The Pentagon contract to deploy Elon Musk’s Starlink terminals in Ukraine will expire next month, Bloomberg has reported, citing an unnamed US official. The service plays a vital role in Washington's security assistance to Kiev, the report adds.
The source also revealed that the contract, which went into force in June of last year and lasts through May, is worth $23 million. The US Department of Defence has so far refused to officially disclose the size of the contract. The amount has been described by the publication as “miniscule” compared to the “hundreds of millions of dollars” Musk’s SpaceX received from the US for launching some of its national security satellites. Musk has repeatedly voiced unease about the use of Starlink in Ukraine. The satellite network has been providing communications to the country’s military and the government. ”Starlink needs to be a civilian network, not a participant to combat,” Musk said on X (formerly Twitter) in September, referring to the use of the satellites in Ukraine throughout the conflict with Russia. “This is the right order of things,” he added. Musk’s comment came shortly after the billionaire revealed that he had foiled a Ukrainian drone raid on Crimea by refusing to let Kiev forces use Starlink to guide naval drone strikes on Russian ships. Musk’s admission sparked outrage in Kiev, with Mikhail Podoliak, a top adviser to President Vladimir Zelensky, accusing him of “enabling evil.” Musk responded to the accusation by explaining that he had no obligation to fight for Ukraine, adding that he did not want Space X to be “explicitly complicit in a major act of war and conflict escalation.” His remark echoed a previous statement made in the winter of 2023, where he admitted that although Starlink was “the communication backbone of Ukraine, especially at the front lines”, SpaceX “will not enable escalation of conflict that may lead to WW3.” Last year, SpaceX signed a contract with the US Defence Department to provide satellite services as part of the Pentagon’s new ‘Starshield’ program. CEO Elon Musk described the effort as a military alternative to the “civilian” Starlink. However the new Space Force contract will see Starshield’ rely on the existing constellation of Starlink satellites.
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Washington has intercepted and transferred to Kiev thousands of Kalashnikov assault rifles and machine guns, with over half a million rounds of ammunition, as well as grenade launchers and sniper rifles, the US Central Command announced on Tuesday.
The transfer took place on April 4 and included “enough materiel” to equip a single Ukrainian brigade with small arms, CENTCOM said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “The US government transferred over 5,000 AK-47s, machine guns, sniper rifles, RPG-7s and over 500,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces,” it wrote. The Pentagon claims that the guns and ammunition were on their way from Iran to the Houthi militia in Yemen, in violation of a UN arms embargo, when they were seized by the US Navy and its allies from several “transiting stateless vessels” off the coast of Yemen between May 2021 and February 2023. In December, the US government “obtained ownership of these munitions” through the civil forfeiture claims by the Justice Department. Civil asset forfeiture is a practice that allows the US government to seize property suspected of being used in criminal activity, and has long been criticized as de facto theft. “US CENTCOM is committed to working with our allies and partners to counter the flow of Iranian lethal aid in the region by all lawful means,” it claimed, insisting that Tehran’s “support for armed groups threatens international and regional security.” The announcement came amid uncertainty over further US funding of Ukraine’s war effort. President Joe Biden has been urging Congress for months to approve his aid package which would earmark $60 billion for Ukraine. Many Republicans have opposed the measure, demanding more efforts to strengthen US border security, while seeking more accountability for the aid already transferred to Kiev. The US has provided Ukraine with $113 billion in various forms of assistance since the start of hostilities. Russia has repeatedly condemned Western arms shipments to Ukraine, saying these will only prolong the conflict, while making the West a direct participant in the hostilities. The legendary guitar known as "Greeny," a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard, has earned its place in the annals of rock history through its association with Peter Green, one of the most influential guitarists of his era.
