TorquayFan

Thanks Transam for that video which shows quite clearly that the unfortunate Woman, whilst arguably resisting arrest, was not actually threatening anyone in the slightest, when she was shot and killed. You can clearly see she turns the steering wheel away from the ICE Officer, who under no threat at all, brutally shot her. Sickening. Awful. Brutal and shame AGAIN on Trump's USA. Simple. Clear to see . . . .

Somewhere in the North West Atlantic, north of Ireland, USA forces are reported to be attempting to apprehend an oil tanker running from the Carribean, in international waters. The tanker is being shadowed by a Russian submarine. I am bound to ask, WTF is going on ? Seems crazy to me . . . . .

Trump claims the USA needs Greenland for reasons of 'defence' ? How come ? His Mate Putin in Russia would be one of the nearest possible threats. Which Country does he fear so ? It seems to be a pretext as usual, for Trump's imperial greed. Trump is now behaving in true MEGALOMANIAC mode - comparisons with Hitler come to mind ! Disgusting Man - his end can't come soon enough ! Stand up USA !!

I thought it would be helpful to post this angle on Trump's imperialist adventure in Venezuela - it seems the fun may just be beginning . . . . Transparently, the target is oil not the flow of drugs, (Fentanyl is the main problem and apparently, that comes largely from Mexico). This is behind a paywall in the DT, so I've copied a passage below. I hope it's of interest . . . . "The US president’s Venezuelan plunder will soon be worthless as the world moves beyond oil. Russia and China are the net beneficiaries of Donald Trump’s gunboat plunder of Venezuela and the insouciant betrayal of the country’s democratic forces. Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping lose a strategic pawn – and a costly, incompetent client – but gain the larger prizes of accepted imperial supremacy in their core spheres and the galloping obliteration of US political credibility. Little now remains of the moral and legal order that we used to call the West. Trump may think he has scored a coup by gaining arms-length control over the world’s largest known oil reserves, but the extra-heavy tar sands of the Orinoco Belt are barely worth anything at current global oil prices near $60 a barrel. They are likely to be worth even less a decade hence as China, Europe and other oil-importing regions – 80pc of humanity – systematically cut petrol and diesel demand. “We’re going to be taking a tremendous amount of wealth out of the ground,” said Trump. Good luck with that. The Chavista regime has already stolen anything easy to steal, treating the national company PDVSA as a ready cash machine for 20 years, with nothing to spare for maintenance. Hugo Chávez . . treated the the national company as a cash machine . . the pipelines are half a century old and badly damaged by acid corrosion. The oil facilities are a death trap. Any petroleum engineer who could sell his skills in Alberta, west Texas or Abu Dhabi fled long ago. An oppressed skeletal staff today holds the derelict system together under police surveillance. It would take a decade and tens of billions to restore output to three million barrels a day, the rate of the early 2000s, and at least $100bn (£74bn) to extract serious volumes from the Orinoco – where Sir Walter Raleigh came to grief chasing the fool’s mirage of El Dorado in 1618. The share prices of Chevron, Exxon and ConocoPhillips have soared on the prospects of windfall profit. Investors might wish to think about the six million Glock 17, Beretta 92 and other handguns at large in the country, and the protection fee that the paramilitary “colectivos” armed with Russian AK-103 assault rifles will exact to let a single barrel move." https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/01/06/trump-maga-pirates-venezuelan-plunder-is-almost-worthless/ It's the other view of this maybe doubtful triumph. Maduro's supporters are already roaming Caracas hunting down 'collaborators' - the USA may have much to do yet.

Despite this scurrilous intervention in Venezuela, I will be surprised if DT attacks Greenland . . . At far greater risk are Columbia, Cuba, Mexico, Iran etc. DT's lawless USA is resulting in an increasingly lawless World. The Man is a walking tragedy - but I suppose all this distracts nicely from the Epstein files. Yuk !

Well spotted Guys. Due East of course . . . . Do you have a Usufrucht ?

Re. USUFRUCHT above - I should have added, that in my understanding, the lien of the USUFRUCHT on the property, also means that you can continue to live in the property as long as you live . . . . (so no more returning home to find locks changed). IMO a useful legal instrument for all to have, on purchase or to add later.

