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Political Tensions Surge as Imran Khan's PTI Resumes March to IslamabadPolice officers stand outside the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday. Lee Jin-man/Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s government early Wednesday lifted the martial law he imposed during a tense night of political drama in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Police and military personnel were seen leaving the grounds of parliament following the bipartisan vote, and the declaration was formally lifted around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday (2:30 p.m. Tuesday ET) during a Cabinet meeting. Yoon imposed martial law late Tuesday, vowing to eliminate what he cast as “anti-state” forces as he struggles against an opposition that controls parliament and that he accuses of sympathizing with communist North Korea. Less than three hours later, parliament acted, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that the martial law was “invalid” and that lawmakers “will protect democracy with the people.” The president’s surprising move hearkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders that the country has not seen since the 1980s, and it was immediately denounced by the opposition and the leader of Yoon’s own party. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the liberal Democratic Party, which holds the majority in the 300-seat parliament, said the party’s lawmakers would remain in the Assembly’s main hall until Yoon formally lifted his order. Woo applauded how troops quickly left the Assembly after the vote. “Even with our unfortunate memories of military coups, our citizens have surely observed the events of today and saw the maturity of our military,” Woo said. While announcing his plan to lift martial law, Yoon continued to criticize parliament’s attempts to impeach key government officials and senior prosecutors and what he called lawmakers’ “unscrupulous acts of legislative and budgetary manipulation that are paralyzing the functions of the state.” Jo Seung-lae, a Democratic lawmaker, claimed that security camera footage following Yoon’s declaration showed that troops moved in a way that suggested they were trying to arrest Lee, Woo and even Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon’s People Power Party. Officials from Yoon’s office and the Defense Ministry did not respond to requests for comment early Wednesday. U.S. ‘SERIOUSLY CONCERNED’ Seemingly hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Assembly, waving banners and calling for Yoon’s impeachment. Some protesters scuffled with troops ahead of the lawmakers’ vote, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or major property damage. At least one window was broken as troops attempted to enter the Assembly building. One woman tried unsuccessfully to pull a rifle away from one of the soldiers, while shouting, “Aren’t you embarrassed?” Under South Korea’s constitution, the president can declare martial law during “wartime, war-like situations or other comparable national emergency states” that require the use of military force to maintain peace and order. It was questionable whether South Korea is currently in such a state. When martial law is declared, “special measures” can be employed to restrict the freedom of press, freedom of assembly and other rights, as well as the power of courts. The constitution also states that the president must oblige when the National Assembly demands the lifting of martial law with a majority vote. Following Yoon’s announcement, South Korea’s military proclaimed that parliament and other political gatherings that could cause “social confusion” would be suspended, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said. The military said anyone who violates the decree could be arrested without a warrant. In Washington, the White House said the U.S. was “seriously concerned” by the events in Seoul. A spokesperson for the National Security Council said President Biden’s administration was not notified in advance of the martial law announcement and was in contact with the South Korean government. Speaking at an event with Japan’s ambassador to Washington, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, a longtime Asia diplomat, reiterated that the U.S.-South Korea alliance is “ironclad” and the U.S. would “stand by Korea in their time of uncertainty.” Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said there was no effect on the more than 27,000 U.S. service members based in South Korea. They are not confined to base or under any type of curfew, Ryder said. The South Korean military also said that the country’s striking doctors should return to work within 48 hours, Yonhap said. Thousands of doctors have been striking for months over government plans to expand the number of students at medical schools. Soon after the declaration, the parliament speaker called on his YouTube channel for all lawmakers to gather at the National Assembly. He urged military and law enforcement personnel to “remain calm and hold their positions. All 190 lawmakers who participated in the vote supported the lifting of martial law. Television footage showed soldiers who had been stationed at parliament leaving the site after the vote. Hours earlier, TV showed police officers blocking the entrance of the National Assembly and helmeted soldiers carrying rifles in front of the building. An Associated Press photographer saw at least three helicopters, likely from the military, that landed inside the Assembly grounds, while two or three helicopters circled above the site. ‘HE HAS NOTHING TO LOSE’ The leader of Yoon’s conservative People Power Party called the decision to impose martial law “wrong” and vowed to “stop it with the people.” Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, said Yoon’s announcement was “illegal and unconstitutional.” Yoon said during a televised speech that martial law would help “rebuild and protect” the country from “falling into the depths of national ruin.” He said he would “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order.” “I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalize the country,” he said, while asking the people to believe in him and tolerate “some inconveniences.” Yoon – whose approval rating has dipped in recent months – has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022. Yoon’s party has been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition over next year’s budget bill. The opposition has also attempted to pass motions to impeach three top prosecutors, including the chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, in what the conservatives have called a vendetta against their criminal investigations of Lee, who has been seen as the favorite for the next presidential election in 2027 in opinion polls. During his televised announcement, Yoon also described the opposition as “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces who are plundering the freedom and happiness of our citizens,” but he did not elaborate. Yoon has taken a hard line on North Korea over its nuclear ambitions, departing from the policies of his liberal predecessor, Moon Jae-in, who pursued inter-Korean engagement. Yoon has also dismissed calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals. Yoon’s move was the first declaration of martial law since the country’s democratization in 1987. The country’s last previous martial law was in October 1979, following the assassination of former military dictator Park Chung-hee. Sydney Seiler, Korean chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, argued that the move was symbolic for Yoon to express his frustration with the opposition-controlled parliament. “He has nothing to lose,” said Seiler, comparing Yoon’s move to the Hail Mary pass in American football, where he hoped for a slim chance of success. Now Yoon is likely to be impeached, a scenario that was also possible before he made the bold move, Seiler said. Natalia Slavney, research analyst at the Stimson Center’s 38 North website that focuses on Korean affairs, said Yoon’s imposition of martial law was “a serious backslide of democracy” that followed a “worrying trend of abuse” since he took office in 2022. South Korea “has a robust history of political pluralism and is no stranger to mass protests and swift impeachments,” Slavney said, citing the example of former President Park Geun-hye. Park, the country’s first female president, was ousted from office and imprisoned for bribery and other crimes in 2017. Associated Press writers Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, and Matt Lee, Didi Tang and Tara Copp in Washington contributed to this report. We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use . More information is found on our FAQs . You can modify your screen name here . Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve. 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The first thing I do each morning is check my watch — not for the time but for my sleep score. As a runner, when the glowing red letters say my score — and my training readiness — are poor, I feel an instant dread. Regardless, I scroll on, inspecting my heart rate variability and stress level — snapshots that influence the tone I carry into the day. What does dreading my smartwatch’s interpretation of my athletic competence say about me? That I have become a pawn in the gamification of health data. Last year, electronics represented one of the largest proportions of total Black Friday sales, according to Deloitte . That’s when I bought my first smartwatch, a Garmin. This year, I’m throwing it away. I was the perfect target. For several years, I had been preparing to run my first marathon. I watched fitness influencers, ultramarathoners and Olympians optimize their training with meticulous tracking and high-tech devices. I wanted in. I got the watch and joined Strava, a social media network for athletes. Once I had a tracker on, sleep became sacred. I traded late-night socializing for it, confident that I’d cash in on race day. I built my day around my nights, transfixed by a false sense of control over my circadian rhythm. Sleep, just like my running routine, had slowly morphed from a bodily function into a technological token of productivity. I was hooked, emboldened by the illusion that I was training intuitively. I pushed hard when my Garmin nudged me, and even harder when I wanted to prove its metrics wrong. I began to run more for