The story of Greeny intertwines with the careers of several notable musicians, each leaving their mark on this iconic instrument. Peter Green, a founding member of Fleetwood Mac, acquired the guitar in 1966. Greeny quickly became his instrument of choice, shaping the distinctive sound of the early Fleetwood Mac albums and contributing to the band's rise to prominence. Green's emotive playing style and soulful tone were amplified through the rich, resonant tones of the Les Paul, making it an integral part of his musical identity. However, Green's tenure with the guitar was relatively short-lived. Following a period of personal turmoil and struggles with mental health, he left Fleetwood Mac in 1970. In the years that followed, Greeny changed hands multiple times, each new owner adding another chapter to its storied history. One of the notable owners of Greeny was Gary Moore, an Irish guitarist renowned for his virtuosic playing across various genres, including blues and hard rock. Moore acquired the guitar in the 1970s and used it extensively throughout his career. His fiery playing style and expressive phrasing breathed new life into Greeny, ensuring its continued relevance in the world of rock music. After Moore, Greeny found its way into the hands of other guitarists, each bringing their own unique flair to its sound. From Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy to Rick Vito of Fleetwood Mac, the guitar continued to be a sought-after instrument among musicians seeking to channel the spirit of its original owner, Peter Green. In 2014, Greeny found its current custodian in Kirk Hammett, the lead guitarist of Metallica. Hammett, an avid collector of vintage guitars, recognized the historical significance of Greeny and added it to his impressive collection. While primarily known for his work in metal, Hammett's appreciation for blues and classic rock makes him a fitting guardian for this iconic instrument. Today, Greeny remains a symbol of musical heritage and artistic expression. Its journey from the hands of Peter Green to its current owner, Kirk Hammett, serves as a testament to the enduring power of music and the profound impact that a single instrument can have on generations of musicians and fans alike. As long as its strings continue to resonate, Greeny will continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the world, carrying forward the legacy of its legendary owners. Production of Taurus missiles, which Kiev has been pressuring Berlin to supply for use against Russia, is currently suspended, the head of the German branch of European arms manufacturer MBDA has said.
Around 600 of the missiles have so far been produced at a facility in the State of Bavaria, but the company cannot make more of them because it has no current contract with the German authorities, Thomas Gottschild said in an interview with the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper on Saturday. The production lines for the Taurus are still available, so MBDA could “ramp up” deliveries of the missiles “at any time,” the executive said. “To do this, however, we would need a new order for these weapons,” he added. The company cannot make reserves of the missiles because it is prohibited under German law, he explained. The halt in production is always a “challenge” for the defense industry, Gottschild stressed. “Our suppliers, who are often small and medium-sized enterprises... often cannot afford financially to maintain production lines. So if we were to receive new orders for the Taurus, our suppliers would first have to reposition themselves and, for example, secure the raw materials they need,” he explained. The Taurus missile has a range of over 500km (around 310 miles) and “is only detected very late by radar” as it moves at a low altitude, the executive said. “This capability profile is in high demand, especially in Ukraine.” However, Gottschild declined to answer a question on whether Kiev should be given the missiles, calling it a “political decision” that should be made by the German government. Chancellor Olaf Scholz doubled down on his refusal to provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles in mid-March, telling parliament that “this is a very long-range weapon” that could not be used without the deployment of German soldiers.” The statement was made just over a week after the publication by RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan of a leaked recording, in which high-ranking German officers discussed the possible use of Taurus missiles against the Crimean Bridge, and spoke about maintaining plausible deniability in the event of such an attack on Russian territory. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the leak “once again confirms the direct involvement of… the so-called collective West in the conflict around Ukraine,” while Russia’s First Deputy Permanent Representative at the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, suggested that it revealed Germany’s “new colors,” portraying it as “lying, mean, aggressive, revanchist and Russophobic.” The German authorities confirmed the authenticity of the recording, but claimed that Moscow took the conversation out of context in an attempt to cause division among Ukraine’s allies in the West. Former US President Donald Trump has warned that Israel is “losing a lot of support” and must “finish up” its war in Gaza before its reputation declines any further. The comments represented a rare moment of criticism of the Jewish state by Trump.
