Arabia |
Trump, UAE leaders agree to $200 billion in new deals amid historic visit: 'Enhancing market access' |
2025-05-16 |
[FoxBusiness] First US presidential visit to UAE in 17 years yields major investments in American manufacturing and technology President Donald Trump facilitated over $200 billion in commercial deals between the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during his historic visit to the Middle Eastern country, according to the White House. Several deals were made, including securing a $14.5 billion commitment from Etihad Airways to invest in 28 American-manufactured aircraft from Boeing and GE Aerospace. Emirates Global Aluminum is also investing $4 billion to develop a primary aluminum smelter project in Oklahoma, and Holtec International and IHC Industrial Holding Company plan to build a fleet of small modular reactors in Michigan. Qualcomm is also investing in a global engineering center in Abu Dhabi which will "focus on AI, data centers, and industrial [internet of things]," according to the White House. "RTX is [also] partnering with Emirates Global Aluminum and the UAE’s Tawazun Council on a pioneering Gallium project that will help secure and stabilize the United States' critical mineral supply chain," the statement added. "By diversifying sources of this essential input for semiconductors and defense technologies, the partnership strengthens America's supply security, supports high-tech manufacturing, and creates jobs across the U.S. critical minerals and defense industrial base." In a statement, the White House said that Trump "continues to advance the interests of the American people, enhancing market access for American exporters to strengthen our economic and national security." "These deals will significantly expand investment in the United States and U.S. market access in the United Arab Emirates," the statement added. The deals came after the UAE pledged a $1.4 trillion investment in the U.S. economy over the next ten years. The investment money would go to AI infrastructure, semiconductor, energy and American manufacturing initiatives. Trump is the first U.S. president to visit the UAE in 17 years, following President George W. Bush's trip in 2008. On Thursday, the president told reporters that it was "an honor to be here." "The last four days have been really amazing, and they have been amazing," Trump said. "But it shows you where a country can go." Related: Commercial deals 05/14/2025 U.S. Inks Massive $142 Billion Arms Deal with Saudi Arabia Commercial deals 09/15/2020 New evidence makes Hunter Biden's ‘business' deals reek worse than ever Commercial deals 02/09/2016 Pay to play: Peugeot to pay $475m in Iran sanctions compensation Related: United Arab Emirates: 2025-05-14 Trump says he’ll lift sanctions on Syria, restore ties with new president Sharaa United Arab Emirates: 2025-05-13 Trump Tower Damascus? Syria seeks to charm US president for sanctions relief United Arab Emirates: 2025-05-12 Hamas set to free US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander Monday in goodwill gesture to Trump |
Link |
Arabia |
U.S. Inks Massive $142 Billion Arms Deal with Saudi Arabia |
2025-05-14 |
[Breitbart] “In addition to purchases of $142 billion of American-made military equipment by our great Saudi partners, the largest ever, this week, there are multibillion dollar commercial deals with Amazon, Oracle, AMD…Uber, Qualcomm, Johnson & Johnson, and many, many more,” the president said. |
Link |
Cyber |
U.S. Restricts Export of Chips Used by China's DeepSeek AI |
2025-04-17 |
[Breitbart] The Trump administration on Monday informed U.S. chipmaker Nvidia that exports of its powerful H20 chips to China, and several other nations, will have to meet new licensing requirements. Nvidia said meeting the restrictions could cost the company up to $5.5 billion. Nvidia was informed the new licensing requirement, which will remain in place indefinitely, “addresses the risk that the covered products may be used in, or diverted to, a supercomputer in China.” The H20 chip is not the most powerful product in Nvidia’s inventory – but, until now, it has been the most powerful chip Nvidia could legally sell to China. The Biden administration restricted the sale of more advanced chips to China in 2022. Nvidia worked around the restriction by reducing the capabilities of its popular H100 chip until it fell below the export limit and created the H20, a product sold only to China. China used the H20 to create DeepSeek, a new artificial intelligence (AI) that rattled world markets when it was introduced late last year because it offered high-level performance at a fraction of the price. According to its creators, one reason DeepSeek was developed so cheaply was that its physical architecture employed those inexpensive Nvidia chips. The sensational debut of DeepSeek prompted Chinese tech companies to order more than $16 billion worth of H20 chips. Nvidia accordingly stepped-up production and now fears it will have a backlog of inventory it cannot sell, since there is no demand for the H20 outside of China. The unique nature of the H20 could alleviate that problem somewhat, since some of the frozen export inventory could be H100 chips that have not yet been “throttled” down to the lower H20 specifications. A bigger long-term problem is that losing access to the H20 could prompt China to develop a comparable chip domestically, probably through electronics titan Huawei, potentially causing Nvidia to lose its lucrative Chinese market for good. Nvidia posted $17 billion in sales to China last year. “Banning the H20 makes little sense to us. H20 performance is low, well below already-available Chinese alternatives; a ban essentially simply hands the Chinese AI market over to Huawei,” analyst Stacy Rasgon told investors Wednesday. The left-wing New York Times (NYT) on Wednesday noted the politics of the Nvidia situation are complicated, as