the PR (personal record) badge and “your fastest 5k!” notifications than for mental clarity and solitude. I ran because I loved it, and because I loved it, I fell prey to the Strava-fication of it. Suddenly, I was no longer running for myself. I was running for public consumption. I realized this only when it literally became painfully obvious. An MRI found that the lingering pain I’d been ignoring in my heels — something my watch hadn’t picked up on — was caused by four running-induced stress fractures. Recovering from the injury forced me to be sedentary, and during that time I’ve thought a lot about the app-ification of exercise culture. I’ve realized that health optimization tools — the ones marketed as necessary for better sleep, a lower resting heart rate, higher VO2 max (a measure of how much oxygen your body absorbs) and so on — are designed to profit off our fitness anxiety. We track ourselves this way and that way, obsessing over our shortcomings to no apparent end. In doing so, we are deprogrammed from listening to innate physiological signals and reprogrammed to create shadow experiences such as posting our detailed workout stats or running paths on digital walls that no one is looking at. I’ve also learned that if you stop tracking, you will feel marginally but measurably better. I don’t deny that today’s fitness gadgets are incredibly alluring, and in many ways tracking can be useful for training. I am convinced, however, that overreliance on the data collected by devices and apps — and the comparisons we draw from sharing it — can quickly corrupt and commodify what I find to be the true essence of running: being present. When we aren’t tracking, when we are just doing, we can begin to reap the dull yet profound psychological benefits of endurance sports — the repetitive silence, the consistent failure — that can’t be captured in a post or monetized. And when we endure the mundane and difficult aspects of a sport, over and over, we often make gains that are mindful as well as physical, becoming more aware of how and what we pay attention to. This is no small task. It takes discipline to remain aware, present and undistracted. Exercise is a rare opportunity to allow our bodies’ movement to color our thoughts from one minute to the next. When we’re in motion, we don’t need to analyze our health metrics. We can learn to accept the moment and be humbled by our limitations. Gift-giving season will attempt to convince you that you need devices to make your exercise more effective and efficient. There will be bright and beautiful advertisements featuring famous athletes. There will be a sleeker smartwatch and a cutting-edge GPS tracking shoe sole like that one Instagram keeps showing you. Be skeptical. Freeing yourself, even temporarily, from the smartwatch or smartphone or smart-fill-in-the-blank that is tracking your every move is a challenge worth taking on. Because every walk or run or ride is a new story, and without fitness devices the path remains ours to choose. (Cate Twining-Ward is a climate policy consultant in New York City.) ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Hundreds of open gangway subway cars to start rolling into NYC by 2027
The 16th annual Halifax International Security Forum, with an emphasis on defending democracy through global security, concluded Sunday with a renewed united approach in uncertain political times. Weekend meetings featured an examination of NATO's role in the world, including Canada's contribution. There were also repeated calls for a unified voice and for nations to stand firm in their support of Ukraine. “What we have done here, is basically given everybody a sense of optimism.,” said Peter Van Praag, founding president of the Halifax International Security Forum. “Together we’ve got this. We are going to choose victory, and we are going to work together as a community of democracies, with the brave Ukrainians and push Russia out of Ukraine.” At the three-day event, there was no shortage of anticipation and uncertainty surrounding the second Donald Trump presidency. 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U.S. court tosses hostile workplace, pay discrimination claims against BlackBerry A U.S. court has closed the door on "hostile work environment" and wage discrimination claims made by a former BlackBerry Ltd. executive who accused the company's CEO of sexually harassing her and then retaliating against her when she reported the behaviour. Maple Leaf Foods launches defamation lawsuit against Canada Bread and Grupo Bimbo Maple Leaf Foods Inc. has launched a defamation lawsuit against Canada Bread Co. Ltd. and its parent company Grupo Bimbo. Lifestyle School bullies have moved online. But is banning all under-16s from social media really the answer? The Australian government introduced what it's called 'world-leading' legislation in parliament this week to wipe social media accounts – including Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit and X – from the devices of children under 16. Ants marching into spotlight as hobby of ant-keeping rises in popularity They are tiny insects that are often overlooked or stepped on, but ants are marching not only into people’s backyards, but also their homes, as the popularity of ant-keeping rises