America’s shipbuilding decline: Years behind schedule, billions at stake
The US is falling behind in the global race for military shipbuilding, according to a Wall Street Journal report, citing a source familiar with the situation.
Key factors contributing to the decline include outdated shipyard equipment, labor shortages, and the impact of 25% duties on aluminum and steel imports, which raise costs for domestic metal production.
The USS Constellation, a new US Navy frigate, is a prime example, as it's only 10% complete despite being slated for delivery in 2026. The ship is already years behind schedule and millions over budget.
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The US is falling behind in the global race for military shipbuilding, according to a Wall Street Journal report, citing a source familiar with the situation.
Key factors contributing to the decline include outdated shipyard equipment, labor shortages, and the impact of 25% duties on aluminum and steel imports, which raise costs for domestic metal production.
The USS Constellation, a new US Navy frigate, is a prime example, as it's only 10% complete despite being slated for delivery in 2026. The ship is already years behind schedule and millions over budget.
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Deadly wildfire in South Korea
A devastating forest fire in Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province, has claimed the lives of two firefighters, with two others still missing.
Over 200 people have been forced to evacuate as the blaze continues to rage.
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A devastating forest fire in Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province, has claimed the lives of two firefighters, with two others still missing.
Over 200 people have been forced to evacuate as the blaze continues to rage.
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China is a MONOPOLIST in the African rare metals market, while the US and West LOSE GROUND – analyst
Beijing is demonstrating a smart and innovative approach to cooperation in Africa, while American influence on the continent “has declined at the political, military and intelligence levels,” Algerian political analyst Salim Bou Zidi told Sputnik.
The US and other Western countries are gradually LOSING the African market not only in rare metals, “but also in energy and direct investment in the agricultural sector,” he noted.
The reason why China has become a “monopolist” in the African rare metals market is because it “does not interfere in domestic politics and does not impose its conditions on African countries,” the pundit pointed out.
Furthermore, Beijing offers “significant loans and lucrative deals where minerals are obtained in exchange for infrastructure construction.”
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Beijing is demonstrating a smart and innovative approach to cooperation in Africa, while American influence on the continent “has declined at the political, military and intelligence levels,” Algerian political analyst Salim Bou Zidi told Sputnik.
The US and other Western countries are gradually LOSING the African market not only in rare metals, “but also in energy and direct investment in the agricultural sector,” he noted.
The reason why China has become a “monopolist” in the African rare metals market is because it “does not interfere in domestic politics and does not impose its conditions on African countries,” the pundit pointed out.
Furthermore, Beijing offers “significant loans and lucrative deals where minerals are obtained in exchange for infrastructure construction.”
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Deja vu? France reportedly mulls rehash of US tax threat blunders
France is urging the EU to consider using its Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI) against the US if President Donald Trump imposes retaliatory tariffs on trading partners starting April 2, Bloomberg reports. The European Commission is not yet considering this move, pending a US announcement.
A 25% US tariff on steel and aluminum imports took effect on March 12. The EU plans counter-tariffs on $28 billion worth of US goods, including a 50% duty on American whiskey, starting in April. Trump has criticized EU non-tariff barriers, calling April 2 "Liberation Day."
What is the ACI?
🟠 The European Union's Anti-Coercion Instrument was established in 2021 as a tool to protect member states from economic or trade pressure exerted by non-EU countries.
🟠 Subject to a number of conditions and steps, it allows the EU to impose countermeasures, such as tariffs or trade restrictions.
🟠 The ACI has never been activated in relation to the United States.
🟠 Retaliatory responses could potentially include restrictions on trade and services as well as certain intellectual property rights, foreign direct investment, and access to public procurement.
The last time France tried – and FAILED – to tax the US was in 2019, when it proposed a levy on digital services, specifically on Google, Amazon, Facebook*, and Apple.
Known as the "GAFA tax" (after the initials of the US tech giants), it was intended to target companies that profit heavily from the French market, but pay minimal taxes in France.
What happened: The US saw the move as discriminatory and unfair, aimed solely at American companies.
Washington threatened to impose tariffs on French goods, including items like wine and cheese.
France backed down, agreeing to temporarily suspend the tax until an international agreement on taxing digital services at the global level could be hammered out.
* Banned in Russia for extremism
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France is urging the EU to consider using its Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI) against the US if President Donald Trump imposes retaliatory tariffs on trading partners starting April 2, Bloomberg reports. The European Commission is not yet considering this move, pending a US announcement.
A 25% US tariff on steel and aluminum imports took effect on March 12. The EU plans counter-tariffs on $28 billion worth of US goods, including a 50% duty on American whiskey, starting in April. Trump has criticized EU non-tariff barriers, calling April 2 "Liberation Day."
