jope

This case (there are a few hundred similar cases in Germany now) will either lead to a principle decision by the federal supreme court (nobody can predict how they will rule) and/or a change in German laws. The minimum age for marriage would then be lifted to 18. That would also fulfill all requirements of the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child.

The real issue in this case is forced marriage (the appeal court did not see any signs for that, though). But if there is a girl being forced into marriage, then sending her back to Syria would sentence her to daily rapes. Seriously, I would not want that for any child.

No one with any power is going to jail or paying a penalty, Democrat or PTP. Seems the courts and the Junta have decided that the best way to achieve peace and reconciliation is to let everyone walk. I'm not particularly upset about it, a lot of things may change, but not for the rich and powerful, business as usual for them.

"the Junta have decided that the best way to achieve peace and reconciliation is to let everyone walk. I'm not particularly upset about it......"

Right, so you're not upset about....an amnesty! Were you saying this six months ago? Or would you have gone along with an amnesty for everyone except Thaksin?

Would you rather Tarit was in jail, as he should be, or Yingluck banned for 5 years? I would, but it isn't going to happen, the powers that be have made a decision. Was I saying it six months ago, no, but perhaps it is for the best. Amnesty for Thaksin, as far as I'm concerned he should be drawn and quartered for what he has done to this country. Anything else?

Thaksin has done many things to this country, I'll leave you to quote your own favourites, Here's part of my list for a bit of balance;

• Shown that the old Royalist elite can be challenged.
• Taught the rural Thai populace that their votes do matter. (while there is a democracy anyway)
• Introduced (flawed) universal healthcare and extended it to cover foreign workers
• Stimulated a pride in community in some of the most depressed parts of Thailand.
• Introduced a realistic National Minimum wage and accessible low interest loans which has lifted many workers and farmers out of abject poverty (to just moderate poverty?).
• Helped Thailand recover from the 1997 financial crisis and repaid early its debt to the IMF
• Balanced the National budget and reduced public sector debt
• Introduced scholarships for children from impoverished backgrounds to study overseas
• Reduced state control of the media by privatising TV companies
• Decentralised education by removing schools from the MoE to tambon organisations
• Increased access to universities for lower income students through a student loan system
• Introduced far reaching renewable energy and energy conservation policies
• Reformed the ministerial structure of Government for the first time since the 1890s to focus onperformance and results.

Much of the best of these reforms and achievements were promptly reversed by the 2006 junta but the top 5 in the list are still there.

Some posters here wear blinkers and only ever mention his failings and failures, but Thaksin is THE most influential ELECTED leader Thailand ever had and with his well selected and competent cabinet achieved more positives for Thailand in two terms of office than the current bunch would be capable of

in 2 decades - and unfortunately we may be about to witness that over the next 18 years or so.

“Taught the rural Thai populace…”

Or bought?

Ah, finally, the vote-buying-myth. It will not die. It is simply a too convenient tool to deny millions of people their right to take part in the political process.

What a bunch of sorry assed comments. Some of you people are either stupid, trying to be funny or both. All these young ladies are beautiful and they should all be proud to have made it to the finals. These contests are much more than shear beauty , they have to be able to speak in public, have poise on stage, and look healthy and fit in all types of attire. This negative comments show your lack of intelligence on pagents such as this.

Yes, it is a fact universally acknowledged that beauty pageants are a very serious matter and of highest relevance for...what was it..., right, world peace.

A good heart, intelligence, common sense, and personality wins my vote.

When the beauty fades what's left?

Without the above, an angry, depressed, nightmare!

Completely agree.

But when I was younger I saw a huge disadvantage in "character": you cannot touch it!

Took me years to find out that beauty fades and that "inner values" stay (I do not mind that my wife looks very attractive, though, I guess, I was simply lucky ).

Is it time to have three toilets at all schools, pubs, truck stops, movie theatres etc etc, ? Male, female and transgender ? Cuz like it or not, transgender individuals are neither male or female.They are transgender. It would be safer and more comfortable for both males and females if this was the case.

Not certain about the 'safer'. These third toilets would be perfect targets, would they not?

Yeah. I guess you are right that is could become a target for those wishing ill will towards this "third sex". But generally people can see that they are transgender whether they are in the transgender toilet or not. My only concern with such a toilet would be that it becomes a transgender swinger's party establishment.

Right! Had not thought of that.

But, I guess, a simple sign will do: "If you do not want trangenderish sex today, please refrain from entering this toilet (it is for your own good)."

