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President Donald Trump's administration is facing criticism for its sweeping actions against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government, marking a significant rollback of decades of racial justice initiatives. One of Trump's first acts in office was the termination of all federal DEI programs, which he claimed fostered "illegal and immoral discrimination." The Pentagon's crackdown has included the erasure of historical references to notable figures, such as the Navajo "code talkers" and the Tuskegee Airmen, from its website. Critics, including descendants of these veterans, argue that this amounts to an attempt to "erase the history of people of color." The repercussions of this policy extend beyond government, as major corporations like Google and Amazon have also scaled back their DEI efforts. The American Civil Liberties Union has condemned Trump's approach as a radical departure from bipartisan efforts to promote equality and justice. 
Published: Mar 20 2025, 5 ameznews.inDivya Tyagi, an Indian-origin aerospace engineering graduate student at Pennsylvania State University, has made significant strides in aerodynamics by reworking a century-old mathematical problem originally posed by British aerodynamicist Hermann Glauert. Tyagi's innovative approach simplifies the complex issue, enhancing accessibility and facilitating new research avenues, particularly in wind turbine design. Her modifications address gaps in Glauert's original work, which focused solely on maximizing power efficiency without considering the total forces and moments acting on turbine rotors. Tyagi's solution employs the calculus of variations for constrained optimization, allowing researchers to investigate previously unexplored aspects of turbine performance. Her adviser, Sven Schmitz, commended her determination and ingenuity, predicting that her findings will influence the next generation of wind turbines and be integrated into educational curricula worldwide. Currently pursuing her master's degree, Tyagi is also engaged in research on improving helicopter flight simulations, funded by the US Navy. 
Published: Mar 20 2025, 3 pmeznews.inMarina Budiman has lost her title as Indonesia's richest woman after a staggering $3.6 billion decline in her wealth within just three days. The co-founder and president commissioner of DCI Indonesia, a data centre company, saw her net worth plummet to $3.9 billion, following a crash in her firm's shares, which had previously skyrocketed due to investor confidence and rising demand for data centres. Budiman's fellow billionaires and co-founders, Otto Toto Sugiri and Han Arming Hanafia, also experienced significant losses, with their combined net worth dropping after an earlier surge of over $17 billion. DCI's market value fell to nearly $17 billion, despite last year's revenues of $112 million. The stock's volatility is attributed to low liquidity, as 78% of shares are held by just four individuals, leading to sharp price movements. Analysts warn that such erratic fluctuations are increasingly common in Indonesia's equity market. 
Published: Mar 20 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe Israeli army has prohibited traffic on Gaza's main north-south route, Salaheddin Road, following the announcement of renewed ground operations in the region. IDF spokesman Avichay Adraee stated that the targeted operations aim to expand the security zone between northern and southern Gaza. While travel from northern Gaza to the south is allowed via the Al-Rashid coastal road, it remains unclear if the reverse is also restricted. This development follows the closure of Netzarim Junction by Israeli forces, which coincided with the withdrawal of American private security contractors. The situation has escalated after Israel resumed airstrikes on Gaza, prompting international condemnation. Negotiations for a second stage of a ceasefire have stalled, with Israel insisting on the return of all remaining hostages, a condition Hamas has rejected, viewing it as an attempt to renegotiate the original ceasefire terms. 
Published: Mar 20 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn a strategic departure from tradition, Canada's new Prime Minister Mark Carney has chosen Europe for his inaugural foreign visit, amid escalating tensions with the United States under President Donald Trump. Beginning in Paris, Carney met with French President Emmanuel Macron, who underscored the importance of unity among allies. Carney echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to strengthen ties with dependable partners while diversifying Canada’s trade and security relationships, given the heavy reliance on the US. Following discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Carney highlighted the necessity for a comprehensive dialogue with the US regarding trade and security issues, particularly in light of Trump's tariffs. His visit also reflects personal ties to Europe, as Carney renounced his British citizenship to assume his role. Overall, the tour signifies Carney's commitment to fortifying Canada's international relationships while addressing the complexities of its proximity to the US. 
