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Pakistan confirmed on Thursday that it conducted airstrikes targeting militant hideouts in Afghanistan's Paktika province, a move that has sparked outrage from Afghan officials, who condemned the strikes as a "brutal act" and a violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty. The strikes, which reportedly killed at least 46 people, including women and children, were described by Pakistan's Foreign Office as an intelligence-based operation aimed at addressing security threats to its citizens. Despite the military action, spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch emphasized Pakistan's commitment to dialogue with Afghanistan and the careful planning of such operations. The Afghan Taliban regime responded with a strong protest, warning of potential retaliation, while former Afghan leaders criticized Pakistan's actions as exacerbating regional tensions. The situation underscores the ongoing strain in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, particularly following the Taliban's rise to power in 2021 and the subsequent increase in terrorist activities affecting Pakistan. 
Published: Dec 26 2024, 9 pmeznews.inRussian President Vladimir Putin expressed openness on Thursday to a Slovakian proposal for hosting peace talks with Ukraine, aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. During a meeting with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, a critic of EU military support for Ukraine, Putin welcomed Slovakia's neutral stance and its willingness to facilitate negotiations. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar described Putin's comments as a "positive signal" for peace, emphasizing Slovakia's commitment to a diplomatic resolution. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has voiced concerns over Fico's pro-Russian rhetoric since his election in 2023. Despite Putin's willingness to discuss peace, he reiterated Russia's determination to achieve its objectives in Ukraine and mentioned the potential use of the new Oreshnik hypersonic missile, asserting that Russia is prepared to deploy more powerful weapons if deemed necessary.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 6 pmeznews.inIn a tragic turn of events during the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, two experienced sailors lost their lives in separate incidents, marking the first fatalities in the prestigious event since 1998. Race organisers reported that both sailors were struck by the sail boom, a horizontal pole crucial for controlling the sails. The first victim, 65-year-old Nick Smith from South Australia, was a crew member of the Bowline and suffered fatal injuries after being thrown across the boat. Hours later, 55-year-old Roy Quaden from Western Australia was killed after being hit by a sail boom on the Flying Fish Arctos. David Jacobs, vice commodore at Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, expressed the devastating impact on the tight-knit sailing community, pledging to investigate safety measures to prevent future tragedies. Meanwhile, adverse weather conditions have caused several boats to retire from the 79th race, with Law Connect currently leading.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 6 pmeznews.inEugene Spector, a US citizen and former chairman of Medpolymerprom Group, has been sentenced to 15 years in a Russian maximum-security penal colony after being convicted of espionage. A Moscow court found him guilty of passing biotechnology secrets to the United States, with Russia's FSB claiming he acted on behalf of the Pentagon. Spector's sentence combines a 13-year term for espionage with an existing 3.5-year sentence for bribery linked to a former Russian deputy prime minister. Details of the espionage charges and Spector's plea during the closed trial remain undisclosed. The FSB accused him of gathering sensitive biotechnological information for a US project aimed at creating a high-speed genetic screening system for the Russian population. Spector, who was born in Russia, was arrested in 2021 and has been in custody since.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 6 pmeznews.inPresident Frank-Walter Steinmeier has dissolved Germany's lower house of parliament, setting the stage for snap elections on February 23, following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party coalition. Steinmeier emphasized the need for a stable and effective government during challenging times, advocating for a return to problem-solving politics. He urged for a fair and transparent election campaign, warning against external influences on democracy, particularly through social media. Scholz, a Social Democrat, will lead a caretaker government after losing a confidence vote due to the exit of Finance Minister Christian Lindner's Free Democrats, which left his coalition without a majority. Polls indicate that conservative challenger Friedrich Merz is likely to succeed Scholz, with conservatives leading by over 10 points. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is polling slightly ahead of the SPD, complicating potential coalition formations as mainstream parties refuse to partner with the AfD.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 6 pmeznews.inAs President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20 approaches, US colleges are preparing for potential disruptions affecting international students, who numbered 1.1 million during the 2023-2024 academic year. Institutions, including Cornell University and the University of Southern California, have advised students to return to campus early to avoid complications stemming from possible travel bans reminiscent of those enacted during Trump's previous term. Although countries like India and China are not currently targeted, universities are wary of new restrictions, especially as India has become the leading source of international students in the US. Trump's immigration policies, which may include expanded travel bans and visa revocations for certain foreigners, have heightened anxiety among students. While he has proposed pathways for foreign graduates to secure green cards, the US college community remains on edge, closely monitoring his administration's stance on international education.