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The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting minority communities in Bangladesh amid rising diplomatic tensions following comments by US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard. In an interview with NDTV, Gabbard linked Bangladesh to aspirations of an "Islamist caliphate," prompting backlash from the interim government, which described her remarks as "misleading" and damaging to the country's reputation. US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce condemned violence against minorities in Bangladesh and acknowledged the interim government's efforts to ensure safety for all citizens. She emphasized the US’s expectation for continued progress in this area. The interim government, led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, has faced scrutiny for not adequately addressing increasing violence against minorities since the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year, despite Bangladesh's historical commitment to an inclusive and peaceful practice of Islam. 
Published: Mar 20 2025, 10 ameznews.inIsrael's military announced on Thursday that it had killed Rashid Jahjouh, the head of Hamas's internal security agency, in a recent airstrike on the Gaza Strip, marking the latest in a series of targeted operations following the resumption of airstrikes earlier this week. The renewed offensive disrupted a period of relative calm since a ceasefire on January 19. Military spokesman Avichay Adraee confirmed Jahjouh's death, noting he had taken over the position after the killing of his predecessor, Sami Oudeh, in July 2024. In a separate operation, Israeli forces also eliminated Ismail Abdel-Al, linked to Islamic Jihad's arms smuggling network. The ongoing strikes have resulted in significant casualties, with Gaza's civil defense agency reporting 504 deaths, including over 190 children. Hamas has identified several of its officials, including government head Essam al-Dalis, among those killed in the recent Israeli assaults.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 11 pmeznews.inFrance is set to distribute a 20-page survival manual to every household as part of a national initiative to enhance citizens' preparedness for various emergencies, including potential war. The manual, pending approval from Prime Minister François Bayrou, will cover natural disasters, health crises like COVID-19, and security threats such as terrorism. It will feature practical advice, including emergency contact lists, radio station information, and guidelines for sheltering during a nuclear incident. Households will also be encouraged to assemble a 'survival kit' containing essentials like water, food, batteries, and medical supplies. This initiative follows France's 2022 launch of an emergency preparedness website and draws inspiration from similar programs in Sweden and Finland. President Emmanuel Macron recently emphasized the need for increased security measures, including boosting operational reservists from 40,000 to 100,000 by 2035, stating that France must be ready to defend itself against potential threats.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 11 pmeznews.inFormer Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been appointed as the patron-in-chief of the Lahore Authority for Heritage Revival (LAHR) under the government of his daughter, Maryam Nawaz, in Punjab province. His new role involves overseeing the restoration of numerous colonial-era buildings in Lahore, a task he has embraced as vital for preserving the city’s historical heritage. The Punjab administration officially announced his appointment, which comes after Sharif returned from London in 2023, aiming for a fourth term as prime minister but ultimately seeing his brother, Shehbaz Sharif, selected for the role instead. The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party criticized the move, suggesting it was merely a "government job" for Sharif, who they claim has been sidelined since his party's defeat in the 2024 elections. Nawaz Sharif has expressed a commitment to restoring Lahore’s beauty, stating that preserving the city's heritage is a national duty.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA 57-year-old woman, Alison Agatha Lawrence, has been arrested for allegedly drowning her dog in an airport restroom at Orlando International Airport after being denied boarding due to lack of necessary paperwork. The incident occurred in December, but Lawrence was only apprehended on Tuesday after police gathered evidence linking her to the disturbing act. She reportedly disposed of the dog's remains in a trash bin before proceeding through security. Neighbours indicated that Lawrence owned a white poodle, while her sister claimed ignorance of the allegations or her sister's whereabouts. Animal rights activists expressed shock at the incident, with one highlighting the gravity of the situation. Florida State Senator Tom Leek, who has introduced a bill to strengthen penalties for animal cruelty, cited this case as a troubling example of the need for legislative action. Lawrence has since posted a $5,000 bond following her arrest.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 9 pmeznews.inFrance's education ministry has scrapped a modern illustrated version of "Beauty and the Beast" by cartoonist Julien Berjeaut, known as Jul, deeming it unsuitable for tweens. The book, intended to provide 800,000 primary school graduates with a classic tale for summer reading, featured contemporary elements like a police sniffer dog and smartphones, alongside a depiction of the heroine with Mediterranean features. Education Minister Elisabeth Borne criticized the illustrations for addressing "complex realities" such as alcohol and police scrutiny, suggesting they were more appropriate for older students. Jul condemned the ministry's decision as political censorship, questioning whether the rejection stemmed from discomfort with diverse representations of characters. He drew parallels with the U.S. under Donald Trump, warning that France might be following a similar path of restricting educational content. The debate highlights ongoing tensions in France regarding immigration and representation in literature.