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A US Agency for International Development (USAID) official has reportedly instructed employees to shred a significant number of records, prompting government employee unions to seek a court order to halt the action. In a motion filed in Washington, DC, the unions referenced an email from acting executive secretary Erica Carr, which directed staff to clear classified safes and shred documents, raising concerns about potential violations of federal record-keeping laws. They argue that the destruction could hinder their case against the dismantling of USAID under former President Donald Trump, who is accused of overstepping his authority by firing employees and canceling agreements. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly dismissed the shredding reports as "fake news," asserting that the documents in question were outdated and that originals still exist digitally. A federal judge has ordered both parties to submit a status report regarding the lawsuit, as the legal battle continues over the agency's future. 
Published: Mar 12 2025, 8 ameznews.inTwo women, Olimpia Coral from Mexico and Isabella Nuques from Ecuador, have inspired the development of OlimpIA, an AI chatbot designed to assist victims of online sexual violence. Created in Mexico, OlimpIA offers legal advice and emotional support via WhatsApp in multiple languages, addressing the needs of those affected by digital abuse. Coral's experience in 2013, when her intimate video was shared without consent, and Nuques' similar ordeal that year prompted them to advocate for legal recognition of digital violence, leading to significant legislative changes in both countries. In 2021, laws were enacted in Mexico and Ecuador to punish digital violence more severely. Since its launch, OlimpIA has provided over 8,000 consultations, primarily in Mexico but also in several other Latin American countries. Developers aim to enhance accessibility, including offline options and support for Indigenous languages, while ensuring the chatbot serves as a bridge to law enforcement to protect users further.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 3 pmeznews.inA rebel group in Pakistan's Balochistan province, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), carried out a violent attack on Tuesday, bombing a railway track and storming the Jafar Express train, which was carrying over 450 passengers. The assault occurred near a tunnel in a remote area, leading to the capture of an unknown number of hostages. In response, Pakistani security forces initiated a "full-scale" operation, successfully rescuing 190 passengers over two days. Survivors recounted harrowing escapes through rugged terrain, with one passenger describing the experience as "terrifying." The BLA, which has intensified its campaign amid a long-standing insurgency against what it perceives as exploitation of local resources, has demanded a prisoner exchange for its captured members. Violence in Balochistan has surged since the Taliban regained control in Afghanistan in 2021, with the BLA increasingly targeting individuals from other ethnic groups and security forces.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA new AI tool, Manus, developed by Chinese startup Butterfly Effect, is generating excitement in the tech industry, following the earlier success of the chatbot DeepSeek. Released last week, Manus is designed to perform complex tasks autonomously, such as stock market analysis and itinerary creation, distinguishing itself from traditional chatbots. Co-founder Yichao "Peak" Ji described it as a potential step towards artificial general intelligence (AGI). Currently available only through an invite-only beta, Manus has quickly attracted over 170,000 members on its Discord server. Unlike DeepSeek, which limits politically sensitive responses, Manus provides uncensored information on historical events, including the Tiananmen Square protests. However, analysts caution that Manus's exclusivity might hinder broader adoption, and its success will depend on overcoming technical and ethical challenges. While it shows promise in enterprise automation, its development is still ongoing, leaving its future uncertain.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIn a pivotal move for India's digital landscape, Jio Platforms has partnered with Elon Musk's SpaceX to provide Starlink internet services, pending necessary governmental approvals. Starlink has sought entry into the Indian market since October 2022, facing initial pushback from Jio and Airtel, which advocated for an auction-based spectrum allocation rather than the government's preference for administrative distribution. At the India Mobile Congress 2024, Airtel's chairman, Sunil Mittal, argued for equitable treatment of satellite firms akin to traditional telecom companies, a sentiment echoed by Jio. Musk criticized the call for auctions as "unprecedented," expressing frustration over regulatory hurdles. Nevertheless, both Jio and Airtel have now aligned with Starlink, setting the stage for fierce competition in broadband and satellite services. This collaboration aims to enhance connectivity, particularly in rural areas, and follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent discussions with Musk in the US.