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In a significant development following a lengthy phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that Russia and Ukraine will commence negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire. Trump described the conversation as "very well" and emphasized that the specifics of the talks would be determined directly between the two nations. Following his discussion with Putin, Trump briefed several European leaders, including Ukraine's President Zelensky and French President Macron, about the immediate start of bilateral negotiations, with the Vatican expressing interest in hosting them. While praising the tone of his conversation with Putin, Trump highlighted the potential for extensive trade between the US and Russia post-conflict, suggesting it could create jobs and wealth. Putin, for his part, described the call as "useful" and stressed the need for compromises from Ukraine to pave the way for peace, indicating readiness to work on a memorandum for a potential agreement. 
Published: May 19 2025, 11 pmeznews.inElon Musk and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella have unveiled xAI's Grok 3 models on Microsoft Azure during the Microsoft Build developer conference. Available for free throughout June on the Azure AI Foundry, Grok 3 joins offerings from major AI players like OpenAI and Meta. Nadella reminisced about Musk's early career as a Microsoft intern, highlighting his early programming experiences with MS-DOS and IBM PCs. Musk, in turn, discussed the Grok 3.5 model, emphasizing its design to reason from first principles, aiming to uncover fundamental truths with minimal error. He described Grok as a family of models that excel in responsiveness and reasoning capabilities. This collaboration between Musk's xAI and Microsoft's vast cloud infrastructure signifies a pivotal development in the AI landscape, showcasing the potential for innovative advancements in technology. 
Published: May 20 2025, 2 pmeznews.inA resurgence of Covid-19 cases is sweeping through Southeast Asia, prompting health authorities in densely populated areas like Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Thailand to issue alerts and recommend booster vaccinations. In Hong Kong, the positivity rate for respiratory samples has reached a year-high, with 31 severe cases reported in the week ending May 3. Singapore saw a 28% increase in cases, totaling 14,200, with hospitalizations up by 30%, marking a notable shift in government reporting. Thailand experienced a dramatic rise in cases, doubling to 33,030, particularly affecting those aged 30 to 39. Meanwhile, China reported a significant increase in positivity rates among outpatient cases, suggesting a potential wave similar to last summer's. The surge is attributed to the JN.1 variant, a subvariant of Omicron, which the World Health Organisation has classified as a "variant of interest." 
Published: May 20 2025, 2 pmeznews.inA New Jersey mother, Wendy Castillo-Torres, has been charged with causing the death of her 10-month-old son in a tragic accident while driving without a valid license. The incident occurred on Saturday in Jackson Township, where police responded to reports of an infant struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, they found the child unresponsive with severe injuries; he was later pronounced dead at a local medical center. Investigations revealed that Castillo-Torres had placed her son in a bouncer seat between two cars while cleaning them in a friend's garage. After mistakenly putting her vehicle in drive instead of reverse, she trapped the infant, prompting a companion to call 911. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer expressed condolences, describing the incident as a tragic accident. Castillo-Torres has received a summons and is awaiting her next court appearance in Ocean County Superior Court. 
Published: May 20 2025, 2 pmeznews.inAn Indian-origin couple, Neha and Amandeep Sharma, has been convicted of defrauding New Zealand's child welfare agency, Oranga Tamariki, of over NZ$2 million (more than Rs 10 crore). Neha Sharma, a former property manager at the agency, has been sentenced to three years in prison after admitting to multiple fraud charges, including money laundering. Amandeep Sharma also pleaded guilty to similar charges. The couple's fraudulent activities, which included submitting over 326 inflated invoices through Amandeep's construction company, Divine Connection, came to light following an internal inquiry in late 2022. Shortly before their arrest, they attempted to flee to Chennai but were apprehended. Evidence revealed Neha had concealed her marriage to Amandeep, allowing her to exploit her position at the agency. In response to the scandal, Oranga Tamariki has implemented stricter internal controls to prevent future misconduct. 
Published: May 20 2025, 3 pmeznews.inBritish-Kashmiri academic Nitasha Kaul has claimed that Indian authorities revoked her Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status due to accusations of "anti-India activities." The University of Westminster professor, who has a distinguished career in Politics and International Relations, reported on X that the government alleged she was spreading disinformation regarding India's sovereignty and democratic institutions. This development follows her denial of entry into India in February 2024, where she was set to speak at a seminar on the Indian Constitution in Bengaluru but was deported upon arrival. Born in Uttar Pradesh and with family roots in Srinagar, Kaul has authored the novel _Residue_ and has held various academic positions, including research fellowships and teaching roles in the UK and Bhutan. She has received multiple awards and research grants, contributing to projects on democracy and responsible AI. 
