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Columbia University is engaged in "good faith" negotiations with the Trump administration to restore federal funding, following Harvard's rejection of demands to audit its faculty and student "viewpoint diversity." Columbia's interim president, Claire Shipman, emphasized the institution's commitment to academic freedom and stated that some government demands, including changes to governance, are non-negotiable. The Trump administration has threatened funding cuts to universities over their handling of pro-Palestinian protests, which it claims have spurred antisemitism. Harvard President Alan Garber criticized the administration's demands as unconstitutional and detrimental to academic integrity, while also noting the importance of federal funding for research. The administration has since frozen contracts worth over $2 billion to Harvard. Former President Barack Obama praised Harvard's stance, urging other institutions to follow suit. The situation unfolds amid ongoing legal challenges facing the Trump administration regarding its immigration policies and federal funding practices. 
Published: Apr 16 2025, 12 ameznews.inAn Indian-origin Malaysian man, Mahentharan Ganesan, 43, was sentenced to eight weeks in jail and fined SGD2,500 for smuggling a puppy into Singapore concealed in a laundry bag. Ganesan pleaded guilty to three charges, including importing an animal without a license and failing to care for it properly. The incident occurred on October 20, 2023, when Immigration & Checkpoints Authority officers at the Tuas checkpoint discovered the live puppy hidden in the spare tyre compartment of his vehicle. Ganesan, who owned a transportation company, had initially refused to smuggle animals due to the illegality but succumbed to financial pressure from an unknown lender who offered him a job to repay his debt. He was paid SGD60 per trip to deliver the animals, often in laundry bags or boxes. The identities of those involved in the smuggling operation remain unknown.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 8 ameznews.inThe White House budget office has proposed cutting funding for United Nations peacekeeping missions, citing operational failures in Mali, Lebanon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to internal documents reviewed by Reuters. As the largest contributor to the U.N., the U.S. accounts for 22% of the core budget and 27% of the peacekeeping budget, with mandatory payments totaling $3.7 billion and $5.6 billion, respectively. The proposed cuts are part of a broader plan to reduce the State Department's budget by nearly half for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on October 1. While Congress has the authority to restore funding, the State Department has indicated that no final budget exists yet. The U.S. is currently nearly $1.5 billion in arrears for the regular budget and about $1.2 billion for peacekeeping, raising concerns about potential voting repercussions in the U.N. General Assembly.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 5 ameznews.inA magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Afghanistan on Wednesday, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The tremor occurred at a depth of 121 kilometers (75 miles), though specific details regarding the impact or any potential casualties have not yet been reported. This seismic event adds to the challenges faced by Afghanistan, a country already grappling with significant humanitarian issues. The region is known for its seismic activity, and earthquakes of this magnitude can pose serious risks to infrastructure and communities. Further updates are expected as authorities assess the situation and respond to any emerging needs.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 5 ameznews.inThe Trump administration is reportedly leveraging tariff negotiations with over 70 countries to isolate China amid ongoing trade tensions. According to The Wall Street Journal, U.S. officials are urging these nations to restrict Chinese shipments and prevent Chinese companies from establishing operations within their borders to evade U.S. tariffs. This strategy aims to bolster U.S. economic interests by diminishing China's influence in global trade. The move reflects a broader effort by Washington to reshape international trade dynamics and reinforce its stance against Beijing's economic practices.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 5 ameznews.inA Peruvian court has sentenced former president Ollanta Humala and his wife, Nadine Heredia, to 15 years in prison for corruption linked to the Odebrecht scandal, which involved extensive bribery by the Brazilian construction giant. The court found the couple guilty of money laundering for accepting illegal contributions totaling $3 million from Odebrecht during Humala's 2011 presidential campaign and misusing $200,000 from the Venezuelan government for his failed 2006 bid. Humala was taken into custody immediately following the ruling, while Heredia, who was absent, has sought asylum at the Brazilian embassy in Lima. Humala, who served from 2011 to 2016, is the first former Peruvian president to face trial in this widespread corruption case, which has implicated three others, including Alejandro Toledo, sentenced to over 20 years. Humala's legal team has announced plans to appeal the verdict.