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Syria's new interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has announced plans for a "national dialogue conference" aimed at fostering discussions on the country's political future, following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. In his inaugural address, Sharaa, appointed just a day prior, emphasized the need to maintain civil peace and territorial integrity, pledging to form a committee to prepare for the conference and issue a "constitutional declaration" to guide the transitional period. He also vowed to pursue justice for those responsible for violence during the conflict. Sharaa's address coincided with a visit from Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who stressed the importance of an inclusive government for stability and reconstruction. Regional leaders, including Saudi Arabia's king and Jordan's king, have congratulated Sharaa, signaling a shift in diplomatic relations as Syria embarks on a new chapter after years of civil war. 
Published: Jan 31 2025, 4 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.inNASA 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.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 ameznews.inThe Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, has confirmed the deaths of its military chief, Mohammed Deif, and deputy chief of staff, Marwan Issa, at the hands of the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip. Abu Obeida, the brigades' spokesperson, stated that while the assassinations of these leaders are significant, the Palestinian resistance will persist. Israel claims Deif was a key architect of the October 7, 2023, attacks that resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths, and had previously announced his death in July 2023, which Hamas only acknowledged now. The International Criminal Court has sought warrants against Deif and other senior Hamas figures for their roles in the attacks. The ongoing conflict, sparked by Hamas's assault on Israel, has resulted in over 47,460 Palestinian deaths and a ceasefire established on January 19, which has allowed for the release of hostages and prisoners on both sides.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 5 ameznews.inA U.S. appeals court has declared a long-standing federal ban on licensed firearms dealers selling handguns to adults under 21 as unconstitutional, referencing recent Supreme Court rulings that broaden gun rights. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, marking a significant shift from its 2012 stance, ruled that the prohibition violates the Second Amendment. This decision follows the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which mandated that modern firearm regulations align with historical traditions. The ban, enacted in 1968, was challenged by individuals aged 18 to 20 and gun rights organizations. Judge Edith Jones stated that the government's defense lacked sufficient historical evidence to justify the age restriction. The ruling has been hailed as a victory for gun rights advocates, while the Justice Department has yet to comment on the decision.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 6 ameznews.inU.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he is considering imposing a 25% tariff on oil imports from Mexico and Canada, with a decision expected by the end of the day. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump expressed concerns about unfair trade practices, particularly related to the flow of fentanyl and migrants across U.S. borders. He emphasized that tariffs could be implemented if both countries fail to address these issues. The announcement comes as tensions rise with two of the United States' largest trading partners. As of now, the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office and Mexico's economy ministry have not responded to requests for comment regarding the potential tariffs. The proposed tariffs are set to take effect on February 1, pending Trump's final decision.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 4 ameznews.inOpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is reportedly aiming to raise $40 billion in a new funding round that could elevate its valuation to an astonishing $340 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal. Japan's SoftBank is leading this investment, negotiating to inject between $15 billion and $25 billion, potentially becoming OpenAI's largest financial backer. This move follows concerns raised by the launch of a cost-effective chatbot from Chinese startup DeepSeek, which has unsettled markets. The funding initiative comes just three months after OpenAI's previous round valued the company at $157 billion, highlighting the significant financial requirements for developing advanced AI models. The new investment aligns with the Stargate initiative, aimed at bolstering AI infrastructure in the U.S., with OpenAI committed to contributing approximately $18 billion. SoftBank, led by Masayoshi Son, has a history of successful tech investments but has faced challenges with other ventures.
Published: Jan 31 2025, 4 am
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