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 7 pmeznews.inFinance Minister Choi Sang-mok has become South Korea's second acting president in two weeks following the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, amid ongoing political turmoil in the nation. The impeachment stemmed from disagreements over the appointment of justices to the Constitutional Court, which is currently deliberating the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faced backlash for a brief declaration of martial law. Choi, a seasoned economic technocrat with over 30 years at the finance ministry, expressed concerns that Han's impeachment could undermine the country’s economic credibility. He pledged to stabilize state affairs and reassure international investors, having already engaged with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Choi, who is viewed as more trusted by opposition lawmakers due to his opposition to Yoon's martial law plan, is expected to serve as acting president for several months while the Constitutional Court deliberates Yoon's fate.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 4 pmeznews.inPope Francis made a historic visit to Rebibbia prison in Rome on Thursday, where he opened a special "Holy Door" as part of the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, marking the first time a pope has performed this act at a prison. Speaking to hundreds of inmates, guards, and staff, the pontiff emphasized the importance of hope during difficult times, urging those present not to lose faith. This Jubilee, which began on Tuesday and will run until January 6, 2026, is dedicated to the theme of hope and is a time for peace, forgiveness, and pardon. Traditionally, Holy Years occur every 25 years and involve the opening of four Holy Doors in Rome, symbolizing salvation. The Vatican noted that this event is significant, given that the tradition of Holy Doors began in 1300 with Pope Boniface VIII. Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis has consistently advocated for the rights and dignity of incarcerated individuals.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 5 pmeznews.inDr. Manmohan Singh, India's former Prime Minister, passed away at the age of 92 on December 26 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi. As the 14th Prime Minister and the first Sikh to hold the office, Singh is celebrated for his transformative role in India's economic landscape, particularly as Finance Minister in 1991, where he initiated pivotal reforms that liberalized the economy. Born in 1932 in Gah, Punjab, he migrated to India post-partition and pursued higher education in economics at prestigious institutions like Cambridge and Oxford. His political career spanned decades, including significant roles as Economic Advisor and Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. Singh served two terms as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, overseeing significant economic growth and international agreements, such as the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal. His legacy is marked by both achievements and controversies, reflecting a complex but impactful career in public service.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 5 pmeznews.inA stowaway managed to board a Delta Airlines flight from Seattle to Hawaii on Christmas Eve, prompting a significant security response. The incident occurred on Flight 487, an Airbus A321neo, just before takeoff, leading to a delay of over two hours as the plane returned to the gate for security checks and the unidentified individual was removed. Delta Airlines issued an apology for the inconvenience, emphasizing the importance of safety and security in their operations. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirmed that the stowaway had bypassed security but did not carry any prohibited items. This incident follows a recent spate of similar occurrences, including a woman who boarded a flight from New York to Paris without a ticket and another passenger who dangerously exited an Alaska Airlines flight onto the wing out of anxiety. The TSA is conducting an independent review of the Seattle incident.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 5 pmeznews.inA passenger aboard the Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, which crashed in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, reported hearing a loud bang as the plane approached its intended destination of Grozny in southern Russia. The Embraer jet, which had taken off from Baku, veered off course and crashed near Aktau, resulting in at least 38 fatalities and 29 survivors. Subhonkul Rakhimov, a passenger, described the chaotic moments leading up to the crash, stating the aircraft behaved erratically after the noise. Preliminary findings from Azerbaijan's investigation suggest that Russian air defences may have mistakenly shot down the plane, prompting Azerbaijan Airlines to suspend flights to Russian cities. The Kremlin has refrained from commenting on these allegations, awaiting the official investigation’s conclusions. Meanwhile, Russia's aviation authority indicated that the pilot had opted to land in Kazakhstan despite being offered alternative airports.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 5 pm
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