in Canada. These royal residences are opening their doors this Christmas Not so long ago, if you wanted to spend Christmas with the royal family, the only way to get close was to press your nose up to the TV screen during the monarch’s Christmas speech. Sports Jannik Sinner leads Italy past the Netherlands for its second consecutive Davis Cup Jannik Sinner clinched Italy’s second consecutive Davis Cup title and capped his breakthrough season by beating Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor. Rico Carty, who won the 1970 National League batting title with the Atlanta Braves, dies at 85 Rico Carty, who won the 1970 National League batting title when he hit a major league-best .366 for the Atlanta Braves, has died. He was 85. Max Verstappen wins fourth straight World Championship as George Russell takes victory in Las Vegas Max Verstappen claimed the Formula One World Drivers’ Championship at Las Vegas Grand Prix that saw George Russell take victory for Mercedes. Autos Nearly 46,000 electric vehicles recalled in Canada over power loss risk Nearly 46,000 electric vehicles from Kia, Hyundai and Genesis are being recalled in Canada over a potential power loss issue that can increase the risk of a crash. Northvolt says Quebec battery plant will proceed despite bankruptcy filing Northvolt AB has filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States, but said the move will not jeopardize the manufacturer's planned electric vehicle battery plant in Quebec — though hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars invested in the parent company could be lost. Canadian drivers own their poor road habits: survey Canadian drivers are regularly in a hurry to get to their destination and a majority are willing to take unnecessary risks on the road, according to the results of a new survey. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. 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NoneEmma McKeon, Australia’s most decorated Olympian, retires from elite swimming
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Could Bye Week Slow Bills' Flow?South Korean President Says He Will Lift Martial Law After Lawmakers Vote To Reject His MoveThe recent sightings of puzzling unidentified aircraft in New Jersey and other states have triggered yet another round of unanswered questions — and fueled conspiracy theories. For one, the odd objects have sparked a visual public mayday and melee — one that might be mirroring elements of the ongoing unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) issue, spurring talk of secretive saucer crashes by run-amok alien crewmembers with expired driver licenses. Mischaracterization of what's seen. Public anxiety about what's not known. Government officials seemingly not clear on what's happening. Toss in Capitol Hill lawmakers demanding answers about what to do next. It's all enough to give you a case of the high- and low-altitude heebie-jeebies. People don't usually look up Jamey Jacob, executive director of the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, has some thoughts about what's likely going on. Related: UFOs and UAP: History, sightings and mysteries "This is a case of the general populace not being familiar with the density of air traffic in the national airspace, particularly on the Eastern Seaboard," Jacob told Space.com. "Most people today generally don't spend much time looking up at the night sky , and when you do, you finally start to see what's around you." Jacob said that, while the possibility of drone threats is something that we should be concerned about — particularly since we're largely unprepared to deal with it — the present scenario appears to be mostly misidentification of piloted aircraft. The drones that have been sighted, Jacob added, look to be generally operating under the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's night authorization for drone pilots . "Nefarious operations would as a rule of thumb not fly with navigation lights so [as] to be harder to track," said Jacob. "The misidentification of commercial airliners and private aircraft as drones are predominantly due to the difficulty of determining size and distance of a vehicle without a reference scale. Research that we have done on estimating size and location of both drones and manned aircraft back this up." Does the government know more? Others have different ideas, however. For example, the drone sightings are real and they are government- and/or industry-operated drones, said Robert Powell, an executive board member of the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies in Austin. "There are too many, and they are too large for them to be civilian," Powell told Space.com. "I don't think any adversary of the United States would dare try to fly drones into our territory at this level, and if they did, I would think we would respond." Powell added that that he feels confident that government officials know much more about the drones than they are telling the public. "This of course leads to the same type of problems as with the UAP issue. Anxiety kicks in and people see drones everywhere they look," said Powell. Moreover, the media is not capable of distinguishing between reports of drones versus reports of normal aircraft, nor are