In an interview with Israel Hayom partially published on Monday, Trump said that he would have acted “very much the same way as you did” if the US was attacked like Israel was by Hamas in October. “Only a fool would not do that,” Trump added. However, Trump called Israel’s wholesale destruction of civilian homes in Gaza “a very big mistake.” “It’s a very bad picture for the world. The world is seeing this…every night, I would watch buildings pour down on people,” Trump continued. “Go and do what you have to do. But you don’t do that,” he told the Israeli newspaper. “And I think that’s one of the reasons that there has been a lot of kickback. If people didn’t see that, every single night I’d watch and every single one of those... And I think Israel wanted to show that it’s tough, but sometimes you shouldn’t be doing that.” Trump was a close ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his term in the White House, and described himself as “history’s most pro-Israel US president.” He imposed sanctions on Iran at Netanyahu’s request, moved the US embassy in Israel to West Jerusalem, and brokered the Abraham Accords, which saw Israel normalize relations with Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Sudan. However, this relationship soured after Netanyahu congratulated US President Joe Biden on his electoral victory over Trump in 2020. Speaking to Fox News in October, Trump claimed that Netanyahu was “not prepared” for Hamas’ attack. At a campaign event later that day, Trump declared that Netanyahu needed to “straighten out” his intelligence apparatus. With the war in Gaza approaching the six-month mark, the former president urged Netanyahu to bring it to a swift conclusion, telling his Israeli interviewers that “you’re losing a lot of support” internationally. “You have to finish up your war,” he said. “You gotta get it done. And, I am sure you will do that. And we gotta get to peace, we can’t have this going on.” Netahyahu has vowed to continue fighting until Israel achieves “total victory over Hamas,” and has promised to invade the city of Rafah – currently home to more than a million displaced Gazan civilians – in defiance of the White House’s pleas. The Israeli leader on Monday canceled a visit to Washington by an Israeli delegation to discuss the planned Rafah operation, after the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution passed thanks to the US abstaining from the vote. Given Washington’s typically unconditional support for Israel at the UN, the abstention and failure to veto by the US was seen by pundits as an historic show of dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s conduct in Gaza. Israel declared war on Hamas on October 7, after the militants carried out a cross-border raid, killing more than 1,100 people and taking at least 250 hostages. Israeli forces have killed more than 32,000 Palstinians in the time since, according to the enclave’s health authorities. In a pivotal development for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the High Court in London granted him the opportunity on Tuesday to continue his legal battle against extradition to the United States. The decision comes amid ongoing international scrutiny over the implications of Assange's potential trial in the US.
Assange, 52, has been embroiled in a legal saga for years, with US prosecutors seeking his extradition to face 18 charges, primarily related to espionage. However, the High Court ruled that the US must provide "satisfactory assurances" regarding Assange's rights, including the ability to invoke the First Amendment and clarity on whether he could face the death penalty if convicted. The latest ruling stems from Assange's legal team's efforts in February to challenge Britain's approval of his extradition to the US, arguing that his prosecution was politically motivated. In a significant turn, two senior judges acknowledged Assange's realistic prospect of successfully challenging extradition on multiple grounds, setting the stage for a prolonged legal battle. While the US has accused Assange of "indiscriminately and knowingly" publishing the names of sources, rather than merely expressing his political views, his defense team has vehemently contested these allegations. Assange's case has drawn widespread attention from human rights advocates, free speech proponents, and legal experts, who argue that his extradition could set a dangerous precedent for journalistic freedom and whistleblowing. As the legal proceedings unfold, Assange remains confined in the high-security Belmarsh prison in London, where he has spent years fighting extradition and facing numerous legal challenges. The decision by the High Court to allow Assange to continue his appeal underscores the complex legal and ethical dilemmas surrounding his case, with implications that extend far beyond his individual fate. Earlier this month, the US embassy in Russia said it was “monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow,” including concerts. The embassy warned US citizens to avoid large gatherings. On Friday, following reports of the Crocus City Hall attack, it advised US citizens not to travel to Russia.
