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A CIA employee, Asif William Rahman, pleaded guilty to charges of willfully retaining and transmitting national defense information, as confirmed by the U.S. Department of Justice. Rahman, who had been with the agency since 2016, admitted to illegally downloading, printing, and distributing classified documents on multiple occasions, particularly in 2024. Court records reveal that he printed five secret and top-secret documents in spring 2024, altered them, and shared them with unauthorized individuals. To conceal his actions, he deleted evidence from his devices and had the records shredded at work. In autumn 2024, he printed another ten top-secret documents and, on October 17, printed two more related to Israel's plans to strike Iran, which later surfaced online via a pro-Iranian Telegram account. Rahman, 34, from Vienna, Virginia, was arrested in Cambodia and faces sentencing on May 15 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. 
Published: Jan 18 2025, 1 ameznews.inElon Musk faced a wave of ridicule from the gaming community after a poor performance during a livestream of "Path of Exile 2," where he claimed to have a high-ranking character. Viewers quickly pointed out his lack of familiarity with basic game mechanics, leading to accusations that he was not genuinely skilled and may have even hired help. Prominent Twitch streamer Asmongold challenged Musk to prove his gaming prowess, prompting Musk to unfollow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Musk then shared private messages suggesting Asmongold lacked independence, which further fueled online mockery. The incident has raised questions about Musk's credibility, with many users expressing doubts about his other claims of gaming success. This debacle has tarnished Musk's carefully crafted image as a superhuman multitasker, with critics dubbing him a "man-child" and questioning the authenticity of his various accomplishments.
Published: Jan 18 2025, 7 ameznews.inIn a stark warning against potential trade hostilities, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated that Americans would face a "Trump tariffs tax" if President-elect Donald Trump implements his proposed 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports. Speaking at a press conference in Washington, Joly emphasized that such measures would ignite the largest trade war between Canada and the US in decades, prompting Canada to prepare a robust response, including potential tariffs on US goods like steel, ceramics, and orange juice. Outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau echoed these sentiments, highlighting the risks to American jobs and consumers, as well as the broader economic implications for both nations. Analysts at Scotiabank predict that a trade war could lead to a more than five percent decline in Canadian GDP, increased unemployment, and rising inflation, underscoring the far-reaching consequences of escalating trade tensions.
Published: Jan 18 2025, 5 ameznews.inThe Israeli cabinet has approved a ceasefire deal with Hamas, which includes a plan for the return of hostages. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that the agreement, aimed at halting ongoing hostilities, will take effect on Sunday. This decision marks a significant step towards de-escalation in the region, following intense fighting. The approval was made in the early hours of Saturday morning, reflecting the government's commitment to resolving the conflict and addressing humanitarian concerns. As tensions have escalated in recent months, this deal is seen as a crucial opportunity for peace and stability in Gaza.
Published: Jan 18 2025, 5 ameznews.inThe US Supreme Court has upheld a law to ban TikTok, a platform used by 170 million Americans, citing national security concerns unless its Chinese owner, ByteDance, sells it to an American buyer. Content creator Ayman Chaudhary expressed sadness over the potential loss of TikTok, which has been a source of income and community for many like her. As uncertainty looms, users are exploring alternatives, including Xiaohongshu, a Chinese social media app gaining traction amid the TikTok controversy. Duolingo reported a surge in Americans learning Mandarin, reflecting a shift in user sentiment. Many TikTok creators are urging followers to migrate to other platforms while dismissing fears of Chinese surveillance. The app has been pivotal for micro-influencers, allowing them to thrive through its unique algorithm, which curates content based on user interests. The future of TikTok remains uncertain as creators adapt to the shifting landscape.
Published: Jan 18 2025, 5 ameznews.inThe foreign ministers of the QUAD countries—Australia, India, Japan, and the US—are set to convene on January 21, marking a significant early foreign policy engagement for President Donald Trump’s second term, which begins with his inauguration on January 20. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya will attend the inauguration. The QUAD meeting aims to reaffirm the US commitment to the Indo-Pacific region under the new administration, as reported by Politico. Marco Rubio is anticipated to be confirmed as the new US Secretary of State before the meeting, making this his first foreign policy engagement. Analysts view the meeting as a sign of continuity in US foreign policy, reflecting an awareness of a more competitive global landscape compared to previous decades, according to Dhruva Jaishankar, executive director of ORF America.
Published: Jan 18 2025, 4 ameznews.inOpenAI has announced the imminent launch of its new reasoning AI model, o3 mini, within the next few weeks, according to CEO Sam Altman. The Microsoft-backed company has taken user feedback into account and plans to release both the application programming interface (API) and ChatGPT simultaneously. OpenAI is in competition with rivals like Alphabet's Google to develop advanced models capable of solving complex problems. Following the introduction of its o1 AI models in September 2024, which excelled at processing intricate queries in science, coding, and math, the upcoming o3 models are expected to be even more powerful. Additionally, OpenAI recently unveiled a beta feature called Tasks for ChatGPT, marking its entry into the virtual assistant market, where it will compete with established players like Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa. The popularity of ChatGPT has significantly boosted investment in AI, helping OpenAI secure $6.6 billion in funding last month.
Published: Jan 18 2025, 4 ameznews.inDonald Trump is set to be sworn in for his second term as president of the United States on Monday, marking a remarkable political comeback. The inauguration ceremony will take place at 12 p.m. EST inside the congressional complex due to extreme cold, with Chief Justice John Roberts administering the oath. Trump aims to deliver a unifying inaugural address, contrasting with his 2017 speech. Outgoing President Joe Biden will attend, a courtesy Trump previously declined. Trump has invited several foreign leaders, including Argentina's President Javier Milei, while notable figures like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are also on the guest list. The inauguration festivities will include a rally and multiple galas, with Trump expected to sign over 100 executive orders on his first day, focusing on immigration and energy production. The event is funded by Trump's inauguration committee, which has raised over $170 million.
Published: Jan 18 2025, 1 ameznews.inUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken faced intense scrutiny during his final days in office, particularly at his last press conference where he was confronted by journalists over the Biden administration's actions during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Independent journalist Sam Husseini challenged Blinken, citing accusations of genocide against Israel from organizations like Amnesty International, leading to Husseini's forceful removal by security as he shouted accusations at Blinken. Another journalist, Max Blumenthal, accused Blinken of complicity in violence against Palestinians, questioning his ties to pro-Israel lobbying. This turmoil followed a farewell address where Blinken was heckled by a protester branding him "Bloody Blinken" for his perceived role in the conflict. The backdrop of these confrontations was a ceasefire agreement that concluded a devastating 15-month war, which resulted in significant civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza, raising global concerns about Israel's military response.
Published: Jan 17 2025, 11 pmeznews.inTech billionaire Elon Musk expressed optimism about India-US relations during a visit from leading Indian entrepreneurs at his SpaceX Starbase in Texas. The delegation, part of the India Global Forum's expansion into the US, toured SpaceX's facilities and observed the successful launch of Starship Flight 7. Musk advocated for reducing trade barriers to foster commerce between the two nations, highlighting the potential for collaboration in technology and space exploration. He praised India's rich cultural heritage and emphasized its growing role in global innovation. The meeting occurred just before Donald Trump's inauguration for a second term, with Musk reportedly considered for a position in his administration. Manoj Ladwa, founder of the India Global Forum, underscored the significance of dialogue between global leaders amid the transition, noting that India's rise offers vast opportunities for powerful partnerships in addressing contemporary challenges.
Published: Jan 17 2025, 11 pm
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