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The US Senate has confirmed Indian-origin Jay Bhattacharya as the new Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with a vote of 53-47. Bhattacharya, a professor at Stanford School of Medicine and a prominent figure in health policy, has a notable background, including roles as a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research and director of Stanford's Centre for Demography and Economics of Health and Ageing. He is recognized for co-authoring the Great Barrington Declaration, which advocated alternatives to lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following his appointment, Republican Senator Mitch McConnell praised Bhattacharya's extensive experience in medical research, expressing confidence in his leadership. Bhattacharya will collaborate with newly appointed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to elevate the NIH to a "Gold Standard of Medical Research." 
Published: Mar 26 2025, 10 ameznews.inPresident Donald Trump's recent executive order aims to eliminate what he terms "divisive ideology" from the Smithsonian, a renowned complex of museums and research institutions that reflects the American narrative. Critics, including Yale historian David Blight and Southern Poverty Law Center president Margaret Huang, have condemned the move as a dangerous attempt to rewrite history and suppress diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Trump's directive could lead to the restoration of Confederate monuments and suggests that even the National Zoo may require a cleanse of "improper" ideologies. As the Smithsonian, which is partly federally funded, has evolved to tell a more inclusive story of America, experts warn that this political interference threatens the integrity of cultural institutions and could prompt resignations among staff. The push to control the narrative of American history is seen as part of a broader trend toward authoritarianism, undermining the principles of freedom and representation. 
Published: Mar 29 2025, 12 pmeznews.inA construction worker in Bangkok recounted his narrow escape as a 30-storey skyscraper collapsed in seconds following a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday. Khin Aung, who had just seen his younger brother before heading outside for water, described the chaos as he witnessed dust clouding the air and rushed to escape. With up to 100 workers potentially trapped in the debris, authorities confirmed at least five fatalities, with the death toll expected to rise. Families of the missing gathered at the site, clinging to hope for their loved ones. Khin Aung, who has been working in Bangkok for six months, expressed despair as he awaited news about his brother and friends. Meanwhile, rescue teams continued their perilous efforts to search the rubble without causing further collapses, as anxious relatives like Chanpen Kaewnoi awaited updates on their missing family members. 
Published: Mar 29 2025, 12 pmeznews.inAuthorities in Nepal have detained over 100 individuals amid an investigation into violent clashes during a protest by supporters of former King Gyanendra Shah, who are advocating for the restoration of the constitutional monarchy. The unrest erupted in Kathmandu on Friday as pro-monarchy demonstrators clashed with police, resulting in the deaths of two people, including a journalist, and injuries to at least 112 others. The violence included stone-throwing, arson, and vandalism, prompting police to impose a curfew and deploy the army. Key figures in the protest, including Rastriya Prajatantra Party leaders, were among those arrested. The former king, who has largely remained silent on political matters, has recently made public appearances, reigniting discussions about the monarchy's role in Nepal's future. Political leaders, including former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, have condemned the violence and called for accountability, asserting that the country will not revert to a monarchical system. 
Published: Mar 29 2025, 1 pmeznews.inA powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and rattled neighboring Thailand, resulting in approximately 700 fatalities and prompting extensive rescue operations. The tremors were felt as far as Bangkok, leading to panic among tourists, many of whom were Indian nationals. At Kolkata airport, travelers reported evacuations in malls and offices, while metro services were halted. Eyewitness accounts described skyscrapers swaying and water spilling from infinity pools. Some tourists faced difficulties reaching the airport due to emergency closures of commercial spaces. The Indian Embassy in Thailand confirmed it was monitoring the situation, stating that no incidents involving Indian citizens had been reported, and urged nationals to contact their emergency number if needed. The earthquake also caused significant structural damage across the region, with reports of tremors felt in China and Vietnam. 
Published: Mar 29 2025, 11 ameznews.inShad Olson, a former South Dakota TV news anchor, faces charges of domestic abuse against his girlfriend, with a jury trial set for June 5. The allegations stem from an incident in February 2024, during which Olson reportedly assaulted the woman at her Meade County home, shoving her to the ground and grabbing her by the throat. According to a case affidavit, he verbally abused her and chased her barefoot from the house, threatening his reputation while continuing the assault. The girlfriend, who claimed Olson had a history of violence exacerbated by alcohol and political stress, eventually escaped to a neighbor's house. Although a felony charge was dropped in November 2024, Olson was charged with simple assault-domestic violence, a Class 1 misdemeanor. He was released on bail after being detained, and his pre-trial hearing is scheduled for May 22. 