they adept at asking the right questions of government officials, Powell said. Kernel of truth "Conspiracy theories start to grow because the government withholds information and makes nonsensical statements, such as 'We don't know where the drones come from or what they are, but we know they pose no risk,'" Powell said. Some members of the public are indeed seeing drones, Powell said. "Amazingly, the same debunkers that argue against UAP are arguing against drones. They cite examples of misidentification, which of course exists." Bottom line from Powell: "There is a kernel of truth in these drone reports, and I think the government knows the truth. I hope people will understand that as long as the government withholds information that this is the type of mess that unfolds." Standard practice "Many of these fly like human-made drones and others appear to be airplanes or helicopters," said Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb. "It is standard practice for the U.S. military to notify law enforcement authorities of any plans to fly drones over residential areas," he told Space.com. "Therefore, unidentified drones must have originated from civilians or an adversarial nation." Loeb is a co-founder of the Galileo Project initiative. Its goal is to bring the search for extraterrestrial technological signatures from accidental or anecdotal observations and legends to the mainstream of transparent, validated and systematic scientific research. Inappropriate smoke screen? As for drones from adversarial nations, Loeb said that possibility should come as no surprise, since a Chinese spy balloon was spotted back in early 2023 flying at a high altitude across the United States. Even though the balloon was nearly 150 feet (45 meters) in diameter, Loeb recalled, it took a while for the U.S. Air Force to shoot it down off the coast of South Carolina. Drones are used routinely in the current conflict in Ukraine, which began with the Russian invasion in February 2022. And drone technology has advanced considerably in recent years, especially in China, Loeb said. "The primary question that needs to be clarified is whether these flying objects are used for espionage or pose any other national security threat," Loeb said. "Alluding to an extraterrestrial origin is an inappropriate smoke screen to hide the incompetence of the U.S. intelligence agencies."
As part of the agency’s efforts to enable broader use of space, NASA has released its final goals and objectives for low Earth orbit, defining the long-term approach toward advancing microgravity science, technology, and exploration for the benefit of all. Developed with input from a wide range of stakeholders, NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Microgravity Strategy will guide the agency toward the next generation of continuous human presence in orbit, enable greater economic growth, and maintain international partnerships. “As we near the retirement of the International Space Station in 2030, these objectives are a pivotal next step in solidifying U.S. leadership in space,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. “Our consultation with industry, academia, and international partners has helped refine a visionary roadmap for our future in low Earth orbit, which will be enabled by a continuous human presence. Together, we are ensuring that the benefits of exploring space continue to grow – advancing science, innovation, and opportunities for all, while preparing for humanity’s next giant leap of exploring the Moon, Mars and beyond.” In early 2024, NASA initiated a planning process that included drafting an initial set of goals and objectives for the low Earth orbit microgravity environment and seeking feedback from its workforce, government partners, industry, academia, international space agencies, and the public. The agency reviewed more than 1,800 comments and hosted two workshops , resulting in essential adjustments to the goals and objectives to better align with its partners. The final framework includes 13 goals and 44 objectives across seven key areas: commercial low Earth orbit infrastructure, operations, science, research and technology development for exploration, international cooperation, workforce development and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) engagement, and public engagement. The agency’s efforts in low Earth orbit are integral to its broader ambitions for deep space exploration. The microgravity environment in low Earth orbit provides a cost-effective, easily accessible proving ground for technologies and research necessary for human missions to explore the solar system. With most of the journey to Moon and Mars occurring in microgravity, the objectives give the opportunity to continue vital human research, test future exploration systems, and retain the critical skills needed to operate in the microgravity environment. “These finalized objectives represent a clear path forward as NASA transitions from the International Space Station to a new era of commercial space stations,” said Robyn Gatens, director of the International Space Station and acting director of commercial spaceflight. “Low Earth orbit will remain a hub for scientific discovery, technological advancement, and international cooperation, while