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US President Joe Biden has unveiled the names of 19 distinguished individuals set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Among the awardees are former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, celebrated fashion designer Ralph Lauren, football legend Lionel Messi, and the late former Defence Secretary Ashton Carter. The Medal recognizes those who have significantly advanced America's values, prosperity, and global peace. Clinton is honored for her decades of public service, while Messi is acknowledged for his contributions to soccer and global charitable efforts through his foundation. Other notable recipients include philanthropist George Soros, civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, U2's Bono, actor Michael J. Fox, and conservationist Jane Goodall. The awards ceremony will take place at the White House, celebrating individuals who embody leadership and decency, as highlighted by Biden's remarks on their impact on America and the world. 
Published: Jan 04 2025, 8 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 pmeznews.inMarwa, a 27-year-old Afghan woman, fled Taliban rule to pursue education and freedom but now finds herself detained in a Costa Rican facility amid a wave of migrant deportations initiated by former President Donald Trump. Alongside hundreds of migrants, including vulnerable families, Marwa faces an uncertain future in the jungle-clad border region, with fears of being sent back to Afghanistan, where she believes her family would face death. Costa Rica, Panama, and Guatemala have agreed to detain migrants before repatriation, with El Salvador jailing Venezuelans under dubious claims of gang affiliation. Many migrants, including Iranian Christians and a Russian whistleblower, report being denied asylum and mistreated during their detainment. Despite Costa Rica's history of asylum support, the current policy has drawn criticism for human rights violations, raising concerns about the country's complicity in U.S. deportation practices. 
Published: Apr 02 2025, 4 pmeznews.inUS President Donald Trump has made a remarkable comeback, securing the 700th position on the 2025 Forbes Billionaires List with a net worth of $5.1 billion, up from $2.3 billion a year prior. At 78, Trump, who first appeared on the Forbes 400 list in 1982, has navigated significant financial challenges, including a New York court ruling that ordered him to pay $454 million for inflating his assets. Despite owning various luxury properties and golf courses, he faced mounting legal pressures and a declining real estate market. However, Trump revitalized his finances by taking Truth Social's parent company public and launching a successful cryptocurrency venture, World Liberty Financial, which generated substantial profits. Despite ongoing legal penalties of around $500 million, he now boasts approximately $800 million in liquid assets. The Forbes list features a record 3,028 billionaires, led by Elon Musk, with a staggering net worth of $342 billion. 
Published: Apr 02 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA senior advisor in the U.S. Justice Department, Christopher Stanley, who previously worked for Elon Musk's companies X and SpaceX, has come under scrutiny for his past activities involving hacking and software piracy. Archived websites linked to the 33-year-old engineer reveal that he ran forums distributing pirated content and boasted about hacking into websites as early as 2006. Despite claiming to have left hacking behind, a 2014 YouTube video showed him breaching a rival hacking group's customer data. The Justice Department confirmed Stanley holds an active security clearance but did not address concerns regarding his past. While some national security experts express alarm over his history, others argue his youthful indiscretions should not disqualify him from his current role. Stanley's position in the Deputy Attorney General's office raises questions about the vetting process for personnel handling sensitive information. 
Published: Apr 02 2025, 4 pmeznews.inAlice Walton, the 75-year-old heir to the Walmart fortune, has been named the richest woman on the Forbes Billionaire List for 2025, boasting a net worth of $102 billion. This places her ahead of last year's titleholder, Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, and makes her the top woman among 406 billionaires worldwide, with most having inherited their wealth. Born on October 7, 1949, in Newport, Arkansas, she is the daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton. Walton has held various roles in finance, including heading investment operations at Arvest Bank Group and founding her own investment bank, Llama Company. Known for her philanthropic efforts, she played a pivotal role in developing the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, contributing $15 million. An art patron, she established the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in 2011, housing her $500 million collection. Walton has also engaged in political donations across party lines. 
Published: Apr 02 2025, 2 pmeznews.inAs US President Donald Trump prepares to announce his "Liberation Day" tariffs, which could disrupt global trade, China is seeking to enhance its economic ties with India. Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, encouraged Indian businesses to explore opportunities in China, emphasizing a willingness to import more Indian goods suited to the Chinese market. This initiative aligns with Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent call for closer cooperation between the two nations, marking a potential thaw in relations strained by a 2020 border clash. While India has imposed restrictions on Chinese investments since then, both countries are taking steps to rebuild ties, including resuming direct flights. Meanwhile, Trump’s tariffs aim to protect American industries, with India attempting to lower its tariffs in response to appease the US, as both nations engage in discussions to resolve trade tensions. 
Published: Apr 02 2025, 3 pmeznews.inNATO allies are increasingly anxious as President Donald Trump’s administration signals a potential reduction in US involvement in the alliance, prompting European nations to boost defense spending and assert leadership on issues like Ukraine. Despite US assurances of commitment to NATO, diplomats express concern over Trump's critical rhetoric towards Europe and his overtures to Russia, which could undermine the alliance's mutual defense principle. With Trump's defense chief emphasizing that Europe must take more responsibility for its security, NATO officials stress the need for clarity on US military presence to avoid gaps in European defense. As Trump’s approach raises doubts about Article Five, the cornerstone of NATO's collective defense, allies fear a shift in US strategy could favor closer ties with Moscow, complicating the geopolitical landscape further. The situation remains precarious, with the potential for Trump's tactics to either be a negotiating ploy or a serious strategic realignment. 
Published: Apr 02 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIn a complex diplomatic landscape, former President Donald Trump has reignited tensions with Iran following his return to the White House, reinstating a "maximum pressure" policy that had previously decimated Iran's oil exports and led to heightened military confrontations. Despite Trump's aggressive stance, he recently extended an olive branch to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, suggesting bilateral talks to address nuclear concerns. However, Iran's initial rejection of the overture, calling it a “deception of public opinion,” was tempered by later statements indicating a willingness for indirect negotiations. The backdrop of these developments includes Iran's extensive nuclear program, which many in the West suspect is a cover for weaponization, alongside its military support for regional proxies. As both nations navigate a web of historical grievances and mutual distrust, the potential for successful negotiations remains uncertain, echoing past failures in similar diplomatic efforts. 
Published: Apr 02 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIn a revealing account from the forthcoming book _FIGHT: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House_, co-author Jonathan Allen claims that former President Barack Obama worked behind the scenes to prevent Kamala Harris from becoming the Democratic nominee following Joe Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. Sources indicate that Obama did not believe Biden should continue and was skeptical of Harris's potential to win. He advocated for an open convention instead of automatically endorsing her, despite her support from party leaders. The day Biden passed the baton to Harris, Obama hesitated to endorse her, prompting Representative James Clyburn to quickly back Harris to preempt any attempts by Obama to steer the party toward an open convention. Ultimately, both Barack and Michelle Obama endorsed Harris five days later, but she was defeated by Donald Trump in the election, securing 226 electoral votes to his 312. 
Published: Apr 02 2025, 1 pm
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