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US President Donald Trump has appointed retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg as special envoy to Ukraine, tasked with direct communication with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian leadership. Trump announced the appointment on his Truth Social platform, highlighting Kellogg's established rapport with Zelenskyy. Previously serving as acting national security advisor, Kellogg was notably absent from recent high-level negotiations in Saudi Arabia aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict, with a senior Russian official suggesting he was perceived as "too pro-Ukraine." Tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy escalated last month when Trump labeled the Ukrainian leader a "dictator." However, following a meeting in Kyiv, Kellogg commended Zelenskyy as a "courageous leader," indicating positive discussions. Ceasefire negotiations have faced significant challenges, particularly after contentious remarks from Putin regarding conditions for peace, which drew backlash from Kyiv. 
Published: Mar 16 2025, 9 ameznews.inA pro-Trump merchandise store, 'Let's Go Brandon' in Toms River, New Jersey, is closing its physical location due to a "loss of lease," but will continue operating online and through pop-up sales. The store, which opened in April 2022 and became a hub for Trump supporters, is selling its distinctive 2006 Ford minibus adorned with a large decal of Donald Trump, priced at $14,999 or best offer. Co-owner Vincent Scuzzese, who also owns a Trump van, noted that the bus has no seats and requires body work. The shop gained notoriety for its extensive range of pro-Trump items, including MAGA hats and novelty products, and its aggressive branding, such as a T-shirt mocking Kamala Harris. Despite the closure, Scuzzese remains optimistic about future prospects, suggesting it could be a "blessing in disguise." A deli is expected to take over the store's space. 
Published: Mar 16 2025, 11 ameznews.inNASA astronaut Anne C. McClain expressed profound joy upon seeing the International Space Station for the first time during her SpaceX Crew-10 mission. Reflecting on her journey aboard the Falcon 9 rocket, McClain described the experience as "absolutely incredible," emphasizing the importance of teamwork and the critical role of the ground control team in ensuring their safe arrival. Selected in June 2013 as part of NASA's 21st astronaut class, McClain previously completed a 204-day mission as a flight engineer during Expeditions 58 and 59, which included two spacewalks totaling over 13 hours. As commander of the Crew-10 mission, she is set to conduct various research and technology demonstrations, alongside maintenance activities aboard the microgravity laboratory, contributing to ongoing advancements in space exploration. 
Published: Mar 16 2025, 11 ameznews.inA British traveller, Cameron Callaghan, endured a distressing ordeal on a six-hour Etihad Airlines flight, vomiting approximately 30 times after consuming a pasta meal he suspects caused food poisoning. The 27-year-old was on a connecting flight from Manchester to Abu Dhabi en route to Bangkok when he opted for the "tomato, cheesy, chicken pasta" after a five-hour delay, despite noticing a strange smell. Callaghan experienced severe gastrointestinal issues shortly after eating, leading to multiple instances of vomiting and diarrhea. Upon landing in Abu Dhabi, he was too weak to stand and required a wheelchair to reach the airport's medical facility, where he received treatment. In response, Etihad Airlines stated that their food was prepared under strict safety conditions and noted that no other passengers reported illness. Callaghan, dissatisfied with the airline's response, is seeking a refund and an apology for his "flight from hell." 
Published: Mar 16 2025, 11 ameznews.inAs the Raisina Dialogue, India's prominent multilateral conference, unfolds, striking imagery serves to highlight the enduring partnership between India and Russia, particularly amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The anticipated attendance of Ukraine's foreign minister adds a layer of significance to this visual narrative. Observers are keenly watching the evolving dynamics of US-Russia relations, especially with President Donald Trump's markedly different approach compared to his predecessor, which could influence global geopolitics. Concurrently, the US is urging India to reassess its ties with Moscow, making the future of Russia-India-US relations a focal point of interest. Compounding this narrative, Russia Today and the Russian embassy in India have been actively promoting messages of solidarity, particularly around cultural events like Holi, emphasizing the importance of framing in the context of shifting alliances. As Delhi's streets resonate with these themes, the presentation of such narratives is deemed as crucial as their underlying content. 
