Home Blog Page 570

Mali’s Military Government Names Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga as Acting Prime Minister

By
admin
-
0

Mali’s military government has appointed Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, the current government spokesman and territorial administration minister, as acting prime minister, state television reported Wednesday, following the extended absence of incumbent Choguel Maiga.

The appointment comes amid reports in Paris-based Jeune Afrique magazine that Choguel Maiga had suffered a stroke, citing sources close to the leader. While his advisers denied these claims when contacted by Reuters, and his office had promised his return to duties within a week, he has yet to resume his responsibilities.

Colonel Maiga, the new acting premier, has gained prominence as a vocal critic of Western involvement in Mali, notably delivering sharp rebukes to former colonial power France. In July, he accused French President Emmanuel Macron of maintaining a “neocolonial” and “condescending” attitude toward Mali.

The leadership change occurs as Mali’s military junta, which seized power in a 2020 coup, faces international pressure over its cooperation with Russian mercenaries and delayed promises of democratic elections, now scheduled for 2024. Choguel Maiga had been a prominent defender of the junta’s policies during diplomatic disputes with regional neighbors and international allies.

The appointment maintains the military’s firm grip on Mali’s government, as the country navigates complex relationships with Western powers and regional organizations while promising a return to civilian rule.

Gunmen Attack Passenger Convoys in Northwest Pakistan, Killing 38

By
admin
-
0
Volunteers and relatives load the body of a passenger, who was killed by gunmen at a highway in Musakhail, into an ambulance after collecting it from a hospital, in Quetta, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Arshad Butt)

Armed attackers ambushed two passenger convoys in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal region Thursday, killing at least 38 people and wounding 29 others in one of the deadliest incidents of violence in the area this year.

The attack occurred in the Kurram tribal district near the Afghan border, where decades-old tensions between Shia and Sunni Muslim communities over land disputes have frequently erupted into violence. Among the victims were a woman and a child, according to Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

“It’s a major tragedy and death toll is likely to rise,” Chaudhry said. The casualties occurred when gunmen opened fire on vehicles traveling in opposite directions between the provincial capital Peshawar and Parachinar.

Local resident Ziarat Hussain, whose relatives were traveling in one of the targeted convoys, told Reuters by telephone that the vehicles were carrying passengers between Peshawar and Parachinar when armed men attacked both groups simultaneously.

President Asif Ali Zardari issued a statement strongly condemning the assault on civilian travelers. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred in a region long plagued by sectarian violence and militant activity.

FBI Arrests Florida Homeless Man in Alleged New York Stock Exchange Bombing Plot

By
admin
-
0

Federal authorities arrested a homeless Florida man Wednesday for allegedly plotting to bomb the New York Stock Exchange, after an investigation that began when officials discovered bomb-making materials in his storage unit.

Harun Abdul-Malik Yener faces federal charges of attempting to damage or destroy a building used in interstate commerce by means of an explosive, following a months-long FBI investigation that included recordings of him telling undercover agents, “I feel like Bin Laden.”

The FBI began investigating Yener in February after receiving a tip about bomb-making schematics stored in his Coral Gables, Florida, storage unit. Agents discovered sketches, timers, circuit boards, and other electronic components consistent with explosive device construction.

According to the FBI affidavit, Yener’s motives appeared to span various extremist ideologies. While invoking Osama bin Laden, the al Qaeda leader behind the September 11 attacks, he also described attempts to join right-wing militias and expressed broader anti-government views, declaring “This country is due for a revolution.”

In conversations with multiple undercover employees, Yener allegedly outlined plans to attack the stock exchange, saying he wanted a device powerful enough to “blow off the doors” ensuring that “anything existing in there will be killed.” He told investigators the attack would lead to a “reboot” or “reset” of the U.S. government, stating, “The Stock Exchange, we want to hit that, because it will wake people up.”

Yener has been assigned a federal public defender in the Southern District of Florida. His legal representation did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Archegos Founder Bill Hwang Receives 18-Year Prison Sentence in $10 Billion Wall Street Fraud

By
admin
-
0

Sung Kook “Bill” Hwang, the former billionaire founder of Archegos Capital Management, was sentenced Wednesday to 18 years in prison for orchestrating a market manipulation scheme that caused more than $10 billion in losses for major Wall Street banks.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein imposed the sentence in Manhattan federal court, where a jury convicted Hwang in July on 10 criminal charges including wire fraud, securities fraud, and market manipulation. “The amount of losses that were caused by your conduct are larger than any other losses I have dealt with,” Hellerstein declared before announcing the punishment.

