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  • How the White House and governors want to fix AI-driven power shortages and price spikes

    How the White House and governors want to fix AI-driven power shortages and price spikes

    A bipartisan coalition of state governors joined Trump administration officials in a unified push on Friday, demanding urgent action from the nation’s largest grid operator to expand electricity generation capacity. The extraordinary pressure campaign targets PJM Interconnection, which manages the mid-Atlantic power network serving 13 states and Washington D.C., amid growing concerns that artificial intelligence development could trigger widespread blackouts while dramatically increasing consumer electricity costs.

    Interior Secretary Doug Burgum framed the situation as a national security imperative, stating that winning the AI race against China requires massive power infrastructure investments. “We know that with the demands of AI and the productivity that comes with that, it’s going to transform every job and every company,” Burgum told reporters at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. “But we need to be able to power that in the race we are in against China.”

    The proposed solution involves creating a specialized power auction allowing technology companies to directly bid on contracts for new power plant construction. This market-based approach would shift the financial burden of data center energy needs from residential consumers to the tech corporations driving demand. Additionally, officials want PJM to extend wholesale electricity price caps implemented last year that limit consumer cost increases through mid-2028.

    Governors Glenn Youngkin (Virginia), Wes Moore (Maryland), and Josh Shapiro (Pennsylvania) expressed mounting frustration with PJM’s response to the crisis. Moore emphasized that “we need for PJM to take action, we need for PJM to take it seriously,” while Youngkin characterized the situation as a “massive, massive crisis.”

    The urgency stems from alarming trends: analysts warn that data centers are consuming increasingly enormous power resources, with mid-Atlantic ratepayers already covering billions in infrastructure costs for facilities that haven’t been built. Meanwhile, electricity bills are rising faster than inflation nationwide, with many Americans falling behind on payments.

    Industry representatives from the Edison Electric Institute support the innovative bidding concept, though energy market experts question its feasibility within existing regulatory frameworks. Rob Gramlich of Grid Strategies LLC noted that PJM faces unique challenges, including longer permitting processes than states like Texas and complications from energy deregulation that left utilities without long-term power contracts.

    The standoff highlights the complex balance between technological advancement, consumer protection, and infrastructure development as America’s power grid faces unprecedented demands from the digital economy.

  • Canada’s Carney hails ‘strategic partnership’ in talks with Xi

    Canada’s Carney hails ‘strategic partnership’ in talks with Xi

    Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping have initiated a significant diplomatic reset during their meeting at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, marking the first Canadian leadership visit to China in eight years. The high-level discussions focused on establishing what both leaders termed a “new strategic partnership” aimed at overcoming years of strained relations.

    The bilateral relationship had deteriorated significantly since 2018, triggered by Canada’s arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. warrant and China’s subsequent detention of two Canadian citizens on espionage charges. This diplomatic crisis was further exacerbated by reciprocal trade tariffs and allegations of Chinese election interference.

    Prime Minister Carney emphasized the urgent need to diversify Canada’s economic partnerships, particularly in light of recent aggressive tariff impositions by the Trump administration on Canadian steel, aluminum, vehicles, and lumber. “Together we can build on the best of what this relationship has been in the past to create a new one adapted to new global realities,” Carney stated during the meeting.

    President Xi Jinping acknowledged the positive momentum since the leaders’ previous encounter at the October APEC summit, noting that their discussions had “opened a new chapter in turning China-Canada relations toward improvement.” Xi emphasized that “the healthy and stable development of China-Canada relations serves the common interests of our two countries.”

    The renewed partnership identifies agriculture, energy, and finance as priority sectors for immediate cooperation. Both nations are engaged in ongoing negotiations to reduce trade barriers and enhance bilateral commerce, though no formal agreement has been finalized. While China represents Canada’s second-largest export market, it currently accounts for less than 4% of Canadian exports, significantly trailing the United States’ 75% share.

  • ‘The weave’: Trump believes time is on his side to attack Iran, sources say

    ‘The weave’: Trump believes time is on his side to attack Iran, sources say

    The Trump administration is strategically evaluating the optimal timing for potential military action against Iran, according to current and former U.S. officials familiar with internal discussions. Administration analysts believe time favors American interests as widespread protests against Iran’s Islamic Republic show no signs of diminishing.