Starting in November, there has been a steady stream of intelligence that ISIS-K was determined to attack in Russia, according to two sources familiar with the information. ISIS-K stands for ISIS-Khorasan, the terror organization’s affiliate that is active in Afghanistan and the surrounding region. US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the US government had had information about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow – potentially targeting large gatherings, to include concerts – and that this is what prompted the State Department to issue the public advisory. “The US government also shared this information with Russian authorities in accordance with its longstanding ‘duty to warn’ policy,” Watson said. In a speech Tuesday, Putin had blasted the American warnings as “provocative,” saying “these actions resemble outright blackmail and the intention to intimidate and destabilize our society.” In March alone, Russian authorities had thwarted several ISIS-related incidents, according to RIA. On March 3, RIA reported that six ISIS members were killed in a counter-terrorist operation in the Ingush Karabulak; on March 7, it said security services had uncovered and “neutralized” a cell of the banned organization Vilayat Khorasan in the Kaluga region, whose members were planning an attack on a synagogue in Moscow; and on March 20, it said the commander of an ISIS combat group had been detained. A US official said Friday that Washington had no reason to doubt ISIS’ claim that it was responsible for the latest attack. FSB: Moscow attackers had contacts in Ukraine The perpetrators of the attack in Moscow on Friday evening had contacts in Ukraine. Four attackers were on their way to the Ukrainian border when they were apprehended on Saturday morning, the Russian security service FSB said. The arrests the FSB refers to took place in Bryansk province, several hundred kilometers southwest of Moscow. Bryansk borders both Ukraine and Belarus. The FSB does not say what role these 'Ukrainian contacts' would have played in the attack. Shortly after the attack on Crocus City Hall, the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group claimed responsibility. Employees of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also immediately announced on Friday evening that Kiev had nothing to do with the attack in Moscow. The United States also said on Friday evening that it had no indications that Ukraine was involved in the shooting. US technology giant Apple is been sued by the US government for allegedly building an anti-competitive “moat” around its monopolistic iPhone ecosystem.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed its lawsuit on Thursday in New Jersey federal court, alleging that Apple had used “broad-based, exclusionary conduct” to make it harder for Americans to switch smartphones and for companies to provide applications, products and services to iPhone users. The federal government was joined by 16 state attorneys general in lodging the civil claim. “Consumers should not have to pay higher prices because companies violate the antitrust laws,” US Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. “We allege that Apple has maintained monopoly power in the smartphone market, not simply by staying ahead of the competition on the merits, but by violating federal antitrust law. If left unchallenged, Apple will only continue to strengthen its smartphone monopoly.” The iPhone monopoly has driven Apple’s “astronomical valuation” – the company’s market capitalization of over $2.6 trillion is second only to Microsoft’s $3.2 trillion – at the expense of consumers and other technology companies, the lawsuit argued. The stock dropped 4.1% after the DOJ lawsuit was announced, wiping out over $100 billion in market value. The case challenges Apple’s so-called “walled-garden” business model, which makes the company’s products largely inaccessible to competitors. It comes just weeks after the EU fined Apple €1.84 billion ($2 billion) for breaking the bloc’s competition laws. The company allegedly blocked providers of rival streaming services, such as Spotify, from informing iPhone users of cheaper music subscription alternatives. Apple monopolized the smartphone app market by blocking advances from competitors. “By stifling these technologies, and many others, Apple reinforces the moat around its smartphone monopoly not by making its products more attractive to users, but by discouraging innovation that threatens Apple’s smartphone monopoly,” the lawsuit said. he company denied the DOJ’s claims. The lawsuit could “hinder our ability to create the kind of technology people expect from Apple – where hardware, software and services intersect,” a company spokesperson told media outlets. “It would also set a dangerous precedent, empowering the government to take a heavy hand in designing people’s technology.” If successful, the lawsuit could force Apple to make changes to some of its most profitable products, including the iPhone and the Apple Watch. It could even lead to the company being forced to sell off some of its businesses to promote more competition. The iPhone had a 64% share of the US smartphone market in last year’s fourth quarter, far ahead of Samsung’s 18% share, according to Counterpoint Research. The US Justice Department is considering whether to allow WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to plead guilty to a misdemeanour offense in order to avoid extradition to the US on espionage charges, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.
