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The US State Department has refuted claims that data from a program tracking kidnapped Ukrainian children was deleted, while confirming the program's termination due to a freeze on foreign aid. In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Democratic lawmakers expressed concern about potential data loss, but State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce asserted that the data still exists and is managed by MITRE, a non-governmental organization. The program, initiated under President Biden, aimed to document potential war crimes by Russia during its invasion of Ukraine. The Trump administration had previously paused the program in January, citing a review of foreign aid spending. The cessation of the program means researchers will lose access to critical information regarding approximately 30,000 children taken from Ukraine, which Ukraine has condemned as a war crime. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Russian officials over these alleged crimes. 
Published: Mar 20 2025, 1 pmeznews.inNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test-firing of a new anti-aircraft missile system, which state media KCNA reported on Friday. The test, aimed at assessing the system's performance, comes as production has already commenced. Kim praised the research group behind the system, asserting that the test demonstrated its "highly reliable" nature and advantageous combat response. While KCNA did not disclose the specific location of the test, it noted that Kim was accompanied by members of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. This development underscores North Korea's ongoing efforts to enhance its military capabilities amid heightened tensions in the region.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 4 ameznews.inA 4.9-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan on March 21, 2025, at a depth of 160 km, as reported by the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The earthquake's coordinates were 36.48 N latitude and 71.45 E longitude. This seismic event follows a 4.0-magnitude quake that hit the region just days earlier on March 13, which occurred at a much shallower depth of 10 km, making it more susceptible to aftershocks and potential damage. Afghanistan's vulnerability to natural disasters, including earthquakes, is exacerbated by ongoing conflict and underdevelopment, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The country lies on numerous fault lines between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it prone to frequent seismic activity, particularly in the geologically active Hindu Kush Mountain range.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 4 ameznews.inPresident Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States will soon sign a minerals and natural resources agreement with Ukraine, following productive discussions with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. Speaking at a White House event, Trump emphasized the importance of increasing U.S. production of critical minerals and expressed optimism about the potential for peace, stating, "We're doing pretty well with regard to Ukraine and Russia." He noted that the upcoming deal would focus on rare earths, which he believes could help Ukraine repay the U.S. for its support. Despite previous setbacks in negotiations, Trump remains hopeful that a resolution could save lives, asserting, "They're dying so unnecessarily, and I believe we'll get it done." Both Ukraine and the U.S. aim to finalize a comprehensive agreement for developing Ukraine's critical mineral resources as soon as possible.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 4 ameznews.inUS President Donald Trump has intensified his campaign against judicial interventions, urging the Supreme Court to prevent judges from obstructing his policy initiatives. In a post on Truth Social, Trump specifically called on Chief Justice John Roberts to "STOP NATIONWIDE INJUNCTIONS NOW, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," following a recent ruling that sought to halt his summary deportation efforts. This latest demand comes after Roberts publicly criticized Trump for suggesting the impeachment of the judge involved in the immigration case. Trump's remarks underscore a growing tension between the executive branch and the judiciary as he seeks to advance his administration's agenda amid legal challenges.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 5 ameznews.inThe United States and Israel are set to engage in high-level discussions concerning Iran's nuclear program at the White House next week, following a letter from President Donald Trump to Iranian leadership. The letter warned Iran of potential military action unless it agrees to a nuclear deal. The Israeli delegation, led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, will meet with senior Trump advisers to explore the prospects for U.S.-Iran nuclear talks and related regional issues. Trump's recent military strikes against Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis underscore his administration's "maximum pressure" campaign aimed at isolating Iran economically. Since withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran has exceeded previously established nuclear limits, raising concerns among Western officials about a potential nuclear-armed Iran threatening regional stability. Israel, meanwhile, seeks alignment with the U.S. in countering Iranian influence amid ongoing conflicts involving Iranian-backed groups.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 2 ameznews.inHamas has urged Arab and Muslim nations to take immediate action to halt Israel's renewed offensive on Gaza, asserting a "direct moral and political responsibility" to end what it describes as genocide. Israel resumed its air campaign on Tuesday, breaking a period of relative calm since a ceasefire began on January 19. Reports indicate that at least 504 people, including over 190 children, have been killed since the air strikes commenced, marking one of the highest tolls in the conflict that began over 17 months ago. As Israel's military operations expand in southern Rafah and beyond, Hamas has called for urgent intervention from the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, urging them to act within international forums like the UN Security Council. The renewed offensive follows stalled negotiations for a ceasefire extension, with Israel demanding the return of hostages held by Hamas.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 2 ameznews.inThe United States has imposed sanctions on a China-based oil refinery in Shandong province for purchasing approximately $500 million worth of Iranian oil from Huthi-linked ships, escalating its pressure on Iran. The US Treasury Department described the refinery as a "teapot refinery," a term for smaller, privately-owned operations in China, contrasting with larger state-owned enterprises. This move is part of President Donald Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, which aims to diminish the country's oil exports. The Treasury also sanctioned 19 additional ships and companies linked to the oil supply chain, emphasizing that such purchases sustain the Iranian regime, identified as the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. Concurrently, the US State Department announced sanctions against a Chinese oil terminal, underscoring China's role as the largest importer of Iranian oil, which the US alleges funds attacks against its allies and supports global terrorism.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 1 ameznews.inIsrael's military announced on Thursday that it had killed Rashid Jahjouh, the head of Hamas's internal security agency, in a recent airstrike on the Gaza Strip, marking the latest in a series of targeted operations following the resumption of airstrikes earlier this week. The renewed offensive disrupted a period of relative calm since a ceasefire on January 19. Military spokesman Avichay Adraee confirmed Jahjouh's death, noting he had taken over the position after the killing of his predecessor, Sami Oudeh, in July 2024. In a separate operation, Israeli forces also eliminated Ismail Abdel-Al, linked to Islamic Jihad's arms smuggling network. The ongoing strikes have resulted in significant casualties, with Gaza's civil defense agency reporting 504 deaths, including over 190 children. Hamas has identified several of its officials, including government head Essam al-Dalis, among those killed in the recent Israeli assaults.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 11 pmeznews.inFrance is set to distribute a 20-page survival manual to every household as part of a national initiative to enhance citizens' preparedness for various emergencies, including potential war. The manual, pending approval from Prime Minister François Bayrou, will cover natural disasters, health crises like COVID-19, and security threats such as terrorism. It will feature practical advice, including emergency contact lists, radio station information, and guidelines for sheltering during a nuclear incident. Households will also be encouraged to assemble a 'survival kit' containing essentials like water, food, batteries, and medical supplies. This initiative follows France's 2022 launch of an emergency preparedness website and draws inspiration from similar programs in Sweden and Finland. President Emmanuel Macron recently emphasized the need for increased security measures, including boosting operational reservists from 40,000 to 100,000 by 2035, stating that France must be ready to defend itself against potential threats.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 11 pmeznews.inFormer Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been appointed as the patron-in-chief of the Lahore Authority for Heritage Revival (LAHR) under the government of his daughter, Maryam Nawaz, in Punjab province. His new role involves overseeing the restoration of numerous colonial-era buildings in Lahore, a task he has embraced as vital for preserving the city’s historical heritage. The Punjab administration officially announced his appointment, which comes after Sharif returned from London in 2023, aiming for a fourth term as prime minister but ultimately seeing his brother, Shehbaz Sharif, selected for the role instead. The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party criticized the move, suggesting it was merely a "government job" for Sharif, who they claim has been sidelined since his party's defeat in the 2024 elections. Nawaz Sharif has expressed a commitment to restoring Lahore’s beauty, stating that preserving the city's heritage is a national duty.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 11 pm
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