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Trump says meeting being set up with Putin

Africa /

US President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday that a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is being set up. “He (Putin) wants to meet, and we’re setting it up,” Trump told reporters ahead of a meeting with Republican governors at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. He did not provide further details about the possible meeting. “President Putin wants to meet. He said that even publicly, and we have to get that war over. That’s a bloody mess,” he said, referring to the Russia-Ukraine war. Turning to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump said they have had “a lot of” communication. “We have a lot of meetings set up with a lot of people. Some have come, but I’d rather wait till after the 20th,” he said, referring to Jan. 20, the date of his inauguration.

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Fiber optic drones revolutionize combat in Russia-Ukraine war

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Fiber optic drones capable of penetrating 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) into enemy lines and striking targets with high-resolution imagery have emerged as key tools in the Russia-Ukraine war. With a cable range of up to 20 kilometers, these drones operate at low altitudes, avoiding detection and interception. Anadolu obtained information on fiber optic first-person view (FPV) drones in the Russia-Ukraine conflict from open sources. Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced on Jan. 5 that Ukraine had struck over 54,000 Russian targets in December 2024, with 49% of these attacks carried out using kamikaze drones. Syrskyi noted that Russia’s increased use of fiber optic drones poses significant risks to troop safety and added that Ukraine has also begun deploying similar technology. – Immune to electronic warfare detection and interception FPV drones are typically low-cost quadcopters or similar models, controlled in real time through goggles worn by the operator. In the Russia-Ukraine war, studies show that electronic warfare devices have downed 75% to 90% of drones, jamming the radio link between the pilot and the drone. Fiber optic drones, however, are undetectable and immune to electronic warfare, transmitting high-resolution video without relying on radio signals. These drones fly at low altitudes, avoiding obstacles and reducing exposure to air defense fire, unlike radio-controlled drones. The system uses a durable fiber optic spool that unravels during flight, maintaining a secure connection. The pilot’s commands and video data are transmitted as light signals via the fiber optic cable at high speeds. Reconnaissance drones equipped with high-resolution cameras offer a critical advantage in detecting enemy positions. However, the use of fiber optic cables increases the drone’s weight and reduces its range. Fiber optic drones face limitations, including slower speeds compared to radio-controlled drones, vulnerability to cable tangling and reduced maneuverability for turns exceeding 45-degree angles. While radio-controlled drones can operate over ranges of 5 to 200 kilometers (3 to 124 miles), fiber optic-guided drones are restricted to a range of 20 kilometers (12.4 miles). In addition to reconnaissance, these drones can carry bombs, explosives or anti-tank warheads for attack missions. – Fiber optic drones in Ukraine’s inventory Ukraine has tested various fiber optic drones, including the 20-kilometer range HCX (Argus 30), which weighs 1.2 kilograms (2.6 pounds) and features optical and thermal cameras alongside a 4-kilogram (8.8-pound) payload. The Khyzak REBOFF kamikaze drone has a 5-kilometer (3-mile) cable range, with an upgraded 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) version capable of carrying up to 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of explosives. The E-Banshee drone, a six-propeller fiber optic model, has been successfully tested for bomb delivery, though a 10-kilometer cable tangled during one trial. The Black Widow Web 10 kamikaze drone has a 5-kilometer range and can carry a payload of 2 kilograms of explosives. On Jan. 2, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry announced testing over 12 locally produced drones, each capable of carrying up to 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds). – Fiber optic drones in Russia’s arsenal Since 2024, Russia has deployed the Knyaz Vandal of Novgorod (KVN) drone, developed by NPC Ushkuy in Novgorod. Russian sources claim the drone has a 20-kilometer range, can carry 3.5 kilograms (7.7 pounds) of explosives and is equipped with the PG-7V anti-tank round used in RPG-7 launchers. A captured KVN drone in Ukraine was found to have a 10.8-kilometer (6.7-mile) long fiber optic cable. Ukrainian experts suggest the KVN drone resembles the Chinese-made Skywalker model and was likely imported, as indicated by Chinese-written labels on the captured drone. Russia also uses the Piranha-5 drone, which carries 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of explosives and supports infantry within a 1 to 3-kilometer (0.6 to 1.8-mile) radius. The Piranha-13, a multipurpose drone with a heavier payload and fiber optic control, remains less documented. Additionally, Russia deploys the Product 55, a fiber optic-controlled kamikaze drone developed by ZALA. – Impact on battlefield Fiber optic-controlled drones establish a 20-kilometer “no-go” zone for armored vehicles, as they remain undetectable and immune to electronic warfare. This capability disrupts armored assaults and limits defensive measures.

