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A significant explosion occurred on Tuesday near Kuala Lumpur when a gas pipeline operated by Malaysia's state energy firm Petronas ignited, leading to evacuations in nearby residential areas. The fire department reported that 33 individuals sustained injuries, with six requiring hospitalization, while no fatalities have been confirmed. The explosion, which generated a large mushroom cloud visible from several kilometers away, was attributed to a leak in a 500-meter pipeline. Firefighters responded quickly to the scene after receiving an emergency call around 8:10 am, and the valve to the affected pipeline has since been shut off. Some homes were reportedly engulfed in flames, and residents described the incident as chaotic, coinciding with the ongoing Eid celebrations in the predominantly Muslim nation. The fire department continues to assess the damage and the situation in the residential area. 
Published: Apr 01 2025, 11 ameznews.inUS President Donald Trump has reportedly informed his Cabinet that Elon Musk will soon step down from his role as a special government employee, where he has been leading efforts to reduce government funding and dismantle certain agencies. According to Politico, this decision follows discussions between Trump and Musk in recent days, with Musk expected to return to focus on his business ventures, including Tesla and SpaceX. The report, citing three sources close to Trump, has not been confirmed by representatives from the White House or Musk's task force. This development marks a significant shift in Musk's involvement with the government, raising questions about the future of the initiatives he has been overseeing. 
Published: Apr 02 2025, 9 pmeznews.inUK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves has emphasized that the government will not hastily respond to impending tariffs announced by former President Donald Trump, set to be revealed later today as part of his "Liberation Day" initiative. Speaking to a parliamentary committee, Reeves highlighted the importance of securing a favorable post-Brexit trade deal with the United States, stating, "The prize on offer is a good economic agreement between us and the United States; we won't do anything to put that in jeopardy." Her comments reflect the UK government's cautious approach as it navigates the complexities of international trade relations following Brexit. The situation underscores the delicate balance the UK seeks to maintain in its economic dealings with the US amid potential tariff challenges. 
Published: Apr 02 2025, 10 pmeznews.inChildren exposed to elevated levels of air pollution during early and mid-childhood may experience weakened connections between crucial brain regions, potentially impairing cognitive and emotional functions, according to a study from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal). Published in *Environment International*, the research analyzed data from 3,626 children, revealing that increased exposure to pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) correlates with reduced functional connectivity in key brain networks. This disruption, particularly between the amygdala and cortical networks responsible for attention and movement coordination, may persist into adolescence, affecting emotional processing and cognitive abilities. The study emphasizes the need for further research to better understand the long-term implications of air pollution on brain development, as noted by ICREA researcher Monica Guxens. 
Published: Apr 02 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA Russian woman, Olga Bykovskaya, has been sentenced to five years in prison after urging her husband, a soldier, to commit sexual violence against Ukrainian women during the ongoing conflict, as reported by _Pravda_. The Shevchenkivskyi District Court in Kyiv convicted her in absentia for violating the laws and customs of war, highlighting the severe human rights abuses occurring in the region. The case gained prominence following the release of an intercepted conversation in April 2022, where Bykovskaya encouraged her husband to rape Ukrainian women, advising him to use protection. Following the incident, she was placed on an international wanted list, and Ukrainian authorities completed their investigation, leading to an indictment in December 2022. This case underscores the broader atrocities and war crimes associated with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has resulted in extensive suffering and destruction. 
Published: Apr 02 2025, 7 pmeznews.inGermany has issued a stark warning regarding the potential repercussions of a trade war with the United States, emphasizing that such conflicts can be detrimental to both parties involved. Following indications that President Donald Trump may unveil extensive new tariffs under a plan dubbed "Liberation Day," government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit highlighted the shared costs of trade disputes. He underscored Berlin's commitment to engage in negotiations at the European level with the US to avert escalating tensions. Hebestreit's comments reflect growing concerns within Europe about the economic fallout from potential tariffs, as Germany seeks to maintain open channels for dialogue with Washington to mitigate the risks associated with a trade conflict. 
