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Russian and Ukrainian negotiators convened in Istanbul on Friday for their first face-to-face peace talks in over three years, amid pressure from US President Donald Trump to resolve the ongoing conflict. The discussions, held at the Dolmabahce Palace, included Turkish officials and marked a rare diplomatic engagement since Russia's invasion in March 2022. Ukraine's delegation emphasized the need for a 30-day ceasefire, the return of abducted children, and a prisoner exchange as prerequisites for peace. While Russia expressed a willingness to discuss a ceasefire, it raised concerns about Ukraine potentially using the pause to regroup militarily. Observers, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, cautioned that significant progress was unlikely given the low-level representatives sent by both sides. Meanwhile, Russia reported territorial gains in eastern Ukraine, and air alerts were issued in the city of Dnipro just before the talks began. 
Published: May 16 2025, 5 pmeznews.inFrench President Emmanuel Macron condemned the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as "intolerable" during a meeting of European leaders in Albania on Friday. He emphasized that the situation has reached unprecedented levels of humanitarian impact since the onset of the conflict. Macron underscored the urgent need for a ceasefire in the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas, alongside restoring humanitarian aid access. He expressed intentions to discuss these pressing issues with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently concluded a Middle East tour without achieving a new ceasefire despite acknowledging the escalating hunger crisis in Gaza and the necessity for aid deliveries. Macron's remarks reflect growing international concern over the deteriorating conditions in the region amid intensified military actions.
Published: May 17 2025, 2 ameznews.inIsrael has threatened to target the leadership of Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels following airstrikes on two rebel-held ports, Hodeida and Salif, on Friday. This military action comes in response to recent Huthi missile attacks, which have continued despite the rebels’ earlier agreement to halt strikes on international shipping in the Red Sea after increased U.S. airstrikes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that further action against the Huthis, including targeting their leadership, is imminent. Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that continued missile attacks could result in the Huthi leadership facing a fate similar to that of Hamas leaders killed in Gaza. The UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, described the situation as a "dangerous escalation," highlighting the Huthis' ongoing campaign against Israel, which they claim is in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Published: May 17 2025, 12 ameznews.inA farmer's son from Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, Raj Mishra, 37, has been elected as the new mayor of Wellingborough, a market town in Northamptonshire, England. Mishra, who won a seat in the Victoria Ward during local elections on May 6, was officially appointed mayor at the Annual Town Council Meeting. Expressing his commitment to fostering an inclusive community, Mishra stated, "It is an honour to serve as the mayor of Wellingborough," emphasizing his dedication to collaboration and integrity. As mayor, he will preside over council meetings and represent the council at civic events. A member of the Conservative Party, Mishra has selected the Veterans Community Network and Louisa Gregory's Hospice Campaign as his chosen charities for the 2025-26 term, aiming to raise their profiles and secure funding. He underscores a leadership style focused on active listening and community engagement to address local challenges effectively.
Published: May 17 2025, 12 ameznews.inFortnite, the popular multiplayer game developed by Epic Games, has been blocked from Apple's App Store globally, intensifying an ongoing feud between the tech giant and the publisher. While iPhone users in the United States had already lost access to the game, the restriction now affects players worldwide. Epic Games announced on X that they submitted Fortnite for review but faced delays in the approval process. This dispute stems from Epic's long-standing criticism of Apple's commission fees, which can reach up to 30%, and their legal battles over what they term "junk fees." Despite securing some victories in U.S. courts and the European Union's Digital Markets Act, which mandates greater competition in app distribution, the conflict persists. Apple's services division, crucial for its revenue, is at stake, as the company seeks to delay compliance with court orders allowing alternative payment options.
Published: May 17 2025, 12 ameznews.inIn a tragic incident in 2023, a high-speed TGV train departing from Paris ran over a cat named Neko, which had escaped from a traveler's bag, sparking outrage across France. Despite pleas from Neko's owners to delay the train's departure and rescue the animal, the train, carrying 800 passengers, left the station, resulting in the cat's death. France's national rail operator, SNCF, maintained that Neko was "not visible." Following two years of deliberation, SNCF has now established new protocols: if a pet escapes onto the tracks, trains can be delayed for up to 20 minutes. Staff are required to assess the situation within 10 minutes of a report and attempt to locate the animal without entering the danger zone. If the pet is not found, trains must proceed at a reduced speed to allow for a final chance of escape. Neko's owners lost their lawsuit against SNCF, despite calls for procedural changes from the transport minister.
