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US President Donald Trump signed pardons for 23 anti-abortion protesters on Thursday, who were prosecuted during Joe Biden's administration. Trump stated that these individuals, many of whom are elderly, "should not have been prosecuted," emphasizing the honor of signing the pardons in the Oval Office ahead of a major anti-abortion march in Washington. While details about the protesters were not disclosed, reports indicate they were convicted for blocking access to abortion clinics. Trump is expected to address the "March for Life" via video, with Vice President JD Vance attending in person. Although Trump has maintained a vague stance on abortion, he credits the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling, which overturned federal abortion rights, to justices he appointed. His recent pardons reflect an effort to reconnect with his base, following a series of high-profile clemencies since his second presidential term began.
Published: Jan 24 2025, 6 ameznews.inIn his first Oval Office interview since returning to power, US President Donald Trump suggested ending federal disaster relief, advocating for states to manage their own emergency responses. His comments come amid ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles and recovery efforts from recent hurricanes in the eastern United States. Trump criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), claiming it has failed victims, and pointed to leadership issues as a barrier to effective disaster response. This position contrasts sharply with his past support for federal aid during disasters in Republican-led states. As wildfires force evacuations in California, Trump’s remarks reflect a broader Republican narrative linking federal assistance to state governance. The interview, conducted by Fox News' Sean Hannity, showcased Trump’s typical media engagement style, although viewership for his second inauguration was notably lower than his first. He also defended his past pardons for Capitol rioters and addressed other controversial policies.
Published: Jan 24 2025, 10 ameznews.inUS President Donald Trump expressed optimism about fostering a "very good relationship" with China during a virtual address to the World Economic Forum in Davos. While acknowledging his personal admiration for President Xi Jinping, Trump criticized the current trade dynamics, which he described as "unfair," attributing significant trade deficits to policies of the Biden administration. He emphasized the need for a "level playing field," remarking that the US cannot sustain massive deficits with China or other Asian nations. Despite these trade concerns, Trump maintained that he and Xi have historically enjoyed a positive rapport, even amid tensions like the Covid-19 outbreak. He also highlighted the potential for China to play a role in resolving global conflicts, particularly in relation to the Russia-Ukraine war. The WEF summit, running from January 20 to 24, serves as a crucial platform for discussing global economic challenges and sustainability.
Published: Jan 24 2025, 11 ameznews.inOutgoing President Joe Biden continued the tradition of leaving a letter for his successor, Donald Trump, as he returned to the Oval Office on January 20, 2025. The letter, revealed during a signing of executive orders, began with a warm greeting, wishing Trump and his family well for the next four years. Biden emphasized the importance of the presidency during turbulent times, expressing hopes for prosperity and peace, and concluded with a blessing for guidance. Trump described the letter as "very nice" and "inspirational," acknowledging its positive tone and the significance of the presidential role. This tradition, which started with Ronald Reagan in 1989, has been maintained by each president, often reflecting on the responsibilities and challenges of leadership. Previous letters, such as Barack Obama's to Trump in 2017, have similarly underscored the importance of democratic values and the role of the presidency.
Published: Jan 24 2025, 11 ameznews.inRussian cybercriminals are reportedly impersonating remote tech support workers on Microsoft Teams to infiltrate British computers, according to a report by _The Telegraph_. These hackers bombard targets with up to 3,000 spam messages in an hour before initiating contact via Teams, where they gain remote access and deploy malicious software to extract data. UK cybersecurity firm Sophos highlighted that Teams' default settings allow external individuals to communicate with internal staff, which can be exploited by attackers. Sophos’ principal threat researcher, Sean Gallagher, noted that this tactic may not raise alarms for companies that rely on managed IT services. The operation is led by Russian cyber gangs Fin7 and Storm-1811, which have intensified their activities against UK businesses. This revelation coincides with the UK government’s plans to ban ransomware payments, a significant move against cybercriminals who earned $1.1 billion globally in 2023.
Published: Jan 24 2025, 11 ameznews.inAn Indian national vacationing in Thailand reported being robbed of his gold necklace near the Hard Rock Hotel in Pattaya on Monday. Pravin Manik Tavada, a 42-year-old hotel business owner, claimed he lost the necklace, valued at 132,000 baht (approximately Rs 3,00,000), after being approached by three transgender women who engaged him and his friends in physical contact. After declining their advances and walking away, Tavada discovered his 40-gram necklace was missing. Convinced the women were responsible, he searched the area but could not find them and subsequently filed a complaint at Pattaya Police Station. Authorities are currently investigating the incident, reviewing CCTV footage, and gathering witness statements to identify the suspects. Thai officials have assured that efforts to apprehend those involved are underway, while a similar theft involving an Indian tourist occurred last year, highlighting ongoing concerns about such incidents in the area.
