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Yaroslav Moskalik, the Deputy Chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces, was killed in a car explosion in Balashikha, near Moscow, on Friday, according to TASS, citing the Russian Investigative Committee. The blast, caused by an improvised explosive device containing submunitions equivalent to over 300 grams of TNT, prompted a criminal investigation into murder and illegal trafficking of explosives. Emergency response teams and investigators have been dispatched to the scene. This incident follows a similar attack earlier in December, which resulted in the deaths of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops, and his aide, who were killed by an explosive device planted in an electric scooter in southeastern Moscow. The Investigative Committee is probing both incidents as part of a broader investigation into escalating violence targeting military officials. 
Published: Apr 26 2025, 6 ameznews.inAfter more than 30 years since her expulsion for disguising her identity, magician Sophie Lloyd has been reinstated as a member of The Magic Circle. The elite society, which promotes the art of magic, welcomed Lloyd back in an Instagram post, acknowledging her extraordinary efforts in the early 1990s when she disguised herself as 'Raymond Lloyd' to gain entry into the all-male organization. Lloyd successfully passed her examination but was expelled on the day the society voted to admit women, following her revelation. Inspired by a friend’s frustration over the exclusion of female magicians, Lloyd used a bodysuit, wig, and altered voice to infiltrate the group. Laura London, the society's first female chair, emphasized the importance of recognizing Lloyd as a role model for women in magic, marking a significant step towards inclusivity within The Magic Circle. Lloyd expressed her excitement upon receiving her certificate, stating, "I'm beyond thrilled." 
Published: Apr 26 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe death of Pope Francis has prompted an outpouring of global condolences, but it has also sparked a surge of disinformation. The 88-year-old Argentine reformer, known for his vocal opposition to fake news, became a target for misleading content, including manipulated videos and false claims about his connections. Notably, a video falsely depicting him swatting President Trump’s hand was originally a comedic skit, while another claimed to showcase Satanic rituals at his funeral, using unrelated footage from Spain. Additionally, a photo of the pope with Holocaust survivors was misrepresented to link him to anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. Digital literacy experts highlight that disinformation often follows significant events, as individuals exploit the attention to promote agendas or generate clicks. AI-generated images, including one of the pope in a rainbow Pride flag, further contributed to the misleading narratives surrounding his death, underscoring the ongoing challenges posed by disinformation in the digital age. 
Published: Apr 26 2025, 11 ameznews.inPakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed readiness for a "neutral investigation" into the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, including that of a Nepalese national. This incident, one of the deadliest since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, has intensified diplomatic tensions, with India accusing Pakistan of harboring terrorist groups responsible for such violence. Speaking at the Pakistan Military Academy, Sharif emphasized Pakistan's willingness to participate in a credible inquiry, while also condemning the ongoing blame game regarding terrorism. The Resistance Front, linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack. In response, India has convened a Cabinet Committee on Security, announcing significant diplomatic measures against Pakistan, including the downgrading of diplomatic missions, expulsion of military advisors, and suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty until Pakistan ceases its support for cross-border terrorism. 
Published: Apr 26 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe official ceremonies for Pope Francis will commence at 9:00 am IST with the opening of St Peter's Square. At 1:00 pm IST, US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania will arrive at the square, followed by the start of the funeral mass at 1:30 pm IST, led by Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals. The Pope's sealed wooden and zinc coffin will be placed before a temporary altar, with red-robed cardinals to the left and official delegations seated to the right. The ceremony is expected to last around 90 minutes, attended by 224 cardinals and 750 priests and bishops. At 3:00 pm IST, the coffin will depart for Santa Maria Maggiore, arriving at 4:30 pm IST to be welcomed by the "poor and needy." The burial, overseen by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, will be a private affair. 
