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Musk Apologizes to Trump After Feud Over ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ and Epstein Mockery, But Will It Settle It?

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Elon Musk has publicly apologized to President Donald Trump following an extraordinary and personal feud that erupted last week, threatening to damage both men’s political and business interests.

Musk, once the largest donor to Trump’s re-election campaign, posted on Wednesday: “I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.”

The apology followed several days of escalating confrontation, beginning with Musk’s fierce criticism of Trump’s $2.5 trillion infrastructure and industrial policy proposal, dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill.” Musk had denounced the bill as a “disgusting abomination” that would “add $2.4 trillion to U.S. government borrowing,” and said it amounted to a handout to “cronies and consultants.”

He also called for Trump’s impeachment and mocked the president’s past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In response, Trump lashed out on Truth Social: “Elon Musk went crazy. I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted.”

He also warned of financial consequences, writing: “The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts.”

Musk’s statement of regret on X, the social platform he owns, followed a private phone call to Trump on Monday night, according to the New York Times, which cited three people familiar with the matter. That outreach came after Musk spoke on Friday with Vice President JD Vance and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles to discuss the fallout of the public spat.

According to CNN, Vance had asked Trump how he wanted the situation addressed publicly before a scheduled interview with conservative podcast host Theo Von. During the podcast, which aired Saturday, Vance said: “Really, man, I think it’s a huge mistake for him to go after the president like that … I actually think if Elon chilled out a little bit, everything would be fine.”

Trump, speaking to the New York Post, responded to the apology by saying: “I thought it was very nice that he did that.” In a previously recorded interview with the paper, he had said, “I guess I could” reconcile with Musk, though he noted he was “not a happy camper” when Musk launched the tirade.

“I think he feels very badly, that he said that,” Trump added. “I have no hard feelings for it.”

The feud had reached a boiling point last week, marking the sharpest rupture yet in what had been a mutually beneficial alliance. Musk briefly served as the head of the administration’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE). The initiative, which aimed to slash federal programs, has since faced scrutiny, with experts warning some of the cost-cutting measures may be illegal.

At the peak of the row, Trump made repeated references to Musk’s companies. Beyond the jab at Tesla’s electric vehicle mandate, Trump warned about cutting off billions in federal contracts awarded to SpaceX, the rocket firm run by Musk that launches more satellites for U.S. agencies than any other company. Musk, in turn, threatened to decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft — a key vehicle for NASA’s astronaut missions to the International Space Station — though he later walked back the threat.

Tesla’s stock, which had been under pressure amid weakening sales in Europe and criticism of Musk’s increasingly political behavior, rose 2.6% in pre-market trading Wednesday following signs of a truce. The apology came just one day before Tesla’s planned launch of its highly anticipated “robotaxi” service in Austin, Texas — a pivotal moment for the company, which is struggling to maintain its valuation as the world’s most valuable carmaker.

Despite the conciliatory tone, it remains uncertain whether the damage is fully repaired. Trump, who had declared last week that he would “never speak to [Musk] again,” has so far offered no clear sign of reconciliation beyond brief comments. Given his long history of punishing dissent from even close allies, the future of their relationship, and the business implications that come with it, appear far from settled.

Nigeria’s $5bn Oil-Backed Loan Talks with Aramco Stalled as Crude Prices Fall, Lenders Grow Cautious

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Negotiations between Nigeria and Saudi oil giant Aramco over a proposed $5 billion oil-backed loan — expected to be the largest in Nigeria’s history — have slowed significantly, as falling global oil prices and concerns over Nigeria’s crude supply capacity make lenders increasingly hesitant to commit.

The deal, initially advanced by President Bola Tinubu during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Saudi-Africa Summit in Riyadh in November 2023, was designed to secure much-needed foreign exchange for the Nigerian economy. If concluded, it would mark Aramco’s first major financing venture in Nigeria, and represent the deepest oil-for-cash deal the country has ever sought.

However, sources familiar with the talks told Reuters that the drop in global crude prices has triggered renewed skepticism among banks that were expected to participate in financing the facility.

“The facility would be Nigeria’s largest oil-backed loan to date and Saudi Arabia’s first participation of this scale in the country, although the decline in oil price could shrink the size of the deal,” a source said.

The problem lies in the mechanics of oil-backed loans: when oil prices fall, the borrower must commit a higher volume of crude to repay the same amount of money. For Nigeria, a country already devoting over 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) to servicing prior oil-for-cash deals, this creates a significant strain on available crude for new obligations. One of the existing loans is reportedly due for repayment this month, further limiting headroom.

