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The Pentagon has announced plans to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Syria to fewer than 1,000 in the coming months, as part of a strategic consolidation of forces. This decision reflects a shift in focus following significant defeats of the Islamic State (IS) group, which had once captured large territories amid Syria's civil war. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell emphasized that U.S. Central Command would remain ready to conduct strikes against IS remnants, despite the troop reduction. The U.S. has been involved in Syria since 2014, supporting local forces like the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against IS. Although President Trump previously expressed skepticism about U.S. involvement in Syria, the U.S. military presence has persisted. Meanwhile, Iraq is also moving towards ending its coalition mission with the U.S., with plans to conclude by 2025. 
Published: Apr 19 2025, 5 ameznews.inKulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian national imprisoned in Pakistan on espionage charges, has been denied the right to appeal his conviction, as reported by Pakistani newspaper _Dawn_. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in June 2019 that Jadhav had the right to consular access and ordered Pakistan to review his death sentence. However, the ruling did not extend to an appeal process. During a recent Supreme Court proceeding concerning Pakistani citizens convicted in connection with protests over former Prime Minister Imran Khan's arrest, Pakistan's Defence Ministry lawyer Khawaja Haris Ahmed noted the disparity in appeal rights, highlighting that Jadhav was granted an appeal option that was not available to those convicted in the May 2023 riots. India maintains that Jadhav was abducted from Iran, while Pakistan insists he was arrested in Balochistan. The ICJ has mandated that Jadhav's execution be suspended until a proper review occurs.
Published: Apr 19 2025, 6 pmeznews.inA recent study published in *Frontiers in Oncology* provides compelling evidence for the role of medical cannabis in cancer treatment, suggesting it may alleviate symptoms and potentially combat the disease itself. Led by Ryan Castle from the Whole Health Oncology Institute, the analysis reviewed over 10,000 studies, surpassing previous research scales, to establish a scientific consensus amid ongoing debates. Despite challenges posed by cannabis's legal status limiting clinical trials, the study incorporated various observational and laboratory-based research, revealing cannabis's effectiveness in managing symptoms like nausea and appetite loss, as well as its potential to inhibit cancer cell growth. While some experts, including oncologist Donald Abrams, remain skeptical about cannabis as a cancer cure, Castle is hopeful that the findings will encourage the US Drug Enforcement Administration to reconsider cannabis's federal classification, thus facilitating further research.
Published: Apr 19 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA Texas man, Jaime Adrian Contreras, 39, has been charged with the murder and disembowelment of his 74-year-old father, Victor Gerardo Contreras, according to the El Paso Police Department. The gruesome incident occurred on April 12, when Victor Martin Contreras discovered his father's body, which bore multiple stab wounds and was found on a blood-soaked sheet in his bedroom. Jaime allegedly told police he believed aliens had harvested his father's organs and claimed Victor was "in heaven." Relatives reported that Victor had expressed concerns about Jaime's erratic behavior, including threats against him and the killing of his pets. A neighbor also noted Jaime's unusual conduct, including yelling in the street. Currently, Jaime is being held at the El Paso County Detention facility on a $2 million bond.
Published: Apr 19 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn the besieged Gaza Strip, families facing severe food shortages are resorting to eating sea turtles as a rare protein source amid an escalating humanitarian crisis. Majida Qanan, 61, who has prepared turtle meals for her displaced family living in a tent in Khan Yunis, said that while some children were hesitant, she assured them it tasted like veal. With the United Nations warning that famine is likely unfolding across the territory, many residents are struggling to find basic food supplies. The ongoing Israeli blockade and accusations of aid diversion by Hamas have exacerbated the situation. Fisherman Abdel Halim Qanan noted that the turtles, caught in fishermen's nets, are prepared in accordance with Islamic rites. He lamented the dire circumstances that have led them to consume what they never expected to eat, highlighting the desperate need for aid as the humanitarian crisis deepens.
