Starmer to visit troops serving on Russian border in push for Ukraine supportKing and PM honour former US president Jimmy Carter after his death aged 100
Sir Keir Starmer was speaking at the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) conference in Estonia where he met leaders of other Baltic states. After signing an energy partnership with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Bergen, Sir Keir flew to Estonia where he spoke alongside Mr Store and their Estonian counterpart Kristen Michal. Asked what else could be done to support Ukraine, Sir Keir said: “There is an ever-increasing demand for more capability. That is understandable, and Ukraine needs all the capability that it can get, so I think all of us have put in more capability into Ukraine by way of equipment.” He added: “A lot of money has been raised, funding has been raised, but more is going to be needed.” The Prime Minister’s also discussed making the economic case at home for continued support for Ukraine. Sir Keir said: “Making the case on the significance of Ukraine, making the case, to double down, linking it back to each of our countries – what does it mean for us if Russia succeeds, is a really important question that we have to answer with our people to make it clear why it is that we are so supportive of Ukraine, why it is that we must stand with our allies on this, why it is we must make sure that Nato is put in the strongest position as well. “Now, this is a different world to the world of 10, 20 years ago, to recognise the world that we are living in, there’s a positive case as well to be made. “Defence spending doesn’t sort of sit in a silo over here with no effect on the rest of the economy, no effect on technology. “It has a huge effect on technologies, the cutting edge of technology and change which can then be used in other areas. “It binds countries together. I think all of us have got joint projects on in terms of defence capabilities that bind us together. There’s a huge number of well-paid jobs that are very important to our economy in defence spending as well. “But we have to make that positive case. I don’t personally feel that we can sort of sit back and assume that all of those in our respective countries necessarily accept all of our arguments unless we make them in that positive way, which I do think the argument can and should and must be made. “But the challenge that you put to us is the right challenge, which is it’s very difficult when finances are tight, as they are in all of our countries.” On Tuesday morning the Prime Minister will meet Taavi Madiberk, the founder of Estonian tech start-up manufacturing low-cost air defence missiles, Frankenburg Technologies, which is planning to open a new office in London Specialising in the manufacture of the missiles, the rapidly growing company already collaborates closely with the UK defence industry, sourcing a significant portion of its subsystems locally, including from propulsion specialists Roxel in Worcestershire. The Prime Minister will again attend the JEF summit, joining leaders from the Nordics and Baltics to discuss support for Ukraine, the sustained threat posed by Russia and wider European security. He will then visit British forces serving in the region to deter malign Russian threats.
Trump says fate of TikTok should be in his hands as president
By STEVE LEBLANC, ERIC TUCKER and TARA COPP BOSTON (AP) — Two men, including a dual Iranian American citizen, have been arrested on charges that they exported sensitive technology to Iran that was used in a drone attack in Jordan that killed three American troops early this year and injured dozens of other service members, the Justice Department said Monday. The pair were arrested after FBI specialists who analyzed the drone traced the navigation system to an Iranian company operated by one of the defendants, who relied on technology funneled from the U.S. by his alleged co-conspirator, officials said. “We often cite hypothetical risk when we talk about the dangers of American technology getting into dangerous hands,” said U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy, the top federal prosecutor in Massachusetts. “Unfortunately, in this situation, we are not speculating.” The defendants were identified as Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, who prosecutors say works at a Massachusetts-based semiconductor company, and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, who was arrested Monday in Italy as the Justice Department seeks his extradition to Massachusetts. Prosecutors allege that Abedininajafabadi, who also uses the surname Adedini and operates an Iranian company that manufactures navigation systems for drones, has connections to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. They allege that he conspired with Sadeghi to circumvent American export control laws, including through a front company in Switzerland, and procure sensitive technology into Iran. Both men are charged with export control violations, and Abedini separately faces charges of conspiring to provide material support to Iran. A lawyer for Sadeghi, a naturalized U.S. citizen who was arrested Monday in Massachusetts, did not immediately return an email seeking comment. U.S. officials blamed the January attack on