Experts say the Aramco deal has become complicated by these variables, raising fears of over-leveraging Nigeria’s already-stretched oil commitments.

Supply Constraints As A Major Risk

Nigeria’s crude output has been persistently hampered by years of underinvestment, oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and disruptions in the Niger Delta. These structural issues have undermined confidence in the country’s ability to guarantee stable long-term crude deliveries — a key requirement for any oil-backed facility.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) also faces pressure to allocate crude to joint venture partners like Shell, Seplat, and Oando to cover production costs. This limits how much oil the state can freely allocate for financing purposes. In the proposed Aramco deal, Oando is expected to handle the offtake of the physical cargoes, further complicating the logistics.

With oil prices falling below expectations — currently hovering around $75 per barrel, well below the $85–$90 range seen earlier in the year — the economics of the loan have weakened. For banks, lower oil prices raise the risk that Nigeria may default on the agreed repayment schedule, especially if production fails to ramp up.

The Aramco loan had also been viewed as a potential gateway for Saudi Arabia to expand its financial and strategic footprint in Africa’s biggest oil producer. Many hoped that such a deal would spur broader investment cooperation, possibly involving downstream assets and refinery partnerships.

But the current deadlock may push both sides to reconsider terms. Analysts believe that if a consensus can be reached, perhaps through renegotiated volume commitments or partial guarantees, it could unlock a new template for future resource-backed lending in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Track Record and the Afreximbank Deal

This isn’t Nigeria’s first foray into oil-backed borrowing. In April 2024, the country received the final $1.05 billion tranche of a $3.3 billion facility secured from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). That deal, structured similarly to the Aramco one, is being repaid with 90,000 barrels per day of crude, priced at a fixed $65 per barrel.

While that arrangement helped boost dollar liquidity and stabilize the naira in the short term, it also locked Nigeria into long-term delivery obligations — a model some critics warn is unsustainable without significant output growth or price recovery.

President Tinubu’s administration has defended the practice as necessary for stabilizing the foreign exchange market and rebuilding reserves. But falling oil prices now threaten the logic behind such loans.

The delays in reaching an agreement with Aramco come at a time when Nigeria is banking heavily on oil-backed loans to bridge fiscal and external imbalances. The country’s foreign reserves have been under pressure, and the naira has experienced prolonged volatility amid dollar shortages and speculative trading.

If the $5 billion loan fails to materialize, it may force the government to look elsewhere — possibly revisiting bilateral talks with China or turning again to Afreximbank — although few partners offer the scale and strategic potential of a deal with Saudi Arabia’s oil giant.

As talks drag on, it is believed that finding consensus on the Aramco deal could pave the way for resolving broader issues around Nigeria’s use of oil-for-loan arrangements. But that will depend on whether the two sides can overcome current market risks and rebuild lender confidence in Nigeria’s oil supply capabilities.

Obtaining EU citizenship through repatriation with Mycitizensagency.com

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EU citizenship through repatriation with Mycitizensagency.com

In an increasingly globalized world, the benefits of holding an European passport are more appealing than ever. Whether it is the freedom to travel, live, and work across member states, or the enhanced personal and professional opportunities, such citizenship opens many doors. But how to get an EU passport legally and efficiently?

This is where Mycitizensagency.com steps in. It is a company trusted by many who have already taken the step towards reclaiming their European grounds by repatriation. Instead of vague promises, their work is grounded in legal precision and attention to personal history. According to multiple Mycitizenagency reviews, the results speak for themselves. The process is built on verifiable documentation and consistent communication.

In this article, we will explore why more and more people are turning to specialists from Mycitizensagency.com, what questions they most often ask, and what real clients say about their experience.

Why choose Mycitizenagency to obtain an EU passport

When it comes to reclaiming European citizenship through repatriation, success depends on more than just filling out the correct forms. Each case involves layers of juridical, historical, and bureaucratic context, and navigating that landscape requires more than standard legal service.

That is where Mycitizensagency.com has earned its place. People turn to the company not because of flashy advertising, but because of consistent outcomes and strong word-of-mouth. Many highlight their work in detailed Mycitizenagency reviews, where a common theme emerges: careful attention to documentation and a deep understanding of regional law frameworks.