leading Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts is strongly in favor of restricting H20 sales to China. Warren wrote a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Monday urging restrictions on H20 sales without “further delay” because she felt even the throttled-down chip sold to China was powerful enough to jeopardize U.S. national security, and because U.S. companies are having difficulty sourcing all of the artificial intelligence chips they need. Nvidia’s position on the matter also seems delicate, as CEO Jensen Huang invested considerable effort in blocking export restrictions on the company’s chips. Just one day before the new restrictions were announced, the White House applauded Nvidia for committing $500 billion to manufacture AI equipment in the United States. Nvidia shares were down seven percent on Wednesday after news of the export restrictions broke. The Nvidia H20 was not the only electronics export to China that was restricted on Monday; another company, Advanced Micro Devices, also slipped seven percent on Wednesday due to export restrictions, while chipmakers like Qualcomm lost two to three percent of their value. Related: Nvidia 04/15/2025 Nvidia announces plans to make AI supercomputers in US for first time Nvidia 03/21/2025 AI chipmaker Nvidia to invest billions in US amid Trump onshoring push: CEO Nvidia 03/14/2025 Freed hostage says he saw Avinatan Or alive in captivity, marking first sign of life |
Link |
Economy |
Qualcomm approached Intel about a takeover: report |
2024-09-23 |
[NYPOST] Qualcomm made a takeover approach to chipmaker Intel in recent days, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. Intel's shares closed up 3.3%, while Qualcomm was down 2.9%. Intel has been attempting to turn its business around by focusing on its chip foundry unit and artificial intelligence processors, but its shares have plummeted in recent months as it cut jobs, suspended its dividend and faced a high-profile board member resignation. A deal was far from certain, the WSJ report said, adding that even if Intel is receptive to an offer from Qualcomm, a deal of that size would attract antitrust scrutiny. To get the deal done, Qualcomm could intend to sell assets or parts of Intel to other buyers, according to the report. Related: Qualcomm 11/04/2023 The Hamas Wing of the Democrat Party Now Numbers 45 Qualcomm 11/26/2022 Ukrainian Perspective: Invasion of Ukraine: November 25th, 2022 Qualcomm 08/13/2022 A blockade of Taiwan would cripple China's economy |
Link |
Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
The Hamas Wing of the Democrat Party Now Numbers 45 |
2023-11-04 |
[Hot Air/ X Publish] Sara Jacobs (CA) is the granddaughter of Irwin Jacobs (D-Qualcomm creator) but is banging (allegedly) local (San Diego) perennial loser Dem Pol Ammar Campa-Najjar, a Latino/Paleo
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Link |
Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
Ukrainian Perspective: Invasion of Ukraine: November 25th, 2022 |
2022-11-26 |
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. [Korrespondent] 22:51 The permanent delegation of the Verkhovna Rada in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will boycott the work of the organization after the permanent committee failed to change the rules to expel the Russian Federation, member of the delegation Yevgenia Kravchuk said. In protest, the representatives of Estonia and Lithuania, together with the Ukrainian delegates, left the meeting of the standing committee. ![]() 22:47 Zelensky said that during today's conversation with Ursula von der Leyen, they agreed on another 500 million euros in addition to 2.5 billion by the end of the year and discussed the preparation of a support package for next year. We also agreed on new steps to provide energy support to Ukraine. 22:29 Zelensky, in an evening video message, acknowledged the problems with the Points of Invincibility: "Points of Indestructibility have been deployed throughout the country. But I know that, unfortunately, not all cities have done a quality job. In particular, there are many complaints in Kiev. In fact, only points that are deployed on the basis of the State Emergency Service and at the capital's railway station, and other points, to put it mildly, still need to be worked on. Please pay attention. Kiev residents need more protection." The president also stressed that as of this evening, 600,000 subscribers in the city were disconnected, many Kievans were without electricity for more than 20 or even 30 hours: “I expect quality work from the city hall. As well as lies in reports of different levels." In total, according to Zelensky, more than 4,000 points are now deployed across the country, "and it is the responsibility of every local leader to ensure that everything that should be for people really works for them." 22:21 At least one Russian from among the occupation administration has been eliminated in Mariupol, Mayor's adviser Petr Andryushchenko said, citing local resistance. Yesterday, a VAZ car exploded near the occupation administration. The driver - a military official from among those who arrived with a new Gauleiter - did not survive. At least two Russians were also injured. 22:13 Today, a train departed from Kherson to Khmelnitsky with the first hundred Kherson residents who took advantage of the free evacuation, the Ministry of Reintegration reported. Among them are 26 children, seven bedridden patients and six people with limited mobility. Upon arrival in Khmelnitsky, all evacuees will receive assistance in obtaining an IDP certificate and state financial support in the amount of UAH 2,000 per adult and UAH 3,000 for children and persons with disabilities. All of them will be settled free of charge and receive humanitarian aid, the ministry assured. 