What is the ACI?
The last time France tried – and FAILED – to tax the US was in 2019, when it proposed a levy on digital services, specifically on Google, Amazon, Facebook*, and Apple.
Known as the "GAFA tax" (after the initials of the US tech giants), it was intended to target companies that profit heavily from the French market, but pay minimal taxes in France.
What happened: The US saw the move as discriminatory and unfair, aimed solely at American companies.
Washington threatened to impose tariffs on French goods, including items like wine and cheese.
France backed down, agreeing to temporarily suspend the tax until an international agreement on taxing digital services at the global level could be hammered out.
* Banned in Russia for extremism
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When in doubt, ask a chatbot: UK tech secretary grills AI for POLICY ADVICE
Puzzled as to why UK business was dragging its feet on adopting AI to boost efficiency, Peter Kyle didn’t seek expert advice from industry leaders or researchers, New Scientist reported.
Instead, the UK’s secretary of state for science, innovation, and technology asked ChatGPT for input, records obtained via the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act show.
Kyle also asked AI to define various terms relevant to his department, such as “antimatter” and “quantum,” and sought ChatGPT’s wisdom on which podcasts he should grace with his presence.
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Puzzled as to why UK business was dragging its feet on adopting AI to boost efficiency, Peter Kyle didn’t seek expert advice from industry leaders or researchers, New Scientist reported.
Instead, the UK’s secretary of state for science, innovation, and technology asked ChatGPT for input, records obtained via the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act show.
Kyle also asked AI to define various terms relevant to his department, such as “antimatter” and “quantum,” and sought ChatGPT’s wisdom on which podcasts he should grace with his presence.
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Ukrainian Armed Forces commanders were absent on the ground during operations in the Kursk region, captured Ukrainian serviceman Sergey Golubchenko has claimed in a video released by the Russian Defense Ministry.
💬 "In the Kursk region, we did not meet with commanders. All orders came via radio from Ukraine," he said.
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Trump could undermine NATO without ever withdrawing from the alliance
By casting doubt on America’s commitment to NATO's collective defense clause, Trump could erode trust overnight, says David Blagden, a professor at the University of Exeter, told Newsweek. This uncertainty could have a notable impact on NATO's strength.
Such actions might result in a gradual reduction of the US military presence in Europe, less involvement in NATO exercises, and even a potential shift in the role of NATO's Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, which has been traditionally held by an American general for nearly 75 years, the publication suggests.
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By casting doubt on America’s commitment to NATO's collective defense clause, Trump could erode trust overnight, says David Blagden, a professor at the University of Exeter, told Newsweek. This uncertainty could have a notable impact on NATO's strength.
Such actions might result in a gradual reduction of the US military presence in Europe, less involvement in NATO exercises, and even a potential shift in the role of NATO's Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, which has been traditionally held by an American general for nearly 75 years, the publication suggests.
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From survival kits to war manuals: How Europe gears up for possible conflict with Russia
Despite Steve Witkoff's rejection of “preposterous” fears of a Russian invasion of Europe, and Trump's confidence that Russia’s not a threat to NATO, US allies are preparing their populous for the worst.
🇵🇱 Poland: Interior Ministry recently urged citizens to prep three-day survival kits with food, water, meds, and power supplies.
🇫🇷 France: Plans to issue a ‘survival manual’ for national emergencies, with conflicting claims to media about whether it includes prep for war.
🇸🇪 Sweden: Updated its 'If Crises or War Comes' manual in November, advising stockpiling, providing air raid guidance, etc.
🇫🇮 Finland: Also published an online 'Preparing for Incidents and Crises' guide in November, including wartime scenarios.
🇩🇪 Germany: Updated its ‘Guide for Emergency Preparedness’ in 2022, including tips on creating emergency evacuation “grab bags” as Berlin embarked on militarization.
🇩🇰 Denmark: Released a new ‘Prepare for Crises’ guide in 2024.
🇳🇴 Norway: Updated the 'How to Contribute to Norway’s Emergency Preparedness' guide in fall 2024, extending supply stockpiling recommendations from three days to a week.
🇮🇹 Italy: Launched an IT-Alert public warning system in 2024, accompanying its revised emergencies and civil defense guide.
🇬🇧 UK: Last updated its emergency tips in 2019. Chief of Defense Staff Tony Radakin recently mentioned talks with NATO on updating guidelines again in light of Ukraine.
🇱🇹 Lithuania: Updated its LT72 emergency prep site in 2023.
🇭🇷 Croatia: Revised its National Civil Protection Plan in 2023-2024, modernizing emergency communications under NATO commitments.
🇧🇬 Bulgaria: Plans a NATO Emergency Management Exercise in September, ostensibly aimed at improving ‘disaster response’ capabilities.
