03 World

Trump says he will buy a Tesla to show support for Musk– japantoday.com

pgnewser March 11, 2025 0

Trump says he will buy a Tesla to show support for Musk– japantoday.com
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U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he will buy a “brand new Tesla” to show support for his top campaign donor and adviser, Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

“To Republicans, Conservatives, and all great Americans, Elon Musk is ‘putting it on the line’ in order to help our Nation, and he is doing a FANTASTIC JOB!,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform just after midnight on Tuesday.

“But the Radical Left Lunatics, as they often do, are trying to illegally and collusively boycott Tesla, one of the World’s great automakers, and Elon’s ‘baby,’ in order to attack and do harm to Elon, and everything he stands for,” Trump said.

“I’m going to buy a brand new Tesla tomorrow morning as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American.

Pro-Palestinian activist’s arrest will be ‘first of many,’ vows Trump– www.euronews.com

pgnewser March 11, 2025 0

Pro-Palestinian activist’s arrest will be ‘first of many,’ vows Trump– www.euronews.com
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US President Donald Trump has said the detention of a pro-Palestinian activist in New York last week will be the “first arrest of many”, as his administration cracks down on those who participated in university campus protests against Israel and the war in Gaza.

Mahmoud Khalil was arrested on Saturday over his role in the protest movement at Columbia University. The former graduate student is currently being held at an immigration facility in Louisiana.

Although he has not been accused of a crime related to his activism, the US government has indicated that it wants to deport Khalil, who is a legal US resident.

A federal judge in New York said the 30-year-old could not be deported while the court considers a legal challenge brought by his lawyers.

Rubio and Saudi Arabia’s MBS discuss Gaza reconstruction in Riyadh – The Times of Israel

pgnewser March 11, 2025 0

Rubio and Saudi Arabia’s MBS discuss Gaza reconstruction in Riyadh – The Times of Israel
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the “reconstruction of Gaza” during their meeting in Riyadh earlier today, the State Department says in its readout.

Rubio thanked the Saudi leader for “hosting Arab countries,” the State Department says in an apparent reference to the summit Riyadh hosted for Arab leaders last month to prepare for another confab held in Cairo last week, where Egypt unveiled its plan for the post-war management of Gaza.

The Trump administration has called the plan a good start, while indicating that it doesn’t sufficiently address Hamas’s role, which Washington wants to be non-existent.

Rubio “reiterated [to MBS] the United States’ firm commitment that any solution to the situation in Gaza must not include any role for Hamas,” the US readout adds.

News24 | Hamas pushes for phase two of Gaza truce talks– www.news24.com

pgnewser March 11, 2025 0

News24 | Hamas pushes for phase two of Gaza truce talks– www.news24.com
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Hamas reiterated on Sunday its insistence on moving directly into negotiating a second phase of the Gaza truce, as Israel announced it would dispatch a delegation to Doha for further talks.

Representatives of the Palestinian militant group met with mediators in Cairo at the weekend, emphasising the need for humanitarian aid to re-enter the besieged territory “without restrictions or conditions”, according to a Hamas press release.

The high-level delegation also stressed the need for “moving directly to begin negotiations for the second phase” of the deal, which will aim to lay the groundwork for a permanent ceasefire.

Reuters beclowns itself, to Hamas’s benefit– thehill.com

pgnewser March 11, 2025 0

Reuters beclowns itself, to Hamas’s benefit– thehill.com
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One problem with biased journalism is that it produces weak reporting. Another is that it can lead to the dissemination of outright falsehoods, even honest-to-God terrorist propaganda.

On Mar. 6, the global newswire Reuters fully retracted a report that had referred repeatedly to a victim of a Palestinian terrorist attack as a member of the Mossad, Israel’s top intelligence agency. The problem is there’s no evidence that the victim, Amatzia Ben-Haim, was ever in the Mossad, let alone an active agent at the time of his death.

Reuters, it turns out, relied entirely on the killer’s family for this supposed biographical detail, apparently making no effort to corroborate their version of events. When asked to explain how the original story was allowed to go to print despite serious and obvious flaws, the newswire replied to my inquiries with the same stock statement it had issued previously, that the story “is withdrawn” and that they “regret the error.”