Published: Mar 29 2025, 11 ameznews.inIn recent days, social media platforms like Instagram and X have been flooded with anime-inspired art, particularly Studio Ghibli portraits, following the launch of a new feature in OpenAI's ChatGPT-4o. This update allows users to generate images and transform existing pictures into Ghibli-style art, though it is only accessible to subscribers of ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Team, and Select tiers. Free users are limited to three animated images. For those seeking to create unlimited Ghibli-style images without a subscription, platforms like Gemini AI and Grok offer straightforward options: users can describe or upload images to generate the desired artwork. Additionally, alternative third-party services such as DeepAI, Craiyon, and Playground AI provide similar functionalities. Studio Ghibli, renowned for its enchanting storytelling and animation, was founded by Hayao Miyazaki and is celebrated for classics like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. 
Published: Mar 29 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia has dispatched approximately 15 tonnes of relief supplies to Myanmar following a devastating earthquake that struck the country and neighbouring Thailand, resulting in over 700 fatalities and widespread destruction. The aid, part of Operation Brahma, was transported via an Indian Air Force C-130 J aircraft and includes essential items such as tents, blankets, food packets, hygiene kits, generators, and medical supplies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed India's readiness to assist, urging authorities to remain on standby and coordinate with Myanmar and Thailand for further support. The earthquake, with its epicentre near Sagaing, caused significant structural damage, prompting Myanmar's military leader to call for international aid. Meanwhile, Thailand reported at least eight deaths, with many more unaccounted for, as emergency services responded to the crisis. Both countries have declared states of emergency in the hardest-hit regions. 
Published: Mar 29 2025, 9 ameznews.inA powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck northwest Myanmar on Friday, causing widespread devastation and resulting in over 700 deaths and 1,670 injuries across Myanmar and neighboring Thailand. The quake, which occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km, was followed by a significant aftershock and smaller tremors, shaking buildings as far as eastern India and parts of China. Myanmar's military junta reported that emergency services, already strained by ongoing civil conflict, are struggling to respond effectively. In Thailand, ten fatalities were reported, primarily due to the collapse of a construction site in Bangkok. In response to the disaster, Myanmar's junta made a rare appeal for international aid, prompting India to swiftly offer assistance, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledging support and dispatching relief supplies. The United States and the European Union also expressed their willingness to help, highlighting the global response to this humanitarian crisis. 
Published: Mar 29 2025, 9 ameznews.inDeclassified CIA documents suggest that the legendary Ark of the Covenant, long thought to be lost, may have been located by a psychic in the Middle East during the agency's secretive Project Sun Streak in the 1980s. This project involved experiments in remote viewing, where a psychic identified a site housing the artifact, described as a container made of wood, gold, and silver, adorned with a six-winged angel, and allegedly protected by unspecified entities. According to biblical accounts, the Ark, constructed around 1445 BC, housed the Ten Commandments given to Moses. The revelation has sparked a mix of skepticism and humor on social media, with users referencing Indiana Jones and speculating on the Ark's possible locations, including Ethiopia and Jerusalem. Despite the intrigue, remote viewing lacks scientific validation and is often dismissed as pseudoscience. 
Published: Mar 29 2025, 7 ameznews.inUS President Donald Trump expressed optimism regarding tariff negotiations with India, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "very smart man" and a "great friend." Trump's remarks followed his announcement of a 25% tariff on imported vehicles, set to take effect on April 2, impacting nearly half of all vehicles sold in the US, including American brands produced abroad. He reiterated concerns over India's high tariffs, previously indicating plans for reciprocal tariffs against countries like India and China. This dialogue comes in the wake of Modi's visit to Washington DC in February, where both leaders aimed to strengthen bilateral trade ties, setting an ambitious target of 'Mission 500' to increase two-way goods and services trade to $500 billion by 2030. The discussions underscore a commitment to fostering growth, fairness, and job creation between the two nations. 
Published: Mar 29 2025, 8 am
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