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A 57-year-old woman, Alison Agatha Lawrence, has been arrested for allegedly drowning her dog in an airport restroom at Orlando International Airport after being denied boarding due to lack of necessary paperwork. The incident occurred in December, but Lawrence was only apprehended on Tuesday after police gathered evidence linking her to the disturbing act. She reportedly disposed of the dog's remains in a trash bin before proceeding through security. Neighbours indicated that Lawrence owned a white poodle, while her sister claimed ignorance of the allegations or her sister's whereabouts. Animal rights activists expressed shock at the incident, with one highlighting the gravity of the situation. Florida State Senator Tom Leek, who has introduced a bill to strengthen penalties for animal cruelty, cited this case as a troubling example of the need for legislative action. Lawrence has since posted a $5,000 bond following her arrest. 
Published: Mar 20 2025, 9 pmeznews.inUS Education Secretary Linda McMahon, confirmed in February as part of President Donald Trump's cabinet, faces uncertainty as Trump signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education. During a White House announcement, Trump stated, "We're going to shut it down as quickly as possible," framing the move as a means to reduce federal oversight in education. While McMahon has been assigned the task of overseeing the department's dissolution, its complete closure hinges on Congressional approval. A former WWE executive and significant supporter of Trump's political endeavors, McMahon has a diverse background, including a brief tenure on the Connecticut State Board of Education and a previous role as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration. However, she and her husband, Vince McMahon, are currently embroiled in legal challenges related to allegations of abuse within WWE, which they have denied. 
Published: Mar 21 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndia is poised to become the world's consumption capital, surpassing major economies, according to a report by Angel One, Iconic Asset. Currently, consumption constitutes 56% of India's GDP, making it the fastest-growing segment of the economy, with projections indicating that it will double by 2034. This surge is driven by the rise of nuclear families, which is outpacing population growth, and a burgeoning consumer base. The report forecasts that India's savings will increase tenfold over the next 25 years, reaching USD 103 trillion by 2047, significantly boosting consumption potential. Recent tax cuts are expected to unlock Rs 1 lakh crore, leading to an incremental consumption increase of Rs 3.3 lakh crore, potentially enhancing GDP by 1%. With a large Gen Z population driving spending, particularly in consumer electronics and apparel, India is on track to mirror the discretionary consumption trends seen in the US and China during economic expansions. 
Published: Mar 21 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking initiative, Italian newspaper Il Foglio has launched a month-long experiment featuring a fully AI-generated edition, aimed at revitalizing journalism rather than replacing it. The daily broadsheet, known for its irreverent style and a circulation of approximately 29,000, began this endeavor on Tuesday, producing a four-page edition filled with 22 articles and three editorials crafted by AI technology. Journalists at Il Foglio utilize a version of OpenAI's ChatGPT to generate content on various topics, including analyses of political speeches and fashion stories. Director Claudio Cerasa emphasized that the project seeks to explore the potential and limitations of AI while fostering creativity among journalists. Initial feedback indicates that readers are largely entertained, with a 60% rise in sales on the first day, although concerns about maintaining the uniqueness of human-written articles persist. 
Published: Mar 21 2025, 2 pmeznews.inA fire at an electricity substation supplying power to Heathrow Airport has been brought under control, according to the London Fire Brigade. The incident, which prompted the airport's temporary closure, was described as "very visible and significant" by Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne. Firefighters faced challenging conditions but worked diligently to contain the blaze, preventing its spread and minimizing disruption. The coordinated response involved multiple agencies, highlighting the effective collaboration in managing the emergency. Heathrow Airport is now expected to resume normal operations following the successful containment of the fire. 
Published: Mar 21 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn a significant shift in U.S. education policy, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education, a cabinet-level agency established in 1979 during Jimmy Carter's presidency. The order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to initiate the closure process, emphasizing a conservative belief that education should be managed at the state and local levels. Trump's administration has already reduced the department's workforce and curtailed its research capabilities, while also targeting federal funding for schools promoting what he deems "woke" ideologies. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, who argue it threatens essential funding and protections for students, particularly in areas like special education and civil rights. While Trump’s plan faces hurdles, including the need for congressional approval to fully eliminate the department, it underscores a broader Republican agenda to reshape American education policy. 
