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Australian authorities commenced clean-up operations on Saturday following devastating floods in the southeast that resulted in five fatalities and affected over 10,000 properties. The New South Wales emergency services agency reported ongoing damage assessments in the mid-north coast region, where towns were cut off, livestock swept away, and homes destroyed. Early estimates suggested that at least 10,000 properties were damaged due to record flooding. Despite improved conditions, hundreds of residents remained in evacuation centres, with 52 flood rescues conducted overnight. The latest victim, an elderly man, was discovered at a flooded property near Taree, one of the hardest-hit areas. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his condolences, noting the tragic loss of life. Triggered by incessant rain, the floods submerged streets and isolated around 50,000 people, further highlighting the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in Australia, attributed by some experts to climate change. 
Published: May 24 2025, 7 ameznews.inHarvard University is facing scrutiny from the Trump administration over its ties to China, which have shifted from being viewed as beneficial to a potential liability. The administration has accused the university of fostering antisemitism and collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party, prompting a move to revoke its ability to enroll foreign students, including a significant number from China. A U.S. judge temporarily blocked this order following Harvard's legal challenge. Concerns about Chinese influence at Harvard are longstanding, with lawmakers worried about access to U.S. technology and suppression of dissent. The university's connections to China, including training for officials from a sanctioned paramilitary group, have raised alarms, while a former professor was convicted of failing to disclose ties to Beijing. Critics argue that banning foreign students is an ineffective response to legitimate concerns about Chinese repression and espionage. 
Published: May 24 2025, 10 ameznews.inAstronomers recently sparked excitement with claims of potential biosignatures on the exoplanet K2-18b, located 124 light years away, following observations made by the James Webb Space Telescope. They detected dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), chemicals associated with life on Earth. However, subsequent studies, including one by former students of lead researcher Nikku Madhusudhan, suggest the evidence is insufficient, with claims of biosignature detection disappearing under different statistical models. These researchers expanded the number of possible chemicals that could explain the signals to 90, raising questions about the initial findings. Madhusudhan acknowledged the importance of ongoing debate and stated that more data will emerge in the coming year. While the presence of DMS does not guarantee life—having been found on lifeless bodies—scientists remain hopeful that future observations could bring humanity closer to discovering extraterrestrial life. 
Published: May 24 2025, 11 ameznews.inPresident Donald Trump's efforts to shift iPhone manufacturing to the United States face significant legal and economic hurdles, experts warned. On Friday, Trump threatened a 25% tariff on Apple for iPhones sold but not produced domestically, aiming to bring jobs back to American shores. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick revealed that Apple CEO Tim Cook stated that the necessary automation technology for U.S. production is not yet available. Legal experts suggest that Trump may attempt to impose company-specific tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, although this approach lacks clear legal authority. Analysts caution that tariffs could inadvertently benefit competitors and raise consumer prices, with potential costs for iPhones soaring to $3,500. Dan Ives from Wedbush termed the idea of U.S. production a "fairy tale," while Columbia's Brett House noted that such tariffs would complicate Apple's supply chain, ultimately harming American consumers. 
Published: May 24 2025, 11 ameznews.inPresident Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Apple and other device manufacturers, including Samsung, unless they shift production to the United States. Speaking at the White House, Trump emphasized that the tariffs would apply broadly to all companies producing similar products, stating, "otherwise it wouldn't be fair." This warning follows a meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook, during which Trump expressed frustration over Apple's plans to build plants in India for US-bound devices. Apple's stock fell 3% in response to the news, as analysts predict that the tariffs could force the company to raise iPhone prices significantly. Trump also mentioned a potential 50% tariff on the European Union, adding pressure to the market. While Apple plans to invest $500 billion in the US over the next four years, analysts suggest that fully relocating iPhone production domestically would be prohibitively expensive. 
