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US President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, faced scrutiny during his Senate confirmation hearing when he struggled to identify the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Senator Tammy Duckworth challenged Hegseth, questioning his qualifications after he failed to name any ASEAN members and instead mentioned allies in South Korea, Japan, and Australia. Duckworth, who has personal ties to the region, criticized Hegseth's lack of knowledge, suggesting he needed to do more homework. The hearing also brought to light allegations of sexual misconduct and workplace issues against Hegseth, raising concerns about his suitability for the role. Despite his military background, Hegseth's lack of diplomatic experience has drawn mixed reactions, with some supporters downplaying the importance of ASEAN while critics emphasized that such basic knowledge is essential for leading the Pentagon. 
Published: Jan 15 2025, 7 pmeznews.inOn Christmas Day in 1991, the Soviet Union's hammer-and-sickle flag was lowered for the last time over the Kremlin, marking the dissolution of the USSR into Russia and fourteen independent nations, including Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Mikhail Gorbachev resigned, leaving Boris Yeltsin as President of Russia, a moment etched in the memories of those born before the 1980s. This event echoed a similar historical fracture 130 years earlier, when the United States split into two entities—the Union and the Confederate States of America (CSA)—following the election of Abraham Lincoln, who opposed slavery. The CSA, formed by eleven southern states, declared independence but was never recognized as a separate nation. The ensuing American Civil War lasted nearly five years, ultimately resulting in the Union's victory and the re-establishment of control over the southern states, paving the way for the United States to grow into its current 50-state form.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 9 pmeznews.inNASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has captured a remarkable image of frozen sand dunes in the northern hemisphere of Mars, shaped like kidney beans. Taken by the High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera in September 2022 and released recently, this photograph could provide insights into whether conditions on Mars once supported life. Unlike Earth's dynamic dunes, these Martian formations remain static, encased in a layer of carbon dioxide frost during winter, when temperatures can plummet to -123 degrees Celsius. This frost inhibits sand movement until spring thaw. Recent studies suggest that microbes may thrive beneath the icy surface, where sunlight could enable photosynthesis, and research indicates that Mars' magnetic field may have persisted longer than previously believed, potentially supporting life until 3.9 billion years ago, overlapping with when water covered the surface. This evidence positions Mars as a significant candidate for past life.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 6 pmeznews.inDonald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States is set for January 20 at the US Capitol, attracting a host of global leaders and influential figures. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a supporter of Trump's policies, plans to attend, while Chinese President Xi Jinping will send a high-level envoy. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and El Salvador President Nayib Bukele are also invited, with Bukele attending in person. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya aims to strengthen ties with the new administration through his attendance, and India will be represented by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The event will also see notable figures such as former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, alongside billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. Joe Biden will attend, brushing off any controversy as "childish games."
Published: Jan 15 2025, 6 pmeznews.inDuring his election campaign, Donald Trump suggested that Gaza could be transformed into a prosperous region, likening it to Monaco due to its prime location and resources. His remarks, echoed by son-in-law Jared Kushner, hinted at potential business opportunities but overlooked the severe humanitarian crisis affecting Gaza's 2.3 million residents, who are largely dependent on international aid. The ongoing conflict has devastated infrastructure and left many homeless, with rebuilding efforts projected to take decades and require billions of dollars. As ceasefire talks continue amidst persistent airstrikes, the future remains uncertain. Israel maintains that Hamas is responsible for Gaza's dire conditions, complicating any reconstruction plans. The economic toll has been staggering, particularly in the West Bank, where unemployment has surged. Amidst this turmoil, India advocates for dialogue and a two-state solution, emphasizing that any meaningful recovery will need to address deep-rooted political and humanitarian challenges.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 6 pmeznews.inA viral video falsely claims that pop star Taylor Swift attributed the recent wildfires in Los Angeles to "divine retribution" for U.S. support of Israel during the Gaza conflict. However, this video is a deepfake, created using artificial intelligence to manipulate Swift's likeness and voice. Analysis revealed that the footage was sourced from her November 2021 appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," predating both the wildfires and the escalation of violence in Gaza. Investigations by fact-checking organizations, including the Deepfakes Analysis Unit, confirmed significant audio manipulation, with detection tools indicating a high probability of AI involvement. The ongoing wildfires have had devastating effects, resulting in at least 24 fatalities and financial losses estimated between $250 billion and $275 billion. Swift has not made any comments regarding the wildfires, and the claims circulating on social media are entirely fabricated.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn the wake of devastating fires in Pasadena and Altadena, Los Angeles, the emotional toll on residents is palpable as they confront the remnants of their homes, now reduced to ruins. Wandering through deserted streets, one can see the stark contrast of intact homes next to charred remains, embodying the randomness of destruction. Kristin, a long-time resident, expressed heartbreak over losing her family’s cherished possessions and the fabric of her community, now vanished. Amidst the chaos, a sense of camaraderie has emerged, as locals band together to support those affected, including many in the animation industry who have lost everything. Despite the uncertainty of future fires, families strive to maintain normalcy for their children, balancing vigilance with hope. Community-driven efforts, like GoFundMe campaigns, illustrate resilience, as residents grapple with loss while fostering a renewed sense of humanity and gratitude in the face of adversity.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inRujm el-Hiri, an ancient basalt structure in the Golan Heights, has been shifting significantly since its construction nearly 5,000 years ago, prompting scientific inquiry into its movement and purpose. A recent study in the journal _Remote Sensing_ reveals that tectonic shifts in the region have caused the monument to drift nearly 10 metres over the past 4,000 years, altering its original alignment. Previously thought to be an ancient observatory, researchers found that the current orientation of Rujm el-Hiri's gateways and walls differs markedly from their positions between 3,500 BC and 2,500 BC, undermining earlier theories. Satellite surveys indicate that Rujm el-Hiri is part of a larger network of ancient structures, featuring burial mounds and circular enclosures. The study emphasizes the need for further excavation to uncover the reasons behind the monument's substantial investment and its complex historical significance.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inControversial influencer Andrew Tate is facing legal action from UK lawmaker Sorcha Eastwood, who has filed a lawsuit over derogatory social media posts made by Tate and his brother, Tristan. Eastwood, an MP for the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, announced the legal proceedings following the Tates' posts on January 10, 2025, which came just a day after she publicly revealed her status as a "survivor of abuse" during a parliamentary debate on violence against women. Eastwood highlighted the alarming safety issues for women in Northern Ireland, recounting a disturbing incident where a member of the public threatened her during a school visit. Meanwhile, a Romanian court has lifted a house arrest order on Andrew Tate, who had faced serious allegations, including trafficking and money laundering, since a raid on his home in August 2024.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 3 pmeznews.inA Russian cargo vessel, the Vasily Shukshin, has sparked alarm after it loitered near critical undersea communication cables off Taiwan's coast for over three weeks. The Belize-flagged ship, which departed from Russia's Vostochnyy port on December 8 and briefly stopped in South Korea, was observed navigating near Taiwan's Fangshan cable landing station before returning directly to Russia on January 14. Experts, including Ray Powell from Stanford University's SeaLight, have described the vessel's behavior as unusual, raising suspicions of potential sabotage or espionage targeting vital global communication infrastructure. While the Taiwan Coast Guard confirmed that the cables were not damaged, the incident aligns with a troubling pattern of Russian and Chinese vessels near undersea cables in various regions, prompting NATO to enhance surveillance and protection measures for these critical assets. The implications of such actions could threaten international communication and economic stability.
Published: Jan 15 2025, 3 pm
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