What distinguishes Mycitizenagency’s approach:

  • Lineage research grounded in facts – the team works with multilingual archives and cross-references records to restore family connections, even in the absence of direct evidence.
  • Clear updates throughout – instead of templated status emails, applicants receive relevant information they can act on.
  • In-house language and archival expertise – original documents in Slovenian, Romanian, and other languages are processed accurately by Mycitizenagency, reducing delays and rejections.

Mycitizenagency reviews

Popular questions

The path to EU citizenship by repatriation almost always raises essential questions. Here are brief answers to what applicants and Mycitizenagency’s clients ask most often.

  • How legal is the repatriation process?

The path Mycitizensagency.com leads you on is fully recognized by national laws in several EU member states. For instance, Romania regulates the procedure through Law No. 21/1991, which grants the right to reclaim nationality to individuals whose relatives once held it. The law applies to descendants of those who lost their status due to emigration, border changes, or political shifts. Mycitizenagency lawyers will gladly provide more detailed information.

  • What if there is no direct proof of origin?

Many applicants start with minimal evidence – a surname, place of birth, or a family story. At Mycitizensagency.com, cases are built through detailed archival research across multiple countries. Such method has helped many qualify for EU citizenship even without complete records before cooperation. This has already been confirmed in several Mycitizenagency reviews.

  • How long does it take to process?

Most Mycitizenagency’s citizenship cases via repatriation are completed within 12 to 24 months. Timing depends on the country, complexity of the family history, and access to supporting documents. Applicants aiming for a European passport should be prepared for multiple stages – research, preparation, submission, and governmental review. According to various Mycitizenagency reviews, realistic timelines are always discussed in advance.

Read Mycitizenagency reviews

Before starting to work with any company, Mycitizensagency.com too, it is natural to look for real experiences – especially when it comes to something as important as obtaining EU citizenship. While the facts and procedures speak for themselves, client feedback often reveals what official pages don’t. Below are selected Mycitizenagency reviews that offer insight into how the company actually works:

Final thoughts on cooperation with Mycitizensagency.com

Choosing to pursue EU citizenship is both a personal and strategic decision – one that involves legal nuance, family history, and long-term planning. And Mycitizenagency can help you get all these details sorted out. Working with professionals who treat the process with due respect can make a noticeable difference.

Mycitizensagency.com approaches each request not as a transaction, but as a case with its own context and background. For those seeking a European passport through heritage, this kind of engagement offers not just results, but also clarity at each critical moment.

To Universities and Companies in Nigeria and Africa – Partnership Call from Tekedia’s Blucera WinGPT

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We’re excited to unveil Tekedia’s Blucera WinGPT, an AI system which is trained with Tekedia Institute global library and knowledge.  We created this AI to help our learners advance the mastery of business education and entrepreneurial capitalism. Our technology has an enterprise version, Blucera WinGPT Enterprise, which is designed to support universities and companies. Our focus is on Nigeria and broad African companies. With Blucera WinGPT, we bring unification of disparate knowledge within your firm, making it possible for you to see the full picture, and based on that capability, advance your corporate mission. Let us partner with your firm; connect here.

Consider this for your company: “Blucera WinGPT, use the data from the following folders (Sales01, Marketing 04, Finance07, 2024AnnualReport, StrategyDraft01, UdaraProductBrief and Team04), and global libraries, and provide a comprehensive Go to Market Plan for the launch of Udara in Lagos”.  Our technology will use data you have stored in those folders, and tapping into our global knowledge, you will get a response. Note that you can restrict the response to ONLY your proprietary library with no connection to global library, if desired. Blucera does not store your data to any engine, and it is not shared or used for any other purpose than to serve you alone.

For universities, we take knowledge to a new level. You have, say three professors, and they have created different courses focusing on their specialties – yam farming best practices in Southeast Nigeria (from a Prof of Agriculture), geography of Umuahia (from a Prof of geography), agro business in Umuahia (Prof of a Business Administration) – our technology can help answer questions like “how can I build a good yam farming business in Umuahia?”,  by AI’ing the knowledge base, and in the process deliver actional practical insights for farmers, students and policymakers.

What we have done is beyond software. Yes, besides coding, we’re microelectronics engineers. Fasmicro, Intel’s only programmable microprocessor knowledge partner in Africa (here on Intel website), is our company, and we are experts on building the infrastructure component of the AI agentic era.

I am using this medium to reach professors with PhD students in their labs, to explore how we can partner to aggregate proprietary knowledge, deepen productive applications and fulfil the vision of UNN (to restore the dignity of man & woman) through my beloved FUTO’s mission of “technology for service”.