It is unclear why Reuters chose to rely solely on the claims of the killer’s family that Ben-Haim was a Mossad agent, apparently without corroboration. It has made no effort to show its homework.

China will increase its defense budget 7.2% this year– abcnews.go.com

pgnewser March 7, 2025 0

China will increase its defense budget 7.2% this year– abcnews.go.com
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TAIPEI, Taiwan — China said Wednesday it will increase its defense budget 7.2% this year, as it continues its campaign to build a larger, more modern military to assert its territorial claims and challenge the U.S. defense lead in Asia.

China’s military spending remains the second largest behind the U.S. and it already has the world’s largest navy.

China Ramping Up Their Military Budget Signals a New Era of Global Power Plays – RedState– redstate.com

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China Ramping Up Their Military Budget Signals a New Era of Global Power Plays – RedState– redstate.com
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Excerpt:

While we’re still all enjoying the triumphant tone of President Trump’s Tuesday night speech to Congress and enjoying the Democrats’ discomfiture and their ongoing meltdowns, we should caution the Trump administration not to take their eyes off a couple of other balls. A primary concern remains China. President Trump, however, only mentioned China, America’s primary geopolitical rival, in the context of tariffs and trade. But the People’s Republic has ambitions. Those ambitions run counter to ours, and they aren’t all about trade.

On Wednesday, only hours after President Trump’s triumphant speech, China announced a major increase in their “defense” spending.

China said Wednesday it will increase its defense budget 7.2% this year, as it continues its campaign to build a larger, more modern military to assert its territorial claims and challenge the U.S. defense lead in Asia.

China’s military spending remains the second largest behind the U.S. and it already has the world’s largest navy.

The budget, which adds up to about $245 billion, was announced at the National People’s Congress, the annual meeting of China’s legislature. The Pentagon and many experts say China’s total spending on defense may be 40% higher or more because of items included under other budgets.

The boost is the same percentage as last year, far below the double-digit percentage increases of previous years and reflecting an overall slowdown in the economy. The nation’s leaders have set a target of around 5% growth for this year.

 

China’s Two Sessions: Experts warn of intensified pressure on Taiwan – Radio Taiwan International

pgnewser March 7, 2025 0

China’s Two Sessions: Experts warn of intensified pressure on Taiwan – Radio Taiwan International
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This week marks China’s annual Two Sessions meetings, a nationwide gathering where thousands of political and community delegates converge in Beijing from across mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Taiwanese experts predict that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will escalate its anti-independence efforts toward Taiwan, shifting to strategies focused on shaping a favorable environment for its objectives.

On Thursday, the Institute for National Policy Research hosted a forum in Taipei on China’s 2025 Two Sessions and the evolving dynamics between Taiwan, China, and the U.S.. During the discussion, Director Wang Hung-jen (王宏仁) noted that changes in China’s Taiwan policy reflect its reliance on military pressure, diplomatic alliances, and international legal warfare to advance unification. He emphasized that whether the U.S. can effectively counter China’s strategy depends on the final stance of the Trump administration. Wang urged Taiwan to closely monitor U.S. policy trends, understand the Trump administration’s current priorities, and strengthen its international support network.

International

Corrupt China State-Owned Company to Build Dam in Honduras – Dialogo-Americas.com

pgnewser March 7, 2025 0

Corrupt China State-Owned Company to Build Dam in Honduras – Dialogo-Americas.com
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The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), accused of corruption, bribery, falsification of documents, and labor violations in projects worldwide, is set to build the Man River (río del Hombre) Dam in Honduras’ Amarateca, near Tegucigalpa, Central American investigative journalism platform Expediente Público reported.

The process behind this work, however, is shrouded in questions. The content of the letter of understanding, signed on September 12, 2024, by the Chinese state-owned company and Tegucigalpa’s Mayor Jorge Aldana, remains a mystery. Although Aldana mentioned an estimated value of $550 million for the project during the public signing agreement, he did not provide details on the source of financing.

The project, according to a study by the Inter-American Development Bank, would consists of diverting the waters of the Man River to Tegucigalpa, through a 21.1-kilometer pipeline and two pumping stations. The reservoir is expected to have a capacity of 90 to 104 cubic hectometers for a flow of 2.12 cubic meters per second.

