BRITAIN must “remain firm” in the face of nuclear threats from Russia , experts warned last night. Vladimir Putin ’s decision to update Russia ’s nuclear strategy, making it easier for him to push the button and trigger a Third World War, has been calculated to make his opponents cower, says a former minister. "Putin is using threats to try to frighten us into inaction. It has worked for too long,” said former security minister Tom Tugendhat MP. “ Ukraine ’s counterstrike into Kursk has proven that the red lines he claims are fiction. We need the courage to stand with them and give them the ability to fight back." Tensions over Ukraine are mounting among some Western leaders who, with the advent of a Trump election win, are split between those who want to roll back support and those who want to help Ukraine gain every advantage to boost its position before an “inevitable” peace negotiations next year. Last week the Russian autocrat ruled that Moscow would be entitled to launch nuclear weapons if attacked by a non-nuclear country, such as Ukraine , that is supported by a nuclear state, such as the US or UK. It followed the decision by outgoing US President Joe Biden to allow Ukraine to fire long range ATACMS missiles deep into Russia . Downing Street had previously limited the use of its Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine , believing anything more would escalate tensions. But last week it emerged that the UK had followed Washington’s lead by permitting Kyiv for the first time to launch the longer-range cruise missiles - ideal for penetrating hardened bunkers and ammunition stores - into Russia . It prompted Russia ’s ambassador to Britain Andrei Kelin to declare that Britain was”now directly involved” in the war. According to Russian channels, Ukraine 's Air Force used at least ten Storm Shadow air-launched missiles against a fortified underground command center in the hashtag#Kursk region. This strike resulted in the deaths of 18 Russian officers, including a senior commander, and three North Korean officers. However, while Russia can retaliate with a raft of sophisticated conventional weapons - including hypersonic missiles - it is highly unlikely that he will respite to the nuclear option, some of Britain’s most eminent Russia experts said last night. Reasons range from the poor condition of Russia 's nuclear warheads to the displeasure such a move would cause for vital Russian allies and partners, such a China and India. Last night one expert warned that any launch of a nuclear missile “would lead the West to seriously think about regime change” in Moscow - a danger of which Putin is all too aware. “At the moment a lot of what Putin is saying is bluff, He knows that every time he uses the N-word, the West gets terribly alarmed and there will be a certain constituency of people who immediate say how dangerous the situation is an that we need to find some way of de-escalating - meaning we should be facing the Ukrainians to make an ugly peace,“ said Prof Mark Galeotti, author of The Great Bear at War. “If the concern of nuclear weapons is holding back from further support of Uus kraine , then that’s a mistake. Putin has lots of de-escalatory options at his disposals - he won’t fast forward the nuclear option before using these, he said, “If we think that our interests benefit by pushing Putin back, we absolutely should not let the fear of his nuclear weapons stop us. Russia holds more nuclear warheads than any other nation at an estimated 5,580, which amounts to 47 per cent of global stockpiles, according to the Federation of American Scientists (FAS). But they have not been modernised for decades. “Putin’s nuclear weapons are stored in 12-20 arsenals around Russia , but they haven’t been used or even exercised since Soviet times” aid Prof Galeotti. “There is no-one currently in service with personal experience of having worked on one , so they will have to operate off manuals.” Warheads could then have to be transported to whichever launch system is chosen which involves a large convoy of specialised vehicles. “There will need to be at least one test because from from Putin’s point of view the only thing worse than launching a tactical nuclear weapon is launch one that doesn’t go off,“ added Prof Galeotti, “So we can expect at least a couple of weeks notice while Western reconnaissance and intelligence structures look on.” The odds of Putin choosing this option are long, however. First is the risk of despising Russians powerful ally, China, and India which provides Moscow with valuable revenue through Russian oil imports. Both Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi are anxious that deploying nuclear weapons will increase the delicate proliferation balance, , with other countries using the launch as an excuse to acquire them for "defensive purposes”. For China there is an additional factor - the prospect that just one tactical nuclear wen could wipe out any naval Taskforce invading Taiwan. And then there is the human factor . The Russian nuclear briefcase - the so-called “Cheget” which is carried