The men are not believed to actually be DOGE representatives. February 14, 2025, 8:36 PM Three men in shirts referencing Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” showed up at San Francisco City Hall on Friday demanding access to city files, authorities said. The men are not believed to actually be DOGE representatives, the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. The men, who were also wearing “Make America Great Again” hats, entered multiple offices in city hall around 12 p.m. local time, demanding employees turn over digital information related to alleged wasteful government spending and fraud, the sheriff’s office said. Citizens cast their vote for presidential and congressional elections at Department of Elections in the City Hall of San Francisco, California, United States on November 5, 2024. (Photo by
Author Archives: The Esbec Team
Feb
A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world. By THE MEDIA LINE FEBRUARY 15, 2025 00:08 US PRESIDENT Donald Trump meets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem, 2017. (photo credit: PPO via Getty Images) Trumpism: Risks and opportunities Asharq Al-Awsat, London, February 6 For more stories from The Media Line go to themedialine.org Many assert that the words of Donald Trump, the returning American president, are mere bluster. In my view, Trump could be anything – either an empty sound bomb or a truly destructive force. We are on the brink of four potentially extraordinary years that could either morph into our worst fears, leaving Palestinians without a land, or realize the dream of a Palestinian state. His policies might ignite a dangerous regional
Feb
Player Of The Match 169 (163) Report Ireland went toe-to-toe for most of the chase but lost the last four wickets in their last ten deliveries Brian Bennett’s 169 took Zimbabwe to 299 • Zimbabwe Cricket Zimbabwe 299 for 5 (Bennett 169, Ervine 66, Adair 2-55) beat Ireland 250 (Campher 44, Muzarabani 4-51, Ngarava 3-56) by 49 runs Brian Bennett delivered a Valentine Day’s gift to all the cricket lovers at Harare Sports Club with a sublime 169 to set up Zimbabwe’s 49-run win in the first ODI against Ireland on Friday. Promoted to opener for the first time in ODI cricket, Bennett struck 56.52% of Zimbabwe’s total to give Ireland a target of 300 to chase. Along the way, he also became the fourth-youngest to score 150-plus in a men’s ODI
Feb
Even in its earliest forms, DEI was never really about the literal meaning of the three words, “Diversity,” “Equity” and “Inclusion.” By DAVID BERNSTEIN, PHIL SIEGEL FEBRUARY 14, 2025 18:15 Group, business people and hands in stack for teamwork, collaboration or diversity in workplace community. (photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK) Jewish Insider recently reported that “Jewish groups are now divided on their embrace of the DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) framework — but nearly all recognize shortcomings in the ideology.” They know that DEI as commonly practiced is deeply flawed but don’t want to alienate allies by opposing it or miss the opportunity to sensitize institutions to antisemitism. So, in order to get the Jewish narrative heard, they often reconcile themselves to a faulty scheme. It’s time that they ask themselves some
![The protective shelter over the remains of the nuclear reactor Unit 4 at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant near the city of Chornobyl, Ukraine [File: Sergey Dolzhenko/EPA-EFE]](https://esbecgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Drone-strikes-Chornobyl-nuclear-plant-in-Ukraine-Russia-says-not-to-blame.jpg)
Radiation levels remain normal at Chornobyl, IAEA says, as world leaders gather in Munich to discuss Russia-Ukraine war. A Russian drone with a high-explosive warhead has hit the Chornobyl nuclear power plant in the Kyiv region, Ukraine said, amid warnings by the military that Russia launched 133 unmanned vehicles against the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that the drone strike significantly damaged the protective containment shelter and started a fire, which has been put out. The Kremlin responded saying Russia does not hit nuclear sites. Radiation levels at the site have not increased, according to Zelenskyy and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA did not attribute blame but said the drone strike occurred at 01:50am local time (23:50 GMT) and that there was “no indication
Feb
Kailey Schwerman/Showtime When season 1 of “Yellowjackets” debuted back in 2021, few predicted what a phenomenon the series would become, including the show’s creators, Ashley Lyle, and Bart Nickerson. For the uninitiated, “Yellowjackets” tracks characters across two timelines: the first, in 1996 after the nationals-bound Wiskayok Yellowjackets women’s soccer team’s plane crash lands them in the Canadian wilderness and thrusts them into barbaric survival including cannibalism, and in our current day 25 years later where the now-adult survivors are still plagued by whatever it was that happened to them (or what they did) all those years ago. While the characters all have their own individual plotlines across both timelines, the show is at its best when it’s operating as an ensemble cast. Fortunately, after the heartbreaking end to season 2
Feb
West’s Swastika-adorned shirts were Censori’s ‘final straw,’ sources say. By SHIR PERETS FEBRUARY 14, 2025 00:56 KANYE WEST and Bianca Censori pose at the red carpet during the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles last week. The writer argues: In his latest plunge into the abyss, ‘Jews were better as slaves,’ West has merely vocalized what has been lurking beneath the surface. (photo credit: Daniel Cole/Reuters) Kanye West and Bianca Censori broke up after two years of marriage, following West selling shirts with Swastikas on them, the New York Post reported on Thursday. “She’s had enough,” an anonymous source told the New York Post. “The Swastika shirt was the last straw. She told him that’s not who she is and that she can’t be associated with that.” West allegedly responded that
Javier Milei waves a chainsaw during a campaign rally in San Martin, Buenos Aires province, Argentina in September 2023. Photo: LUIS ROBAYO / AFPSource: AFP Argentina recorded a monthly inflation rate of 2.2 percent in January, the lowest in 4.5 years, the INDEC national statistics agency said Thursday, in a boost for budget-slashing President Javier Milei. Inflation, the perennial bugbear of South America’s second-biggest economy, was down from 2.7 percent in December, it said, and January was the fourth straight month in which prices rose by less than 3 percent. Year-on-year, January inflation came in at 84.5 percent, said the INDEC — the first time in two years it was under 100 percent, but still one of the highest in the world. By the end of 2024 inflation was at