the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias that includes Kataib Hezbollah. Three Georgia soldiers — Sgt. William Jerome Rivers of Carrollton, Sgt. Breonna Moffett of Savannah and Sgt. Kennedy Sanders of Waycross — were killed in the Jan. 28 drone attack on a U.S. outpost in northeastern Jordan called Tower 22. In the attack, the one-way attack drone may have been mistaken for a U.S. drone that was expected to return back to the logistics base about the same time and was not shot down. Instead, it crashed into living quarters, killing the three soldiers and injuring more than 40. Tower 22 held about 350 U.S. military personnel at the time. It is strategically located between Jordan and Syria, only 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Iraqi border, and in the months just after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, and Israel’s blistering response in Gaza, Iranian-backed militias intensified their attacks on U.S. military locations in the region. Following the attack, the U.S. launched a huge counterstrike against 85 sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and Iranian-backed militia and bolstered Tower 22’s defenses. ____ Tucker and Copp reported from Washington.Powerful pomegranates, glorious geraniums and more to do in the garden
Beaver Capital promotes global technological innovation and focuses on AI, blockchain and disruptive technology investments 12-16-2024 11:34 PM CET | Associations & Organizations Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: LianPR In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and innovation, Beaver Capital (Beaver Fund) [ https://www.timdapp.xyz/ ] has emerged as a pioneering force driving transformative change. Established in 2019 and managed by BVVC, Beaver Capital is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, a vibrant hub for groundbreaking research and entrepreneurship. The fund's mission is simple yet impactful: to invest in the most disruptive and influential scientific and technological advancements that have the potential to reshape industries, improve lives, and drive global progress. Image: https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeUJ2KaX5MS1COuxpUa3BaS8T-b2Zc_lGifl_eoQcGDcBfvzLT6AeRq3u2BMlErqx4eF30mg4ww2BlzTpJ8n89Nzr_MQ78iNAOgziPlYlDwoH-ZD_f0Q-ZHYoTwbZsZmeQSbDbNDA?key=Lol-4H9gT2J_QDqYmIpt_lTg At its core, Beaver Capital embodies the spirit of the beaver an animal celebrated for its ingenuity, perseverance, and craftsmanship. These values form the foundation of the fund's philosophy, which emphasizes hard work, strategic thinking, and a commitment to excellence. Beaver Capital is not just a financial entity but a forward-thinking initiative that bridges the gap between visionary ideas and real-world applications. Its investments focus on cutting-edge technologies and business innovations that challenge traditional paradigms, paving the way for a more sustainable and interconnected future. Image: https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcWaCCqDYYy7BQ4M8ClU8Yqq8t6HQURV7ftrKdtA6kOYkln81IugSYxsqbuIJ1rO35qRcrMBeg_P54t4wVB1EDEtkQ4ohbzM0KjM4-fqY8F3mK9wLakD7yurgZNaepGo-W4IHhjrw?key=Lol-4H9gT2J_QDqYmIpt_lTg Beaver Capital takes a deliberate and focused approach to investment, targeting areas that represent the forefront of technological advancement. These areas include artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, big data analytics, blockchain technologies, enterprise-level applications, and other emerging disruptive technologies. By prioritizing these fields, the fund aims to create a portfolio that reflects the most promising innovations of our time, fostering growth in sectors that have the potential to revolutionize industries and enhance quality of life. The fund's interest in artificial intelligence, for example, reflects its commitment to supporting technologies that can drive automation, improve decision-making, and transform the way we interact with the world. From machine learning to robotics, Beaver Capital invests in projects that harness the power of AI to address some of society's most pressing challenges. Similarly, its focus on virtual and augmented reality demonstrates a belief in the potential of immersive technologies to reshape experiences in fields ranging from gaming and entertainment to healthcare and education. Big data analytics represents another cornerstone of Beaver Capital's investment strategy. In a world where data is increasingly seen as the new oil, the ability to analyze and leverage information is critical to success. Beaver Capital seeks to back projects that unlock the power of big data, enabling organizations to make smarter decisions, optimize processes, and uncover new opportunities. This focus aligns with the fund's broader mission of supporting innovations that drive efficiency, scalability, and sustainability. Image: https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcr0ySchv9vNrFDTwk_yhXNAyITDy5SsMTjGp1DUY354p6PPJ21g6eNED6_RYyNrLuzlMxXVsJ4_I1oGalhMen-fWR2h8js2gTMDt53fkFNSuBAuKYLVI0sa95KStWZ9wTYGIfXSg?key=Lol-4H9gT2J_QDqYmIpt_lTg Blockchain technology is another key area of interest for Beaver Capital, and its investments in this space have a direct synergy with the TIM Meme Coin ecosystem. As a decentralized, energy-efficient cryptocurrency built on the