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In a recent phone call, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed the kingdom's support for "all initiatives" aimed at ending the Ukraine war during a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This statement follows US-Ukraine discussions in Jeddah, where a proposed 30-day ceasefire was introduced. While Putin raised "serious questions" regarding the ceasefire plan, he acknowledged the importance of resolving the conflict and indicated a willingness to enhance Russian-American relations. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Jeddah, emphasized that the "ball is now in (Russia's) court" regarding the ceasefire. The Saudi kingdom has played a diplomatic role, previously hosting talks between Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, where they agreed to form teams to negotiate a resolution to the ongoing war, now in its third year. 
Published: Mar 14 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe Kremlin announced on Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has communicated with US President Donald Trump regarding a proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, relayed through Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that there are grounds for "cautious optimism" following late-night discussions between Putin and Witkoff, during which Putin expressed support for Trump's settlement position while raising some questions that need to be addressed collaboratively. Kyiv has already accepted the ceasefire proposal, and Peskov emphasized that while much work remains, Putin's signals to Trump suggest a willingness to engage. The timing for a potential phone call between the two leaders will be arranged after Witkoff briefs Trump on the discussions.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe US and Israel are reportedly in discussions with Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland about potentially resettling Palestinians displaced from Gaza under President Trump's postwar plan, which has faced widespread condemnation. Sudanese officials confirmed that they have rejected the proposal, while officials from Somalia and Somaliland claimed they were unaware of any such talks. Trump's plan envisions relocating Gaza's over 2 million residents, a notion that has been criticized as unrealistic and potentially a war crime. Despite this, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has praised the concept as a "bold vision." The outreach to these East African nations follows Trump's recent proposal, with Israel leading the discussions and offering various incentives. However, both Somalia and Somaliland have historically supported Palestinian self-determination, making their cooperation unlikely. The White House has declined to comment on these diplomatic efforts, while Israeli officials remain tight-lipped.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 5 pmeznews.inSam Jones, an American influencer and self-described "outdoor enthusiast and hunter," has left Australia following backlash over a video in which she was seen taking a baby wombat from its distressed mother. The now-deleted Instagram clip, filmed in an undisclosed location, showed Jones grabbing the protected marsupial while its mother followed anxiously. Australia's Immigration Minister, Tony Burke, announced that her tourist visa is under review and indicated potential deportation due to the incident, which he described as an outrage. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned Jones’ actions, suggesting she might try handling other Australian wildlife, such as crocodiles, to understand the consequences better. The incident sparked significant online outrage, with numerous petitions calling for her deportation. In response to the criticism, Jones has made her Instagram account private and deleted the controversial video.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 3 pmeznews.inPope Francis is currently hospitalized in Rome, where he has been receiving treatment for pneumonia in both lungs for the past month. The Vatican reported on Friday that the 88-year-old pontiff experienced another "quiet night" and, while no longer in critical condition, continues to require respiratory assistance via a nasal cannula during the day and an oxygen mask at night. On Thursday, he underwent physiotherapy, celebrated his 12 years as pope with a cake, and engaged in prayer and breathing exercises. The Vatican plans to issue another medical update later, though daily bulletins may cease. As discussions about his potential return home intensify, concerns about his ability to lead the global Catholic community of nearly 1.4 billion have emerged, with the Vatican acknowledging the challenges of recovery for an elderly individual facing such health issues.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn a harrowing incident, the Jaffar Express train, carrying 440 passengers from Quetta to Peshawar, was hijacked by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) on Tuesday, resulting in a 30-hour siege that left 21 civilians and four security personnel dead. Survivors recounted the terror of armed rebels executing hostages, often targeting individuals based on their regional affiliations. The ordeal began when militants detonated explosives, derailing the train, before breaching it and taking passengers hostage. The Pakistani military launched a counter-operation, ultimately killing all 33 attackers and rescuing over 300 passengers. However, the BLA disputed the military's claims, alleging that some hostages were released voluntarily and criticizing the government's handling of the situation. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Quetta for a security briefing following the attack, which marks a significant escalation in the ongoing insurgency in Balochistan, a region rich in resources but plagued by violence.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 3 pmeznews.inFrance's Finance Minister Eric Lombard condemned the escalating US-EU trade tensions as "idiotic," following threats from President Donald Trump to impose 200-percent tariffs on French wine and champagne. Speaking to France 2, Lombard emphasized the need for dialogue to reduce tensions, announcing plans to visit the United States soon. Trump's tariff threats come in response to the European Union's recent announcement of tariffs on $28 billion worth of US goods, including bourbon and motorcycles, which will take effect in stages from April. This escalation follows the implementation of US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Lombard criticized the US approach, stating it ultimately harms American interests. He and French Foreign Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin had a "frank and clear" discussion with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to address the situation. In 2023, Europe exported nearly $5.2 billion in wine and champagne to the US, according to the World Trade Organization.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 3 pmeznews.inAs Donald Trump re-engages with Russia, historians draw alarming parallels between his actions and the rise of fascism in the 1930s, highlighting a potential failure of democracies to confront authoritarianism. Trump's recent dismissal of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his conciliatory stance towards Vladimir Putin, amidst ongoing conflict, evoke memories of the 1938 Munich Agreement that allowed Hitler's annexation of the Sudetenland. Experts like John Connelly and Johann Chapoutot express concern that Trump's disregard for international law and his rhetoric echo the "might makes right" mentality that prevailed before World War II. Despite the economic prosperity in the U.S. today, there are fears that Trump's actions, including his controversial comments on Greenland, signal a troubling trend reminiscent of historical fascism. As the international community's safeguards appear weakened, the question remains whether lessons from history have truly been learned.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 1 pmeznews.inJapanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has issued an apology after it was revealed that he distributed gift certificates worth 100,000 yen ($673) each to 15 lawmakers from his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a move that could undermine his administration's already low approval ratings and threaten the passage of the upcoming fiscal year's budget. Speaking in parliament, Ishiba acknowledged that his actions caused "distrust and anger" among the public, although he maintained that the gifts were legal personal tokens of appreciation. The incident has drawn criticism from within his coalition and opposition calls for his resignation, raising doubts about his leadership ahead of a crucial upper house election in July. Analysts warn that failure to pass the budget by the March 31 deadline could harm both the government's political standing and Japan's economy, which is already under pressure from rising living costs and slowing global demand.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 12 pmeznews.inTwo Japanese tourists in their 20s were detained for two weeks in China after a prank involving exposed buttocks at the Great Wall, according to local media reports. The incident, which occurred at the UNESCO World Heritage site near Beijing, involved a man who displayed his bottom while a woman took photos. The Japanese Embassy in China confirmed the detention by local authorities on January 3, stating the pair were later released and returned to Japan within the month. Exposing oneself in public is illegal in China, and the incident has sparked significant outrage, particularly given historical tensions stemming from Japan's colonial occupation of China in the 1930s and 40s. A social media hashtag related to the incident garnered over 60 million views on Weibo, with many comments condemning the tourists' actions and calling for restrictions on Japanese visitors.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 10 am
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