Feb
Thursday, February 13, 2025 By Bjorn Lomborg Kids’ educational test scores are a major cause for concern across the world. Learning plummeted nearly everywhere during the Covid pandemic—but even before that, standardized test result measures in mathematics, science and reading were heading in the wrong direction. Education truly unites parents across the world, although the level of challenge differs, with American and rich world results stagnating at relatively high levels, whereas children in the world’s poorer half struggle with even reading a simple sentence or doing basic math. But after years of experience, it has become clear which policies don’t work at all—even if they have loud backers. Increasing per pupil spending sounds like a no-brainer, but it can deliver little or no learning at all if the money isn’t used wisely. India showed this when
Feb
Defense Minister Israel Katz has wasted no time leaving his stamp on the cabinet office, viewed as the most powerful in the government. By YONAH JEREMY BOB FEBRUARY 13, 2025 17:41 Updated: FEBRUARY 13, 2025 17:49 Defense Minister Israel Katz attends a Foreign Affairs and Defense committee discussion at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on January 22, 2025 (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) Looking back at Defense Minister Israel Katz’s first 100 days, he cannot be as easily dismissed as many in the media have tried to do. Unlike some new Likud ministers who had little substantive experience or accomplishments and whose main resume was tweeting publicly for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and against all of his perceived opponents, Katz, age 70, has had serious jobs. He has been foreign minister twice
Feb
U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell last week as employers continue to retain workers despite resurgent inflation and elevated interest rates. The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits fell by 7,000 to 213,000 for the week ending February 8, the Labor Department said Thursday. Analysts projected that 215,000 new applications would be filed. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered representative of layoffs. The four-week average, which smooths out some of the week-to-week volatility, inched down by 1,000 to 216,000. Despite showing some signs of weakening during the past year, the labor market remains healthy with plentiful jobs and relatively few layoffs. Last week, the Labor Department reported that U.S. employers added 143,000 jobs in January, significantly fewer than December’s 256,000 job gains. However, the unemployment rate ticked down
![Several Chinese nationals using fake IDs have been apprehended in Kuwait for taking part in cyberattacks [File: Thomas White/Illustration/Reuters]](https://esbecgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Kuwait-apprehends-members-of-international-gang-after-cyberattacks.jpg)
The group operated from a van to wage cyberattacks on companies and banks and steal sensitive information. Authorities in Kuwait have apprehended members of an international cybercrime gang of Chinese nationality, the Ministry of the Interior has said, after large-scale attacks on telecommunication towers and financial institutions across the country. The Cybercrime Combating Department was alerted after several telecommunication companies and banks reported cyberattacks on their networks to steal customers’ information and funds, the ministry said on Thursday in a post on X. Officers apprehended a driver, a Chinese national, in the Farwaniya area in Kuwait City and seized multiple electronic devices in his possession. Police later found more high-tech tools at his residence. The suspect confessed to being part of a larger network of fraudsters, who were also identified
Wisdom Kwadwo Mprah, PhD
Feb
A senior lecturer at the Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Wisdom Kwadwo Mprah, PhD, has made history as West Africa’s first deaf professor. The university announced this milestone in a Facebook post on February 13, 2025, celebrating Prof. Mprah’s groundbreaking achievement and his inspiring journey. Prof. Mprah’s academic journey began under trees in the Oti Region, where he attended primary school. He later studied at Krachi Secondary School and Okuapemman Secondary School before earning his first and second degrees at the University of Cape Coast (UCC). However, his path took an unexpected turn during his Master’s programme when he became deaf just as he was nearing the completion of his studies. “People didn’t know how to deal
The Owl Rescue Centre and animal lovers are celebrating the successful capture and relocation of a young male baboon on Thursday morning. IOL reported that the young male was spotted making his way from the Roodeplaat area towards Pretoria, earlier this week. The Owl Rescue Centre had been tracking the animal, named Jasiri, ‘s movements and took to social media to share of the happy moment. “He was relocated to his new home far, far away in the mountains,” said the Owl Rescue Centre’s Brendan Murray. “Success yet again guys. You truly are the most amazing people and your dedication to what you do is amazing. I truly do hold you in the highest regard. We need more people like you on this earth,” expressed Facebook user, Kathy van Tonder. “Sweet. The
Feb
Volvo is looking for a U.S.-based battery supplier for the EX90 electric SUV. The EX90 is built in South Carolina but its batteries come from China’s CATL. Because of the increased import tariffs on Chinese batteries, Volvo was forced to increase the EX90’s price. Volvo was forced to hike the starting price of its flagship electric SUV, the EX90, even before it hit the showroom floor. Because of the increased tariffs on Chinese-made batteries, the Volvo EX90 now starts at $81,290 including shipping, $3,300 more than originally intended. Despite the EX90 being built in South Carolina, its high-voltage battery pack is made in China by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL). That might not be the case for long, though, as Volvo is looking for an American battery supplier that would