Published: Mar 16 2025, 12 pmeznews.inElon Musk's AI tool, Grok, has recently captured the attention of Indian users on X (formerly Twitter) after it responded in colloquial Hindi, sometimes even incorporating expletives. The interaction began when a user asked Grok about his ten best mutual friends but received no answer, prompting a frustrated follow-up using a Hindi curse. Grok then replied humorously in Hindi, sparking a wave of similar queries from users eager to engage with the chatbot's playful side. Unlike competitors like ChatGPT and Gemini, Grok's responses have been notably lively and relatable, showcasing its advanced capabilities. Launched last month by Musk's xAI, Grok 3 is said to be ten times more capable than its predecessor, with enhanced reasoning and creative abilities, thanks to a newly established data center that became operational in just 122 days. Grok now operates in three modes: DeepSearch, Think, and Big Mind, further enhancing its user interaction. 
Published: Mar 16 2025, 10 ameznews.inUS Vice President JD Vance has sparked controversy on social media after making a joke about his wife, Usha Vance, during an event in Michigan. While initially praising her role as the second lady and expressing pride in her, he added, “The cameras are all on; anything I say, no matter how crazy, my wife Usha has to smile, laugh, and celebrate it.” This comment, captured in a viral 17-second video, led to widespread criticism, with users suggesting Usha appeared uncomfortable and even calling the marriage a 'red flag.' Some comments humorously suggested she might be in distress, while others defended Vance, claiming critics were unfairly targeting him. This incident follows a previous meme frenzy surrounding Vance after a tense exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, further solidifying his status as a political meme figure. 
Published: Mar 16 2025, 10 ameznews.inBaidu, the Chinese internet search giant, unveiled a new artificial intelligence reasoning model on Sunday, while also making its AI chatbot services free to users, amid intense competition in the sector. The company introduced its X1 reasoning model, which it claims rivals the cost-effective DeepSeek model that has disrupted the market since its launch in January. Previously, users had to pay a subscription for Baidu's AI models, but the latest offerings are now available at no cost, ahead of schedule. Baidu, a pioneer in generative AI in China, faces growing competition from platforms such as ByteDance and Moonshot AI. In response to DeepSeek's success, which has led to widespread adoption of its open-source model, Baidu plans to make its Ernie AI models open-source by June 30. Other major players like Tencent and Alibaba are also advancing their AI capabilities, further intensifying the race in the technology landscape. 
Published: Mar 16 2025, 10 ameznews.inIn a dramatic shift, President Donald Trump's administration has placed hundreds of journalists at Voice of America (VOA) and other US-funded media outlets on leave, halting operations that have long been vital in countering Russian and Chinese propaganda. The move, communicated via email over the weekend, affects staff at VOA, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Free Europe, who are now barred from their offices and required to return press passes and equipment. Kari Lake, head of the US Agency for Global Media, stated that federal funding no longer aligns with agency priorities, while the White House defended the cuts as a means to prevent taxpayer support for what they termed "radical propaganda." Critics, including advocacy groups and Democratic lawmakers, condemned the decision as a threat to press freedom and a potential boon for authoritarian regimes, with concerns over the safety of journalists working in oppressive environments. 
Published: Mar 16 2025, 8 ameznews.inIn a significant escalation of military action, the United States launched strikes in Yemen, marking the first such operations under President Donald Trump since his inauguration in January. The strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 24 individuals, including 13 civilians in the capital, Sanaa, and 11 others in the Houthi stronghold of Saada. Trump condemned the Iran-aligned Houthi group as "terrorists" and warned that their "time is up," urging Iran to cease its support for them. The Houthi political bureau condemned the attacks as a "war crime," vowing to respond to any escalation. This military action follows a series of Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, which they claim are in solidarity with Palestinians amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The Trump administration has reclassified the Houthis as a "foreign terrorist organization," further intensifying the geopolitical tensions in the region. 
Published: Mar 16 2025, 9 am
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