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French President Emmanuel Macron's political party, Renaissance, is advocating for a ban on minors under 15 wearing the Muslim headscarf in public, as the government prepares to review a report on "political Islamism" in France. The report labels the Muslim Brotherhood a "threat to national cohesion," claiming it jeopardizes societal fabric and republican institutions. The proposed ban would apply to public spaces, including streets and parks, with the party arguing that the hijab undermines gender equality and child protection. Additionally, they seek to criminalize coercion against parents who compel their daughters to wear the veil. While Renaissance operates as a minority in parliament alongside a traditional right-wing party, critics argue that such measures reflect an Islamophobic stance, particularly following past jihadist attacks. The government is also considering a law to prohibit the hijab in domestic sports competitions, further fueling the debate on religious expression in France. 
Published: May 21 2025, 5 pmeznews.inPresident Donald Trump acknowledged on Wednesday that his administration's cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and its global aid programs have been "devastating," particularly for African nations. Speaking alongside South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House, Trump emphasized the need for other countries to contribute financially, stating, "The United States always gets the request for money. Nobody else helps." While the administration has defended the cuts as a means to eliminate waste, they have sparked controversy and are the subject of several federal lawsuits. The U.S. remains the largest humanitarian aid donor, contributing $61 billion last year, with South Africa receiving significant support for healthcare. However, recent funding reductions have impacted the country's response to its severe HIV epidemic, where testing and monitoring of patients have notably declined since the cuts were implemented.
Published: May 22 2025, 1 ameznews.inRussia's alliance with Armenia is deteriorating as Moscow struggles to meet its defense commitments amid the ongoing Ukraine war. Armenia, frustrated by a lack of military support during conflicts with Azerbaijan, is now seeking arms from France, which raises alarms in Moscow. Historically reliant on Russia for weapons, Armenia's growing ties with Western nations are seen as a shift in its strategic direction. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov acknowledged delays in fulfilling Armenia's orders, attributing these issues to the conflict with the West. He cautioned Yerevan about its increasing defense relationship with France, labeling it a concern given France's antagonistic stance towards Russia. Additionally, Armenia's recent withdrawal from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and its dissatisfaction over the protection of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh further highlight the rift in their long-standing alliance.
Published: May 22 2025, 1 ameznews.inUS President Donald Trump faced criticism after a tense exchange with an NBC reporter regarding the Pentagon's announcement of a modified Qatari Boeing 747, which is set to serve as a temporary Air Force One. During a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Trump dismissed the reporter's inquiries as a distraction from more critical issues, including violence against white farmers in South Africa. He labeled the reporter "terrible" and "not smart enough" for his role, further condemning NBC and its parent company, Comcast, as a "disgrace" and calling for an investigation into their operations. The aircraft, valued at approximately $400 million, was accepted by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and is intended for presidential use until new aircraft are delivered. Trump clarified on social media that the jet is a gift to the US government, not personally to him, emphasizing Qatar's longstanding alliance with the US.
Published: May 22 2025, 2 ameznews.inAn Indian-origin man, Paresh Patel, was shot dead in the U.S. by a robber posing as a customer, with the incident captured on CCTV. Patel, hailing from Dingucha village in Gujarat, was working in his shop when the assailant attempted to rob him at gunpoint. Despite complying with the robber's demands, Patel was fatally shot after the theft. This tragic event is part of a worrying trend, as the Indian government reported that 86 Indian nationals faced violent attacks abroad in 2023, including 12 in the U.S. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh emphasized that the safety of Indians overseas is a top priority, with government missions actively monitoring incidents and ensuring thorough investigations in collaboration with local authorities.
Published: May 22 2025, 12 ameznews.inDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar to be used as Air Force One for President Donald Trump, as confirmed by the Pentagon on Wednesday. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that the Defense Department will implement necessary security measures to ensure the aircraft's safety for presidential use, adhering to federal regulations. Trump defended the gift during his recent Middle East trip, arguing it would save taxpayers from incurring costs, stating, "Why should our military... pay hundreds of millions of dollars when they can get it for FREE?" However, the decision has sparked concerns over potential constitutional violations regarding foreign gifts, as well as the financial and logistical implications of retrofitting the plane for security compliance. Trump has not articulated a national security need for an expedited upgrade, especially given the ongoing development of new Air Force One jets by Boeing.
