Former US President Donald Trump has begun a court fight to get himself back on this year’s election ballot in Maine, arguing in a legal filing that a state official had no authority to disqualify him from the race.
Trump’s lawyers filed the appeal on Tuesday in Maine Superior Court, challenging last week’s decision by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows to bar the ex-president from the ballot because of his alleged role in the January 2021 US Capitol riot. The case is likely to ultimately be decided by the US Supreme Court, along with Trump’s disqualification from the ballot in Colorado, but Maine has required him to begin his challenge in the state court system. The ruling making Trump ineligible in Maine “was the product of a process infected by bias and pervasive lack of due process,” Trump’s lawyers said in Tuesday’s filing. They added that Bellows has a documented history of being biased against Trump and gave him no opportunity to defend himself against her allegations. he Maine and Colorado disqualifications were based on interpretations of a constitutional amendment that banned people who engage in an “insurrection or rebellion” from holding public office in the US. The amendment was passed by lawmakers in 1866 to ensure citizenship and constitutional rights for former slaves and to block politicians who had taken part in the Confederate rebellion from returning to power.Bellows and other Democrats have accused Trump of inciting the Capitol “insurrection,” where demonstrators sought to block the transfer of power after he lost to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. She has made public statements on social media calling Trump an “insurrectionist” and suggesting that he should have been removed from office after being impeached for his alleged role in the riot. Trump has repeatedly claimed that the election was rigged, but has denied any role in triggering the riot. Trump is polling as, far and away, the leading candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. However, his candidacy has been jeopardized by state efforts to disqualify him, as well as felony indictments in four separate criminal cases. He has called the legal actions a politically motivated “witch hunt” to block voters from being able to elect him again.
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The US State Department has condemned Israeli proposals to remove the Palestinian inhabitants of Gaza en masse. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller explicitly rejected as “inflammatory and irresponsible” recent comments from Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir supporting the mass deportation of Palestinians. Noting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other members of his cabinet have denied that it was official government policy to resettle Gaza’s Palestinian inhabitants, Miller demanded the ministers back away from such rhetoric “immediately.” “Gaza is Palestinian land and will remain Palestinian land, with Hamas no longer in control of its future and no terror groups able to threaten Israel,” He doubled down on his comments following Miller’s statement, writing in a post on Telegram, “I greatly appreciate the USA, but with all due respect…we will do what is good for the state of Israel.” Smotrich made similar comments in an interview with Army Radio on Sunday. “What needs to be done in the Gaza Strip is to encourage emigration,” he said. “If there are 100,000 or 200,000 Arabs in Gaza and not 2 million Arabs, the entire discussion on the day after [the war] will be totally different.”
While an official with Netanyahu’s office subsequently told the Associated Press that “contrary to false allegations, Israel does not seek to displace the population in Gaza,” instead merely looking to “enable those individuals who wish to leave to do so,” a government document leaked in November called for the mass relocation of all 2.3 million of the territory’s residents to Egypt’s Sinai peninsula – a plan that has alarmed Palestinians and Egyptians alike. The US State Department has repeatedly called for Gaza to be run by the Palestinian Authority, which currently administers the West Bank and ran Gaza prior to Hamas' 2007 election victory, as a prelude to full Palestinian statehood. Israel has openly opposed a two-state solution. At least 1.8 million of Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants have been displaced since Israel began bombing the territory following Hamas’ October 7 cross-border attack, which left 1,200 Israelis dead. Many residential neighborhoods have been completely flattened, with vital civilian infrastructure such as the hospital system virtually destroyed. Over 21,800 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli bombs since the start of the war, according to the enclave’s health ministry, with upwards of 56,000 more seriously injured. Thousands more are reportedly missing beneath the rubble. As the political landscape gears up for the 2024 presidential election, speculation looms large about the possibility of Donald Trump returning to the Oval Office for a second term. The prospect of a Trump comeback has ignited a myriad of opinions, ranging from enthusiastic support to vehement opposition. It is crucial to analyze the potential implications of such an outcome, considering both the opportunities and challenges that may lie ahead.