    The protests, initially sparked by economic discontent in January, have expanded to traditionally supportive rural areas and merchant communities. Iran’s response has reportedly turned exceptionally violent, with Reuters estimating over 2,600 fatalities—potentially making this crackdown the most severe in recent history.

    A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, highlighted upcoming symbolic dates—martyrs’ commemorations, Ramadan, the revolution anniversary, and Nowruz (Iranian New Year)—as potential flashpoints. Historical tensions during such periods have previously fueled revolutionary movements, including the 1979 overthrow of the U.S.-backed Shah.

    Randa Slim of the Stimson Center’s Middle East Program noted: “This deescalation appears temporary, very much awaiting developments in Iran. I think Trump is betting this regime can’t sustain itself long-term.”

    The administration’s deliberative approach reflects Trump’s documented preference for strategic unpredictability. A former official described this as “the weave”—methodically increasing and decreasing pressure while assessing the optimal moment for action.

    Military analysts identify Revolutionary Guard Corps bases and Basij militia facilities as likely targets should strikes occur. However, a former senior defense official cautioned against premature action: “If we allow this to play out naturally, we will be able to see who is remaining and what the public wants. Military action now may merely disrupt ongoing clandestine operations.”

    Logistical considerations also factor into the timing calculus. The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group requires approximately one week to transit from the South China Sea to the Middle East. Additionally, the U.S. must prepare for potential Iranian retaliation against regional bases and ally Israel, whose Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly requested a postponement of any attack.

    Regional diplomacy significantly influences Washington’s calculations. Gulf partners—particularly Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey—have intensified lobbying against military action. Since Trump’s June strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, regional powers have taken the threat of American intervention more seriously.

    David Schenker of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy concluded: “Everything that has been done is positioning the US to do this. He is signalling that this is coming.” The administration appears to be balancing military preparedness with diplomatic pressures while monitoring Iran’s internal stability.

  • Social media platforms removed 4.7 million accounts after Australia banned them for children

    Social media platforms removed 4.7 million accounts after Australia banned them for children

    WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Australian officials announced Friday that social media platforms have deactivated or restricted approximately 4.7 million accounts belonging to minors since the implementation of the nation’s groundbreaking under-16 social media prohibition in December. The sweeping ban represents one of the world’s most aggressive regulatory actions against technology companies concerning child protection.

    Communications Minister Anika Wells declared the measure a victory for Australian families, stating: “We confronted some of the world’s most powerful corporations and their supporters who claimed this was impossible. Australian parents can now feel assured that their children can reclaim their childhoods.”

    The comprehensive data, submitted to Australia’s government by ten major social media platforms, provides the first quantitative assessment of the policy’s impact. The legislation emerged from mounting concerns about harmful digital environments affecting youth development, triggering intense national debates about technology usage, privacy rights, child safety protocols, and mental health implications.

    Under Australia’s regulatory framework, prominent platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, and Twitch face potential penalties exceeding AU$49.5 million (US$33.2 million) for non-compliance with age verification requirements. Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger remain exempt from these restrictions.

    Platforms employ triple-verification methodologies: requesting official identification documents, utilizing third-party facial age estimation technology, or making inferences from existing account metadata including account longevity.

    According to eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s 2.5 million children aged 8-15 previously demonstrated an 84% social media penetration rate among 8-12 year-olds. The commissioner characterized the 4.7 million account removals as “encouraging” progress in protecting minors from predatory digital practices.

    Meta, parent company to Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, reported eliminating approximately 550,000 accounts belonging to suspected underage users within the policy’s first operational day. Despite compliance, Meta criticized the regulatory approach in an official blog post, warning that smaller exempt platforms might not prioritize safety measures and that algorithmic content delivery remains unaddressed.

    The policy garnered substantial support from parents and child safety advocates while drawing opposition from digital privacy organizations and youth representatives who highlighted the importance of online communities for vulnerable and geographically isolated adolescents.

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated the policy’s international influence, noting: “Despite initial skepticism, Australia’s framework is now inspiring global replication—a source of national pride.” Denmark has already announced plans to implement similar restrictions for children under 15.