Published: Apr 26 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has highlighted a deteriorating climate of fear and violence for minorities in Pakistan, urging the Trump administration to impose sanctions on officials responsible for religious freedom violations. In its annual report, the USCIRF noted that religious minorities, particularly Christians, Hindus, and Shia and Ahmadiyya Muslims, face significant persecution under Pakistan's stringent blasphemy laws, with little accountability for perpetrators of violence. The commission recommended redesignating Pakistan as a "country of particular concern" and lifting existing waivers that have previously allowed the country to evade consequences for its actions. It also called for a binding agreement to protect minorities, including repealing blasphemy laws and ensuring accountability for those inciting violence. Additionally, the USCIRF pointed to a troubling trend of forced conversions among minority women and girls, often dismissed by local authorities and validated by the judicial system. 
Published: Apr 26 2025, 10 ameznews.inPope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church and a vocal advocate for the poor, will be honoured at his funeral on Saturday, following his death at 88. The service, set to take place in St Peter's Square at 10:00 am (0800 GMT), is expected to attract up to 200,000 attendees, including over 50 world leaders such as US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden. A significant security operation is in place, featuring a no-fly zone and armed personnel. Francis, who served as pope for 12 years, was known for his compassion, humility, and progressive reforms, though his stance on certain issues drew criticism from traditionalists. He will be interred in a simple tomb at Santa Maria Maggiore, marking the first time a pope has been buried outside Vatican walls in over a century. His legacy includes a focus on the marginalized and a commitment to social justice. 
Published: Apr 26 2025, 10 ameznews.inUS President Donald Trump arrived in Rome on Friday for the funeral of Pope Francis, marking an unexpected first foreign trip of his second term. Accompanied by his wife Melania, Trump is set to engage with around 50 world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, although Zelensky may miss the event due to military commitments following a recent Russian strike on Kyiv. Trump's relationship with the late pontiff was strained, particularly over his immigration policies. While he plans to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and possibly other leaders, he emphasized the need for brevity, citing the funeral's somber nature. The gathering also includes President Joe Biden, who has been critical of Trump. Trump's trip follows tensions with European allies over tariffs, and he is scheduled to visit Gulf states later this month. He also plans to celebrate Melania's birthday during the trip. 
Published: Apr 26 2025, 10 ameznews.inThe United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of at least 26 individuals on April 22. In a press statement, the 15-member Council emphasized the necessity of holding accountable not only the perpetrators but also the organizers and sponsors of this "reprehensible act of terrorism." The statement, issued by France's Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont, called for all states to cooperate in bringing those responsible to justice. The UNSC reaffirmed its stance that terrorism poses a severe threat to international peace and security, asserting that all acts of terrorism are unjustifiable, regardless of their motivations. Meanwhile, UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric expressed deep concern over the situation between India and Pakistan, urging both nations to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation. 
Published: Apr 26 2025, 9 ameznews.inAs tensions escalate between India and Pakistan following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, Iran has offered to mediate between the two nations. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi emphasized the historical ties between India and Pakistan, describing them as "brotherly neighbours" and expressing Tehran's readiness to facilitate dialogue. His remarks included a quotation from the 13th-century Persian poem "Bani Adam," underscoring the interconnectedness of humanity. Concurrently, Saudi Arabia is also seeking to ease tensions, with Prince Faisal bin Farhan engaging in discussions with both Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers. In response to the attack, India has implemented stringent measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari border, and downgrading diplomatic relations, while Pakistan has reacted by closing its airspace to Indian flights and halting trade with India. 
Published: Apr 26 2025, 9 ameznews.inUS President Donald Trump has opted for a unique celebration for First Lady Melania's 55th birthday, treating her to a romantic dinner aboard Air Force One instead of a traditional gift. The couple, who flew to Rome for Pope Francis's funeral, will return directly to the United States rather than enjoying a meal in the Italian capital. Trump, 78, acknowledged that his busy schedule, marked by negotiations on tariffs and international issues, left little time for gift shopping. "I haven't had time to buy presents, it's been pretty busy," he remarked. The couple, who have maintained a somewhat separate lifestyle since Trump took office, were seen boarding Air Force One together, with Melania dressed in a tan trench coat and sunglasses. Last year, they celebrated her birthday apart due to Trump's legal commitments, highlighting the challenges in their personal life amid his political duties. 
Published: Apr 26 2025, 9 am
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