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Cuts to US foreign aid under President Donald Trump have triggered a "seismic shock" to global humanitarian efforts, according to Tom Fletcher, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). He warned that the drastic reductions in funding could lead to significant loss of life, with over 300 million people currently in need of assistance worldwide. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has faced severe budget cuts, including an 83 percent reduction in contracts, as part of the administration's broader austerity measures. Fletcher acknowledged the UN's over-reliance on US funding, which has historically saved millions of lives, and revealed ongoing efforts to prioritize aid amidst dwindling resources. The UN projects a need for $47.4 billion in humanitarian aid by 2025, yet this would only support an estimated 190 million people, highlighting the urgent need for alternative funding solutions. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 2 ameznews.inIn Kolkata, Dr Rabbi Alam, Vice President of the US Awami League and a close ally of ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has voiced serious concerns about the escalating turmoil in Bangladesh, describing it as a "terrorist uprising" and calling for international intervention. He expressed gratitude towards India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing shelter and safe passage for Hasina, who fled to India following her ousting amid violent protests that claimed over 600 lives. Recently, a Dhaka court ordered the seizure of properties and bank accounts belonging to Hasina and her family, in connection with corruption allegations. The Bangladeshi government has protested against Hasina's statements from India, labelling them as "false and incendiary." Amid these tensions, Alam remains confident in Hasina's potential return to power, attributing the young generation's actions to manipulation rather than their own fault. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 7 ameznews.inBalochistan, Pakistan's largest province, remains a focal point of conflict as armed groups, notably the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), continue to seek independence amid allegations of resource exploitation by the state. A recent incident on March 11 saw the BLA hijack the Jaffar Express, halting its journey from Quetta to Peshawar and leading to a 30-hour siege that resulted in the deaths of 21 passengers and four security personnel, alongside 33 rebels. The BLA demanded the release of political prisoners, threatening to blow up the train if their demands were unmet. The roots of the Baloch struggle date back to Pakistan's formation, with historical grievances over autonomy and exploitation fueling decades of rebellion. Despite multiple uprisings and the region's rich mineral resources, the Pakistani government has not addressed the Baloch's demands for greater autonomy or inclusion, perpetuating a cycle of violence and unrest. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 7 ameznews.inOlivia Farnsworth, a young girl from the UK, has gained attention for her extraordinary medical condition that renders her unable to feel pain, hunger, or fatigue—believed to stem from a genetic anomaly on her sixth chromosome. This rare combination poses significant health risks; her inability to sense pain means she could sustain serious injuries without realizing it, necessitating constant vigilance from her family. A harrowing incident at age seven saw Olivia hit and dragged by a car, yet she emerged unscathed, bewildering medical professionals who described her as "bionic." Additionally, Olivia struggles with sleep, requiring medication to manage her insomnia, which can leave her awake for up to three days. Her unique case has intrigued medical experts, shedding light on the complexities of human biology and the implications of genetic mutations, while also capturing the public's imagination. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 7 ameznews.inA pair of astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, have been stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for over nine months, awaiting their return home after a scheduled launch of their replacements was postponed due to a technical issue with the Falcon 9 rocket. The Crew-10 mission, which was set to launch from Florida's Kennedy Space Center, was scrubbed just 45 minutes before takeoff, with the next launch opportunity now expected on Thursday. Wilmore and Williams were initially on an eight-day mission but have been reassigned after their Boeing Starliner spacecraft faced propulsion issues. Their prolonged stay has sparked political debate, with accusations from Donald Trump and Elon Musk against the Biden administration for neglecting the astronauts. Meanwhile, the incoming Crew-10 team, which includes NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, is set to conduct scientific experiments during their mission. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 5 ameznews.inUS President Donald Trump, amid controversy over his 'Gaza Plan', emphasized that no one would be "expelled" from Gaza during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin at the White House. Trump remarked, "No one is expelling anyone from Gaza," and controversially referred to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as "a Palestinian." Martin called for increased aid to Gaza, a ceasefire, and the release of hostages held by Hamas since the October 7 attacks on Israel. The meeting follows Israel's recent closure of its embassy in Ireland, citing the country’s anti-Israel stance. Earlier, Trump had proposed a plan to take over Gaza for reconstruction and economic development, pledging to dismantle dangerous weapons and rebuild infrastructure. Meanwhile, Arab foreign ministers agreed to coordinate with Trump's special envoy on Gaza's reconstruction, based on a plan proposed by Egypt. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 6 ameznews.inMeta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly engaged in discussions with officials from the Trump administration at the White House, focusing on American technology leadership. A source familiar with the matter indicated that these meetings took place on Wednesday. While Meta spokesman Andy Stone confirmed that Zuckerberg is continuing his dialogues with the administration, he did not explicitly verify the details of the White House visit. This engagement highlights ongoing efforts by tech leaders to influence and collaborate with government entities on crucial technological advancements and policies. The meetings come amid a broader context of increasing scrutiny and regulation of tech companies in the U.S., underscoring the importance of leadership in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 6 ameznews.inBarack and Michelle Obama are reportedly in discussions to produce a biopic on golf legend Tiger Woods, as confirmed by sources to AFP. The project, being developed at Amazon MGM, is based on Kevin Cook's book "The Tiger Slam: The Inside Story of the Greatest Golf Ever Played," which chronicles Woods' unprecedented achievement of holding all four major championship titles simultaneously from 2000 to 2001. Reinaldo Marcus Green, known for directing "King Richard," will helm the film. The Obamas' Higher Ground Productions, which has previously won an Oscar for "American Factory," is also behind Netflix's "Leave the World Behind." While the film will highlight Woods' historic "Tiger Slam," it is expected to avoid his later personal controversies, including a 2009 car crash that led to a public scandal. Woods, a trailblazer in golf and the first Black player to win a major title, recently announced he has suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 6 ameznews.inSpaceX has postponed the launch of its Falcon 9 rocket, which was scheduled to carry four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), due to a hydraulic system issue with a ground support clamp arm at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The decision to scrub the Crew-10 mission came less than an hour before liftoff, affecting NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, who have safely exited the Dragon spacecraft. The launch was intended to replace stranded astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, with a planned return by March 19. SpaceX is exploring additional launch windows on Thursday and Friday, contingent on resolving the hydraulic issues, as NASA aims for a quicker turnaround to optimize resource use at the ISS. The Falcon 9 rocket remains secure as preparations continue for a potential launch later this week. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 6 ameznews.inHOUSTON: The chaotic implementation of trade and government reform policies under President Donald Trump's administration is heightening the risk of a potentially avoidable economic downturn in the US, according to Paul Gruenwald, global chief economist at S&P Global Ratings. He highlighted that the administration's inconsistent approach to tariffs has led to delays in business investments and a decrease in consumer spending. Gruenwald criticized the disruptive nature of the government's downsizing efforts, overseen by advisor Elon Musk, contrasting it with the more orderly "reinventing government" initiative of the 1990s under President Bill Clinton. He warned that if uncertainty continues to deter spending, the US could face a slowdown or recession that could have been prevented. Gruenwald noted that the US economy was strong when Trump took office, but the current economic policy uncertainty index is at one of its highest levels in 40 years. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 4 ameznews.inMark Carney, the former central banker, is set to be sworn in as Canada's new prime minister on Friday, following Justin Trudeau's resignation in January after nearly a decade in office. The announcement was made by the governor general's office, confirming that Carney will also unveil his cabinet during the ceremony. As the new leader of the Liberal Party, Carney has pledged a "seamless and quick" transition, emphasizing continuity in governance as he steps into the role. This leadership change marks a significant moment in Canadian politics, as Carney aims to address pressing national issues while maintaining the party's legacy. The swearing-in ceremony is anticipated to draw attention from both supporters and critics alike, as Canada navigates its future under new leadership. 
Published: Mar 13 2025, 5 am
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