One of the most apparent consequences of a Trump presidency redux would be the continuation of the unconventional and polarizing leadership style that characterized his first term. Trump's unapologetic approach to governance, marked by Twitter tirades, unconventional policy decisions, and a confrontational stance on international relations, would likely persist. Supporters argue that this unorthodox approach is precisely what the country needs to disrupt the status quo and shake up the political establishment. On the domestic front, a second Trump term could see a renewed focus on economic policies, given the former president's track record of prioritizing deregulation and tax cuts. Proponents argue that such measures could spur economic growth and job creation, while critics express concerns about exacerbating income inequality and neglecting environmental protections. In terms of foreign policy, a return of Trump to the White House would likely bring a reevaluation of international alliances and agreements. Trump's 'America First' agenda could lead to a more unilateral approach, potentially straining relationships with traditional allies. On the flip side, supporters argue that a recalibration of global partnerships might lead to better deals for the United States. However, uncertainties abound. The handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, a global health crisis that defined the latter part of Trump's first term, would demand careful consideration. Skeptics worry that a similar crisis management approach could pose challenges to public health and international cooperation. Furthermore, the potential impact on social and cultural divides within the nation cannot be overlooked. Trump's first term witnessed heightened political polarization and social unrest. A second term could either exacerbate these divisions or present an opportunity for healing, depending on the president's approach to national unity and inclusivity. Ultimately, the possibility of a Trump presidency in 2024 raises complex questions about the trajectory of the United States and its role in the world. Regardless of one's political persuasion, a sober and informed analysis is essential to navigate the uncertainties and possibilities that lie ahead. As the nation braces for another consequential election, citizens must engage in thoughtful dialogue and civic participation to shape the future of their democracy. Naval warfare has undergone significant transformations over the years, and the development of naval vessels plays a crucial role in maintaining maritime superiority.
The DDG(X) destroyer, a cutting-edge marine vessel, stands as a testament to the relentless pursuit of technological excellence in naval architecture. This essay delves into the history, development, and strategic deployment of the DDG(X) destroyer, highlighting its impact on modern naval operations. The DDG(X) destroyer is part of the United States Navy's continuous efforts to stay at the forefront of naval technology. It is the latest iteration in a long line of destroyers that have evolved to meet the challenges of changing geopolitical landscapes. The legacy of the DDG(X) can be traced back to earlier destroyer classes, such as the Arleigh Burke-class, which has been a workhorse of the U.S. Navy since the 1990s. The development of the DDG(X) destroyer represents a quantum leap in naval capabilities. Incorporating lessons learned from previous classes, the DDG(X) is designed to be a versatile and multi-mission platform. The U.S. Navy, in collaboration with leading defense contractors, invested heavily in research and development to create a vessel that excels in anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare. Key Technological Advancements:
The DDG(X) destroyer plays a pivotal role in the United States Navy's global maritime strategy. Its strategic deployment involves both forward presence and power projection. Forward-deployed DDG(X) vessels serve as a deterrent, ensuring stability in key regions and demonstrating the United States' commitment to its allies. Simultaneously, the destroyer's ability to project power allows it to rapidly respond to emerging threats and crises. Furthermore, the DDG(X) is an integral part of carrier strike groups, enhancing the overall capability of naval task forces. Its versatility enables it to contribute to a wide range of missions, from providing air defense for the carrier to conducting independent operations in littoral regions. The DDG(X) destroyer represents a pinnacle of naval engineering, blending cutting-edge technology with strategic foresight. Its development underscores the commitment of the United States Navy to maintain maritime superiority in an ever-evolving geopolitical landscape. As the DDG(X) takes its place in the fleet, it stands as a symbol of naval innovation, ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century and beyond. Hall & Oates are embroiled in a confidential legal battle that has led to Daryl Hall getting a restraining order against his former music partner John Oates.
