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The UN migration agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), is facing significant layoffs, with around 20% of its Geneva headquarters staff expected to be affected, amounting to over 200 employees. This follows recent cuts that saw 3,000 staff let go, mainly from the US refugee resettlement program, which has been halted by the Trump administration. Employees described a painful atmosphere, with reports of staff leaving meetings in tears. While the IOM has not confirmed the full extent of the layoffs, a spokesperson acknowledged necessary adjustments to maintain operational efficiency. The agency, which relies on the US for over 40% of its funding, has been severely impacted by cuts to foreign aid. Employees expressed frustration over the handling of the layoffs, especially as IOM’s director general was seen dancing during a recent visit, prompting outrage among staff facing job loss. 
Published: Mar 14 2025, 7 pmeznews.inRussian President Vladimir Putin has urged Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region to surrender, following a call from former US President Donald Trump to spare their lives. Both leaders claimed that Russian forces had Ukrainian soldiers surrounded, a statement Kyiv has dismissed, although President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged increasing pressure on his forces. In a televised address, Putin assured that surrendering troops would receive "life and dignified treatment," while Trump highlighted the precarious situation of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, warning of a potential massacre. Despite claims of encirclement, Ukraine's military insisted it was maintaining control of the territory, with Zelensky stating that the situation in Kursk was challenging but manageable. He noted that Ukraine's offensive had forced Russian troops to withdraw from other areas, stabilizing the situation around the eastern logistics hub of Pokrovsk. 
Published: Mar 15 2025, 12 ameznews.inNewly inaugurated Prime Minister Mark Carney firmly stated on Friday that Canada will "never" be absorbed into the United States, directly countering President Donald Trump's recent annexation threats. In his first address as Canada's 24th prime minister, Carney emphasized the country's sovereignty, declaring, "we will never, ever, in any way, shape or form, be part of the United States." Despite rejecting the notion of annexation, Carney expressed a willingness to seek collaborative opportunities with the Trump administration, aiming to foster a constructive relationship between the two nations. His comments come amid heightened tensions regarding U.S. foreign policy and its implications for Canadian sovereignty. 
Published: Mar 15 2025, 12 ameznews.inNASA and SpaceX are set to launch the Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday at 7:03 PM ET, following a delay due to technical issues. The mission carries a four-member international team tasked with conducting scientific experiments, but its significance lies in facilitating the return of two stranded astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams. The duo has been aboard the ISS since June, after the Boeing Starliner spacecraft they were testing encountered propulsion problems and returned empty. Their extended stay, now exceeding nine months, has drawn public sympathy and political commentary, with former President Donald Trump controversially suggesting they might have "fallen in love." Once Crew-10 arrives, Crew-9, which includes Wilmore and Williams, can depart, although the timeline for their return remains uncertain. The mission highlights ongoing cooperation in space between the U.S. and Russia amid geopolitical tensions. 
Published: Mar 15 2025, 12 ameznews.inThe United States is poised to revoke more student visas in the wake of recent events, as revealed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday. This announcement follows the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student facing deportation due to his pro-Palestinian activism. During a press briefing after a G7 foreign ministers' meeting, Rubio stated, "In the days to come, you should expect more visas will be revoked as we identify people that we should have never allowed in." The move signals a tightening of immigration policies amid rising tensions surrounding political activism and foreign relations. The implications of this policy shift could affect numerous international students in the US, as the government intensifies scrutiny of visa holders involved in activism. 
Published: Mar 14 2025, 11 pmeznews.inMark Carney was sworn in as Canada's prime minister on Friday in Ottawa, marking a significant shift in the political landscape amid strained US-Canada relations under President Donald Trump. The 59-year-old former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England took his oath in both English and French, pledging allegiance to King Charles III. Carney, who lacks prior political experience, triumphed in the Liberal Party leadership race, drawing attention for his crisis management skills. His first major challenge will be to mend US relations, prompting a cabinet reshuffle that sees Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc move to international trade and Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne taking over finance. Carney emphasized his commitment to defending Canadian sovereignty, stating he would only meet Trump when respect for Canada is shown, and plans to maintain retaliatory tariffs on US goods. Efforts are underway to arrange a call between the two leaders, according to Foreign Minister Melanie Joly. 