The potential deal would see Assange plead guilty to mishandling classified information, with the five years he has already served in London’s Belmarsh Prison counting as his sentence, the unnamed sources told the newspaper. Assange’s lawyers and US officials have held preliminary talks in recent months to sketch out a possible bargain, the sources said. However, Barry Pollack, a lawyer for the jailed journalist, told the newspaper that “there are no signs” that the department is ready to accept the deal. If a deal were reached, it would end a legal battle in play for more than a decade. After his arrest by British police in 2010 for sexual offense allegations that he denied, Assange jumped bail in 2012 and was granted asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. He was arrested again in 2019 when Ecuador revoked his asylum, and has remained in Belmarsh ever since. The Justice Department unsealed an indictment against Assange on the day of his arrest, charging him with 17 counts of espionage. If extradited to the US and convicted, the former WikiLeaks boss faces up to 175 years in prison. The charges stem from his publication of classified material obtained by whistle-blowers, including Pentagon documents detailing alleged US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. The UK Home Office approved his transfer to American custody in 2022, but Assange – now in poor health after nearly five years of solitary confinement – has filed repeated appeals, none of which have been successful. Last month, Britain’s High Court postponed a decision on granting Assange a final chance to appeal his extradition. Washington’s use of the Espionage Act to prosecute Assange is controversial, as the Australian-born journalist published, but did not steal, the classified material in question. Former US President Barack Obama refused to press charges against Assange for this very reason, arguing that his activity was no different from that of any newspaper, and was therefore protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution. With an election coming up this November, US President Joe Biden is keen to avoid the “political hot potato” of an extradited journalist arriving in Washington to face criminal prosecution, the Wall Street Journal wrote. Furthermore, American “prosecutors face diminishing odds that he would serve much more time even if he were convicted stateside,” the paper noted. In the realm of audio engineering, few tools have stood the test of time quite like the 1176 compressor. Revered for its distinctive sound and versatility, the 1176 has become a staple in recording studios worldwide. Its journey from conception to ubiquity is a testament to the ingenuity of its creators and the enduring demand for quality sound processing equipment.
The genesis of the 1176 compressor can be traced back to the late 1960s when Bill Putnam Sr., founder of Universal Audio, set out to design a revolutionary dynamics processor. Drawing upon his experience as an audio engineer and a deep understanding of signal processing, Putnam and his team embarked on the development of what would become the 1176 Peak Limiter. Introduced in 1967, the 1176 was unlike any compressor that had come before it. Featuring a unique FET (Field-Effect Transistor) design, the 1176 offered faster attack and release times, as well as greater transparency compared to its tube-based counterparts. This innovation made it particularly well-suited for capturing transient-rich sources such as drums and vocals with remarkable precision. The 1176 quickly gained popularity among recording engineers for its ability to add punch and character to recordings while maintaining clarity and fidelity. Its iconic sound became synonymous with countless hit records across various genres, cementing its status as an essential tool in the audio engineer's arsenal. Over the years, the 1176 underwent several revisions and iterations, each aimed at refining its performance and enhancing its sonic capabilities. From the original "Blue Stripe" model to later iterations like the "Blackface" and "Silverface," Universal Audio continued to refine and improve upon the design, ensuring that the 1176 remained relevant in an ever-changing industry. In addition to its hardware incarnations, the 1176 also found new life in the digital domain with the introduction of plug-in emulations. These software versions faithfully replicated the sound and functionality of the original hardware, allowing engineers to harness the power of the 1176 within their digital audio workstations. Despite the passage of time and the emergence of new technologies, the 1176 compressor remains as popular as ever among audio professionals. Its enduring legacy is a testament to its timeless design and its ability to shape the sound of music for generations to come. In conclusion, the history and development of the 1176 compressor represent a fascinating chapter in the evolution of audio technology. From its humble beginnings as a ground-breaking hardware unit to its continued relevance in the digital age, the 1176 has left an indelible mark on the world of recording and sound engineering. As long as there are musicians and recording studios striving for sonic excellence, the 1176 compressor will continue to hold a cherished place in the pantheon of audio processing tools.
Last week, the US military news site Special Operations Forces Report (SOFREP) wrote that America’s “Green Berets” were planned to be deployed to Taiwan to act as permanent training observers and prepare the island’s special units. This represents a departure from past practice that saw frequent but non-permanent visits by US personnel to Taiwanese training facilities, the report said. The permanent US forces, according to the article, would be situated on the Kinmen Islands, just 10 kilometers from mainland China.
