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Pope Francis remains in a critical but stable condition as he battles pneumonia in both lungs, according to the Vatican. The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been hospitalized since February 14, is continuing to work from his sickbed, engaging with Church matters and receiving the Eucharist. On Tuesday, he underwent a follow-up CT scan as doctors monitor his bilateral pneumonia, which has required high levels of oxygen and blood transfusions due to anaemia. Despite the challenges, the pope has been active in approving canonisations and maintaining communication with clergy, including a call to Gaza's parish priest. Global prayers for his recovery have surged, with faithful leaving messages and candles outside the hospital. While there is hope for improvement, medical experts caution that his recovery may take time, especially given his age and existing health issues. 
Published: Feb 26 2025, 3 ameznews.inA tragic bus accident in Thailand on Wednesday claimed the lives of 18 people when a double-decker vehicle, carrying local government officials on a field trip, reportedly suffered brake failure while descending a hill in Prachin Buri province, east of Bangkok. Police Lieutenant Colonel Siwapass Phuripatchaiboonchu confirmed that 17 victims were found dead at the scene, with one more succumbing to injuries in hospital. Of the 49 passengers on board, survivors have been hospitalized for treatment. Thailand's road safety record is among the worst globally, with approximately 20,000 fatalities annually, largely due to unsafe vehicles and poor driving practices. This incident follows a recent school bus tragedy in October, which resulted in 23 deaths, predominantly children, marking the deadliest road accident in the country in a decade. 
Published: Feb 26 2025, 10 ameznews.inLuigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has requested that his supporters limit the number of photographs they send him while he is detained at a Brooklyn federal jail. Through his legal defence fund website, Mangione expressed difficulty managing the high volume of images, urging fans to send no more than five at a time. He noted that all photos are screened by law enforcement, which can delay their delivery. Since his arrest, Mangione's defence fund has raised over $615,000, with a message of gratitude to supporters for their letters and encouragement, which he claims transcend political and social divides. The request follows a recent court appearance where devoted supporters gathered outside in freezing temperatures, eager to catch a glimpse of him, as he appeared in designer loafers with shackled ankles. 
Published: Feb 26 2025, 10 ameznews.inElon Musk experienced a significant financial setback on Tuesday, with his net worth plummeting by $22.2 billion—his fourth-largest one-day loss—amid declining stock markets fueled by skepticism over potential tariffs and ongoing federal budget cuts. Tesla Inc., which constitutes over half of Musk's wealth, saw its shares drop by 8.4% in New York, driven by reports of a nearly 50% plunge in European sales, marking a market value dip below $1 trillion for the first time since November. Broader market concerns were exacerbated by the Trump administration's stalled policies, with the S&P 500 Index falling 3.1% over four trading days. Additionally, Musk's efforts to cut federal spending have led to unrest in Washington, prompting multiple lawsuits and resignations from government workers. Despite this decline, Musk's net worth remains approximately $100 billion higher than before Trump's election, following a record high of $486.4 billion in December. 
Published: Feb 26 2025, 10 ameznews.inAshley St Clair, who asserts she is the mother of Elon Musk's 13th child, has claimed that she wielded considerable influence over the Tesla CEO, stating he was "wrapped around her finger" and could be persuaded to "retweet anything." The conservative commentator reportedly leveraged this relationship to connect other conservatives with Musk but later distanced herself from those who initially supported her. Friends allege that St Clair, 26, has prioritized her ties with Musk, described by sources as his "permanent side piece." Questions have arisen regarding her genuine conservative beliefs, with some suggesting her ideology is driven by financial gain. St Clair revealed that Musk contacted her via direct message in 2023, leading to their relationship and the birth of their child five months ago. She has also claimed Musk provided her with security and a luxury apartment but expressed frustration over his lack of communication in a now-deleted tweet. 
Published: Feb 26 2025, 10 ameznews.inThe United States and Ukraine are poised to finalize a draft minerals deal that would see Kyiv share revenue from its mineral resources with Washington, following significant pressure from President Donald Trump. This agreement, expected to be signed during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Washington, aims to establish a Reconstruction Investment Fund to manage revenues from Ukraine's mineral and hydrocarbon resources. Ukraine would contribute 50% of its revenue, minus operating expenses, until reaching $500 billion, while the U.S. commits to long-term financial support for a stable Ukraine. The deal, however, does not guarantee American security commitments or weapons supplies, although it emphasizes U.S. support for Ukraine's sovereignty. Ukraine holds significant mineral deposits, including lithium and uranium, which could be pivotal for both nations. The agreement follows a contentious exchange between the leaders, highlighting the complexities of U.S.-Ukraine relations amid ongoing conflict with Russia. 