Published: Mar 20 2025, 4 pmeznews.inSweden's government announced on Thursday a commitment of 300 million kronor ($30 million) for enhancing security measures in schools, in response to the tragic mass shooting at the Campus Risbergska adult education centre in Örebro on February 4, which claimed the lives of 10 people. Education Minister Johan Pehrson described the incident as the worst mass shooting in Sweden's modern history, highlighting a significant rise in threats and violence in schools over the past decade. The funding will primarily support the installation of security cameras and checkpoints, alongside a proposed bill requiring schools to develop emergency plans and allowing for student bag searches. Investigations into the shooter, identified as 35-year-old Rickard Andersson, revealed he was an unemployed recluse with no prior criminal record who legally owned multiple firearms. Concerns have arisen regarding the backgrounds of the victims, which have sparked discussions within Sweden’s immigrant community. 
Published: Mar 20 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA 31-year-old former math teacher, Brittany Fortinberry, faces multiple charges for the alleged sexual abuse of at least ten boys, some as young as 13, in Morgan County, Indiana. Court documents reveal that she forced her victims to wear horror movie-style masks and engage in group sex at her home, reportedly spending $600 on them and offering between $100 and $800 for explicit photos. Allegations include providing drugs to the teens and threatening suicide if they reported the abuse. One victim recounted that Fortinberry would wait for her children to sleep before assaulting the boys, while another claimed she raped him after asking him to babysit. Prosecutors have filed additional charges, including molestation and dissemination of harmful material, and are seeking to raise her bond from $20,000 to $150,000 amid concerns about her husband's alleged complicity in the abuse. 
Published: Mar 20 2025, 2 pmeznews.inSunita Williams, the U.S. astronaut who recently completed a nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), is now focusing on recovery, according to astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Speaking to NDTV, Tyson expressed confidence in the astronauts' ability to readjust, emphasizing their professional training and emotional resilience. He highlighted that despite the extended duration of their stay due to propulsion issues with their spacecraft, both Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore are well-equipped to handle the transition back to Earth's gravity. Tyson noted that while they will need to rebuild muscle mass and bone density through rehabilitation, their emotional state remains stable, negating the need for sympathy. Upon their return, Williams and Wilmore were greeted by dolphins off Florida's coast, marking a triumphant end to their extended mission, which began on June 5 last year. Tyson suggested that NASA consider keeping a spare rocket for future contingencies as space travel becomes more routine. 
Published: Mar 20 2025, 2 pmeznews.inAstrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has humorously suggested that he would only consider traveling to Mars after tech billionaire Elon Musk sends his mother on a round trip to the red planet, ensuring its safety. In an interview with NDTV, Tyson, who has previously disagreed with Musk over his Mars colonization plans, acknowledged Musk's significant contributions to space exploration compared to other billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson. However, he emphasized the need for private companies like SpaceX to make space travel more affordable and efficient. Tyson proposed that lowering the cost of space exploration to under $10,000 could transform it into a viable vacation option, even suggesting a lottery system for access to space flights. He distinguished between suborbital flights and true space travel, asserting that genuine exploration should aim for destinations like the Moon and Mars, which he views as the next frontiers for tourism. 
Published: Mar 20 2025, 3 pmeznews.inChristina Formella, a 30-year-old soccer coach and special education teacher from Illinois, has denied allegations of sexual assault against a 15-year-old student. During a police interview following her arrest on March 16, Formella claimed her good looks and caring nature led to false accusations, suggesting the teen may have manipulated her phone to fabricate evidence. The allegations surfaced after the victim’s mother discovered explicit texts, prompting a report to the Downers Grove Police Department. Authorities allege that Formella assaulted the student during a tutoring session in December 2023. Following the report, Formella was placed on administrative leave from Downers Grove South High School, where she had worked since 2020. DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin described the allegations as "extremely disturbing," while school officials emphasized their commitment to supporting the victim and ensuring student safety. Formella's next court date is set for April 14, 2025. 
Published: Mar 20 2025, 1 pmeznews.inFrustration is mounting at Akasa Air, India’s newest airline, as executives express concern over delayed Boeing 737 MAX deliveries, which have left hundreds of pilots idle. Founded by the late billionaire Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Akasa operates a fleet of 27 aircraft but has 226 jets on order, with delays attributed to regulatory scrutiny and a workers' strike at Boeing. During a recent town hall meeting, Akasa's executives openly criticized Boeing, with CEO Vinay Dube highlighting the operational stress caused by the lack of aircraft. Despite public confidence in Boeing's recovery, Akasa's losses widened to $194 million last year, even as its revenue quadrupled. With 310 of its 775 pilots currently grounded, Akasa has suggested alternative training opportunities for those waiting to fly, while acknowledging that the global aircraft shortage will persist for several years, complicating its expansion plans in a competitive market. 
Published: Mar 20 2025, 1 pm
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