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A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal in the early hours of Friday, with its epicentre located in Bhairavkunda, Sindhupalchowk District, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center. The tremors were felt across various parts of Nepal, particularly in the eastern and central regions, as well as in nearby border areas of India and Tibet, China. The earthquake occurred at approximately 2:51 AM local time. While there have been no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage, local authorities are actively assessing the situation in the affected areas to determine the impact. Residents experienced a sudden jolt, prompting many to evacuate buildings in search of safety. Further updates are expected as assessments continue. 
Published: Feb 28 2025, 5 ameznews.inMeta has terminated around 20 employees for leaking confidential information to the media, a move that comes amid CEO Mark Zuckerberg's controversial pivot towards aligning with US President Donald Trump. A spokesperson for Meta confirmed the firings, which followed an internal investigation, and indicated that further action may follow as the company seeks to curb information leaks. Zuckerberg, who expressed frustration over the culture of transparency leading to leaks, has indicated a shift in strategy, stating that Meta would work closely with the White House. This change aligns with a broader trend among tech leaders to embrace conservative politics since the election, with Zuckerberg reportedly enhancing ties with Trump through social engagements and policy adjustments, including a reduction in content moderation. His remarks on corporate culture have also sparked discussions around masculinity in the workplace, reflecting a significant ideological shift at the tech giant. 
Published: Feb 28 2025, 10 ameznews.inOscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead at their Santa Fe, New Mexico home on Wednesday, with investigators noting the bodies appeared to have been there for some time. A maintenance worker discovered them after finding the front door open. Initial investigations showed no signs of foul play or obvious injuries, but the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office is treating the deaths as "suspicious." Autopsies are pending, and authorities are exploring the possibility of gas poisoning, as a space heater was found near Arakawa's body. Hackman, celebrated for roles in films like "The French Connection" and "Unforgiven," had largely retired from public life but remained a beloved figure in Hollywood. Tributes have poured in, with fellow actors mourning the loss of a talent who was both intense and instinctive. The couple, who lived in a sprawling home valued at over $4 million, had no children together but shared a love for German shepherds. 
Published: Feb 28 2025, 10 ameznews.inBitcoin has dipped below $80,000 for the first time in over three months, trading at $79,525.88 in early Asian markets, marking its lowest point since November 11. This decline follows a significant sell-off in the cryptocurrency sector amid increasing volatility in global markets. The cryptocurrency had previously surged past $109,000, buoyed by optimism surrounding Donald Trump's election victory, which had led to expectations of deregulation and a push to establish the U.S. as a crypto hub. However, recent weeks have seen a shift in sentiment as Trump's aggressive trade policies and potential inflationary pressures raised concerns about prolonged high interest rates from the Federal Reserve. Additionally, data suggesting a slowdown in the U.S. economy has contributed to the current bearish trend in Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency market. 
Published: Feb 28 2025, 10 ameznews.inHundreds of scientists and experts have been dismissed from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a key US agency for weather forecasting and climate analysis, according to Democratic Congressman Jared Huffman. These layoffs are part of broader workforce reductions initiated by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, which critics argue may overstep legal boundaries. NOAA has been singled out by conservative proponents of Project 2025, a plan backed by the Heritage Foundation that aims to dismantle the agency, labeling it a significant contributor to the "climate change alarm industry." Environmental advocates warn that these cuts threaten vital services such as storm forecasting and marine conservation. Amidst the turmoil, former NOAA head Neil Jacobs has been reappointed, despite his controversial past involving misleading hurricane forecasts during the Trump administration. Critics, including Huffman, argue that these actions could endanger public safety and undermine essential government functions. 
Published: Feb 28 2025, 8 ameznews.inA federal judge in San Francisco has ruled that the US government must reverse mass firings linked to a controversial plan by former President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk to reduce the federal workforce. US District Judge William Alsup stated that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) lacks the authority to mandate layoffs across federal agencies, emphasizing that hiring and firing powers rest solely with the agencies themselves, such as the Department of Defense. The ruling follows legal challenges from unions and advocacy groups, which argued that the directives issued by OPM led to the unlawful termination of thousands of probationary federal employees. This decision marks another setback for Trump, coming on the heels of a judge blocking his ban on refugee admissions and suspending an executive order regarding birthright citizenship. Legal representatives for the plaintiffs described the OPM's actions as a significant employment fraud. 