Is it time to have three toilets at all schools, pubs, truck stops, movie theatres etc etc, ? Male, female and transgender ? Cuz like it or not, transgender individuals are neither male or female.They are transgender. It would be safer and more comfortable for both males and females if this was the case.

Not certain about the 'safer'. These third toilets would be perfect targets, would they not?

From experience we know that it takes a few years until a new fashion, movement or theory makes it from the US to Europe. I will be retired then and I will watch from the sidelines how European lawmakers, courts and activists will finally deal with the toilet problems of 0,2 percent of the population.

From the looks of her, I would guess she has good reason to hate Putin on top of his support for rebels.

Fantastically written around any PC traps.

We are willing to cut you Hungarians some slack because you opened the iron curtain some time ago.

But if you went to bed with Putin we would call it even (at least).

These are the official numbers from the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. They only show applications for asylum in Germany in 2015, they do not show the actual number of refugees (or whatever anybody wish to call them) because due to current organizational problems applicants have to wait quite some time until they can file their applications. Nevertheless, the numbers correspond roughly with the Eurostat statistics.

As one can see, North Africans are not among the 10 main countries of origin. One might perceive North Africans as the largest group because respective media coverage was understandably high after Cologne New Years Eve. The number of people coming from Morocco and Algeria even increased in January 2016 but decreased again after the German Government decided to declare these two countries as "safe states" (meaning that applications for asylum are generally regarded as unfounded, unless the applicants prove in their specific cases that they are politically persecuted).

What if the other member states refuse to allow visa free travel of turks?

Then there is no visa free travel for Turks (and Merkel's refugee deal is probably gone, too).

The Schengen Arrangement is under the Council of the Ministers but I do not know whether unanimity is required for a decision on visa free travel of non-member states. If that is the case, just one veto would be enough.

Merkel's idea of democracy - she decides and speaks for all of the EU. Sod the European parliament, the European commission and what the European people think.

And once she gets rid of Britain no one is capable of challenging her and Germany. She knows how pathetic France really is, and none of the others are capable.

If Britain votes to exit, the EU will become the long dreamed of German Empire. Only an extreme left one rather than Nazi or Imperial.

Erdogan is playing a blinder. He's changing the constitution to strengthen his position at home, and knows full well that he only has to let the people trafficking start again to get Merkel wetting her knickers.

Merkel can be voted out.

None of this lot, European parliament, the European commission and the rest in Brussels can be thrown out by a vote.

If you do not like the local Member of Parliament, you know who you can complain to and vote him out.

If you don't like the Party in power, you know who you can complain to and vote them out.

Who the f&^% do you complain to about regulations and laws coming down from the European Parliament?

It has removed the democratic right of the people of Europe to determine their own future.

Elections to the European Parliament take place all 5 years. In 2019 you will have a chance to vote out whomever you dislike.

The positions of the Commissioners are indeed haggled over by the (democratically elected) representatives of the member states. After the member states agree on all positions they must seek the approval of the European Parliament. This procedure is only indirectly democratic and should be changed in that way that the EP elects the complete commission.

The Council of the EU consists of democratically elected ministers.

The same applies for the European Council (in regard of the Heads of States).

To call for more (direct) democracy in the EU-institutions is certainly right, to call the EU "undemocratic" is plain wrong.

Merkel repeats what the President of the European Parliament already said. One can safely assume that whatever she says to the Turkish President or others has been jointly agreed upon with all European Partners.

"Jointly dictated to all European partners" more like...You vil obey all instructions or you vil be taken outside and shot..

And Herr Flick, I mean, Herr Schäuble will carry out the execution personally.

Merkel's idea of democracy - she decides and speaks for all of the EU. Sod the European parliament, the European commission and what the European people think.

And once she gets rid of Britain no one is capable of challenging her and Germany. She knows how pathetic France really is, and none of the others are capable.

If Britain votes to exit, the EU will become the long dreamed of German Empire. Only an extreme left one rather than Nazi or Imperial.

Erdogan is playing a blinder. He's changing the constitution to strengthen his position at home, and knows full well that he only has to let the people trafficking start again to get Merkel wetting her knickers.

A clear vote to stay in. Nice one!

Merkel repeats what the President of the European Parliament already said. One can safely assume that whatever she says to the Turkish President or others has been jointly agreed upon with all European Partners.

I hope they did not forget to drive a stake through her heart.

I've got to the stage where I don't care what the UK does as long as my private pension company keeps on paying me.

The UK will be forced to stay in the EU as Brussels has now where else to scrounge the money from.

I personally believe the only way out is when people take to the streets and start fighting. Note sure the British youth is up to that.

