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Iran's Vice-President for Strategic Affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif, expressed hope that U.S. President Donald Trump would adopt a more "rational" approach in dealings with Tehran, emphasizing that Iran has never sought nuclear weapons. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zarif asserted that Iran does not pose a security threat to the world. His comments come in the context of Trump's previous withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and the re-imposition of stringent sanctions, which prompted Iran to accelerate uranium enrichment. Zarif expressed a desire for a more serious and realistic approach from a potential "Trump 2" administration. Concerns among Iranian leaders are growing that Trump could empower Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to target Iran's nuclear sites while tightening sanctions further, potentially pushing Tehran towards negotiations regarding its advancing nuclear programme amid rising domestic economic discontent. 
Published: Jan 22 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA knife attack in Aschaffenburg, Germany, resulted in the tragic deaths of a two-year-old child and a man, with two others seriously injured, prompting an immediate arrest of a 28-year-old Afghan suspect at the scene. The incident occurred around 11:45 am in a public park where a group of children from a daycare was present. Authorities reported that the suspect, who had a history of psychological issues and lived in a local asylum centre, attempted to flee across train tracks after the attack. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser expressed her shock, emphasizing the need for an investigation into the motive behind the violence. This incident adds to a series of recent knife attacks in Germany, raising public safety concerns and intensifying debates over immigration policies ahead of national elections in February 2024, where far-right parties are gaining traction with calls for stricter measures against illegal immigration.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 10 pmeznews.inAt the World Economic Forum in Davos, Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India, emphasized the urgent need for new vaccines to combat mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, dengue, and chikungunya. Highlighting the effectiveness of their malaria vaccine, which boasts a 77% efficacy and is already protecting children in Africa, Poonawalla noted that funding challenges hinder broader vaccine access. The Serum Institute has reduced the price of its malaria vaccine to $4, significantly lower than its Western counterparts. He also expressed concerns about the impact of reduced U.S. funding for the World Health Organization, urging global leaders to fill the funding gap to maintain essential health standards. Looking ahead, Poonawalla announced that a chikungunya vaccine is expected in 18 months, with a dengue vaccine following in just over two years, reinforcing the institute's crucial role in global health initiatives.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 10 pmeznews.inUS President Donald Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the ongoing Ukraine conflict "now" or face increased tariffs and sanctions. In a post on Truth Social, Trump warned, "If we don't make a 'deal,' and soon, I have no other choice but to put high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States." While asserting he did not wish to harm Russia, Trump emphasized that the Russian economy was faltering and insisted that a resolution was necessary to prevent further escalation. His comments marked a shift from a more measured approach he took during a press conference the previous day, where he indicated he might impose additional sanctions. Trump also hinted at reviewing the US's military support for Ukraine, stating discussions with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin were forthcoming.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 10 pmeznews.inHomer's *Iliad* is often perceived through the lens of the Trojan War's romantic origins, notably the abduction of Helen, but it is fundamentally a meditation on the brutality of war and its environmental toll. Set in the tenth year of the conflict, the epic vividly details the violence of battle, while also highlighting the heroes' struggle against the degradation of nature. The narrative reveals an acute awareness of the natural world, illustrating how warfare disrupts the environment, as seen in Achilles’ confrontation with the river god Scamander, symbolizing nature's wrath against human devastation. Through rich similes, Homer intertwines human and natural imagery, depicting the heroes as eco-warriors whose survival is contingent upon the health of their surroundings. Ultimately, the *Iliad* serves as a poignant reminder of humanity's fragile relationship with nature, underscoring the need for ecological stewardship even amidst the chaos of war.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 9 pmeznews.inPerplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas has publicly challenged Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani's stance on artificial intelligence, advocating for India to prioritize both AI model development and practical applications. In a post on X, Srinivas praised Nilekani for his significant contributions to India's tech landscape but disagreed with his advice to Indian startups to avoid training large language models (LLMs) in favor of building on existing models. Srinivas argued that such an approach could hinder India's global competitiveness, particularly in developing proprietary AI capabilities tailored to local needs. He expressed concern that the perception of high costs for model training might prevent India from fully leveraging its potential in AI. Srinivas called for a paradigm shift in India's AI strategy, emphasizing the importance of developing foundational models and offering his personal investment and time to support those committed to this vision.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 9 pmeznews.inMexican authorities are rapidly constructing large tent shelters in Ciudad Juarez in anticipation of a possible surge in deportations under U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed mass deportation policies. Municipal official Enrique Licon stated that these temporary facilities will be ready within days and are part of a broader strategy to establish reception centers in nine northern cities. The shelters aim to provide deported Mexicans with food, medical care, and assistance with identity documents, alongside a transportation plan to return them to their hometowns. However, concerns have been raised about Mexico's capacity to handle the influx, especially following the U.S. administration's recent termination of the CBP One program, which previously allowed some migrants to enter the U.S. legally. Immigration advocates worry that the combination of mass deportations and stricter entry measures could overwhelm border cities, particularly as Mexico grapples with sluggish economic growth and a potential decline in remittances.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIn a striking display of the potential for abuse inherent in presidential pardon powers, both Joe Biden and Donald Trump made controversial clemency decisions on the same day this week. Biden, in his final days in office, granted "preemptive" pardons to family members, former officials like Anthony Fauci, and those involved in the Jan. 6 committee, following a series of pardons during his presidency. In contrast, Trump issued sweeping clemency to nearly 1,600 individuals linked to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, including those convicted of assaulting police officers, undermining the rule of law. While Biden's actions, particularly regarding public servants, may hold some justification, both presidents have eroded the integrity of the pardon power, originally intended to embody mercy. This bipartisan misuse raises concerns about the need for congressional reform to prevent further exploitation of this constitutional privilege.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 9 pmeznews.inEvery day, approximately 48.5 tonnes of meteoric material enter Earth's atmosphere, yet those that fall into oceans remain unrecovered. In contrast, meteorites that land on land ignite legal disputes over ownership, particularly as the lucrative meteorite hunting industry grows worldwide. A recent example in New Zealand involved an 810g meteorite found by Jack Weterings of Fireballs Aotearoa on public land near Takapō, reigniting discussions on meteorite regulation. New Zealand's laws stipulate that meteorites found on private property belong to the landowner, while those on public land can be claimed by the finder. As commercial meteorite hunting rises, particularly in China, the trade has attracted high-profile collectors like Elon Musk and Nicholas Cage. New Zealand enforces strict regulations on meteorite exports under the Protected Objects Act, requiring licenses for any transfer, highlighting the tension between private collectors and scientific research in the field.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 7 pmeznews.inAt the World Economic Forum in Davos, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw outlined India's ambitious artificial intelligence (AI) mission, which aims to achieve three key objectives this year: establishing a common compute facility with 10,000 GPUs, developing a robust talent pipeline, and focusing on practical AI applications. Vaishnaw emphasized the importance of a balanced regulatory framework, developed in consultation with a senior-level committee, to foster innovation while addressing societal challenges. Additionally, he revealed plans for the next phase of the AI mission, which includes designing a homegrown AI chip and creating an indigenous AI model. Highlighting the progress of India's Semiconductor Mission, he noted that construction is underway for five semiconductor units, with the first domestically produced chip expected to launch this year. India's participation in Davos, involving a delegation of ministers and state leaders, aims to enhance partnerships, attract investment, and position the nation as a leader in sustainable development and technology.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 7 pm
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