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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled a potential shift in Israel's stance towards Hamas, expressing openness to negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Prime Minister's Office revealed that a team in Doha is exploring a proposal from US special envoy Steve Witkoff for a limited hostage exchange and a ceasefire, alongside a broader agreement that could involve the release of all hostages and the exile of Hamas operatives. Currently, 58 hostages are believed to be held by Hamas, with around 23 reportedly alive. Meanwhile, Hamas has stated it will only release hostages in exchange for a ceasefire. Complicating matters, reports suggest that Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar may have been killed in an Israeli airstrike. Amid escalating violence, Israeli military strikes have resulted in significant Palestinian casualties, raising pressure on Netanyahu from families of hostages demanding a resolution. 
Published: May 18 2025, 5 pmeznews.inBangladeshi actress Nusraat Faria, known for her portrayal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the biopic "Mujib: The Making of a Nation," has been arrested at Dhaka's Shahjalal International Airport as she attempted to travel to Thailand. The 31-year-old's detention comes after an arrest warrant was issued in connection with an attempted murder case involving anti-government protests last year, during which 17 individuals, including Faria, were implicated in an incident involving a student in Vatara. Police confirmed that Faria was apprehended based on information from Immigration Police, with a court having recently approved the charges against her. Following her arrest, she was initially taken to Vatara police station but later transferred to the Detective Branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Faria, who debuted in the successful film "Aashiqui" in 2015, has starred in several popular films and gained significant recognition for her recent role in the biopic. 
Published: May 18 2025, 8 pmeznews.inAmit Ghose, a 35-year-old man from Birmingham with Neurofibromatosis type 1, claims he was denied service at a London cafe due to his facial disfigurement, describing the experience as distressing and leaving him feeling like a "ghost." Ghose, who underwent surgery to remove his left eye at age 11, has faced years of bullying and intrusive reactions, including stares and hurtful comments. Inspired to promote self-acceptance, he shares his story through motivational speaking and social media, amassing nearly 200,000 followers on TikTok. His wife, Piyali, has been instrumental in his journey to self-acceptance, encouraging him to embrace his uniqueness. Ghose aims to inspire others, stating, "Disability or no disability, we all have insecurities... if we truly celebrate who we are, we can be more confident." His recent experiences have also led him to self-publish a children's book titled *Born Different*. 
Published: May 18 2025, 8 pmeznews.inLashkar-e-Taiba operative Razaullah Nizamani, also known as Abu Saifullah, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Sindh province, Pakistan, according to officials. Nizamani, who had previously masterminded the 2006 attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur, was reportedly under government protection and was targeted shortly after leaving his home in Matli. His militant activities included involvement in the 2005 Indian Institute of Science attack in Bengaluru and the 2001 terror strike at a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Rampur. The incident underscores ongoing security challenges in the region, despite efforts to manage and control militant activities. 
Published: May 18 2025, 8 pmeznews.inMalia Obama is facing allegations of copying the work of indie filmmaker Natalie Jasmine Harris in her debut Nike commercial. Harris claims the ad, which features scenes resembling her Sundance short film _'Grace'_, particularly a moment with two young Black girls playing pat-a-cake, shares striking similarities in camera angles, framing, and color palette. In a social media post, Harris expressed her disappointment, stating that her heartfelt storytelling deserved recognition rather than appropriation. The internet has reacted to her claims, with some users agreeing on the similarities, while others defended Obama, suggesting the overlap was coincidental. Notably, both women competed at the Sundance Film Festival last year, where Harris's film was screened and Obama made her red-carpet debut under her first name to counter nepotism perceptions. The situation has sparked a broader discussion about originality and recognition in the creative industry. 
Published: May 18 2025, 8 pmeznews.inPriya Saxena, a 28-year-old Indian PhD graduate from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, has received a legal reprieve allowing her to remain in the United States after the Trump administration sought to deport her. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked her F-1 student visa in April due to a minor traffic violation from 2021, where she failed to stop for an emergency vehicle. Saxena, whose visa was valid until February 2027, sued the administration, resulting in a federal judge granting a temporary restraining order that enabled her to graduate on May 10. The court later issued a preliminary injunction preventing DHS from detaining her without judicial approval, citing the agency's actions as potentially unlawful. This case highlights the Trump administration's broader crackdown on immigration, which has disproportionately affected international students over minor infractions and other issues. 
Published: May 18 2025, 7 pmeznews.inChaos unfolded on Saturday evening when the Mexican Navy training ship Cuauhtemoc collided with New York's iconic Brooklyn Bridge at around 8:30 PM. The vessel, carrying 277 crew members, primarily cadets, reportedly lost power, resulting in the catastrophic crash that sheared off its 147-foot masts, which exceeded the bridge's 135-foot clearance. The collision tragically resulted in two fatalities and 19 injuries. Witnesses described a harrowing scene, with screams echoing as the ship drifted dangerously close to onlookers, and some sailors were seen falling from the sails. Eyewitness Elijah West recounted the panic, stating, "It was crazy," while Ismari Romero reflected on the abrupt shift from celebration to chaos. The Brooklyn Bridge, a vital thoroughfare since 1883, sees over 100,000 vehicles and 32,000 pedestrians daily, making this incident particularly shocking for both locals and tourists alike. 
Published: May 18 2025, 5 pmeznews.inElton John has criticized the British government for what he describes as "theft," following proposals that would allow tech firms to train artificial intelligence models on the UK's music and creative works without ensuring fair compensation for creators. The government's plan, aimed at establishing the UK as an AI superpower, suggests relaxing copyright laws, requiring artists to opt-out if they do not want their work used. This has drawn concern from industry giants like Paul McCartney and Ed Sheeran, who argue it could jeopardize the livelihoods of emerging artists. John, a supporter of Labour leader Keir Starmer, emphasized the emotional depth of human creativity, stating that machines lack the soul and passion inherent in artistic expression. The government insists it is seeking a balanced approach that supports both creative industries and AI development, pledging to assess the economic impact before any final decisions. 
Published: May 18 2025, 5 pmeznews.inCecilia Culver, a recent graduate from George Washington University, delivered a powerful commencement speech condemning the university's financial ties to Israel and labeling the situation in Gaza as "genocide." During her address, Culver expressed her sorrow over the plight of Palestinian students forced to abandon their education due to the ongoing conflict, stating, "I cannot celebrate my own graduation without a heavy heart." Her remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of Israel's military actions in Gaza, which have reportedly resulted in over 53,000 Palestinian deaths since October 2023. Culver criticized GWU for its alleged complicity in the violence through its investments and called for transparency and divestment from what she termed an "apartheid state." Her speech received applause from parts of the audience, while university officials later issued an apology for what they deemed a violation of conduct. 
Published: May 18 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn Gaza, the humanitarian crisis deepens as Israel's military offensive, Operation Gideon's Chariot, intensifies, resulting in mass displacement and overwhelming casualties. Rows of body bags lie outside makeshift hospitals, where families search for missing loved ones amidst the chaos. Recent airstrikes, including one in Khan Younis that killed at least 24 people, have exacerbated the suffering of civilians already displaced by earlier attacks. Medical professionals, like surgeon Dr. Khaled Alshawwa, describe unbearable conditions, with hospitals collapsing under the strain of mass casualties and severe shortages of supplies. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claim to target Hamas, yet the operation has failed to achieve its objectives, with over 53,000 reported dead since its escalation began in March. Meanwhile, critical shortages of food, water, and medical aid persist, as the blockade on humanitarian assistance continues, leaving many in dire need of support. 
Published: May 18 2025, 4 pm
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