I could think or one or two member states that would be "happy" to take over your share. I do not think that Brussels is too worried about the British contributions. Mainly Germany and France will simply step in. What else could we do?

Do you really think that the people of France and Germany will simply say "If the UK does a Brexit we will happily pay extra taxes to support the EU"?

If their governments do that then they will most probably be tossed out at their next election. Angela Merkel and her party will certainly lose anyway. So who will be left as net contributors if the UK leaves?

IMHO the EU as it is now will be changed out of all recognition by 2020 and will be on its way to its own breakup.

Parties that are against the EU got around 5 % of the votes in the last general elections. They will probably more than double in the 2017 elections but mainly because of the refugee crisis. In general, the people of Germany are still very Europe-friendly. The success of new (anti-EU) parties will force the "old" parties (SPD and CDU) to build a coalition as we have it right now. This is the political situation for the next election periods. And for this coalition it will be clear: Europe will not fail. BTW: compared to what we spend on refugees for the next two years (around 16 Bio. EUR), the British contribution to the EU (5,5 Bio. EUR as far as I know) is not that shockingly high, just saying...

...

Have you forgotten Turkey and its 75,000,000 population or even forgotten that Turkish is now (even before they join this year) an official EU language?

Turkey will NOT join the EU this year! Turkey was granted the status as an applicant some years ago. Because they made no sufficient progress the negotiations were suspended and will be resumed this year as part of the refugee-deal. I cannot see that Turkey will make more progress in the future (at least not under the current government). So, no danger on that font.

Turkish is NOT an official EU-language. It is an official language on Cyprus only, which makes sense considering how many people of Turkish origin live there.

OK so therefore none of these sites are correct, and only you are.

http://handsonturkish.com/turkish-official-eu-language/

http://www.euractiv.com/section/languages-culture/news/meps-call-for-turkish-becoming-eu-language/

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/661689/Turkey-EU-member-language

http://www.france24.com/en/20160419-eu-parliament-turkish-25th-official-language-cyprus-anastasiades

In this regard, I solely trust information given by the European Commission:

http://ec.europa.eu/languages/policy/linguistic-diversity/official-languages-eu_en.htm

By the way, there are people in this world who actually request Russian to be an official EU-language. But it is not going to happen...

I wouldn't trust the EU Commission to dig a hole in the ground as it would take at least 5 years to get an agreement.

The reason that Turkish is/will be an EU language is that Turkey with 75,000,000 people will be in the EU perhaps this year and certainly within a year.

The Russian language will not be official as Russia has not formally applied to join the EU.

There is a possibility that the Welsh language may be granted official status along with Scottish Gaelic.

If that happens then EVERY single document issued by the EU will HAVE to be translated (with no mistakes) into 27 different languages. This of course will require hundreds of extra translator jobs all to be paid for by the shrinking money pot from the EU.

More highly paid jobs for the girls and boys.

Again: there is NO way for Turkey to become member of the EU as long as their government does not change their politics dramatically (not to mention other "tiny" obstacles like their attitude towards Cyprus). With the current refugee crisis not solved, fundamental rights violations might be tolerated within Turkey but there is no way the EU would accept such a state within the union. And it only takes one member state to veto the membership. Turkey will not join the union, neither this year nor any time soon. What was the word? Scaremongering?

...

Do you think the Turkish people will assimilate with the UK culture?

I guess, few would assimilate but most would adjust. It would not be different from the situation in Germany nowadays. But Turkish are a minor problem for the UK. Most Turkish will see Germany as their dream destination. And in that regard I am moderately optimistic that the numbers will not be in the hundreds of thousands or even millions.

I think he's underselling it. I work in London and the number of Romanians working and living here now is huge, by the end of this year the Romanian population of UK will be 4-5 x bigger than the government predicted back when they opened the gates. The same will happen when the next batch of countries join the EU, but on an even larger scale as the new countries joining are even poorer. If we don't leave the EU we are finished as a country well and truly.

And which countries will that be?

Currently, there are NO countries that would have the slightest chance to join (except for Iceland, Switzerland and Norway, and these have no intention to do so right now). And those countries with the applicant-status have years and years ahead of them and I do not see any of them doing their homework properly. So, no new members in the foreseeable future.