21:57 Zelensky said in an evening video message that on the evening of November 25, power outages continue in most regions and in Kiev - a total of more than 6 million subscribers. The President urged Ukrainians in all regions to consume electricity economically. He also said that from Wednesday, November 23, until today, he managed to halve the number of people whose electricity is turned off to stabilize the system. Most of the problems now are in the capital, as well as in the Kyiv region, Odessa, Lvov, Vinnitsa and Dnepropetrovsk. 20:43 Duda said that the remnants of the second rocket, which was previously reported, were not found in Pszewoduv. According to the Polish President, during the investigation it was established that after a massive shelling of Ukraine, a Ukrainian missile defense missile exploded on the territory of Poland: let's not interfere." Duda added that two missiles exploded - one in Poland, the second - on the territory of Ukraine: "I know that at first there was information about two missiles. After investigative actions, the remnants of the second missile were not found in Poland. the territory of Poland, but on the territory of Ukraine". At the same time, he stressed that "it was a tragic incident that happened through the fault of Russia." 20:26 Hungarian President Katalin Novak will visit Kiev and will become the highest-ranking representative of this state who will visit Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion, writes Index. According to the Hungarian publication, Novak will visit Ukraine at the invitation of Zelensky. 19:44 Zelensky said that he had discussed the Grain from Ukraine initiative with Ursula von der Leyen: “He thanked for the large-scale financial assistance from the EU and the work on the ninth sanctions package that had begun. He stressed that the price cap for Russian oil should be effective. We also discussed cooperation for Ensuring the Energy Stability of Ukraine". 19:27 As of 19:00, a significant deficit remains in the energy system - 30% of consumption needs, Ukrenergo reported. The phased restoration of the energy system continues, and electricity is being connected to household consumers. 19:24 Korea will provide high-power generators for Ukraine, Ukrainian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Dmitry Ponomarenko said: "An agreement has been reached with the Korean side on the transfer of 20 450-500 kW generators and five DOOSAN DX17Z mini-excavators to Ukraine as humanitarian aid." 19:19 GUR MOU, thanks to cooperation with the charitable foundation of Serhiy Prytula, which placed the ICEYE satellite at the disposal of Ukrainian intelligence officers, conducted space radar reconnaissance of about 150 areas of the enemy’s location both in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and in the territory of the occupier and his allies. In total, thanks to the project, the location of about 2,600 pieces of military equipment was discovered and confirmed. The data obtained using the satellite made it possible to effectively determine the hidden placement of the enemy in forest plantations, in any weather and at night, the GUR reported. 19:15 In Simferopol, the "authorities" inform the population about actions in case of an air raid alarm, as well as chemical and bacteriological danger, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in the evening summary. 18:57 If Ukraine enters into negotiations with the Russian Federation without winning on the battlefield, then there will be no strong peace, Stoltenberg said: "If the West allows Putin to win, then the price will be higher than the terrible beginning of winter for Ukraine and Europe: other authoritarian leaders will see that strength is rewarded and they will use it to achieve their goal. It would make our world more dangerous." 18:40 In each region of Ukraine, from 200 to 400 thousand consumers are now without power supply, Shmyhal said: "The entire main high-voltage infrastructure is working, but problems persist in the distribution networks of regional energy companies throughout the state. On average, from 200 to 400 thousand consumers are de-energized in each areas at certain hours. 18:34 The Cabinet of Ministers has banned the export of firewood, Shmyhal said: "In many communities, especially front-line ones, wood is now the main resource for heating." 17:56 As a result of a new shelling by the Russian army, Ukraine experienced the first blackout. For the second day in a row, power engineers continue to return light to people's homes without rest. Meanwhile, the Ukrainians themselves help the Armed Forces, believe in our victory and demonstrate that it is possible to live without electricity, water and heat, but most importantly without the Russians. About how our citizens have adapted - in the material In the dark, but without you. 17:23 Norway is giving Ukraine a new package of military aid, Defense Minister Bern Arild Gram said. The package includes: self-propelled gun mount M109 caliber 155 mm; 20 thousand spare parts for previously provided gun mounts; 55 thousand units of winter military clothing; 55 thousand dressings and individual packages; 30 thousand dry rations. 17:14 Putin said that "the Donbass should have been annexed to Russia" earlier - "maybe there wouldn't have been so many victims then." According to him, since 2014, the Russian Federation "sincerely hoped to agree that the Donbass would return to Ukraine," but "did not fully feel the mood of the people." 16:53 The IAEA has confirmed that all operating nuclear power plants in Ukraine have again gained access to the national grid. 16:12 USAID donated 80 generators to Ukraine, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said: "While Russia is trying to turn off the power, USAID is providing 80 generators to keep the power supply going. This assistance is only part of the U.S. response to Russia's brutal and persistent attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure". 