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 2 pmeznews.inUS President Donald Trump made headlines on Tuesday with the purchase of a red Tesla Model S, expressing his support for Elon Musk's electric vehicle company amid declining sales and criticism of Musk's influence over the government. The 78-year-old president selected the car from a lineup outside the White House, stating, "It was a very public purchase, and they're beautiful and do a great job." The Tesla Model S, first introduced in 2012, is renowned for its advanced technology, including autopilot capabilities, a high-resolution touchscreen, and Sentry Mode for security. It features a spacious interior with redesigned seating and offers impressive acceleration, particularly in the Plaid model, which can reach 0-100 km/h in just two seconds. The Model S is expected to launch in India by January 2026, with prices estimated between Rs 70 lakh and Rs 1 crore.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 2 pmeznews.inA routine crew rotation at the International Space Station (ISS) has gained heightened importance as it enables two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, to return home after being stranded for over nine months. The NASA-SpaceX Crew-10 mission is scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday evening, carrying a four-member team for a scientific expedition. Wilmore and Williams were initially supposed to complete an eight-day mission but were reassigned to Crew-9 due to issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft. Crew-10 is expected to dock early Thursday, allowing for a brief handover before Crew-9's return on March 16. The astronauts' extended stay has sparked political controversy, with accusations from President Trump and advisor Elon Musk about the Biden administration's handling of the situation. Amidst the debate, Wilmore expressed support for Musk, asserting that politics is not influencing their mission.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 2 pmeznews.inA pro-monarchist rally in Kathmandu welcoming former king Gyanendra Shah has sparked controversy after photographs of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were displayed alongside his. Gyanendra, 77, arrived at Tribhuvan International Airport on Sunday after visiting religious sites, where hundreds of supporters, including members of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), rallied in his favor, calling for the reinstatement of the monarchy abolished in 2008. The appearance of Adityanath's image drew criticism from various political groups and social media users, prompting RPP spokesperson Gyanendra Shahi to claim it was a deliberate attempt by the government of K P Oli to undermine the pro-monarchist movement. Prime Minister Oli, without naming Adityanath, stated that foreign leaders' photographs are not used in their rallies. The pro-monarchists have intensified their activities since Gyanendra's call for national unity earlier this year.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 2 pmeznews.inNASA launched its SPHEREx telescope on Tuesday from California, embarking on a two-year mission to investigate the origins of the universe and search for water reservoirs in the Milky Way, crucial for life. The Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer, designed to create a three-dimensional map of over 450 million galaxies and 100 million stars, will analyze light in 102 wavelengths to enhance understanding of cosmic inflation—the rapid expansion post-Big Bang. SPHEREx aims to capture echoes from the Big Bang and identify frozen water and other molecules on interstellar dust grains. Alongside SPHEREx, NASA also launched the PUNCH mission, comprising four satellites designed to study the solar wind and its effects on Earth, providing insights into the sun's atmosphere and its transition to solar wind.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 12 pmeznews.inBharti Airtel has signed an agreement with Elon Musk's SpaceX to introduce Starlink's satellite internet service in India, following Musk's recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance collaboration in technology and innovation. This partnership aims to provide high-speed broadband, ranging from 25 to 220 Mbps, to remote areas lacking reliable internet due to the challenges of traditional infrastructure. Airtel plans to offer Starlink equipment in its retail stores and extend services to businesses, schools, and health centers in rural regions. Although pricing details remain unconfirmed, earlier estimates suggested initial costs could reach Rs 1,58,000 for the first year. India's internet connectivity has seen significant growth, with connections increasing from 25 crore in 2014 to over 96 crore in 2024, highlighting the potential impact of this collaboration on the country's telecom landscape.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 12 pmeznews.inEfecan Kultur, a 24-year-old Turkish TikToker known for his mukbang videos, has died from obesity-related complications after spending three months in the hospital. Kultur gained popularity for his binge-eating streams, amassing over 156,000 followers on TikTok and 12,000 on Instagram. His health deteriorated due to severe obesity, which led to breathing problems and other issues that ultimately forced him to stop broadcasting. His last TikTok video, posted in October 2024, revealed he was attempting to diet. The mukbang trend, which originated in South Korea, has attracted a global audience, particularly among teenagers, but poses serious health risks, including obesity and cardiovascular disease. In light of such incidents, the Turkish government is considering legislation to limit social media access for users under 16, aiming to mitigate the dangers associated with overeating and unhealthy eating habits promoted by influencers.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 12 pm
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