February 18, 2025, 1:46 pm

US-Backed Commander Pushes for a Secular Syria

sarakhon desk
  • Update Time : Monday, February 3, 2025

US-Backed Commander Pushes for a Secular Syria

AP News,

Mazloum Abdi, the commander-in-chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has called for a secular and civil state in post-Assad Syria. Speaking from Hassakeh, Abdi emphasized the need for a decentralized government that ensures equality for all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity. He revealed that he recently met with Syria’s newly appointed interim President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, in Damascus to discuss the future of the country.

The fall of the Assad regime on December 8, 2024, marked the end of a 54-year-long rule by the Assad family. The new government, led by factions that overthrew Assad, suspended the 2012 constitution, dissolved the Syrian army, and appointed al-Sharaa as interim president. While many factions agreed to integrate into the new military structure, the SDF has not yet committed to dissolving.

Abdi stated that the SDF will continue negotiating with Damascus but stressed that U.S. troops should remain in Syria to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State. He also clarified that Syria’s Kurds seek a decentralized government rather than complete autonomy, distinguishing their aspirations from those of Iraqi Kurds.

Trump Announces Halt to U.S. Aid to South Africa

Politico,

Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States will cut all future aid to South Africa, citing concerns over land confiscation policies. Trump accused the South African government of “treating certain classes of people very badly” and labeled the land expropriation measures as a “human rights violation.”

The land reform initiative, signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa, aims to redistribute land in the public interest, addressing inequalities rooted in apartheid. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) defended the move, stating that it is designed to benefit the majority of South Africans. However, critics argue that the law allows land seizure without compensation, raising concerns about its fairness.

Trump declared that the U.S. will not tolerate these actions and will withhold funding until a full investigation is conducted. This decision comes amid broader tensions between the U.S. and South Africa, with implications for diplomatic and economic relations.

ISRO Faces Setback as NVS-02 Satellite Thrusters Fail

India Today,

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) encountered a major challenge with its NVS-02 navigation satellite after its thrusters failed to ignite, preventing it from reaching its intended orbit. The satellite, launched on January 29 aboard the GSLV-Mk 2 rocket, was meant to enhance India’s Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system. However, due to a valve failure in the oxidizer system, the planned orbit adjustments could not be carried out.

ISRO is currently exploring alternative strategies to utilize the satellite in its current elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Despite the setback, ISRO confirmed that the satellite remains functional, with its solar panels deployed and power generation stable.

The NVS-02 satellite is critical for providing precise navigation, emergency response, fleet management, and mobile device location services. It operates across multiple frequency bands, ensuring high-accuracy positioning. ISRO officials are confident that modifications will allow the satellite to contribute to NavIC’s mission despite the technical difficulties.

Venezuela Agrees to Accept Deported Migrants, Trump Says

Reuters,

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela has agreed to receive Venezuelan migrants who were detained in the United States, including gang members from the Tren de Aragua cartel. The agreement follows a high-level meeting between Trump’s envoy Richard Grenell and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas.

According to Trump, Venezuela will also provide transportation for the deported individuals. However, there has been no official confirmation from the Venezuelan government. The meeting marked the first visit of a senior U.S. official to Venezuela in years, raising speculation about potential diplomatic shifts.

While Maduro described the discussions as “a first step,” some critics argue that engaging with his administration could lend legitimacy to a government the U.S. does not officially recognize. Meanwhile, Trump has continued efforts to repatriate illegal migrants, securing agreements with other Latin American nations to take back their citizens.

U.S. Conducts Airstrikes Against Islamic State in Somalia

Reuters,

The United States conducted airstrikes in Somalia targeting a senior Islamic State (IS) planner and other militants, killing many of them, President Donald Trump announced. The strikes were carried out in the Golis Mountains, with no reported civilian casualties.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed that the operation aimed to degrade IS’s ability to conduct attacks against the U.S. and its allies. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud praised the airstrikes, calling them a vital step in combating terrorism.

The U.S. has conducted periodic airstrikes in Somalia under both Republican and Democratic administrations. Trump’s latest action underscores his administration’s commitment to counterterrorism efforts, even as he prioritizes stricter immigration policies and border security at home.

OpenAI Unveils ‘Deep Research’ AI for Complex Web Analysis

Digital Trends,

OpenAI has launched a new AI tool, ‘Deep Research,’ designed to perform multi-step internet research for complex tasks in a fraction of the time it would take a human analyst. The tool can scan, analyze, and synthesize information from hundreds of online sources, generating detailed reports for finance, policy, science, and engineering professionals.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described the tool as “like a superpower,” enabling users to conduct research that would typically take hours or days in just minutes. Deep Research provides comprehensive reports with clear citations, making it a valuable resource for professionals and consumers seeking in-depth analysis.

Currently, Deep Research is available under OpenAI’s Pro tier at $200 per month, offering 100 queries per month. Future updates will include embedded images, data visualizations, and other analytical tools to enhance clarity and usability.

However, OpenAI cautioned that the system may struggle with distinguishing authoritative information from rumors and could occasionally produce formatting errors. Despite these limitations, the company expects rapid improvements as the tool gains more usage.

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