13 hours ago
The speed at which the new Chinese AI app DeepSeek has shaken the technology industry, the markets and the bullish sense of American superiority in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) has been nothing short of stunning.
Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen may have said it best. "DeepSeek-R1 is AI's Sputnik moment," he posted to X on Sunday, referring to the satellite which kicked off the space race.
DeepSeek was the most downloaded free app on Apple's US App Store over the weekend. By Monday, the new AI chatbot had triggered a massive sell-off of major tech stocks which were in freefall as fears mounted over America's leadership in the sector.
Shares of AI chip designer and recent Wall Street darling Nvidia, for example, had plunged by 17% by the time US markets closed on Monday. Or to put it in even starker terms, it lost nearly $600bn in market value which, according to Bloomberg, is the biggest drop in the history of the US stock market.
Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen may have said it best. "DeepSeek-R1 is AI's Sputnik moment," he posted to X on Sunday, referring to the satellite which kicked off the space race.
DeepSeek was the most downloaded free app on Apple's US App Store over the weekend. By Monday, the new AI chatbot had triggered a massive sell-off of major tech stocks which were in freefall as fears mounted over America's leadership in the sector.
Shares of AI chip designer and recent Wall Street darling Nvidia, for example, had plunged by 17% by the time US markets closed on Monday. Or to put it in even starker terms, it lost nearly $600bn in market value which, according to Bloomberg, is the biggest drop in the history of the US stock market.
14 hours ago
History of "Genocide and Spiral killing" is on again by...
Where is Pope of Palestinians? Where are Christian leaders and world leaders? Why are they keeping quiet on the killings and displacment in Congo, Sudan and South-Sudan? Why are there
https://afriprime.net/posts/91839
14 hours ago
Protesters attack embassies in Congo’s capital as security...
People displaced by the fighting with M23 rebels make their way to the center of Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. Congolese security forces on Tuesday tried to slow the advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who say they have captured Goma after entering eastern...
https://afriprime.net/posts/91834
14 hours ago
Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in Democratic Republic of Congo capture...
Rwandan troops march Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo soldiers captured in the battle for Goma across the border Monday to Gisenyi in northwestern Rwanda. Ethnic-Tutsi rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo were reported to have taken the key eastern city of Goma in...
https://afriprime.net/posts/91831
14 hours ago
Fighting ongoing across DRC's Goma, Rwanda troops in city,...
Rwandan security officers receives FARDC soldiers who surrendered in Goma. Fighting across the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and
https://afriprime.net/posts/91830
16 hours ago
President Donald Trump took a victory lap in a speech before House Republicans Monday evening, touting the executive orders he signed during his first week in office and riffing on some of his favorite topics such as TikTok, immigration, crime and tariffs.
He claimed the United States is now a "meritocracy" after the elimination of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs in the federal government. Birthright citizenship, he said, is "ridiculous" and "has to stop," per his recent executive order. He argued there are no more "horrible people that wanted to kill our country" attempting to enter the U.S. through Tijuana, Mexico since he issued orders cracking down on illegal immigration.
And he joked about running for a third term as president....
"We've raised a lot of money for the next race," Trump said. "That, I assume, I can't use for myself because I think I'm not allowed to run again. I'm not sure. Am I allowed to run again, Mike? I better not get you involved in that argu
He claimed the United States is now a "meritocracy" after the elimination of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs in the federal government. Birthright citizenship, he said, is "ridiculous" and "has to stop," per his recent executive order. He argued there are no more "horrible people that wanted to kill our country" attempting to enter the U.S. through Tijuana, Mexico since he issued orders cracking down on illegal immigration.
And he joked about running for a third term as president....
"We've raised a lot of money for the next race," Trump said. "That, I assume, I can't use for myself because I think I'm not allowed to run again. I'm not sure. Am I allowed to run again, Mike? I better not get you involved in that argu
16 hours ago
One week in, the Trump administration is broadening its assault on the functions of government and shifting control of the federal purse strings further away from members of Congress.
President Donald Trump’s budget office Monday ordered a total freeze on “all federal financial assistance” that could be targeted under his previous executive orders pausing funding for a wide range of priorities — from domestic infrastructure and energy projects to diversity-related programs and foreign aid.
In a two-page memo obtained by POLITICO, the Office of Management and Budget announced all federal agencies would be forced to suspend payments — with the exception of Social Security and Medicare.