Little information about the lawsuit is publicly available, as the court documents are sealed, but based on court records, Hall filed an undisclosed complaint against Oates on Nov. 16, as well as a motion for a temporary restraining order, as reported by Philadelphia magazine. The following day, the court officially issued a temporary restraining order to begin Nov. 30. he Nashville Chancery Court confirmed the existence of the lawsuit to Variety, but declined further comment because the lawsuit is sealed. On Nov. 23, Hall played a concert full of Hall & Oates classics in Tokyo. As TMZ points out, Hall disparaged Oates on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast last year, saying, “You think John Oates is my partner? … He’s my business partner. He’s not my creative partner.” He went on, “John and I are brothers, but we are not creative brothers. We are business partners. We made records called Hall & Oates together, but we’ve always been very separate, and that’s a really important thing for me.” Hall then went on to diminish the collaborative aspect of Hall & Oates, using the duo’s 1980 No. 1 hit “Kiss on My List” as an example of their apparent creative separation. “I did all those [harmonies],” Hall said. “That’s all me.” Oates is not credited as a songwriter on “Kiss on My List,” but is listed as a co-produced with Hall. Hall & Oates met in 1967, formed their duo three years later and have released 18 studio albums since their 1972 debut, “Whole Oats.” The pop-R&B duo boasts six No. 1 singles, including “Maneater,” “Rich Girl” and “Out of Touch.” Hall & Oates toured together as recently as October 2022, and they released their latest studio album, “Home for Christmas,” in 2006. Both Hall and Oates have solo recording careers and have toured separately over the years, but the duo has never officially split up. The United States and Taiwan are exploring ways to expand Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations system and other international forums, as well as addressing a range of global challenges, including public health, aviation safety and climate change. The most recent routine consultation between the U.S. and Taiwan took place Wednesday, days after the Chinese delegation at COP28 opposed calls to include Taiwan in the United Nations climate talks in Dubai. All participants in the latest U.S.-Taiwan talks "recognized the importance of working closely with likeminded partners who share our concerns regarding attempts to exclude Taiwan from the international community," according to the U.S. State Department in a statement. Taiwan Relations Act Senior American officials have said Washington’s "One China" policy is "distinct" from Beijing’s "One China" principle. The U.S. policy is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three Joint Communiques and the Six Assurances. China has objected to the Taiwan Relations Act and deemed it as invalid. The Taiwan Relations Act has stated that "nothing in this Act may be construed as a basis for supporting the exclusion or expulsion of Taiwan from continued membership in any international financial institution or any other international organization." The Chinese Communist Party has never ruled Taiwan but claims sovereignty over the island, which became home to the Chinese Nationalist government after its defeat in 1949. During the U.N. climate talks held in the United Arab Emirates, Chinese officials lodged a protest after calls to include Taiwan's participation in the climate summit by other countries. "China has noted that during the meeting a handful of countries ignore the fact that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and make noises about the participation by the Taiwan authorities in the COP," a member of the Chinese delegation said via a translator in the plenary hall in Dubai. Wednesday, officials from the State Department and Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs discussed near-term opportunities to support Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) and other global public health bodies, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as well as Taiwan’s meaningful participation in other multilateral organizations. World Health Organization and International Civil Aviation Organization The Beijing government has been blocking Taiwan's representation at WHA meetings after the self-ruled democracy elected Tsai Ing-wen, a China skeptic, as president in 2016. China has also blocked Taiwan's participation in ICAO assemblies since 2013. Since the U.S. switched its diplomatic recognition from the government of Taipei to Beijing in 1979, Washington has insisted that the two sides should resolve their political disputes peacefully. Tuesday, U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns said "fundamental differences" over Taiwan persist in Washington’s relationship with Beijing. The top U.S. diplomat on China said the United States will continue to implement the Taiwan Relations Act and help Taiwan with its defense needs, renewing the U.S. commitment to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
In recent months, China has been increasing its military activities near the strait. The United States has voiced concerns about any Chinese interference through military coercion, as Taiwan prepares for a presidential election in January 2024. "I think what we can do is to insist that the people in Taiwan have an opportunity to vote freely on January 13," Burns told an audience during a seminar hosted by the U.S.-based Council on Foreign Relations. In Beijing, Chinese officials said the election in Taiwan "is purely China’s internal affair." "Taiwan independence" means war and "Taiwan independence" is a dead end, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said during a recent briefing. In a recent interview with VOA, U.S. Senior Official for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Matt Murray said, "We certainly want to make sure there are opportunities for engagement" between the U.S. and Taiwan in international economic forums, as Taiwan is one of the top trading partners and investors in the United States. Morris Chang, founder of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, represented Taiwan during the APEC summit in San Francisco in mid-November, where he held talks with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. The two discussed the U.S.-Taiwan "relationship on the economy and technology," Harris said in a social media post on X, formerly Twitter. Chang also had a pull-aside meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the APEC meetings, according to Murray. The last U.S.-Taiwan working group meeting on international organizations took place in April. Donald Trump is firmly on course to secure the Republican nomination for president ahead of next year’s election, a poll has shown, as prospective voters display little concern that Trump’s mounting legal issues could obstruct his possible return to the White House.