16:01 Due to constant Russian shelling, Kherson authorities are evacuating hospital patients. Thus, children who were treated in the Kherson Regional Clinical Hospital were transferred to Nikolaev, and 100 patients of the Kherson Regional Psychiatric Institution will be treated in Odessa. The head of the OVA, Yaroslav Yanushevich, recalled that all residents of the Kherson region who wish to evacuate to safer regions of Ukraine can contact the regional administration. 15:57 The situation with nuclear power plants in Ukraine is becoming more and more dangerous, said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi: "The complete and simultaneous loss of external power supply to Ukrainian nuclear power plants demonstrates that the situation with nuclear safety in the country is becoming more unstable, complex and potentially dangerous." Grossi emphasized that for the first time all stations simultaneously lose external power: "It was impossible to imagine before this tragic war. And this is very worrying. All military actions that threaten the security of Ukraine's nuclear facilities must be immediately stopped." 15:21 Zelensky, in his speech at the international symposium The Idea of Europe, called on European countries to limit Russian oil prices at $30 per barrel: "There are words about the level of $60 or $70. Undoubtedly, such words are giveaways, more like "I'm grateful to our Baltic colleagues, Polish colleagues for their proposals. A price cap of $30 per barrel of oil seems to be a better proposal." 15:17 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said that, according to the conclusion of the UN monitoring mission in the field of law, the video with the killed Russian soldiers in Ukraine "is highly likely to be genuine." He also stated that the circumstances of the execution of Russian prisoners of war in Ukraine should be investigated as much as possible, and those responsible should be brought to justice. 15:08 The SBU checked the premises on the territory of the Chernivtsi-Bukovina diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP) and found documents confirming the presence of Russian citizenship among the leadership of the diocesan structures. Correspondence between the leaders of the diocese and Moscow curators was also found, in which they receive "manuals" on the "features" of holding church liturgies after a full-scale invasion. Representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church set the task of disinformation about the socio-political situation in Ukraine and the situation at the front. In particular, they demanded that the priests of the UOC deny the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, talk about the alleged oppression of the "Moscow church", etc. In addition, the SBU found warehouses with wholesale batches of pro-Kremlin literature praising Russia and calling to support the occupiers. During the examination of the computers of the leadership of the diocese, photocopies of certificates of Russians who participated in hostilities against Ukrainian troops were found, in particular, a certificate of a hero of Russia, signed by the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation for the "seizure of Crimea" in 2014. 15:04 France sent 100 powerful generators to Ukraine, Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said: "100 French generators are already on their way to Ukraine. We remind you that strikes on civilian infrastructure are war crimes." 14:59 Russia is committing war crimes by launching missile strikes on Ukrainian energy, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili said: "The constant Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure are causing a huge humanitarian crisis for millions of Ukrainians. These are unacceptable war crimes, the civilian population suffers from this. Georgia supports strong and steadfast Ukrainian people". 14:56 Riga will give Kiev power generators and heat guns, Ukrainian Ambassador to Latvia Alexander Mishchenko said. In particular, the partners will hand over 84 generators and 100 heat guns. 14:41 Foreign companies are helping to send Russian missiles to Ukraine, according to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. In particular, missiles do not reach targets without clear coordinates defining navigation systems. To control missiles, the Russian Federation uses its own development of GLONASS, an analogue of GPS. According to Ukrainian military intelligence, there is a weak point in the Russian navigation system - GLONASS depends on microchips produced by foreign companies. Russian missiles and drones have foreign-made GLONASS-enabled microchips—usually civilian chips, but the Russians use them for military purposes. The chips receive and process GLONASS coordinates, and missiles use this information to navigate in space and aim at Ukrainian civilian and energy infrastructure. A number of foreign companies still continue to produce microchips with GLONASS support. Among them, in particular, Linx Technologies, Broadcom, Qualcomm and others. Russia, in turn, continues to purchase GLONASS-enabled microchips through numerous front companies and distributors. 13:35 Prague is transferring equipment to Kiev and Nikolaev, said the mayor of the Czech capital, Zdenek Grzyb: "We are sending a package of assistance from Prague to those who suffer from the genocide of Ukrainians committed by Russia. These are 626 heaters - 400 for Kiev, 226 for Nikolaev, and 18 units - 10 for Kyiv, 8 for Mykolaiv, and 22 million CZK worth of medical equipment for the Center for Public Health and the Ministry of Health… We will support Ukraine until its victory, and beyond during the post-war reconstruction.” 