Published: Feb 28 2025, 9 ameznews.inMeta is set to launch a standalone artificial intelligence app, expanding its portfolio that includes Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, according to a CNBC report. The tech giant, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, aims to compete with rivals such as Amazon, OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft in the AI landscape, having already integrated AI into its platforms since introducing its chatbot in 2023. The new app is expected to debut by mid-2024, aligning with Zuckerberg's vision of creating the world’s most widely used AI assistant. Additionally, Meta plans to explore a paid subscription model for its AI services, mirroring strategies used by OpenAI. Amid rising competition, including from the Chinese startup DeepSeek, Meta is reportedly establishing teams to adapt innovations for its Llama AI models. The company recently reported significant profit growth and ambitious plans to enhance its AI infrastructure in the coming year. 
Published: Feb 28 2025, 9 ameznews.inA new study published in *Science* suggests that the Earth is on track for its next ice age in approximately 11,000 years, unless human-induced global warming alters this natural cycle. Researchers analyzed a million-year climate record, focusing on Northern Hemisphere ice sheets and ocean temperatures, and linked this data to Earth's orbital variations. Lead author Stephen Barker from Cardiff University highlighted a breakthrough in understanding how subtle orbital changes can lead to significant climate shifts. The study confirms that these cycles are predictable rather than chaotic; however, Barker cautioned that unchecked carbon emissions could drastically alter this timeline, potentially resulting in a 70-meter sea-level rise due to Antarctic melting in 8,000 years. The research team plans to further explore the long-term effects of human-driven climate change on natural climate cycles. 
Published: Feb 28 2025, 9 ameznews.inAt a joint press conference in Washington, D.C., US President Donald Trump interrupted UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as he addressed a journalist's question regarding Canada. Starmer emphasized the strong ties between the US and the UK, stating, "We're the closest of nations," before Trump interjected, "That's enough, thank you." Earlier, Trump announced the continuation of tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting March 4, citing the influx of illicit drugs, particularly Fentanyl, from their borders as a primary concern. He highlighted the devastating impact of drug-related deaths in the US, with over 100,000 fatalities last year. Trump also confirmed that an additional 10% tariff on China would take effect on the same date, reiterating his commitment to combat drug smuggling and protect American citizens. The reciprocal tariffs scheduled for April 2 will remain in place, underscoring his administration's aggressive stance on border security and drug trafficking. 
Published: Feb 28 2025, 9 ameznews.inIn a harrowing incident in Russia, a mother bravely shielded her 5-year-old child from a Rottweiler attack, a moment captured on video and shared by RT Television Network. The footage, recorded by a passerby, shows the woman lying over her child on a snowy path while the dog, identifiable by a metal collar, barks menacingly nearby. Despite suffering severe injuries, including multiple wounds and a serious fracture, she remained focused on her child's safety. The child appeared physically unharmed during the ordeal, which has sparked a mixed reaction on social media. While some users defended the dog and questioned its aggression, others highlighted the need for responsible ownership of powerful breeds like Rottweilers. Many praised the mother's courage, calling her a hero, while others stressed the importance of training and licensing for dog owners to prevent such dangerous situations. An investigation into the incident is currently underway. 
Published: Feb 28 2025, 8 ameznews.inCanadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has warned of a "strong response" if the United States imposes tariffs on Canada, which are set to take effect on March 4. Speaking amid escalating trade tensions, Trudeau emphasized that Canada is focused on preventing these tariffs, which US President Donald Trump has linked to the fentanyl crisis affecting both nations. Despite Trudeau's assertion that less than one percent of fentanyl entering the US originates from Canada, he acknowledged the need to reduce this figure and highlighted Canada’s investment of USD 1.3 billion in border security. The tariffs, aimed at addressing drug smuggling, have been temporarily paused following commitments from Canada and Mexico to enhance border security. Trump, however, remains adamant about the need for action against drug trafficking, stating that the proposed tariffs will proceed unless significant reductions occur. Additionally, China will face a new 10 percent tariff from the same date. 
Published: Feb 28 2025, 6 am
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