Beijing sees the self-governing isle as part of China’s sovereign territory, and has repeatedly warned it against formally declaring independence. Although Taiwan has governed itself since 1949, most of the international community, including the US, does not officially recognize it as a sovereign state. While the US does not officially support Taiwanese independence, it maintains security ties with the island. Under the ‘Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act 2022,’ to “deter People’s Republic of China (PRC) aggression against Taiwan” the US is authorized to spend up to $2 billion a year in military grants to bolster the island’s security up until 2027. Mainland China has slammed the increased rotation of US military personnel to the island. The US always prioritizes its own interests, and Taiwan is merely a “pawn” it uses against mainland China, Beijing’s spokesman Chen Binhua stated on Wednesday. He claimed that by “closely aligning with the US to carry out so-called military training programs,” Taiwan’s political leadership is gradually “pushing the people of Taiwan into a crisis.” “Any attempt to seek ‘independence’ through military means or rely on external forces for ‘independence’ will only lead to danger and ultimately result in self-destruction for Taiwan,” he warned. Former US President Donald Trump has said that freeing the “wrongfully imprisoned” Capitol Hill rioters will be one of his “first acts” if he returns to the White House. Nearly 1,400 Trump supporters have been arrested and charged for taking part in the January 6 protest.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday, Trump said: “My first acts as your next President will be to Close the Border, DRILL, BABY, DRILL, and Free the January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned!” A crowd of Trump’s supporters descended on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 in an attempt to prevent lawmakers from certifying what they believed was Joe Biden’s fraudulent victory in the presidential election the previous November. The demonstration quickly degenerated into a riot, although US Capitol Police restored order within hours. Biden and his Democrat allies labeled the affray an “insurrection,” and the US Justice Department launched an unprecedented manhunt to track down and arrest those who took part. As of last week, 1,358 people have been charged in relation to the riot, most of them for misdemeanor trespassing offenses. However, 127 have been charged with using weapons or injuring police officers, and even those convicted of non-violent crimes have received lengthy prison terms. Trump is facing federal charges for allegedly instigating the riot. According to government prosecutor Jack Smith, the former president sparked the unrest and committed conspiracy against the United States by telling his supporters to “fight like hell” against Congress’ certification of Biden’s win. According to Trump’s lawyers, the then-president was well within his rights to give such a speech, during which he also encouraged his followers to protest “peacefully and patriotically.” A Washington DC appeals court has yet to decide whether presidential immunity should shield Trump from being prosecuted over the speech. Trump has referred to the rioters as “political prisoners,” and suggested that he would pardon some of them if re-elected. “I am inclined to pardon many of them,” he said at a CNN town hall event last year. “I can’t say for every single one, because a couple of them, probably they got out of control,” he added. With his last remaining rival, Nikki Haley, suspending her presidential campaign last week, Trump is all but certain to be the Republican Party’s nominee to take on Biden in this November’s presidential election. Most recent opinion polls show Trump leading the incumbent Democrat by between two and nine points. NATO could face a serious risk of the US leaving the alliance if Donald Trump is re-elected in November, the Telegraph said on Saturday, citing several diplomats from the bloc’s member states.