Trump is the candidate favored by 61% of self-identified Republican voters, the Reuters/Ipsos poll of nearly 1,700 people published on Monday showed, as he maintains a huge advantage over the chasing field less than a year out from the presidential election. The legally embattled, 77-year-old former president is a full 50 percentage points ahead of nearest rivals Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, who both trail in Trump’s wake with just 11%. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie polled at 5% and 2% respectively, the poll says. The results reflect little appetite in Republican voting ranks for the field of candidates who have participated in four primary debates so far. Trump has not, as yet, appeared on the debating circuit. The survey also shows that GOP supporters have maintained enthusiasm for a second Trump term in the White House in spite of a catalogue of federal and state charges over a range of alleged improprieties. These include ongoing claims that Trump illegally sought to overturn the results of his 2020 presidential election defeat to Joe Biden. Trump also faces other charges, including those related to his alleged illegal retention of sensitive national security documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. He is also accused of obstructing government attempts to retrieve them. He denies all claims of illegality. According to the Reuters/Ipsos survey, less than 25% of Republican voters polled said they believed that Trump had solicited election fraud, or that he was involved in convincing his supporters to storm the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. These issues are both central to a federal criminal case expected to go to trial in the midst of Trump’s election campaign. A separate poll, the results of which were published by the Wall Street Journal on Saturday, showed that Trump has established a lead over Joe Biden in a still-hypothetical head-to-head race. 47% of respondents said they would cast a vote for Trump, compared to 43% for Biden. However, that same poll reflected that a felony conviction for Trump would dramatically affect the race and hand Biden a one percentage point advantage. Eddie Van Halen, the legendary guitarist of the iconic rock band Van Halen, is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most innovative guitarists in the history of rock music. His unique style and groundbreaking techniques have left an indelible mark on the world of guitar playing. Throughout his illustrious career, Eddie Van Halen used an array of guitars, each contributing to the distinctive sound that became synonymous with the Van Halen name. This essay explores some of the notable guitars that Eddie Van Halen wielded on records and during live performances, showcasing the evolution of his instrument choices and the impact they had on his groundbreaking musical legacy. This essay explores some of the guitars that Eddie Van Halen used on records and in concerts, with a special focus on the legendary Steinberger 5150. Frankenstrat (Frankenstein) Eddie Van Halen's journey to guitar greatness began with the creation of his iconic "Frankenstrat." As a teenager, Eddie modified a 1971 Fender Stratocaster, combining parts from different guitars to form a unique instrument. This guitar, with its distinctive red, black, and white striped design, became synonymous with Van Halen's early sound. The Frankenstrat played a pivotal role in the band's self-titled debut album in 1978, contributing to the groundbreaking tracks such as "Runnin' with the Devil" and "Eruption." Ibanez Destroyer In the late 1970s, Eddie experimented with an Ibanez Destroyer, further showcasing his inclination towards customized guitars. The Destroyer contributed to the recording of Van Halen's second album, "Van Halen II," and demonstrated Eddie's ability to adapt and innovate with different guitar models. Kramer 5150 Eddie Van Halen's endorsement deal with Kramer Guitars marked a significant chapter in his career. The Kramer 5150, based on his earlier Frankenstrat design, became one of his go-to guitars. The Kramer models, particularly the 5150, featured a distinct red, black, and white striped paint job, creating a visual signature that matched the intensity of Eddie's playing. These guitars played a vital role in the success of albums like "1984." Steinberger 5150 One of the most iconic guitars in Eddie Van Halen's collection was the Steinberger 5150. Renowned for its futuristic design and compact size, the Steinberger 5150 deviated from traditional guitar aesthetics. Eddie used this guitar during live performances, adding a new visual dimension to Van Halen's stage presence. The combination of the Steinberger design and Eddie's unparalleled skill created an unforgettable sonic and visual