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Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has launched an investigation into a contentious social media advertisement by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) that drew ire for its resemblance to the 2001 World Trade Center attacks. The ad, posted on January 10 to mark the resumption of flights to Paris after a four-year hiatus, depicted an aircraft approaching the Eiffel Tower against a backdrop of the French flag, accompanied by the caption, "Paris, we're coming today." Critics noted the design's alarming similarity to 9/11 imagery, leading to significant backlash on social media, amassing over 21 million views. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that Sharif has ordered a probe into the ad's conception, labeling it "stupidity." Despite the uproar, PIA's first flight to Paris in four years successfully landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport on the same day. The airline has faced previous controversies, including a goat sacrifice for good luck in 2017 and a ban from the EU in 2020 due to safety concerns. 
Published: Jan 15 2025, 2 pmeznews.inA viral video falsely claims that pop star Taylor Swift attributed the recent wildfires in Los Angeles to "divine retribution" for U.S. support of Israel during the Gaza conflict. However, this video is a deepfake, created using artificial intelligence to manipulate Swift's likeness and voice. Analysis revealed that the footage was sourced from her November 2021 appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," predating both the wildfires and the escalation of violence in Gaza. Investigations by fact-checking organizations, including the Deepfakes Analysis Unit, confirmed significant audio manipulation, with detection tools indicating a high probability of AI involvement. The ongoing wildfires have had devastating effects, resulting in at least 24 fatalities and financial losses estimated between $250 billion and $275 billion. Swift has not made any comments regarding the wildfires, and the claims circulating on social media are entirely fabricated.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn the wake of devastating fires in Pasadena and Altadena, Los Angeles, the emotional toll on residents is palpable as they confront the remnants of their homes, now reduced to ruins. Wandering through deserted streets, one can see the stark contrast of intact homes next to charred remains, embodying the randomness of destruction. Kristin, a long-time resident, expressed heartbreak over losing her family’s cherished possessions and the fabric of her community, now vanished. Amidst the chaos, a sense of camaraderie has emerged, as locals band together to support those affected, including many in the animation industry who have lost everything. Despite the uncertainty of future fires, families strive to maintain normalcy for their children, balancing vigilance with hope. Community-driven efforts, like GoFundMe campaigns, illustrate resilience, as residents grapple with loss while fostering a renewed sense of humanity and gratitude in the face of adversity.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inRujm el-Hiri, an ancient basalt structure in the Golan Heights, has been shifting significantly since its construction nearly 5,000 years ago, prompting scientific inquiry into its movement and purpose. A recent study in the journal _Remote Sensing_ reveals that tectonic shifts in the region have caused the monument to drift nearly 10 metres over the past 4,000 years, altering its original alignment. Previously thought to be an ancient observatory, researchers found that the current orientation of Rujm el-Hiri's gateways and walls differs markedly from their positions between 3,500 BC and 2,500 BC, undermining earlier theories. Satellite surveys indicate that Rujm el-Hiri is part of a larger network of ancient structures, featuring burial mounds and circular enclosures. The study emphasizes the need for further excavation to uncover the reasons behind the monument's substantial investment and its complex historical significance.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inControversial influencer Andrew Tate is facing legal action from UK lawmaker Sorcha Eastwood, who has filed a lawsuit over derogatory social media posts made by Tate and his brother, Tristan. Eastwood, an MP for the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, announced the legal proceedings following the Tates' posts on January 10, 2025, which came just a day after she publicly revealed her status as a "survivor of abuse" during a parliamentary debate on violence against women. Eastwood highlighted the alarming safety issues for women in Northern Ireland, recounting a disturbing incident where a member of the public threatened her during a school visit. Meanwhile, a Romanian court has lifted a house arrest order on Andrew Tate, who had faced serious allegations, including trafficking and money laundering, since a raid on his home in August 2024.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 3 pmeznews.inA Russian cargo vessel, the Vasily Shukshin, has sparked alarm after it loitered near critical undersea communication cables off Taiwan's coast for over three weeks. The Belize-flagged ship, which departed from Russia's Vostochnyy port on December 8 and briefly stopped in South Korea, was observed navigating near Taiwan's Fangshan cable landing station before returning directly to Russia on January 14. Experts, including Ray Powell from Stanford University's SeaLight, have described the vessel's behavior as unusual, raising suspicions of potential sabotage or espionage targeting vital global communication infrastructure. While the Taiwan Coast Guard confirmed that the cables were not damaged, the incident aligns with a troubling pattern of Russian and Chinese vessels near undersea cables in various regions, prompting NATO to enhance surveillance and protection measures for these critical assets. The implications of such actions could threaten international communication and economic stability.