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DriftTheory
5 ч. назад
Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Friday were described by a Kremlin adviser as "constructive and quite useful," according to Russian news agency Interfax.

The three-hour meeting reportedly focused on prospects for a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine, including the possibility of direct talks between Kiev and Moscow.

Putin's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said that Russia remains open to such negotiations but insists that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky must first revoke a decree prohibiting direct talks with the Kremlin.

This was Witkoff's fourth time meeting Putin. He also met on Friday with Putin’s envoy for economic cooperation, Kirill Dmitriev, who heads Russia’s Direct Investment Fund and later joined the meeting with the Russian president.
DriftTheory
5 ч. назад
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, a top ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said on Thursday that Russia is “ready to reach a deal” with President Donald Trump to end the war in Ukraine, noting, however, that there are still details to be “fine-tuned.”

Earlier this week, Trump told reporters, “Russia is ready” for peace as he is pushing both sides to agree to end the three-year conflict.

“I think we have a deal with Russia,” he said.
He added, “The statement by the president mentions a deal, and we are ready to reach a deal, but there are still some specific points, elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned, and we are busy with this exact process.”
DriftTheory
5 ч. назад
China on Thursday directly contradicted President Donald Trump’s claims that Beijing and Washington are actively discussing resolutions to a trade war that threatens to upend the global economy.

While Trump said Wednesday that the world’s two largest economies are “actively” talking, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson responded that “China and the U.S. have not engaged in any consultations or negotiations regarding tariffs, let alone reached an agreement.”

The spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, made the comments at a briefing in Beijing, saying that reports of ongoing talks were false. He added that while China is open to negotiations, “if it’s a fight, we will fight to the end.”

At 145%, Trump’s tariffs are higher on China than any other country. As he ratcheted up tariffs on Chinese goods in recent weeks, citing unfair trade practices, Beijing has responded in kind, bringing its total tariff on U.S. goods to 125% — levels that amount to a mutual trade embargo.
DriftTheory
5 ч. назад
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine could not accept US recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea as he visited South Africa, while both he and Donald Trump criticised a deadly missile and drone attack on Kyiv.

Though he did not mention Crimea – the contested Black Sea peninsula occupied by Russia since spring 2014 – by name, Ukraine’s president diplomatically returned to the topic a day after Trump accused him of intransigence on the issue.

Zelenskyy was speaking alongside his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, on a trip that he then cut short after the assault on Kyiv that left at least 12 dead and more than 90 injured. He complained that he did not “see strong pressure on Russia now” to bring the war to an end.

When asked whether he thought the US was becoming impatient with the lack of progress towards a peace agreement, Zelenskyy said the cost of the war continuing was ultimately borne by Ukrainian civilians.
DriftTheory
5 ч. назад
A pro-European presidential contender in Romania's May 4 election has said defence spending should rise to 3.5% of GDP by 2030 from 2.5% and argued that maintaining support for Ukraine in its war with Russia is essential for Romania's security.

Nicusor Dan, the 55-year-old two-term mayor of Bucharest, is an independent running neck-and-neck with ruling coalition centrist Crin Antonescu and nationalist former prime minister Victor Ponta in a bid to reach a runoff on May 18, alongside the hard-right frontrunner George Simion.

Dan is running on an anti-corruption platform, something also likely to find favour with European Union and NATO allies as Romania assumes growing importance as a bulwark against Russian influence on the border with Ukraine and Moldova, another state under pressure from Moscow.
DriftTheory
5 ч. назад
Proposals on how to end Russia's war in Ukraine that were given to the U.S. side on Wednesday by Ukrainian and European officials at talks in London.
Ceasefire:
* Commit to a full and unconditional ceasefire in the sky,on land and at sea. * Both sides immediately enter into negotiations ontechnical implementation with the participation of the US andEuropean countries. This is in parallel to preparation of theagenda and modalities for a full peace deal.
Security guarantees for Ukraine:
* Ukraine receives robust security guarantees includingfrom the US (Article 5-like agreement), while there is noconsensus among Allies on NATO membership. * No restrictions on the Ukrainian Defense Forces. * The guarantor states will be an ad hoc group of Europeancountries and willing non-European countries.
Territory:
* Territorial issues will be discussed and resolved aftera full and unconditional ceasefire. * Territorial negotiations start from the basis of theline of control. *
DriftTheory
5 ч. назад
President Donald Trump on Thursday said Russia’s failure to forcibly seize and occupy the entirety of Ukraine’s territory amounts to a “pretty big concession” to Kyiv as he continues to push for Russia and Ukraine to come to a settlement to end the war Moscow started three years ago.

