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The mother of Suchir Balaji, an OpenAI whistleblower found dead in his San Francisco apartment last November, has released CCTV footage from the day of his death, showing him waiting for an elevator with a brown paper bag, which she claims contained his dinner. Despite an initial investigation concluding that Balaji's death was a suicide, his family has called for an FBI probe, asserting that he was murdered due to his ethical concerns about OpenAI's practices. They allege lapses in the investigation, including claims that CCTV in critical areas had malfunctioned. Balaji's mother, Poornima Rao, insists there is a "murder conspiracy" and has accused OpenAI of suppressing evidence and witnesses. She contends that her son had documents that could expose wrongdoing within the company, and she highlighted discrepancies in the autopsy report regarding the presence of GHB, a sedative. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 11 ameznews.inDutch modest fashion brand Merrachi has sparked controversy in France with a promotional video featuring the Eiffel Tower draped in a hijab, part of a campaign advocating for the freedom to wear the Islamic headscarf. The ad, shared on Instagram, was met with fierce backlash from French politicians, who criticized it as "dangerous" and contrary to "French values." Lisette Pollet, a member of the right-wing National Rally party, called the ad an offense to France's democratic heritage, while her colleague Jerome Buisson described it as a "terrifying political project." Economist Philippe Murer demanded the closure of Merrachi's stores in France. Conversely, some social media users praised the ad as a creative marketing move that could stimulate important discussions about France's policies on Muslim women's attire. This incident highlights France's complex history with Muslim clothing, marked by laws banning conspicuous religious symbols in public schools and face coverings in public spaces.
Published: Mar 13 2025, 3 pmeznews.inRussia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced the arrest of a 20-year-old man suspected of sending letter bombs to military officials, marking another incident Moscow attributes to Ukrainian operatives. The suspect allegedly dispatched explosive devices disguised as perfume gift sets to military personnel in multiple regions, including Moscow and Krasnodar, earlier this month. The FSB intercepted the parcels during security screenings at Chelyabinsk airport before they could be opened. Authorities claim that the suspect was recruited by "Ukrainian special services" in exchange for money, but communication ceased after the bombs were sent. Since the onset of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has detained hundreds of individuals for alleged collaboration with Ukraine, with courts frequently handing down treason convictions in such cases. Ukraine has not officially commented on this specific incident, though it has previously targeted military officials involved in the conflict.
Published: Mar 13 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn July 2022, Khalid Mehdiyev, a 27-year-old self-identified member of the Russian mob, attempted to assassinate Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad after being hired for $30,000 by Azerbaijani associates linked to Iran's government. However, his mission quickly unraveled due to a series of amateur blunders, including texting Alinejad in an effort to befriend her and carelessly surveilling her home. After running a stop sign near her residence, police discovered an AK-47 and a ski mask in his vehicle, leading to his arrest. During court proceedings, Mehdiyev confessed that he intended to kill Alinejad, revealing that he had been paid to do so and had even considered setting her house on fire. His testimony implicates fellow Azerbaijani nationals Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, who have pleaded not guilty, while Alinejad, a prominent critic of Iran, has survived multiple assassination attempts.
Published: Mar 13 2025, 4 pmeznews.inHaidilao, a leading Chinese hotpot restaurant chain, has pledged compensation to customers after a shocking video surfaced, showing a man urinating into a hotpot at a Shanghai outlet. The incident, which occurred on February 24, involved two men who filmed the act while dining in a private room, prompting widespread outrage on social media. In response, Haidilao issued an apology and announced legal action against the perpetrators, acknowledging a lack of contingency plans for such incidents. The restaurant will refund customers from 4,100 orders placed during the incident period, offering full refunds plus tenfold compensation. Shanghai police have detained two 17-year-olds in connection with the case. Amid criticism of its delayed response, Haidilao faces scrutiny not only for this incident but also in light of recent reports highlighting poor food hygiene standards across various eateries in China.
Published: Mar 13 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn a significant move to reduce the size of the federal government, President Donald Trump has set a Thursday deadline for agencies to submit plans for mass layoffs and budget cuts. This initiative, spearheaded by tech billionaire Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, could potentially eliminate tens of thousands of federal jobs, adding to the 100,000 already cut from the 2.3 million-strong workforce. While a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll shows 59% of Americans support cutting government size, the same percentage opposes the drastic job losses. Agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Education have revealed plans for substantial layoffs, while others are offering early retirement incentives to minimize legal challenges. Critics warn that aggressive cuts could hinder government functionality, as Trump's administration seeks to capitalize on its political capital before the end of its post-election phase.