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 3 pmeznews.inAs China's economy grapples with sluggish domestic spending and a prolonged property market slump, officials in Beijing are implementing aggressive measures to foster sustainable growth amid looming challenges, including a potential trade war with the US. In response to nearly slipping into deflation, authorities have expanded consumer subsidies for household and tech appliances to stimulate spending. The People's Bank of China has also cut key interest rates to historic lows and plans further reductions, signaling a shift towards a "moderately loose" monetary policy. To revive the beleaguered property sector, policies have been introduced to lower taxes on home purchases and ease restrictions, while a significant debt swap plan aims to alleviate local government debt pressures. Despite these efforts, analysts remain cautious about a swift recovery in the property market, emphasizing that significant hurdles still lie ahead.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 3 pmeznews.inStarbucks has announced a significant policy change requiring customers to make a purchase to remain on its premises or use restrooms, moving away from its previous open-door approach. This updated code of conduct, which will be displayed in all North American stores, also bans smoking, vaping, panhandling, and the use of drugs or outside alcohol. The shift follows a 2018 incident in Philadelphia that sparked nationwide backlash and led to the company's commitment to being a welcoming space for all. Under CEO Brian Niccol, who joined in 2024, Starbucks aims to create a more inviting environment for paying customers while addressing safety concerns linked to unruly behavior and rising mental health issues. A spokesperson clarified that the policy is not intended to deter casual visitors but to ensure a positive experience for patrons. Stores will have the authority to ask disruptive individuals to leave and may involve law enforcement if needed.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 3 pmeznews.inA study by Kanazawa University's Graduate School of Medical Sciences has revealed that consuming three or more glasses of green tea daily may enhance brain health in older adults. The research, part of the Japan Prospective Studies Collaboration for Ageing and Dementia, analyzed MRI data to examine the impact of green tea and coffee on brain structure, particularly focusing on cerebral white matter lesions linked to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. While both beverages are recognized for their neuroprotective benefits, the study found that coffee did not significantly influence brain health. Published in the journal *npj Science of Food*, the findings suggest that increased green tea consumption correlates with fewer white matter lesions in older adults without dementia. The researchers advocate for further longitudinal studies to confirm these results, emphasizing that regular green tea intake could play a role in dementia prevention.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 4 pmeznews.inTikTok faces a potential shutdown in the United States after Congress passed a law last year requiring its Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the platform or close it by Sunday. The US Supreme Court is expected to rule this week on TikTok's challenge to the law, with indications that the legislation may be upheld. If enforced, the government would instruct Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, halting new downloads, although the app would remain accessible to the existing 170 million US users unless TikTok blocks access. Users could face a decline in security updates, leading to vulnerabilities, and might resort to VPNs to access the app. Meanwhile, potential buyers are emerging, including former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and ex-Activision CEO Bobby Kotick, as TikTok's future hinges on the Supreme Court's decision.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 1 pmeznews.inAn Indian-origin nurse, Achamma Cherian, is facing "life-changing injuries" after being stabbed with scissors during a night shift at the Royal Oldham Hospital in Greater Manchester. The incident occurred on Saturday, leading to the arrest of 37-year-old Rumon Haque, who has since been charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article. Cherian, in her 50s, remains hospitalized as her injuries are reported to be severe. Greater Manchester Police confirmed they are not seeking any other suspects connected to the attack. Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed his shock on social media, emphasizing that nurses should work without fear of violence. The Chief Nursing Officer at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Heather Caudle, expressed deep sadness over the incident and assured support for Cherian and her family, as well as the staff and patients affected. Hospital services continue to operate as investigations proceed.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 2 pm
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