Published: May 20 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIn an increasingly interconnected world, India's foreign policy is not merely an abstract concern but a critical factor influencing the daily lives of its citizens. As local issues dominate discussions, many overlook how international relations impact everything from food prices to national security. The complexities of global trade, geopolitical stability, and international cooperation are essential for ensuring economic prosperity and safeguarding India's territorial integrity. With a rich cultural heritage and a youthful demographic, India's "soft power" plays a vital role in shaping its global influence. The country must actively engage in international dialogues to address transnational challenges like climate change and pandemics, as these issues transcend borders and require collective action. Recognizing the profound connection between foreign policy and domestic realities is crucial for fostering a secure and prosperous future for all Indians. As India seeks to amplify its voice on the world stage, a proactive, people-centric foreign policy becomes imperative. 
Published: May 20 2025, 1 pmeznews.inWendy McMahon, the CEO of CBS News, resigned on Monday, citing a "challenging" period for the network amid ongoing legal disputes with the Trump administration. President Trump is suing CBS's parent company, Paramount, for $20 billion over an edited interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, which he claims misrepresented her response. Legal experts deem the lawsuit baseless, suggesting CBS would likely win if it went to court, yet Paramount is pursuing mediation to facilitate an $8 billion merger with Skydance that requires federal approval. In her farewell letter, McMahon expressed a lack of alignment with the company's direction, prompting her decision to step down. Paramount CEO George Cheeks confirmed her resignation, while the executive producer of "60 Minutes," Bill Owens, resigned last month, citing pressures on editorial independence. The program, which remains critical of the Trump administration, has become a focal point in Trump's broader campaign against media outlets. 
Published: May 20 2025, 1 pmeznews.inA 69-year-old French restaurant owner, Philippe Schneider, has confessed to murdering 60-year-old Georges Meichler, claiming the act occurred during a failed burglary attempt. Schneider admitted to dismembering Meichler's body and cooking parts of it with vegetables in a bid to conceal evidence, a method he described as a ritual learned in Nepal. He and his wife, Nathalie Caboubassy, 45, are on trial for the crime, alongside a 25-year-old grave digger accused of complicity. Schneider's confession came after police located the couple in Meichler's stolen van, where they found evidence linking them to the murder. Schneider, who cited struggles with alcohol and cannabis as contributing factors, has accepted responsibility for the crime, while Caboubassy denies involvement. The trial is ongoing, with a verdict expected on May 22. 
Published: May 20 2025, 1 pmeznews.inCaitlin Tracey, a 36-year-old tech executive and Chief People Officer at Nousot, was found dead in October 2024 after falling over 20 stories in the stairwell of her luxury condo in Chicago. The Cook County Medical Examiner confirmed her death resulted from multiple injuries sustained in the fall, but the cause remains undetermined. Tracey's husband, Adam Beckerink, a Chicago tax attorney, was arrested on unrelated domestic violence charges months later, although police stated this was not directly linked to her death. Following the incident, Tracey's family has alleged that her husband engaged in a campaign of terror against her, claiming her body was "pulverised" in the fall. The family fought for custody of her remains, ultimately succeeding, while Beckerink faces multiple charges related to prior domestic violence incidents. The investigation into Tracey’s death is ongoing, with no suspects named. 
Published: May 20 2025, 11 ameznews.inBoredom, often perceived negatively, may actually serve as a beneficial state for mental health and creativity, according to recent research. While our brains engage various networks during boredom—such as the attention network, which diminishes as focus wanes, and the default mode network, which fosters introspection—the experience can provide essential downtime in an overstimulated world. This pause allows individuals to reset their sympathetic nervous system, which can become overwhelmed by constant engagement and information overload. Embracing periods of boredom can enhance creativity, promote independent thinking, and support emotional regulation, particularly amidst rising anxiety levels among youth. Experts advocate for integrating moments of stillness into our fast-paced lives, as these intervals can foster personal growth and mental well-being, ultimately aiding in the management of stress and anxiety. 
Published: May 20 2025, 11 am
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