Published: Mar 13 2025, 4 pmeznews.inAs Canada prepares to host the G7 foreign ministers, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly is set to highlight the escalating trade tensions with the United States, warning allies that if the U.S. can impose tariffs on its closest partner, no nation is safe. While the agenda includes discussions on Ukraine, the Middle East, Haiti, and Venezuela, Joly plans to address U.S. tariffs and perceived threats to Canadian sovereignty, describing Canada as "the canary in the coal mine." The ongoing trade dispute has seen Canada retaliate against U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, with Joly asserting that the U.S. actions amount to economic coercion. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplayed President Trump's annexation comments, framing them as economic musings rather than serious threats. As the country prepares for a new prime minister, Mark Carney has labeled the trade conflict an "economic and sovereign crisis," emphasizing the need to protect Canada's resources and autonomy.
Published: Mar 13 2025, 2 pmeznews.inTwo young Israeli girls have made a heartfelt appeal to US President Donald Trump to help secure the release of their father, Omri Miran, who has been held captive by Hamas for 523 days. Miran, 47, was kidnapped during a Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023, leaving behind his wife, Lishay Lavi-Miran, and their daughters, Roni and Alma. In a poignant video shared on social media, the girls, aged two and six months at the time of the abduction, addressed Trump in Hebrew, asking him to "help us bring daddy from Gaza." Lavi-Miran also tagged Trump in her post, emphasizing the family's hope for his intervention. Currently, 59 hostages, including Miran, remain in Hamas's custody as negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release continue, with US envoy Steve Witkoff mediating in Qatar.
Published: Mar 13 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe World Bank faces criticism for its officials' significant carbon emissions during a United Nations climate summit in Azerbaijan last November, reportedly equivalent to the annual output of 350 cars. A leaked attendee list revealed that 254 officials flew from Washington, DC, to Baku, generating at least 1,500 metric tonnes of carbon emissions, according to the UN's Carbon Emissions Calculator. Critics, including Nile Gardiner from the Heritage Foundation, condemned the organization for hypocrisy, highlighting the disparity between its environmental advocacy and lavish travel practices. A World Bank spokesperson defended the use of private jets as a rare necessity for security and efficiency. Previous reports also indicated that senior officials opted for premium travel arrangements, raising further concerns about the institution's handling of climate funding. This scrutiny comes amid accusations from NGOs like Oxfam, which claimed the World Bank had "lost track" of $24 billion intended for climate initiatives.
Published: Mar 13 2025, 2 pmeznews.inA United Nations investigation has accused Israel of committing "genocidal" acts in Gaza by systematically targeting sexual and reproductive healthcare facilities. The UN Commission of Inquiry reported that Israel intentionally destroyed the main fertility clinic, Al-Basma, and imposed a siege that obstructed medical aid essential for safe pregnancies and neonatal care. The commission asserted that these actions amounted to two categories of genocidal acts, including inflicting conditions calculated to bring about the physical destruction of Palestinians and preventing births within the group. The report highlighted severe immediate and long-term impacts on the mental health and reproductive prospects of Gazans, with the chair, Navi Pillay, stating that such violations constitute crimes against humanity. Israel, however, rejected the allegations, claiming the commission is biased and politically motivated. The inquiry follows public hearings in Geneva, where testimonies from victims of sexual violence were presented.
Published: Mar 13 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe FBI has raised alarms over an escalating cyber threat known as "smishing," where criminals target US citizens through deceptive SMS messages. With over 10,000 fraudulent domains registered, these scams aim to trick users into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links. Authorities are urging iPhone and Android users to delete suspicious texts and avoid clicking on unknown links. Smishing tactics often include urgent alerts about bank issues, enticing offers, and impersonation of trusted entities like banks and government agencies. Recent investigations highlight that many of these scams use misleading domain names, frequently ending in the Chinese .XIN top-level domain, to appear legitimate. Cities including Boston, Denver, and Houston have issued warnings, and experts advise verifying senders, using spam filters, and reporting suspicious messages to combat this rising threat effectively.
Published: Mar 13 2025, 1 pm
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