experience for fans. The Wolfgang Series: A New Era In the 1990s, Eddie Van Halen collaborated with the EVH brand to design a new line of guitars, the Wolfgang series. The Wolfgang guitars represented a departure from the striped designs of his earlier instruments, featuring a sleek and modern aesthetic. These guitars showcased Eddie's ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of guitar design and performance. The Wolfgang series became a staple of his live performances, giving him the tools to continue evolving his sound. Legacy and Influence Eddie Van Halen's guitars were not just tools of his trade; they became symbols of innovation and creativity in the world of rock music. His influence extended beyond his own discography, inspiring countless guitarists to experiment with new techniques and push the boundaries of what was possible on the instrument. The distinctive look and sound of his guitars played a crucial role in shaping the identity of Van Halen's music and left an enduring impact on the rock genre. Eddie Van Halen's guitars are as legendary as the man himself. From the early days with the Frankenstrat to the strategic collaboration with Kramer Guitars and the evolution of the Wolfgang series, each instrument played a vital role in shaping the sound of Van Halen's music. Eddie Van Halen's guitars are not merely instruments but symbols of his innovative spirit and influence on the evolution of rock music. From the DIY Frankenstrat to the groundbreaking Steinberger 5150, each guitar in his collection played a crucial role in shaping the Van Halen sound. Eddie's ability to push the boundaries of guitar design and his commitment to sonic experimentation have left an indelible mark on the world of music, ensuring that his legacy lives on through the strings of his iconic guitars.
The US has cast the lone dissenting vote against a proposed UN Security Council resolution that would have demanded a humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, amid rising civilian casualties in Gaza.
Thirteen member states voted in favor of the resolution, which was put forward by the United Arab Emirates on Friday in New York. The UK abstained, leaving Washington diplomatically isolated in blocking the measure. “What is the message we are sending Palestinians if we cannot unite behind a call to halt the relentless bombardment of Gaza?” Deputy UAE UN Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab asked members of the council. “Indeed, what is the message we are sending civilians across the world who may find themselves in similar situations?” The US has cast the lone dissenting vote against a proposed UN Security Council resolution that would have demanded a humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, amid rising civilian casualties in Gaza. Friday’s vote came after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99, a rarely used provision in the UN charter, to warn the Security Council of an impending “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza. He said that with the war raging on for two months and counting, the humanitarian support net in Gaza faces a “severe risk of collapse.” More than 17,000 Palestinians have been killed and 1.9 million people have been displaced since the war began in October. Hamas triggered the war by launching surprise attacks against villages in southern Israel on October 7, killing an estimated 1,200 people and taking hundreds of hostages back to Gaza. US officials have opposed a general ceasefire because it would only help Hamas retain its grip on power in Gaza. A week-long ceasefire late last month enabled the release of 110 Hamas hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinians who had been incarcerated in Israeli jails. It also bought time for aid workers to bring more humanitarian supplies into the besieged Palestinian enclave. The US mission to the UN said in a statement that it opposed the ceasefire resolution because the “rushed” proposal was “divorced from reality” and would “only plant the seeds for the next war.” Washington’s suggestions for revising the resolution were largely ignored, deputy US UN Ambassador Robert Wood said. Among other concerns, he added, the document failed to include language condemning the Hamas attacks. Taylor Swift is Time’s 2023 Person of the Year. In the year of the blockbuster Eras Tour and accompanying film, as well as “Taylor’s Versions” of Speak Now and 1989, Swift was “the individual who most shaped the headlines over the previous 12 months, for better or for worse,” according to the magazine’s criterion. She is Time’s first Person of the Year to be recognized for success in the arts, the announcement notes. Her cover shoot features a cameo from her cat Benjamin Button, as credited in her acknowledgment post.