by an aide wherever Putin goes is little more than a Telex machine with authorisation codes to Russia ’s military HQ. “First the order needs to be approved by the Chief of General Staff before it is is transferred to launch HQ. “In some ways there is quite a bit of leeway for human beings to question the wisdom of this, and not go ahead. Of course, they risk treason charges, but it’s certainly not automatic,“ he said. That would particularly apply if Putin decided to launch a tactical nuclear bomb at Kyiv. “Thought not a Nato nation, it would lead to a genuine catastrophic escalation - it would be a suicidal order,“ he said. “Putin is not a ideologue - he is not willing to see the world burn for an ideal. And even the fiercest hawks around him like Nikolai Patrushev have children and grand children and there is a strong awareness with the military that this is not a situation in which Russia is existentially at risk. “There are considerable grounds for believing people will talk him down.” Even a “show of strength” launch into the Black Sea would incur the heaviest penalty, "At the moment the mantra is Putin must fail. If he started using nuclear weapons, we would be very seriously thinking about regime change in a way which we have not yet, because we just cannot allow someone who is moving beyond the bounds f even the extreme end of acceptable behaviour with nuclear weapons at this disposal “This would not happen through military intervention- we’d be looking at assassination. So far Britain’s stance has remained firm. Last week the UK- led Joint Expeditionary Force - a coalition of 10 Nato countries - led exercises to bolster Latvia’s defences to which Ukraine observers contributed for the first time . President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to end the war in Ukraine “Within 24 hours” of assuming office in January. And some critics say that his eagerness to walk away with a deal has led to big the Russian narrative. Addressing his 383,000 follows on the social media platform X last week , Trump’s youngest child Barron wrote: “My dad is the only man who will save the World from WWIII”. But Europe has a role to play even without the US, said Russia expert Keir Giles, author of “ Russia 's War on Everybody” said: “We should absolutely not blink - de-escalation would be the most dangerous thing right now because it would show Russia that this rhetoric works an the threats would mount. “Putin’s nuclear threats are not serious. Nuclear weapons are being used as an information weapons and it is being incredibly effective in the US. This is not something we should take literally because there are zero circumstances under which Russia ’s use of nuclear weapons makes their situation better and not worse. “ He added: “Britain and the West must stand firm. What is needed is a declaration of solidarity in European Nato, making it plain that with or without the US, a nuclear attack will still bring back that devastating response.plain The more Ukraine is supported now, the less dangerous Russia is to the rest of us in the future.” His view was backed by influential MPs, “Putin is using threats to try to frighten us into inaction. It has worked for too long,“ said former security minister Tom Tugendhat. “ Ukraine ’s counterstrike into Kursk has proven that the red lines he claims are fiction. We need the courage stand with them and give them the ability to fight back. “The Government is right to allow them to use weapons to strike the areas from where Russia is launching attacks.” Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood said ““We must not blink – The consequences of Putin going nuclear are next to zero as it would alienate his two key allies China and India, and provoke an almighty military response from Nato powers, including the UK and the United States taking out every Russian asset in Ukraine . “ “But Putin’s use of ballistic missiles today demands Britain quickly invests in its own homeland air defence. The world’s becoming ever more unpredictable and we should be ready.” Shadow armed forces minister Mark Francois MP. said: “History tells us appeasing dictators doesn’t work. If we don’t stop Putin in Ukraine , we’ll have to do it in the Baltic states and if we don’t do it there we’ll have to do it in Poland. “The Ukrainians are now effectively fighting for our freedom too and they deserve our full support.” Shadow national security minister Alicia Kearns MP said: "We cannot allow Putin's aggression to go unchecked - in the face of his threats our government and our country must stand tall.”One of the standout models in this latest batch of new car declarations is the highly anticipated electric vehicle from a leading Chinese automaker. This electric vehicle boasts cutting-edge technology, sleek design, and impressive range, making it a strong contender in the increasingly competitive electric vehicle market. With the Chinese government's strong push for clean energy transportation, the launch of this electric vehicle is seen as a significant step towards achieving the country's environmental goals.