“The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve,” according to the memo, which three people authenticated.
President Donald Trump’s budget office Monday ordered a total freeze on “all federal financial assistance” that could be targeted under his previous executive orders pausing funding for a wide range of priorities — from domestic infrastructure and energy projects to diversity-related programs and foreign aid.
In a two-page memo obtained by POLITICO, the Office of Management and Budget announced all federal agencies would be forced to suspend payments — with the exception of Social Security and Medicare.
“The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve,” according to the memo, which three people authenticated.
16 hours ago
U.S. President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders on Monday to remove diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) from the military, reinstate thousands of troops who were kicked out for refusing COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, and take aim at transgender troops.
Earlier on Monday, Pete Hegseth, who narrowly secured enough votes to become defense secretary, referred to the names of Confederate generals that were once used for two key bases during his remarks to reporters as he entered the Pentagon on his first full day on the job.
Trump signed the executive orders while flying back from Miami to Washington D.C.
One of the executive orders signed by Trump said that expressing a "gender identity" different from an individual's sex at birth did not meet military standards.
While the order banned the use of "invented" pronouns in the military, it did not answer basic questions including whether transgender soldiers currently serving in the military would be allowed..
Earlier on Monday, Pete Hegseth, who narrowly secured enough votes to become defense secretary, referred to the names of Confederate generals that were once used for two key bases during his remarks to reporters as he entered the Pentagon on his first full day on the job.
Trump signed the executive orders while flying back from Miami to Washington D.C.
One of the executive orders signed by Trump said that expressing a "gender identity" different from an individual's sex at birth did not meet military standards.
While the order banned the use of "invented" pronouns in the military, it did not answer basic questions including whether transgender soldiers currently serving in the military would be allowed..
1 day ago
Confident, organised, still freewheeling: Trump 2.0 has learned from past.
As his plane headed from Las Vegas to Miami during a whirlwind, coast-to-coast first trip since returning to office, US President Donald Trump made his way to the back of Air Force One to talk to gathered reporters.
On the in-flight television screens, Fox News was back, having replaced CNN - and the president, fresh from a week in which he upended America's government and ripped up its immigration policies, was feeling confident.
"We're getting A-pluses on the work done - and also the amount of work done," he said in response to a question from the BBC.
"People are saying it was the most successful first week that anybody can remember a president having," he went on.
During a 20-minute conversation with journalists, Trump confirmed he had carried out a late-night purge of several independent watchdogs in government agencies.
As his plane headed from Las Vegas to Miami during a whirlwind, coast-to-coast first trip since returning to office, US President Donald Trump made his way to the back of Air Force One to talk to gathered reporters.
On the in-flight television screens, Fox News was back, having replaced CNN - and the president, fresh from a week in which he upended America's government and ripped up its immigration policies, was feeling confident.
"We're getting A-pluses on the work done - and also the amount of work done," he said in response to a question from the BBC.
"People are saying it was the most successful first week that anybody can remember a president having," he went on.
During a 20-minute conversation with journalists, Trump confirmed he had carried out a late-night purge of several independent watchdogs in government agencies.
1 day ago
EU foreign ministers on Monday agreed to begin easing sanctions on Syria after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad, as the West looks to build bridges with the war-ravaged country's new leadership.
"This could give a boost to the Syrian economy and help the country get back on its feet," foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said after a meeting in Brussels.
The 27-nation EU imposed wide-ranging sanctions on the Assad government and Syria's economy during its civil war.
Kallas said ministers had signed up to a "roadmap" for lifting the sanctions starting with key sectors such as energy where relief is needed most urgently.
"While we aim to move fast, we also are ready to reverse the course if the situation worsens, and in parallel, we will scale up humanitarian aid and recovery efforts," she said.
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the EU could begin by suspending sanctions on the energy, transport and banking sectors.
"This could give a boost to the Syrian economy and help the country get back on its feet," foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said after a meeting in Brussels.
The 27-nation EU imposed wide-ranging sanctions on the Assad government and Syria's economy during its civil war.
Kallas said ministers had signed up to a "roadmap" for lifting the sanctions starting with key sectors such as energy where relief is needed most urgently.
"While we aim to move fast, we also are ready to reverse the course if the situation worsens, and in parallel, we will scale up humanitarian aid and recovery efforts," she said.