13:29 Eastern European NATO countries were able to significantly increase the production of Soviet-style ammunition that Ukraine needs, Stoltenberg said. At the same time, the Secretary General called military assistance to Ukraine "the most urgent task" and assured that NATO would continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary. 13:12 Peskov called "incorrect" the interpretation of Zelensky's words on Crimea as Ukraine's readiness for peace. In his opinion, the statements made speak of "the unwillingness and unwillingness of Kyiv to solve problems by non-military methods, Zelensky talks about the alienation of Russian territory, this is out of the question." 13:03 In Kherson and nearby settlements, the restoration of networks for the supply of electricity is being completed, the head of the OVA, Yaroslav Yanushevich, said. He urged local residents not to turn on electrical appliances as soon as the light turns on, but to leave only the lights on, as voltage fluctuations are possible. 12:39 British Foreign Minister James Cleverley, after a meeting with Zelensky, announced further support for Ukraine: "President Volodymyr Zelensky, the UK supports you with deeds, not words. I made this promise to you today. The UK intends to keep it." 12:07 Stoltenberg said that a "terrible winter" could await Ukraine. According to the Secretary General, the Foreign Ministers of the NATO countries at a meeting in Bucharest will decide the issue of expanding assistance to Ukraine. In particular, it will include fuel and medicines. 11:43 Ukrenergo reports that as of 11:00, electricity producers have provided more than 70% of the country's consumption needs. First of all, critical infrastructure facilities are connected in all areas: boiler houses, gas distribution stations, water utilities, treatment facilities, public electric transport operates in some regions. Nuclear power plants are gaining capacity, the needs of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant have been supplied. Thermal and hydroelectric power stations, combined heat and power plants are operating, part of the "green" generation has joined the work. However, the shortage of electricity in the system remains: now it is 30% of the total consumption. In this regard, both planned and emergency schedules for limiting consumption have been introduced in all regions of Ukraine. 11:00 Over the past day, the Russians fired at the territory of the Kherson region 49 times. In just a day, ten civilians were killed, another 54 people were injured, said the head of the UVA, Yaroslav Yanushevich. 10:44 The General Staff announced the approximate losses of the enemy on the morning of November 25. The enemy suffered the greatest losses in the Bakhmut and Liman directions.
10:19 British intelligence writes that the majority of Russian mobilized people face the same problems - inadequate assessment of the medical board for fitness for service, insufficient additional training and equipment, involvement in very dangerous and exhausting tasks. The mobilized reservists most likely suffered very heavy losses after they were assigned to dig a giant system of trenches under shelling in the Svatovo region, analysts say. In the Donetsk region, many reservists died during frontal attacks on well-prepared Ukrainian defense lines in the Bakhmut area. British intelligence believes that the Kremlin is likely to fear growing discontent in the families of the mobilized, which may encourage them to protest, despite the fear of reprisals. 10:11 Head of Ukrenergo Volodymyr Kudrytsky said that in 1-2 days all subscribers will be transferred from emergency shutdowns to planned ones. According to him, the Ukrainian energy system has already passed the most difficult stage after the attack: "All regions are connected, the energy system is again connected to the energy system of the European Union. All three nuclear power plants located in the non-occupied territory are operating. In 1-2 days they will reach their normal planned capacity , and we expect that it will be possible to transfer our consumers instead of emergency to planned schedules." 09:52 A reliable and effective air and missile defense system of Ukraine in the future can be integrated with NATO and European systems, Yermak said during a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Commission. 09:23 Lithuania will help Ukraine with the restoration of energy infrastructure, said Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte. According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Energy, Vilnius has already provided material assistance for the restoration of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure in the amount of 3 million euros, another 2 million euros should be provided in the near future. 09:19 The head of the Lugansk OVA, Serhiy Gaidai, announced "positive news" in the directions of Svatovo and Kremennaya, but stressed that "it is now necessary to be silent." He also said that about 200 trucks with building materials, in particular, the so-called "dragon's teeth" are going towards Svatovo - the Russians are strengthening the defense there. In Belogorivka, constant attacks by the invaders continue, but the Ukrainian forces are confidently holding the line. The de-occupied villages suffer from the constant fire of the Russians - they hit with Grads, Hurricanes, Tornadoes. 09:15 In Kiev, 50% of the housing stock is operating in emergency power outage mode, the KGVA reported. Water supply in the capital has been fully restored, but some consumers may still experience low water pressure. Heat supply is being restored. 09:12 On the night of November 25, the enemy struck from the MLRS on the port area and the settlement of the Ochakovo community, as a result of which one person was injured. Residential buildings are damaged, among them one multi-storey building, said the head of the Nikolaev OVA Vitaly Kim. 08:37 In the Donetsk region over the past day, as a result of enemy shelling, three civilians were injured - in Bakhmut, Vuhledar and Krasnogorovka, the head of the OVA Pavel Kirilenko said. 08:08 Over the past day, units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine repulsed the attacks of the invaders in the areas of the settlements of Stelmakhovka and Dibrova in the Luhansk region and Belogorovka, Yakovlevka, Bakhmutskoye, Bakhmut, Experienced, Pervomayskoye, Krasnogorovka, Maryinka and Novomikhailovka in the Donetsk region, the General Staff said in the morning summary . 