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Trump-Putin Tango

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The Trump Putin Tango

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It’s the issue that’s gripping America

By Kenneth Tiven in Washington

US President-elect Donald Trump has zero experience in his adult life with management by consensus, which underpins most democratic societies. He is more at home as the Oligarch, the Owner, the Bestower. In this respect, he has not attempted to minimize his respect for Russian President Vladimir Putin as an authoritarian leader. Trump claimed Putin was a better leader than President Barack Obama, and I am sure he believes that. During the Cold War, the US and the Soviet Union engaged in a great deal of spying on each other. The U-2 spy plane the Russians shot down was a victory for them. The technical expertise involved in American navy submarines parking over undersea cables near Vladivostok in southern Siberia recording all naval communications between the pacific command and Moscow was unknown to the Russians. Similarly, undersea spying revealed how Russia quieted its Juliette class diesel submarines, a discovery that led to catching an American spying for Russia, James Walker.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]That the internet makes electronic spying a more obvious choice for effort is not a surprise. The surprise is that Trump believes he can cast enough doubt about the conclusion of the intelligence agencies to make the matter go away. That it has happened is believed conclusively proven by the intelligence agencies, who are not about to give away how they know it. Trump can believe if he wants that it made no difference in the election. But he is missing an essential point: all intelligence is information, but not all information is intelligence. If it hasn’t been analyzed, processed or exploited in some form, information is not intelligence. That’s the function of intelligence organisations — to task, collect, process, exploit and disseminate information that then becomes useful due to its timeliness, accuracy and relevancy to whatever operation it is in regards to (and is because of this process now deemed classified information). This is before considering if the information was hacked. The election is over and Trump is now about to be the leader of the free world. His behavior in this matter suggests to many people and leaders around the globe that he is ill-suited to deal with authoritarian leadership in nations that want to see the US slip into second-rate status in the global community.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The Vlad Connection

Professional political leadership in the US and Russia makes it their business to know a great deal about each other and their people. Imagine the surprise in the Kremlin in the summer of 2015 when the Trump phenomenon began to play in the ultra-long American presidential process. One should not underplay the skill and depth of research in both capital cities when it comes to knowing things. Facts are more important than ideology. We should assume that within a day or two of asking about Trump,  Vladimir Putin would have a list of every visit Trump ever made to Russia or a former Soviet satellite nation and with whom he has business dealings. Incidentally, Trump is married to a Slovenian woman, Melania. Google might have supplied some facts they did not know about his financial problems and debts, his business having become largely as a licensor of his “rich and terrific” name for buildings.

Although many revelations and some revulsion with Trump’s tweets seemed to not make an impression on a block of American voters, the reaction at the Kremlin was probably different. This is not an ordinary American politician, Putin must have thought. And research supported the notion that he was that special kind of capitalist–not just arrogant but claiming to be rich when in truth he was carrying as much as a billion dollars in debt and not paying US taxes. Vladimir Putin, as with Trump, sees opportunity where most would see conflict. How much does he owe “us”, Putin might have asked, meaning Russian oligarchs always eager to launder money offshore.

We know in his own words and in his ghost-written books that Donald Trump has spent his adult life bullying his way to notoriety in New York City real estate circles as a man of taste, wisdom and business success. In a stream of self-delivered superlatives, he has generally managed to blame his bankruptcies on others or circumstances beyond his control. His long involvement with politicians in New York City had been agnostic. He’d demand tax abatements and zoning favours from whoever was in office. After the election of Barack Obama, Trump took an unexpected interest in the issue of Obama’s birth in Hawaii. In short order, he made himself head birther (in American politics, a birther is a believer that Obama was not born in that country, and therefore, ineligible for presidency). President Obama ridiculed him at a Washington dinner in 2013.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]But the failure of his over-reaching efforts in gambling casinos made it harder to do real estate deals. Few American banks would loan to him. Most of his borrowings, reported by Forbes magazine and others, have been with European banks and Russian oligarchs awash in dollars. What better way to avenge the Obama slights than to claim that job? Building on the animosities that underpinned the birther and Tea Party movements, Trump expanded his target to include immigrants, especially Mexicans. He bullied and ridiculed the other 16 Republican candidates to win the primaries with less than 50 percent of the vote. In the presidential race, he didn’t get 50 percent either. But in the seemingly arcane nature of 240-year-old US election rules, he still won the presidency.

