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The US Senate confirmed John Ratcliffe as the new director of the CIA on Thursday, securing bipartisan support with a vote of 74-25. Ratcliffe, who previously served as the director of national intelligence from 2020 to 2021 under President Donald Trump, emphasized his commitment to delivering objective intelligence analysis free from political bias during his confirmation hearing. He highlighted the need for the CIA to intensify its focus on the threats posed by China and its Communist Party, as well as the critical importance of understanding technological advancements among adversaries. A former federal prosecutor and Texas representative from 2015 to 2020, Ratcliffe played a key role in defending Trump during his first impeachment. His appointment fills a vital position in the national security team, aiming to enhance the agency's analytical capabilities amid evolving global threats. 
Published: Jan 24 2025, 6 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 ameznews.inThe funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88, will be held in St Peter's Square, Vatican City, on Saturday, followed by his burial at Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome. The official programme begins at 5:30 am (0330 GMT) when St Peter's Square opens, and includes the arrival of US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania at 9:30 am (0730 GMT). The funeral mass, led by Giovanni Battista Re, will commence at 10:00 am (0800 GMT) and feature readings, a homily, and the Eucharist, lasting approximately 90 minutes. Following the mass, the sealed coffin will be transported to Santa Maria Maggiore, with the public able to view the procession from behind barriers along the four-kilometre route. The burial, attended by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, will be a private ceremony, welcoming a group of the poor and needy.
Published: Apr 26 2025, 9 ameznews.inLuigi Mangione, accused of the cold-blooded murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, pleaded not guilty to both state and federal murder charges during his arraignment on Friday. Federal prosecutors allege that Mangione tracked Thompson in New York City, shooting him multiple times with a silenced pistol on December 4. He was apprehended in Altoona, Pennsylvania, following a tip from McDonald's staff after a days-long manhunt. The case has ignited a national debate over political violence and the healthcare system, marking the first instance in which the Justice Department seeks the death penalty since Donald Trump's return to the presidency. Outside the courtroom, supporters rallied with signs criticizing the prosecution's approach, while activists called for a more measured response to the serious allegations. If convicted in the state case, Mangione faces life imprisonment without parole.
Published: Apr 26 2025, 7 ameznews.inA 21-year-old astrologer from Myanmar, John Moe The, was arrested after his TikTok video predicting a major earthquake caused widespread panic. Just two weeks following a devastating 7.7 magnitude quake that claimed 3,500 lives and destroyed historic temples, Moe The warned that another earthquake would strike every city in Myanmar on April 21, urging people to evacuate buildings during tremors. His video garnered over 3 million views, leading many residents to camp outdoors in fear. Myanmar's information ministry stated that he was detained for making "false statements with the intention of causing public panic." Experts have reiterated that earthquakes cannot be predicted, emphasizing the complex factors involved. Moe The's TikTok account, which had over 300,000 followers, has since been removed. His predictions also included claims about future American airstrikes and the ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Published: Apr 26 2025, 7 ameznews.inPakistan has called for an international investigation into the killing of 26 men at a tourist site in Indian-administered Kashmir, with Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif expressing the country's readiness to cooperate with any such inquiry. Following the attack, which occurred on Tuesday, India has accused Pakistan of involvement, a claim Islamabad vehemently denies. The incident has escalated tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, prompting India to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty and Pakistan to close its airspace to Indian airlines. Asif criticized India for using the attack as a pretext for political maneuvering and punitive actions without evidence. He emphasized the need to avoid further conflict, warning that escalating tensions could lead to disaster in the region. Meanwhile, the militant group Kashmir Resistance has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Asif dismissed allegations linking it to Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, asserting they are inactive.
Published: Apr 26 2025, 7 am
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