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the EU could begin by suspending sanctions on the energy, transport and banking sectors.
1 day ago
U.S. President Donald Trump stressed the importance of India buying more American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship in a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, the White House said.
Trump later himself told reporters they also spoke about the issue of immigration and that Modi will visit the U.S. sometime in February. The White House said earlier that plans for a Modi visit were discussed by the two leaders.
In what the White House called a "productive call," the leaders discussed expanding and deepening cooperation and issues including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe.
Trump and Modi enjoyed warm relations in the U.S. president's first term, but during his campaign for re-election Trump called India a "very big abuser" on trade and vowed to use tariffs on global imports into the U.S. to correct imbalances. Trump has also threatened the BRICS group of nations, of which India is a part.
Trump later himself told reporters they also spoke about the issue of immigration and that Modi will visit the U.S. sometime in February. The White House said earlier that plans for a Modi visit were discussed by the two leaders.
In what the White House called a "productive call," the leaders discussed expanding and deepening cooperation and issues including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe.
Trump and Modi enjoyed warm relations in the U.S. president's first term, but during his campaign for re-election Trump called India a "very big abuser" on trade and vowed to use tariffs on global imports into the U.S. to correct imbalances. Trump has also threatened the BRICS group of nations, of which India is a part.
1 day ago
Trump “border czar” Tom Homan said there will be mass deportations every day during Trump’s term and that the numbers will grow each week.
The face of Trump’s deportaion efforts was on ABC’s This Week on Sunday where he detailed the adminstration’s efforts.
“I want to go back to those military flights going south,” ABC’s Martha Raddatz said. “We have never seen that before. Is that going to be a constant commitment from the U.S. military every single day to take deportees out?”
Homan had a simple response: “Yes.”
He added that the U.S. government, for the first time, has used military aircraft to fly migrants back to their home countries. U.S. officials have said that the military flew more than 150 migrants to Guatemala on two flighst on Thursday.
The border czar said millions of people will be deported and that the numbers will rise as arrests are made nationwide “as we open up the aperture.”
The face of Trump’s deportaion efforts was on ABC’s This Week on Sunday where he detailed the adminstration’s efforts.
“I want to go back to those military flights going south,” ABC’s Martha Raddatz said. “We have never seen that before. Is that going to be a constant commitment from the U.S. military every single day to take deportees out?”
Homan had a simple response: “Yes.”
He added that the U.S. government, for the first time, has used military aircraft to fly migrants back to their home countries. U.S. officials have said that the military flew more than 150 migrants to Guatemala on two flighst on Thursday.
The border czar said millions of people will be deported and that the numbers will rise as arrests are made nationwide “as we open up the aperture.”
1 day ago
Israel is considering sending Soviet and Russian-made weapons captured in Lebanon to Ukraine, with signs transfers may be under way.
Israel reportedly met with Ukrainian diplomats on Tuesday to discuss a weapons transfer. Since then, US military cargo planes have been tracked flying from Israel to an airbase in eastern Poland.
“There are signs that Israel has begun supplying Ukraine with Soviet and Russian-made weapons,” Two Majors, a pro-Russia military blog on the Telegram social messaging site, told its 1.2 million subscribers on Sunday.
It posted photos of dozens of shoulder-mounted missiles laid out on hard-baked ground, as well as two screengrabs of a US military plane flying from Ramstein airbase in Germany to Hatzerim airbase in Israel and then to Rzeszów in Poland, near the border with Ukraine.
Around 60 per cent of the weapons captured by Israel during the fight with Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2024 were made by the Soviet Union and Russia.
Israel reportedly met with Ukrainian diplomats on Tuesday to discuss a weapons transfer. Since then, US military cargo planes have been tracked flying from Israel to an airbase in eastern Poland.
“There are signs that Israel has begun supplying Ukraine with Soviet and Russian-made weapons,” Two Majors, a pro-Russia military blog on the Telegram social messaging site, told its 1.2 million subscribers on Sunday.
It posted photos of dozens of shoulder-mounted missiles laid out on hard-baked ground, as well as two screengrabs of a US military plane flying from Ramstein airbase in Germany to Hatzerim airbase in Israel and then to Rzeszów in Poland, near the border with Ukraine.
Around 60 per cent of the weapons captured by Israel during the fight with Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2024 were made by the Soviet Union and Russia.
