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Al Jazeera
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
‘Refuge to all African Americans' – What Ramaphosa should have told Trump
On May 21, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stunned the world by announcing that his government had officially granted refugee status to 48 million African Americans. The decision, made through an executive order titled 'Addressing the Egregious Actions and Extensive Failures of the US Government', was unveiled at a news conference held in the tranquil gardens of the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Poised and deliberate, Ramaphosa framed the announcement as a necessary and humane response to what he called 'the absolute mayhem' engulfing the United States. Flanked by Maya Johnson, president of the African American Civil Liberties Association, and her deputy Patrick Miller, Ramaphosa declared that South Africa could no longer ignore the plight of a people 'systematically impoverished, criminalised, and decimated by successive US governments'. Citing a dramatic deterioration in civil liberties under President Donald Trump's second term, Ramaphosa specifically pointed to the administration's barrage of executive orders dismantling affirmative action, gutting DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) initiatives, and permitting federal contractors to discriminate freely. These measures, he said, are calculated to 'strip African Americans of dignity, rights, and livelihood – and to make America white again'. 'This is not policy,' Ramaphosa said, 'this is persecution.' President Trump's 2024 campaign was unabashed in its calls to 'defend the homeland' from what it framed as internal threats – a barely veiled dog whistle for the reassertion of white political dominance. True to his word, Trump has unleashed what critics are calling a rollback not just of civil rights, but of civilisation itself. Ramaphosa noted that under the guise of restoring law and order, the federal government has instituted what amounts to an authoritarian crackdown on Black political dissent. Since Trump's inauguration in January, he said, hundreds of African American activists have been detained by security forces – often on dubious charges – and interrogated under inhumane conditions. While Ramaphosa focused on systemic oppression, Johnson sounded the alarm on what she bluntly described as 'genocide'. 'Black Americans are being hunted,' she told reporters. 'Night after night, day after day, African Americans across the country are being attacked by white Americans. These criminals claim they are 'reclaiming' America. Police departments, far from intervening, are actively supporting these mobs – providing logistical aid, shielding them from prosecution, and joining in the carnage.' The African American Civil Liberties Association estimates that in the past six weeks alone, thousands of African Americans have been threatened, assaulted, disappeared, or killed, she said. The crisis has not gone unnoticed by the remainder of the continent. Last week, the African Union convened an emergency summit to address the deteriorating situation in the US. In a rare unified statement, AU leaders condemned the US government's actions and tasked President Ramaphosa with raising the issue before the United Nations. Their mandate? Repatriate African Americans and offer refuge. Ramaphosa confirmed that the first charter flights carrying refugees will arrive on African soil on May 25 – Africa Day. 'As the sun sets on this dark chapter of American history,' Ramaphosa said, 'a new dawn is rising over Africa. We will not remain passive while a genocide unfolds in the United States.' *** Of course, none of this has happened. There was no statement on 'Egregious Actions and Extensive Failures of the US Government' from South Africa. There was no news conference where an African leader highlighted the plight of his African brothers and sisters in the United States and offered them options. There will be no refuge flights from Detroit to Pretoria. Instead, after the US cut off aid to South Africa, repeated false accusations that a 'white genocide' is taking place there and began welcoming Afrikaners as refugees, a pragmatic Ramaphosa paid a respectful visit to the White House on May 21. During his visit, watched closely by the world media, he did not even mention the millions of African Americans facing discrimination, police violence and abuse under a president who is clearly determined to 'Make America White Again' – let alone offer them refuge in Africa. Even when Trump insisted, without any basis in reality, that a genocide is being perpetrated against white people in his country, Ramaphosa did not bring up Washington's long list of – very real, systemic, and seemingly accelerating – crimes against Black Americans. He tried to remain polite and diplomatic, focusing not on the racist hostility of the American administration but on the important ties between the two nations. Perhaps, in the real world, it is too much to ask an African leader to risk diplomatic fallout by defending Black lives abroad. Perhaps it is easier to shake hands with a man who calls imaginary white suffering a 'genocide' rather than to call out a real one unfolding on his watch. In another world, Ramaphosa stood tall in Pretoria and told Trump`: 'We will not accept your lies about our country – and we will not stay silent as you brutalise our kin in yours.' In this one, he stood quietly in Washington – and did. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial stance.
Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Colorado whiskey named ‘America's greatest' at international spirits competition
A Colorado whiskey was crowned America's best at an international spirits competition, beating out hundreds of other liquors for the title. Talnua Distillery in Arvada was awarded the top whiskey accolade from the American Distilling Institute's 2025 International Spirits Competition, which announced its winners on Wednesday. Its Bourbon Cask & Stave Series Whiskey was awarded the highest marks in the category, earning the title of America's Greatest Whiskey 2025. Competition director Eric Zandona said 290 whiskeys were entered into this year's contest, though that number includes recipes from across the world. In all, 700 spirits were entered into the competition, which started in 2007. Judges evaluate flights of spirits based on their overall quality and taste, assigning each one a score from 0 to 100. Spirits that score 90 points or more earn a gold medal, and judges can award a double gold if they believe the liquor is exemplary in its style (i.e. bourbon, single malt, rye, etc.). Those that earn both gold and double gold medals get considered for the "best in class" honor. Only one gets crowned the greatest among its category (i.e. vodka, gin, whiskey, agave, etc.). Taluna's spirit rose above all other whiskeys, across all the different styles, that were made stateside. The distillery is unique in that it uses a pot still method, similar to many Irish whiskeys. That method requires the use of a copper pot still and a distinct mash bill, which is half malted barley and half unmalted barley. The unmalted barley plays prominently in the flavor profile of Talnua's various whiskeys, as well as its house-made gins. The Bourbon Cask & Stave Series Whiskey, specifically, is aged in former bourbon barrels for three years along with charred oak staves, giving it bright floral, new mown hay, and vanilla bean notes, according to the distillery's website. Patrick Miller, Talnua's founder and master distiller, said by email that introducing the staves creates complexity in the flavor beyond what a single cask can offer. "As a Colorado distillery rooted in tradition and driven by curiosity, it means a lot to be recognized among such respected peers. Honors like this don't come around often, especially for smaller teams like ours, and we're grateful," Miller added in his statement. Talnua also earned a gold medal for its American White Oak Cask Bottled in Bond whiskey, and a silver for its Old Saint's Keep whiskey released in 2025. But it wasn't the only local distiller to bring home awards. Stranahan's in Denver earned five medals total, including two double-gold, two gold and one silver; Pullman Distillery in Frisco brought home two bronze medals; Littleton's Rocker Spirits collected two silvers; and Salida Distillery garnered one silver and one bronze. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
America's Best Whiskey, According To The American Distilling Institute
The Best in Category and Best in Class American Whiskeys from the ADI's 2025 International Spirits Competition getty Each year, the American Distilling Institute hosts the ADI International Spirits Competition. This prestigious event recognizes excellence in craft spirits and is open to American and international distilleries. Below is a brief background and tasting notes on the "Best of Class" and "Best of Category" American whiskey winners from the recently completed 2025 competition. Taluna's Cask & Stave was selected as America's Best Whiskey at the 2025 ADI Spirits Competition. Taluna, in Arvada, Colorado, holds the distinction of being America's first distillery dedicated exclusively to producing single pot still whiskey. Established in 2017 by Patrick and Meagan Miller, the distillery was inspired by the couple's honeymoon in Ireland and their love for traditional Irish whiskey. The name "Talnua" combines the Irish-Gaelic words "Talamh" (land) and "Nua" (new), reflecting their mission to bring old-world distilling traditions to the new land of America. Talnua's uses triple distillation in copper pot stills and a mash bill of 50% malted and 50% unmalted barley, adhering closely to traditional Irish methods while incorporating American innovation. The whiskey is aged a minimum of three years in ex-bourbon white oak casks with the addition of charred virgin