Published: May 17 2025, 12 ameznews.inKing Charles III's wealth surged by approximately GBP 30 million over the past year, reaching GBP 640 million, according to the 2025 'Sunday Times Rich List,' where he ranks 238th, up 20 places. His fortune primarily stems from inherited estates and a profitable investment portfolio, bolstered by the Crown Estate's wind farm licenses that have doubled profits and increased the sovereign grant funding royal activities. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty also share a combined wealth of GBP 640 million, rising in rank despite a decline in the value of Murty's Infosys stake. The Hinduja family leads the list for the fourth year with GBP 35.3 billion, while the number of billionaires in the UK has dropped to 156, the lowest in the list’s 37-year history, reflecting ongoing economic challenges.
Published: May 16 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIn a significant development, Russia announced on Friday that its first direct talks with Ukraine in over three years resulted in an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from each side and to resume discussions on a potential ceasefire. Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, expressed satisfaction with the progress made during the Istanbul negotiations, noting that both nations would outline their visions for a future ceasefire before further talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the discussions, but a mid-level delegation represented Russia instead. While Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, Russia is cautious, wanting to finalize ceasefire terms first. Medinsky highlighted that ceasefires do not always precede peace talks, referencing historical conflicts. Additionally, the Kremlin emphasized the need for a preparatory meeting between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump to advance discussions on Ukraine and other issues.
Published: May 16 2025, 10 pmeznews.inJustin Bieber has clarified that he is not among the victims of Sean "Diddy" Combs, who is currently facing federal sex trafficking charges, according to reports from TMZ and People. Bieber, who rose to fame as a teenager and has socialized with the 55-year-old hip-hop mogul, expressed support for those genuinely harmed by Combs through a spokesperson. The statement emphasized the importance of focusing on the victims rather than shifting attention away from their pursuit of justice. Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to multiple felony counts, including racketeering and sex trafficking, maintains that any sexual activity at his infamous "Freak Offs" parties was consensual. Videos from their past interactions have sparked speculation online regarding the nature of their relationship, but Bieber's representative urged that the focus should remain on the victims of Combs' alleged actions.
Published: May 16 2025, 11 pmeznews.inAdriana Smith, a 30-year-old pregnant woman in Georgia, remains on life support after being declared brain dead three months ago, a situation complicated by the state's strict anti-abortion laws. Her mother, April Newkirk, revealed that doctors are unable to remove life support due to the "heartbeat law," which restricts abortions once cardiac activity is detected, typically around six weeks. Smith is currently 21 weeks pregnant, raising concerns about the viability of her fetus. While proponents of the law argue for the rights of the fetus, critics, including Monica Simpson of SisterSong, emphasize the family's lack of decision-making power and the emotional toll of their ordeal. The law has faced scrutiny following the deaths of two women who allegedly did not receive adequate medical care due to abortion restrictions, prompting further debate over the implications of such legislation in Georgia.
Published: May 16 2025, 8 pmeznews.inHadi Matar, 27, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the attempted murder of author Salman Rushdie, who was stabbed multiple times during a lecture in New York in 2022, resulting in Rushdie losing sight in one eye. Matar was found guilty in February, with Rushdie submitting a victim impact statement but not attending the sentencing. Matar, who called Rushdie a hypocrite while wearing jail attire, received the maximum sentence for the attack, which also injured another man on stage. Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt emphasized that Matar deliberately planned the assault to inflict maximum harm on Rushdie and the audience. Matar, a U.S. citizen, is also facing federal terrorism charges linked to a fatwa issued in 1989 by Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini, which called for Rushdie's death over his novel "The Satanic Verses."
Published: May 16 2025, 9 pm
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