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US rapper Wiz Khalifa has been charged with illegal drug possession in Romania after being caught consuming cannabis on stage at the "Beach, Please!" festival in Costinesti. Possession of cannabis in Romania can lead to up to ten years in prison, and Khalifa was found with over 18 grams of the drug. The rapper was taken in for questioning but was not kept in custody. Khalifa expressed regret for his actions, stating that he did not mean any disrespect to Romania and that he will return without a joint next time. This incident comes amidst a trend of celebrities endorsing legal cannabis companies in the US, with Khalifa known for often mentioning marijuana in his lyrics. Meanwhile, fellow rapper Nicki Minaj recently cancelled her appearance at a festival in Bucharest due to safety concerns related to protests in Romania.
Published: Jul 15 2024, 4 pmeznews.inBillionaire Elon Musk raised concerns about the influence of political bias in artificial intelligence at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh on Tuesday. Speaking remotely, Musk described current AI models as "woke" and "nihilistic," arguing they prioritize political correctness over truth-seeking. He criticized the training of these models, particularly those developed in the San Francisco Bay Area, for adopting a troubling philosophical stance. Musk cited an alarming example where an AI deemed misgendering reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner more dangerous than nuclear war. Additionally, he expressed support for Donald Trump's presidential campaign, highlighting his dissatisfaction with over-regulation as a barrier to progress. Musk, who has shifted from supporting Barack Obama to endorsing Trump, emphasized his active role in the election, stating he feels more optimistic about a Trump-led administration compared to a non-Trump alternative.
Published: Oct 29 2024, 9 pmeznews.inAstronomers have discovered a black hole, designated V404 Cygni, that appears to have formed through a gentler process than the typical supernova explosion, marking a significant finding in astrophysics. Located around 7,800 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus, this black hole is part of a rare triple system, gravitationally bound to two ordinary stars. Unlike previous observations of black holes in binary systems, this instance suggests a "failed supernova" scenario, where the star collapsed inward without an explosive outburst. The black hole, estimated to be nine times the mass of the Sun, is currently consuming a companion star, which is in a red giant phase. Researchers believe that this new understanding of black hole formation could reshape theories about their origins, indicating that many known binary systems may have evolved from similar triple configurations before one star was devoured.
Published: Oct 29 2024, 9 pmeznews.inAntarctica, the coldest place on Earth, is witnessing a remarkable surge in tourism, with visitor numbers soaring from under 44,000 in 2017 to over 122,000 this year, according to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). While reaching this stunningly barren land has traditionally posed challenges, advancements in travel options have transformed the experience into a luxurious adventure. In the past, Antarctic voyages often involved cramped accommodations aboard former ice-cutting vessels, but now, high-end cruise lines like Ponant, Silversea, and Seabourn offer exceptional amenities, including spacious suites and fine dining. The shift began about a decade ago, with companies like Lindblad and National Geographic paving the way for a more accessible and comfortable Antarctic experience. Today, adventure-seekers can also partake in activities such as cross-country skiing and camping, further enhancing the appeal of this remote destination.
Published: Oct 29 2024, 9 pmeznews.inIn the year 2000, then-US President Bill Clinton met newly elected Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, expressing optimism about Putin's potential to foster a strong Russia. Clinton noted in conversations with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair that Putin could be a valuable ally but cautioned against his possible authoritarian tendencies. Fast forward 24 years, Putin remains in power, now the longest-serving Russian leader since Stalin, characterized by his military assertiveness and suppression of dissent. Born in Leningrad in 1952, Putin's early career in the KGB paved the way for his political ascent, culminating in his presidency beginning in 2000. His tenure has been marred by controversies such as the annexation of Crimea, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and allegations of election interference. Notably, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him in 2023 for war crimes, further complicating his legacy.
