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US President Donald Trump has initiated an investigation that could lead to tariffs on critical minerals and rare-earth metals, including cobalt, lithium, and nickel, as he intensifies his trade conflict with global partners. The inquiry, which may also affect products such as smartphones and electric vehicles, is based on concerns that reliance on foreign sources for these materials poses risks to national security and economic stability. The order highlights the dominance of China in global supply chains for rare metals and underscores the essential role these minerals play in US military and energy infrastructure. The Department of Commerce has 180 days to report back to Trump, with potential tariff recommendations. This latest move follows similar investigations into pharmaceutical imports and semiconductor manufacturing, all leveraging a seldom-used 1962 law, Section 232, which Trump has employed to impose tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles since his return to the presidency. 
Published: Apr 16 2025, 9 ameznews.inUS President Donald Trump made headlines with a humorous attempt to pronounce his campaign slogan "Make America Great Again" in Spanish during a recent interview on a Fox News Spanish-language program. Host Rachel Campos-Duffy guided the 78-year-old president through the phrase, which she pronounced as "Vamos a hacer America grande otra vez." However, Trump’s rendition was notably simplified; he omitted the subject and verb, delivering a staccato version of "America grande otra vez," while emphasizing the final word with a forward lean. While his attempt was not grammatically correct, it resonated with his supporters on social media, who praised him for the effort. The White House shared the clip on X, where it quickly garnered hundreds of thousands of views, demonstrating Trump's enduring appeal among his fanbase despite the linguistic missteps.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 3 pmeznews.inHarvard University, with its $53 billion endowment—the largest of any U.S. college—has long prepared its budget to withstand financial shocks. This strategy is being tested as the Trump administration announced a freeze on $2.2 billion in federal funding after Harvard declined to meet certain government demands, raising concerns over its tax-exempt status. Federal funding, which constitutes 11% of Harvard's revenue and supports critical research in areas like AIDS and cancer, is now at risk. Despite its robust financial health, with a $45 million surplus in fiscal 2024 and cash reserves covering operating costs tenfold, over 80% of the endowment is earmarked for specific purposes. Experts warn that while Harvard can temporarily access its resources or sell bonds for short-term relief, the long-term implications of sustained funding cuts could be significant. As the university navigates these challenges, it remains to be seen how effectively it can maintain its mission amid political pressures.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 3 pmeznews.inAmid rising concerns over potential price hikes from domestic retailers due to tariffs, American consumers are increasingly turning to Chinese e-commerce apps for affordable fashion items. Platforms like DHgate, which has surged to second place in the US App Store rankings, are gaining popularity thanks to viral TikTok videos highlighting the quality and low prices of products. Shares of CTS International Logistics Corp., a partner of DHgate, saw a 10% rise following this trend. Consumers are finding steep discounts on luxury items, such as a counterfeit Louis Vuitton wallet priced at $3.24 and Lululemon yoga pants for $13. In response to market pressures, DHgate recently launched a "Tariff Escort Plan" to support merchants in maintaining sales. Founded in 2004 by Wang Shutong, the platform now boasts over 2.6 million registered suppliers and serves more than 200 countries.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 3 pmeznews.inSouth Korean actor Simon Lee has expressed shock upon discovering his likeness, sometimes depicted as a gynaecologist or surgeon, used in dubious health advertisements on TikTok and Instagram. Like many who have licensed their images to AI marketing firms, Lee found his digital clone promoting questionable products, leaving him feeling trapped by contract terms that hindered removal of the content. This emerging advertising method, which allows for quick and cost-effective video production using avatars, has raised ethical concerns. Actors like Adam Coy and Connor Yeates have similarly faced unexpected uses of their digital likenesses, including political propaganda. Legal experts warn that contracts often contain confusing and potentially exploitative clauses, granting companies broad rights over individuals' images. As AI technology evolves rapidly, calls for clearer regulations and ethical guidelines are intensifying, highlighting the need for caution in the digital age.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 3 pmeznews.inA recent outbreak of drug-resistant cholera has affected British nationals who consumed contaminated holy water from the Bermel Giorgis pilgrimage site in Ethiopia, known for its supposed healing properties. The UK Health Security Agency reported that four individuals, aged between 20 and 60, fell ill after returning from Ethiopia between January and mid-February, coinciding with a resurgence of cholera cases in the country. Symptoms included watery diarrhoea, vomiting, and dehydration, with three requiring hospitalisation, one needing intensive care. All four have since recovered. Ethiopia struggles with clean water access, with nearly half of its 122 million population lacking safe drinking water, yet many still consume untreated holy water. The outbreak, which began in 2022, has resulted in nearly 60,000 cases and 726 deaths nationwide. Cholera is typically transmitted through contaminated food or water, particularly in areas without proper sanitation.