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The Taliban has imposed a ban on chess in Afghanistan, citing concerns that the game promotes gambling, which is prohibited under Islamic law. The Afghanistan National Chess Federation has also been suspended as the Taliban's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice stated that chess will remain banned until its compatibility with Islamic principles is confirmed. Sports directorate spokesperson Atal Mashwani emphasized that religious considerations are central to the decision. Former International Chess Federation president Kirsan Ilyumzhninov has expressed intentions to appeal to the Taliban leadership to reconsider the ban. This is not the first time chess has faced prohibition in Afghanistan; it was previously banned under the Taliban's rule in the late 1990s but had a resurgence after the 2001 regime change. The Taliban has been increasingly restricting freedoms since taking power in August 2021, affecting various aspects of life, including women's rights. 
Published: May 12 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the successful execution of Operation Sindoor, which he described as a decisive shift in India's military strategy against terrorism. In a national address, Modi claimed that over 100 terrorists and approximately 40 Pakistani soldiers were killed in a series of precision drone and missile strikes targeting what he termed "Pakistan's terror universities." He emphasized that these operations were a direct response to Pakistan's support for terrorism, citing historical links between global terror attacks and Pakistani bases. Modi warned that while retaliatory strikes have been temporarily suspended following Pakistan's commitment to address terrorism, India remains prepared to resume operations if necessary. He criticized Pakistan's attempts at nuclear intimidation, asserting that India would not be deterred from targeting terrorist hideouts. The operation, initiated after a Pakistan-linked attack in Jammu and Kashmir, reportedly destroyed nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Published: May 13 2025, 3 ameznews.inMore than 350 prominent figures from the film industry, including Hollywood stars Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon, have signed an open letter condemning what they describe as "genocide" in Gaza, released just before the Cannes Festival. The letter, published in French newspaper Liberation and US magazine Variety, highlights the tragic death of 25-year-old Gazan photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, who was killed alongside ten relatives in an Israeli airstrike. Hassouna's story will be featured in a documentary premiering at Cannes, prompting Iranian director Sepideh Farsi to urge festival organizers to take a stand against the ongoing violence in Gaza. In stark contrast, this year's festival will also showcase films addressing the war in Ukraine, underscoring a commitment to artistic expression amid global conflicts. As the festival kicks off, it will also see the return of Tom Cruise and the debut of several films by actors turned directors, amidst ongoing discussions about political statements in cinema.
Published: May 13 2025, 3 ameznews.inIn a significant development following trade talks in Geneva, the United States and China have agreed to suspend reciprocal tariffs for an initial 90-day period, a move US President Donald Trump has hailed as a "total reset" in relations. Describing the discussions as friendly, Trump emphasized that the relationship with China is now "very, very good," and hinted at a potential call with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Under the agreement, China will impose 10% tariffs on US goods, while the US will tax Chinese imports at approximately 30%. Both nations acknowledged the importance of a sustainable economic partnership and committed to establishing a mechanism for ongoing discussions, led by Vice Premier He Lifeng from China and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The talks reflect a broader strategy by Trump to address trade deficits and ensure fair trade practices through reciprocal tariffs with various countries.
Published: May 13 2025, 2 ameznews.inThe US military has reportedly spent over $21 million on flights to deport migrants during President Donald Trump's second term, according to figures released by the US Transportation Command (TRANSCOM). Between January 20 and April 8, TRANSCOM conducted 46 flights in support of these deportation efforts, accumulating 802.5 flight hours at an average cost of $26,277 per hour. Senator Elizabeth Warren, who disclosed the information, criticized the expenditure as a misuse of military resources for political purposes, stating that "every American should be outraged" by such actions. Warren, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, emphasized that US service members did not enlist to be involved in what she termed an "abuse of power." The Trump administration has framed its actions as part of a broader strategy to combat illegal migration, including immigration raids and the deployment of additional troops to the US-Mexico border.
Published: May 13 2025, 12 ameznews.inDonald Trump has claimed responsibility for averting a potential nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan, asserting that his administration facilitated a ceasefire. Speaking at a press briefing, Trump emphasized the risk of a catastrophic nuclear war, thanking Vice President Vance and Secretary Rubio for their efforts. However, Indian government sources refuted Trump's comments regarding trade discussions, stating that trade was not mentioned in conversations between U.S. officials and Indian leaders. In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reinforced India's stance against "nuclear blackmail," declaring that India would not tolerate terrorism and had initiated Operation Sindoor, a new doctrine aimed at combating terror. Modi clarified that the ceasefire is not permanent and stressed that retaliatory actions could resume if Pakistan fails to dismantle terrorist infrastructure. He warned that future strikes would target both the state sponsors of terrorism and the perpetrators behind attacks.