Published: Mar 14 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA 31-year-old South Carolina woman, An T. Ngo, has been charged with homicide by child abuse following the alleged stabbing death of her newborn son shortly after birth. According to an arrest warrant, Ngo gave birth to a boy on March 7 in her apartment, where she is accused of using a metal letter opener to cut the umbilical cord before fatally stabbing the infant multiple times. Police were alerted by Ngo's boyfriend and found the severely injured baby, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Easley Police Chief Brandon Liner described the incident as "gruesome" and emphasized the need for justice for the child, stating that Ngo is responsible for the tragedy. After being treated at the hospital, she was arrested on March 11 and has been denied bail, with her next court appearance scheduled for May 15. 
Published: Mar 14 2025, 9 pmeznews.inMark Carney, a former central bank leader and investment banker, has become Canada's Prime Minister after launching an unusual campaign without prior parliamentary experience. Born in the Northwest Territories and raised in Edmonton, Carney has a distinguished career, serving as Governor of the Bank of Canada during the 2008-2009 financial crisis and later leading the Bank of England. He describes the current political climate, influenced by U.S. President Donald Trump's policies, as a "serious crisis." Carney's leadership style is characterized as "boring" but "reassuring," appealing to voters seeking stability amid economic uncertainty. However, he faces challenges connecting with the electorate, especially as the Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, attack his elite background and climate policies. With a federal election looming, Carney aims to focus on investment-driven solutions to climate change while navigating a tight race against the opposition. 
Published: Mar 14 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA United Nations investigation has concluded that Russia has committed crimes against humanity, including enforced disappearances and torture, during its ongoing war in Ukraine. The UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine reported that these acts were part of a systematic and widespread assault on civilians, executed under a coordinated state policy. The report highlights the detention of large numbers of civilians in areas under Russian control, with many transferred to detention facilities in occupied Ukraine or Russia, where further violations occurred. Many detainees remain missing, and some have died in captivity. The inquiry also noted that prisoners of war have faced torture and enforced disappearances, with Russian authorities employing brutal interrogation methods, including sexual violence. Furthermore, testimonies suggest a policy of executing captured or surrendering Ukrainian soldiers, constituting a war crime. The report will be formally presented to the UN Human Rights Council next week. 
Published: Mar 14 2025, 9 pmeznews.inHeavy rainfall near Florence has led to severe flooding, prompting authorities to issue a red weather alert for the historic city and its surroundings. Eugenio Giani, head of the Tuscany region, urged residents to exercise "maximum care and attention" as intense rain continued throughout the day. The Uffizi Galleries and the Duomo closed early, while images from the fire service showed cars partially submerged in Sesto Fiorentino, where 60 millimetres of rain fell in just six hours. Over 500 firefighters are responding to the crisis, with floodgates opened to relieve pressure on the swollen Arno River, expected to peak later in the evening. In nearby Prato, schools and parks have been closed, and the mayor of Empoli described the flooding as worse than in 2019. Authorities in Emilia Romagna also issued warnings amid concerns of further flooding, highlighting the ongoing risks posed by climate change. 
Published: Mar 14 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIn a significant diplomatic development, G7 foreign ministers, gathered in Quebec, have issued a unified statement endorsing a US-led proposal for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly highlighted the consensus among the member nations—Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States—despite tensions stemming from President Donald Trump's previous outreach to Moscow. Joly emphasized that the proposal, which has the support of Ukraine, is now contingent on Russia's response, stating, "the ball is now in Russia's court." The talks gained momentum following a meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine expressed support for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. This shift in diplomacy marks a notable moment in the ongoing conflict that escalated after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 
Published: Mar 14 2025, 7 pm
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