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Abdul Qadir Mumin, the Somali leader of the Islamic State (IS) group, has emerged as a pivotal figure within the organization, despite lacking an official title. Analysts suggest he may be effectively managing IS's global operations from Somalia, controlling financial networks that extend to regions like Congo and South Africa. Mumin, who previously lived in Sweden and England, gained notoriety as a radical preacher before defecting from Al-Shabaab to IS in 2015. He is believed to finance various militant groups, including the Allied Democratic Forces in Uganda. While some observers speculate he could be viewed as a caliph, his Somali origins and the group's traditional leadership criteria complicate this notion. The shift of IS's focus towards Africa, alongside Mumin's survival amid a leadership purge, underscores the evolving dynamics within the organization, which still maintains a centralized command in the Middle East. 
Published: Jan 08 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe Israeli military has implemented new restrictions on media coverage of active-duty soldiers amid rising concerns over potential legal actions against reservists abroad for alleged war crimes in Gaza. This decision follows an incident where an Israeli reservist in Brazil left the country after a judge ordered an investigation based on claims from a pro-Palestinian group. Under the new guidelines, media are prohibited from displaying the full names or faces of soldiers ranked colonel and below during interviews, mirroring existing protocols for pilots and special forces. Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani emphasized that these measures aim to protect soldiers from harassment by anti-Israel activists. He noted that while soldiers are already advised against sharing war zone content on social media, some have been targeted abroad due to their online activity. The International Criminal Court previously issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over alleged war crimes, escalating tensions within the country.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 6 ameznews.inThe French foreign ministry expressed "concern" on Wednesday regarding Meta's recent decision to cease its fact-checking operations on Facebook and Instagram in the United States. A ministry spokesman emphasized that while freedom of expression is a fundamental right in France and Europe, it should not equate to the unchecked spread of misleading content. France pledged to remain vigilant in ensuring that Meta complies with European laws, particularly the Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to safeguard democratic processes and protect citizens from foreign interference. Meta's decision aligns with the priorities of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, prompting French officials, including Junior Minister for Digital Technologies Clara Chappaz, to assess the implications of this move under EU law and to maintain high standards of content moderation. Currently, AFP collaborates with Facebook's fact-checking program, which utilizes the expertise of around 80 organizations worldwide.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 6 ameznews.inThe Palisades Fire has ravaged over 15,800 acres along the Los Angeles coast, leading to at least five fatalities and forcing more than 150,000 residents to evacuate. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone confirmed it is the largest wildfire currently in the area, having destroyed at least 1,000 structures. Billionaire Elon Musk shared harrowing footage of the devastation on social media, highlighting the destruction of beachfront homes in Malibu. In response to the disaster, President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration, enabling access to federal resources for affected survivors and granting funds for firefighting efforts. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump has criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom, blaming him for the fires and the state's water management policies, which he claims hindered firefighting efforts. Reports indicate that some fire hydrants in Los Angeles County ran dry due to unprecedented demand during the crisis.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 6 ameznews.inThe head of the Panama Canal Authority, Ricuarte Vasquez Morales, has rejected Donald Trump's demand for preferential treatment for US ships passing through the canal, warning that such a move would "lead to chaos." In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Morales emphasized that "rules are rules" and that any exceptions would violate international law and the neutrality treaty. Trump has criticized the 1970s agreement that transferred control of the canal from the US to Panama and has made claims about China's influence over the waterway, which Morales called "unfounded." He clarified that while a Chinese company operates two ports at either end of the canal, the Panama Canal Authority manages the canal itself and does not impose higher fees on US vessels. The only exception to their rules is for US Navy ships, which receive priority treatment as per the original agreement.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 4 ameznews.inUS President-elect Donald Trump has criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for the devastating wildfires affecting the Los Angeles area, claiming Newsom's refusal to sign a water restoration declaration has exacerbated the crisis. Trump accused Newsom of prioritizing the protection of the smelt fish over the needs of Californians, stating that the lack of water has hindered firefighting efforts. His comments came as the Eaton and Palisades Fires have burned thousands of acres, led to evacuations of tens of thousands, and resulted in at least two fatalities. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone reported significant destruction, with over 100 structures lost in the Eaton Fire alone. Meanwhile, Governor Newsom has declared a state of emergency and urged residents to heed evacuation orders, emphasizing the extreme fire risk posed by the current weather conditions.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 5 ameznews.inBrazil's newly appointed communication minister, Sidonio Palmeira, criticized Meta's recent decision to end fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram in the United States, labeling it "bad for democracy." The announcement by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who cited concerns over political bias, has raised alarms about the unchecked spread of hate and misinformation. Palmeira emphasized the need for regulation of social media, referencing Europe's approach to controlling online content. In response to Meta's changes, Brazil's public prosecutor's office has requested clarification from the company regarding its intentions in Brazil. Instead of professional fact-checking, Zuckerberg plans to implement a "Community Notes" model, which relies on users to identify falsehoods. Experts warn that this shift could exacerbate the spread of harmful misinformation, a concern echoed by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who reaffirmed the government's commitment to combating disinformation while defending freedom of expression.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 2 ameznews.inTesla CEO Elon Musk has intensified his criticism of billionaire George Soros, accusing him of harboring "hatred of humanity" that extends to Israel. Musk's comments came after sharing a report featuring Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan, who condemned Soros for donating $15 million to NGOs linked to the Hamas militant group. This latest attack is part of a broader pattern, with Musk previously denouncing Soros's recent receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden as a "travesty." Musk has also shared memes likening Soros to Star Wars villain Darth Sidious and X-Men's Magneto, suggesting that Soros's philanthropic image masks ulterior motives. Soros, a prominent philanthropist, has long been a target of criticism, particularly from conservative circles, and Musk's remarks further fuel the ongoing discourse surrounding him.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 12 ameznews.inMeta's recent shift from a fact-checking program to a crowdsourced model prioritizing "free expression" has ignited significant controversy regarding its potential impact on misinformation and hate speech. This change comes just days before Donald Trump's reinstatement as President and appears to be a response to conservative criticism that Meta's previous policies suppressed right-wing voices. Trump has previously warned CEO Mark Zuckerberg against interfering in the 2024 election, prompting Zuckerberg to seek a more amicable relationship, including appointing conservative Joel Kaplan as global policy chief. Under Kaplan's leadership, Meta will adopt a Community Notes model, reminiscent of Elon Musk's approach at X, where users monitor content instead of experts. Critics argue this shift could exacerbate misinformation and hate speech, with experts asserting it undermines the platforms' responsibility to protect users while aligning with Trump's agenda. The changes will affect Meta's vast user base across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 12 ameznews.inThe "Damsel of Cyprus," born around 1177, was the daughter of Isaac Komnenos, the emperor of Cyprus, and served as a political pawn throughout her life. Although her name remains unknown, historians speculate it may have been Beatrice or Maria. Captured as a child alongside her brother, she was held as a hostage during her father's conflict with Bohemond III of Antioch until her release at age seven. In 1191, she was taken captive again by Richard I of England after her father's failed attempt to seize Richard's ship. Despite her status as a ward of Richard's family, she remained a captive, traveling extensively under their control. After Richard's death in 1199, the princess married twice, first to Raymond VI and then to Thierry of Flanders, attempting to reclaim Cyprus through her second husband. Her life illustrates the resilience of medieval women in navigating their constrained circumstances.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 12 ameznews.inMexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum responded sharply to Donald Trump's recent comments about renaming the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America," suggesting instead that the United States be referred to as "Mexican America." During her regular morning press conference, Sheinbaum showcased a 17th-century map labeling North America as "Mexican America" and emphasized that the Gulf of Mexico is the officially recognized name by the United Nations. Sheinbaum expressed her hope for "good relations" with the incoming US president, despite Trump's controversial statements, which included claims that Mexico is controlled by drug cartels and threats to impose tariffs unless Mexico curbs illegal migration and drug trafficking. Trump, set to begin his second term on January 20, has also revived plans to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations, further straining the bilateral relationship.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 12 am
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