1 day ago
Trump order ending birthright citizenship for illegal immigrants is constitutional, expert says
While nearly two dozen states are suing to stop President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants, some legal experts, such as Hans von Spakovsky with the Heritage Foundation, say the order is perfectly legal under the 14th Amendment and should be upheld by the courts.
"I strongly believe that Donald Trump is correct, that we need to enforce the 14th Amendment as it was originally intended," Spakovsky told Fox News Digital. "No doubt there will be lawsuits against it, it'll get to the U.S. Supreme Court, and if the court follows the actual legislative intent and history, they will uphold what Donald Trump has done."
As Trump has moved quickly to clamp down on illegal immigration, his most controversial move yet was to issue an executive order ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants.
While nearly two dozen states are suing to stop President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants, some legal experts, such as Hans von Spakovsky with the Heritage Foundation, say the order is perfectly legal under the 14th Amendment and should be upheld by the courts.
"I strongly believe that Donald Trump is correct, that we need to enforce the 14th Amendment as it was originally intended," Spakovsky told Fox News Digital. "No doubt there will be lawsuits against it, it'll get to the U.S. Supreme Court, and if the court follows the actual legislative intent and history, they will uphold what Donald Trump has done."
As Trump has moved quickly to clamp down on illegal immigration, his most controversial move yet was to issue an executive order ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants.
1 day ago
China said on Monday it is willing to repatriate confirmed Chinese nationals from the United States, as U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened tariffs and sanctions on some countries if they do not cooperate on accepting deportees.
In recent months, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has sent five charter flights to China with hundreds of Chinese nationals deemed not to have a legal basis to remain in the U.S.
Nonetheless, U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials have been frustrated by what they say is Beijing's longstanding refusal to cooperate on repatriation by declining to issue travel documents.
The department has warned of escalating consequences for Chinese officials, including visa sanctions, for refusal to accept tens of thousands of Chinese nationals in the U.S. under deportation orders.
"We have conducted practical cooperation with the migration and law enforcement departments of the U.S. and other countries, which has been productive," Chinese Mao N
In recent months, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has sent five charter flights to China with hundreds of Chinese nationals deemed not to have a legal basis to remain in the U.S.
Nonetheless, U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials have been frustrated by what they say is Beijing's longstanding refusal to cooperate on repatriation by declining to issue travel documents.
The department has warned of escalating consequences for Chinese officials, including visa sanctions, for refusal to accept tens of thousands of Chinese nationals in the U.S. under deportation orders.
"We have conducted practical cooperation with the migration and law enforcement departments of the U.S. and other countries, which has been productive," Chinese Mao N
1 day ago
Bill Gates says he thinks it's 'insane' that Elon Musk is allowed to 'destabilize' politics in other countries.
Bill Gates said Elon Musk shouldn't be weighing on foreign politics.
In recent weeks, Musk has commented on politics in Europe, including the German elections.
Gates said Musk shouldn't be telling people who to vote for.
Bill Gates doesn't like how Elon Musk has involved himself in the politics of foreign countries such as the UK and Germany.
"It's really insane that he can destabilize the political situations in countries," Gates said in an interview with the UK newspaper The Times published Saturday.
Musk has become increasingly vocal about his views on UK and German politics in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, Musk called for the removal of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Tesla CEO accused Starmer of not doing enough to prevent the rape of girls when he was Britain's chief prosecutor from 2008 to 2013.
Bill Gates said Elon Musk shouldn't be weighing on foreign politics.
In recent weeks, Musk has commented on politics in Europe, including the German elections.
Gates said Musk shouldn't be telling people who to vote for.
Bill Gates doesn't like how Elon Musk has involved himself in the politics of foreign countries such as the UK and Germany.
"It's really insane that he can destabilize the political situations in countries," Gates said in an interview with the UK newspaper The Times published Saturday.
Musk has become increasingly vocal about his views on UK and German politics in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, Musk called for the removal of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Tesla CEO accused Starmer of not doing enough to prevent the rape of girls when he was Britain's chief prosecutor from 2008 to 2013.
1 day ago
Iran has purchased Russian-made Sukhoi-35 fighter jets, a senior Revolutionary Guards commander said on Monday, amid Western concerns about Tehran and Moscow's growing military cooperation.
