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Palestinians in Gaza face an imminent risk of starvation, with Israeli defense officials acknowledging that without urgent aid, many areas could soon lack sufficient food. Most bakeries have closed, charity kitchens are shutting down, and the UN's World Food Programme reports it has no supplies left to distribute. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification has warned that famine is on the horizon, exacerbated by ongoing military operations, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists will continue unabated. Since March 2, Israel has imposed a blockade on all humanitarian aid, prompting UN officials to condemn the situation as inhumane. The World Health Organization has raised alarms over rising malnutrition rates, particularly among children, with some areas reporting 11% suffering from acute malnutrition. Israel defends the blockade as necessary to prevent aid from reaching Hamas, while critics argue that the starvation of civilians is unjustifiable. 
Published: May 14 2025, 3 pmeznews.inUS drug overdose deaths saw a significant decline in 2024, reaching their lowest level in five years, according to new data released on Wednesday. An estimated 80,391 individuals died from overdoses last year, marking a 27% decrease from 110,035 in 2023. Notably, deaths linked to fentanyl, the main driver of the opioid crisis, fell from around 76,000 in 2023 to 48,422. The decline occurred under former President Joe Biden’s administration, which prioritized addiction treatment and the distribution of naloxone, an opioid reversal drug. However, the Trump administration, which resumed power in January, claimed credit for ongoing efforts to combat the epidemic, citing the declaration of a public health emergency in 2017. Despite this progress, overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-44, highlighting the need for continued action against the opioid epidemic that has claimed over a million lives in the past two decades.
Published: May 14 2025, 10 pmeznews.inFormer NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has warned that Donald Trump's presidency has "significantly" weakened Western alliances and compromised Ukraine's defense against Russia. Speaking ahead of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, Rasmussen criticized Trump's concessions to Russia, including the suggestion to cede Ukrainian territories and lift sanctions without securing meaningful concessions from Moscow. He expressed skepticism about the potential for a ceasefire, noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin remains unyielding despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's willingness to negotiate. Rasmussen highlighted a crisis of confidence within NATO, exacerbated by Trump's comments on Article 5 obligations, and called for increased European defense spending. He proposed a new "D7" group of democracies, including the EU, UK, and several allies, to strengthen collective resistance against coercion from global powers. Rasmussen's think tank recommends doubling NATO's defense budget target to enhance military readiness amid rising threats.
Published: May 14 2025, 10 pmeznews.inUS President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani announced a series of agreements on Wednesday that are expected to generate an economic exchange valued at a minimum of $1.2 trillion, according to the White House. Key among the deals is a significant $96 billion contract with Qatar Airways for the purchase of up to 210 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft, equipped with GE Aerospace engines. Additionally, the agreements include a statement of intent that could facilitate $38 billion in investments at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base, enhancing air defense and maritime security capabilities. These developments underscore the strengthening economic ties between the United States and Qatar, highlighting a commitment to collaborative defense and aviation advancements.
Published: May 14 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA young Mexican social media influencer, Valeria Marquez, 23, was tragically shot to death during a TikTok livestream, igniting outrage over the country's pervasive gender-based violence. The incident occurred in a beauty salon in Zapopan, where Marquez was seen moments before her death expressing concern about an unidentified person delivering an "expensive gift." The Jalisco state prosecutor is investigating the case under femicide protocols, which address killings motivated by gender, highlighting the alarming rates of such violence in Mexico. With nearly 200,000 followers on social media, Marquez's death underscores the grim reality of femicide in Mexico, where the country ranks among the highest in Latin America for such crimes, with 1.3 femicides per 100,000 women in 2023. Jalisco state, where the incident occurred, is noted for its high homicide rates, raising further concerns about safety in the region.
Published: May 14 2025, 11 pmeznews.inSri Lanka is set to implement artificial intelligence technology to monitor bus drivers and enforce mandatory seat belts on public transport following the nation's deadliest bus crash in two decades, which claimed 23 lives. Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake announced that from next year, buses will be equipped with driver monitoring systems, while seat belts will be compulsory starting in June. This initiative aims to enhance road safety and educate drivers on better practices, amidst the backdrop of approximately 3,000 annual road fatalities in the country, known for its perilous roads. The recent tragedy involved an overcrowded bus carrying 77 passengers, exceeding its capacity, which fell into a ravine in Kotmale. Preliminary investigations revealed no immediate driver error, although a prior complaint about steering issues had been reported. This incident marks the deadliest bus accident in Sri Lanka since April 2005.