This and nine other infrastructure projects are part of an emergency decree approved in February 2024, which promotes new works and improvements in the water network and treatment plants, prioritizing investments. In addition, according to the decree, the government of Honduras will be able to carry out direct contracting without going through Congress.

Philippine defense chief warns allies will fight if China restricts flights over South China Sea – Midland Daily News

pgnewser March 7, 2025 0

Philippine defense chief warns allies will fight if China restricts flights over South China Sea – Midland Daily News
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The Philippines and its security allies would take measures to counter any attempt by China to impose an air defense zone or restrict freedom of flights over the South China Sea, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said Wednesday, following confrontations between Chinese aircraft and those of his country, Australia and the United States.

Teodoro told The Associated Press in an interview that China’s increasing aggression in the disputed waters was now considered the greatest threat to the national security of the Philippines and should also be regarded as a global threat because it could choke a key trade route crucial for global supply chains.

Google Tests An AI-Only Version Of Its Search Engine– www.ndtv.com

pgnewser March 7, 2025 0

Google Tests An AI-Only Version Of Its Search Engine– www.ndtv.com
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Alphabet’s Google launched an experimental version of its search engine on Wednesday that completely eliminates its classic 10 blue links in favor of an AI-generated summary.

The new feature, available to subscribers of Google One AI Premium, can be accessed via the results page for any search query by clicking on a tab labeled “AI Mode” to the side of existing options like Images and Maps.

“We’ve heard from power users that they want AI responses for even more of their searches,” Robby Stein, a vice president of product, said in a blog post.

Google One AI Premium is a $19.99 per month plan that provides extra cloud storage and special access to some AI features.

Google currently displays AI Overviews, summaries that are increasingly appearing atop the traditional hyperlinks to relevant webpages, for users in more than 100 countries. It began adding advertisements to AI Overviews last May.

Press statement by President von der Leyen on the defence package – European Commission

pgnewser March 7, 2025 0

Press statement by President von der Leyen on the defence package – European Commission
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Excerpt:

We are living in the most momentous and dangerous of times. I do not need to describe the grave nature of the threats that we face. Or the devastating consequences that we will have to endure if those threats would come to pass. Because the question is no longer whether Europe’s security is threatened in a very real way. Or whether Europe should shoulder more of the responsibility for its own security. In truth, we have long known the answers to those questions. The real question in front of us is whether Europe is prepared to act as decisively as the situation dictates. And whether Europe is ready and able to act with the speed and the ambition that is needed. In the various meetings in the last few weeks – most recently two days ago in London – the answer from European capitals has been as resounding as it is clear. We are in an era of rearmament. And Europe is ready to massively boost its defence spending. Both, to respond to the short-term urgency to act and to support Ukraine but also to address the long-term need to take on much more responsibility for our own European security.

This is why today I have written a letter to Leaders ahead of Thursday’s European Council. This is why we are here together today. And I have outlined in this letter to the leaders the ReArm Europe Plan. This set of proposals focuses on how to use all of the financial levers at our disposal – in order to help Member States to quickly and significantly increase expenditures in defence capabilities. Urgently now but also over a longer time over this decade. There are five parts to this.

Romania Expels Two Russian Diplomats After ‘Interference’ Claim– www.themoscowtimes.com

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Romania Expels Two Russian Diplomats After ‘Interference’ Claim– www.themoscowtimes.com
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Romania on Wednesday ordered two Russian diplomats expelled, after slamming Russian “interference” and criticism of an indictment of far-right presidential candidate Calin Georgescu.

Russia’s military attache and his deputy in Bucharest were declared “persona non grata” by Foreign Ministry of Romania, which is a NATO member country.

It said the two carried out activities contravening the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, without giving details.

Local media reported that the deputy attache’s name appeared in an investigation into Georgescu. Allegedly, one of Georgescu’s associates telephoned the Russian embassy, seeking to contact the deputy.

Russian Lawmakers Pass Local Government Reform Bill Designed to Further Strengthen Kremlin Control– www.themoscowtimes.com

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Russian Lawmakers Pass Local Government Reform Bill Designed to Further Strengthen Kremlin Control– www.themoscowtimes.com
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Russia’s State Duma passed a bill Wednesday overhauling the country’s constitutionally mandated two-tier system of local self-government, further consolidating the Kremlin’s control six years after President Vladimir Putin proposed the reforms.

