eznews.in
The Trump administration has withdrawn Adam Boehler's nomination as special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, the White House announced on Saturday. Boehler, who has been actively working to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, will continue his efforts in a role as a "special government employee," which does not require Senate confirmation. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt praised Boehler's contributions, including his role in negotiating the return of American teacher Marc Fogel from Russia. The decision to withdraw was reportedly to avoid potential conflicts with his investment company and was unrelated to the backlash over his direct engagement with Hamas, which has stirred discontent among some Senate Republicans and Israeli officials. Following a deadly Hamas attack on October 7, which resulted in significant casualties and hostages, Boehler's discussions with the group marked a significant shift in U.S. policy regarding negotiations with designated terrorist organizations. 
Published: Mar 15 2025, 11 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.inUS 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.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 ameznews.inFaisal Nadeem, also known as Abu Qatal and the nephew of 26/11 attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed, has been killed in a targeted shooting at Mangla bypass in Pakistan's Jhelum district. Reports indicate that unidentified gunmen opened fire on the vehicle he was traveling in. Nadeem was implicated as a handler for the Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists responsible for deadly attacks in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, in 2023, which resulted in seven fatalities and numerous injuries. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had previously filed a chargesheet naming Nadeem, along with Sajid Jutt and Mohd Qasim, as key figures who directed these terror operations from Pakistan. His death marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism linked to the region.
Published: Mar 16 2025, 9 ameznews.inAt least 33 people have died and numerous others have been injured as tornadoes and severe storms swept through the central United States on Saturday, officials reported. In Kansas, eight fatalities occurred in a massive pile-up involving over 50 vehicles during a severe dust storm that severely limited visibility. Missouri confirmed 12 storm-related deaths, while Arkansas reported three fatalities and 29 injuries, prompting Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to declare a state of emergency and assure residents of federal support. In Mississippi, six deaths were reported, with three individuals still missing. Power outages affected over 200,000 homes and businesses across the region, as meteorologists warned of more tornadoes expected to hit states like Mississippi and Tennessee. The National Weather Service cautioned that significant and potentially violent tornadoes could continue into the evening, highlighting the dangers inherent in the region known as "Tornado Alley."
Published: Mar 16 2025, 9 ameznews.inPope Francis is showing gradual improvement as he battles double pneumonia in a Rome hospital, according to a Vatican update on Saturday. The 88-year-old pontiff, who was admitted to Gemelli hospital on February 14, is reducing his reliance on mechanical ventilation at night, though he continues to receive high-flow oxygen therapy. His condition remains stable, and he is undergoing medical treatments, respiratory physiotherapy, and mobility exercises, all contributing to his slow recovery. This week marks the 12th anniversary of his papacy, yet he has not been seen in public for five weeks, missing his weekly prayers with pilgrims. The Vatican has shifted to less frequent medical updates, now issuing them every few days instead of twice daily. Despite his health challenges, Pope Francis has continued his work from the hospital and recently approved a new three-year process to consider reforms for the global Catholic Church.
Published: Mar 16 2025, 7 ameznews.inUS airstrikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels, the first since President Donald Trump took office, reportedly killed at least 20 people, including children, according to Houthi officials. The strikes, which targeted the capital Sanaa and the northern Saada region, were described as a response to the Houthis' recent attacks on Israel and shipping in the Red Sea amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. The US Central Command characterized the operations as "precision strikes" aimed at safeguarding American interests and maintaining navigation freedom. Trump warned Iran to cease its support for the Houthis and threatened severe retaliation against the group for its actions, emphasizing that "hell will rain down" if they continue their attacks. The Houthis have vowed to respond to the US strikes, asserting their readiness to escalate the conflict. The situation remains tense as the Houthis, who control significant territory in Yemen, have resumed their attacks following a ceasefire.
Published: Mar 16 2025, 7 am
For the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
India
World
Economy
Science
Health
Showbiz
Contact