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Starbucks has reversed its open bathroom policy, now requiring customers to make a purchase to access its restrooms, as part of a new code of conduct aimed at prioritizing "spaces for use by our customers." The decision comes amid ongoing concerns about safety and public restroom access in the U.S., where such facilities are limited. The issue gained national attention in 2018 when two Black men were arrested for waiting without ordering at a Philadelphia location. Following the incident, Starbucks adopted the open policy, but interim CEO Howard Schultz indicated the need for change due to safety concerns. While some employees expressed uncertainty about enforcement, customers have voiced concerns that the policy may disproportionately affect marginalized individuals. The announcement follows a reported 3% decline in global net revenue for the company, prompting calls for a strategic overhaul under new leadership. 
Published: Jan 15 2025, 11 ameznews.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 pmeznews.inWARSAW, POLAND: The Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp, liberated 80 years ago on January 27, remains a poignant symbol of the Holocaust and the atrocities of Nazi Germany. Established in June 1940 in southern Poland, it was a central part of Adolf Hitler's "Final Solution," aimed at exterminating European Jews. Over 1.3 million individuals were imprisoned there, with approximately 1.1 million, predominantly Jews, murdered through gas chambers, starvation, and disease. The camp's grim history includes the first mass gassing in September 1941 and the opening of Birkenau in March 1942, which intensified the genocide. As Allied forces discovered the camp in 1944, the Nazis attempted to destroy evidence, culminating in a forced march of 60,000 prisoners before Soviet troops arrived, finding only 7,000 survivors. The anniversary serves as a solemn reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust and the importance of remembrance.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 2 pmeznews.inPakistan'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 SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Florida on Wednesday, carrying two lunar landers—Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost and Japan's ispace Resilience—marking a significant step for the private sector in space exploration. Both uncrewed missions aim to build on the success of Intuitive Machines, which last year achieved the first commercial Moon landing. This initiative is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, designed to foster a lunar economy by partnering with private firms. Blue Ghost, equipped with ten NASA instruments, plans to land near Mons Latreille in 45 days, while Resilience, featuring a micro rover named Tenacious, will take four to five months to reach Mare Frigoris. Both missions face the challenge of achieving a soft landing, a task complicated by the Moon's harsh terrain and lack of atmosphere. The U.S. aims to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon under the Artemis program later this decade.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 2 pmeznews.inAuthor Neil Gaiman has vehemently denied allegations of sexual misconduct following a New York Magazine article that detailed accusations from multiple women, including claims of sexual assault and coercion. In a statement on his personal website, Gaiman asserted, "I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever." The controversy intensified after two women accused him of sexual assault in July, with one alleging that Gaiman raped her when she was a nanny for his family in New Zealand. A third woman later claimed coercion, stating Gaiman pressured her into a sexual relationship while she worked as his caretaker in New York. Gaiman refuted all allegations, insisting that their relationships were consensual. The fallout has affected his career, with three adaptations of his works, including Netflix's "Dead Boy Detectives," being paused or cancelled. However, no streaming service has confirmed these decisions were linked to the allegations.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 1 pmeznews.inDirector general (DG) level talks between India and Bangladesh, postponed twice last year, are set to take place in New Delhi during the third week of February. The discussions will primarily focus on resolving disputes over India's proposed construction of a single-row fence along approximately 95.8 km of the 4,096 km border, as well as addressing a rise in infiltration attempts since the regime change in Bangladesh. A delegation from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is scheduled to meet with the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) between February 16 and 19. Recent tensions have escalated, with both nations summoning each other's High Commissioners over concerns regarding border activities. Notably, between August and December 2024, the BSF apprehended nearly 2,000 Bangladeshi nationals, highlighting an increase in cross-border infiltration linked to human trafficking and smuggling. These talks will be the first high-level discussions since the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 1 pmeznews.inAmitav Ghosh, the acclaimed author, delivered a dire warning during the Dr CD Deshmukh Memorial Lecture in New Delhi, suggesting that Silicon Valley elites are bracing for a potential global collapse, referred to as "The Event." Ghosh highlighted the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and emerging pathogens, stating it is a mistake to view these issues in isolation. He criticized the mindset of the elite, who believe that the global South will disproportionately suffer during such a catastrophe, viewing it as an "exterminatory event." Ghosh condemned this perspective as dangerous and naive, arguing that true resilience lies outside the systems that the privileged inhabit. While acknowledging concerns surrounding artificial intelligence, he humorously remarked that he is more troubled by its failure to correctly spell his name. The lecture also marked the launch of his new book, "Wild Fictions," attended by notable figures in Indian society.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 1 pmeznews.inHamas has reportedly accepted a draft ceasefire agreement and a hostage release deal amid its ongoing conflict with Israel, which reignited in October 2023. Negotiations, facilitated by the United States and Qatar, are nearing completion, with officials indicating that an agreement is closer than ever before. Under the proposed deal, Hamas would release 33 Israeli hostages, while discussions for the release of the remaining captives would commence 16 days post-agreement. The deal also outlines phased troop withdrawals by Israel and enhanced humanitarian aid for Gaza, which faces a dire crisis. However, the future governance of Gaza remains unresolved, with Israel opposing any role for Hamas or the Palestinian Authority, despite international calls for Palestinian-led governance. As talks progress, significant concerns about the humanitarian situation and the complexities of governance continue to loom large.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 11 ameznews.inMilitary diplomacy, often perceived as contradictory, is essential for countries aspiring to wield regional or global influence. India has effectively employed this strategy for over fifty years, engaging in peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and maritime security operations, gaining notable prestige. Despite successes, criticisms persist regarding bureaucratic silos within the Ministry of Defence, which hinder effective diplomacy. A prime example of India's military diplomacy is its response to the 2020 Galwan clash with China, where strategic military positioning was complemented by diplomatic engagements. Historical contexts, such as India's role during the 1971 Bangladesh war, highlight military diplomacy's impact on bilateral relations. Furthermore, India's extensive involvement in UN peacekeeping missions bolsters its claims for a permanent Security Council seat. To enhance effectiveness, experts suggest dismantling bureaucratic silos and fostering integrated strategies across military, diplomatic, and technological domains, thus advocating for a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach in defence diplomacy.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 12 pm
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