The bill, which has been amended over 1,000 times since its introduction in 2021, allows regional authorities to decide whether to abolish lower-tier urban and rural municipal governments, shifting toward a single-tier system.

One of the bill’s co-authors said that more than half of Russia’s regions, as well as four partially occupied Ukrainian regions and annexed Crimea, have already adopted or plan to adopt the new system.

The remaining regions — primarily ethnic republics — are expected to either retain the two-tier system or partially transition to the new model.

EU Parliament wants to deprive Hungary of voting rights – Politico – RBC-Ukraine

pgnewser March 7, 2025 0

EU Parliament wants to deprive Hungary of voting rights – Politico – RBC-Ukraine
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MEPs from the Volt party are calling for Hungary’s voting rights in the EU to be revoked because it blocks joint decisions. They will send a corresponding plan to European leaders, Politico reports.

According to the agency, their plan consists of 9 points. The document, in addition to calling for the deprivation of Hungary’s voting rights, proposes to appoint the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, as a full-fledged EU Foreign Minister.

The authors of the text also seek to create a common European army and to ensure that EU treaties can be revised to include new defense competencies and prepare for enlargement.

Hamas says continued closure of Gaza crossings a ‘war crime’ requiring international intervention – Yeni Şafak English

pgnewser March 7, 2025 1

Hamas says continued closure of Gaza crossings a ‘war crime’ requiring international intervention – Yeni Şafak English
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Excerpt:

Hamas on Friday condemned Israel’s continued closure of Gaza’s border crossings calling it an “extension of the ongoing genocide” against Palestinians in the besieged enclave and a “war crime” that necessitates international intervention.

“Tightening the siege on Gaza, closing the crossings for the sixth day in a row, and preventing the entry of humanitarian aid are forms of the genocide that has not ceased against our people,” said Hamas spokesperson Abdul Latif al-Qanou in a statement.

He added: “Israel’s policies of starvation and collective punishment are a blatant violation of international and humanitarian laws, and a war crime that the world must stop and hold its perpetrators accountable.”

Qanou renewed calls for the international community and human rights organizations to “compel the Israeli occupation to open the crossings, allow humanitarian and medical aid into Gaza, and end the suffering of Palestinians in the Strip.”

UK, France and Germany say Gaza aid freeze could breach international law | Israel-Gaza war– www.theguardian.com

pgnewser March 7, 2025 0

UK, France and Germany say Gaza aid freeze could breach international law | Israel-Gaza war– www.theguardian.com
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Britain has joined Germany and France to warn that Israel could be in breach of international law by halting the entry of aid into Gaza, which is facing a “catastrophic” humanitarian crisis.

The foreign secretary, David Lammy, signed a joint statement with his French and German counterparts to urge Israel and Hamas to engage constructively to get ceasefire talks back on track.

Israel cut off humanitarian supplies to Gaza on Sunday in an effort to push Hamas into accepting a change in the ceasefire agreement to allow the release of hostages without an Israeli troop withdrawal.

The six-week-old ceasefire is in limbo with no sign of movement towards a second phase that was scheduled to have started last weekend.

The foreign ministers said in their joint statement that they shared “deep concern” over Israel’s decision to halt all goods and supplies going into Gaza, which they said risked violating international humanitarian law.

Israel new army chief Eyal Zamir says Hamas mission ‘not accomplished’ | Gaza News– www.aljazeera.com

pgnewser March 7, 2025 0

Israel new army chief Eyal Zamir says Hamas mission ‘not accomplished’ | Gaza News– www.aljazeera.com
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Outgoing military chief Herzi Halevi calls for a wider examination of the failures on October 7, 2023.

Former tank commander Eyal Zamir has been sworn in as Israel’s new military chief amid growing uncertainty over the expired ceasefire in Gaza.

Previously director of the defence ministry, the 59-year-old replaces chief of staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, who resigned in January admitting he had failed to fulfil his mandate.

At his swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday at military headquarters in Tel Aviv, Zamir said he was ready for the challenges ahead, noting that while “Hamas has indeed suffered a severe blow … it has not yet been defeated. The mission is not yet accomplished.”

Speaking before Zamir, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was “determined” to achieve victory in its war.