I am using this medium to reach professors with PhD students in their labs, to explore how we can partner to aggregate proprietary knowledge, deepen productive applications and fulfil the vision of UNN (to restore the dignity of man & woman) through my beloved FUTO’s mission of “technology for service”. We also welcome companies which want to unify internal knowledge and advance innovations.

Best TikTok Video Length for Maximum Views: A Complete Guide

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Why TikTok Video Length Matters

TikTok started with 15-second clips, but it now allows videos up to 10 minutes long. While the platform offers flexibility, length plays a critical role in:

Retention rate: Shorter videos are easier to watch to the end, which improves completion rate a key signal in TikTok’s algorithm.

Engagement: Videos that strike the right balance between brevity and substance often spark more likes, comments, and shares.

Algorithm favourability: The TikTok algorithm favours videos that users watch all the way through, or even rewatch.

Ideal TikTok Video Lengths for More Views

Length Best For Completion Advantage
15–30 sec Quick humor, trending sounds High completion, good looping
30–60 sec Skits, mini tutorials Still high completion, more storytelling
1–3 min Reviews, vlogs, deep dives More informative, builds loyalty

Short Videos (0–15 Seconds): High Hook, Low Retention

Ultra-short videos excel at delivering immediate impact and achieving high completion rates. These bite-sized pieces of content work exceptionally well for viral trends, quick laughs, and visual hooks that stop scrollers in their tracks. The brevity forces creators to distill their message to its absolute essence.

However, short videos face significant limitations in generating substantial view counts. While they might achieve impressive completion rates, they often lack the depth needed for meaningful engagement or shareability. They’re perfect for jumping on trends quickly but may not build lasting audience connections.

Medium-Length Videos (30–90 Seconds): Balance of Storytelling & Retention

The 30-90 second range represents TikTok’s sweet spot for many content types. This duration provides enough time for basic storytelling while maintaining viewer attention throughout the entire video. It’s particularly effective for tutorials, product demonstrations, and entertainment content that needs setup and payoff.

Videos in this range benefit from TikTok’s algorithm favourability because they demonstrate content quality without demanding excessive viewer commitment. Most audiences can comfortably invest 60 seconds in content that promises value, making this length ideal for building consistent engagement.

Long Videos (2–3 Minutes): Best for Engagement and Views

Data consistently shows that videos in the 2-3 minute range achieve the optimal balance between total views and meaningful engagement. This duration allows creators to develop compelling narratives, provide substantial value, and create memorable content that viewers actively share.

These longer videos shine when they’re structured with clear progression and maintained pacing. They work exceptionally well for educational content, detailed tutorials, storytelling, and any content that benefits from deeper exploration. The key is ensuring every moment contributes to the overall value proposition.

TikTok Watch Time vs. Views: What’s More Important?

While view counts grab headlines, watch time and completion rates carry more weight with TikTok’s algorithm. A video with fewer total views but higher completion rates often receive better algorithmic distribution than high-view content with poor retention.

This insight reshapes how creators should approach TikTok video length optimization. Rather than chasing maximum views through clickbait tactics, focus on creating content that maintains viewer attention throughout its entire duration. The first three seconds remain absolutely critical regardless of total video length for hooking viewers and preventing immediate scroll-aways.

Boost Your TikTok Views Instantly with Media Mister

Even high-quality TikTok videos can struggle to gain traction without the right visibility. That’s where a service like Media Mister can help. By giving your content a strategic push, Media Mister helps increase your TikTok video views and improve your chances of getting picked up by the algorithm especially when you’re just starting out.

Media Mister provides high-retention TikTok views that help your content break through the noise and reach real audiences. With safe, gradual delivery, their services support your content strategy without risking authenticity or violating platform guidelines.

When you combine video length optimization with strategic exposure through Media Mister, you create a well-rounded approach to growing your presence and increasing the chances of going viral. The goal is to complement your organic efforts not replace them so your content can perform at its full potential.

Conclusion

Mastering TikTok video length is ultimately about understanding your audience and matching duration to content value. While longer videos tend to generate more total views, success depends on maintaining viewer attention throughout the entire video duration.

Remember that regardless of length, the first three seconds determine your video’s fate. TikTok’s own research indicates that 63% of high-performing videos immediately present their core topic or value proposition upfront. Always plan your content around a clear benefit, emotional hook, or compelling message that justifies the time investment you’re asking from viewers.

The most successful creators treat video length as a strategic tool rather than an arbitrary decision, carefully matching duration to content goals and audience expectations.