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Israel's plan to intensify its offensive in Gaza has sparked outrage among residents already enduring severe food shortages and multiple displacements amid 19 months of conflict. Since a ceasefire with Hamas collapsed on March 2, Israel has blocked all aid to the enclave, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Many Gazans, like Aya from Gaza City, fear further displacement and violence, questioning their safety and future. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the military operation would involve relocating civilians for their safety and controlling aid distribution to prevent it from reaching Hamas. However, local voices express skepticism, worrying about a potential triage system for food access. The United Nations has condemned the plan, while residents struggle with skyrocketing food prices and dwindling supplies, often resorting to foraging. The ongoing conflict, ignited by Hamas attacks on October 7, has reportedly resulted in over 52,000 Palestinian deaths, primarily civilians. 
Published: May 06 2025, 6 pmeznews.inSeven Pakistani paramilitary troops were killed and five others wounded in a homemade bomb attack on their convoy in Balochistan province on Tuesday, according to local officials. The Pakistani military attributed the attack to "terrorists" from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), who targeted the vehicle near Mach in Kachhi district as it was en route to a security operation. The injured were airlifted to a military hospital in Quetta. Violence in Balochistan, which shares borders with Afghanistan and Iran, has escalated in recent years, driven by militant separatist groups' grievances over the exploitation of the region's resources. Since the beginning of the year, over 200 individuals, primarily security personnel, have been killed in attacks across Balochistan and neighboring Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the latest incident, which occurred in an area frequently targeted by separatists.
Published: May 06 2025, 8 pmeznews.inGerman conservative leader Friedrich Merz was elected chancellor by parliament on Tuesday after a surprising initial defeat in the first voting round. This marked a historic first for post-war Germany, casting a shadow over Merz's ambitions to stimulate economic growth amid global uncertainties. His CDU/CSU alliance, which won the February federal elections, formed a coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats, outlining plans to boost the economy through corporate tax reductions and lower energy prices, alongside commitments to support Ukraine and increase military spending. At 69, Merz steps into his first government role, having previously served as a European lawmaker since 1989. His cabinet will see only one minister from the previous government, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, retained, with the rest being new appointments, many drawn from the private sector, signaling a fresh approach to governance.
Published: May 06 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia and the UK have finalised a landmark free trade agreement, marking the UK's largest post-Brexit trade deal and India's first outside Asia and Australia. This historic pact, which aims to boost bilateral trade by $34 billion by 2040, comes after years of negotiations that gained momentum amid global tariff pressures. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the agreement as a catalyst for economic growth and job creation, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described it as a new era for trade. The deal will significantly reduce tariffs on a range of products, including whiskey, automobiles, and textiles, with India agreeing to cut levies on 90% of British goods. Despite previous hurdles in negotiations, including political instability in both nations, the agreement is poised to benefit various sectors, including food processing, cosmetics, and engineering goods, while enhancing market access for UK firms in India.
Published: May 06 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAs the Vatican prepares for the conclave to elect the next pope, security measures are being intensified around the Sistine Chapel, which will host the event on Wednesday. Approximately 133 cardinals under 80 will gather in the chapel, renowned for Michelangelo's frescoes, to cast their votes. A newly installed elevated floor conceals a variety of security features, including potential jamming devices and signal-blocking tiles. The Vatican has deactivated cellphone towers within its walls to prevent eavesdropping, with a chimney erected to signal the election outcome via black or white smoke. Cardinals will reside in the Santa Marta residence, which has undergone electronic sweeps, and will be escorted by Vatican gendarmes during their movements. All aides have pledged secrecy, with severe consequences for breaches, ensuring that the deliberations remain confidential until the new pope is announced.
Published: May 06 2025, 7 pmeznews.inFormer Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia returned to Dhaka on a special flight from Qatar after receiving medical treatment in the UK. Accompanied by her daughters-in-law, Zia was greeted by senior BNP leaders at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. At 79, she has served as prime minister twice but was imprisoned for corruption in 2018 under her rival Sheikh Hasina's government. Following a recent political upheaval, a caretaker government led by Muhammad Yunus is now in charge, with elections anticipated next year. Zia's return has galvanized BNP supporters, heightening pressure on the interim government to set an election date. Her son, Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, currently leads the party from abroad and has called for swift elections, warning against potential authoritarianism if democratic processes are undermined. Critics accuse Yunus of delaying elections while appeasing Islamist factions.
Published: May 06 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn the wake of a devastating terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 civilian lives, India has initiated a series of stringent measures against Pakistan, which it accuses of supporting cross-border terrorism. New Delhi has vowed to "hunt down" those responsible, hinting at potential military action. Among the key actions taken, India has suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a significant diplomatic move reflecting deep frustration with Islamabad's policies. Both nations have also closed their borders, airspace, and ended all forms of visa exchanges, including medical visas, while India expelled several Pakistani diplomats. Trade ties have been severed, and India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels and social media accounts of notable personalities. As tensions escalate, Pakistan has responded with reciprocal measures, including suspending all trade and declaring bilateral agreements with India void, raising concerns about regional stability.
Published: May 06 2025, 6 pmeznews.inSean "Diddy" Combs is set to defend himself at his upcoming sex trafficking trial, asserting that women involved in his alleged sex parties participated willingly. The hip-hop mogul, who has pleaded not guilty to five felony counts, including racketeering and sex trafficking, faces serious allegations from prosecutors, who claim he used his influence to coerce women into drug-fueled sexual performances over two decades. Combs' defence will challenge the credibility of at least four accusers, suggesting they may have financial motives for their claims, including one who sought $30 million to avoid publishing a memoir. However, a key piece of evidence for the prosecution is a hotel surveillance video showing Combs allegedly kicking and dragging a woman, which his lawyers argue is misrepresented. Legal experts suggest Combs' defence faces significant challenges, particularly given the power dynamics involved and the broader context of the #MeToo movement.
Published: May 06 2025, 6 pmeznews.inResearchers have identified the author of a charred scroll from the first century BC, using advanced X-ray technology to reveal it as part of a work titled "On Vices" by ancient Greek philosopher Philodemus. The scroll was discovered in Herculaneum, an ancient Roman town buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago, in a villa believed to belong to Julius Caesar's father-in-law. The innovative X-ray method allowed scientists to virtually unwrap the carbonised papyrus, uncovering traces of ink lettering for the first time. Dr. Michael McOsker from University College London noted the significance of this breakthrough, as many other scrolls from Herculaneum remain unreadable. The Vesuvius Challenge, launched in 2023, aims to decode these ancient texts, with a group of students recently winning $700,000 for successfully interpreting 2,000 Greek letters from another scroll. However, researchers still face challenges in converting scan data into coherent text.
Published: May 06 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA new study has raised alarms about the risks of marijuana use during pregnancy, linking it to increased chances of preterm birth, low birth weight, and even infant mortality. The psychoactive compound THC can cross the placenta, potentially harming fetal development, according to lead researcher Dr. Jamie Lo. She highlighted a significant correlation between prenatal cannabis use and perinatal mortality, as well as adverse effects on fetal lung function and reduced blood flow in the placenta. Despite these risks, usage among expectant mothers has surged, more than doubling from 2002 to 2017, primarily for recreational purposes. Dr. Lo cautioned against the misconception that marijuana is harmless due to its natural origins, comparing it to other plant-based substances like opium and alcohol. The study noted a 75% increased risk of low birth weight and a 52% higher risk of premature delivery, underscoring the urgent need for awareness regarding cannabis use during pregnancy.
Published: May 06 2025, 3 pm
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