    Opposition lawmakers raised concerns about easy circumvention through age verification deception or adult assistance, coupled with migration to less-scrutinized applications. Commissioner Inman Grant acknowledged initial spikes in alternative app downloads but noted no sustained usage increases.

    The eSafety Commission plans to introduce pioneering restrictions on AI companions and chatbots in March, further expanding Australia’s digital child protection framework.

  • Survey says slowing economy is the No. 1 worry for US businesses in China, not trade friction

    Survey says slowing economy is the No. 1 worry for US businesses in China, not trade friction

    A comprehensive survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in China indicates that U.S. corporations operating in China now perceive the nation’s economic deceleration as a more pressing concern than bilateral trade disputes. The report, published Friday, reveals that 64% of the 368 responding companies identify China’s slowing growth as their primary challenge, while 58% cite ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions as a significant obstacle.

    This shifting priority reflects the substantial footprint of American businesses within China’s domestic market, which serves approximately 1.4 billion consumers. Many of these enterprises maintain operations focused exclusively on Chinese market consumption rather than export-oriented models.

    Economic projections suggest China’s expansion will continue moderating this year following an approximate 5% growth rate in 2025. Last year’s export performance exceeded import growth, resulting in a record trade surplus nearing $1.2 trillion.

    Despite these challenges, business sentiment has demonstrated improvement compared to previous years. Over half of surveyed companies reported profitability in 2025, marking a significant increase from the previous year’s figures. This optimism persists even as overall foreign direct investment in China declined by 7.5% year-over-year during the first eleven months of 2025, totaling 693 billion yuan ($99 billion).

    The current trade truce between Washington and Beijing, established after President Trump’s reinstatement of tariffs reaching 145% on Chinese imports, has provided some operational stability. Anticipated diplomatic exchanges, including Trump’s potential April visit to Beijing and reciprocal travel by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the United States, may further influence commercial relations.

    AmCham China President Michael Hart emphasized during a media briefing that while companies acknowledge political realities, their focus remains on capitalizing on business opportunities. He noted perceived Chinese government interest in maintaining foreign investment channels, particularly from American enterprises.

    The survey conducted between October 22 and November 20, 2023, coincided with the extension of the U.S.-China trade truce agreement during the leaders’ meeting in South Korea.

  • Fire breaks out in Seoul’s last-remaining shanty town

    Fire breaks out in Seoul’s last-remaining shanty town

    A significant fire broke out on Friday in Guryong village, one of Seoul’s last remaining informal settlements, destroying numerous makeshift homes and prompting the evacuation of dozens of residents. Authorities confirmed no immediate casualties from the incident.

    Fire officials reported bringing the majority of the blaze under control approximately 6.5 hours after it ignited in this hillside community located in southern Seoul. During a televised briefing, local fire officer Jeong Gwang-hun stated that emergency crews were conducting thorough searches of the affected area to ensure no victims remained trapped in the damaged structures.

    The fire response mobilized an extensive emergency deployment with over 1,200 personnel from fire and police services working at the scene. Investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway, with officials examining all potential factors that might have contributed to the outbreak.

    Guryong village’s structural vulnerabilities have been noted by urban observers, who point to the community’s tightly packed dwellings constructed from highly flammable materials as creating persistent fire hazards. This incident represents the latest in a series of fires that have affected the settlement over several years.

    The village’s location adjacent to some of Seoul’s most affluent districts—characterized by luxury high-rise apartments and upscale shopping areas—has made it a visible symbol of South Korea’s economic disparities. The community originally formed during the 1980s as a refuge for residents displaced by massive urban redevelopment projects and neighborhood clearances.

    Historical context reveals that hundreds of thousands of low-income residents were removed from their homes during extensive slum clearance operations in the decades preceding the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Military-backed leadership at the time considered these urban beautification projects essential for presenting a modernized image to international visitors during the global event.

  • Surveillance, harassment and bribes: everyday life for migrants in Russia

    Surveillance, harassment and bribes: everyday life for migrants in Russia

    For Alym, a 38-year-old Kyrgyz taxi driver and father of two residing near Moscow, daily existence in Russia is characterized by an oppressive cycle of digital monitoring, institutional corruption, and social hostility. His experience reflects the grim reality facing an estimated 6.5 million foreign nationals, predominantly low-wage workers from Central Asia who form a critical pillar of Russia’s economy amid severe labor shortages exacerbated by its military operations in Ukraine.

