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Episcopal Bishop of Washington, Mariann Edgar Budde, called on President Donald Trump to demonstrate compassion towards marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ youth and undocumented immigrants, during his inaugural prayer service at Washington National Cathedral. "In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now," Budde urged, highlighting the fears faced by gay, lesbian, and transgender children across political lines. Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance, dismissed the service as unimpressive. As the first woman to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, Budde is known for her advocacy on various social issues, including gun violence prevention and racial equality. She previously criticized Trump in 2020 for his use of the Bible as a political prop, asserting that he misrepresented sacred symbols in his actions.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIran'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.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 pmeznews.inAt the World Economic Forum in Davos, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh emphasized the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in governance, asserting that it could fundamentally reshape job markets rather than eliminate them. He acknowledged concerns about job displacement, particularly in white-collar sectors, but argued that historical trends show industrial revolutions ultimately create more employment opportunities. His comments align with those of Gita Gopinath from the IMF, who noted that while 26% of India's workforce is exposed to AI, about 14% of these jobs could benefit from its integration. Lokesh highlighted initiatives in Andhra Pradesh, such as using AI to enhance educational engagement and streamline welfare services, aiming to empower women, students, and farmers. He stressed the government's role in developing scalable AI use cases to improve livelihoods and drive economic growth in the state.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 7 pmeznews.inPope Francis has called for an end to the "chauvinistic mentality" within the Catholic Church, advocating for greater representation of women in leadership roles. Speaking at a meeting with the Hilton Foundation, he announced the promotion of Sister Raffaella Petrini to president of the Vatican City state governorate, set to take effect in March. The 88-year-old pontiff acknowledged the underrepresentation of nuns in key positions and criticized the lack of investment in their education, asserting that their work is vital and should not be undervalued. Despite progress, with women's representation in the Holy See rising from 19% in 2013 to 23.4% in 2023, women remain barred from Holy Orders. While Francis has appointed women to higher positions, calls for the ordination of women persist. He humorously referenced the Biblical story of Adam and Eve, suggesting that women have historically held significant roles.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 8 pmeznews.inAt the World Economic Forum in Davos, Israel's Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat emphasized the need for a leadership change in Hamas, advocating for representatives who recognize Israel and seek peace. In an interview with NDTV, he highlighted the strong ties between Israel and India, particularly India’s significant investment in Haifa Port and the potential for an India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor. Barkat expressed hope for the safe return of hostages taken by Hamas but insisted that the group must not survive the current conflict. He also criticized Iran and Qatar for funding terrorism, underscoring the importance of preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear power. Barkat announced plans to lead a large business delegation to India in February to enhance collaborations in various sectors, noting the robust relationship between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu as a driving force behind their nations' partnership.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 6 pmeznews.inVivek Ramaswamy's resignation from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which he co-led with Elon Musk, signals a pivotal shift as he announces his candidacy for Ohio Governor in 2026. The 39-year-old entrepreneur's departure follows contentious remarks he made on X regarding American hiring practices, particularly the H-1B visa program, which ignited significant debate and drew over 118 million views. Ramaswamy criticized American companies for prioritizing foreign-born engineers, attributing this to a cultural preference for mediocrity. His exit has raised questions about Musk's influence within DOGE, with sources suggesting Musk sought Ramaswamy's removal prior to his controversial tweet. Despite the backlash, Ramaswamy reaffirmed his support for Trump's agenda and expressed optimism about future plans in Ohio. As he gears up for the gubernatorial race, his comments and connections to Musk and Trump will be closely scrutinized by voters.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 6 pmeznews.inPrince Harry has settled a contentious lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch's UK tabloid publisher, News Group Newspapers, which has issued a formal apology for unlawfully accessing his phone. In a hearing at the High Court in London, Harry's lawyer, David Sherborne, revealed that the publisher acknowledged the "phone hacking, surveillance, and misuse of private information" carried out by its journalists and private investigators. As part of the settlement, the company agreed to pay the prince "substantial damages." This resolution marks a significant moment in the ongoing scrutiny of media practices in the UK, particularly concerning the treatment of high-profile individuals. The apology underscores the publisher's recognition of its wrongdoing in this high-profile case involving the British royal family.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe recent transfer of power in the US has led to unexpected changes for Facebook and Instagram users, as many automatically began following the official accounts of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance post-inauguration. This was confirmed by Meta spokesman Andy Stone, who explained that followers of previous administration accounts are transitioned to the new ones. Users can easily unfollow these accounts if desired. Meanwhile, Instagram users have encountered issues when searching for hashtags related to the Democratic Party, prompting accusations of political bias, although Meta insists this is a broader technical problem affecting multiple hashtags. Additionally, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's evolving relationship with Trump is evident, as he plans to end partnerships with independent fact-checkers and diversity initiatives, raising concerns about misinformation and the company's commitment to diversity. These developments reflect a significant shift in Meta's operational philosophy under the new administration.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 4 pm
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