Hi it appears from the comments that you'll be able to find somewhere Ezzra but I have something to add, which may be invaluable, or may be out of date. I last bought a property for about THB 5 million about 10 years ago, (this was in Korat). At that time I found a Lawyer who advised me to take ut a 'USUFRUCHT'. Weird I know as it sounds Germanic, but 10 years ago, these were valid in Law - now, you'd need to check . . . . The USUFRUCHT applies to the property and it means that the property cannot then be sold without your signed permission at the Land Office. Why bother ? Well, circumstances may arise with your Partner that you do not envisage now. For me it proved invaluable as i finished with the Lady who otherwise would have been in line for at least the lion's share of the proceeds - as it was I was able to give her just 25% which hurt, but did not break me ! As it happens, the House was owned through a Company, (which I would not do now as that route seems to be under question). I believe that due West of Pattaya a few miles there is a pleasant and quiet area and some lakes etc - I have a friend there and it sounds great. But as for ownership it will be vested in the Lady, (if not a Condo), but at least, I suggest you ask the question about a USUFRUCHT. ATB

Not so Even. A Ban on sales of fireworks would of course make it much harder for people to obtain them for such scurrilous use. FGS think it through !

Your response is off target . . . It's a ban on private firework use which is advocated, and I agree wholeheartedly with that ! Authorised public displays to remain, with suitable safety protocols.

Mikey - agreed !

The UK IS part of Europe - it's just not in the EU and hooray for that !!

An extract from the DT today - as for the headline, imo overstated, but an interesting article :- "Putin is about to be knocked off his perch" "When the internal propaganda collapses, regimes soon follow Claims from Donald Trump that a Ukraine peace deal is 95 per cent complete, echoed closely by Volodymyr Zelensky, have clearly triggered panic in Moscow. That panic has manifested itself in familiar Kremlin fashion; crude disinformation, implausible narratives and increasingly desperate behaviour. The extraordinary claim that one of Putin’s many palaces was attacked by 91 drones this week is a case in point. These estates are defended by Russia’s most sophisticated air defence systems; capabilities conspicuously absent from the front line. Even Russian civilians interviewed locally said they had not seen or heard any sign of the drones. The CIA has now briefed the US president that this was almost certainly a false flag operation. It is a clumsy and unsubtle attempt to derail a peace process that is slipping rapidly out of the Kremlin’s control. More damaging still for Putin is that his own population is beginning to doubt the narrative. When propaganda collapses internally, regimes soon follow. Putin understands that his only remaining lever is to drive a wedge between Trump and Zelensky. For much of the past year, Washington appeared uncomfortably sympathetic to Moscow’s framing. That has changed. Trump today is markedly less receptive to Kremlin manipulation than he was a few weeks ago. Quiet but effective engagement by the so-called “coalition of the willing” appears to be steering the White House towards a peace that, while imperfect for Ukraine, is far worse for Moscow. There is no escaping the reality that the proposed settlement remains deeply unattractive for Kyiv. Ukraine, illegally invaded nearly four years ago, would cede around 17 per cent of its sovereign territory, accept limits on its armed forces and face continued exclusion from Nato. Yet the strategic optics for Russia have deteriorated dramatically. Putin set out to subjugate Ukraine in three days; instead, after four years and an estimated 1.5 million casualties later, he has achieved failure on an industrial scale. Crucially, US and Nato security guarantees extending 15 years amount to de facto Nato protection. Even more alarming for the Kremlin is Trump’s open discussion of Western boots on the ground. That is Putin’s worst-case outcome. No amount of spin, even at the height of the Kremlin’s propaganda machine, could disguise such an outcome as anything other than defeat." https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01/02/putin-is-about-to-be-knocked-off-his-perch/

Noticed this today - Anthony Davis on 'Meidas Touch' . . . . Seems a very credible analysis of the despicable Putin's manipulation of Trump, as always ! I don't know about you, but my heart bleeds for Ukraine and it's people in Putin's hell. Trump is NOT helping.

From the DT today . . . . " "The US president said: “It’s one thing to be offensive because they’re offensive. It’s another thing to attack his house. It’s not the right time to do any of that.” The Kremlin refused to say whether Putin had been staying at the sprawling forest estate at the time, but it is a favoured getaway for the president. Located on a peninsula between two lakes, the property – ringed by air defences, elite guards and other military assets – is very difficult to target with drones and missiles. Satellite imagery from last year showed 12 heavy-duty Pantsir-S1 air defence systems and a long-range radar station being installed in response to Kyiv stepping up its drone attacks on Russian soil. Residents who live close to the Valdai retreat told Sota, an independent Russian outlet, that they did not hear any air defence activity to support Mr Lavrov’s claim that dozens of drones had been downed." It's also worth noting that Russia does not seem to have moderated it's attacks during the present 'negotiations'.