Dude, not sure you have heard but Turkey has negotiated a fast track to EU membership. Now

I don't really believe the EU is negotiating in good faith but all Turkey really needs is visa free

EU travel. Then when you get to the UK start working. If on the off chance you get caught you

claim asylum. That takes a year or two. Then when denied you change your address and

throw away your passport/ID. If on the off chance you are caught again as you have no

passport/travel documents you cannot be deported. The fastest Turkey will issue a new

passport is 1 year, maybe longer. In the meantime unless you have committed a major crime

you are free to wander. When a new passport is finally issued by Turkey, the immigration

department has to find you again. If on the off chance they do, you will not be deported if

you have a child under 2 years of age. The process is so long and with so many obstacles

it can easily take a decade or more. In the mean time you have had 3-4 children, maybe

married UK national. It is unlikely you will ever be deported. make no mistake the Turks

will arrive by the hundreds of thousands, possibly millions.

I see your point. And I would not rule that out.

But a long time ago something similar was predicted when the Polish received their freedom of movement. People saw millions of Polish flooding Germany and our social system. Actually, absolutely nothing happened.

I am hoping that that will also happen with the Turkish. Please leave me my optimism.

...

Have you forgotten Turkey and its 75,000,000 population or even forgotten that Turkish is now (even before they join this year) an official EU language?

Turkey will NOT join the EU this year! Turkey was granted the status as an applicant some years ago. Because they made no sufficient progress the negotiations were suspended and will be resumed this year as part of the refugee-deal. I cannot see that Turkey will make more progress in the future (at least not under the current government). So, no danger on that font.

Turkish is NOT an official EU-language. It is an official language on Cyprus only, which makes sense considering how many people of Turkish origin live there.

OK so therefore none of these sites are correct, and only you are.

http://handsonturkish.com/turkish-official-eu-language/

http://www.euractiv.com/section/languages-culture/news/meps-call-for-turkish-becoming-eu-language/

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/661689/Turkey-EU-member-language

http://www.france24.com/en/20160419-eu-parliament-turkish-25th-official-language-cyprus-anastasiades

In this regard, I solely trust information given by the European Commission:

http://ec.europa.eu/languages/policy/linguistic-diversity/official-languages-eu_en.htm

By the way, there are people in this world who actually request Russian to be an official EU-language. But it is not going to happen...

I've got to the stage where I don't care what the UK does as long as my private pension company keeps on paying me.

The UK will be forced to stay in the EU as Brussels has now where else to scrounge the money from.

I personally believe the only way out is when people take to the streets and start fighting. Note sure the British youth is up to that.

I could think or one or two member states that would be "happy" to take over your share. I do not think that Brussels is too worried about the British contributions. Mainly Germany and France will simply step in. What else could we do?

Since Merkel is about to hand the Turks the keys, the sooner Britain pulls out the better.

I understand what you mean. But just as a reminder: at the time, Germany (supported by our French brother and sisters) were strictly against Turkey becoming an EU-applicant while the British supported the Turkish wish to join. So, first you force them onto us and then you leave. Great! (don't take this too serious :-) )

I think he's underselling it. I work in London and the number of Romanians working and living here now is huge, by the end of this year the Romanian population of UK will be 4-5 x bigger than the government predicted back when they opened the gates. The same will happen when the next batch of countries join the EU, but on an even larger scale as the new countries joining are even poorer. If we don't leave the EU we are finished as a country well and truly.

And which countries will that be?

Currently, there are NO countries that would have the slightest chance to join (except for Iceland, Switzerland and Norway, and these have no intention to do so right now). And those countries with the applicant-status have years and years ahead of them and I do not see any of them doing their homework properly. So, no new members in the foreseeable future.

Have you forgotten Turkey and its 75,000,000 population or even forgotten that Turkish is now (even before they join this year) an official EU language?

Turkey will NOT join the EU this year! Turkey was granted the status as an applicant some years ago. Because they made no sufficient progress the negotiations were suspended and will be resumed this year as part of the refugee-deal. I cannot see that Turkey will make more progress in the future (at least not under the current government). So, no danger on that font.

Turkish is NOT an official EU-language. It is an official language on Cyprus only, which makes sense considering how many people of Turkish origin live there.

I think he's underselling it. I work in London and the number of Romanians working and living here now is huge, by the end of this year the Romanian population of UK will be 4-5 x bigger than the government predicted back when they opened the gates. The same will happen when the next batch of countries join the EU, but on an even larger scale as the new countries joining are even poorer. If we don't leave the EU we are finished as a country well and truly.

And which countries will that be?

Currently, there are NO countries that would have the slightest chance to join (except for Iceland, Switzerland and Norway, and these have no intention to do so right now). And those countries with the applicant-status have years and years ahead of them and I do not see any of them doing their homework properly. So, no new members in the foreseeable future.