The writer has been a journalist in American media for more than 50 years, including stints at The Washington Post, TV network news with NBC, ABC and CNN and was involved in the start up of Aaj Tak and continues to work with several Indian news channels[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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YouTuber Zara Dar clarifies misconceptions, denies being Pakistani, and explains decision to quit PhD for OnlyFans

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Zara Dar clarifies her background and career change in a social media post

YouTuber Zara Dar, who sparked significant attention after revealing she was leaving her PhD studies to pursue a full-time career on OnlyFans, has addressed a series of misconceptions circulating about her. In a series of posts on social media platform X, Dar clarified the misinformation and took the opportunity to set the record straight on several points, particularly regarding her background and career shift.

The controversy began when Zara posted a video explaining her decision to quit her PhD in engineering and focus on adult content creation. The video quickly went viral, with some viewers misinterpreting or distorting the details of her story. One of the most prevalent rumors was that Zara Dar was of Pakistani origin.

In her clarification, Zara stated, “With all due respect, I am not Pakistani. I am American, born and raised, with a mixed background: American, Persian, Southern European, Middle Eastern, and Indian.” She explained that her name, “Darcy,” which she shortens to “Dar,” led to confusion, as it resembled that of a different Pakistani influencer, Zara Dar.

Zara also addressed the emergence of fake content under her name, including deepfake videos, and vehemently denied any associations with such material. She emphasized that, despite the false claims, she had not given any exclusive interviews and had only used social media to share her story.

Regarding her decision to leave academia, Zara shared that her shift to OnlyFans, while financially rewarding, also provided her with the freedom she felt was missing in her academic career. “It has given me the freedom to learn and share new content,” she stated, adding that while she had stepped away from her PhD, she would still continue to create educational content on her YouTube channel.

The announcement sent shockwaves across her fanbase, as many were surprised by her drastic career change. However, Zara explained that the decision was motivated not only by financial viability but also by her desire for personal autonomy outside the rigid structures of academia.

As Zara Dar continues to navigate the shift from academia to content creation, she remains committed to building her brand while tackling the misinformation surrounding her. Through her candid social media posts, she aims to keep her followers informed and provide clarity on her personal and professional choices.

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Festivals

Where is Santa this Christmas Eve? Track his journey with NORAD and Google Santa Tracker

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Santa tracking on Christmas Eve with NORAD and Google Santa Tracker

As Christmas Eve arrives, excitement fills the air for families worldwide, eager to track Santa’s magical journey across the globe. Thanks to modern technology, families can now follow Santa’s global trek in real time, a cherished tradition that has been made even more special by NORAD and Google Santa Tracker. These two platforms bring the joy of the season to life with live updates, interactive features, and educational content.

NORAD tracks Santa: A legacy of tracking Santa Claus

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has been tracking Santa Claus since 1955, starting from a simple mix-up. A Sears department store advertisement listed the wrong phone number for Santa, leading a child to call the military command. When Air Force Commander Harry Shoup answered, he reassured the child, and thus, a global tradition was born. NORAD has since embraced cutting-edge radar and satellite technology to track Santa’s journey, with Rudolph’s glowing red nose marking his path through the night sky.

This year, NORAD’s Santa Tracker goes live on Christmas Eve at 6 a.m. ET, offering real-time updates on Santa’s location until 2 a.m. ET on Christmas Day. Families can access the official NORAD Tracks Santa website, download the Santa Tracker app (available on both iOS and Android), or follow NORAD on social media. For a more personal touch, NORAD’s hotline (1-877-HI-NORAD) is available from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. ET on Christmas Day, offering families a chance to speak with volunteers about Santa’s journey.

Google Santa Tracker: Interactive fun for the whole family

Google’s Santa Tracker also offers a way to follow Santa’s travels in real time, but with a twist. In addition to tracking Santa, the platform features a variety of interactive experiences, including holiday games, videos, and educational content about Christmas traditions around the world. Google’s Santa Tracker provides a countdown to Christmas Eve and a chance to explore Santa’s Village, where families can engage in festive activities before tracking his journey.

