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Assault on Kiev: Russian helicopters swoop above Ukraine's capital
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THIS is how Farang keep SUPER-CLEAN in Thailand: Being Farang, I use "SuperClean".
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U.S. Senators Introduce Legislation to Counter UN Actions Against Israel
U.S. Senators Katie Britt of Alabama and Jim Risch of Idaho have introduced the Stand with Israel Act, a bill aimed at countering perceived bias and actions against Israel within the United Nations. The legislation seeks to prohibit U.S. funding for any UN agency that moves to expel, downgrade, suspend, or otherwise limit Israel's participation. Senator Britt emphasized the importance of standing with Israel, particularly in light of recent events. “The UN should be pressuring Hamas to release every single hostage, not punishing Israel for defending her people and her very existence. There has been a troubling pattern of anti-Israel sentiment across the UN and its affiliated bodies that has undoubtedly undermined their credibility. Not a single dime of taxpayer money should be used to support or fuel antisemitism. It is imperative we use every tool in our toolbox to stand firm with the Jewish people and our great ally, Israel. This includes rooting out and condemning antisemitism in every corner of our own nation,” Britt stated. Senator Risch also expressed strong disapproval of efforts to challenge Israel's status at the UN, describing such attempts as inherently antisemitic. “Any attempt to alter Israel’s status at the UN is clearly antisemitic. If UN member states allow the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization to downgrade Israel’s status at the UN, the United States must stop supporting the UN system, as it would clearly be beyond repair. I am disgusted this outrageous idea has even been discussed, and will do all I can to ensure any changes to Israel’s status will come with consequences,” Risch remarked. The legislation has garnered widespread support, with Senators Tom Cotton, Chuck Grassley, Bill Cassidy, and others co-sponsoring the measure. In total, 34 Republican senators have signed on, signaling a unified stance against what they perceive as UN actions undermining Israel’s position. This Senate initiative parallels bipartisan efforts in the House of Representatives, where Congressman Mike Lawler introduced companion legislation, HR 9374. Together, these bills reflect a commitment by U.S. lawmakers to reinforce their longstanding alliance with Israel and combat perceived antisemitism within international organizations. Text of the Stand with Israel Act can be found here. Based on a report by "britt.senate.gov" 2024-11-16 -
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Essex Police Under Scrutiny for Domestic Abuse Failures Amid Investigation of Allison Pears
Essex Police, the force currently investigating Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson, has faced significant criticism for its track record on protecting women. Recent figures reveal that the force has had the lowest rate of warnings about potentially abusive partners under Clare’s Law, a measure designed to protect individuals from domestic violence. Clare’s Law, named after Clare Wood, who was killed by her ex-boyfriend in 2009, enables individuals to request information about a partner’s history of abusive behavior. The law operates through two mechanisms: the Right to Ask and the Right to Know. The Right to Ask allows individuals to inquire about their own partner or someone close to them, while the Right to Know requires police to assess domestic abuse intelligence and determine whether potential victims should be informed. In Essex, the Right to Know is applied in every reported domestic abuse incident, with police evaluating whether an internal application for disclosure should be made. If approved, this process enables the proactive release of information to protect a potential victim. However, statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for the year ending March 2023 show that Essex Police had the lowest Right to Know disclosure rate in England and Wales, acting on just 6.84 percent of cases. This figure stands in stark contrast to the national average. Across England and Wales, the rate of Right to Know disclosures has dropped significantly in recent years, from 55.3 percent in 2019 to 42.5 percent in 2023. Despite the decline, the number of internal applications for disclosure under this scheme has risen sharply, increasing by 147 percent from 7,252 in 2019 to 17,925 in 2023. The Right to Ask mechanism has experienced similar trends. The rate of disclosures under this route fell from 40 percent in 2019 to 35.8 percent in 2023, even as applications quadrupled from 6,496 to 27,419 in the same period. Det Supt Matt Cornish, Essex Police’s lead on domestic abuse, acknowledged the need for improvement. “We recognize that we need to do more to support victims,” he said. He outlined the rigorous considerations involved in disclosure decisions, including whether the information is necessary to protect the person, whether there is an urgent need for the disclosure, and whether it is proportionate to prevent further crime. Legal advice is sought in complex cases to ensure decisions are made appropriately. The scrutiny of Essex Police's handling of domestic abuse cases comes amid broader criticism of the force. In July, a Channel 4 Dispatches investigation revealed that in Thurrock, Essex, 93 percent of car-related crimes resulted in no suspect being identified. This adds to the growing concerns about the force’s overall effectiveness and prioritization of resources. As Essex Police works to address these issues, the statistics highlight the challenges it faces in balancing procedural rigor with the urgent need to protect victims of domestic abuse. Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-11-16 -
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Accusations of Hypocrisy as Private Jet use Doubles Travelling to Cop29