Speaking in the Oval Office during a bilateral meeting with Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump insisted to reporters that he is putting pressure on Russian president Vladimir Putin behind the scenes as reporters asked him what he would ask the Russian leader to give up to match the massive territorial concessions he has asked Ukraine to make as a way to find an end to Europe’s bloodiest conflict since the end of the Second World War.

Trump replied: “Stopping the war, stopping [from] taking the whole country.”
DriftTheory
5 ч. назад
China and the U.S. are not having any tariff negotiations, and the U.S. should stop creating confusion, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Apr. 25.
President Donald Trump had claimed in an interview with TIME magazine the same day that China’s President Xi Jinping had called him, and both administrations are engaged in active talks to strike a deal.

It would be a “total victory” if the U.S. still has tariffs as high as 50% on foreign imports a year from now, he added.

Meanwhile, China is reportedly mulling suspending the 125% tariffs on key imports from the U.S., Bloomberg reported on Apr. 25.
The publication cited sources familiar with the development to report that China is rethinking the tariff hikes because of the adverse impact of the trade war on critical Chinese industries.
Medical equipment, industrial chemicals, aircraft leasing payments, and select semiconductor products are among the U.S. imports China is considering slashing tariffs on.
DriftTheory
5 ч. назад
China has exempted some U.S. imports from its 125% tariffs and is asking firms to identify critical goods they need levy-free, according to businesses that have been notified, in the clearest sign yet of Beijing's concerns about the trade war's fallout.

The dispensation, which follows de-escalatory statements from Washington, signals that the world's two largest economies were prepared to rein in their conflict, which had frozen much of the trade between them and raised fears of a global recession.

Beijing's exemptions, which business groups hope would extend to dozens of industries, pushed the U.S. dollar up slightly and lifted equity markets in Hong Kong and Japan.
"As a quid-pro-quo move, it could provide a potential way to de-escalate tensions," said Alfredo Montufar-Helu.

But, he cautioned: "It's clear that neither the U.S. nor China want to be the first in reaching out for a deal."

China has not yet communicated publicly on any exemptions.
Dedication Buzz
7 ч. назад
Only Love Can Drive Out Hate-
Darkness cannot drive out darkness;
only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate;
only love can do that.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dedication Buzz
7 ч. назад (E)
Only Love Can Drive Out Hate-
That which you hate to be done to you,
do not do to another.
- Ancient Egyptian Proverb
[There is a form of the "Golden Rule" in virtually every religious and cultural tradition.]
Dedication Buzz
7 ч. назад
Only Love Can Drive Out Hate-
You never hate that which you do not first fear.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie
Dedication Buzz
7 ч. назад
Only Love Can Drive Out Hate-
When we hate our enemies, we are
giving them power over us:
power over our sleep, our appetites,
our blood pressure, our health, and our happiness.
Our enemies would dance with joy if only
they knew how they were worrying us,
lacerating us, and getting even with us!
Our hate is not hurting them at all,
but our hate is turning our own days
and nights into a hellish turmoil.
- Dale Carnegie
Dedication Buzz
7 ч. назад
Only Love Can Drive Out Hate-
An "enemy" is a mirage -
an image of self reflected on the sands of Hell.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie
Dedication Buzz
7 ч. назад
Only Love Can Drive Out Hate-
Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite [religious leader], when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan [Samaritans and Jews generally disliked and were suspicious of each other] came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds ... and ... took him to an inn and took care of him. ...
Jesus [said] "Go and do likewise."
- Luke 10:25-37 (The Parable of the Good Samaritan)
Dedication Buzz
7 ч. назад
Only Love Can Drive Out Hate-
Hate returns upon itself.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie
Dedication Buzz
7 ч. назад (E)
God is My Refuge
Declaration: Today, I declare that God is my safe place and my strength. No matter what troubles arise, I run to Him and find protection, peace, and power for every challenge I face.

Today, I choose to hide my heart in You. I will not be moved by fear or chaos, but I will be anchored by Your love and faithfulness. Thank You for being my strong tower, my refuge in every storm. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe

Psalm 91:2 I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him

Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.

This Saturday, may you find deep peace in knowing that no matter the trouble, you have a strong and mighty refuge in God. Run to Him, and let Him cover you with His perfect peace and power
Dedication Buzz
7 ч. назад
God is My Refuge-
Declaration: Today, I declare that God is my safe place and my strength. No matter what troubles arise, I run to Him and find protection, peace, and power for every challenge I face.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being my refuge, my hiding place, and my strength. When life feels overwhelming, I know I can run to You and find safety under Your wings. You are not distant or delayed—you are my very present help, always near and always faithful.
Lord, when fear tries to grip my heart and anxiety threatens my peace, help me to remember that You are bigger than anything I face. Strengthen me today to stand firm, knowing that I am never alone. Teach me to rest in Your presence, to trust in Your power, and to lean on Your unshakable promises.
ellarose
23 ч. назад
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ellarose
23 ч. назад
Best Gaming Keyboards in Pakistan at Technoo
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DriftTheory
1 д. назад
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1 д. назад
China's national space agency announced on Thursday it would let scientists from the U.S. and allied countries analyse rocks it retrieved from the moon, Beijing's latest move to increase the international influence of its lunar exploration programme.