Binance Smart Chain, TIM Meme Coin aligns with Beaver Capital's emphasis on technological innovation and environmental responsibility. By investing in blockchain technologies, Beaver Capital supports the development of secure, scalable, and sustainable platforms that can transform industries ranging from finance to supply chain management. The fund's commitment to enterprise-level applications further highlights its focus on innovation that drives tangible results. From cloud computing to collaborative software, Beaver Capital invests in solutions that enable businesses to operate more effectively and efficiently. These investments are designed to support the digital transformation of organizations, ensuring that they remain competitive in an increasingly connected and data-driven world. Image: https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcUgzrJPAl4LWurk_Csmn1kTO7JkpC49CACCunSSAK52wxLbQBuesKAk33psyIG8UP0dPG4RLso3PoJfW2tMUP-1eDLBnP4O3rDKohY0hK016nqVmd0Uulmd-whaz9dqEjankaV5g?key=Lol-4H9gT2J_QDqYmIpt_lTg Emerging disruptive technologies represent the final pillar of Beaver Capital's investment strategy. These are the innovations that have the potential to redefine markets, create entirely new industries, and change the way we live and work. By staying ahead of trends and identifying opportunities in nascent fields, Beaver Capital positions itself as a leader in shaping the future of technology and business. The location of Beaver Capital in Boulder, Colorado, is no coincidence. Boulder is a city renowned for its culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. By situating itself in this dynamic environment, Beaver Capital gains access to a rich ecosystem of talent, research, and emerging trends. This strategic positioning enables the fund to identify and nurture the brightest ideas and the most promising entrepreneurs, ensuring that its investments are grounded in excellence and potential. Beaver Capital's connection to the Beaver Foundation is another defining feature of its identity. As the financial and innovation arm of the foundation, Beaver Capital plays a crucial role in advancing the foundation's mission of promoting sustainability, technological progress, and community-driven development. This relationship creates a powerful synergy, with Beaver Capital driving financial growth and innovation while the Beaver Foundation focuses on broader societal and environmental impact. One of the most compelling aspects of Beaver Capital is its commitment to aligning financial success with positive global impact. The fund is not content with simply generating returns for its investors; it seeks to invest in projects that contribute meaningfully to society and the planet. This approach reflects a belief that financial and social returns are not mutually exclusive but can and should go hand in hand. The integration of Beaver Capital with the TIM Meme Coin ecosystem further illustrates this philosophy. By supporting blockchain technologies that prioritize energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, Beaver Capital demonstrates a commitment to leveraging innovation for the greater good. This alignment not only enhances the value and impact of TIM Meme Coin but also reinforces the fund's broader mission of creating a greener, more equitable future. Beaver Capital's investments are guided by a long-term vision. The fund recognizes that true innovation takes time and that the most impactful advancements often emerge from sustained effort and collaboration. By fostering relationships with entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry leaders, Beaver Capital ensures that its portfolio reflects not only the trends of today but also the possibilities of tomorrow. The story of Beaver Capital is one of vision, ambition, and impact. From its inception in 2019, the fund has been driven by a desire to support the most transformative ideas and innovations of our time. By investing in artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, big data analytics, blockchain technologies, enterprise-level applications, and emerging disruptive technologies, Beaver Capital positions itself as a catalyst for progress. Image: https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeanNYbhGkaWSSyEzDG2Te8N7EvUHGtMwXYanf41H3mILcSY8mTknniBLVknRKABr5YytdOfVfAHgSwwv_K6_gQUd7yyrddPBFzx9hBAs8oxGccmh7skD0mostIaytln2UNE7SLDA?key=Lol-4H9gT2J_QDqYmIpt_lTg As the world continues to grapple with complex challenges and unprecedented opportunities, Beaver Capital stands as a beacon of hope and possibility. Its investments are more than financial transactions; they are commitments to a future where technology and innovation drive positive change. With its roots in the values of the beaver and its focus on the cutting edge of science and technology, Beaver Capital is not just shaping the future; it is building it. Official website https://www.timdapp.xyz/ Disclaimer: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Media Contact Company Name: Beaver Foundation Contact Person: Tony Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=beaver-capital-promotes-global-technological-innovation-and-focuses-on-ai-blockchain-and-disruptive-technology-investments ] Country: United States Website: https://www.timdapp.xyz/ This release was published on openPR.