I thought the recent POTUS outrage about an alleged attack by drones on one of Putin's mansions, just about summed up this bullying, despicable, cowardly Putin. It is stupefying to ponder the sheer 'brass neck' to complain about an attack on one of Putin'smany homes, (and apparently, there is no evidence anyway). I haven't seen any actual statistics, but from watching multiple news reports over the last 3 years, it would appear that Russian forces have destroyed TENS OF THOUSANDS IF NOT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of homes in Ukraine - and these people only have the one ! And to see the idiot POTUS reprimand Ukraine for it's temerity to attack ((if they did), defies belief. Why the hell should Ukraine not fight back in this way ? The Trump/Putin love affair is a continuing disaster for the wider World . . . . .

Can't be bothered to look at the silly replies here, but, IMHO, I think Thailand should offer to repair/reinstate the Hindu statue - end of. You know - it's sort of, being nice, in a difficult situation . . . defuse not provoke . . . . . . Maybe 500,000 plus refugee Thais, might appreciate a peaceful gesture, that might help.

This is the 3rd thread on this topic ! It's getting hard to follow. I wonder, who will be next ? The Nigerian action makes it feasible that Venezuela will be a candidate for similar treatment ? Greenland ? That Nobel Peace Prize has disappeared over the horizon now !

Yes ikke, agreed. But obviously, once the ceasefire is agreed, as it is now, to respond after 10.00 am is a breach Good news from George above, but just 72 hours ? What then ? ATB

Yes ikke, I believe Cambodia ARE the aggressors. Thailand is in the process of defending itself. However, once hostilities are under way, retaliation on both sides escalates, as reported by George above ! I read that a cease fire has been agreed commencing about now ! Let's see. Regarding the origins, there's a 'Deep Dive' inside the link below - IMO a scholarly discussion of the origins https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3161489/thaicambodian-ceasefire-possibility-to-be-discussed-on-wednesday But right now - it's awful. Both sides please stop . . . .

Gecko - well written and IMO spot on throughout. Thanks for that and the pics. The area is remote and just 100km south of the Sahara. So hot the Company Cessna had to wait for takeoff until early evening . . . . These attacks make no sense. Trump madness again ! Trump quote in the Guardian - “And I said, ‘nope, let’s give a Christmas present.’ They didn’t think that was coming, but we hit them hard. Every camp got decimated.” MMMmmmmm Just what is Trump's angle in this ? Sudan next ?

Yes I did. The Company I worked for was building a complete Army barracks for 3,000 soldiers and their Families, including Schools and Hospitals, about 10km from Birnin Kebi, where the influential Sultan of Sokoto was based. It seems the US Dept. of Defence has been renamed Dept. of War, quite aptly. For context, the area is 900 km north of the southern coast of Nigeria. What the hell is the USA up to ? You Trumpeters should ask yourselves, "What happened to America first ?" It's hard to see how these remote attacks can help, whatever the problem is. OMG - it's insane !

Nick - I support stopping Muslims killing Christians and vice versa ! But random bombing of an area 1000 km west of target, is worse than bone headed.

It's late for me to post but I see that the Trump led USA is attacking Sokoto State in Nigeria ?? Catching a Sky bulletin, A Nigerian was puzzled because the attacks seem to be in the area where I.S. is NOT ! The I.S. terrorists and 'Boko Haram' are based in N.E, Nigeria, Maiduguri State - around that region.. The Nigerian Guy pointed out on Sky that that's a 1000 km away ! Nigeria is a big country with 230 million population. I know Sokoto State, (reportedly attacked) and many years ago flew there fortnightly. I looked around Birnin Kebi, the home then of the Sultan Of Sokoto, a major force in the Hausa population, (86,000,000 Muslims covering Sahelian West Africa). A fond memory, leaving the car unlocked, my Wife and I strolled around the Town with kids dancing around us, for an hour or two. People came out of the mud houses, danced and sang or us in welcome. We returned to the car to find her handbag untouched on the back seat. Times have changed, but this is NOT the home of 'Boko Haram'. What the hell are the USA and Trump up to . . . ? Does he have a clue ?? (on this, or anything else). I thought Trump's mantra for the USA was, America first ! Heaven help us !!!

FWIW I think you Guys have the Law right on this and it is IMO, hard to define Giuffre as a Prostitute - at 17 - it was 'up to her'. We only have that balcony picture as a guide, but I have always thought that Giuffre looked quite happy standing there, with Andrew's arm around her. She was a 'good time' girl' and it is my guess she was enjoying the lifestyle - yes money involved indirectly, but arguable whether that was 'prostitution'. IMO it was not. I think Andrew is far more vulnerable to possible new grounds emerging from the Epstein files. However, on current grounds, he has taken enough and has already paid a massive price. Far worse may be around the corner, but until then, we should let him alone maybe?