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The iconic Resolute Desk, a symbol of American political history used by many presidents, has been temporarily replaced in the Oval Office by the C&O Desk, as announced by President Donald Trump on his social media platform, Truth Social. Trump explained that the Resolute Desk, which has been in use since 1880 and was gifted by Queen Victoria, is undergoing light refinishing. The C&O Desk, previously used by President George H.W. Bush, serves as a notable substitute during this period. The Resolute Desk, made from timbers of the British ship HMS Resolute, has been central to significant moments in U.S. history, including being the desk on which Elon Musk's son famously made headlines during a live media address. The desk has been utilized by nearly every president since its introduction, except for Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Gerald R. Ford. 
Published: Feb 21 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA Hong Kong-based company, CK Infrastructure, has made a preliminary bid of £7 billion ($8.8 billion) for a majority stake in Thames Water, a UK water supplier grappling with significant debt. The non-binding offer was submitted earlier this month, with expectations that bondholders will need to accept substantial writedowns. This development follows a UK court's approval of a £3 billion emergency loan to Thames Water, which is burdened by £16 billion in debt, providing a temporary reprieve as the company seeks funding to avoid a costly state bailout. Thames Water, which serves 16 million customers, has attracted interest from various private buyers, including Covalis Capital, which has proposed a £1 billion buyout, and KKR, which has made a £4 billion offer. The company, partially owned by Canadian and British pension funds, has not commented on the bid.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 1 pmeznews.inGermany is gearing up for a crucial parliamentary election on February 23, following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government in December due to budget disagreements. Central to the election are pressing issues such as the struggling economy, migration, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The ruling coalition, which included the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP), disintegrated after Scholz dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner, who had resisted fiscal reforms. Key candidates include Scholz, facing criticism for his economic management; Friedrich Merz of the CDU/CSU, who has controversially accepted support from the far-right AfD; and Alice Weidel, the AfD leader advocating for stricter immigration policies. Recent polls show the CDU/CSU leading with 29% support, followed by the AfD at 21% and the SPD at 16%. Voting will take place from 8 am to 6 pm, with initial results expected shortly after polls close.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 1 pmeznews.inHamas has released two Israeli hostages, Tal Shoham and Avaru Mengistu, to officials from the Red Cross, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict. The two men were publicly displayed on stage before their transfer to the humanitarian organization, which is known for facilitating such exchanges during conflicts. This event underscores the complex dynamics of hostage situations in the region, as both sides navigate the humanitarian implications amidst ongoing tensions. Further details surrounding the circumstances of their capture and release are expected to emerge as the situation develops. This story is still unfolding, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 2 pmeznews.inMicrosoft has unveiled Majorana 1, a pioneering quantum chip that aims to make industrial-scale quantum computing a reality within a few years. Utilizing a novel Topological Core architecture, Majorana 1 employs topoconductors to stabilize and control Majorana particles, enhancing qubit reliability and scalability. This advancement positions quantum computing as a potential game-changer in fields such as healthcare, climate science, and cybersecurity, enabling complex problem-solving at unprecedented speeds. Microsoft envisions building quantum computers with a million qubits, a critical threshold for tackling real-world challenges. While experts express excitement, they emphasize the need for additional data to evaluate the chip's long-term impact. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella believes this breakthrough could accelerate the timeline for practical quantum computing, potentially transforming various sectors, including medicine, agriculture, and manufacturing, by driving productivity and economic growth.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe community of Kibbutz Nir Oz mourned the confirmed death of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas, whose remains were returned from Gaza as part of a fragile ceasefire and a seventh hostage-prisoner exchange. Bibas, abducted on October 7, was killed in captivity alongside her two young sons, whose bodies were also returned on Thursday, sparking grief and anger among Israelis. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Hamas, accusing them of the children's murder, while Hamas acknowledged a potential mix-up in the remains due to Israeli bombings. The ongoing ceasefire has allowed for the release of 19 living Israeli hostages in exchange for over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners, with six more living hostages set to be exchanged on Saturday. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 48,319 reported dead in Gaza and 1,214 in Israel since the war began.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 12 pmeznews.inUS transgender actress Hunter Schafer, renowned for her role in HBO's "Euphoria," has expressed her outrage after her passport gender marker was changed from female to male. In a TikTok video, Schafer attributed the modification to policies implemented by the Trump administration, which she claims have marginalized gender diversity. Despite holding identity documents marked female for nearly a decade, she was shocked to discover the change when renewing her passport, which had been stolen last year. The Trump administration's stance, which recognizes only two genders and prohibits non-binary markers, has been a significant factor in Schafer's experience. She emphasized that her identity remains unchanged and criticized the administration's impact on transgender rights, declaring, "Trans people are never going to stop existing." As the issue of transgender rights intensifies in the US, Schafer's situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the community amid a broader cultural debate.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 12 pmeznews.inVishvaa Rajakumar, a 20-year-old student from Manakula Vinayagar Institute of Technology in Puducherry, has triumphed at the Memory League World Championship, showcasing remarkable recall abilities by memorizing 80 random digits in just 13.50 seconds and 30 images in 8.53 seconds. Competing against 16 participants in an online tournament, Rajakumar utilized a rigorous preparation strategy focused on hydration, emphasizing its importance for mental clarity during memorization tasks. The championship, which ran from January 5 to February 2, featured a double-elimination format where competitors faced off in five-round matches. Rajakumar revealed plans to become a memory trainer and establish a memory institution in India to share his techniques. The official Memory League website details the competition structure and highlights the skills of the top-ranked memory athletes worldwide, underscoring the event's significance in the realm of competitive memory sports.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 12 pmeznews.inTensions between Iran and Israel have escalated sharply, with senior military officials from both nations exchanging stark threats. Iranian General Ebrahim Jabbari of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced plans for "Operation True Promise 3," vowing to destroy Israel, including its major cities, at a strategically chosen moment. His warnings follow similar declarations from other IRGC leaders and coincide with increased missile production and a significant shipment of rocket fuel from China. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar emphasized the historical lessons of such threats, asserting Israel's readiness for conflict. Meanwhile, Colin Winston, a former CIA official, suggested that the time is ripe for a US-Israeli military strike on Iran's nuclear capabilities, as Iran reportedly enriches uranium to levels that could facilitate rapid weaponization. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi cautioned that any attack on Iran's nuclear facilities would trigger "all-out war" in the region.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 10 ameznews.inBuriticupu, a city in Brazil's northeastern Amazon, is facing a crisis as massive sinkholes threaten to engulf parts of the community. The municipal government has declared a state of emergency, with approximately 1,200 residents at risk of losing their homes as these sinkholes, or "vocoroca," deepen. An emergency decree highlighted the rapid expansion of these geological formations, which have already destroyed several buildings. This issue has been developing over the past three decades due to soil erosion exacerbated by heavy rains, deforestation, and poor urban planning. Local geographer Marcelino Farias warns that the situation worsens during rainy seasons, while 65-year-old resident Antonia dos Anjos expresses her fears of further sinkholes emerging. Lucas Conceicao, the city’s public works secretary, acknowledged the municipality's struggle to address the complex challenges posed by the sinkholes and the need for relocation of those in danger.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 10 ameznews.inUS Senator Adam Schiff has vocally opposed Kash Patel's confirmation as FBI director, branding him a "political hack" and "sycophant" unworthy of the position. Despite this criticism and the presence of several Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats protesting outside FBI headquarters, the Senate confirmed Patel to lead the agency on Thursday. Schiff argued that Patel's only qualification stems from his willingness to engage in morally and ethically questionable actions during the Trump administration. In response, Patel accused Schiff of being "the worst criminal in Congress in the last 250 years," a sentiment echoed by billionaire Elon Musk. Schiff, who has a long history in public service, including leading the impeachment inquiry against Trump, was recently elected to the Senate after serving in the House of Representatives, where he championed various legislative efforts, including the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Published: Feb 22 2025, 11 am
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