Federal prosecutors had sought a 21-year term and $12.35 billion in forfeiture, describing the case as “a national calamity.” The judge postponed decisions on forfeiture and restitution until Thursday’s continuation of the sentencing hearing.

The March 2021 collapse of Archegos shocked Wall Street as Hwang’s $36 billion family office imploded in less than a week. Through aggressive borrowing, Hwang had amassed $160 billion in stock market exposure, primarily in concentrated bets on media and technology companies including ViacomCBS, now Paramount Global.

During the hearing, Hellerstein drew comparisons to Sam Bankman-Fried’s recent 25-year sentence for stealing $8 billion from FTX customers. Defense attorney Dani James argued the cases differed fundamentally, stating, “Mr. Bankman-Fried was literally stealing from his customers. I don’t think that’s what’s happened here.”

Hwang, 60, established Archegos in 2013 after his previous hedge fund, Tiger Asia Management, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in an insider-trading case. A protégé of legendary investor Julian Robertson, Hwang built Archegos using total return swaps and allegedly deceived banks about his portfolio to secure aggressive lending.

The firm’s collapse triggered massive losses across Wall Street, with Credit Suisse suffering a $5.5 billion hit and Nomura Holdings also incurring substantial damages. Credit Suisse has since been acquired by UBS.

Defense lawyers had requested no prison time, citing Hwang’s Christian faith and philanthropic work through his Grace and Mercy Foundation, which has donated over $600 million since 2006 to combat homelessness, poverty, and human trafficking. Before sentencing, Hwang expressed hope that his punishment would “allow me to serve as much as I can given the circumstances.”

Patrick Halligan, Archegos’ former chief financial officer who was convicted alongside Hwang, awaits sentencing on January 27. Neither defendant testified during their two-month trial. Hwang’s attorneys note his net worth has plummeted to “at most” $55.3 million.

Bitcoin Surges Near $100,000 as Trump Victory Sparks Cryptocurrency Rally

By
admin
-
0

Bitcoin surged toward the historic $100,000 milestone Thursday, fueled by investor optimism over President-elect Donald Trump’s promised cryptocurrency-friendly policies and widespread institutional adoption of digital assets.

The leading cryptocurrency reached $98,000 during European trading hours, marking a 4% daily gain and extending a remarkable rally that has seen its value double this year. The digital asset has surged approximately 40% in the two weeks following Trump’s election victory and the concurrent success of pro-cryptocurrency congressional candidates.

Trump’s campaign pledge to make the United States the “crypto capital of the planet” and establish a national bitcoin reserve has catalyzed unprecedented institutional investment, with more than $4 billion flowing into U.S.-listed bitcoin exchange-traded funds since the election.

“While it’s now firmly into overbought territory, it is being drawn toward the $100k level,” noted IG Markets analyst Tony Sycamore, highlighting the psychological significance of the approaching milestone.

The cryptocurrency surge has lifted related equities, with bitcoin miner MARA Holdings shares jumping nearly 14% overnight. MicroStrategy, a software company known for its substantial bitcoin holdings, saw its market capitalization exceed $100 billion following a 10% rise.

The momentum gained additional support from the successful launch of options trading on BlackRock’s bitcoin ETF (IBIT.O), with investors showing a strong preference for call options betting on further price increases.

“Many are wondering if this administration will bring the regulatory clarity the crypto community has been waiting for. It’s likely too soon to say,” said Will Peck, WisdomTree’s head of digital assets. “We see all of this excitement as bullish not only for bitcoin or crypto broadly, but the entire blockchain-enabled ecosystem that is growing today.”

US Embassy in Kyiv Reopens After Brief Closure Amid Russian Strike Threats

By
admin
-
0

The United States Embassy in Kyiv resumed operations late Wednesday after a brief closure prompted by warnings of potential Russian air strikes, occurring just one day after Ukraine deployed American missiles against targets within Russia.

