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NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore made history on Thursday with a 5.5-hour spacewalk from the International Space Station (ISS), marking Williams' ninth and Wilmore's fifth excursions outside the station. Williams now holds the record for the most total spacewalk time among NASA astronauts, with 62 hours and 6 minutes, placing her fourth on the agency's all-time list. During the spacewalk, the duo successfully completed key tasks, including the removal of a radio frequency antenna and the collection of surface samples for analysis. Meanwhile, NASA is coordinating with SpaceX to facilitate the astronauts' return home after their extended stay aboard the ISS. Initially scheduled for eight days, their mission was extended due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. The return is now expected in February, following delays related to SpaceX's preparations. 
Published: Jan 31 2025, 7 ameznews.inUS President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to BRICS nations, threatening to impose 100% tariffs on their exports if they attempt to supplant the US dollar as the dominant currency in international trade. In a statement, Trump emphasized that any efforts by BRICS—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—to create a new currency or support alternatives to the dollar would not be tolerated. His comments echo earlier statements made following his recent election victory, as BRICS countries have increasingly discussed reducing reliance on the dollar, particularly after Western sanctions on Russia. Despite this push, the US dollar remains the world's leading reserve currency. Trump's tariff threats come amid broader efforts to maintain US economic dominance and have been met with skepticism from economists, who caution that such measures could elevate costs for American consumers and businesses reliant on imported goods.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 9 ameznews.inKashyap 'Kash' Patel, nominated by former President Donald Trump as the FBI chief, made headlines during his Senate confirmation hearing by warmly greeting his parents with "Jai Shri Krishna" and bowing to touch their feet. The 44-year-old Indian-origin lawyer expressed his gratitude for their presence, acknowledging their journey from India to support him. Patel, who has faced racism throughout his life, recounted painful experiences when questioned by Senator Lindsey Graham, stating he had been subjected to derogatory remarks. Born in New York to Gujarati parents and raised in East Africa, Patel holds degrees from the University of Richmond and the University College London. He has previously served as National Security Advisor and Senior Counsel for the House Intelligence Committee. If confirmed, he would become the first Hindu and Indian American to lead the FBI.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 9 ameznews.inPrime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic mid-air collision in Washington DC, which involved an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter, resulting in the feared loss of all 64 lives on board. In a heartfelt message posted on X, Modi extended his condolences to the families affected by the disaster, describing it as a significant tragedy for the United States, potentially marking the worst aviation incident in nearly 25 years. He emphasized India's solidarity with the American people during this difficult time, stating, "We stand in solidarity with the people of the United States." This incident has drawn widespread attention and concern, highlighting the need for thorough investigations into aviation safety protocols.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 9 ameznews.inInvestigators have recovered the black boxes from a passenger plane that collided mid-air with a military helicopter over the Potomac River, resulting in the deaths of 67 people. The crash occurred as American Eagle Flight 5342 was approaching Reagan National Airport, where staffing shortages in the control tower reportedly left only one controller managing both civilian and military air traffic. US President Donald Trump controversially linked the tragedy to diversity and inclusion policies, accusing his Democratic predecessors of undermining aviation safety in favor of these measures. His remarks drew sharp criticism from Democratic leaders, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who called Trump "despicable" for politicizing the disaster. Among the victims were several US figure skaters and a Russian pairs champion. Rescuers continue to search the icy waters, with over 40 bodies recovered so far.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 10 ameznews.inSince taking office on January 20, President Donald Trump has initiated a series of executive orders aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government and private sector. While supported by some allies, these actions have drawn criticism from advocacy groups, who argue that they threaten to exacerbate existing inequities and reverse decades of civil rights progress. Trump and his supporters contend that DEI initiatives unfairly discriminate against white individuals and undermine merit-based hiring, claiming without evidence that such programs contributed to recent disasters like California wildfires. In contrast, civil rights advocates assert that DEI efforts are crucial for addressing systemic barriers faced by marginalized groups. Polling indicates that a majority of Americans oppose Trump's moves to eliminate federal DEI initiatives, reflecting a significant divide in public opinion on this contentious issue.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 8 ameznews.inSalwan Momika, an Iraqi refugee known for controversial Koran burnings, was shot dead in Sweden late Wednesday. The 38-year-old sparked international outrage in June 2023 when he desecrated the Islamic holy book during protests, which led to diplomatic tensions, including Iraq expelling Sweden's ambassador. Momika, who had a tumultuous political background in Iraq, claimed his actions aimed to highlight what he perceived as the dangers of the Koran. Despite his defiant stance during protests, he faced numerous death threats and had police protection during public appearances. Just hours before his death, a court was set to deliver a verdict on charges against him for inciting ethnic hatred, but prosecutors later dropped the case. Momika had aspirations to enter Swedish politics, specifically with the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, although the party distanced itself from his actions. His death adds complexity to an already fraught diplomatic situation.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 6 ameznews.inA viral video has emerged showing the moment an American Airlines plane collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, resulting in a tragic crash into the Potomac River on Wednesday night. The 49-second footage reveals the helicopter, carrying three personnel under the call sign PAT25, colliding with American Eagle Flight 5342, which had 60 passengers and four crew members onboard, including elite figure skaters. Authorities do not anticipate any survivors, as a multi-agency operation is underway to recover the 67 bodies from the river. The incident occurred around 9:00 PM ET as the aircraft approached Reagan National Airport, with audio from air traffic control capturing the frantic moments leading up to the crash. The pilot of the American Airlines flight, identified as 28-year-old Sam Lilley, had six years of experience and was engaged to be married.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 7 ameznews.inStaffing levels in the air traffic control tower at Washington's Reagan National Airport were reportedly below normal during the fatal crash involving a passenger jet and an army helicopter on Wednesday night, according to an internal Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report. The report noted that a single controller was managing both helicopter and runway operations, a responsibility typically divided between two controllers. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has stated that it will not speculate on the cause of the incident until its investigation is complete. The collision occurred as the airliner was landing after a flight from Wichita, Kansas, in an area known for its high volume of civilian and military air traffic. Experts emphasize the importance of appropriate staffing and traffic management, particularly during peak periods, although Wednesday's incident occurred during a quieter nighttime schedule.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 7 ameznews.inUS President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he would soon decide whether to exclude Canadian and Mexican oil imports from the 25% tariffs set to take effect on Saturday. The decision hinges on pricing and how Canada and Mexico "treat us properly" regarding illegal migration and fentanyl shipments. Trump emphasized that the tariffs would be imposed for various reasons and hinted that the rate might increase over time. He also indicated he is contemplating new tariffs on Chinese goods, citing their role in the fentanyl crisis, with a potential 10% duty on all Chinese imports under consideration. This follows previous punitive tariffs on $370 billion worth of Chinese goods during his first term. Chinese President Xi Jinping had previously pledged cooperation with then-President Joe Biden to address fentanyl shipments, but tensions remain as Beijing urges the US to tackle drug demand. Neither Mexico nor Canada commented on Trump's statements.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 7 am
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