U.S., Hamas Hold Direct Talks Over Hostages in Gaza, Officials Say– www.nytimes.com

pgnewser March 7, 2025 1

U.S., Hamas Hold Direct Talks Over Hostages in Gaza, Officials Say– www.nytimes.com
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U.S. and Hamas officials held talks in Qatar about hostages held in the Gaza Strip, breaking with a long-running American policy of refusing to directly engage with the militant group, according to an Israeli official and a diplomat briefed on the matter.

Adam Boehler, President Trump’s nominee to be special envoy for hostage affairs, participated in the talks this week with Hamas officials, the diplomat said. Both people discussed the meetings on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the sensitive diplomacy.

The scope of the discussions was not immediately clear, but mediators have been seeking to extend the current truce between Israel and Hamas and free the remaining hostages in Gaza. About 24 living hostages — including Edan Alexander, an American citizen — and the bodies of at least 35 others are believed to still be held in Gaza, according to Israel.

The secret talks, which Axios first confirmed, marked a significant departure from previous negotiations involving the United States and Hamas, which the U.S. government has for decades designated as a terrorist group. American officials, like their Israeli counterparts, have generally relied on mediators to relay messages to the group rather than sit down with Hamas leaders.

Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro Threatens ‘All Necessary Measures’ to Get ExxonMobil out of Guyana – Breitbart

pgnewser March 7, 2025 1

Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro Threatens ‘All Necessary Measures’ to Get ExxonMobil out of Guyana – Breitbart
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Socialist dictator of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro threatened on Wednesday to take “all necessary measures” to stop American oil company ExxonMobil’s operations in the Essequibo region, historically contested by Venezuela and Guyana.

The Essequibo is a 61,600-square-mile region rich in oil and other natural resources currently administered by Guyana that represents roughly two-thirds of Guyana’s entire territory. Neighbors Venezuela and Guyana maintain an over 120-year-old territorial dispute over the contested region that is yet to reach a final, conclusive ruling at international organizations.

German parties agree historic debt overhaul to revamp military and economy – Reuters

pgnewser March 7, 2025 0

German parties agree historic debt overhaul to revamp military and economy – Reuters
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The parties hoping to form Germany’s next government on Tuesday agreed to create a 500 billion euro infrastructure fund and overhaul borrowing rules in a tectonic spending shift to revamp the military and revive growth in Europe’s largest economy.
Friedrich Merz’s conservatives and the Social Democrats (SPD), who are in negotiations to form a coalition after a national election last month, will put their proposals to the German parliament next week.
Germany’s likely next chancellor, Merz, has seized the moment after the return of Donald Trump to the White House put the transatlantic alliance in turmoil and underlined the urgency for Europe to strengthen its own defences.
Trump froze military aid to Ukraine after a bitter clash last week with its President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, reinforcing fears he could strike a deal with Russia to end the war in Ukraine while disengaging from Europe.
Economists and investors have urged Germany to reform its constitutionally enshrined state borrowing limits – known as the “debt brake” – in order to free up investment and support an economy that has contracted for the past two years.

Starmer praises sacrifice of British troops in Afghanistan and Iraq in oblique rebuke to Vance– abcnews.go.com

pgnewser March 7, 2025 0

Starmer praises sacrifice of British troops in Afghanistan and Iraq in oblique rebuke to Vance– abcnews.go.com
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LONDON — U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday praised the hundreds of British troops who died fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq “alongside our allies,” in an oblique rebuke of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who has questioned the merits of a potential European peacekeeping force in Ukraine following the signing of any peace agreement between the country and Russia.

In his opening remarks before the start of a weekly parliamentary question session, Starmer specifically paid tribute to six British soldiers who died on patrol in Afghanistan when their vehicle was struck by an explosive. Thursday marks the 13-year anniversary of their deaths.

“These men fought and died for their country, our country,” Starmer told the House of Commons. “And across the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, 642 individuals died fighting for Britain alongside our allies, many more were wounded.”

Without directly referencing Vance, the prime minister said he and all lawmakers will “never forget their bravery and their sacrifice.”

