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In a significant escalation of tensions, Pakistan's top security committee convened in Islamabad to respond to India's recent actions following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. After extensive discussions, Pakistan announced it would suspend permits for Indians under the SAARC visa exemption scheme and all other visas, mirroring India's previous measures. Additionally, Islamabad will reduce its diplomatic staff in India to 30 personnel. In a strong rebuttal to India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan warned that any attempt to divert water would be deemed an "Act of War," potentially affecting millions due to the country's acute water shortages. Furthermore, Pakistan stated it would hold all bilateral agreements with India in abeyance until India ceases its alleged support for terrorism and adheres to international law concerning Kashmir, indicating a deepening rift between the two nations. 
Published: Apr 24 2025, 4 pmeznews.inImmigration attorneys in the United States are increasingly alarmed as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) begins requesting home addresses and biometric data from H-1B visa applicants, marking a significant shift from established practices. This change aligns with the Trump administration's intensified immigration enforcement efforts and presents new hurdles for international students enrolled in over 240 U.S. colleges and universities. Immigration officials are issuing Requests for Evidence (RFEs) that demand personal data, including biometrics, which are typically not required for H-1B applications. Attorney Vic Goel noted the unusual nature of these requests, highlighting a lack of clear rationale from USCIS, which has led to confusion among foreign employers and their legal representatives. Goel advises against direct responses to these RFEs, referencing regulations that mandate USCIS to disclose any unusual information influencing visa decisions. This development has raised significant concerns regarding the agency's intentions and its impact on foreign workers and students. 
Published: Apr 24 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA 27-year-old Parisian woman, Marly Garnreiter, has shared her experience of ignoring an artificial intelligence warning about her health, only to be diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma months later. In early 2024, Garnreiter faced persistent night sweats and itchy skin, attributing her discomfort to stress following her father's death from colon cancer. Seeking answers, she consulted ChatGPT, which suggested she might have blood cancer—a warning she initially dismissed, influenced by friends urging her to trust medical professionals. However, as her symptoms worsened, further medical examinations revealed a large mass on her lung, confirming the AI's prediction. Now preparing for chemotherapy, Garnreiter emphasizes the importance of listening to one's body and raises awareness about the role of AI in health detection, urging people not to overlook unusual symptoms. Hodgkin lymphoma, while less common, has a high treatability rate, with a five-year survival rate exceeding 80%. 
Published: Apr 24 2025, 7 pmeznews.inFormer President Donald Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday following missile and drone strikes on Kyiv, urging him to "STOP!" Trump expressed his displeasure via social media, describing the attacks as "not necessary" and poorly timed. This statement came just a day after he accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of obstructing peace negotiations by refusing to acknowledge Russia's occupation of Crimea, a stance long held by Kyiv. The Kremlin, through spokesman Dmitry Peskov, maintained that their strikes were targeting "military and military-adjacent" sites. Trump's comments mark a rare direct rebuke of Putin, contrasting with his recent criticism of Zelensky, whom he claimed was undermining efforts to negotiate peace. Trump further stated that Crimea was lost years ago and should not be a topic of discussion. The Kremlin has yet to respond to Trump's latest remarks. 
Published: Apr 24 2025, 8 pmeznews.inJames Osgood, 55, is set to be executed by lethal injection on April 24 at the William Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama, after he voluntarily dropped his appeals. Osgood, who confessed to the 2010 rape and murder of Tracy Lynn Brown in Chilton County, expressed a desire to expedite the process, stating, "I don't believe in sitting here and wasting everybody's time and everybody's money." He acknowledged his guilt and expressed remorse for the pain inflicted on Brown's family, stating he does not seek their forgiveness. Osgood's initial death sentence was overturned due to improper jury instructions, but during a resentencing in 2018, he requested execution to spare the victim's family further hearings. He has also urged against protests on his behalf, asserting, "I asked for this." 