NEW YORK (AP) — Right-hander Jonathan Loáisiga is guaranteed $5 million in his one-year contract from the New York Yankees as he returns from Tommy John surgery and could earn up to $10.5 million over two seasons. Loáisiga gets a $500,000 signing bonus and a $4.5 million salary next season as part of the agreement announced Saturday. New York has a $5 million team option for 2026 with no buyout. Loáisiga could earn $500,000 in performance bonuses in 2026: $100,000 apiece for 50 innings and each additional five through 70. Pitching coach Matt Blake said last week the 30-year-old right-hander could return in late April or May from Tommy John surgery last May 1. “I imagine him being one of the high-leverage guys,” Blake said. “Obviously, we got to take some time to get him right, make sure we don’t rush him into competition.” Loáisiga had a $2.5 million salary this year in his final season of arbitration eligibility and became a free agent. He made three relief appearances during the first seven days of the season, then went on the injured list because of a strained right flexor muscle, then had Tommy John surgery with team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad. Loáisiga was limited to 17 games in 2023 by right elbow inflammation that sidelined him from the Yankees between April 5 and Aug. 8. He is 19-11 with a 3.44 ERA in 11 starts and 152 relief appearances over seven seasons, striking out 207 and walking 72 in 219 2/3 innings. Loáisiga averaged 97.8 mph with his sinker in 2023. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
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In contrast, Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool embodies the qualities of a true role model for young footballers. The 23-year-old right-back has risen through the ranks of Liverpool's youth academy to become a key player for both club and country. Known for his work ethic, dedication, and humility, Alexander-Arnold sets a positive example for aspiring footballers looking to make it to the top. His commitment to his craft, both on and off the pitch, has earned him respect from fans, teammates, and coaches alike.
It seems like years, but it was just one month ago that the media effort to stop Donald Trump reached its final, most desperate phase in the closing days of the 2024 presidential campaign. The Atlantic published an article quoting two unnamed sources who said they heard Trump say, sometime during his first term in office, that “I need the kind of generals that Hitler had.” That led the virulently anti-Trump publication to speculate about what it called Trump’s “evident desire to wield military power, and power over the military, in the manner of Hitler and other dictators.” The article set off days of fevered Trump/Hitler speculation in some media outlets. And then the Hitler talk broadened with discussion of Trump’s upcoming rally in New York’s Madison Square Garden, scheduled a few days later on Oct. 27. Many commentators compared the event to the infamous Nazi rally held at the Garden in 1939. For example, after calling Trump a fascist, former rival Hillary Clinton said Trump would be “reenacting the Madison Square Garden rally in 1939.” During its coverage, MSNBC intercut footage from the old Nazi rally with video of the Trump rally. The network’s Jonathan Capehart called the scene “particularly chilling, because in 1939, more than 20,000 supporters of a different fascist leader — Adolf Hitler — packed the Garden for a so-called ‘pro-America rally.’” Late-night host Stephen Colbert noted positive coverage of the rally on Fox News and said: “Wow, how would they have covered Nuremberg? High-five enthusiasts thrilled by superstar Austrian painter’s tiny mustache?” Such Trump-is-Hitler observations were quite common. In reality, the rally was an epic event, “living, breathing proof of former President Donald Trump’s success in broadening the appeal of the Republican Party.” But when a comedian speaking hours before Trump told an unfunny and poorly received joke about Puerto Rico and garbage, the critics found a new reason to pounce. The New York Times called the rally “a closing carnival of grievances, misogyny and racism.” And it just might, many speculated, cost Trump the election. The Hitler charge, so white-hot just a few days before, was refined a bit; in some media accounts, the Madison Square Garden rally became a festival of anti-Hispanic hate. Many anti-Trump voices in the media found that idea particularly appealing because polls had shown for months that Trump support was growing among Hispanic voters. Perhaps this could stop that progress and help Vice President Kamala Harris. Politico reported that “Trump’s Puerto Rico fallout is ‘spreading like wildfire’ in Pennsylvania,” which had a significant Hispanic population and was, of course, considered the swing state that could determine the entire election. “To have this closing message at this stage is disastrous,” declared CNN’s Alyssa Farah Griffin. At the Daily Beast, the headline was “Trump in Denial Over Disastrous Latino-Bashing MSG Rally.” And Fortune reported, “Trump just blew a huge lead, and the Madison Square Garden rally started the drop.” Suddenly, Trump’s opponents sensed momentum. Top Harris adviser David Plouffe told CBS the rally was “the worst closing argument in the history of American politics.” Everyone looked for a backlash. Hopes rose when a Latin entertainment star, Nicky Jam, who had endorsed Trump, withdrew the endorsement in a message to his 43.5 million Instagram followers. Was a reaction building? No. A planned protest in majority-Hispanic Allentown, Pennsylvania, where