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At least 19 dead as armed attack on Chad’s Presidential complex

Africa /

At least 19 people have died following a violent confrontation in Chad, where security forces intervened to thwart an armed attack on the presidential complex in N’Djamena. The government reported that 18 of the 24 assailants were killed during the failed raid on Wednesday evening, while one security officer also lost his life. Chad’s Foreign Minister, Abderaman Koulamallah, reassured the public, stating that the president’s safety was secured and that the situation was under control. Residents in N’Djamena reported hearing sustained gunfire near the presidential compound during the attack. Koulamallah confirmed that 18 attackers were killed, six others were wounded, and the security forces had suffered one fatality along with three injuries, one of which was serious. In a video appearance shortly after the violence, Koulamallah, flanked by armed soldiers, declared, “The situation is entirely under control… the attempt to destabilize the government has been thwarted.” This assault took place during an official visit by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who had just met with President Mahamat Idriss Deby and other senior officials hours before the attack. Koulamallah confirmed that Deby was inside the presidential complex when the violence erupted. Local resident Zakaria Daoud expressed concerns about the region’s security, especially given its history of political instability and coups. Footage from the scene showed military vehicles and heavily armed troops securing the streets around the presidential palace. Koulamallah, in a live broadcast, reassured the public again, saying, “The situation is completely under control, there is no fear,” and emphasized the military’s commitment to protecting the president. The attack occurred just days after parliamentary elections, which were intended to restore democracy but were boycotted by major opposition groups. The election results are still pending, but analysts believe the outcome could further consolidate President Deby Itno’s hold on power. Deby Itno assumed leadership in 2021 after the death of his father, who had ruled for three decades. He was later elected president in 2023, though international observers raised concerns about the credibility of the election.

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People living near airports face increased heart attack risk

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 Living near airports with high aircraft noise could increase the risk of heart issues, including heart attacks and strokes, according to a new study led by University College London researchers. The study analyzed detailed heart imaging data from 3,635 individuals living near four major airports in England and compared it with data from people in areas with lower aircraft noise levels. The risk, researchers found, was particularly true for those exposed to higher aircraft noise at night, likely due to factors such as disrupted sleep and increased time spent at home, leading to greater noise exposure. The researchers found that heart abnormalities in people not exposed to aircraft noise could raise the risk of major cardiac events, such as heart attack, arrhythmias, or stroke, by two to four times compared to those without these abnormalities. “Our study is observational so we cannot say with certainty that high levels of aircraft noise caused these differences in heart structure and function,” said cardiologist Gaby Captur. “However, our findings add to a growing body of evidence that aircraft noise can adversely affect heart health and our health more generally,” she added.

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China reports mpox case linked to traveler from Congo

Africa /

China on Thursday confirmed an mpox outbreak traced to an individual with a travel history to the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.  The center said the outbreak was caused by a source “traced to a foreign individual with a travel history in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”  “Four related cases were identified among close contacts, all of whom were infected after intimate contact,” it added, noting that there were no such infections among the general population.  The infected individuals are receiving medical treatment and remain under observation. “The outbreak has been effectively controlled,” said the center, advising people to avoid contact with wild or unidentified rodents as well as primates, such as monkeys and apes. Mpox cases have been rising in Africa since early 2024, prompting urgent measures at the continental level.  Congo remains the worst-hit country, with the World Health Organization declaring mpox a public health emergency of global concern last August.  More than 1,300 suspected mpox-related deaths have been reported in Africa.