Published: May 24 2025, 11 ameznews.inGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz inaugurated Berlin's first permanent foreign troop deployment since World War II in Lithuania this week, establishing an armoured brigade to enhance NATO's eastern flank amid rising tensions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Joined by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Merz emphasized that the security of Baltic allies is integral to Germany's own security, urging NATO partners to strengthen European defenses against Moscow. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda hailed the event as a "historic day," marking the long-term presence of German troops outside their homeland since the 1940s. The newly formed 45 Armoured Brigade will consist of approximately 5,000 personnel, including 4,800 German soldiers and 200 civilians, reaching full operational capacity by 2027. This deployment follows Germany's commitment to significantly boost its military spending, aiming to meet NATO's 2% GDP target, while Lithuania plans to increase its defense expenditure to between 5% and 6% by 2026. 
Published: May 24 2025, 11 ameznews.inA recent shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., which left two Israeli embassy employees dead, has sent shockwaves through the local Jewish community. The attack, described as an act of antisemitism, occurred amid heightened tensions following Israel's military actions in Gaza. Adam Zimmerman, a Jewish parent, expressed his fears, stating that such violence is a grim reminder of ongoing antisemitism. The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, reportedly claimed, "I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza," prompting a review of security protocols at Jewish institutions across the city. Local leaders, including those from the Jewish Community Relations Council, noted an increase in police presence and a push for enhanced security measures. In response to the attack, approximately 50 Jewish organizations have called for Congress to double funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $1 billion, emphasizing the urgent need for improved safety for the community. 
Published: May 24 2025, 9 ameznews.inChina has vowed to protect the rights and interests of its overseas students following the Trump administration's decision to prevent Harvard University from enrolling foreign students. During a press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning criticized the US actions, asserting that they would harm America's image and credibility on the global stage. Mao emphasized the mutual benefits of educational cooperation between China and the United States, highlighting the importance of fostering academic ties despite political tensions. The Chinese government’s commitment to supporting its students abroad underscores the ongoing challenges faced by international scholars amid shifting immigration policies in the US. 
Published: May 24 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe Auschwitz museum has issued a warning regarding Facebook posts featuring "harmful" AI-generated images and fictional biographies of victims from the Nazi death camp, labeling such content as a distortion of history. The museum, which has historically shared authentic victim photos and information to promote Holocaust awareness, has identified several Facebook pages, including one named "90's History," that disseminate these misleading narratives. Deputy spokesman Pawel Sawicki emphasized that creating artificial identities and images of real victims is not only troubling but could also contribute to Holocaust denial. He expressed concern that these fabrications might lead some to question the reality of the Holocaust. The museum is currently in discussions with Meta, Facebook's parent company, to address the issue. Auschwitz-Birkenau remains a poignant memorial to the genocide of six million Jews and the deaths of over 100,000 non-Jews during World War II. 
Published: May 24 2025, 9 ameznews.inA French court has convicted ten individuals involved in the 2016 armed robbery of reality TV star Kim Kardashian, who was tied up at gunpoint during the heist in Paris. The robbers, disguised as police officers, made off with $4 million worth of jewelry, including an engagement ring from her then-husband, rapper Kanye West. Eight of the defendants were found guilty of crimes related to the theft, while one was acquitted. The mastermind, Aomar Ait Khedache, 69, received a three-year prison sentence. Kardashian, who testified in court, described the ordeal as "the most terrifying experience of my life" but expressed gratitude for the pursuit of justice and forgiveness towards Khedache. The robbery, dubbed the "grandpa robbery" due to the age of the thieves, was one of France's largest in over two decades. 
Published: May 24 2025, 9 ameznews.inSpaceX announced plans for another launch attempt of its Starship rocket next week, following two in-flight explosions earlier this year. The ninth flight test is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, with a launch window opening at 6:30 pm (2330 GMT) from Texas. Previous tests of the world's largest rocket resulted in high-altitude explosions, but the Super Heavy Booster was successfully caught by the launch tower's mechanical arms. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently authorized SpaceX to resume flight activities, contingent on modifications to the rocket. Notably, this launch will reuse a recovered Super Heavy booster for the first time, although it will not return to the launch site but will conduct flight experiments before splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico. Despite environmental concerns and lawsuits against the FAA, the agency has increased the annual launch limit for Starship from five to 25. 
Published: May 24 2025, 10 am
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