American white oak staves from the onset of maturation. The nose features fresh marshmallows, lightly charred oak wood, cooked cereal/malt, caramel, vanilla, and a hint of candied, pink bubble gum-like sweetness. The whiskey is light on the palate, exhibiting subtle cooked grain flavors, hints of marshmallow, vanilla, caramel, and a touch of white pepper. The finish is medium length and fresh, featuring lingering notes of seasoned oak and wood spices, with mellow undertones of vanilla and caramel that fade gracefully. This expression showcases Talnua's commitment to blending traditional Irish and American whiskey-making techniques. The result is a unique and approachable whiskey that offers a uniquely American perspective on the single Irish pot still style. Knobel Spirits produces handcrafted Tennessee whiskey, utilizing the Lincoln County Process, a unique filtration method through maple wood charcoal before aging. This process, a defining characteristic of Tennessee whiskey, imparts a distinctly sweet flavor profile to the spirit. The mash bill is undisclosed. The whiskey is aged for approximately five years in new charred American oak barrels. The whiskey is sweet and rich on the nose, featuring caramel, spicy candied orange zest, fresh orange, hints of vanilla, almond, and oak. The palate features fresh-baked sugar cookies, baked apple, ginger, and spice notes of cinnamon, clove, and a little allspice. The finish is long, sweet, and spicy, with lingering notes of orange zest and baked apple pie. An American single malt whiskey with mince pies getty Stranahan's is a pioneer in American single malt whiskey. The Mountain Angel 10-Year is their first age-stated expression, showcasing the impact of Colorado's high-altitude aging. The whiskey is based on a mash bill of 100% malted barley aged ten years in new American oak barrels with a #3 char. The whiskey is sweet and fruity, featuring sweet fruit liqueurs, glazed cherries, Cognac, and aromatic pipe smoke aromas. On the palate, the whiskey features brown sugar, dark molasses, maple bars, caramel, vanilla, and caramelized wood. It's rich, smooth, and viscous with a pronounced mouth weight. The finish is long and silky, with lingering notes of dried fruit and sweet smoke. Bird Creek Distillery, Cask Strength Baronesse, 57.5% ABV, 750 ml. Bird Creek Distillery specializes in single malt American whiskeys, using unique barley strains like Baronesse, sourced from Joseph's Grainery in Colfax, Washington. The Oregon-based distillery uses a mash bill of 100% Baronesse barley and ages its whiskey for four to five years. Baronesse barley is a rare, heirloom two-row spring barley variety developed by Washington State University. It has found a niche among craft distillers and brewers who value heritage grains for their distinctive flavor profiles. Baronesse imparts floral and malt/grain-forward aromas of warm cereal and honeyed biscuit. It creates a creamy, full-bodied texture on the palate with rich malt sweetness, toasted grain, honey, graham cracker, and nutty flavors. The whisky features a rich, aromatic malt character on the nose with bread dough and earthy, steeped black tea notes. The palate exhibits cooked cereal/malt, sugared breakfast cereal, vanilla, caramel, and milk chocolate flavors. The finish is long and sweet with lingering cooked cereal and graham cracker notes. This limited-edition blend celebrates North American whiskey traditions, combining well-aged spirits from Canada and the U.S. The bottling blends 23 and 24-year-old Canadian whiskey with 11-year-old Kentucky Corn Whiskey, eight-year-old American Light Whiskey, and Indiana Rye. The whiskey is sweet and herbal, featuring honey, vanilla, caramel, seasoned oak, menthol, and mint. It's fruity on the palate, showcasing red berries, apples, cherry syrup, black pepper, and herbal menthol flavors. The finish is long, semi-sweet, and slightly spirity, with lingering notes of mint and black pepper. Uncle Nearest honors the legacy of Nathan "Nearest" Green, the first African-American master distiller. The Master Blend Edition is a cask-strength release, hand-selected by Master Blender Victoria Eady Butler. The mash bill is not disclosed. The whiskey undergoes the Lincoln County Process of maple wood charcoal aging and is typically matured for at least six years. The whiskey features cinnamon, caramel, vanilla, seasoned oak, black pepper, and aged tobacco leaf