Published: May 14 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking meeting in Riyadh, Donald Trump met Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former UN-designated terrorist known for his leadership of the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group. This meeting marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy as Trump announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria, which have been in place since 1979 due to its designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. Al-Sharaa, previously known as Abu Mohammad al-Jawlani, played a pivotal role in the Syrian civil war and the overthrow of the Assad regime, which collapsed in December 2024. The meeting, facilitated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has garnered global attention, with Turkey's President Erdogan also participating via phone. While Gulf nations support the new regime as a counterweight to Iran, Israel has expressed concerns over legitimizing al-Sharaa's government. Syria's Foreign Ministry hailed the sanctions removal as a vital opportunity for national reconstruction.
Published: May 14 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA rockfall in Miaoli County, Taiwan, on Monday resulted in one injury and significant damage to two vehicles. The incident unfolded when large boulders tumbled from a mountainside, impacting unsuspecting drivers. Dramatic video footage of the event, which has gone viral, shows boulders larger than SUVs crashing onto the road. A motorcyclist and a sedan driver narrowly escaped harm, while another driver sustained damage to their vehicle. The Miaoli County Government attributed the rockfall to heavy rainfall over the previous two days, which destabilized the mountainside. In response, the affected road section has been temporarily closed due to ongoing instability. This incident echoes previous viral videos of similar events, including a resurfaced clip of a scooterist narrowly escaping a landslide in Indonesia, which has been misattributed to various locations over time.
Published: May 14 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe 2024 Paris Summer Olympics left a lasting legacy as the city prepares to open the River Seine for public swimming this summer, starting July 5. Following successful open water events during the Games, which faced challenges due to pollution, Paris authorities are now allowing access to three designated swimming spots: bras Marie, Grenelle, and Bercy. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo emphasized that this initiative not only enhances quality of life but also addresses climate change. Swimming in the Seine had been banned for a century due to pollution, but the city now expects to welcome between 150 and 300 swimmers at a time, with safety monitored through a flag system indicating water quality. Daily checks will ensure conditions remain safe, with swimming potentially suspended after heavy rainfall. Officials express optimism about the Seine's improved cleanliness, marking a significant shift in the river's recreational use.
Published: May 14 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Trump administration has announced a significant rollback of regulations on toxic "forever chemicals," known as PFAS, in drinking water, reversing a key public health measure established by the Biden administration. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will now set maximum contaminant levels only for two specific PFAS compounds, PFOA and PFOS, while eliminating limits on other harmful variants. This decision affects nearly 158 million Americans whose drinking water is contaminated with PFAS, linked to serious health issues including cancer and fertility problems. Critics, including the Environmental Working Group, argue that this change undermines health protections and benefits water utilities and polluters. Furthermore, the compliance deadline for PFOA and PFOS has been extended to 2031, raising concerns over the effectiveness of the proposed measures. Legal challenges are anticipated, given the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act to maintain or improve health standards.
Published: May 14 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA remarkably preserved 47-million-year-old cicada fossil has been unearthed, showcasing intricate details, including visible wing veins. Although the fossil is of a female cicada, which typically does not produce sound, researchers believe it belongs to a lineage where males are known to sing. The fossil closely resembles modern cicadas from the Platypleurini group, primarily found in Africa and Asia, and exhibits traces of colors and patterns likely used for camouflage against predators. Dr. Hui Jiang from the University of Bonn noted that this discovery extends the known fossil record of sound-producing cicadas in the Platypleurini tribe by about 20 million years, suggesting earlier diversification than previously thought. Dr. Conrad Labandeira from the Smithsonian highlighted that the findings indicate a slower evolutionary rate for this group than earlier DNA studies suggested, and further fossil discoveries are needed to refine these evolutionary timelines.
Published: May 14 2025, 7 pm
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