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The United States has informed Qatar that the presence of Hamas leaders in Doha is no longer acceptable, following the group's rejection of a ceasefire and hostage release proposal. A senior US official revealed that this message was conveyed to Qatar after Hamas dismissed multiple proposals aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Qatar, which has hosted Hamas since 2012, was urged to reconsider the group's presence after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that relations with Hamas could not continue as usual. In response, Qatar reportedly asked Hamas leaders to leave about ten days ago, although three Hamas officials denied this claim. Amid increasing pressure from US lawmakers, who have called for the freezing of Hamas assets in Qatar, the Biden administration is preparing for a final push to end hostilities in the region, especially after Israel's retaliatory strikes have resulted in significant Palestinian casualties.
Published: Nov 09 2024, 4 ameznews.inSurvivors and families of victims gathered across Southeast and South Asia on Thursday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami, which claimed approximately 230,000 lives. The disaster, triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off Indonesia's Aceh province on December 26, 2004, unleashed waves reaching 57 feet, devastating coastlines in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, and beyond. In Indonesia, hundreds visited a mass grave in Ulee Lheue, with many mourning unidentified loved ones. Nurkhalis, who lost his entire family, expressed the enduring pain of that day. Memorials were also held in Sri Lanka, where a moment of silence was observed, and in India’s Tamil Nadu, where candles were lit. Thailand marked the occasion with religious rites, reflecting on the loss of 5,400 lives, including many tourists, in Phang Nga province, where local resident Urai Sirisuk mourned her daughter, vowing to stay away from the sea that took her.
Published: Dec 26 2024, 7 pmeznews.inA touching story of community support and cryptocurrency emerged from California, where Siqui Chen, co-founder of Runway Financial, made an emotional appeal on social media for donations to fund treatment for his daughter Mira's rare brain tumour. Inspired by Chen's plight, a blockchain enthusiast created the $MIRA meme coin to raise funds for her treatment. Within hours, donations surged, and the coin's value soared to an impressive $400,000, prompting Chen to pledge that all proceeds would go towards Mira’s care at the Hankinson Lab, where clinical trials are underway. Expressing profound gratitude, Chen stated that the overwhelming support had brought warmth and hope to his family during a challenging time. "Merry Christmas from all of us at the Chen family," he wrote, highlighting the kindness that emerged amid their struggle.
Published: Dec 26 2024, 8 pmeznews.inIn a landmark diplomatic year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded 2023 with a historic visit to Kuwait, marking the first trip by an Indian leader in 43 years, where he was awarded 'The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer.' This visit strengthened ties between India and Kuwait, establishing a strategic partnership across various sectors amid a complex Middle Eastern landscape. Simultaneously, India made strides in its relationship with China, resolving tensions from the 2020 Galwan crisis and agreeing on border patrols, though challenges persist due to China's regional ambitions. Modi's government has maintained a delicate balance in its foreign relations, cultivating ties with the US and Russia despite their geopolitical tensions. Domestically, India's relations with Bangladesh faced turbulence following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, while ties with other regional players stabilized. As India's global influence expands, it aims to amplify the voice of the Global South in international affairs.
Published: Dec 26 2024, 6 pmeznews.inElon Musk, the world's richest man, is set to establish his own company town in Texas as he relocates SpaceX's headquarters from California to Starbase, citing dissatisfaction with state laws regarding parental notification on children's name and pronoun changes. This decision follows Musk's earlier criticisms of California's "woke" policies and his move to Texas, which has become a hub for his ventures. The burgeoning Starbase community, home to around 500 residents, primarily SpaceX employees, is currently petitioning for municipal status, aiming to streamline local governance and amenities. Local officials, including Starbase's general manager, emphasize the need for infrastructure to support the growing workforce. However, the expansion has faced opposition, with environmental groups alleging SpaceX has violated regulations. If successful, SpaceX security manager Gunnar Milburn is expected to become the town's first mayor, marking another milestone in Musk's ambitious plans.
Published: Dec 26 2024, 6 pmeznews.inIn a festive twist in Fort Collins, Colorado, a stolen Baby Jesus statue from the Old Town Square nativity scene made a surprising return to a local fire station, just in time for Christmas. The statue had been missing since December 17, prompting the Fort Collins Police Department to release a photo of a blonde-haired suspect believed to be involved in the theft. However, the ceramic figure was returned days later, accompanied by an apology note from the anonymous thief expressing remorse for their "dumb mistake." While the statue was found with some fingers broken off, it remains uncertain when the damage occurred. The police have yet to identify the thief, despite the heartfelt gesture and community relief at the statue's return, which was celebrated by local firemen who shared a photo of the recovered figure on social media.