    Migrants navigate a labyrinth of bureaucratic exploitation, with law enforcement routinely demanding off-the-books payments—often reaching $300—for essential documentation including registrations, work permits, and patents. Compounding this financial burden is the state-mandated Amina surveillance application, which requires daily location sharing. Failure to comply for just 72 hours results in placement on an official ‘register of monitored persons,’ triggering frozen bank accounts, employment termination, academic expulsion, or even deportation.

    This climate of institutionalized pressure intensified following President Vladimir Putin’s 2023 policy enactment designed to ‘limit the presence of migrants’ family members,’ ostensibly to reduce strain on social services. Among its most controversial measures are excessively stringent language proficiency tests for migrant children seeking school admission—a requirement that federal data indicates could block 87% of such students from education by 2025.

    Anna Orlova, a Russian language instructor with the Migratory Children project, condemns the policy as counterproductive, stating, ‘We should, on the contrary, be glad that migrants come to us. It means the Russian economy is growing.’

    Xenophobic sentiment, historically pervasive in Russian society, has escalated further since the March 2024 concert hall massacre near Moscow, for which four Tajik nationals stand accused. This incident catalyzed political rhetoric against immigration, with ultra-nationalist parties like the Kremlin-allied LDPR capitalizing on public anxiety. Party leader Leonid Slutsky declared, ‘We’re fed up with this situation,’ accusing migrants of ‘undermining the principles and traditions’ of Russian society.

    Tragically, this hostility permeates everyday life. Alym’s son was recently assaulted by Russian classmates, echoing December’s fatal stabbing of a 10-year-old Tajik boy by a teenager espousing neo-Nazi ideologies.

    Svetlana Gannushkina of the ‘foreign agent’-designated Civic Assistance group observes, ‘A migrant’s life in Russia is difficult. The migrant becomes an enemy on whom the discontent in society is funneled.’ With inflation surging and military taxes increasing, anti-immigrant narratives falsely blame migrants for wage suppression and job theft.

    For many like Alym, who once aspired to Russian citizenship, the ongoing Ukraine offensive has transformed that dream into a fear of conscription. He now plans to return to Kyrgyzstan by 2030, joining a growing exodus of families whose children face educational exclusion.

  • Cuba counts cost of alliance after 32 troops killed in Venezuela

    Cuba counts cost of alliance after 32 troops killed in Venezuela

    Havana witnessed a solemn procession as the remains of 32 Cuban personnel killed during recent US military operations in Venezuela returned home. From sunrise, military formations, government officials, and civilians lined the route between José Martí International Airport and the Armed Forces Ministry, paying respects to what state media termed “fallen heroes.” The country’s leadership, including Raúl Castro and President Miguel Díaz-Canel, received flag-draped boxes containing cremated ashes, each displayed alongside photographs of the deceased beneath inscriptions reading “honor and glory.

    This incident represents the most significant combat loss for Cuban forces at US hands since the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, highlighting the rarity of direct military engagements between the two nations over the past six decades. The successful Delta Force operation, resulting in no reported American casualties, demonstrated the tactical disparity between US special forces and Cuban operatives.

    The aftermath has forced Havana’s unprecedented acknowledgment of deploying intelligence officers within Venezuela’s power structures, confirming long-standing allegations about Cuban involvement across Caracas’ security apparatus. This revelation exposes the深度of intelligence cooperation that formed a cornerstone of bilateral relations, with Cuba sharing decades of experience in maintaining political control with its Venezuelan partners.

    Geopolitical shifts are accelerating following Venezuela’s leadership transition. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez’s telephone diplomacy with Donald Trump—who subsequently praised her as “a terrific person”—marks a dramatic reversal from previous US characterization of Venezuela’s government as “narco-terrorists.” This emerging modus vivendi between Caracas and Washington leaves Cuban officials uncertain about their future influence in the region.

    Amid these developments, 88-year-old revolutionary veteran Víctor Dreke—a contemporary of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara—draws parallels with the 1961 invasion, insisting Cuba would vigorously resist any US incursion. “If the Americans put a single foot on Cuban soil, it won’t be like their cowardly ambush of our combatants in Venezuela,” Dreke asserted, quoting Raúl Castro’s warning about stirring “a hornets’ nest.”