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 4 pmeznews.inISIS has claimed responsibility for a bomb attack in Pakistan's Balochistan province that killed three policemen and injured over a dozen others. The explosion occurred on Tuesday when a bomb hidden on a parked motorcycle detonated as a bus carrying 40 police officers passed by in Mastung city, an area long plagued by sectarian and ethnic violence. The group's local branch, ISIS Khorasan (ISIS-K), stated that its "soldiers" targeted the police, whom they labeled as "apostates." Since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, violence has surged in Pakistan's border regions, with Islamabad accusing the Taliban of harboring militants responsible for cross-border attacks, a claim the Taliban denies. Balochistan has seen a rise in separatist violence, including a recent attack on a train that left dozens dead. This year alone, over 200 people, primarily security personnel, have been killed in various militant attacks across the country.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn a significant clash, the Trump administration has announced a freeze on $2.2 billion in federal research grants to Harvard University, which is resisting demands for policy changes related to campus protests and faculty diversity. This confrontation is set to impact researchers at the prestigious institution, where federal funding constituted 10.5% of revenue in 2023, excluding financial aid. While Harvard has yet to disclose which specific grants may be affected, concerns are mounting over potential disruptions to critical research, particularly at its T.H. Chan School of Public Health, which heavily relies on federal support for studies on diseases like cancer and HIV. Despite its $53 billion endowment, Harvard argues that these funds are earmarked for specific purposes, complicating the university's financial maneuvering. The funding cuts could also limit undergraduate research opportunities and faculty retention, raising questions about the future of academic programs at Harvard.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 2 pmeznews.inFrench prisons are facing a surge of violence, with cars set ablaze at a facility in Tarascon early Wednesday, according to Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin. This incident is part of a troubling trend, as at least six prisons across the country have experienced gun and arson attacks earlier this week. The government is grappling with these escalating threats to prison security, prompting concerns about safety within the penal system. Darmanin highlighted the seriousness of the situation during an interview with C News TV, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in maintaining order. The wave of attacks has raised alarms about the potential for further unrest in the prison system, as officials work to address the root causes of this violence.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 2 pmeznews.inGolden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr expressed strong support for Harvard University on Wednesday, commending its refusal to comply with government oversight demands from President Donald Trump. After the Warriors' victory against Memphis, Kerr donned a Harvard t-shirt sent by friend and Harvard basketball coach Tommy Amaker. He emphasized the importance of academic freedom, stating that institutions should not be coerced by the government regarding their teachings. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard," Kerr remarked, referring to Trump's threats to strip Harvard of its tax-exempt status and freeze $2.2 billion in federal funding due to the university's stance on student selection. Kerr, a vocal critic of Trump and supporter of Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, praised Harvard for "standing up to the bully" in this escalating conflict.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 12 pmeznews.inDays before her death, Betsy Arakawa, the wife of Hollywood actor Gene Hackman, conducted online searches for flu and COVID-19-like symptoms, as revealed by New Mexico officials. The 65-year-old's internet history indicated her concerns about potential COVID-19 symptoms, including nosebleeds and dizziness, according to The New York Post. In her efforts to care for her husband, who had tested negative for COVID-19, she purchased a test kit and Boost Oxygen canisters and sought advice from their masseuse regarding his health. Tragically, Ms. Arakawa is believed to have succumbed to Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease transmitted through contact with rodent droppings, which can present flu-like symptoms. A week later, Mr. Hackman, suffering from advanced Alzheimer's and heart issues, passed away, likely unaware of his wife's death. Both bodies were discovered on February 18 after a maintenance worker alerted authorities to their open front door.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 1 pm
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