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“I’ve been an idiot”, says Briton facing ten years in jail for Chiang Mai graffiti
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Donald Trump Secures Historic Swing State Sweep
Trump wins it all. Well done. Seems that abortion, insurrection, being nasty to criminal illegal immigrants, rejecting MMCC, drilling baby drilling, and various unproven accusations by women were not enough to make people vote for the worst man in the world's opponent in sufficient numbers for him to lose. Makes me somewhat cheerful in a sad and nasty world that the forces of darkness were defeated in at least one battle. -
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Thaksin accused of undermining Thai monarchy, court decision imminent
And why did he do this ? -
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Court Hears Accusations of 'Web of Lies' in Conor McGregor Rape Trial
Seems that is the whole and entire point of allegations of something that apparently she did nothing about for many years. Perhaps she read about Trump paying large for Daniels and thought she could mint it was well. It's simple to lie that consensual sex wasn't, given there will be no written contract. -
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Trump Declares Victory and Promises a "Golden Age" for America
I saw the caravan on the tv news and something does not make sense. There were mothers pushing prams for toddlers and loads of children. How did they get from wherever they came from all the way to Mexico? We hear how they have their money stolen by border guards and criminals, so how do they afford to buy food and shoes etc? They didn't look hungry to me. So, who is paying for the criminal gangs. -
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Donald Trump Secures Historic Swing State Sweep
Donald Trump has secured a sweeping electoral victory, clinching the White House by flipping all seven key battleground states, including Arizona and Nevada. The announcement of Arizona's shift to a Republican majority on Saturday evening marked a significant milestone in Trump’s remarkable electoral comeback, as he garnered all 11 of the state's Electoral Votes. This swing from 2020, when Arizona supported Joe Biden, contributed to Trump's substantial Electoral College total of 312, compared to Vice President Kamala Harris's 226. In Arizona, the Trump campaign found significant traction among voters frustrated with border issues, as many voiced dissatisfaction over the migrant crisis. Trump’s hardline immigration stance resonated with the state’s voters, many of whom echoed his concerns. His recent rally at Arizona State University in Tempe underscored his uncompromising position on illegal immigration. He passionately declared, “It’s the first time I have ever said that and every time I get up and talk about what they’ve done to our country I get angrier and angrier.” He condemned current policies as turning America into “a dumping ground” and “a garbage can for the world.” Politico reports that Trump’s sweeping wins extended across Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. In Nevada, Trump took all six of the state’s Electoral College votes with a decisive 51% to 47% margin over the Democrats. This marked the first Republican presidential victory in Nevada in 20 years, the last being George W. Bush’s success. Trump's campaign efforts in Nevada similarly highlighted issues of national security and border control, key concerns for the state's voters. Trump’s victories also imply significant shifts in federal governance. With Republicans expected to hold majorities in both the Senate and the House, along with a strong conservative presence on the U.S. Supreme Court, Trump could wield considerable influence over American policy as he re-enters office. Based on a report by Daily Beast 2024-11-11 -
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Retention Crisis in UK Armed Forces as Families Warn of Impact from VAT on Private Schools
Concerns are escalating within the UK’s armed forces as military families, advocacy groups, and defense insiders warn that the government’s decision to apply VAT to private school fees could have a severe impact on personnel retention. This potential crisis comes amid concerns that military families will be faced with tough financial decisions, leading to further losses in experienced personnel unless exemptions are granted. A source close to the military revealed to Sky News that frustration has been growing internally over what has been termed a “damaging” policy. The recent budget announcement by the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, left many feeling the government had not done enough to shield military families from this additional financial burden. Though a small increase in the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) was proposed to help offset these costs, many families argue it falls far short of what’s needed. Without a substantial revision to the policy, military insiders warn that highly trained officers and enlisted personnel could leave in significant numbers. “I will have to leave military service, as I will not inflict another school move on my child,” said one soldier, speaking anonymously. He added, “On one side, the chancellor wore a poppy during her budget announcement, and then proceeded to deal a damaging blow to members of His Majesty's Armed Forces by not including a simple exemption.” The strain is also felt deeply by military spouses, who often bear the weight of maintaining family stability amid the demands of mobile service life. One army spouse, who wished to remain anonymous to protect her husband’s service status, expressed her frustrations to Sky News: “This is people's children. This is people's money in their pocket.” She explained that with the added costs from VAT, even military families’ loyalty may waver if a civilian job becomes available: “If there is a nice job offer outside the military… that is going to look way, way more attractive than it did a few months ago. The army is in a recruitment and retention crisis, so why would you do something like this?” The Army Families Federation, a UK charity advocating for service members and their families, also weighed in on the issue. The federation reported that nearly 70% of families who shared feedback expressed that without any protection from this VAT burden, they would seriously consider leaving the armed forces. Military life often necessitates frequent relocations within the UK and abroad, forcing service families to uproot and resettle every few years. To minimize the educational disruption for their children, many parents choose private or boarding schools to give their children a stable learning environment. Over 2,000 military personnel, most of whom are in the army, rely on the CEA provided by the MoD, which covers up to 90% of school tuition fees. However, even with the MoD’s help, families are responsible for a minimum of 10% of the cost—an amount that can still reach tens of thousands of pounds per year. With VAT added to this out-of-pocket expense, families could be facing even greater financial strain. For those serving abroad, pulling a child from school mid-year due to affordability issues could become an unavoidable yet devastating outcome. Additionally, there are many military families who do not qualify for the MoD’s education allowance, which has strict eligibility requirements, but still decide to send their children to boarding schools. These families, too, will now have to bear the full cost of the VAT. Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge has highlighted the extent of the issue after receiving numerous messages from impacted families. “The emails I've had are saying: I’ve got to choose between my child and serving my country,” Cartlidge said. “The government really needs to respond to this quickly.” A Ministry of Defence spokesperson responded, saying, “We greatly value the contribution of our serving personnel and we provide the Continuity of Education Allowance to ensure that the need for the mobility of service personnel does not interfere with the education of their children.” The MoD spokesperson added that despite the VAT changes, the MoD plans to maintain its commitment by continuing to cover up to 90% of private school fees through updated cap rates. As families and advocates await further action, the pressure on the government to address the unintended consequences of this policy continues to mount. Failure to provide a solution could mean that skilled personnel, pushed to their financial limits, may ultimately choose family stability over their military careers, impacting both retention rates and national security. Based on a report by Sky News 2024-11-11
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