Published: Mar 21 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn Washington, a free yoga class has become a refuge for recently laid-off government workers grappling with the fallout from Donald Trump's return to power. Jennifer Nikolaeff, a former USAID employee, describes the emotional toll of job loss, with many civil servants facing mounting anxiety and depression as they navigate an increasingly bleak job market. With 70,000 federal employees in the city and a surge in unemployment claims, the mood among workers is one of despair and uncertainty. Local businesses are showing support through discounts and workshops, while the city anticipates a significant revenue drop due to these layoffs. Amidst this turmoil, a celebrated "Black Lives Matter" mural was removed after threats from Republican lawmakers to cut funding, reflecting the city's tense political climate. As residents cope with job insecurity, community solidarity remains a vital lifeline. 
Published: Mar 21 2025, 12 pmeznews.inBEIJING: Chinese AI startup Manus has registered its AI assistant for the domestic market and received its first feature on state media, reflecting Beijing's strategy to promote local tech firms gaining international acclaim. Following the success of DeepSeek, which unveiled competitive AI models at lower costs, Manus is being closely watched as a potential disruptor in the global tech landscape. The company recently gained attention on social media after claiming to develop the world's first general AI agent, which operates with less user prompting than traditional chatbots. In a show of support, state broadcaster CCTV aired a segment comparing Manus' AI agent to DeepSeek's chatbot. Additionally, Beijing's municipal government announced that Manus' AI assistant, Monica, has met regulatory requirements for generative AI applications in China. Manus has also partnered with the team behind Alibaba's Qwen AI models, potentially enhancing its domestic rollout, currently limited to invite-only users with a waiting list of 2 million. 
Published: Mar 21 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIn a dramatic shift from previous administrations, the Trump administration's crackdown on American universities has sparked turmoil among students, particularly international scholars from India. Once seen as bastions of innovation and education, institutions like Columbia and Johns Hopkins have faced significant federal funding cuts, with Columbia losing $400 million and Johns Hopkins $800 million, ostensibly due to alleged failures in addressing antisemitic harassment. This move has been perceived as part of a broader ideological war against academia, with the administration investigating 60 universities for similar allegations. The chilling effect on free speech has been underscored by the detention of students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, raising fears of a brain drain as international students reconsider their future in the U.S. Critics warn that this assault on educational institutions could jeopardize America's global standing in research and innovation, allowing countries like India and China to advance unchecked. 
Published: Mar 21 2025, 1 pmeznews.inRussian President Vladimir Putin has issued an ultimatum to Ukrainians residing in Russia, mandating that they legalize their immigration status or leave the country by September 10, according to a decree reported by the Moscow Times. This directive affects Ukrainian passport holders from four regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—claimed by Russia in 2022, as well as residents of Crimea, annexed in 2014. The Kremlin has previously pressured these individuals to acquire Russian citizenship, a move condemned by Ukraine as illegal and a violation of its sovereignty. Western governments, including the EU, have also criticized this action and do not recognize the validity of the Russian passports issued in these regions. Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are ongoing, with U.S. President Donald Trump reporting positive discussions with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ahead of talks scheduled in Jeddah. 
Published: Mar 21 2025, 1 pmeznews.inOxford University is set to modernize its 800-year-old Latin degree conferral ceremony by adopting gender-neutral language to promote inclusivity for non-binary students. A proposal to amend the Latin text will be voted on by university Dons on April 29, with changes implemented in October. The new wording will replace gendered terms such as "Magistri" (master) with the neutral "vos," and similar adjustments will be made for other masculine terms, including "doctores." This initiative extends beyond degree ceremonies; formal events, including the Vice-Chancellor's admission ceremony, will also utilize gender-neutral language, replacing "his/her" with "their." Dr. Jonathan Katz, a Latin expert at the university, supports the changes, which aim to create a unified text accommodating all gender registrations in line with legal requirements. This move reflects a broader trend in the UK towards gender-neutral language, as seen in recent NHS guidelines. 
Published: Mar 21 2025, 1 pm
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