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[Myanmar] Former Junta Deputy Leader Maung Aye Hospitalized
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Zelensky - what possessed you?
I'll give Zelensky the benefit of the doubt up until he made the "cross the ocean" comment. That was ridiculous and I'm not shocked that Trump lost his temper. "Don't you tell us how we will feel," said Trump. And it all went wrong from there. What possessed you, Zelensky. What possessed you? -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Saturday 1 March 2025
Thai Vendor Calls Cops on Russian for Beer Theft Photo via Channel 7 In Rayong, Thailand, a 53-year-old Russian man named Mark caused a commotion at a local food stall. Owner Yupaporn, 35, called the police after Mark drank beer without paying and tried giving away more for free. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1353185-thai-vendor-calls-cops-on-russian-for-beer-theft/ -
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Keir Starmer’s US Trip Exceeds Expectations as He Builds Rapport with Trump
No. 10 will likely see this US visit as a resounding success, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer managing to establish a genuine rapport with former President Donald Trump. Despite their stark differences, Trump appeared receptive to Starmer, reinforcing the idea that, for him, personal relationships are key. Ahead of the bilateral summit, those close to Starmer emphasized that the two leaders had developed a good relationship, with mutual respect and understanding. According to sources, the prime minister could speak candidly with Trump without fear of provoking a negative reaction. What unfolded confirmed this assessment—there was visible warmth between the two, and Trump appeared open to engaging with Starmer. For No. 10, this trip could not have gone better. One of the UK’s key priorities was securing US security guarantees for Ukraine in any potential peace deal with Russia, but Trump did not fully commit on that front. Despite this, Starmer will have much to discuss with European leaders at the upcoming London summit on Sunday. The most significant development from the press conference was the discussion on trade. Trump has been making headlines with threats of tariffs on US allies. While he did not explicitly rule out imposing tariffs on the UK, he expressed interest in negotiating a trade deal that might allow Britain to avoid them. This would be a major win for Starmer, who likely did not anticipate such a concession. For a UK government eager to strengthen trade ties with the US to boost economic growth, this is a promising development. However, lingering questions remain over potential disagreements on key issues such as food standards and NHS access. Regardless of these challenges, Starmer will be pleased with how the visit unfolded. The trip not only bolstered his standing on the world stage but also positioned the UK favorably in ongoing negotiations with both the US and European allies. Based on a report by Sky News 2025-03-01 -
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Alina Habba Confirms New Criminal Prosecutions Expected Following Epstein File Release
Americans should prepare for new criminal prosecutions against individuals linked to Jeffrey Epstein’s illicit sex trafficking network, according to Alina Habba, Counselor to the President. She emphasized the need to hold accountable those who appeared on Epstein’s client list and those who shielded their associates from exposure as perpetrators of heinous crimes. “I think it would be negligent for us not to,” she stated. “You have to hold individuals who are indeed rapists accountable. We have to have them tried, in my opinion.” She further insisted, “Nobody should be just dismissed. You have to have your time in court, and your case will be heard.” Expressing her frustration, she added, “But to hide lists, to protect political friends, all of that – we don’t have time for that.” Despite these strong assertions, The New York Post reported that a client list is not included in the initial release. The files, which circulated around the White House on Thursday afternoon, were labeled ‘phase one,’ hinting that additional disclosures would follow. A source who reviewed the documents in the West Wing suggested that the release might not deliver the explosive revelations many anticipated linking Epstein to prominent political and business figures. To date, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell remains the only person convicted in connection to the Epstein case. Maxwell, a longtime associate of Epstein, was found guilty in 2021 of federal charges related to sex trafficking, recruiting young girls for the operation, child sexual abuse, and prostitution. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel were present at the White House on Thursday morning in anticipation of the release of the so-called Epstein Files. Bondi received the documents earlier in the week and stated they would be made public by Thursday. Habba acknowledged a widespread sense of frustration regarding accountability in the Epstein case, saying, “There’s a general frustration with accountability – we take it halfway, we don’t take it home.” She added, “And I really believe now with Kash and Pam there will be accountability.” She also suggested that the scope of the scandal is “far worse” than many had previously thought. This assertion followed Bondi’s revelation that there are 250 victims whose identities must be protected. “We have to be patient… when you’re dealing with victims,” Habba told Morgan. Since Epstein’s death in August 2019, there has been widespread concern that justice would never be fully served, leaving the victims without closure and Epstein’s network of co-conspirators shielded by the government. However, in an effort to bring transparency, President Trump issued an executive order last month directing Bondi to release previously classified records, including the Epstein Files, as well as documents related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. This move marks a significant step toward uncovering the full extent of Epstein’s operations and ensuring justice for the victims. Based on a report by The Daily Mail 2025-03-01 -
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Donald Trump has set his sights on Afghanistan’s vast mineral reserves
Donald Trump has set his sights on Afghanistan’s vast mineral reserves as a potential solution for financing reconstruction efforts following 16 years of war that have cost the United States an estimated $117 billion. The country’s untapped wealth—gold, silver, platinum, iron ore, copper, and even lithium—has been touted as a path to economic self-sufficiency. However, experts remain deeply skeptical, dismissing the notion as a pipe dream given Afghanistan’s instability, corruption, and lack of infrastructure. A United States Geological Survey study conducted over a decade ago identified mineral deposits that were later estimated to be worth as much as $1 trillion. Afghan and foreign officials alike have since heralded these reserves as a means to free Afghanistan from reliance on foreign aid. Beyond its gold and silver deposits, Afghanistan also boasts significant quantities of uranium, zinc, tantalum, bauxite, coal, and natural gas. Some reports even suggest that Afghanistan could become the “Saudi Arabia of lithium,” a crucial material used in electric vehicle and smartphone batteries. Despite these resources, the country’s poor infrastructure presents major obstacles. With limited paved roads and no railway system to transport raw materials, exporting minerals remains a challenge. Corruption and bureaucratic inefficiencies further complicate mining efforts, while large swathes of the country remain under the control of insurgents, rendering many resource-rich areas inaccessible. The available geological data, much of it gathered during the Soviet occupation in the 1980s, is outdated, and conducting fresh surveys is costly in a nation where security remains a significant concern. “There is no low-hanging fruit that could trigger rapid growth and foster self-sustaining development,” stated Afghanistan’s National Peace and Development Framework, a document presented at a donor conference in Brussels last year. Even major mining projects have failed to get off the ground. The Mes Aynak copper mine, developed by a Chinese consortium, has been at a standstill for years. “There is zero active mining and very little exploration, if any,” said Leigh Fogelman, director at merchant bank Hannam & Partners in London. The firm’s founder, Ian Hannam, has been a long-time investor in Afghanistan’s mining sector through the Afghan Gold and Minerals Company (AGMC), which won the license for a copper deposit at Balkhab in 2012. Meanwhile, smaller mining operations continue to be exploited by powerful local groups, often beyond government control. Development economist William Byrd of the United States Institute of Peace has described this as “industrial-scale looting,” with the Afghan treasury losing an estimated $300 million in unpaid taxes each year. “The big mining opportunities are just languishing, and there’s looting of smaller resources everywhere,” Byrd added. As the new U.S. administration took office, Afghan officials sought to revive interest in the country’s resources. “President Trump is keenly interested in Afghanistan’s economic potential,” Afghanistan’s ambassador to Washington, Hamdullah Mohib, said in June. “Our estimated $1 trillion in copper, iron ore, rare earth elements, aluminium, gold, silver, zinc, mercury, and lithium. That’s new.” U.S. officials later confirmed that during a White House meeting in July, Trump suggested that the United States should demand a share of Afghanistan’s mineral wealth in return for its support. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis recently announced that Trump had decided on a strategy for Afghanistan following a review with national security advisors but did not disclose further details. Given Afghanistan’s fragile economy—valued at just $20 billion a year, about half the size of Wyoming’s economy—it is easy to see why the prospect of a thriving mining sector is so attractive. But private investors remain hesitant. “In the case of large, public sector investment, the situation would be different—however, there would still be the problem of building up logistics and export links,” said Fogelman. “I reckon it would still likely take years to get a meaningful large-scale operation going.” Even if private security forces were hired to protect mining sites from insurgents, the cost of extracting and exporting minerals would likely be prohibitive. A former Kabul-based mining expert recalled a conversation with a top mining firm: “They said, ‘Don’t worry, we can bring our own security detail and do the mining operation.’ But they said, ‘How are we going to get this stuff out of the country?’” A 2014 study by Afghanistan’s mining ministry identified some of the most promising lithium deposits in Ghazni province and Gowde Zereh in Helmand province—both areas largely under Taliban control. Byrd dismissed the idea that mining revenues could quickly cover Afghanistan’s security costs. “The idea that this will materialize in the near future and pay for the security sector budget is unrealistic,” he said. Based on a report by The Independent 2025-03-01 -
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Associated Press Moves Left Follow the Money
The Associated Press has long been regarded as a bastion of nonpartisan journalism, but recent developments suggest a shift in its financial model and, potentially, its editorial direction. A disclosure at the end of a recent AP investigation into American tech companies that have supported Israel’s military operations acknowledged that the organization receives financial assistance from the Omidyar Network. This admission marks a notable transition for the news cooperative, which once primarily relied on dues from member newspapers but now increasingly turns to funding from left-leaning charitable foundations. Despite these financial ties, the AP insists that its journalism remains independent and nonpartisan. Pierre Omidyar, the billionaire founder of eBay, has an estimated fortune of $12.5 billion, according to Bloomberg. His political contributions include $1 million in March 2024 to the ACLU Voter Education Fund and $450,000 in 2016 to political-action committees opposing the Trump-Pence campaign. Omidyar, his wife, and their network have previously funded openly left-wing and anti-Israel media outlets such as the Intercept and In These Times. The Intercept has challenged the New York Times’ reporting on Hamas’s widespread sexual violence against Israelis, even suggesting that the Times is biased in favor of Israel due to the late father of its current executive editor being involved in a pro-Israel media watchdog group. In These Times, which categorizes “Palestine” as a standalone section alongside “politics” and “opinion,” has been vocal in its support for boycotts against Israel and has labeled the Jewish state’s military actions as a “genocidal onslaught.” Although the Omidyar Network's grant to the AP was officially intended to support coverage of artificial intelligence, it also funded an investigation into Microsoft and Google’s involvement with the Israeli government. The AP, once known for its rigorous commitment to nonpartisanship, now risks tarnishing its reputation by accepting financial support from Omidyar. Reports suggest that the grant in question amounts to approximately $250,000—a fraction of the AP’s overall foundation-based funding. The AP’s 2023 annual report highlights a total of 81 grants amounting to $60.9 million, with contributions from organizations with clear political agendas. The KR Foundation, a Denmark-based nonprofit advocating for the rapid elimination of fossil fuels, is among AP’s backers. So is the Hewlett Foundation, which played a key role in supporting Joe Biden’s economic policies. Hewlett has contributed over $2 million to support AP reporting. An AP spokeswoman defended the organization’s independence, stating that each foundation undergoes a thorough review to ensure commitment to editorial autonomy and that the AP retains complete control over its journalism. She also described the omission of Omidyar’s name from a public list of AP funders as an “oversight” that would be corrected. The Omidyar Network, however, declined to respond to inquiries. One subject that is unlikely to receive significant investigative scrutiny from these foundation-funded media outlets is the foundations themselves—specifically, their political bias, their highly paid executives, and the effectiveness of their spending. As for the AP, it remains to be seen how its growing reliance on ideological benefactors will influence its reporting. Meanwhile, former President Trump’s decision to withdraw the AP’s special White House access may serve as a reminder to readers to approach its coverage with skepticism. In a world where journalism is increasingly intertwined with funding sources, readers will ultimately determine whether the AP’s reputation has been compromised. Based on a report by WSJ 2025-03-01
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