Published: May 22 2025, 12 ameznews.inThe United States has unveiled its $175 billion Golden Dome missile defense shield, designed to counter threats from China and Russia, with President Donald Trump appointing Space Force General Michael Guetlein to lead the initiative. The project has drawn sharp criticism from China, which warns it could escalate militarization in outer space and trigger an arms race. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning accused the U.S. of pursuing a "U.S.-first" policy that undermines global security and stability, urging Washington to halt the development of the global missile defense system. Russia echoed these concerns, describing the Golden Dome as "deeply destabilizing" and a potential catalyst for conflict in space. The system is intended to intercept missiles at all stages of an attack, including those launched from distant locations or space, a capability Trump emphasized as crucial for national survival.
Published: May 22 2025, 12 ameznews.inA hacker has breached TeleMessage, a messaging platform used by U.S. officials, leading to the leak of data from over 60 government users, including disaster responders and diplomats. The incident, which has raised significant cybersecurity concerns, was revealed following a review by Reuters, which identified the leaked data through the nonprofit Distributed Denial of Secrets. While no sensitive content has been confirmed, the leaked messages, covering a one-day period, included communications related to travel plans of senior officials. TeleMessage, which allows for archiving of messages in compliance with government regulations, has been suspended since May 5. The White House acknowledged the cybersecurity incident but did not comment on its use of the platform. Experts warn that even non-sensitive content poses a counterintelligence risk due to the metadata associated with the conversations.
Published: May 22 2025, 12 ameznews.inBhadreshkumar Patel, a 34-year-old man from Gujarat, has been placed on the FBI's ten most-wanted list for the alleged murder of his wife, Palak Patel, in Maryland in 2015. The couple was working at a donut shop when Patel reportedly attacked Palak, striking her multiple times with an object. Following the incident on April 12, a federal arrest warrant was issued just eight days later, but Patel has remained elusive, with authorities suspecting he may have fled to India. Investigators believe the motive was linked to Palak's desire to return to India, which Patel opposed. The FBI has increased the bounty for information leading to his capture from $100,000 to $250,000, urging the public to assist in locating him. Police Chief Amal E. Awad emphasized the ongoing threat Patel poses, stating that as long as he remains at large, no intimate partner is safe.
Published: May 21 2025, 10 pmeznews.inUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday that the State Department would intensify efforts to process visas ahead of the upcoming World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. He highlighted concerns over a significant backlog, particularly for Colombian applicants, warning that those who have not yet applied may miss the event. The Trump administration's stringent immigration policies have led to increased scrutiny of visa applications, impacting tourism, especially from Canada. To address this, Rubio revealed plans to potentially reassign diplomats to visa services and implement 24-hour operations at embassies. He also mentioned the possibility of using artificial intelligence for processing certain cases, such as visa renewals. Rubio emphasized the importance of ensuring the success of tourism for major sporting events, responding to concerns raised by Representative Dina Titus about declining visitor numbers to her Las Vegas district since the administration took office.
Published: May 21 2025, 10 pmeznews.inUS President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House over controversial remarks made by a South African official, which Trump linked to claims of "white genocide" targeting farmers in South Africa. During their meeting in the Oval Office, Trump presented an audio-visual clip related to the allegations, marking his second high-profile confrontation with a foreign leader, following a contentious exchange with Ukraine's President Zelensky. Ramaphosa appeared visibly uncomfortable with the sudden focus on the inflammatory claims, firmly denying the allegations against his country. The encounter underscores ongoing tensions surrounding race relations in South Africa and highlights Trump's willingness to address contentious international issues in a public forum.
Published: May 21 2025, 11 pm
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