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A small village in Brazil, Serrinha dos Pintos, is grappling with Spoan syndrome, a rare hereditary illness that progressively weakens the nervous system. A 2010 study led by geneticist Silvana Santos revealed that over 30% of couples in the village are related, a factor that significantly increases the likelihood of passing on the mutated gene responsible for the syndrome. Santos, who first visited the remote community over 20 years ago, was prompted by reports of children losing their ability to walk. Her extensive research, which included gathering DNA samples and engaging with local families, established a direct link between intermarriage and the syndrome's prevalence. The first scientific study on Spoan syndrome was published in 2005, and Santos' work has since reshaped public perception of the condition, earning her recognition as one of the BBC's 100 most influential women in 2024. While there is no cure, her efforts have brought attention to this previously unrecognized disease. 
Published: May 12 2025, 1 pmeznews.inA British couple, aged 78 and 58, tragically died in a car accident in Spain when their Ferrari 488 veered off a mountain road and plunged into the Yuso River. The incident occurred at approximately 2 pm on May 10 during a rally involving around 20 Ferrari owners, all with UK plates, who had arrived in León the day prior. Emergency services faced challenges reaching the wreckage, which was partially submerged, as they had to clear dense riverside vegetation. Disturbing images showed the car overturned in the water, with personal belongings still inside, including a sunhat. The cause of death remains unclear, with suggestions that a medical emergency may have contributed. Local residents highlighted the difficulty of handling the powerful supercar on the winding N-621 road, known for its stunning yet treacherous scenery. 
Published: May 12 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe French government has dismissed accusations that President Emmanuel Macron was caught using cocaine on a train during a trip to Kyiv with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The leaders were en route to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss a ceasefire with Russia when far-right and pro-Russian social media accounts began circulating videos suggesting illicit drug use. The Elysee Palace condemned the claims as a "coordinated disinformation campaign" aimed at undermining European unity, stating, "When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs." The controversy arose as Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed a willingness to resume peace talks with Ukraine, which Zelensky welcomed as a "positive sign" towards ending the conflict. 
Published: May 12 2025, 5 pmeznews.inNorth Carolina Representative Tim Moore has unveiled a hidden tunnel beneath the US Capitol in a video shared on X. The tunnel, accessible from the historic Lincoln Room—once the House's post office during Abraham Lincoln's presidency—features a staircase that was sealed off over time. Moore highlighted the room's significance, noting that Lincoln often sat by its fireplace to read letters. He suggested that the tunnel may have been used by British soldiers during their 1814 attack on Washington, D.C. The structure of the Capitol began in the 1700s, with the building officially completed in 1826 after being set ablaze during the War of 1812. Moore's video also showcased signatures etched into the walls of the staircase, hinting at its storied past. "You can see there's a passageway," he remarked, inviting viewers to explore one of the Capitol's many hidden secrets. 
Published: May 12 2025, 2 pmeznews.inA US Navy officer, Lieutenant Commander Christopher Olsen, has been charged with murder and obstruction of justice following the death of his wife, Jessica "Jesse" Arguinzoni Olsen, whose body was discovered in a Fukuoka hotel room on October 27, 2023. The 37-year-old was found strangled, with evidence of blunt force injuries consistent with homicide. Surveillance footage showed the couple checking into the Hotel SOL on October 25, but Olsen was seen leaving alone two days later. Initially questioned but not arrested, he now faces a court martial, with potential penalties including confinement, dishonourable discharge, or the death penalty. Jesse's family has expressed frustration over the lengthy legal process, highlighting a lack of communication and clarity regarding the next steps. The couple, who married in 2009, had seemingly hidden marital issues from friends and family, raising concerns about their relationship prior to the tragedy. 
Published: May 12 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Pakistani military has controversially described Hafiz Abdur Rauf, a US-designated global terrorist, as an ordinary citizen and religious leader, despite his prominent role in leading the funeral for terrorists killed in Indian airstrikes during Operation Sindoor. Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Pakistan's military spokesperson, presented Rauf's National Identity Card, claiming he is an official of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League's Welfare Wing. However, Rauf is a senior leader of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation, both under US and UN sanctions. The funeral, attended by high-ranking military officers and conducted with military protocol, has raised questions about state support for terrorists. India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted the discrepancies between Pakistan's narrative and the evidence, underscoring a long-standing pattern of the Pakistani state downplaying its links to terrorism. 