making strategic investments in a commercial space ecosystem that benefits not just NASA, but the entire space community.” The low Earth orbit microgravity goals and objectives, combined with significant stakeholder engagement, drive NASA’s need to maintain an unbroken, continuous heartbeat of humans in the commercial low Earth orbit destinations era. NASA requires long-duration flights to mitigate risk for future trips to the Red Planet. To ensure reliable access to and use of low Earth orbit, a diversity of providers operating on a regular cadence is essential. The objectives will also guide the development of requirements for future commercial space stations that will support NASA’s missions, while reducing risk for human missions to Mars, preserving operational skills, advancing critical scientific research, and sustaining engagement with international and commercial partners. “Collaboration and consultation remain a cornerstone of our low Earth orbit strategy,” said John Keefe, director of cross-agency strategy integration at NASA. “The objectives we’ve established will help NASA craft a work plan that ensures NASA is positioned to meet current and future needs and prioritizes the development of critical capabilities for low Earth orbit.” The low Earth orbit microgravity goals and objectives are available online at: https://go.nasa.gov/3DsMtNI -end- Amber Jacobson Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 amber.c.jacobson@nasa.govPackers wide receiver Romeo Doubs leaves game because of concussion
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Elon Musk (L) with Donald Trump (R) (Image: AP/Brandon Bell) Like Lynx deodorant, wet dreams and the comedian Jimmy Carr, libertarianism is meant to be a phase men grow out of by at least their late teens. Elon Musk, however, appears to be growing more adolescent as he ages. His “small government” ideology is obviously blinkered, conveniently skating over the billions in taxpayer loans and contracts he has received. Nonetheless, it is increasingly central to both his political and business decisions. Indeed, he is emerging as the leader of an extreme libertarian faction within US President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team. Can DOGE save some coin? Murdoch to Musk: How global media power has shifted from the moguls to the big tech bros Read More All Republican factions seem to agree on reducing immigration and “wokeness”. But whereas the “national conservatives” led by Vice President-elect JD Vance are invigorated by economic protectionism, Musk appears more excited about deregulation and slashing public service jobs. His intellectual influences appear to be arch free-marketeer Milton Friedman and President of Argentina Javier Milei , who is famous for taking a literal chainsaw to government spending. This would merely be sad, if Musk weren’t edging closer to real political power. On one hand, Musk’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is a sham “department”, a made-up office without congressional oversight. It has no defined powers, in contrast to the real departments being led by the national conservative set. However, Musk seems to have genuinely influenced Trump’s recent thinking, along with DOGE co-leader and fellow austerity enthusiast Vivek Ramaswamy. “These two wonderful Americans,” Trump recently said , “will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies.” Trump may, as he is wont to do, lose interest in DOGE. But if he takes up even a fraction of Musk and Ramaswamy’s agenda, the results could be catastrophic. The dynamic duo outlined their initial plan in the Wall Street Journal last week, to cut “$500 billion plus in annual federal expenditures that are unauthorised by Congress or being used in ways that Congress never intended”. They claim the president can do this unilaterally, though this would likely be legally contested if pursued. This is merely a downpayment on the $2 trillion (of an annual $6.7 trillion in government outlays) that Musk thinks he can cut. The vast bulk of US government spending is on social security and healthcare, and the vast majority of “expired” spending is on veterans’ health care. Despite being extreme on other measures, Trump dialled down Republicans’ austerity talk in his first term, reassuring pensioners and veterans their benefits wouldn’t be targeted. Trump is either about to adopt a much harsher (and less popular) “fend for yourself” posture towards middle America, or his buddies’ lofty targets will be forgotten and DOGE will devolve into small-scale witch hunts over so-called “woke” spending. Watch this space. Death by a thousand cuts Da pacem, Domine: Why Trump is what democracy needs Read More There is no doubt that Elon himself would prefer a full-scale “slash and burn” approach, as it was the approach he himself adopted upon purchasing Twitter. He fired 6,500 people – about 80% of his workforce, by his own reckoning. He later attempted to rehire some of those very same former employees after acknowledging some “babies” were “thrown out [with the bathwater]”. Particularly affected by redundancies were those working on curation, risk and integrity — namely, those reducing misinformation, defamation and harmful content on the platform, and promoting reputable