“@USEmbassyKyiv has resumed services following a temporary shelter-in-place suspension earlier today,” U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink announced on social media platform X, while maintaining cautionary advice for American citizens to remain vigilant and prepared for possible air alerts.

The diplomatic disruption came amid heightened tensions following Ukraine’s first use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles against Russian territory, which Moscow characterized as a significant escalation in the 1,000-day conflict. Ukrainian military intelligence accused Russia of attempting to spread panic through fake online messages warning of imminent massive aerial attacks.

Italian and Greek embassies also suspended operations, while French diplomatic staff remained at work with increased security precautions. The U.S. embassy advised Americans to maintain emergency supplies, including water, food, and essential medications, citing persistent Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure that could disrupt basic services.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned citizens to heed air raid alerts while denouncing “panic-inducing messages” as serving Russian interests. “However many brutal and treacherous attacks by Russia we have endured… it is always important to pay attention to air raid warnings,” he said in his nightly address. “We have a neighbor that is insane.”

Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency reported that some military personnel received messages warning of an impending attack involving over 300 drones along with naval, air, and ground-based missile systems. The agency dismissed these as psychological warfare tactics, stating, “The enemy, unable to subdue Ukrainians by force, resorts to measures of intimidation and psychological pressure on society.”

The security concerns emerged as Ukraine acknowledged a successful strike on a Russian military command post in Belgorod region, though details about the operation remained limited. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has lowered the threshold for nuclear weapons use in response to conventional attacks, prompting Russian intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin to warn of retaliation against NATO countries facilitating Ukrainian long-range strikes.

The developments coincide with a new $275 million U.S. military aid package focusing on ammunition, drones, and missiles, announced as the conflict enters a critical phase with nearly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory under Russian control and North Korean troops reportedly deployed in Russia’s Kursk region.

Ukraine Reports First-Ever Military Use of Russian ICBM in War, Targeting Dnipro

By
admin
-
0

Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) against Ukraine on Thursday, Ukrainian air force officials reported, marking what security experts call the first-ever combat use of a weapon system designed for nuclear deterrence, amid rapidly escalating tensions in the 33-month-old conflict.

The unprecedented deployment follows Ukraine’s recent use of U.S. and British missiles for strikes inside Russian territory, despite Moscow’s warnings of severe retaliation. While the missile reportedly carried a conventional warhead, the use of an ICBM represents a significant escalation in the conflict.

Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda, citing anonymous sources, identified the weapon as an RS-26 Rubezh, a solid-fueled missile with a 5,800-kilometer range. The 12-meter-long missile, typically capable of carrying an 800-kilogram nuclear warhead, was reportedly launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region, more than 700 kilometers from its target in Dnipro.

Regional governor Serhiy Lysak reported the strike damaged an industrial facility and caused fires in Dnipro, injuring two people. The Russian barrage also included a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles, six of which Ukrainian forces intercepted, according to air force statements.

“If true this will be totally unprecedented and the first actual military use of ICBM,” posted Andrey Baklitskiy of the U.N. Institute for Disarmament Research on social media platform X. German security expert Ulrich Kuehn noted, “It looks as if Russia has today used an intercontinental ballistic missile in a war for the first time in history, against the civilian target Dnipro.”

The Kremlin declined immediate comment, directing inquiries to military authorities. Ukrainian defense consultancy Defense Express questioned whether the United States received advance warning of the launch, noting such notifications typically prevent accidental triggering of missile warning systems and retaliatory strikes.

The escalation comes amid shifting diplomatic dynamics, as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in January. Trump has criticized billions in Ukraine aid under Biden’s administration and promised to end the conflict, though without specifying how. Both sides appear to be strengthening their positions ahead of potential peace negotiations, which haven’t occurred since the war’s earliest months.

The incident follows Tuesday’s Ukrainian deployment of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles into Russia, authorized by President Biden, and Putin’s subsequent lowering of Russia’s threshold for nuclear weapons use. Moscow has consistently warned that Western-supplied weapons striking deep within Russian territory would mark a major escalation, while Kyiv maintains it requires such capability to target Russian military installations supporting the invasion.

REUTERS

Village Near Russian Missile Depot Evacuated After Ukrainian Drone Strikes

By
admin
-
0

Russian officials ordered the evacuation of a village in northwestern Russia Wednesday following a wave of Ukrainian drone strikes that targeted a nearby missile depot, marking one of the deepest attacks into Russian territory since the war began.