Published: Feb 26 2025, 11 ameznews.inA potential disaster was narrowly avoided at Chicago Midway International Airport on Tuesday morning when a Southwest Airlines pilot aborted a landing to prevent a collision with an unauthorized private jet on the runway. The incident occurred around 8:50 am local time, prompting investigations by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board. Video footage shared on social media shows Southwest Flight 2504 descending just 50 feet from touchdown when the private Bombardier Challenger 350 appeared on the runway, having disregarded multiple warnings from air traffic control. The Southwest flight, arriving from Omaha, Nebraska, successfully executed a go-around and landed safely after the close call, which comes amid heightened concerns over aviation safety following a series of recent incidents, including a tragic midair collision that claimed 67 lives last month. 
Published: Feb 26 2025, 8 ameznews.inConflicting reports have emerged regarding Meghan Markle's relationship with WME, the Hollywood talent agency. While sources suggest she has been dropped due to alleged demands and difficulties, WME insists they continue to represent her. Markle, who has been with WME since April 2023, is currently preparing for the launch of her Netflix lifestyle series, "With Love, Meghan," amid challenges in rebranding her lifestyle business, now called As Ever, after trademark issues. Reports indicate that she has not met with WME's CEO, Ari Emanuel, since January 2024, fueling speculation about her status. Additionally, Markle is facing difficulties retaining staff, with former employees referring to themselves as the “Sussex Survivors Club.” As she navigates these career changes, Markle's upcoming jam product is set to be part of her merchandise lineup, although it won't be available for several months post-show debut. 
Published: Feb 26 2025, 9 ameznews.inShares of Tesla plummeted by 8.4% on Tuesday, closing at $302.80 and erasing $89 billion from its market value, which now stands below $1 trillion. This decline follows disappointing sales figures in Europe, where the company sold fewer than 10,000 vehicles last month, marking a 45% decrease year-on-year. Analysts attribute some of the challenges to CEO Elon Musk's controversial political engagements, including his advisory role in Donald Trump's administration and support for far-right leaders in Europe, which have sparked criticism and may be harming Tesla's brand image. Wedbush Securities’ Dan Ives noted that these political affiliations could be detrimental to Tesla's sales, particularly in Europe. Additionally, the company faces increasing competition from rivals like BYD in China, a crucial market for electric vehicles, where it recently announced plans to introduce advanced self-driving features. 
Published: Feb 26 2025, 9 ameznews.inIn Vannes, France, the trial of former surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec, accused of assaulting or raping 299 patients, has deeply affected his family, as revealed by his two sons in court. Le Scouarnec, 74, allegedly abused numerous victims, primarily children, during medical procedures at various hospitals from 1989 to 2014, with 256 victims under the age of 15. His eldest son described the family's turmoil, likening his father to "Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde" and expressing confusion over his father's actions, while also revealing his own history of abuse within the family. Le Scouarnec, already imprisoned for previous offenses, admitted to "hideous things" in court, and his documented accounts of abuse have caused widespread outrage. His ex-wife, who will testify soon, claimed ignorance of his actions until his arrest in 2017, highlighting the betrayal felt by the family amidst this tragic case. 
Published: Feb 26 2025, 9 ameznews.inChile declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew on Tuesday following a massive blackout that affected millions, including those in the capital, Santiago. The outage, the worst in over a decade, disrupted transportation, leading to chaos as thousands were evacuated from the metro and struggled to find crowded buses. President Gabriel Boric announced the emergency measures to ensure national security, while Interior Minister Carolina Toha dismissed sabotage as a cause, attributing the incident to a system failure. The blackout, which began at 3:16 PM, impacted a vast area from Arica to Los Lagos, where over 90 percent of Chile's 20 million population resides. With traffic lights out, gridlock ensued, and businesses closed early. While the country's hospitals and prisons relied on emergency generators, Boric conducted an aerial assessment of the situation. Chile, known for its robust power network, had not experienced such a significant outage in 15 years. 
Published: Feb 26 2025, 9 am
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