This is the first time an Iranian official has confirmed the purchase of Su-35 jets. However, Ali Shadmani, who was quoted by the Student News Network, did not clarify how many jets were purchased and whether they had already been delivered to Iran.
"Whenever necessary, we make military purchases to strengthen our air, land, and naval forces. [...] The production of military equipment has also accelerated," the deputy Coordinator of the Khatam-ol-Anbia Central Headquarters said.
"If the enemy acts foolishly, it will taste the bitter taste of being hit by our missiles, and none of its interests in the occupied territories will remain safe," Shadmani warned referring to Iran's arch-rival in the region, Israel.
This is the first time an Iranian official has confirmed the purchase of Su-35 jets. However, Ali Shadmani, who was quoted by the Student News Network, did not clarify how many jets were purchased and whether they had already been delivered to Iran.
"Whenever necessary, we make military purchases to strengthen our air, land, and naval forces. [...] The production of military equipment has also accelerated," the deputy Coordinator of the Khatam-ol-Anbia Central Headquarters said.
"If the enemy acts foolishly, it will taste the bitter taste of being hit by our missiles, and none of its interests in the occupied territories will remain safe," Shadmani warned referring to Iran's arch-rival in the region, Israel.
1 day ago
The Russian Embassy in London said that Russia posed no threat to undersea cables in Britain and other NATO countries, after UK defence minister John Healey accused Moscow of "malign activity" at sea.
Britain said it had monitored a Russian spy ship in the English Channel for two days and would strengthen its response to secret operations by Russian ships in an effort to protect undersea cables.
The same ship had been caught "loitering" over Britain's critical undersea infrastructure weeks before, Healey said.
"We will continue to call out the malign activity that Putin directs, cracking down on the Russian shadow fleet to prevent funding for his illegal invasion of Ukraine," he said.
"Claims by DefenceHQ (the X handle for Britain's Ministry of Defence) regarding alleged Russian threats against underwater infrastructure of the UK and its NATO allies are completely groundless," Russian Embassy, UK, said
Britain said it had monitored a Russian spy ship in the English Channel for two days and would strengthen its response to secret operations by Russian ships in an effort to protect undersea cables.
The same ship had been caught "loitering" over Britain's critical undersea infrastructure weeks before, Healey said.
"We will continue to call out the malign activity that Putin directs, cracking down on the Russian shadow fleet to prevent funding for his illegal invasion of Ukraine," he said.
"Claims by DefenceHQ (the X handle for Britain's Ministry of Defence) regarding alleged Russian threats against underwater infrastructure of the UK and its NATO allies are completely groundless," Russian Embassy, UK, said
1 day ago
All over Europe, there are signs of a continent steeling itself for the unthinkable.
Lithuania plans to lay mines on its bridges to Russia, ready to detonate should Kremlin tanks try to cross. In the nearby Baltic Sea, NATO ships are hunting Russia’s so-called “Shadow Fleet” accused of cutting undersea communications cables. And in Europe’s skies there are plans to construct a vast missile defense system.
European governments and citizens worry that an emboldened Kremlin may turn his armies their way after Ukraine. There is also widespread nervousness that the new U.S. president—has suggested he may not defend America’s historical NATO allies if they are attacked by Russia.
While President Donald Trump this week criticized Vladimir Putin, Trump has showed few signs of a meaningful shift from that position but said Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “was fighting a much bigger entity,” and that “he shouldn’t have done that, because we could have made a deal.”
Lithuania plans to lay mines on its bridges to Russia, ready to detonate should Kremlin tanks try to cross. In the nearby Baltic Sea, NATO ships are hunting Russia’s so-called “Shadow Fleet” accused of cutting undersea communications cables. And in Europe’s skies there are plans to construct a vast missile defense system.
European governments and citizens worry that an emboldened Kremlin may turn his armies their way after Ukraine. There is also widespread nervousness that the new U.S. president—has suggested he may not defend America’s historical NATO allies if they are attacked by Russia.
While President Donald Trump this week criticized Vladimir Putin, Trump has showed few signs of a meaningful shift from that position but said Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “was fighting a much bigger entity,” and that “he shouldn’t have done that, because we could have made a deal.”
1 day ago
President Donald Trump said he was open to potentially rejoining the World Health Organization (WHO), just days after he signed a Day One executive order that withdrew the U.S. from the international group.