Time’s Sam Jacobs wrote, “In a divided world, where too many institutions are failing, Taylor Swift found a way to transcend borders and be a source of light. No one else on the planet today can move so many people so well.” This year in particular, Jacobs added, Swift “achieved a kind of nuclear fusion: shooting art and commerce together to release an energy of historic force.” This year alone, Swift has had three No. 1 albums: the two new “Taylor’s Versions” and a brief return to the top for last year’s Midnights. The Eras Tour movie broke box office records for a concert film. And, as Time notes, the tour itself came to symbolize American soft power: “A U.S. diplomat told me how meaningful it was to get Swift to agree to play in his host country,” Jacobs wrote. This is Swift’s second time on the Person of the Year cover, following her appearance in 2017 among “silence breakers” who contributed to the #MeToo movement. Last year, Time honored “The Spirit of Ukraine” and the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Read “Meet the Argentine Taylor Swift Fans Who Have Been Camping Out for the Eras Tour Since June” and, below, Pitchfork’s review of the Eras Tour movie. Plus, check out the Pitchfork Review podcast on the film and the surrounding mania. US retail giant Walmart has announced it is suspending advertising on X (formerly Twitter), becoming the latest major brand to abandon the platform.
Corporations including Apple, Coca-Cola and Disney have halted their paid ads on X in recent weeks. “We've found some other platforms better for reaching our customers,” a Walmart spokesperson said, explaining the decision. Walmart is the largest retailer in the US, with $500 billion in domestic sales in 2022. The mass exodus from X was sparked in November, when the advocacy group Media Matters for America claimed the platform had posted “pro-Nazi” and “anti-Semitic” content next to the posts of major advertisers. X has denied the findings, publishing an analysis suggesting Media Matters had manipulated the algorithms with fake accounts. Owner Elon Musk personally came under fire in November after he publicly endorsed an antisemitic conspiracy theory in a post on X. The tech tycoon agreed with a user who said Jews hold a “dialectical hatred” of white people, sparking responding with: “You have said the actual truth.” Later Musk later backtracked, calling his reply “one of the most foolish” posts he’d ever made on X. Since buying Twitter in October 2022, Musk has been continually accused by the mainstream media and the political left of failing to adequately moderate content. Starting in December last year, Musk countered many of those allegations by releasing the Twitter Files – a select series of internal documents given to journalists – detailing the company’s activities under previous management. In one of the most damning examples, it emerged that Twitter had helped block the dissemination of a bombshell report alleging influence-peddling by Joe Biden’s family, just three weeks before he was elected president. When Musk purchased Twitter for an estimated $44 billion, he fired many of Twitter’s former staffers, and unbanned many accounts in the name of promoting free speech. Speaking earlier this week at a conference in New York, Elon Musk struck a defiant tone on the exit of major advertisers, telling them to “go f*ck yourself.” Former US Secretary of State and Nobel Peace Prize winner Henry Kissinger passed away at age 100 on Wednesday.
The renowned diplomat and influential foreign policy thinker died at his home in Connecticut, his consulting firm, Kissinger Associates, said in a statement. After quitting the US military, Kissinger earned a PhD at Harvard University and taught international relations before becoming President Richard Nixon’s top national security adviser in 1969. He eventually served as secretary of state under Nixon and his successor, President Gerald Ford. A skilled negotiator committed to realism, Kissinger was instrumental in improving US relations with the Soviet Union in the 1970s and paved a way for the normalization of Washington's ties with China. With Kissinger's stewardship, the Nixon administration's easing of travel and trade restrictions against Beijing was instrumental in kick-starting China's rise to prominence as an industrial economy. In 1973, Kissinger shared the Nobel Peace Prize with diplomat Le Duc Tho for negotiating the Paris Peace Accords, which facilitated the withdrawal of US forces from Vietnam. In 1974, he helped to negotiate Israel’s disengagement agreements with Syria and Egypt, which officially ended the Yom Kippur War. However, a book by US-British journalist Christopher Hitchens ‘The Trial of Henry Kissinger’ accused the diplomat of ordering the first round of Cambodia bombings in the 1960s without congressional approval. In addition to this, an Intercept report released in May to mark the Kissinger’s 100th birthday claimed that he was behind more than 3 million civilian deaths, and that he helped to prolong the Vietnam War while fostering strife and civil wars in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Kissinger remained active after leaving office, giving lectures and interviews, in which he commented on world affairs. One of his last trips was a visit to Beijing in July 2023, during which he met with President Xi Jinping. He also repeatedly warned the US and China that if they continued on their current foreign policy course, they risked sliding into open military confrontation. On the Ukraine conflict, Kissinger described the West’s decision to offer Kiev a pathway to NATO as “a grave mistake” which led to the hostilities in the first place. While the veteran diplomat opposed Ukraine’s membership in the US-led military bloc before the conflict, he later changed his stance, arguing that the country’s neutrality is “no longer meaningful” amid the ongoing fighting. Last year, he also suggested that Ukraine could relinquish its territorial claims to Crimea and grant autonomy to the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics – all Russian territories now – to achieve peace, an idea repeatedly rejected by Kiev. The ousted leader of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI is returning to the company that fired him late last week, culminating a days-long power struggle that shocked the tech industry and brought attention to the conflicts around how to safely build artificial intelligence.