How to track Santa this Christmas Eve

  • NORAD Tracks Santa: Visit noradsanta.org for live updates, videos, and interactive features. The website includes a countdown to Santa’s departure and real-time tracking of his global journey.
  • Google Santa Tracker: Head to santatracker.google.com to play games, watch videos, and track Santa in real time.

The tradition of tracking Santa

Tracking Santa has become a beloved holiday tradition, bringing joy and excitement to children and families around the world. Whether through NORAD’s precise tracking or Google’s interactive features, these services offer a unique way to experience the magic of Christmas. For over 65 years, NORAD’s Santa Tracker has allowed kids to track Santa as he makes his way across the globe, adding an extra layer of excitement to Christmas Eve. According to NORAD, its fighter jets have “intercepted Santa many, many times,” with pilots even tipping their wings to say, “Hello Santa. NORAD is tracking you again this year.”

How does Santa travel so Fast?

One of the most intriguing aspects of tracking Santa is how he manages to deliver presents to every corner of the globe in just one night. According to NORAD, Santa operates in a time-space continuum of his own. While it appears that Santa completes his journey in 24 hours, NORAD suggests that he experiences time differently. “Santa does not experience time the way we do,” says the agency. In Santa’s world, his trip could span days, weeks, or even months, making his speed and efficiency even more magical.

A global tradition of Christmas magic

This Christmas Eve, families can once again join in the holiday fun by tracking Santa’s extraordinary journey. Whether using NORAD’s detailed tracking system or exploring Google’s interactive features, the Christmas spirit comes alive in real-time. So, as you prepare for Christmas Day, don’t forget to check in and see where Santa is — it’s a joyful part of the holiday season!

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India News

Bangladesh requests India’s assistance for Sheikh Hasina’s return amid turmoil

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Bangladesh requests India to facilitate Sheikh Hasina's return amid political crisis

Bangladesh has formally requested India to facilitate the return of Sheikh Hasina, the deposed Prime Minister of the country, who has been residing in India since August 5, 2024. The interim government in Dhaka has sent a diplomatic note to the Indian government, urging the extradition of the 77-year-old leader, who fled Bangladesh following mass protests that led to the downfall of her 16-year-long regime.

Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League, has been living in exile in India since she was forced to leave amid growing political unrest in Bangladesh. In the wake of her departure, the Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) issued arrest warrants against Hasina, her ministers, advisors, and former military and civil officials, accusing them of “crimes against humanity and genocide.”

Touhid Hossain, the foreign affairs adviser in Bangladesh’s interim government, confirmed the diplomatic communication, saying, “We have sent a note verbale to the Indian government requesting her return for the judicial process in Bangladesh.”

In addition to the note, Jahangir Alam, the Home Advisor, revealed that the government has also sent a formal letter to India’s External Affairs Ministry, emphasizing the need for Hasina’s extradition. He mentioned that there is an existing extradition treaty between the two countries, which could be invoked to facilitate her return.

The diplomatic request comes in the wake of a visit by India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, to Bangladesh. During his visit, Misri engaged in candid and constructive discussions with Nobel laureate and Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus. Misri also raised concerns over the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus, and discussed the increasing tensions between the two countries. According to reports, the issue of Hasina’s stay in India was one of the topics of discussion during Misri’s visit. Yunus reportedly expressed concern over the political statements made by Hasina from her location in India, which have reportedly been exacerbating tensions.

Sheikh Hasina, speaking in a virtual address to Awami League supporters in London, criticized the interim government of Bangladesh and accused Yunus of running a “fascist regime.” She alleged that the new regime under Yunus’s leadership had led to increased attacks on religious minorities and accused the interim government of undermining Bangladesh’s democratic progress. Hasina also lamented the reversal of her administration’s achievements in poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, and the strengthening of democracy.

The political climate in Bangladesh remains fraught with tension as the interim government faces mounting pressure, both domestically and internationally, over its treatment of opposition leaders and political dissent. The unfolding situation continues to capture attention both within Bangladesh and abroad, particularly with regard to the potential return of Sheikh Hasina.

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