Published: Jan 24 2025, 11 ameznews.inAn Indian businessman, Monishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah, aged 40, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for customs duty evasion and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. Shah, who ran jewellery companies in New York, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aiding in illegal money transfers, amassing over $13.5 million in jewellery imports while evading duties. From December 2019 to April 2022, he orchestrated a scheme where jewellery shipped from Turkey and India was falsely labelled as originating from South Korea to avoid approximately 5.5% in duties. Additionally, he illegally processed over $10.3 million through his New York businesses. The court ordered Shah to pay $742,500 in restitution and forfeited $11,126,982.33, alongside a two-year supervised release. Federal prosecutors highlighted Shah's extensive network in facilitating these fraudulent transactions.
Published: Jan 24 2025, 9 ameznews.inFive individuals, including two of Indian origin, have been charged in New York for a violent home invasion robbery that occurred in December 2024. Bhupinderjit Singh and Divya Kumari, both 26, along with Elijaih Roman, 22, Corey Hall, 45, and Erik Suarez, 24, allegedly invaded the home of a small business owner in front of his four young children, threatening them with a firearm. The defendants face multiple charges, including robbery conspiracy and robbery, each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years, while some also face a life sentence for brandishing a firearm during the crime. According to the FBI, the robbers zip-tied the parents and terrorized the children, demanding access to the family's safe, from which they stole jewelry and around $10,000. Kumari acted as a lookout during the robbery, which has drawn significant condemnation for violating the sanctity of home life.
Published: Jan 24 2025, 9 ameznews.inA23a, the world's largest iceberg, weighing over one trillion tons, is on a collision course with South Georgia, a remote British island off Antarctica, according to a BBC report. Covering nearly 3,900 square kilometers—three times the size of New York City—the iceberg is now just 280 km away and is expected to collide within two to four weeks, depending on ocean currents. Marine ecologist Mark Belchier warns that the iceberg's impact could disrupt local fisheries and wildlife, particularly king penguins and seals, by blocking access to feeding grounds. This isn't the first threat to the region's wildlife; a similar incident in 2004 saw another iceberg hinder foraging routes, leading to a decline in seal and penguin populations. A23a, which broke free from the Filchner Ice Shelf in 1986, has a complex journey marked by years of being trapped before finally drifting northward. Scientists are closely monitoring its movements.
Published: Jan 24 2025, 9 ameznews.inMicrosoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella has addressed concerns raised by Tesla chief Elon Musk regarding the funding for the Stargate project, a major artificial intelligence initiative announced by former President Donald Trump. Musk questioned the financial backing of the joint venture involving OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle, claiming SoftBank has "well under $10B" secured. In response, Nadella reaffirmed Microsoft's commitment to invest $80 billion in expanding its Azure cloud computing platform, emphasizing that the funds are aimed at creating practical solutions rather than merely promoting AI hype. The Stargate project is set to invest at least $500 billion over four years to develop AI infrastructure in the U.S., with OpenAI managing operations and SoftBank overseeing financial aspects. Amidst the exchanges, Nadella expressed confidence in Microsoft's financial capabilities, while Musk acknowledged his trust in Nadella's resources.
Published: Jan 24 2025, 10 ameznews.inUS President Donald Trump has brushed off criticism from his ally Elon Musk regarding a $500 billion artificial intelligence initiative announced earlier this week. The project, called Stargate, involves a collaboration between OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle to establish data centers and create over 100,000 jobs in the US. Musk, who is embroiled in a lawsuit with OpenAI and has a contentious relationship with its CEO Sam Altman, expressed skepticism about the project's funding, claiming SoftBank has less than $10 billion secured. Trump, responding to Musk's comments, emphasized the intelligence of the involved parties and downplayed concerns over funding, asserting that the investors are wealthy individuals. An adviser speculated that this disagreement could signal a rift between Trump and Musk, who is also leading a government efficiency project for Trump.
Published: Jan 24 2025, 8 am
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