07:33 British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley went to Ukraine , the office of the Foreign Minister said. As part of the visit, Cleverly will meet with Zelenskiy and Kuleba and also announce £3m to rebuild vital Ukrainian infrastructure and £5m to a Kyiv-led grain initiative. 05:40 Energy ministers of the EU countries have previously agreed on a mechanism for regulating the gas market, which, among other things, excludes Russian gas from joint purchases, the EU Council said. 04:12 British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace advised the Ukrainian army to keep the momentum of the offensive in the winter, using its advantage over the enemy: "Given the advantage that Ukrainians have in training, equipment and quality of personnel over demoralized, poorly trained, poorly equipped Russians, in Ukraine's interests would be to maintain momentum throughout the winter." Wallace stressed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces received 300,000 sets of winter clothing from the international community, which is important for the winter offensive: “A Russian unit was recently deployed without food, without socks and with few weapons. This is catastrophic for a person walking in the field ... Russians have scales, but they are not very good. Well, most of the good ones have died." 03:50 IAEA experts arrived at all Ukrainian nuclear power plants to provide staff with support and assistance, the agency's director general Rafael Grossi said. 03:17 For nine months of a full-scale war against Ukraine, Russia has spent 82 billion dollars , which is a quarter of its annual budget, Forbes calculated. The estimate includes direct spending needed to support the war effort, but does not include stable defense spending or economic losses. 00:28 Zelensky, in an interview with the Financial Times, called decisions that do not involve the de-occupation of Crimea a waste of time: "I understand that everyone is puzzled by the situation and what will happen to Crimea. If someone is ready to offer us a way to de-occupy Crimea in a non-military way, I will only for... If the decision does not provide for de-occupation and Crimea is part of the Russian Federation, no one should waste their time on this. It is a waste of time." |
Link |
China-Japan-Koreas |
A blockade of Taiwan would cripple China's economy |
2022-08-13 |
[ASPIstrategist] China’s live-fire drills surrounding Taiwan over the weekend simulated an economic blockade, with Chinese forces positioned to halt access to the island nation’s main ports. Dozens of ships heading to or from North Asia were forced to shift their routes or slow down to keep clear of the danger zones in both the Taiwan Strait and on the island’s eastern seaboard. An average of 240 ships a day normally pass through the area. However, the demonstration of China’s military prowess, showing how easily it could seal both Taiwan’s maritime and air access to the rest of the world, served to underline China’s own economic vulnerability. If a real Chinese blockade were challenged by the United States and the Taiwan Strait were designated a war zone, trade finance and insurance would evaporate for all shipping in the area. Any real-life disruption of the sea lanes to the east and west of Taiwan would have a crippling effect on China’s own economy, since its major ports of Shanghai, Dalian, Tianjin and others are dependent on passage through waters near Taiwan. The Taiwan Strait is the major conduit for shipping from North Asia, including China, Japan and Korea, to the rest of the world, and it’s also the most direct route from South China to the US. The great majority of Australia’s iron ore trade passes Taiwan en route to the northern Chinese bulk ports, as do its shipments to Japan and Korea. Analysis by Bloomberg showed that just under half the world’s container ships passed through the Taiwan Strait in the first seven months of this year. Among the largest 10% of the global container fleet, 88% made use of the waterway. Tankers carrying around 1 million barrels of oil transit the strait every day. Although it is possible for ships bound for North Asia to avoid the strait, which is only 130 kilometres wide at its narrowest, the alternative route to the east of Taiwan through the Luzon Strait with Philippines is vulnerable to cyclones. China’s foreign ministry earlier this year asserted that it had ‘sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait’ and that it was false to claim it was an international waterway. China’s military operations serve to underline its claims. The US State Department responded that it was an international waterway ‘where high seas freedoms, including freedom of navigation and overflight, are guaranteed under international law’. Commercial flights were also interrupted by China’s military exercise. Korean Air, Singapore Airlines and Asiana Airlines suspended flights to Taipei, while other airlines, such as Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific, said they were avoiding the designated zones. Airlines are accustomed to diverting around warzones and military exercises; however, any blockade of Taiwan’s airspace would have profound economic effects. A large share of Taiwan’s exports is carried by air freight rather than by sea. Taiwan is the undisputed king of the integrated circuit, responsible for 63% of the global contract manufacture of microchips, with the lion’s share of that accounted for by a single company, TSMC, which is the major supplier to Apple, Intel, Qualcomm and Nvidia. Taiwan’s market share for high-value integrated circuits smaller than 10 nanometres is 