Europe’s NATO countries should develop some strategy to deal with the consequences of such an eventuality and reconsider the bloc’s defence capabilities, they warn. The possibility of America’s withdrawal is a “concern,” one European diplomat told the paper. “Nobody knows what he’s going to do next,” he said, referring to Trump. The former president secured his leadership in the Republican primaries earlier this week as he swept 14 out of 15 states at stake on Super Tuesday and got 995 Republican convention delegates’ votes. His only opponent, Nikki Haley, dropped out of the race for the GOP nomination soon thereafter. He is now expected to face off against President Joe Biden in November since the incumbent American leader also came out on top in the Democratic primaries. Earlier, several former senior US officials claimed that a Trump White House could make America withdraw from NATO. Former US Défense Secretary Mark Esper made such a prediction in December 2023. According to him, Trump could start pulling US forces out of NATO countries, potentially causing “the collapse of the alliance.” Reuters also reported on such a possibility at that time. In mid-February, Trump’s former national security adviser, John Bolton, made a similar statement. “NATO would be in real jeopardy,” he said, adding that Trump “would try to get out.” A European diplomat said that the rest of the bloc should “do the planning” for a scenario in which Trump follows through on such plans or just weakens America’s commitment to NATO. “Preparations need to be in place,” the paper’s source added. Another official described NATO as “so overdependent on the US.” A “discussion” on hedging against risks of a US withdrawal was “necessary,” this person added. A third source quoted by the paper said European nations should check the adequacy of their own “defence planning” amid such risks. In the UK, similar concerns were previously voiced by Lord Kim Darroch, a former British ambassador to the US and a prime minister’s national security adviser. “If I were an official in any prime minister’s office around Europe, I would be commissioning the experts in government to start doing some contingency thinking about how a NATO without the United States would look and function – just in case,” he said in a piece he wrote for Prospect last month. Trump himself has not made any comment lately about leaving the alliance. Instead, he said in February that he would not “protect” those NATO members that fall short of the 2% spending threshold in case of an attack, including by Russia. Speaking at a campaign rally in South Carolina on February 10, he recalled what he described as a conversation with “the president of a big country” in Europe. When allegedly asked whether he would rush to the nation’s aid in case of an attack by Moscow, Trump said that if this nation hadn’t spent enough on defence, he “would encourage [Russia] to do whatever the hell they want” to it. Moscow itself has repeatedly denied any plans to attack a NATO member, adding that starting a global war would go against “common sense.” Brian Wompler has just released the Wampler Ego 76 compressor! This pedal pays homage to the legendary 1176 Peak Limiter, which has shaped music for decades. With its timeless studio sounds, this pedal is a must-have for any musician looking to take their sound to the next level. Wampler Ego 76: The Ego has expanded The 1176 Peak Limiter has been a studio staple since its introduction in 1967. As the first solid-state peak limiter on the market, the original, with its FET-based circuit, gave every signal an unmistakable, “improved” sound, especially when it reached its limits in “British Mode,” where all ratio buttons were pressed. According to the manufacturer, the Ego 76 attempts to reproduce this magic. But with some contemporary improvements. In terms of parameters, you get six dials: Tone (for tone shaping), Attack, Release, Level (for output level), Blend (like a Dry/Wet knob), and Compress (for ratio). How does it compare to Universal Audio’s pedal version? Parallel compression
According to Brian, the Wampler Ego 76 offers more energy and brilliance for your guitar sounds compared to using an actual 1176. The pedal also contains two functions that the original doesn’t offer. For example, there is the Blend control, which allows for plenty of parallel compression shenanigans. Compress the hell out of your guitar tone, then blend it to taste with your dry signal and preserve the attacks! If you compress a guitar signal too much, the high frequencies can sometimes get lost in the heat of the moment. The Tone control can counteract this by adding controlled overtones to the signal. In addition, you get plenty of tone-shaping options through various combinations of Attack and Release, especially with clean tones. US President Joe Biden and his main challenger, former President Donald Trump, dominated their respective primaries across the country on Tuesday, according to projections by multiple news agencies.
The voting held in several states on March 5 – dubbed ‘Super Tuesday’ – is crucial in determining who the Democrats and Republicans will formally nominate as their candidates for the presidential election in November. According to Reuters, Trump comfortably won the GOP challenges in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. His last-remaining Republican rival – former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley – currently maintains a narrow lead over Trump in Vermont, CNN reported. Trump celebrated his victory on Tuesday evening, vowing to unify the country. “We have a great Republican party with tremendous talent and we want to have unity and we’re going to have unity and it’s going to happen very quickly,” he said in a speech in Palm Beach, Florida. Biden, meanwhile, won the Democrat vote in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia, Reuters said, citing a projection from Edison Research. The voting took place a day after the US Supreme Court struck down a decision by Colorado’s top court to bar Trump from the presidential ballot in November. The ruling effectively derailed the campaign waged by Democrat activists to disqualify Trump because of his controversial role in the riot at the US Capitol building on January 6, 2021. Trump has long argued that attempts to prevent him from seeking a second term were a politically motivated “witch hunt.” Campaigning has intensified in recent weeks, with Trump and Biden attacking each other’s record and character. The incumbent president and his aides have described Trump as a “threat to democracy.” The Republican, meanwhile, has questioned Biden’s mental fitness and has claimed that the continuation of his administration would usher in “the collapse” of America. |
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