Published: May 13 2025, 12 ameznews.inSince taking office on January 20, US President Donald Trump's tariff policies have created significant turmoil in financial markets and heightened uncertainty in the global economy. Key developments include the imposition of 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports and 10% on Chinese goods, aimed at curbing fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration. However, Trump has frequently altered his approach, pausing tariffs on Mexico and Canada after negotiations, delaying duties on low-cost Chinese packages, and exempting certain goods under the North American trade pact. Notably, he raised tariffs on steel and aluminium and announced a blanket 10% duty on nearly all imports. Following market upheaval, Trump paused most country-specific tariffs while maintaining the 10% blanket duty. Recent agreements with China have temporarily reduced reciprocal tariffs, but significant duties remain in place, reflecting ongoing tensions in international trade relations.
Published: May 12 2025, 10 pmeznews.inOperation Sindoor, India's recent counter-terrorism initiative, is currently on hold but not permanently concluded, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in a national address. He emphasized that the operation was suspended following Pakistan's promise to address its terror infrastructure, warning that any backtracking would lead to a resumption of precise strikes against terror camps. Modi highlighted India's capability to conduct drone and missile strikes that exceeded Pakistan's expectations, which prompted Islamabad to seek a ceasefire. He described Operation Sindoor as a significant shift in India’s counter-terrorism doctrine, asserting that India would respond decisively to any terrorist threats, irrespective of Pakistan's nuclear posture. Modi also praised the effectiveness of domestically manufactured defense equipment used in these operations, underscoring a commitment to zero tolerance for terrorism and the need for Pakistan to dismantle its terror networks for lasting peace.
Published: May 12 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIn a significant development, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announced an end to its armed struggle, marking a potential breakthrough in the long-standing Kurdish conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. This decision follows months of diplomatic efforts, initiated by a surprise proposal from Devlet Bahceli, leader of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's nationalist ally, the MHP. In a parliamentary speech, Bahceli suggested the early release of PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan if he renounced violence. Ocalan, who received a prison visit after 43 months, subsequently called for his militants to disarm in a letter read at a press conference. The PKK accepted this appeal, declaring an immediate ceasefire. Erdogan has warned of severe repercussions if the PKK fails to comply, while ongoing Turkish military operations against the group have raised tensions. The PKK's recent congress in Iraq included a videoconference with Ocalan, furthering the dialogue.
Published: May 12 2025, 11 pmeznews.inPanasonic Holdings, the Japanese electronics giant, is set to cut approximately 10,000 jobs globally, representing about 4% of its 230,000-strong workforce. The layoffs will affect 5,000 positions in Japan and 5,000 overseas, primarily targeting sales and indirect operations, and are expected to take place by March 2026. This restructuring initiative aims to enhance profitability amid a challenging consumer electronics market, where competition from Chinese rivals is intensifying. Panasonic anticipates incurring restructuring costs of around $896 million but projects a profit increase of $1 billion by March 2027 and $2.1 billion by March 2029. CEO Yuki Kusumi emphasized the necessity of these layoffs for improved performance and will return 40% of his compensation in light of the cuts. The company plans to redirect resources toward high-growth sectors like AI and energy storage while exiting less profitable areas, reflecting broader industry trends in response to evolving market demands.
Published: May 12 2025, 9 pmeznews.inApple is reportedly considering a price increase for its forthcoming iPhone series, set to launch this fall, but aims to distance these hikes from the impact of US tariffs on imports. As detailed in the _Wall Street Journal_, the tech giant plans to attribute the price changes to new features and designs rather than external economic factors, learning from Amazon's recent backlash over similar pricing strategies. CEO Tim Cook has noted that current tariff policies could add $900 million in costs this quarter, prompting Apple to shift more production to India to mitigate these expenses. The upcoming iPhone 17 is expected to feature an ultra-thin design, with potential upgrades including a 48-megapixel telephoto lens and the new A19 Pro chipset. This news comes amid a temporary pause in reciprocal tariffs between the US and China, aimed at easing trade tensions.
Published: May 12 2025, 9 pm
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