Published: Apr 02 2025, 7 pmeznews.inPakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari has tested positive for coronavirus and is currently in isolation, according to his physician. The 69-year-old leader was airlifted from Nawabshah to a private hospital in Karachi on Tuesday after experiencing respiratory issues and fever. Dr. Asim Hussain confirmed that multiple tests verified the diagnosis, and Zardari's condition is being closely monitored by a team of experts, with reports indicating that his health is improving. Zardari had recently attended Eid prayers in Nawabshah and met with party leaders prior to his hospitalization. This is not the first health scare for the former president; he previously contracted COVID-19 in July 2022, suffered a foot fracture in October 2024, and underwent eye surgery in March 2023. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reached out to inquire about Zardari's health and wished him a speedy recovery. 
Published: Apr 02 2025, 7 pmeznews.inTesla has reported a 13 percent decline in auto sales for the first quarter, delivering 336,681 vehicles, which fell short of analyst expectations. The company attributed this drop to several weeks of production loss due to factory upgrades aimed at enhancing Model Y output. Following the disappointing figures, Tesla's shares fell over six percent in early trading, although they later recovered partially. The sales slump raises concerns about CEO Elon Musk's leadership, particularly amid backlash related to his political affiliations and significant job cuts linked to his role in the Trump administration. Prominent analyst Dan Ives described the results as a "disaster on every metric," emphasizing that Musk's political engagement is harming Tesla's brand. He urged Musk to clarify how he is balancing his responsibilities at Tesla with his political activities, calling this a critical moment for the company as it navigates a challenging period. 
Published: Apr 02 2025, 7 pmeznews.inForbes has unveiled its 2025 Billionaire List, revealing a record 3,028 billionaires worldwide, despite 107 individuals losing their billionaire status. High-profile exits include Lisa Su, CEO of Advanced Micro Devices, who led a remarkable company turnaround since 2014 but did not make the list this year. Sara Liu, co-founder of Super Micro Computer Inc., also dropped off, despite her company's significant growth. Nicolas Puech, once a key stakeholder in the luxury brand Hermes, reported a vanishing fortune, leading to his removal from the list. Meanwhile, the billionaire collective wealth surged to $16.1 trillion, up $2 trillion from last year, with 288 newcomers, including celebrities like Bruce Springsteen and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Notably, Elon Musk's net worth soared by 75% to $342 billion, making him the first person to surpass the $300 billion mark. 
Published: Apr 02 2025, 6 pmeznews.inUS President Donald Trump's latest tariff plan is causing significant anxiety within the ocean shipping industry as it escalates a trade war that threatens to diminish transport demand. The administration is poised to introduce "reciprocal tariffs" targeting nations imposing duties on US goods, following recent levies on imports from Mexico, China, and Canada. Major shipping firms like MSC, Maersk, and CMA CGM, which handle about 80% of global trade, are grappling with the confusion stemming from rapidly changing tariffs. Companies are increasingly resorting to costly air shipping to preempt new tariffs, leading to record levels of US container imports. However, experts warn that the ongoing tariff disputes could stifle demand and disrupt supply chains, with projections indicating a potential decline in US ocean container freight imports by 0.7% in 2025. Amidst this uncertainty, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is struggling to adapt to the evolving tariff landscape. 
Published: Apr 02 2025, 3 pmeznews.inBorder clashes in Galwan in 2020 marked a significant deterioration in India-China relations, resulting in military fatalities for the first time in decades. India asserted that normalcy is unattainable amid border aggression, while China framed the issue within broader bilateral ties. After four years of stalemate, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping's meeting at the BRICS summit hinted at a thaw. Despite ongoing tensions, both nations have avoided escalating to war, underscoring the necessity of dialogue and trust to maintain peace in the Himalayas. Economically, China and India, now two of the world's largest economies, have seen trade grow significantly since 1990, yet a trust deficit hampers deeper cooperation. As both countries navigate their rising global roles, India's democratic approach contrasts with China's assertive diplomacy, suggesting a potential for coexistence that balances competition with collaboration in an evolving Asian landscape. 
Published: Apr 02 2025, 4 pm
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