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Ghana to grant visa-free entry to all African citizens starting in 2025

Africa /

Starting in early 2025, Ghana will grant visa-free entry to all African citizens, following a December announcement by President Nana Akufo-Addo. This move fulfills a pledge made at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues, with the president emphasizing the goal of fostering “stronger ties across Africa.” The policy is expected to boost tourism, trade, and travel to Ghana, addressing concerns that visa restrictions have hindered growth in these sectors. Previously, Ghana allowed visa-free access to nationals from 26 African countries and provided visas on arrival for citizens of 25 others, with only two countries requiring a visa in advance. With this decision, Ghana becomes the fifth African nation to adopt an open-door policy for all African passport holders, joining Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia, and Benin.

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Apple to pay $95M to settle claims of Siri eavesdropping on customers

Business /

Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a civil lawsuit that alleges the privacy-focused company used its virtual assistant Siri to eavesdrop on people using its iPhones and other popular devices. The proposed settlement, which was filed Tuesday in a federal court in Oakland, California, would resolve a five-year-old lawsuit alleging that Apple secretly activated Siri to record conversations for over a decade, CBS News reported Thursday. Apple is not acknowledging any wrongdoing in the settlement, which still requires approval from US District Judge Jeffrey White.  Lawyers involved in the case have proposed holding a court hearing in Oakland on Feb.14 to review the terms. If approved, the settlement would allow tens of millions of consumers who owned iPhones and other Apple devices between Sept. 17, 2014 and the end of last year to file claims. Each eligible consumer could receive up to $20 per Siri-enabled device covered by the settlement, though the payment amount may vary depending on the number of claims submitted. Court documents estimate that only 3% to 5% of eligible consumers are likely to file claims. ​​​​​​​Eligible consumers will be restricted to seeking compensation for a maximum of five devices.

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Climate change adds 41 days of extreme heat in 2024

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Newly published research indicates that climate change added an average of 41 days of dangerous heat in 2024, harming human health and ecosystems. The joint report by World Weather Attribution (WWA) and Climate Central warns that every country needs to prepare for rising climate risks to minimize deaths and damage in 2025 and beyond. The world experienced an average of 41 extra days of dangerous heat in 2024 due to human-caused warming, the study said, suggesting that a much faster transition away from fossil fuels is needed to avoid a future of relentless heat waves, drought, wildfires, storms and floods. The report noted that climate change intensified 26 of the 29 weather events studied by World Weather Attribution which killed at least 3,700 people and displaced millions. “Climate change had a stronger influence than El Nino on many extreme weather events,” it added. Friederike Otto, lead of WWA and senior lecturer in Climate Science at Imperial College London, said the impacts of fossil fuel warming “have never been clearer or more devastating” than in 2024, adding: “We are living in a dangerous new era.” He said extreme weather killed thousands of people, forced millions from their homes this year and caused unrelenting suffering, recalling that floods in Spain, hurricanes in the US, drought in the Amazon and floods across Africa are “just a few examples.” “We know exactly what we need to do to stop things from getting worse: stop burning fossil fuels,” said Otto. “The top resolution for 2025 must be transitioning away from fossil fuels, which will make the world a safer and more stable place.” – ‘Failed scorecard’ Citing projections that this year is set to be the hottest on record, the report also noted that the first six months saw record-breaking temperatures, extending a streak that started in 2023 to 13 months, with the world’s hottest day in history recorded on July 22. “If the world does not rapidly transition away from oil, gas and coal, the number of dangerous heat days will continue to increase each year and threaten public health,” warned the scientists. According to the study, a faster shift away from fossil fuels, improvements in early warning, real-time reporting of heat deaths and international finance to help developing countries become more resilient are the key resolutions for 2025 to both tackle climate change and protect people from extreme weather. “Another devastating year of extreme weather has shown that we are not well prepared for life at 1.3-1.5°C of warming,” said Julie Arrighi, director of programs at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre. “In 2025, it’s crucial that every country accelerate efforts to adapt to climate change,” she added. Ben Clarke, researcher at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, said this annual report reads like a “failed scorecard.” “The world is not cutting emissions and preparing for climate change quickly enough. The consequences are record-breaking extreme weather events that cause deaths, displacement, and loss of livelihoods.”