92%. Alongside its fabrication is an ecosystem of integrated circuit design, packaging and supplies such as silicon wafers. Taiwan’s total integrated circuit exports earn around US$140 billion a year, and it is also an important supplier of other high-technology and high-value equipment. China is itself the destination for about half of Taiwan’s exports of integrated circuits. Taiwan-sourced chips are central to China’s exports of electronic goods. Concern about the fate of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry in the wake of any conflict with China contributed to the US Senate approving a US$280 billion bill over the weekend to bolster its domestic chip manufacturing. Any companies taking up the generous grants on offer must commit not to upgrade their Chinese plants for a decade. TSMC has built a US$12 billion fabrication plant in Arizona in response to US concerns. The firm’s chairman, Mark Liu, last week sought to refute the notion that China could gain control of its operations by seizing Taiwan by force. ‘Nobody can control TSMC by force. If you take a military force or invasion, you will render TSMC[’s] factory not operable,’ Liu said. ‘Because this is such a sophisticated manufacturing facility, it depends on real-time connection with the outside world, with Europe, with Japan, with [the] US, from materials to chemicals to spare parts to engineering software and diagnosis.’ Any sustained blockade of Taiwan would make the disruption to microchip supplies during the Covid-19 epidemic look trivial. An analysis of Taiwan’s microchip sector by the Hong Kong–based Hinrich Foundation notes that integrated circuits are now the fourth most widely traded category of goods, behind crude and refined oil and automobiles. |
Link |
Science & Technology |
Apple Is Reportedly Close to Making More of Its Chips In-House |
2021-12-18 |
[InterestingEngineering] With proprietary modems coming as early as 2023. A major big tech player is going more in-house than ever. Apple might be bringing more of its chip production process in-house, since it announced it was establishing a new office designed to replace several crucial components that, until now, were developed by Skyworks and Broadcom, according to an initial Bloomberg report. While the global chip shortage is significant to this decision, it's unclear how rising tensions between the U.S. and China will play into Apple's production practices. Apple has shown interest in developing its own 5G chips The newly formed office is slated to specialize in the development of "wireless radios, radio-frequency integrated circuits and a wireless system-on-a-chip," while also building "semiconductors for connecting to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi," added the report. The M- and A-Series SoCs that include the GPU and CPU for Apple's iPhones and Macs will be the primary benefactors of this move, there are plenty of other chips inside of these machines. And they manage a wide variety of things, from USB connectivity, wireless charging, and much more. Broadcom and Skyworks provide a vast array of the iPhone's third-party-sourced parts, according to iFixit's iPhone 13 Pro breakdown. But now, it seems Apple has decided to design its own chips for this hardware. At present, one of the most significant third-party chips housed within the iPhone's modem is produced by Qualcomm. In the past, Apple had briefly pivoted to Intel parts amid a legal battle that lasted years. But it's not a big secret that Apple has laid plans to develop its own 5G chips, instead of relying on and paying the price for Qualcomm's. And there were many hints along the way: in 2019, Apple bought Intel's smartphone modem business for roughly $1 billion. Since then, its become known that Apple is considering pivoting to its own proprietary modems for its iPhones, possibly as early as 2023, according to a report from The Verge. INDUSTRIES ARE BUILDING UP DOMESTIC PRODUCTION AMID TENSE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Many might suspect that Apple is only doing this because it wants to expand control of its complex product, so that all hardware is sourced from no one but Apple itself. But this could be a means of shoring up its production flow against the vacillating market supply chain. Apple is already experiencing the effects of the global chip supply shortage, especially for parts developed by suppliers like Broadcom. These shortages have already forced Apple to fall back on its initial production targets for October. But if it moves all of the chip-making phases of iPhone, Mac, and other device production to in-house sources, the company would be much more resilient in the face of increasing economic pressure points, which extend beyond the immediate problems of the supply chain. Many industries are already moving more of their production capacities in-house, but some are even turning more toward domestic sourcing. Earlier this month, General Motors signed a deal to extract rare metals for the motors in electric vehicles from North America, specifically from MP Materials' mine in Mountain Pass, California. With mounting tensions between the U.S. and China, it would be tempting to think Apple is also looking for ways to secure its chip manufacturing process outside of China. Except for the $275-billion deal that Apple CEO Tim Cook signed with officials in China back in 2016. This suggests that, were a conflict to unfortunately erupt, it's hard to say how Apple would react, since its revenue comes from a global, and not a national market. |
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Home Front: Politix |
San Diego's Sara Jacobs (D) sworn in as the youngest U.S. House representative in California |
2021-01-23 |
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Fifth Column |
The Strange Story of a Las Vegas Radio Station Co-Opted by China |
2020-04-29 |