Published: Apr 24 2025, 8 pmeznews.inLibya, long deemed one of the world's most perilous countries, is witnessing a surprising influx of adventurous tourists, despite ongoing warnings from multiple governments against travel to the North African nation. Following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has grappled with instability and conflict among rival factions. Nonetheless, nearly 100,000 international visitors were drawn to its ancient Roman ruins and unique landscapes in the past year, reflecting a trend towards "danger tourism." While countries like the US, UK, and Australia maintain high-level travel advisories due to risks such as terrorism and armed conflict, some travelers report positive experiences, including American bloggers who felt safe during their tour with a bodyguard. However, incidents like a British tourist being held at gunpoint underscore the inherent dangers. As Libya's appeal continues to grow among intrepid explorers, travel experts note a shift towards destinations with turbulent histories. 
Published: Apr 24 2025, 8 pmeznews.inMicrosoft is implementing a controversial strategy to manage underperforming employees by offering them a choice between a voluntary payout or entering a performance improvement plan (PIP), which could lead to termination. According to a report by _Business Insider_, those identified as "low performers" can accept a payout equivalent to 16 weeks of pay, but must decide within five days, as accepting the PIP disqualifies them from the payout. The new policy includes a two-year rehire ban for those who leave under these circumstances, and they will also be barred from internal job transfers. Microsoft's chief people officer, Amy Coleman, emphasized the need for a transparent approach to performance issues. This move has drawn comparisons to Amazon's "Pivot" program, which has faced criticism for prioritizing termination targets over employee development. Similar measures targeting low performers have also been seen at Meta, highlighting a trend among tech giants. 
Published: Apr 24 2025, 8 pmeznews.inChina has successfully launched three astronauts to its Tiangong space station aboard the Shenzhou-20 mission, marking a significant achievement in its space exploration efforts. This mission represents the 15th crewed flight in China's space program and the 20th overall since the inception of the Shenzhou program over 30 years ago. The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China at 5:17 p.m. local time (0917 GMT) on Thursday, as reported by state broadcaster CCTV. This launch underscores China's growing capabilities in space exploration and its commitment to expanding its presence in low Earth orbit. 
Published: Apr 24 2025, 6 pmeznews.inBitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, briefly surged to become the fifth-largest global asset by market capitalisation this week, overtaking tech giants Google, Amazon, and silver, with a market cap of $1.86 trillion on April 23. However, this rise was temporary, as it fell back to eighth place by April 24, valued at $1.83 trillion, trailing Amazon, Alphabet, and silver. Despite the drop, Bitcoin's recent rally, driven by a 10% increase over four days, reflects a growing acceptance of digital assets, with current trading around $93,230. The cryptocurrency's volatility is highlighted by its all-time high of over $108,000 in December 2024. Factors contributing to its rise include geopolitical developments and a significant $3 billion institutional investment from Cantor Fitzgerald's 21 Capital, signalling increasing institutional interest in cryptocurrencies. As Bitcoin attracts diverse investors, its fluctuating status underscores its influential role in the evolving financial landscape. 
Published: Apr 24 2025, 6 pmeznews.inPakistan has declared that any attempt by India to divert water under the Indus Water Treaty will be viewed as an "Act of War." This warning came as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a National Security Committee meeting to respond to India's recent suspension of the treaty and downgrading of diplomatic ties following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. In retaliation, Pakistan announced the suspension of trade and all bilateral agreements, including the Simla Agreement, and closed the Wagah Border Post. Additionally, all Indian nationals, except Sikh pilgrims, are required to leave Pakistan within 48 hours. Pakistan's airspace will also be closed to Indian airlines, and Indian diplomatic staff in Islamabad will be reduced. The NSC emphasized that water rights are essential for Pakistan's 240 million citizens and condemned India's actions as exacerbating regional tensions. 
Published: Apr 24 2025, 7 pmeznews.inUS Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that India is on the verge of becoming the first nation to finalize a bilateral trade agreement with the United States, aimed at circumventing President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs on Indian exports. Speaking at a roundtable during the World Bank and IMF annual meetings in Washington, Bessent highlighted India's relatively open trade practices, noting fewer non-tariff barriers and a lack of currency manipulation, which facilitate negotiations. Currently, a 26% reciprocal tariff on India is suspended for 90 days, expiring on July 8, while India faces a 10% tariff under US trade policy. In related developments, JD Vance, who recently traveled to Washington with his family, urged India to reduce non-tariff barriers and increase imports of American goods, energy, and military equipment to strengthen bilateral ties. 
Published: Apr 24 2025, 5 pm
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