Multiple drones struck near the village of Kotovo in the Novgorod region, approximately 680 kilometers (420 miles) north of the Ukrainian border, prompting local authorities to relocate residents to safety. The village houses the 13th arsenal of the Russian military’s main missile and artillery directorate, a strategic installation that Ukrainian officials claim stores S-300 and S-400 missile systems.

“Residents of the village have been relocated to temporary accommodation centers in the town of Okulovka. They are receiving hot meals and beds,” Novgorod region Governor Andrei Nikitin announced via Telegram. He added that elderly and disabled residents were moved to hospitals as a precautionary measure.

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting 44 drones during the overnight assault, with 20 targeted specifically at the Novgorod region. Andriy Kovalenko, who heads Ukraine’s national security and defense council’s disinformation countermeasures center, confirmed the attack on the Kotovo arsenal.

The strikes appear to have validated concerns of local residents, some of whom began departing the area in September following similar Ukrainian attacks on comparable military installations across Russia.

themoscowtimes.com

Russia Arrests German National for Alleged Energy Infrastructure Sabotage

By
admin
-
0

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced Wednesday the arrest of a German citizen accused of sabotaging energy facilities in Kaliningrad, the latest in a series of security cases involving foreign nationals amid ongoing tensions with the West.

Nikolai Gaiduk, 56, of Hamburg, was detained at a Kaliningrad border crossing allegedly attempting to return to the Russian exclave to “organize acts of sabotage on local energy infrastructure,” according to FSB statements carried by Russian news agencies. The arrest follows investigations into a March 2024 explosion at a local gas distribution station.

Security officials claim they discovered approximately half a liter of explosive material hidden in a shampoo bottle in Gaiduk’s vehicle. The FSB alleges the suspect received both the explosives and operational instructions from a Ukrainian citizen based in Hamburg.

The arrest occurs in Kaliningrad, a strategic Russian territory bordered by NATO members Poland and Lithuania, highlighting growing security concerns in the region. Since Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, authorities have increasingly pursued cases involving sabotage, treason, and terrorism charges against both foreign and domestic suspects.

About 1,500 New Migrant Caravan Forms in Southern Mexico, Racing Against Trump’s Return to Power

By
admin
-
0

Approximately 1,500 migrants, primarily from Central and South America, launched a new caravan Wednesday from southern Mexico, embarking on a perilous journey toward the U.S. border amid growing concerns about impending immigration policy changes.

The group departed from Tapachula, near the Guatemalan border, where thousands of migrants remain stranded due to Mexican travel restrictions. Many participants express urgency to reach the United States before President-elect Donald Trump’s January inauguration, anticipating stricter border policies.

“It is going to be more difficult after Trump’s January 20 inauguration. That’s why we are going — in hopes of getting an appointment quicker, so we are able to cross before he takes office,” explained Yotzeli Peña, 23, a Venezuelan migrant.

The caravan phenomenon, which emerged in 2018, represents a last resort for migrants unable to afford smugglers’ fees. These mass movements provide relative safety from detention, as immigration authorities struggle to process large groups simultaneously. However, most caravans historically dissolve within 150 miles of their starting point.

Migrants face formidable challenges, including the threat of drug cartels deeply embedded in human trafficking operations. These criminal organizations routinely extort, kidnap, and torture migrants for ransom. The journey’s physical demands pose equally daunting obstacles — the shortest route to Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas, spans 1,100 miles of harsh terrain.

The U.S. government recently expanded its CBP One mobile application services to southern Mexico, allowing migrants to schedule asylum appointments before reaching the border. The system processes approximately 1,450 appointments daily, though Trump has pledged to eliminate the program and implement mass deportations upon taking office.

While earlier caravans in 2018 and 2019 occasionally received assistance from Mexican officials through arranged transportation, current policies actively discourage such support. Authorities have typically resolved recent caravans by offering temporary transit permits.

The desperate conditions in Tapachula, where migrants struggle to find work or basic resources, continue to drive these mass movements despite the risks and increasingly restrictive policies on both sides of the border.

VOA

1...569570571...997Page 570 of 997