Published: Dec 26 2024, 5 pmeznews.inBangladesh has launched a commission to investigate the 2009 army mutiny, which resulted in a violent crackdown and numerous deaths, amid allegations of foreign involvement. The uprising, which began at the Bangladesh Rifles headquarters, saw soldiers seize weapons and kill fellow troops before being suppressed by the army. Previous investigations attributed the mutiny to long-standing grievances among soldiers regarding pay and treatment, but families of the deceased soldiers have since called for a reopening of the inquiry, accusing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of using the incident to undermine military power. They have also implicated India, which has yet to respond to these claims. Commission chief A.L.M. Fazlur Rahman stated the investigation aims to explore potential foreign conspiracies. Meanwhile, tensions between Bangladesh and India have escalated, with Dhaka requesting India's assistance in returning Hasina to face charges related to the violence.
Published: Dec 26 2024, 5 pmeznews.inA new video showcasing a Chinese stealth fighter jet, thought to be a 6th-generation strike aircraft, has surfaced on social media, raising concerns over its potential impact on regional security. With a tail-less design, the aircraft may evade detection by conventional radar systems, posing a significant threat to India, which currently lacks its own stealth fighter capabilities. Reports indicate that China has positioned its advanced J-20 stealth fighters close to the Indian border in Sikkim, approximately 150 km away. In response, India relies on its fleet of 36 French-built Rafale fighters, stationed near Hasimara in West Bengal, about 290 km from the J-20's location. The Chengdu J-20, also known as the Mighty Dragon, has been in service since 2017, and estimates suggest that China may have deployed around 250 of these stealth jets, complicating the strategic landscape in the region.
Published: Dec 26 2024, 5 pmeznews.inAn Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed near Aqtau, Kazakhstan, on Christmas Day, killing 38 of the 67 individuals on board. Initial investigations suggest the aircraft may have been accidentally hit by a Russian surface-to-air missile or anti-aircraft fire, with military experts noting shrapnel damage consistent with such impacts. Among the survivors were two young girls, aged 11 and 16. Eyewitness accounts described loud explosions prior to the crash, which occurred after the plane attempted to divert due to rejected landing requests. The aircraft's black box has been recovered, and an inquiry is underway, with the Kremlin urging patience for the investigation's conclusions. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev declared a day of mourning and emphasized the need for thorough investigations, while also mentioning adverse weather conditions as a possible factor. This incident raises concerns reminiscent of the 2014 downing of Malaysian Airlines MH-17 by Russian-backed forces.
Published: Dec 26 2024, 5 pmeznews.inAuthorities in Russia's Krasnodar region have declared a region-wide emergency due to ongoing oil pollution along the coastline, ten days after two aging tankers were damaged in a storm on December 15. One tanker split in half while the other ran aground, resulting in oil washing ashore at popular resort areas like Anapa, affecting local wildlife including seabirds and marine mammals. Over 10,000 people are involved in cleanup efforts, with Governor Veniamin Kondratiev stating that initial assessments underestimated the oil's spread, as warmer weather caused it to surface. A crisis center reported that divers would soon inspect the submerged bow of the Volgoneft-239 for potential leaks. To date, 256 square kilometers of the coast have been surveyed, and 25 tons of oil-water sludge have been collected in the effort to mitigate the environmental impact.
Published: Dec 26 2024, 4 pmeznews.inTesla CEO Elon Musk celebrated the festive season by sharing a playful photo of himself dressed as Santa Claus on his social media platform X. The image, captioned "Ozempic Santa," features Musk in traditional red-and-white attire, complete with a Santa beard, standing proudly in front of a large Christmas tree. He humorously compared his appearance to a character from the film "Cocaine Bear," while also revealing his use of Mounjaro, a diabetes medication similar to Ozempic, which he claims is more effective with fewer side effects. Musk's endorsement of GLP-1 inhibitors, designed for blood sugar regulation but now popular for weight loss, has garnered attention, including praise from Whoopi Goldberg, who credited Mounjaro for her own significant weight loss. Musk, who has previously used Wegovy, continues to advocate for these medications as a solution to obesity.
Published: Dec 26 2024, 2 pm
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