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Brittney Griner spends birthday behind Russian bars
Tributes pour in for Brittney Griner today, as she spends her 32nd birthday behind bars in Russia
BRITTNEY GRINER- Birthday wishes from around the world have flooded in today for WNBA star Brittney Griner.
The American has spent her 32nd birthday behind bars in a Russian prison cell.
It comes as U.S. consular officers complete a phone call with Griner and fellow American detainee, Paul Whelan.
The news of the phone conversation was confirmed during a State Department briefing, and follows months of no contact with the pair.
Photo credit: CNN
It comes as the Biden Administration continues to push for their immediate release, attempting to strike a deal with Russia.
However, it remains difficult given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Birthday behind bars
Today, marks 8 months since WNBA star Brittney Griner was detained for bringing cannabis oil into the country. It also marks Griner’s 32nd birthday.
She released a message from behind bars that read “thank you everyone for fighting so hard to get me home. All the support and love are definitely helping me.”
Tributes now flow in for the Basketball star, from around the globe.
Appeal hearing approaches
Griner now awaits her appeal hearing next week, where she will learn her fate.
Many of Griner’s supporters, including the Biden administration, believe she has been “wrongfully detained” and used as a political pawn.
Russia has previously stated that the release of Griner is not a priority for the country.
Speaking exclusively to CNN, Griner’s lawyers said her birthday has been “difficult” because of her looming appeal hearing in a matter of days.
They added Griner is “very much concerned with the outcome of the appeal.”
News
Russia bans WhatsApp and promotes state-backed messaging app
Kremlin blocks WhatsApp, urging citizens to use state-backed MAX; critics warn of surveillance, prompting protests in Moscow.
Kremlin blocks WhatsApp, urging citizens to use state-backed MAX; critics warn of surveillance, prompting protests in Moscow.
The Kremlin has officially blocked WhatsApp, urging Russians to switch to MAX, a state-backed messaging app. This move comes after Meta refused to comply with local regulations, sparking debates over digital freedom in the country.
Critics warn that MAX could be used for government surveillance, though authorities deny these claims. The ban highlights Russia’s growing control over foreign tech platforms and its push for locally regulated alternatives.
Activists in Moscow have staged protests calling for an open and unregulated internet, while the public reacts with a mix of concern and resignation.
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News
U.S. secretly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran after protests
US covertly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran amid protests, aiding internet access despite government shutdowns and crackdown violence.
US covertly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran amid protests, aiding internet access despite government shutdowns and crackdown violence.
U.S. officials report that the Trump administration covertly sent around 6,000 Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran following widespread protests. The move was designed to bypass strict internet blackouts imposed by authorities in Tehran.
The terminals reportedly enabled activists and dissidents to reconnect with the outside world during periods of severe digital restriction, raising fresh questions about foreign involvement and cyber strategy.
As geopolitical tensions simmer, the revelation underscores how connectivity has become a powerful tool in modern conflict.
#Iran #Starlink #DonaldTrump #MiddleEast #GlobalPolitics #TechNews #InternetFreedom #BreakingNews
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Anthropic secures 30 billion in fresh funding as valuation surges
Anthropic raises $30B, doubling valuation to $380B, boosting global AI race with support from GIC, Coatue, Microsoft, and Nvidia.
Anthropic raises $30B, doubling valuation to $380B, boosting global AI race with support from GIC, Coatue, Microsoft, and Nvidia.
Anthropic has secured a staggering $30 billion in fresh funding, catapulting its valuation to $380 billion and cementing its place among the most valuable AI companies in the world. The raise marks the second-largest private technology funding round ever, trailing only OpenAI’s $40 billion deal.
Major backers in this latest round include Singapore’s GIC and Coatue Management, alongside existing heavyweight partners Microsoft and Nvidia. The scale of the investment underscores intensifying global competition in artificial intelligence as capital continues to flood into the sector.
Anthropic’s valuation has more than doubled in just five months, fuelled by rapid enterprise growth. The company now works with eight of the Fortune 10 and boasts more than 500 customers spending over $1 million annually, highlighting surging demand for advanced AI tools across corporate America.
#ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Anthropic #TechNews #VentureCapital #BigTech #Innovation #Startups
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