, with Matar reportedly claiming he acted due to perceived attacks on Islam, despite admitting to only reading two pages of Rushdie's book. 
Published: Feb 22 2025, 1 ameznews.inTourists drawn to Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, have faced criticism for their reckless behavior following its eruption on February 8. Photojournalist Giuseppe Distefano reported instances of visitors cooking sausages and brewing coffee on hot lava rocks, highlighting a concerning trend of disrespect for safety guidelines at the UNESCO World Heritage site. Despite regulations mandating a 500-meter distance from the lava flow, many have ignored these rules, often for social media attention. Distefano noted absurd scenarios, including individuals walking towards the lava in plastic bags to protect their shoes from snow and ice. He has also received bizarre requests, such as photographing wine bottles next to lava and capturing their destruction. As the highest volcano in Europe, standing at 3,350 meters (nearly 11,000 feet), Mount Etna's eruptions have previously led to significant disruptions, including the closure of a major airport due to volcanic ash.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA newly identified bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, has been discovered in China, raising concerns due to its similarity to SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19. Led by prominent virologist Shi Zhengli, the research indicates that HKU5-CoV-2 can bind to human ACE2 receptors, which are also targeted by SARS-CoV-2, suggesting a potential for animal-to-human transmission. However, it has a lower binding affinity, and its capacity to infect humans on a large scale remains uncertain. While there are no confirmed human cases yet, the virus could cause respiratory symptoms akin to those of MERS and COVID-19, including fever and cough. Experts emphasize the need for ongoing monitoring to track any mutations that could enhance its infectiousness, noting that it may spread directly from bats or through intermediate animal hosts. Currently, it does not pose an immediate pandemic threat, according to the research team.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn a recent hostage exchange, Hamas released three Israeli captives, including Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov, and Eliya Cohen, to the Red Cross in Nuseirat. The hostages were presented on stage, waving and holding their release certificates before being handed over to Red Cross officials. Notably, Omer Shem Tov drew attention when he kissed the foreheads of two Hamas members during the event, a gesture that sparked discussions online. Following the ceremony, a Red Cross convoy transported the released hostages to safety. This exchange marks a continuing effort to resolve the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas amid a complex and volatile conflict.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 4 pmeznews.inTesla CEO Elon Musk faces potential expulsion from the Royal Society, the UK's oldest scientific academy, following an open letter signed by over 2,700 scientists protesting his membership. The letter, spearheaded by Imperial College London's Professor Stephen Curry, criticises the Society for its "continued silence and apparent inaction" since Musk's 2018 fellowship, despite his behaviour allegedly violating the Society's Code of Conduct. Professor Curry highlighted the resignation of Professor Dorothy Bishop, who condemned Musk's promotion of conspiracy theories and disparaging remarks about former US Chief Medical Advisor Anthony Fauci. With a meeting scheduled for March 3 to address the matter, Curry expressed concern over Musk's influence within the US administration, particularly as an advisor to Donald Trump. Historically, the Royal Society has only expelled one member in over 150 years, raising the stakes for this unprecedented situation.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 2 pmeznews.inVasundhara Oswal, the daughter of Indian billionaire Pankaj Oswal, has described her three-week imprisonment in Uganda as a severe violation of her human rights, following her arrest on charges of kidnapping and murder related to her father's former employee, Mukesh Menaria, who was later found alive. Oswal, 26, claimed she endured inhumane treatment, including denial of food and water, and was coerced into making statements without legal representation. Arrested on October 1, 2024, and granted bail on October 21, she alleged police misconduct, including searches without warrants and extortion attempts. Despite Menaria's survival, Oswal faced charges that were only reduced after her family's financial intervention. She is now seeking legal recourse for her ordeal and has called on the Ugandan government to rectify its actions, emphasizing the need for proper legal conduct towards foreign investors. The charges against her were dismissed on December 19, 2024.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 3 pmeznews.inPope Francis, 88, is currently hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he is being treated for double pneumonia after being admitted for bronchitis on February 14. The Vatican reported that the pontiff "rested well" during his eighth night in care, although his doctors cautioned that he is "not out of danger." Professor Sergio Alfieri noted that while the pope's condition is slightly improving, there remains a risk of serious complications. Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin dismissed concerns about Francis's ability to continue his papal duties, emphasizing that the focus is on the pope's recovery. Despite his health challenges, including a chronic lung condition and previous surgeries, Alfieri remarked on Francis's resilience and positive spirit. The pope is expected to remain in the hospital at least through next week, with questions arising about his future leadership amid ongoing health issues.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe United States Space Force (USSF) has unveiled the first photograph of its secretive X-37B space plane in orbit, taken by an onboard camera while the craft was conducting experiments over Africa. Launched on December 28, 2023, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, the X-37B has been in orbit for over a year as part of its seventh mission. The USSF noted that the image was captured during a series of innovative maneuvers known as aerobraking, which allowed the vehicle to alter its orbit using minimal fuel. While details about the X-37B's activities remain largely classified, the Space Force has shared that this mission includes studies on radiation effects and space domain awareness. The photo's release sparked amusement on social media, with users speculating about the potential existence of even more advanced technologies being developed by the Space Force.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 3 pmeznews.inUS negotiators have reportedly threatened to cut Ukraine's access to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet system unless Kyiv agrees to a deal on its critical minerals. This warning came during discussions between US officials and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who previously rejected a proposal from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent regarding the minerals. Starlink, essential for Ukraine's military operations and communication, was described by a source as "their North Star," with losing it seen as a "massive blow." The tensions escalated as Zelensky dismissed a US plan that would give American firms 50% access to Ukraine’s critical minerals, including lithium and uranium. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has expressed interest in Ukraine supplying the US with these resources in exchange for military support. The situation has led to a rift between Trump and Zelensky, with both leaders trading barbs over their respective positions.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 3 pmeznews.inA Hong Kong-based company, CK Infrastructure, has made a preliminary bid of £7 billion ($8.8 billion) for a majority stake in Thames Water, a UK water supplier grappling with significant debt. The non-binding offer was submitted earlier this month, with expectations that bondholders will need to accept substantial writedowns. This development follows a UK court's approval of a £3 billion emergency loan to Thames Water, which is burdened by £16 billion in debt, providing a temporary reprieve as the company seeks funding to avoid a costly state bailout. Thames Water, which serves 16 million customers, has attracted interest from various private buyers, including Covalis Capital, which has proposed a £1 billion buyout, and KKR, which has made a £4 billion offer. The company, partially owned by Canadian and British pension funds, has not commented on the bid.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 1 pmeznews.inGermany is gearing up for a crucial parliamentary election on February 23, following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government in December due to budget disagreements. Central to the election are pressing issues such as the struggling economy, migration, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The ruling coalition, which included the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP), disintegrated after Scholz dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner, who had resisted fiscal reforms. Key candidates include Scholz, facing criticism for his economic management; Friedrich Merz of the CDU/CSU, who has controversially accepted support from the far-right AfD; and Alice Weidel, the AfD leader advocating for stricter immigration policies. Recent polls show the CDU/CSU leading with 29% support, followed by the AfD at 21% and the SPD at 16%. Voting will take place from 8 am to 6 pm, with initial results expected shortly after polls close.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 1 pm
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