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The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has called on the Ugandan government to release opposition leader Kizza Besigye following his alleged abduction in Kenya on November 16, 2024. Besigye, a prominent critic of President Yoweri Museveni, was forcibly returned to Uganda and has since been held incommunicado before appearing in a military court facing serious charges, including illegal firearms possession, which could lead to the death penalty. His lawyer, Erias Lukwago, stated that Besigye denied the allegations and argued that he should not be tried in a military tribunal. Besigye's wife, Winnie Byanyima, raised concerns about his kidnapping during a book launch in Nairobi. Turk condemned the abduction of opposition figures and highlighted the need for investigations, emphasizing that civilians should not be subjected to military court proceedings, a practice criticized by the UN Human Rights Committee.
Published: Nov 21 2024, 6 pmeznews.inStorm Bert has caused significant disruption across Ireland and Britain, leading to severe flooding and power outages. In Donegal, torrential rains transformed streets into rushing rivers, raising public safety concerns. Translink, Northern Ireland's public transport provider, has warned of "severe disruption" due to extensive damage to railway infrastructure. The storm left around 60,000 properties in Ireland without electricity and resulted in road closures, as well as the suspension of ferry and train services across the Irish Sea. The UK Met Office issued warnings for snow and ice, particularly affecting Scotland and parts of northern and central England, where up to 40 centimetres of snow is expected. Ferry services were cancelled on several routes, and Newcastle airport experienced flight disruptions due to heavy snowfall. Power restoration efforts are underway in both Ireland and Britain, although many areas remain affected.
Published: Nov 24 2024, 1 ameznews.inIsraeli military strikes in the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of at least 120 Palestinians in the past 48 hours, including seven members of a single family in Gaza City's Zeitoun suburb, according to Palestinian medics. The strikes have also targeted a hospital in northern Gaza, injuring medical staff and damaging vital equipment. Amidst the escalating violence, a Hamas spokesperson claimed that a female Israeli hostage had been killed in the attacks, a report the Israeli military is currently investigating. Israel maintains its operations aim to thwart Hamas attacks, while locals fear a strategy of depopulation in the region. The ongoing conflict, which has claimed over 44,000 lives since its onset on October 7, 2023, continues with little progress towards a ceasefire, as negotiations remain stalled amid mutual accusations and a refusal to compromise.
Published: Nov 24 2024, 1 ameznews.inExternal Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar criticized the impact of globalization on India's economy during a virtual address at the 8th India Idea Conclave in Bengaluru, emphasizing the need to protect domestic industries from unfair foreign competition. He noted that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have suffered for decades due to subsidized imports, asserting that the Modi government's 'Make in India' initiative marks a shift from mere aspiration to a firm commitment. Jaishankar highlighted the importance of the semiconductor industry for India's future and stated that the government is now cautious in foreign direct investment (FDI) negotiations, prioritizing national security and social implications. He also pointed to the successful strengthening of India's ties in the Middle East, challenging the notion that close relations with Israel would alienate other regional players. The conclave, themed 'Building Brand Bharath,' will conclude on November 24.
Published: Nov 24 2024, 1 ameznews.inHamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, announced on Saturday that an Israeli woman taken hostage during the October 2023 attack has been killed in northern Gaza, where Israeli military operations are ongoing. Spokesman Abu Obeida reported that contact with the woman's captors had been re-established after a weeks-long hiatus, revealing her death, though details regarding the timing and circumstances remain unclear. The Israeli military is currently investigating this claim. The woman was reportedly held alongside another female hostage, whose life is now at risk. Since the attack, which resulted in 1,206 deaths, mostly civilians, Hamas has taken 251 hostages, with 97 still in captivity. The Israeli government faces growing pressure to negotiate the release of remaining hostages, as a campaign group expressed reliance solely on information from the Israeli army following Hamas's announcement.
Published: Nov 23 2024, 11 pmeznews.inShou Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok, has reportedly sought advice from Elon Musk regarding U.S. matters, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. In recent weeks, Chew reached out to Musk, a close adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, to discuss various issues, including the incoming administration and potential tech policy. While the two have not addressed specific strategies for keeping TikTok operational in the U.S., ByteDance's senior leadership has been kept informed of these discussions and remains cautiously optimistic about a positive outcome. Prior to the U.S. election, ByteDance executives engaged with both Trump allies and those close to Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Notably, Trump, who attempted to ban TikTok in 2020, has indicated that he would not pursue such measures if re-elected in November.