The announcement highlights how U.S.-China cooperation in some areas like space has not completely ended, despite tensions between the two countries over geopolitics and tariffs.

Two U.S. universities that receive NASA funding, Brown University and the State University of New York at Stony Brook, are among the seven institutions that have been allowed to borrow lunar samples China retrieved from the moon in 2020.
The remaining authorised institutions are from Japan, France, Germany, Britain, and Pakistan.

With its uncrewed Chang'e-5 mission in 2020 China became only the third country to collect rocks from the lunar surface, joining the Soviet Union and the United States, which last went to the moon and retrieved samples in 1972.
DriftTheory
1 д. назад
Two Chinese officials said that there are no ongoing talks with the US.
Their comments come after President Donald Trump said the two countries were "actively" talking.

The White House has signaled hope for a deal in recent days.
Bejing is throwing cold water on President Donald Trump's hopes for lessening tensions between the world's two largest economies, whose trade war has roiled global markets.

On Wednesday, Trump told reporters that the two sides were "actively" talking. On Thursday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said conversations had yet to begin.

"None of that is true," Spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters during the Foreign Ministry's daily news conference. "For all I know, China and the U.S. are not having any consultation or negotiation on tariffs, still less reaching a deal."
DriftTheory
1 д. назад
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Thursday he was ready to travel to Europe for talks on Tehran's nuclear programme, with France indicating European powers were also ready for dialogue if Tehran showed it was seriously engaged.

Iran is looking to build on the momentum of nuclear negotiations with the United States that resume in Oman on Saturday and after talks with Russia and China earlier this week. Its reach out to the European powers that are party to a 2015 nuclear deal suggests Tehran is keeping its options open.

Since September, Tehran and the three European powers, known as the E3, have already held several rounds of discussions over their ties and the nuclear issue.
European diplomats had said they were seeking a new meeting with Iran, although that appeared on ice when Tehran began indirect talks on its nuclear programme with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration earlier this month.
DriftTheory
1 д. назад
The United States has piled pressure on Ukraine and Russia to find a peace agreement, with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance threatening to walk away if a deal is not made.

So what does Washington want? Some official demands have already been made public-
- Ukraine gives up territory -
- Russia gets Crimea -
- Ukraine can't join NATO -
- Ukarine gets security guarantee -
- End Russia sanctions, reconstruct Ukraine -
- US gets Ukraine minerals -
US plan presented to Ukrainian officials last week, said that Washington could offer "de facto" recognition of Russia's occupation in Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
The US plan refers to a Trump-backed proposal that would give the United States royalty payments on profits from Ukrainian mining of resources and rare minerals.

Trump has framed the minerals deal as compensation for military and financial aid given to Kyiv by his predecessor, Joe Biden.
DriftTheory
1 д. назад
President Xi Jinping is seeking to repair ties with the European Union, painting China as the more reliable partner as Donald Trump alienates the bloc over issues from tariffs to defense.
Faced with an effective trade embargo from the US, Chinese policymakers and business leaders are searching for new markets in Europe and beyond. To help smooth those ties, Xi is preparing to lift sanctions on several EU lawmakers, according to one European official—a largely symbolic gesture of good will as the measures had little impact

“As the world’s major economies, China and Europe will jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday, adding that it would welcome more European members of parliament to visit China, without addressing reports on sanctions being lifted.
While leaders in Europe remain fiercely opposed to Beijing’s support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, they’ve indicated a willingness to move forward on some iss
DriftTheory
1 д. назад
Poland's foreign minister on Wednesday used an annual address to parliament to send a sharp message to Russian leaders as war continues in neighboring Ukraine, asking: “Don’t you have enough land?”
Foreign Minster Radek Sikorski described the difficult situation Poland faces with the war across the border and the threat of its expansion, and voiced concerns about the “disintegration" of Western unity.

Poland, on NATO’s eastern flank, is one of Kyiv’s strongest supporters, and Sikorski used his speech to strongly criticize Russia.
He said, addressing Russian leaders: “Don’t you have enough land? Eleven time zones and still not enough? Take care of better governing what is within your borders according to international law.”
Sikorski described the deteriorating security situation with a war next to Poland's border: “Anxiety, and the question of what will happen, have settled in Polish homes. Are we also at risk of Russian aggression?