[Washington Free Beacon] At first glance, Las Vegas Public Radio (LVPR) looks like any other local FM radio station. It has local community sponsors, vaguely right-wing talk show hosts, and a website begging for a makeover. But there's a disclaimer on the bottom of that website noting that, contrary to the name, the station is not an NPR affiliate. That disclaimer makes no mention of the fact that LVPR, the self-proclaimed "People's Voice of Las Vegas," is registered to lobby for Huawei Technologies, a Chinese company widely considered a national security threat to the United States. Funded in part by Nevada taxpayers, according to its founder, LVPR has also developed close ties with Chinese officials and, under the guise of a local American radio station, it has become a voice for a Chinese technology giant that the Trump administration and other national security experts have identified as a threat to the global communications network. Federal disclosures show that the station is registered to lobby for Huawei and, in that capacity, has scheduled programming to push back against mounting concerns that the company could serve as a conduit for Chinese espionage if it builds the 5G network in the United States. "We'll tell the American people that Huawei is being f—ed in America by politicians," LVPR founder and president Gregory LaPorta told the Washington Free Beacon. "They are no different from Qualcomm and Google ... [Huawei] wants a place in the world like anyone else." LaPorta blamed the station's rocky finances on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a government-backed entity that offers grants to public broadcasters. LaPorta said the CPB's refusal to offer financial support for his station has forced him to seek revenue elsewhere, including China. "This is why we're going out of the country. Our own f—ing country has let us down," LaPorta said. "They don't want to support us? F— them." "We're not going to be a fake news agency," he said. He dismissed concerns about China's routine suppression of the freedom of the press, and expressed no qualms working with the Chinese government, given what he saw as the corrupt nature of the American government. "The United States has probably more sins than the Chinese," he said. "America, we're the most corrupt nation on Earth, probably, at this point." Looking for that sweet PressTV $ too? |
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Science & Technology | |
Microsoft hires ex-AG Holder to audit Israeli face-scanning firm | |
2019-11-18 | |
[IsraelTimes] Software giant has come under scrutiny over its investment in AnyVision, whose surveillance technology is used to track Palestinians.
Inaction JacksonHolder ... aka Mister Fast and Furious... to review its investment in an Israeli facial recognition startup that scans faces at military checkpoints in the West Bank. Microsoft said in a statement Friday that Holder will lead a team of former federal prosecutors conducting an audit. Its aim is to determine whether Israeli firm AnyVision’s technology applications comply with Microsoft’s ethical principles against using facial recognition for mass surveillance. Microsoft’s announcement came in the wake of an October 28 MSNBC report on its investment. AnyVision announced a $74 million investment in June from a group including Microsoft’s venture capital arm. The firm and its Microsoft backing attracted public scrutiny as the Israeli military installed face scanners at border crossings where Paleostinians enter Israel from the West Bank. A recent report by Israeli business paper The Marker said that the Israeli military also uses technology provided by AnyVision in cameras dotting the Paleostinian territories. The cameras and database are being used to identify and track potential Paleostinian assailants, the report said. Another investor in AnyVision is the US semiconductor and telecommunications equipment firm Qualcomm. AnyVision was founded in 2015 by Eylon Etshtein and Prof. Neil Roberston and has Tamir Pardo, a former head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service, on its advisory board, according to its website. Related: Eric Holder: 2019-10-02 Ex-Attorney General Eric Holder butt hurt with Bill Barr Investigation of IC Eric Holder: 2019-09-05 'Act of war': Mattis says Obama's inept response to Cafe Milano bomb plot 'emboldened' Iran Eric Holder: 2019-08-22 Customs and Border Protection rebuked by watchdog and whistleblowers for 'failure' to collect DNA from migrant detainees | |
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China-Japan-Koreas |
Former Top MI6 Spy Reveals Huawei 99% Owned by China Communist Union |
2019-05-27 |
In ’Defending Our Data: Huawei, 5G and the Five Eyes,’ Dearlove reports that by undercutting the prices of once dominant European telecom network equipment by 18-30 percent, Huawei’s sales rose from $4.6 billion in in 2014 to $105 billion in 2018. Although customers give high marks to Huawei for quality and reliability, the key to achieving its 41 percent global telecom network infrastructure share has been Chinese state-owned banks lending $10 billion directly to Huawei or indirectly to its customers. With a purported a $100 billion Chinese bank credit line, Huawei was positioned to gain an even more dominant market share with the roll-out of fifth generation cellular network technology (5G), before President Trump placed Huawei Technologies, Inc. on the U.S. Commerce Department's "Entity List," that bans American companies from selling components to Huawei without a U.S. government license. President Trump’s actions may have reduced Huawei’s potential sales by up to 60 percent, due to follow-on bans by U.S. allies in Europe, Japan, Australia, and Canada and others. But given that Huawei runs on Google Android software and gets its chips from Intel and Qualcomm, the U.S. ban may be the equivalent of a technological death sentence. |
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