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 10 pmeznews.inUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Thursday that he cannot legally negotiate the ownership of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, which former President Donald Trump suggested the U.S. could take over. Speaking at a news conference in Oslo, where he met with Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Zelensky emphasized that the nuclear plants belong to Ukraine and its people, stating, "We will not discuss it." He indicated that Ukraine is open to U.S. investment in the facility, contingent upon regaining control from Russian forces, which seized it at the war's onset. Trump's proposal came during a recent call with Zelensky, marking their first conversation since a contentious televised exchange last month. Trump's statement suggested that American ownership could safeguard Ukraine's nuclear infrastructure, highlighting ongoing discussions about the country's energy security amid the conflict with Russia.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 10 pmeznews.inUS President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Thursday aimed at dismantling the Department of Education, a move that aligns with his campaign promises and the desires of many conservatives. During a White House ceremony, Trump will direct Education Secretary Linda McMahon to initiate steps to close the department and transfer educational authority back to the states. Trump argues that this action is essential for saving taxpayer money and enhancing educational standards, which he claims lag behind those in Europe and China. However, critics, including educators and Democrats, have condemned the plan, emphasizing the vital role federal funding plays in supporting low-income schools and enforcing civil rights protections. While Trump’s administration, aided by tech billionaire Elon Musk, has already made significant cuts to various agencies, the closure of the Department of Education requires Congressional approval, which is currently not feasible for Republicans.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 10 pmeznews.inOpenAI is under scrutiny following a complaint from the privacy advocacy group Noyb, which alleges that its ChatGPT chatbot falsely accused Norwegian man Arve Hjalmar Holmen of murdering his children. Noyb highlighted that the chatbot has a troubling pattern of disseminating false information about individuals, potentially harming their reputations. In Holmen's case, he encountered a fabricated narrative portraying him as a convicted murderer, which alarmed him due to the inclusion of real aspects of his life. Noyb has filed a complaint with Norway's Data Protection Authority, urging the agency to mandate OpenAI to delete the defamatory content and rectify its model to prevent inaccuracies. Noyb's lawyer emphasized that under EU data protection regulations, individuals have the right to ensure the accuracy of their personal data. Although a recent update has removed Holmen's name from the chatbot's output, the erroneous information still persists in the system. OpenAI has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe recent mass deportation of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador's infamous Terrorism Confinement Centre has ignited outrage among families who assert their loved ones were wrongly accused of links to the Tren de Aragua gang. The deportation, executed under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, was defended by President Trump as a necessary response to an "invasion" of criminal elements, a claim met with skepticism by the affected families. For instance, Myrelis Casique López recognized her son Francisco as a barber, not a criminal, while other families detailed similar misidentifications. The deportees, numbering 238, included both suspected gang members and innocent individuals, with reports of inhumane conditions in the facility, including overcrowding and lack of basic necessities. Despite a legal challenge from Judge Hames Boasberg, the administration proceeded with the deportations. White House officials labeled the deportees as "terrorists," but families insist there is no evidence of criminal activity among their loved ones.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has disclosed that 25 Indian nationals are currently sentenced to death in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), although their executions have not yet been carried out. This information was provided by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha. He detailed that there are 10,152 Indian prisoners, including undertrials, in foreign jails, emphasizing the government's commitment to the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad. Singh noted that Indian nationals face death sentences in various countries, including 11 in Saudi Arabia and six in Malaysia. The government is actively assisting these individuals by exploring legal remedies and providing consular support. Singh also reported that no Indians have been executed in the UAE between 2020 and 2024, as per informal sources, due to a lack of official data from UAE authorities.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 7 pm
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