Published: Oct 29 2024, 8 pmeznews.inFormer First Lady Melania Trump defended her husband, Donald Trump, against comparisons to Adolf Hitler during an interview with "Fox & Friends" on Tuesday, asserting, "He's not Hitler," and emphasizing the support he receives from his followers who desire a successful country. Her remarks came amid controversy following statements attributed to Trump's former chief of staff, John Kelly, regarding the former president's views on Hitler. Melania also addressed her support for abortion rights, clarifying that Trump was aware of her stance from the beginning of their relationship, stating, "It was not a big surprise for him." She expressed concern over the dangers of the current campaign, particularly in light of two assassination attempts on her husband, and noted her vigilance in his safety. Despite her limited appearances on the campaign trail, she recently attended a rally for Trump at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Published: Oct 29 2024, 9 pmeznews.inPresident Joe Biden cast his early ballot in the 2024 general election at a Delaware voting site, marking a poignant moment following his decision to end his reelection campaign in July due to health concerns and doubts about defeating former President Donald Trump. Voting in Wilmington, Biden engaged with fellow voters and assisted an older woman in a wheelchair while waiting approximately 40 minutes to cast his ballot. This election season, Biden is supporting a new generation of Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris, who aims to become the first Black woman and South Asian president, and State Senator Sarah McBride, who seeks to become the first openly transgender member of the U.S. House. Biden also endorsed Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, who is running for the Senate seat being vacated by Tom Carper. Early voting in Delaware commenced on Saturday.
Published: Oct 29 2024, 7 pmeznews.inA United Nations investigation has revealed widespread sexual violence in Sudan's ongoing civil war, primarily attributed to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The report highlights alarming levels of abuse, including the abduction of women and children for sexual slavery, with victims ranging from eight to 75 years old. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the RSF, has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, displacing over 14 million people and leaving more than half the population facing acute hunger. UN rights chief Volker Turk emphasized the urgent need for accountability, while UN migration agency head Amy Pope described the situation as "catastrophic," calling Sudan the "most neglected crisis in the world today." Despite the dire circumstances, funding for humanitarian efforts remains critically low, with only 20% of the requested $168 million secured thus far.
Published: Oct 29 2024, 6 pmeznews.inSteve Bannon, the former senior advisor to Donald Trump, was released from a Connecticut federal prison on Tuesday after serving nearly four months for contempt of Congress. His release comes just a week before the US elections. Bannon, 70, had been convicted for failing to comply with a subpoena from the congressional committee investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Upon his release, he declared, "I'm not broken, I'm empowered." Bannon, who played a key role in Trump's 2016 campaign and served as chief strategist in the White House, remains influential through his podcast, "The War Room." His legal troubles are not new; he faced separate charges of wire fraud and money laundering in 2020 but received a pardon from Trump shortly before leaving office. The political landscape has shifted since his imprisonment, with Joe Biden exiting the race and Kamala Harris stepping in as the Democratic nominee.
Published: Oct 29 2024, 6 pmeznews.inFormer Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley has labeled Donald Trump as "fascist to the core," a sentiment echoed by former Chief of Staff John Kelly and Vice President Kamala Harris. However, political commentators are divided on the term's applicability. While some, like Sidney Blumenthal, describe Trump’s rhetoric as "Hitlerian," they refrain from directly classifying him as a fascist. Instead, they highlight a trend of "new authoritarianism," characterized by undermining electoral integrity, weakening legislative and judicial checks, and attacking political opponents. Trump’s tactics include election denial, purging civil service positions, and threatening dissent, which align with a strategy to consolidate power without overtly resorting to classic fascism. This ambiguity complicates the political discourse around Trump, as labeling him a fascist may inadvertently bolster far-right narratives. Understanding Trump as a new authoritarian is crucial for recognizing the broader implications for democracy both in the U.S. and globally.
Published: Oct 29 2024, 6 pmeznews.inIambic Therapeutics has introduced a groundbreaking artificial intelligence model, "Enchant," which aims to significantly reduce the time and costs associated with drug development. The model, trained on extensive pre-clinical data from laboratory tests, predicts drug performance at early development stages with a notable accuracy score of 0.74, outperforming previous models that achieved a maximum of 0.58. Co-founder Fred Manby highlighted that Enchant could potentially halve the investment required for developing pharmaceuticals by improving success rates early in the process, which often incurs high costs due to late-stage failures. Frances Arnold, a Nobel Prize-winning chemist and board member, emphasized that Enchant addresses critical challenges in pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and toxicity, distinguishing itself from other AI initiatives like Google DeepMind's AlphaFold, which focuses solely on molecular structure. This advancement marks a significant step forward in the integration of AI in pharmaceutical research.
Published: Oct 29 2024, 6 pm
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