During a rally at Circa Resort & Casino in Downtown Las Vegas, the president told those in attendance that it was unfair a country like China, with a population much greater than the U.S., was only paying a fraction of what the U.S. was paying annually to the WHO.
"We paid $500 million a year and China paid $39 million a year despite a much larger population. Think of that. China's paying $39 million to have 1.4 billion people, we pay $500 million we have – no one knows what the hell we have, does anyone know? We have so many people pouring in we have no idea," Trump told rally goers on Saturday.
"They offered me at $39 million, they said 'We'll let you back in for $39 million,' they're going to reduce it from [$500 million] to [$39 million], and I turned them down.
During a rally at Circa Resort & Casino in Downtown Las Vegas, the president told those in attendance that it was unfair a country like China, with a population much greater than the U.S., was only paying a fraction of what the U.S. was paying annually to the WHO.
"We paid $500 million a year and China paid $39 million a year despite a much larger population. Think of that. China's paying $39 million to have 1.4 billion people, we pay $500 million we have – no one knows what the hell we have, does anyone know? We have so many people pouring in we have no idea," Trump told rally goers on Saturday.
"They offered me at $39 million, they said 'We'll let you back in for $39 million,' they're going to reduce it from [$500 million] to [$39 million], and I turned them down.
1 day ago
As Russia moved closer to invading Ukraine nearly three years ago, the United States and its allies took the extraordinary step of declassifying and sharing intelligence to expose Moscow’s plans.
Information flew across the Atlantic from U.S. spy agencies to NATO and Western partners showing that Russia was poised to launch the biggest attack on a European country since World War II.
It was designed to muster support for Kyiv, and on the strength of the U.S. warning, some nations sent weapons to Ukraine.
Now, officials are bracing for a potentially changed security landscape under President Donald Trump. He has criticized America's allies and lambasted its intelligence agencies. He's been accused of disregarding secrecy rules.
Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, has parroted Russian propaganda while his nominee to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, has promised changes that could significantly curtail the flow of intelligence to America's friends.
Information flew across the Atlantic from U.S. spy agencies to NATO and Western partners showing that Russia was poised to launch the biggest attack on a European country since World War II.
It was designed to muster support for Kyiv, and on the strength of the U.S. warning, some nations sent weapons to Ukraine.
Now, officials are bracing for a potentially changed security landscape under President Donald Trump. He has criticized America's allies and lambasted its intelligence agencies. He's been accused of disregarding secrecy rules.
Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, has parroted Russian propaganda while his nominee to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, has promised changes that could significantly curtail the flow of intelligence to America's friends.
1 day ago
Trump's threat against Moscow on Ukraine seen as an insulting false start by some in Russia.
"Disrespectful", "insulting", and "ill-informed." Donald Trump's threats aimed at strong-arming Moscow into ending its war in Ukraine have been badly received by some politicians and nationalists in Russia who say his tactics bode ill for a deal.
Trump said on Wednesday he would likely impose new sanctions, taxes and tariffs on Russia, whose economy he said was failing, and on Moscow's allies, unless President Vladimir Putin struck a deal with him "soon" to end the conflict.
In an apparent attempt to balance his threat with a compliment, Trump spoke of the need to never forget that Russia had helped the United States win World War Two and incorrectly stated that the then Soviet Union had lost 60 million people in that conflict as opposed to the 26.6 million people estimated by the Russian authorities.
"Disrespectful", "insulting", and "ill-informed." Donald Trump's threats aimed at strong-arming Moscow into ending its war in Ukraine have been badly received by some politicians and nationalists in Russia who say his tactics bode ill for a deal.
Trump said on Wednesday he would likely impose new sanctions, taxes and tariffs on Russia, whose economy he said was failing, and on Moscow's allies, unless President Vladimir Putin struck a deal with him "soon" to end the conflict.
In an apparent attempt to balance his threat with a compliment, Trump spoke of the need to never forget that Russia had helped the United States win World War Two and incorrectly stated that the then Soviet Union had lost 60 million people in that conflict as opposed to the 26.6 million people estimated by the Russian authorities.
1 day ago
A new school textbook that likens Russia's war in Ukraine to the Soviet struggle against the Nazis and says Russia was "forced" to send troops into Ukraine was presented in Moscow on Monday.
President Vladimir Putin casts the war, which Moscow officially calls a "Special Military Operation", as a difficult but necessary fight against a Western- and NATO-backed Ukraine. He says it is part of a wider existential battle against a decadent West trying to weaken and dismember Russia.