San Francisco-based OpenAI said in a statement late Tuesday, “We have reached an agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return to OpenAI as CEO with a new initial board." The board, which replaces the one that fired Altman on Friday, will be led by former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor, who also chaired Twitter's board before its takeover by Elon Musk last year. The other members will be former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo. OpenAI’s previous board of directors, which included D'Angelo, had refused to give specific reasons for why it fired Altman, leading to a weekend of internal conflict at the company and growing outside pressure from the startup's investors. The chaos also accentuated the differences between Altman — who's become the face of generative AI's rapid commercialization since ChatGPT's arrival a year ago — and members of the company's board who have expressed deep reservations about the safety risks posed by AI as it becomes more advanced. Microsoft, which has invested billions of dollars in OpenAI and has rights to its current technology, quickly moved to hire Altman on Monday, as well as another co-founder and former president, Greg Brockman, who had quit in protest after Altman's removal. That emboldened a threatened exodus of nearly all of the startup's 770 employees who signed a letter calling for the board's resignation and Altman's return. One of the four board members who participated in Altman's ouster, OpenAI co-founder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, later expressed regret and joined the call for the board's resignation. Microsoft in recent days had pledged to welcome all employees who wanted to follow Altman and Brockman to a new AI research unit at the software giant. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also made clear in a series of interviews Monday that he was still open to the possibility of Altman returning to OpenAI, so long as the startup's governance problems are solved. “We are encouraged by the changes to the OpenAI board,” Nadella posted on X late Tuesday. “We believe this is a first essential step on a path to more stable, well-informed, and effective governance.” In his own post, Altman said that “with the new board and (with) Satya's support, I'm looking forward to returning to OpenAI, and building on our strong partnership with (Microsoft)." Co-founded by Altman as a nonprofit with a mission to safely build so-called artificial general intelligence that outperforms humans and benefits humanity, OpenAI later became a for-profit business but one still run by its nonprofit board of directors. It's not clear yet if the board's structure will change with its newly appointed members. “We are collaborating to figure out the details,” OpenAI posted on X. “Thank you so much for your patience through this.” Nadella said Brockman, who was OpenAI's board chairman until Altman's firing, will also have a key role to play in ensuring the group “continues to thrive and build on its mission.” Hours earlier, Brockman returned to social media as if it were business as usual, touting a feature called ChatGPT Voice that was rolling out to users. “Give it a try — totally changes the ChatGPT experience,” Brockman wrote, flagging a post from OpenAI's main X account that featured a demonstration of the technology and playfully winking at recent turmoil. “It’s been a long night for the team and we’re hungry. How many 16-inch pizzas should I order for 778 people?” the person asks, using the number of people who work at OpenAI. ChatGPT's synthetic voice responded by recommending around 195 pizzas, ensuring everyone gets three slices. As for OpenAI's short-lived interim CEO Emmett Shear, the second interim CEO in the days since Altman's ouster, he posted on X that he was “deeply pleased by this result, after ~72 very intense hours of work.” “Coming into OpenAI, I wasn't sure what the right path would be,” wrote Shear, the former head of Twitch. “This was the pathway that maximized safety alongside doing right by all stakeholders involved. I'm glad to have been a part of the solution.”
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