Published: Apr 19 2025, 4 pmeznews.inOpenAI's newly launched o3 and o4-mini AI models are reportedly experiencing a higher frequency of hallucinations compared to the company's earlier reasoning models, according to a report from TechCrunch. Released on April 16, these models are designed to analyze questions before responding, yet internal tests reveal they fabricate information more often than non-reasoning counterparts like GPT-4o. OpenAI has acknowledged the need for further research to understand this phenomenon, with a former employee suggesting that the reinforcement learning techniques employed may exacerbate existing issues. While hallucinations can foster creativity, experts warn they could hinder business adoption in a market where accuracy is crucial. OpenAI aims to compete against tech giants such as Google and Meta, with the o3 model achieving a 69.1% score on the SWE-bench coding test, and o4-mini scoring 68.1%. Meanwhile, a separate study has indicated that frequent ChatGPT users may experience increased loneliness.
Published: Apr 19 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIsrael has not dismissed the possibility of attacking Iran's nuclear facilities in the coming months, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's reluctance to support such action, according to Israeli officials. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized the need for any negotiations with Iran to result in the complete dismantling of its nuclear program. As U.S. and Iranian negotiators prepare for a second round of talks in Rome, Israeli sources indicate that Israel has proposed various military options, including limited airstrikes and commando operations. Although these plans would require less U.S. backing than previous proposals, they still necessitate assurances from Washington for Israel’s defense against potential Iranian retaliation. Amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts, Israeli officials express urgency in countering Iran's nuclear ambitions, while Tehran warns that any attack would provoke a severe response. The Biden administration has previously pushed back against more extensive military plans, advocating for diplomatic solutions instead.
Published: Apr 19 2025, 2 pmeznews.inUK author J.K. Rowling has ignited controversy following her social media celebration of a Supreme Court ruling that defines women as those identified by "biological sex." The ruling, delivered on April 16, 2025, has significant implications for trans women and has reignited debates surrounding trans rights. Rowling referred to the decision as "TERF VE Day," a term that has drawn backlash from trans rights advocates. In her post, she expressed satisfaction, stating, "I love it when a plan comes together." Critics argue that the ruling undermines the rights of transgender individuals, while supporters view it as a victory for women's rights. Rowling, who has evolved into a prominent figure for gender-critical campaigners, previously faced backlash for her comments on gender identity and has described herself as a survivor of domestic abuse and sexual assault, stating that her views are informed by her experiences.
Published: Apr 19 2025, 2 pmeznews.inTech entrepreneur Elon Musk, a close associate of former US President Donald Trump, has announced plans to visit India later this year following a phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Musk expressed his enthusiasm for the trip on social media, stating, "It was an honour to speak with PM Modi." Their discussions covered various topics, including technology and innovation, which were also highlighted during Modi's visit to Washington earlier this year. The significance of their dialogue is underscored by the ongoing US-China trade tensions, with China seeking to strengthen ties with India. Musk's interests in India include expanding Tesla's presence in the electric car market and launching Starlink internet services. Tesla is already making strides in India, having rented space in Mumbai and exploring additional locations in Delhi, as both nations work towards a beneficial trade agreement that could enhance Tesla's competitive edge in the Indian market.
Published: Apr 19 2025, 2 pmeznews.inAs Canada gears up for its federal election on April 28, 2025, the candidates' views on U.S. President Donald Trump have become central to the campaign. Interim Prime Minister Mark Carney of the Liberal Party has positioned himself as a protector against Trump, emphasizing the risks he poses to Canada’s sovereignty and economy. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has distanced himself from Trump while advocating for a "Canada First" approach, blaming previous Liberal governments for failing to mitigate U.S. influence in Canadian energy. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has been a staunch critic of Trump, urging the government to disinvite him from the G7 Summit due to his criminal convictions and harmful policies. Meanwhile, Yves-François Blanchet of the Bloc Québécois has focused on defending Quebec’s cultural identity against Trump's administration. As the election nears, these divergent stances on U.S.-Canada relations are set to shape voter sentiment.
Published: Apr 19 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn a significant step towards financial modernization amid the looming threats of climate change, Tuvalu, a remote Pacific island nation, has launched its first ATMs at the National Bank of Tuvalu in Funafuti. This initiative, which aims to enhance banking access for its 12,000 residents, comes after years of reliance on cash transactions, often leading to long queues on payday. The rollout, initiated in 2021 and costing over A$3 million, was described by bank general manager Siose Penitala Teo as a historic transition for the nation. Alongside this advancement, Tuvalu is also creating a digital replica of the country to preserve its culture and legal rights as rising sea levels threaten its existence. This dual approach reflects the government's determination to safeguard both its financial future and its cultural heritage in the face of environmental challenges.
Published: Apr 19 2025, 12 pm
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