News

Putin opposes immediate Ukraine cease-fire proposal

Putin rejects immediate cease-fire in Ukraine, calls for further discussion on lasting peace amid ongoing military gains.

Published

6 months ago

March 14, 2025

Ahron Young

Putin rejects immediate cease-fire in Ukraine, calls for further discussion on lasting peace amid ongoing military gains.

In Short

Putin rejects calls for an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine, citing military advantages and concerns about Ukraine regrouping. Despite Ukraine agreeing to a U.S.-backed proposal, discussions continue with no quick resolution expected.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected calls for an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine, citing battlefield conditions that favour Ukraine. He expressed support for a permanent peace but stressed the need for further discussions.

Putin’s comments come after Ukraine agreed to a U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal. He acknowledged the proposal’s merits but raised concerns about enforcing a cease-fire and the potential for Ukraine to regroup militarily.

Trump to speak

Discussions involving U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff aim to explore the cease-fire’s feasibility. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed intentions to speak with Putin and urged for a swift resolution to the conflict.

In Kursk, Russian forces have made significant territorial gains, capturing key Ukrainian-held towns and impacting Ukraine’s logistical capabilities. Analysts note that with this momentum, Russia has little incentive to accept a cease-fire.

Putin’s assertions reflect longstanding demands for a cease-fire to address what he calls the war’s “root causes,” including NATO’s expansion and Ukraine’s military alignment. Moscow has repeatedly ruled out temporary cease-fires in favour of a comprehensive agreement.

The ongoing situation poses challenges for Ukraine as it seeks to negotiate with diminished leverage and after a recent pause in U.S. military support. Ukrainian military leadership continues to focus on troop safety while assessing their defensive positions amidst Russian advances.

News

Trump proposes $100,000 H-1B visa fee increase

Trump announces massive H-1B visa fee increases and introduces $1 million ‘gold card’ to reshape immigration system

Published

5 hours ago

September 21, 2025

Ahron Young

Trump announces massive H-1B visa fee increases and introduces $1 million ‘gold card’ to reshape immigration system

In Short:
– Trump announced a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas and a $1 million residency gold card to boost American hiring.
– Critics argue increased fees may limit smaller firms’ access to foreign talent, impacting U.S. tech innovation.

President Trump announced significant changes to the U.S. immigration system, introducing a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas and a $1 million “gold card” for residency.

The move aims to increase revenue and promote the hiring of American workers, claiming that many tech companies exploit the current system.The fee increase targets H-1B visa applications, which traditionally have low entry costs.

Trump stated the initiative aims to bring in highly skilled individuals rather than those crossing the borders illegally. A gold card requiring a $1 million payment will expedite visa processing, with a reduced availability compared to existing green card categories.

The new programme could alter the competitive landscape for U.S. tech companies, which historically depend on H-1B visas to access foreign talent.

Critics warn that the increased fees may deter smaller firms from utilising these visas, potentially hindering U.S. progress in tech sectors like artificial intelligence.

Visa Impact

Debate persists within Trump’s administration regarding the new policy’s implications. Supporters argue it protects American jobs, while opponents contend it restricts access to global talent crucial for innovation.

The H-1B visa programme, established in 1990, remains vital for skilled foreign workers seeking residency in the U.S., yet faces growing scrutiny.

News

Fourth death confirmed due to Optus outage issues

Fourth death confirmed following Optus outage that blocked Triple Zero calls for 13 hours during network upgrade

Published

18 hours ago

September 20, 2025

Ahron Young

Fourth death confirmed following Optus outage that blocked Triple Zero calls for 13 hours during network upgrade

In Short:
– A fourth death is confirmed due to an Optus network failure affecting emergency calls for 13 hours.
– Optus CEO announced an investigation after communication failures and criticism from politicians and emergency services.

A fourth death has been confirmed following an Optus network failure that prevented emergency calls to Triple Zero for 13 hours.

Initially, Optus reported three fatalities, including an infant and two elderly individuals from South Australia and Western Australia. The latest victim is a 49-year-old man from Perth.Optus CEO Stephen Rue expressed deep sorrow over the incident and announced a full investigation into the network update that caused the outage.

He stated that approximately 600 calls to emergency services were disrupted, impacting residents across South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.

Rue confirmed that the outage stemmed from a problematic firewall upgrade and revealed details of communication failures within the company. Politicians and emergency services expressed anger at the lack of timely information during the crisis.

System Failure

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas criticised Optus for their incompetence in handling the situation.

The federal communications minister also condemned the company, highlighting that such failures are unacceptable.

The incident follows a previous outage for which Optus was fined $12 million, raising serious concerns about their emergency service handling.

News

Israel launches its new “Iron Beam” laser system

Israel’s new “Iron Beam” laser defense system to deploy by year-end, promising cost-effective missile interception.

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2025

ticker NEWS

Israel’s new “Iron Beam” laser defense system to deploy by year-end, promising cost-effective missile interception.

Israel’s Defence Ministry says its new “Iron Beam” laser system will be deployed by year’s end. The technology is designed to destroy incoming missiles, rockets, drones and mortars with precision.

Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems in partnership with Elbit Systems, Iron Beam will sit alongside existing defences such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow. Unlike traditional interceptors which can cost tens of thousands of dollars per shot, the laser comes at negligible expense.

Officials call it the world’s first high-power laser interception system to achieve operational maturity, hailing it as a game-changer for modern warfare. Military leaders expect the system to reshape air defence capabilities and cut costs dramatically.

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