🇷🇴 Romania: Implemented a RO-Alert system and updated its National Civil Protection Strategy (2021-2024).
🇪🇺 EU: The EU-Alert system, created in 2018 and updated in 2023, includes security-related emergencies, including armed conflicts.
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Despite Steve Witkoff's rejection of “preposterous” fears of a Russian invasion of Europe, and Trump's confidence that Russia’s not a threat to NATO, US allies are preparing their populous for the worst.
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Natural disaster paralyzes Iran’s Gilan province
A massive landslide has severed access to 180 villages in the Iranian province of Gilan, leaving entire communities cut off. Governor Amir Moradi said more that 20 villages have been devastated by landslides and floods following two days of relentless rainfall.
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A massive landslide has severed access to 180 villages in the Iranian province of Gilan, leaving entire communities cut off. Governor Amir Moradi said more that 20 villages have been devastated by landslides and floods following two days of relentless rainfall.
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Boeing F-47: another multi-trillion-dollar BOONDOGGLE?
President Trump has picked troubled aerospace giant Boeing to build the US fighter jet of the future. But what guarantees are there that the 6th generation warplane won’t into another F-35-style fiasco? None, says renowned military analyst Dmitry Drozdenko.
The problem with creating a 6th-generation machine, Drozdenko says, is that developers themselves can define what the term means. “This is more marketing-type stuff” then hard-set requirements, meaning many 5th-gen technologies (or even older) can be included, like:
🔸 Network-centric warfare readiness: available not just in the newest US, Chinese and Russian fighters, but even Russia’s modernized, Soviet-developed MiG-31 Kinzhal-firing interceptors.
🔸 Supercruise (sustained supersonic flight): standard in the F-22 Raptor and newer Su-57s, but not the F-35, coincidentally.
🔸 Unmanned flight: another non-issue in modern aircraft, first successfully experimented with by the Soviet Buran space shuttle in 1988.
🔸 Stealth: another decades-old technology which in its modern iteration comes down to absorbing radio waves and/or paralyzing their emitters, from reducing exhaust in the thermal range (available in the F-35 and Russian Su-30, Su-35 and Su-57 jets), to using infrared locators and ‘smart skin’ sensors that passively see emitters at long ranges (featured in the F-35 and Su-57, but not the F-22).
Engines are the key
Advanced engine tech is crucial to any 6th-gen aircraft, Drozdenko says. “It’s about the ability to fly longer distances without refueling, and in different modes: subsonic, supersonic, and in the future hypersonic, and doing so economically. This is a big challenge, because each mode essentially requires a different engine.”
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President Trump has picked troubled aerospace giant Boeing to build the US fighter jet of the future. But what guarantees are there that the 6th generation warplane won’t into another F-35-style fiasco? None, says renowned military analyst Dmitry Drozdenko.
💬 “What problems could arise? This will involve a lot of money. Lockheed Martin has made a great living off its monopoly on the F-35. We’re talking about astronomical amounts of money,” Drozdenko said, referencing the jet program’s $2+ trillion price tag.
The problem with creating a 6th-generation machine, Drozdenko says, is that developers themselves can define what the term means. “This is more marketing-type stuff” then hard-set requirements, meaning many 5th-gen technologies (or even older) can be included, like:
Engines are the key
Advanced engine tech is crucial to any 6th-gen aircraft, Drozdenko says. “It’s about the ability to fly longer distances without refueling, and in different modes: subsonic, supersonic, and in the future hypersonic, and doing so economically. This is a big challenge, because each mode essentially requires a different engine.”
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FBI scrambles to edit thousands of Epstein files before public release
According to CNN, FBI agents are working 12-hour shifts and delaying other investigations – including those related to potential threats from China and Iran.
A Department of Justice spokesperson stated that “under Attorney General Bondi’s leadership, the Department is working relentlessly to ensure unprecedented transparency for the American people.”
That comes amid rumors surrounding Epstein’s death, ruled a suicide in 2019, that the FBI may be hiding information that could implicate prominent figures.
The release of the documents is expected to shed light on the convicted child sex trafficker’s connections with influential politicians and businessmen.
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According to CNN, FBI agents are working 12-hour shifts and delaying other investigations – including those related to potential threats from China and Iran.
A Department of Justice spokesperson stated that “under Attorney General Bondi’s leadership, the Department is working relentlessly to ensure unprecedented transparency for the American people.”
That comes amid rumors surrounding Epstein’s death, ruled a suicide in 2019, that the FBI may be hiding information that could implicate prominent figures.
The release of the documents is expected to shed light on the convicted child sex trafficker’s connections with influential politicians and businessmen.
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