Published: Nov 23 2024, 11 pmeznews.inAn Israeli air strike in Beirut on Saturday resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people and left 63 others injured after targeting a residential building in the working-class Basta neighborhood. Although a Lebanese security source claimed the strike was aimed at a senior Hezbollah figure, a Hezbollah lawmaker denied any officials were present. The attack, which struck without prior evacuation warnings, was part of a broader Israeli military campaign against Hezbollah, which has intensified since late September. In addition to the Beirut strike, Israeli forces also targeted eastern Lebanon, killing eight, including children. The ongoing conflict, exacerbated by the war in Gaza following Hamas's attack on Israel, has led to over 3,650 deaths in Lebanon since October 2023. Meanwhile, U.S. officials are seeking a diplomatic resolution to the escalating violence, emphasizing the need for humanitarian improvements in Gaza, where conditions remain dire.
Published: Nov 24 2024, 12 ameznews.inTomoaki Hamatsu, known as Nasubi, has recounted the harrowing details of his 15-month experience on the extreme Japanese game show _'A Life In Prizes'_, which aired in 1998 and captivated up to 30 million viewers at its peak. During this time, Nasubi was isolated in an empty apartment, forced to compete in tasks to win basic necessities like food, often resorting to eating dog food. Unbeknownst to him, his actions were broadcast nationwide while he remained naked throughout the ordeal. Now 48, Nasubi shares his story in the Hulu documentary _The Contestant_, directed by Clair Titley, who sought to explore the deeper implications of his experience. Nasubi described feeling overwhelmed by loneliness and confusion, stating that the hardest part was the isolation, which left lasting effects on his mental state. His journey raises pressing questions about the ethics of reality television and the psychological toll it can take on participants.
Published: Nov 23 2024, 9 pmeznews.inElon Musk, appointed by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has issued a stark warning about the potential for U.S. bankruptcy due to excessive spending. Musk, a close adviser to Trump, expressed his concerns on social media, highlighting that the U.S. government spent $6.16 trillion in 2023 while only generating $4.47 trillion in revenue. In response to this alarming trend, the DOGE account emphasized the need to balance the budget. Trump, who has previously suggested using Bitcoin to address the national debt, now relies on Musk and fellow businessman Vivek Ramaswamy for strategies to curb spending. With the national debt surpassing $34 trillion, largely due to pandemic-related stimulus measures, Musk stated that "excess government spending is driving America into bankruptcy," calling the current debt growth "unsustainable." The DOGE name nods to the popular Dogecoin cryptocurrency, favored by Musk.
Published: Nov 23 2024, 8 pmeznews.inA US judge has declined to sanction Elon Musk for missing a scheduled meeting with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to watch a rocket launch, stating that he had agreed to reimburse the agency for travel costs incurred by three lawyers. US District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley ruled that Musk's absence was moot since he later complied with the order and met with SEC officials on October 3. The SEC had sought sanctions, arguing that Musk's disregard for the court order warranted a reminder of its seriousness. Musk's attorney defended his absence, citing an urgent obligation related to SpaceX, while Musk offered to cover the $2,923 in travel expenses. The SEC is investigating whether Musk violated securities laws by delaying the disclosure of his Twitter stock accumulation in 2022, which critics claim allowed him to buy shares at a lower price before announcing his acquisition of the company.
Published: Nov 23 2024, 7 pmeznews.inIn a chilling act of intimidation reminiscent of mafia films, a severed horse's head was discovered on the property of a Sicilian businessman in Altofonte, near Palermo. The gruesome find, which also included the body of a pregnant cow and her calf, was left on the seat of a digger owned by the construction contractor. Local mayor Angela De Luca expressed her horror, stating, "I can't comprehend such barbarity," and likening the act to medieval brutality. This incident has reignited concerns on the island, particularly following the recent release of over 20 mafia bosses from prison. Such tactics, which include delivering dismembered animal bodies, are common methods used by the mafia to instill fear and target victims' emotional connections to their animals. Previous incidents include a goat's head found at a construction entrepreneur's home and a pig's head hung at a police station in Messina.
Published: Nov 23 2024, 5 pm
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