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 6 ameznews.inThe White House announced on Tuesday that productive discussions between the US and Russia could pave the way for economic partnerships, contingent on a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that both President Biden and Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff believe Russia is motivated to end the war, but a ceasefire must precede any economic collaboration. This statement follows former President Donald Trump's criticism of the Biden administration, claiming that the war stemmed from a "rigged" 2020 election and asserting that he had effectively prevented such a conflict during his presidency. Trump condemned a recent Russian missile strike on Ukraine, labeling it a "mistake" while acknowledging the need to halt the violence. Meanwhile, Witkoff's recent meeting with President Putin in Saint Petersburg focused on various aspects of the conflict and the potential for future cooperation, including investments in the Arctic.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 4 ameznews.inA magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck off the southern coast of the Philippines on Wednesday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake, which occurred at a depth of 30 kilometers (18.6 miles), was centered approximately 43 kilometers southwest of Maitum, a town situated in a mountainous and sparsely populated region. Local authorities reported no immediate damage or casualties, with Gilbert Rolifor from the Maitum fire department stating, "It was strong but didn't last long." The Philippines frequently experiences seismic activity due to its location along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an area known for its intense volcanic and earthquake activity. While minor quakes are common, significant tremors can occur unpredictably, with no current technology available to forecast their occurrence.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 5 ameznews.inIn a statement on Tuesday, US envoy Steve Witkoff emphasized that Iran must completely cease its uranium enrichment to secure any nuclear deal, although he previously suggested low-level enrichment might be acceptable. Witkoff stated that any agreement should foster peace and stability in the Middle East, which necessitates the elimination of Iran's nuclear enrichment and weaponization efforts. He noted that Iran should not enrich uranium beyond the 3.67 percent limit established in the 2015 nuclear agreement, which the Trump administration abandoned in 2018. Recent reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency indicated Iran possesses nearly 275 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, close to weapons-grade levels. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that President Trump had thanked Oman's Sultan for facilitating discussions on a potential deal, reiterating Trump’s threat to strike Iran's nuclear facilities if negotiations fail. Iran maintains its nuclear ambitions are solely for peaceful energy purposes.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 1 ameznews.inDonald Trump has asserted that it is China's responsibility to negotiate on trade, following accusations that Beijing has reneged on a significant deal with Boeing. At a White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt relayed Trump's statement that "the ball is in China's court," emphasizing that the U.S. does not need to make concessions. This comes after reports indicated that China has halted aircraft deliveries from Boeing and requested its airlines to pause purchases of U.S. equipment. Trump criticized China for failing to meet commitments from a previous trade agreement, claiming they bought only a fraction of what was promised and showing "zero respect" for the Biden administration. While Trump has imposed heavy tariffs on Chinese imports, he remains open to a deal but insists that China must act first. Boeing shares fell by 1.7 percent amid the escalating tensions, and China's foreign ministry has yet to comment on the situation.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 2 ameznews.inThe armed wing of Hamas announced on Tuesday that it has lost contact with militants holding Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander in the Gaza Strip, following an Israeli army attack on their location. Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for Hamas' military branch, did not disclose Alexander's whereabouts, but warned families of hostages that their loved ones could return in "black coffins." Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli soldier from New Jersey, has been held since October 7, 2023. U.S. officials, including President Trump's special envoy, have prioritized his release, and discussions have previously taken place regarding a potential ceasefire that could facilitate the release of Alexander and other hostages. Meanwhile, Israel's military continues its offensive in Gaza, insisting it will not cease until all remaining hostages are freed and the region is demilitarized. Hamas, however, maintains that hostages will only be released as part of a broader peace deal.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 12 am
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