on the nose. It's rich and viscous on the palate with a pronounced mouth weight, exhibiting buttered cinnamon toast, earthy and herbal notes, and a pronounced spicy character. The finish is long, sweet, and spicy with lingering notes of caramel, cinnamon, and clove. Texas-based Bendt Distilling emphasizes grain-to-glass production, using locally sourced grains to craft their spirits. The mash bill comprises soft winter red wheat, yellow dent corn, and Maris Otter malted barley. The whiskey is aged four years in new American oak casks with a 3.5 char. The nose features slight floral aromas, cooked cereal, baking bread, and poached orchard fruit aromas. It's smooth, sweet, and slightly fruity, with fresh-baked buttery croissant and subtle notes of pear and red berry flavors. The finish is long, slightly sweet with lingering baked bread and subtle brown sugar notes. Other notable Best of Category winners in their respective categories included New Brighton Distillery Amity Corn Whiskey, Hermann Farm Distillery Sour Cherry Flavored Whiskey, and Rocker Spirits Triticale Whiskey. The American Distilling Institute (ADI) is a leading trade organization for craft and independent distillers in the United States. Founded in 2003, ADI supports the growth and success of small-scale distillers through education, advocacy, networking, and promotion of best practices in the industry. ADI's annual spirits competition often highlights up-and-coming brands, many of which have yet to establish national distribution. For the whiskey connoisseur, the competition offers an excellent insight into what will likely be tomorrow's American whiskey stars.
South China Morning Post
24-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China-backed actors ‘stand out' in threatening US energy infrastructure, panel hears
China-backed actors 'stand out' in threatening America's energy infrastructure and could disrupt the country's power networks in the event of a geopolitical crisis, a cybersecurity expert told the US Congress on Thursday. Advertisement Testifying before the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, Patrick Miller, CEO of Ampyx Cyber, described Chinese state-backed actors as conducting a long-term strategy to incapacitate critical American infrastructure when bilateral tensions escalate, noting the current grid is too vulnerable to defend. 'China's cyber operations against the US power grid are not isolated acts of espionage or theft. Rather, they are part of a broader campaign to pre-position disruptive capabilities within American networked infrastructure,' Miller said. 'The goal appears to be to create options for China to sow chaos and impede US military responses during a future crisis, especially one involving Taiwan ,' he added. A screengrab of Patrick Miller, CEO and owner of Ampyx Cyber, an industrial security consulting firm, testifying before the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission in Washington on Thursday. Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.
South China Morning Post
24-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China-backed actors ‘stand out' in threatening US energy infrastructure, Congress hears
China-backed actors 'stand out' in threatening America's energy infrastructure and could disrupt the country's power networks in the event of a geopolitical crisis, a cybersecurity expert told the US Congress on Thursday. Advertisement Testifying before the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, Patrick Miller, CEO of Ampyx Cyber, described Chinese state-backed actors as conducting a long-term strategy to incapacitate critical American infrastructure when bilateral tensions escalate, noting the current grid is too vulnerable to defend. 'China's cyber operations against the US power grid are not isolated acts of espionage or theft. Rather, they are part of a broader campaign to pre-position disruptive capabilities within American networked infrastructure,' Miller said. 'The goal appears to be to create options for China to sow chaos and impede US military responses during a future crisis, especially one involving Taiwan ,' he added. A screengrab of Patrick Miller, CEO and owner of Ampyx Cyber, an industrial security consulting firm, testifying before the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission in Washington on Thursday. Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.