EU leaders open emergency talks on defense and Ukraine aid as US support wanes– abcnews.go.com

pgnewser March 7, 2025 1

EU leaders open emergency talks on defense and Ukraine aid as US support wanes– abcnews.go.com
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BRUSSELS — Facing the possibility of a fundamental disengagement under U.S. President Donald Trump, European Union leaders opened a day of emergency summit talks Thursday to beef up their own military defenses and make sure that Ukraine will still be properly protected by its allies….

It all underscored the sea change that has happened in the two months since Trump took office and immediately started questioning the cornerstones of cooperation between the United States and Europe which had been the bedrock of Western security since World War II.

“Given these profound shifts in US policy, and the existential threat of another war on the continent, Europe, must manage its essential defence tasks,” the European Policy Center think tank said in a commentary.

The bloc of 27 will “take decisive steps forward,” Macron told the French nation Wednesday evening. “Member states will be able to increase their military spending” and “massive joint funding will be provided to buy and produce some of the most innovative munitions, tanks, weapons and equipment in Europe.”

Adding to the ebullient message he said that “Europe’s future does not have to be decided in Washington or Moscow.”

Ukraine’s ambassador to the uk says the US is “destroying” world order– www.reddit.com

pgnewser March 7, 2025 0

Ukraine’s ambassador to the uk says the US is “destroying” world order– BBC
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The US is “destroying” the established world order, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK has claimed.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi said the White House had “questioned the unity of the Western world” and was “taking more and more steps towards” Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The comments come as the US puts pressure on Ukraine to make concessions ahead of any peace talks, and after a public clash between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his US counterpart Donald Trump.

Zelensky has since said he is “ready to work” under Trump’s “strong leadership”, an apparent cooling in tensions welcomed by Trump – and which comes after the US paused military aid to Kyiv.

Elon Musk DEFENDS free speech for hundreds of Britons as it’s revealed he REFUSED to hand over account details to police amid Southport unrest – GB News

pgnewser March 7, 2025 0

Elon Musk DEFENDS free speech for hundreds of Britons as it’s revealed he REFUSED to hand over account details to police amid Southport unrest – GB News
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Elon Musk’s social media platform refused to hand the account details of hundreds of British people to police during and after last summer’s unrest.

New figures published by X showed that Musk’s firm turned down over half of UK Government information requests in the second half of 2024, The Telegraph revealed on Friday.

X said it shared user information in 379 out of 806 cases, a disclosure rate of 47 per cent – significantly lower than those of other firms like Google, Meta, TikTok and LinkedIn.

Musk’s figures cover requests from police and other official bodies and can include data including email and internet addresses or even private messages.

Senators Demand Docs on Planned Parenthood’s COVID-19 Cash– www.dailysignal.com

pgnewser March 7, 2025 0

Senators Demand Docs on Planned Parenthood’s COVID-19 Cash– www.dailysignal.com
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FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Two U.S. senators are demanding documents from the Small Business Administration regarding how much COVID-19 relief aid Planned Parenthood chapters received.

Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Rand Paul, R-Ky., sent the letter Friday to Kelly Loeffler, the SBA’s administrator. The letter concerns funds from the Paycheck Protection Program, a creation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020, which provided forgivable loans to small businesses struggling with economic disruption from the COVID-19 lockdowns.

“Not a single tax dollar should fund abortions,” Ernst told The Daily Signal. “The Paycheck Protection Program was designed to help Americans struggling during the pandemic, not to go to ineligible recipients fueling abortion-on-demand.”

Aid operations in Gaza imperiled as millions of promised USAID dollars do not arrive– timesofindia.indiatimes.com

pgnewser March 7, 2025 0

Aid operations in Gaza imperiled as millions of promised USAID dollars do not arrive– timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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JERUSALEM: The Trump administration’s cuts to USAID have frozen hundreds of millions of dollars in contractual payments to aid groups, leaving them paying out of pocket to preserve a fragile ceasefire, according to officials from the U.S. humanitarian agency.
The cutbacks threaten to halt the small gains aid workers have made combatting Gaza‘s humanitarian crisis during the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. They also could endanger the tenuous truce, which the Trump administration helped cement.
USAID was supposed to fund much of the aid to Gaza as the ceasefire progressed, and the Trump administration approved over $383 million on Jan. 31 to that end, according to three USAID officials.
But since then, there have been no confirmed payments to any partners in the Middle East, they said. The officials, who have survived multiple rounds of furloughs, spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.