Trump held his first rally after Madison Square Garden, went nowhere. A few protesters showed up, chanted a bit and left, while thousands attended the Trump event. Polls suggested that Trump’s support among Hispanic voters was basically unaffected. And then, on Election Day, exit polls showed that Trump won a stunning 46% of the Latino vote — a huge improvement over Republican performances in years past and one of the many factors contributing to his decisive victory over Harris. What is striking, after Trump’s victory in both the popular vote and the Electoral College, is how quickly the Hitler talk disappeared. Before the election, MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, two of Trump’s most aggressive critics, called Trump a fascist and described the Madison Square Garden rally as “Nazi-like.” After the election, they traveled to Florida for an audience with Trump, saying they wanted to “restart communications.” With a Nazi? The Hitler moment turned out to be a final convulsion rather than the new normal. Trump’s victory, rather than ignite more fiery protests, brought at least a moment of relative peace. “While President-elect Trump’s 2016 win sparked shock, outrage, and massive protests, the response to his 2024 has been more muted,” Axios reported in “The Resistance goes quiet.” One longtime Trump antagonist noted that “exhaustion is real” among those who have been protesting Trump for nearly a decade now. Of course, there might be another Hitler moment at any time; the final days of the campaign were certainly not the first time Trump’s adversaries have called him a Nazi. But the intensity of the rhetoric of Oct. 27 and the relative tranquility of Nov. 27 presents a striking contrast. In early 2025, unlike early 2017, Trump might, perhaps, have at least a brief opportunity to govern. This content originally appeared on the Washington Examiner.NoneBBC EastEnders' Cindy's attacker 'uncovered' after brutal Christmas Day attack
However, the retirement of the Brazilian defender was not the only story that captivated the footballing world. Just 3 days earlier, his twin brother, who had also carved out a successful career in the sport, announced his decision to retire. The twin brothers had embarked on their footballing journey together, rising through the ranks and eventually playing at the highest levels of the game. Their bond on and off the field was evident to all who watched them play, with their telepathic understanding and synchronicity creating moments of magic on the pitch.SANTA CLARA, Calif. , Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Achronix Semiconductor Corporation , a leader in FPGA-based hardware accelerator devices and high-performance eFPGA IP, is excited to announce an upcoming LinkedIn Live Webinar in collaboration with Google and Myrtle.ai and moderated by Alex Woodie , Managing Editor - BIGDatawire. The demand for energy-efficient, high-performance hardware is reshaping AI inferencing as large language models (LLMs), like Llama3, continue to revolutionize natural language processing. Join us at "The Rise of FPGA-Accelerated LLMs" LinkedIn Live webinar to dive into the transformative role of FPGA acceleration in AI workloads. Event Details: Title: The Rise of FPGA-Accelerated LLMs Date: December 11, 2024 Time: 9:30 AM PST Duration: 60 minutes Platform: LinkedIn Live Registration: Reserve Your Spot Here What You'll Learn: Discover how FPGAs unlock unprecedented efficiency and performance for LLMs. See Achronix Speedster7t FPGAs in action, outperforming traditional GPUs in AI applications. Watch a demo of Llama3 models running on FPGA technology. Gain insights from Google perspective regarding challenges and solutions to meet generative AI workloads needs, now and into the future. Engage in an exclusive Q&A session with experts from Achronix, Myrtle.ai, and Google to explore the next wave of AI innovation. Featured Speakers: Nick Ilyadis , VP Product Planning, Achronix Sarthak Singh , Engineer, Google Tom Lagatta , Executive Chairman, Myrtle.ai Moderator: Alex Woodie , Managing Editor, BIGDatawire Why You Should Attend: Understand how FPGAs compare to GPUs in tackling AI challenges. Explore real-world use cases, including automatic speech recognition, language translation, and closed captioning. Gain a competitive edge by learning about emerging AI hardware technologies shaping the industry. Who Should Attend? This webinar is ideal for AI/ML engineers, CTOs, and technology decision-makers eager to stay ahead in AI inferencing and discover cutting-edge hardware solutions. Don't Miss Out! Secure your spot today and join us for this must-attend discussion on the future of AI hardware. Register Here About Achronix: Achronix is a global leader in FPGA-based hardware solutions, enabling unmatched acceleration for AI, networking, and data-intensive workloads. Products include the Speedster®7t FPGA family , SpeedcoreTM eFPGA IP , and VectorPath® accelerator cards , all supported by Achronix ACE software tools . Founded in 2004, Achronix has a proven track record of innovation and market leadership in the semiconductor industry. For more information, please visit www.achronix.com Media Contact: Jay Aggarwal Sr. Director of Product Marketing, Achronix jayaggarwal@achronix.com (408) 889-4100 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fpga-accelerated-llms-the-future-of-ai-inferencing-is-here-302322185.html SOURCE Achronix
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4. Wilfried Zaha - The Ivorian forward, who did not feature prominently in the title-winning season, now plays for Crystal Palace in the Premier League.