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Fire guts Kantamanto Market, destroys 100+ shops

Africa /

A devastating fire erupted on Thursday at the Kantamanto Market, a prominent commercial center in Accra, the capital of Ghana, leaving widespread property damage in its wake. Witnesses described frantic attempts by onlookers to douse the flames as they rapidly spread through the market, reportedly destroying more than a hundred shops. Emergency services indicated that the fire began in the early hours of the morning, prompting the deployment of 13 fire crews to control the blaze. A representative from the Ghana National Fire Service confirmed that the fire has been contained and announced that an investigation is underway to determine the cause. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far, and the origin of the fire remains undetermined.

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 Death toll rises to 15 in New Orleans pickup truck attack

World /

The death toll in a pickup truck attack in New Orleans, Louisiana has risen to 15, New Orleans Coroner Dr. Dwight McKenna said Wednesday. “It will take several days to perform all autopsies. Once we complete the autopsies and talk with the next of kin, we will release the identifications of the victims,” McKenna said in a statement. Earlier, 35 other people were also reported injured when the truck plowed through the heart of the French Quarter around 3.15 a.m. (0915GMT) Wednesday. The area is popular with tourists and is a hotspot for celebrations around major holidays, especially New Year’s Eve. Police said the attacker drove the truck onto a sidewalk and around a police car that was parked to block traffic from entering the area to carry out the attack. About 400 officers were deployed to protect the area. The FBI has said it does not believe the man who rammed the pickup truck into the New Year’s partygoers, who has been identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old US citizen and Army veteran, acted alone. “We do not believe that Jabbar was solely responsible. We are aggressively running down every lead, including those of his known associates,” Alethea Duncan, the FBI assistant special agent in charge of the New Orleans field office, told reporters at a press briefing. “We cannot go into details about the subject’s history. What I can tell you is the person was an Army veteran. We believe he was honorably discharged, but we’re working through this process, figuring out all this information,” Duncan added. Jabbar, from Texas, was previously identified by the bureau as a suspect in the terror attack. Asked how many accomplices authorities believe Jabbar had, Duncan said “it’s a range of suspects.” According to sources cited by ABC News, New Orleans police have reviewed surveillance footage that appears to show several individuals planting potential explosive devices prior to the vehicle attack. Authorities are working to identify the individuals seen on camera and bring them into custody. Meanwhile, steel barricades were not up on Bourbon Street at the time of the incident. – State of emergency Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency to facilitate cooperation between federal, state and local agencies “to bring all of the resources necessary to get this city safe.” He further mobilized a military police company to assist law enforcement. “It is important for our citizens and guests of the state to know that we’re doing everything we can to secure their safety in this city. We want to make it clear: the Superdome and the surrounding area are safe,” he said. The Sugar Bowl, an American college football championship game that was to be played at the Superdome on New Year’s Day, has been delayed until Thursday. Multiple weapons, a Daesh/ISIS terror group flag and a potential improvised explosive device were found inside the truck, according to the FBI. Two other potential improvised explosive devices were found in the French Quarter and were “rendered safe,” according to Duncan. – FBI launches investigation in Houston after New Orleans truck attack The FBI and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are carrying out a court-approved search at a property in north Houston, Texas connected to the fatal truck attack in New Orleans, FBI Houston said on X. The agencies have been stationed near the intersection of Hugh Road and Crescent Peak Drive for several hours and expect to remain there for several more hours, the statement noted. It said the FBI has established a perimeter and is urging the public to steer clear of the area, adding that no arrests have been made at this time.

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