sources. His leadership of Twitter, now rebranded X, reveals an unresolved tension at the heart of his (and all) libertarianism — the emphasis on freedom ends where his company begins. As CEO, Musk led X in a dictatorial fashion, according to former executives. He told remaining employees to submit to an “extremely hardcore” regime of long working hours or leave the company. As Elizabeth Anderson memorably pointed out , such dictatorial company structures are depressingly common and give the lie to many spruiking “freedom” in other domains. Even after stepping down as CEO, Musk clearly continues to exert god-like influence. He reportedly made a team of 80 engineers tweak X’s algorithm in 2023 to boost his own posts. Australian academics Timothy Graham and Mark Andrejevic investigated whether he had repeated such meddling this year, and found a “statistically anomalous boost” in engagement on Musk’s account since July. Such antics are alienating many users. But no-one is powerful enough to stop Musk internally. So naturally, users’ only avenue is to leave. Bluer skies ahead? “Network effects” (i.e. everyone else being on the platform, and not being elsewhere) have prevented a critical mass of users leaving X... until now. New rival platform Bluesky has blown up in recent weeks, as X users jump ship. The platform just hit 22 million users. That’s still far fewer than X in total, but Bluesky is currently adding more than 1 million users per day, including some of the most high-profile users. Bluesky now up to 22 million users and still growing strong [image or embed] — Benjamin Clark ( @benjamin-clark.bsky.social ) November 25, 2024 at 7:11 AM Albert Hirschman famously suggested three ways a consumer could influence an institution: “Voice”: try to influence the organisation’s decision-making through speaking up, including via coordinated efforts; “Loyalty”: try to stick things out and hope things get better; “Exit”: leave. Which Australian media outlets are leaving X for Bluesky? Read More Musk is impervious to the voices of others, and many of X’s users are tiring of loyalty. Their only option is to exit. Libertarians like Musk typically emphasise exit as their preferred means of exercising freedom (“don’t like it? Leave”). There is a delicious irony in users now saying, “OK, bye”. No social media platform will ever be perfect. But Bluesky’s foundations are better than most. It is based on an open protocol, meaning anyone with the technical know-how can set up their own sister network and bring their data across. Users can curate their own feeds to a greater extent. This provides users with some “voice” and “exit” possibilities, inviting them in as co-creators of the platform rather than force-feeding them slop. Musk will, of course, be just fine if X descends into a Star Wars cantina of fascists and spam bots. He’s still the richest man in the world, after all. But Trump likes winners. The more we can make Musk seem like a loser, the less chance his austerity package has of decimating what’s left of the American welfare state. Bluesky is also just a nicer place to be right now. So join me, X users, in the great X-odus. Let’s show Musk what real freedom looks like. Have something to say about this article? Write to us at letters@crikey.com.au . Please include your full name to be considered for publication in Crikey’s Your Say . We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.
In the eyes of the West, the future of global peace hinges on developments in the Middle East, Russia, and China. NATO chief Mark Rutte recently emphasized that while NATO allies are just beginning to implement a defense spending goal of two percent of gross domestic product (GDP), Russia is projected to allocate eight percent of its GDP for military purposes by 2025. This significant military buildup raises concerns that Russia is not seeking peace. Supported by allies such as China, North Korea, and Iran, Russia is dedicating one-third of its national budget to arms development, compensating in quantity for what it may lack in quality. Meanwhile, China is aggressively enhancing its nuclear capabilities with no transparency or limitations. In 2020, Beijing possessed only 20 nuclear warheads; by 2030, this figure could soar to a thousand. This rapid expansion poses a dangerous threat to global stability. Additionally, China is engaged in a “chip war” with the United States, emphasizing the critical role of semiconductors in robotics, military armaments, and artificial intelligence warfare. Within this broader context, the conflicts in the Middle East appear relatively minor. The targeted assassinations of Hezbollah leaders have weakened Iran's proxy forces across the region. Iran itself is struggling with weak economic fundamentals and civil unrest, hindering its nuclear ambitions. In Syria, the opposition has successfully deposed Bashar al-Assad, who has fled to Russia for asylum. As Russia evacuates its military presence in Khmeimim and Tartus, it risks losing leverage against Turkey—a nation it has been at odds with since Turkish forces shot down a Russian jet in 2015. A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is reportedly in the works, diminishing the perception of Gaza as a central issue. The brutal attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of over a thousand Israelis, has been described as the "worst attack against Jews since the Holocaust." This has led to a severe military response, with relentless bombing of Gaza causing at least 40,000 Palestinian deaths this year alone. Hamas is currently withholding the release of hostages, a condition for a ceasefire, in an effort to pressure Israel into a continuous assault on Gaza. This situation has created a significant public relations disaster for Israel on the global stage. However, the Gaza conflict is likely to reach a conclusion soon, as it is too small a territory to serve as a permanent source of tension. A potential resolution could be a two-state solution—one Israel and one Palestine—recognized by peaceful Arab states like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Such a resolution might finally address the long-standing grievances in the region. Conversely, the situation in Ukraine presents a different challenge. Russia has recently escalated its aggression with ballistic missile assaults on Kyiv and other cities, leaving half of Ukraine without power. This escalation was prompted by U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to permit long-range missiles to be used against Russian territory. The question arises: Will President-elect Donald Trump fulfill his promise to end the Ukraine war upon taking office? One potential strategy is for Trump to withhold further military and financial support to Ukraine, compelling it to accept Russia's permanent occupation of seized territory in exchange for a ceasefire. However, whether Ukraine and Russia will agree to such terms remains uncertain. One reassuring thought is that, despite Russia's threats to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine, common sense suggests that the aggressor is unlikely to follow through due to the catastrophic fallout that would affect Ukraine—a country Russia aims to occupy. Putin likely understands the consequences of such an action. Media analyst Elena Gold cites Putin’s chief spy, Nikolai Patrushev, who claimed that Trump could be assassinated if he fails to uphold his election promise regarding Ukraine. This statement highlights the dangerous game of international blackmail at play. Russia has demonstrated a willingness for violent retaliation, as exemplified by the fate of dissident Yevgeny Prigozhin, who attempted to take over Moscow in 2023. After failing and being pardoned by Putin, he died under suspicious circumstances just months later. Russia appears prepared for a protracted war in Ukraine, while European nations are increasing their defense spending in anticipation of reduced U.S. aid. One notable supporter of Ukraine is Poland, whose economy has been growing rapidly, with a GDP that has surpassed $500 billion. In the coming decade, Poland could rival Germany and the United Kingdom, according to the "Daily Digest." At the start of the Ukraine conflict, many nations hesitated to assist; Germany sent helmets while Poland provided 300 tanks to Kyiv. Poland is reportedly building its army to 300,000 strong by 2030, positioning itself as a significant military force in Europe. Despite these developments, a prolonged stalemate in the Ukraine war seems likely, as it ultimately becomes a war of attrition. Meanwhile, China is expected to continue asserting its influence in the West Philippine Sea. A coalition of ASEAN nations and allies, including the USA, Australia, Japan, and the UK, will strive to ensure that this region remains a safe route for international trade. While there may be rhetorical battles, the hope is that no shots will be fired. Taiwan remains a critical flashpoint, as China seeks to annex the island nation, which has a substantial semiconductor manufacturing capacity. The island is also prepared to defend its sovereignty. The question remains: how far will the U.S. go to defend Taiwan against potential Chinese aggression? The U.S.-China "trade war" further complicates matters, with Trump threatening a 60% tariff on Chinese goods and the U.S. restricting technology exports to 140 countries, including China. In response, China has charged NVIDIA in Russia with anti-monopoly and purchase violations. During a recent meeting, Chinese leader Xi told Donald Trump, "If we cooperate, both our nations will prosper," highlighting the delicate balance of international relations. For now, the prospects of an immediate, globe-threatening World War seem distant, but the uncertainty of global tensions raises questions about the future of peace and stability. Bingo Dejaresco, a former banker, is a financial consultant and media practitioner. He is a Life and Media member of FINEX. His views here, however, are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of FINEX. [email protected]Published 4:48 pm Tuesday, November 26, 2024 By Data Skrive The Duke Blue Devils and the Oklahoma Sooners hit the court for one of six games on the college basketball slate on Wednesday that include a ranked team. Watch women’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Catch tons of live women’s college basketball , plus original programming, with ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle.
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