Ukraine and its Western allies say Russia is waging a brutal and unprovoked war, merely to gain territory.
The three-volume "Military History of Russia" was edited by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Putin who headed a delegation that held unsuccessful peace talks with Ukraine in 2022, in the early months of the war, and has already co-authored Russia's main history textbook. The third volume, likely to be dismissed by Ukraine's leadership as propaganda, is designed to be taught to children aged 15 and older.
President Vladimir Putin casts the war, which Moscow officially calls a "Special Military Operation", as a difficult but necessary fight against a Western- and NATO-backed Ukraine. He says it is part of a wider existential battle against a decadent West trying to weaken and dismember Russia.
Ukraine and its Western allies say Russia is waging a brutal and unprovoked war, merely to gain territory.
The three-volume "Military History of Russia" was edited by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Putin who headed a delegation that held unsuccessful peace talks with Ukraine in 2022, in the early months of the war, and has already co-authored Russia's main history textbook. The third volume, likely to be dismissed by Ukraine's leadership as propaganda, is designed to be taught to children aged 15 and older.
1 day ago
The Justice Department is firing "over a dozen" officials who were part of former special counsel Jack Smith's teams that prosecuted President Donald Trump, officials confirmed to ABC News.
Acting Attorney General James McHenry transmitted letters to the officials informing them of their termination, officials said, that said given their part in the prosecutions they couldn't be trusted in "faithfully implementing the president's agenda."
It's not immediately clear the exact number of officials who were fired on Monday, but the move was largely expected after President Trump's threats leading up to the 2024 election stating he planned to fire Smith "on day one."
Smith resigned prior to Trump taking office and submitted his final report to former Attorney General Merrick Garland. Garland released Vol. 1 of Smith's final report detailing Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, but he was blocked by District Judge Aileen Cannon from sharing with Congress the second volume.
Acting Attorney General James McHenry transmitted letters to the officials informing them of their termination, officials said, that said given their part in the prosecutions they couldn't be trusted in "faithfully implementing the president's agenda."
It's not immediately clear the exact number of officials who were fired on Monday, but the move was largely expected after President Trump's threats leading up to the 2024 election stating he planned to fire Smith "on day one."
Smith resigned prior to Trump taking office and submitted his final report to former Attorney General Merrick Garland. Garland released Vol. 1 of Smith's final report detailing Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, but he was blocked by District Judge Aileen Cannon from sharing with Congress the second volume.
2 days ago
Wang tells Rubio leaders have set tone and direction of US-China ties
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with new U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday and Beijing said he told the known China hawk that the direction and tone of U.S.-China ties had been set by their leaders and he hoped Rubio would play a constructive...
https://afriprime.net/posts/91090
2 days ago
Iran’s supreme leader forced to wear flak jacket as fears of...
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, faces four difficult years ahead that could reshape the region. Iran has ordered its proxy forces across the Middle East to exercise caution as the Islamic Republic fears an existential threat following Donald Trump’s return to the...
https://afriprime.net/posts/91072
2 days ago
What did Rubio say about Taiwan independence? US, China at odds
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Friday, affirming Washington does not back Taiwan independence, according to China's foreign ministry, a detail omitted from the American side's read-out.
https://afriprime.net/posts/91068
2 days ago
I expected Trump’s fury, but I'm shocked at how quickly...
Donald Trump’s war with America is provoking fear and confusion and whipping critics into obedience, at dizzying speed. This will not end well — not if Americans allow him to go unchecked. Trump marked his return to the White House with sweeping executive...
https://afriprime.net/posts/91044
2 days ago
Trump suggestion on Gaza strip: ‘Clean out the whole...
President Trump indicated Sunday that the way to help the situation in Gaza is to “clean out the whole thing.” Aboard Air Force One, Trump said Gaza is a “real mess,” after the Palestinian militant group Hamas’s war with Israel, CNN reported....
https://afriprime.net/posts/91039
2 days ago
Another Country Has ‘First Dibs’ On Greenland Before...
Denmark’s former representative to Greenland has claimed US President Donald Trump needs permission from a third country if he is to fulfill his pledge to take over the self-governing island. Tom Høyem, 83, who was Copenhagen’s top envoy to Greenland from...
https://afriprime.net/posts/91035