    The nation prepares under difficult circumstances: widespread blackouts, an economy crippled by embargo and mismanagement, scarce fuel, and stagnant tourism recovery. The potential loss of Venezuelan support compounds these challenges, creating what many perceive as a bleak outlook. Yet revolutionary veterans like Dreke maintain that Cuba has endured previous crises and will persevere through continued resistance, even as officials emphasize they seek no escalation with Washington.

  • NATO chief’s tactic on Trump’s Greenland threats? Change topic

    NATO chief’s tactic on Trump’s Greenland threats? Change topic

    NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is employing strategic silence and tactical redirection as he confronts one of the most delicate challenges of his tenure: managing fallout from U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark. The territorial claims have created unprecedented tension within the 76-year-old military alliance, testing Rutte’s diplomatic acumen and threatening to destabilize NATO’s foundational unity.

    The former Dutch prime minister has adopted a carefully calibrated approach of minimal public commentary while intensifying behind-the-scenes diplomacy. Rather than directly addressing the Greenland controversy, Rutte has persistently redirected focus toward enhancing Arctic security cooperation among member states. This strategy has included deflecting pointed questions from European Parliament members and maintaining public praise for Trump’s contributions to NATO defense spending increases.

    During a recent tense exchange with Danish legislator Stine Bosse, who demanded intervention in the bilateral dispute, Rutte maintained his disciplined neutrality: ‘My role as secretary general is very clear—I never ever comment when there are discussions within the alliance. You work behind the scenes.’ He instead emphasized what he considers the paramount issue: ‘The defense of the high north, the defense of the Arctic area.’

    Diplomatic analysts recognize Rutte’s position as particularly complex given his reputation as one of few European leaders who maintains functional access to the unpredictable American president. His successful brokering of NATO spending agreements earlier this year earned him credibility as a ‘Trump-whisperer,’ capital now being tested in this crisis.

    Jamie Shea, former NATO senior official now with Chatham House, explained the delicate balance: ‘It’s difficult for Rutte to take the lead here as he has to keep the alliance together and keep the Americans onboard. He can’t take the European side against Washington.’

    The Greenland controversy emerges during a particularly fragile period for transatlantic relations, with Europe simultaneously managing Trump’s evolving approach to Russia’s war in Ukraine and preparing for a potentially volatile NATO summit in Turkey. Some alliance diplomats suggest Rutte may need to expend previously reserved political capital to prevent the Greenland situation from escalating further.

    While Rutte currently maintains that intra-alliance disputes fall outside his direct purview, former NATO official Camille Grand notes the secretary general’s calculated risk: ‘At the moment, he says he is not getting involved in disputes between member states. That may work for now, but at some point he risks being caught up in it.’ Despite these pressures, Rutte projects unwavering confidence in his role and NATO’s resilience, recently stating he remains ‘thoroughly enjoying the role and the job’ when questioned about the alliance’s future.

  • ‘Baby, don’t move’: Australian woman wakes to find massive python on her chest

    ‘Baby, don’t move’: Australian woman wakes to find massive python on her chest

    A Brisbane resident experienced an extraordinary wildlife encounter when she awoke to find a massive carpet python coiled on her chest in the middle of the night. Rachel Bloor initially mistook the serpent for her dog before realizing the true nature of her unexpected bedmate.

    Bloor’s partner confirmed their worst fears upon switching on the lights, revealing a 2.5-meter python resting directly on her. Her immediate concern turned to the family’s Dalmatian, fearing potential ‘carnage’ if the dog detected the reptile. After safely securing the pets outside the bedroom, Bloor meticulously extracted herself from beneath the covers.

    The non-venomous python had apparently entered through window shutters, with part of its tail still visible outside during the incident. Demonstrating remarkable composure, Bloor gently guided the python back through the window opening. Her childhood experience growing up around snakes on acreage property helped maintain her calm demeanor throughout the ordeal.

    Bloor remarked that she finds cane toads—Australia’s notoriously destructive pests—far more distressing than snakes. All parties, including the python, emerged from the encounter completely unharmed. Carpet pythons, common constrictors in Australian coastal regions, typically prey on small mammals and birds without posing significant danger to humans.