Published: May 12 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndia has released videos showcasing the damage inflicted on Pakistani military air bases during Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in retaliation for a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Air Marshal AK Bharti, the Director General of Air Operations, highlighted significant destruction at the Nur Khan airbase near Islamabad and extensive damage to the Rahim Yar Khan airbase. He emphasized that the Indian military's operations targeted terrorist camps, including those of groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, claiming over 100 terrorists were killed. Following India's strikes on nine terror sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the Pakistani Army retaliated with drone and missile attacks, which were intercepted. A ceasefire agreement was reached on Saturday, halting military actions after days of intense cross-border conflict, marking a temporary pause in hostilities between the two nations. 
Published: May 12 2025, 3 pmeznews.inA Canadian judge has reprimanded lawyer Jisuh Lee for using AI tools, including ChatGPT, to draft a legal document containing fictitious case references. During a hearing in Ontario's Superior Court, Judge Fred Myers discovered that Lee's factum included links to non-existent cases and misinterpretations of real ones, which he described as "possibly AI hallucinations." Lee was ordered to justify why she should not face contempt charges for potentially misleading the court. Judge Myers emphasized the responsibilities of legal professionals to ensure accurate representation and warned that Lee's actions could constitute serious breaches of her duties. This incident follows a similar case where lawyers representing My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell were criticized for submitting a brief with numerous defective citations, prompting a federal judge to call for disciplinary explanations from the attorneys involved. 
Published: May 12 2025, 3 pmeznews.inUS President Donald Trump is poised to receive a $400 million Boeing 747-8, dubbed the "flying palace" for its opulent features, from the Qatari royal family as a temporary substitute for Air Force One. This aircraft, previously used by the Qatari royals and the Turkish government, comes amid delays in producing two new presidential jets ordered by Trump's administration, which are not expected until 2029. Trump toured the lavish plane in February, but he has denied claims that it is a gift from Qatar, asserting that the US has paid for it. Qatar also refuted these allegations, stating that reports of a gift were inaccurate. The arrangement is currently under legal review by both countries' defense departments, and the Emoluments Clause of the US Constitution restricts officials from accepting foreign gifts without Congressional consent. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the situation, calling it "premium foreign influence." 
Published: May 12 2025, 1 pmeznews.inPakistan's Defence Minister Khwaja Asif has firmly rejected India's allegations that his country shelters terrorists, asserting that no active terrorist groups operate from Pakistan. In an interview with the BBC, Asif claimed that individuals living in Pakistan do not engage in terrorist activities either domestically or across the border with India. His comments come in the wake of heightened tensions following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which India attributed to the banned group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Asif pointed to historical U.S. involvement in arming Afghan groups during the 1980s, suggesting that Pakistan is unfairly blamed for the consequences of these past alliances. Despite Pakistan's denials, India continues to accuse it of supporting terrorism, citing incidents like the 2019 Pulwama attack. The international community remains skeptical, as demonstrated by a recent UN Security Council meeting that questioned Pakistan's ties to terrorist organizations. 
Published: May 12 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe United States and China have agreed to temporarily reduce tariffs on each other's goods as part of an effort to ease trade tensions, allowing three additional months for negotiations. According to a joint statement from Geneva, US tariffs on most Chinese imports will drop from 145% to 30%, while Chinese duties on US products will decrease from 125% to 10% by May 14. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the constructive dialogue surrounding fentanyl and reiterated that both nations aim to avoid economic decoupling. The announcement marks a potential thaw in a tariff war that has significantly impacted trans-Pacific trade. However, the White House's characterization of the agreement as a "trade deal" raises questions about the feasibility of reaching a mutually acceptable resolution, especially given historical precedents of stalled negotiations. The US seeks a more balanced trade relationship, while China has called for the complete removal of tariffs, complicating discussions. 
Published: May 12 2025, 1 pm
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