Starmer to visit troops serving on Russian border in push for Ukraine supportNearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government's files on former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard , Donald Trump's pick to be national intelligence director. The former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said they were "alarmed" by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions "call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus." A spokesperson for Gabbard on the Trump transition team on Thursday denounced the appeal as an "unfounded" and "partisan" attack. Among those who signed the letter were former Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, former NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller, former national security adviser Anthony Lake, and numerous retired ambassadors and high-ranking military officers. They wrote to current Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and incoming Republican Majority Leader John Thune on Wednesday to urge the closed briefings as part of the Senate's review of Trump's top appointments. They urged that Senate committees "consider in closed sessions all information available to the U.S. government when considering Ms. Gabbard's qualifications to manage our country's intelligence agencies, and more importantly, the protection of our intelligence sources and methods." The letter singles out Gabbard's 2017 meetings in Syria with President Bashar Assad, who is supported by Russian, Iranian and Iranian-allied forces in a now 13-year war against Syrian opposition forces seeking his overthrow. The U.S., which cut relations with Assad's government and imposed sanctions over his conduct of the war, maintains about 900 troops in opposition-controlled northeast Syria, saying they are needed to block a resurgence of extremist groups. Gabbard, a Democratic member of Congress from Hawaii at the time of her Syria trip, drew heavy criticism for her meetings with a U.S. adversary and brutal leader. As the letter notes, her statements on the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine have aligned with Russian talking points, diverging from U.S. positions and policy. Gabbard, throughout her political career, has urged the U.S. to limit military engagement abroad other than combatting Islamic extremist groups. She has defended the Syria trip by saying it is necessary to engage with U.S. enemies. In postings on social media earlier this year, she confirmed that the U.S. had for a time placed her "on a secret terror watch list" as a "potential domestic terror threat." She blamed political retaliation. Neither she nor U.S. authorities have publicly detailed the circumstances involved. Alexa Henning, a spokesperson for Gabbard with the Trump team, called the letter sent to the Senate leaders "a perfect example" of why Trump chose Gabbard for this position. "These unfounded attacks are from the same geniuses who have blood on their hands from decades of faulty 'intelligence,'" and use classified government information as a "partisan weapon to smear and imply things about their political enemy," Henning said. A spokesperson for Thune did not immediately respond to questions about the request.
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An F-35 fight? Support for Fort Worth-produced aircraft could derail government efficiency cut
NoneNoneHumorist Jean Shepherd was a teenager when his father came home from work and began packing a suitcase. "What are ya doin', Dad?" asked Shepherd. Describing the scene to communication scholar Quentin Schultze, he said his father replied: "I'm leaving. You'll understand when you get older." Shepherd's father moved away and married a "trophy wife." This wasn't the kind of dark, life-changing event that tends to inspire a crucial symbol and theme in a beloved Christmas movie, noted Schultze. But Shepherd wove parts of his own life story into his storytelling, including work that became "A Christmas Story." Americans who watch this 1983 family comedy — about 40 million watch the 24-hour marathon on TBS and TNT starting on Christmas Eve — know it centers on a boy named Ralphie who is obsessed with a 200-shot Red Ryder air rifle BB gun. But another iconic image is the leg-shaped lamp, wearing a fishnet stocking, that Ralphie's Old Man received as his "major award" after winning a contest. What was that all about? Schultze learned the answer when, for three years in the 1980s, he taught a college-level storytelling class with Shepherd, saving notebooks full of insights from their time together. "As Shepherd told me, the leg lamp became the Old Man's trophy wife, which he had to show off to the world. He was unable to carry on his 'affair' with discretion," wrote Schultze in "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out! Life Lessons From the Movie 'A Christmas Story.'" He is now professor emeritus at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Mich. The quest for the Red Ryder air rifle has a heartwarming final act, with a boy bonding with his volatile Old Man, the father's only name in the script. And the leg lamp story also has a happy ending, even though it's clear that Ralphie's mother broke it on purpose. Shepherd didn't sneak sermons into his work, but his humorous parables contain "deeper" and even "biblical" symbols and themes, said Schultze, reached by telephone. In the language of contemporary polling about religion, the storyteller — who died in 1999 — was a "none of the above" believer. "Shepherd knew that people are fallen things that do stupid stuff, but somehow things often turn out well," said Schultze. "I considered him a closet Calvinist, but he didn't want to have anything to do with organized religion. He was agnostic to religious institutions, yet he just couldn't shake the reality of God. ... I would say that his stories contained 'common grace,' but he wouldn't have used that term." "You'll shoot your eye out," the movie's famous catchphrase, was Shepherd's way of saying that people shouldn't act like fools while living in a messy, broken world, Schultze explained. The father's raging, profane clashes with the cantankerous basement furnace were like symbolic journeys into the lower rings of Dante's "Inferno." The storyteller knew that evil was real, bullies were real and so were heroes. But "A Christmas Story" also dug deep into the actions of characters, especially men and boys, who let their dreams become obsessions. Ralphie's mother becomes the hero who has the "will, if not the power, to control how the family protected its morals." While watering her garden, she shatters the leg lamp, which was "at least implicitly sensual, not just ugly," wrote Schultze in his new book. Her plants are a "Garden of Eden" symbol representing everything that's good in their family. In the end, the children have a wonderful Christmas, including the Old Man getting emotional while giving Ralphie his Red Ryder air rifle. Later, as "Silent Night" plays on the radio, the mother turns out the living room light. Schultze describes the scene: "She and the Old Man sit next to each other, facing the very window where they battled over the leg lamp, next to the lit tree with the crooked star. Snow is falling, gently, peacefully, beautifully. They lift their wine glasses as a sign of peace, even as a declaration of gratitude for one another. The fight over the tawdry leg lamp has been resolved. ... 'All is calm.'"