Private jet traffic to Baku, Azerbaijan, has surged as global leaders and influential figures gather for the UN’s annual climate summit, Cop29, igniting accusations of hypocrisy over the choice of high-emission travel. In the lead-up to the event, Baku’s international airport recorded 65 private jet landings, with 45 arriving on Sunday and Monday as delegates convened. This marks a significant increase from last year, when 32 private jets landed during the same period. While this count is lower than in Dubai last year or Glasgow in 2021, the surge in high-carbon flights has drawn attention, especially as high-profile attendees seek to address the global climate crisis. The optics of these arrivals have triggered criticism from environmental advocates who highlight the outsized emissions linked to private jets. Denise Auclair, representing the Travel Smart Campaign, stressed the impact of these flights, noting, “Private jets have a disproportionate impact on the environment. They are five to 14 times more polluting than commercial planes per passenger and 50 times more polluting than trains. The number of arrivals by private jet we are seeing at Cop29 puts front and center the hypocrisy of using a private jet while claiming to be fighting climate change.” Auclair added that for some executives, a single long-haul private flight can produce more CO₂ than multiple people might emit over the course of an entire year. This critique echoes findings from Linnaeus University in Sweden, where researchers analyzed over 18.6 million private flights, revealing that certain celebrities produce over 500 times the annual carbon emissions of the average person. Events such as the 2022 Qatar World Cup and last year’s Cannes Film Festival have been linked to major spikes in private jet use. In comparison, last year’s Cop28 in Dubai saw 644 private flights, which collectively emitted an estimated 4,800 tonnes of CO₂. Despite these figures, sources close to aviation operations argue there are “understandable” reasons for some dignitaries to forgo commercial travel, citing security and logistical challenges. Yet the environmental impact remains clear. Between 2019 and last year, annual private aviation emissions rose by 46 percent, reaching 15.6 million tonnes of CO₂—roughly equivalent to Nepal’s yearly emissions. Climate advocates like Alethea Warrington of the charity Possible denounce the practice. “For CEOs who claim to care about tackling the climate crisis, using a private jet to get to Cop shows blatant hypocrisy,” Warrington stated. “Travelling by private jet is a horrendous waste of the world’s scarce remaining carbon budget, with each journey producing more emissions in a few hours than the average person around the world emits in an entire year.” The conference also saw some notable absences, with leaders from several of the top 13 carbon-emitting nations, including U.S. President Biden, China’s President Xi Jinping, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, opting not to attend. Argentina’s President Javier Milei went a step further, ordering his country’s representatives to withdraw entirely from Cop29. Known for his controversial views on climate change, which he once dismissed as a “socialist lie,” Milei has also signaled the possibility of Argentina’s exit from the Paris Agreement, which mandates greenhouse gas reductions. With over 67,000 people registered, this year’s conference is the second largest in history, following Dubai’s Cop28. The gathering has underscored the urgency of addressing climate change but also highlighted ongoing challenges in aligning global commitments with the actual practices of those in power. For many critics, the arrival of private jets in such high numbers is a troubling contradiction at a moment demanding tangible action. Based on a report by The Times 2024-11-16 -
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Council Tax Bills to Increase by Over £100 in April Amid Cap Freeze
Families in England are bracing for significant council tax hikes in April, as the government confirms a cap on increases will remain at 5 percent. This move sets the stage for bills to rise substantially, with the average family facing an increase of more than £100—almost three times the current rate of inflation. Sir Keir Starmer’s press secretary clarified the government’s stance during a briefing on Wednesday, stating that the threshold allowing councils to raise taxes “isn’t changing.” This confirmation follows an exchange in the House of Commons, where Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch pressed Starmer to confirm whether the cap would be altered. Although Starmer avoided directly addressing the question, his press secretary later reiterated, “The threshold remains the same.” Under the unchanged cap, local authorities can impose a rise of up to 5 percent without requiring a referendum or special government permission. This increase far exceeds the current inflation rate of 1.7 percent. For the average band D property, council tax bills are set to climb to £2,171 for the 2024–25 financial year—an increase of £106 compared to the previous year. Households in the highest band, band H, will see even steeper hikes, with last year’s £4,342 bill rising by £217. In recent years, council tax increases were limited to 2.99 percent, with an additional 2 percent permitted for councils managing social care responsibilities. However, the ability to raise taxes by up to 5 percent has become critical for many local authorities. A survey by the Local Government Association revealed that one in four councils anticipates needing emergency financial support to avoid bankruptcy within the next two years. Despite this, some councils may hesitate to implement the full increase, given the upcoming local elections in May. Tim Oliver, leader of Surrey County Council and chairman of the County Councils Network, acknowledged the budget allocation's marginal benefits but emphasized that it falls short of resolving broader financial challenges. “The money does not eradicate councils’ funding gap,” Oliver explained, pointing to rising costs driven by the new minimum wage as an additional strain. “Therefore, councils will have little choice but to raise council tax and still will need to take difficult decisions over services to balance their budgets.” As local governments grapple with financial pressures and essential services hang in the balance, the decision to freeze the cap on council tax increases underscores the ongoing tension between fiscal responsibility and meeting community needs. For many families, the rising costs represent a growing burden amidst already challenging economic conditions. Based on a report by The Times 2024-11-16 -
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Elon Musk Embraces New Role as the ‘George Soros of the Right’ Alongside Trump
Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, recently embraced the label of “the George Soros of the right” while joining President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Known for his past criticism of George Soros, Musk appeared to relish the comparison to the influential progressive billionaire. Musk’s new moniker surfaced during a surprise visit to the A1Policy conference at Trump’s Florida resort, where he eagerly responded to a speaker’s query: “Where is the George Soros of the right?” Alongside Trump, Musk was freshly named to lead the “Department of Government Efficiency,” an initiative to streamline government operations under Trump’s administration. At the White House that day, the president-elect celebrated Musk’s new appointment, and later, back at Mar-a-Lago, Trump joked to the crowd about his rapport with Musk. “Elon won’t go home,” Trump quipped, “I can’t get rid of him. Until I don’t like him.” The evening took a lively turn when Musk and Trump joined opera singer Chris Macchio in a rendition of “God Bless America.” However, the Daily Mail noted one small hiccup in the performance: Musk, who was born in South Africa, appeared unfamiliar with the song’s lyrics, underscoring a light-hearted moment during an event blending political alignment with patriotic spirit. Musk’s embrace of his new persona signals his readiness to support Trump’s vision in unconventional ways, staking out his role as a powerful, conservative force on the right—a contrast to Soros’s lasting impact on progressive causes. Based on a report by Daily Beast 2024-11-16 -
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Arrest of Suspected Serial Killer in France Sparks Outrage Over Immigration Policies
French authorities have apprehended a suspected serial killer at a train station in Toulon, following an attempted assault on a woman aboard a train. The man’s description closely aligns with that of the primary suspect in the recent killing of a homeless man in Lyon, who was murdered after being struck by bricks thrown at his head. Toulon police identified the man by his striking resemblance to the Lyon attacker, right down to the orange shoelaces he was seen wearing. Images of the alleged Lyon assailant, captured by surveillance cameras, had circulated widely on social media since early in the week, helping the public and authorities in their search. The individual in custody is also believed to be linked to a disturbing series of attempted murders spanning multiple locations, including Évry, Strasbourg, and Dijon in France, as well as Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where another homeless man was attacked with a concrete slab. While questioned by police, the suspect reportedly identified himself as a 37-year-old national of Cameroon. Despite having no prior criminal record, he was under a deportation order due to his undocumented status in France. This arrest has ignited a fierce debate across the country regarding France’s immigration policies and the enforcement of deportation orders, known as "Obligations de Quitter le Territoire Français" (OQTF). Commenting on the situation, politician Marion Maréchal voiced her frustration on social media, writing, “The French are discovering with horror that the serial killer of homeless people, accused of 5 murders, is in fact an illegal Cameroonian under OQTF and that he was able to enter, leave and return freely to France without the slightest border control. Our lax migratory approach is criminal.” The case has led to comparisons with other recent tragedies involving individuals who, despite having deportation orders, remained in the country. Many see these crimes as avoidable and view this situation as evidence of flaws in the current immigration system. Based on a report by European Conservative | X 2024-11-16 -
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Europe’s Right-Wing Leaders Reframe Climate Action to Fit a Nationalist Agenda
As the world contends with climate change, Europe’s right-wing leaders are crafting a unique approach that blends climate action with nationalist priorities, offering a blueprint for conservative climate diplomacy. While Donald Trump has signaled plans to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement if he returns to office, leaders in Europe’s right-wing governments are taking a different path. This year’s COP29 climate summit in Baku showcased how nationalist leaders in Europe, such as Italy's Giorgia Meloni and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, are reconciling their political ideals with elements of climate action. Although right-wing populism is generally linked with less aggressive climate measures, governments from Italy to Turkey are advancing climate initiatives. Their motivations include protecting economic interests and preventing climate-driven migration. Some leaders, particularly Azerbaijan's Ilham Aliyev, have used climate summits as a platform to "greenwash" authoritarian regimes or to soften the perception of their fossil fuel industries. With notable absences from the summit, including Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz and France’s President Emmanuel Macron, the stage was set for right-wing leaders to steer Europe’s presence at COP29. A close look at their approaches reveals a "green playbook" focused on economic gains, curbing migration, promoting nuclear energy, defending local industries, and showcasing leadership. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán set the tone by asserting his opposition to burdensome environmental regulations while praising his country’s progress in clean technology. “We are positioning ourselves to be a significant player in electric vehicle development and electricity storage,” he said, reflecting a push to profit from the booming green economy. A European climate negotiator described this approach as pragmatic, noting that “our companies see they can make money from the green transition… the earlier you start, the bigger a winner you’ll be as a company or a country.” For Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, migration policy intersects with climate. She argues that funding climate action in developing regions like Africa could reduce migration to Europe by creating local opportunities. Italy, under Meloni, has taken steps to expand economic partnerships with African nations, aiming to improve infrastructure and job creation. Last year, Italy pledged €100 million to a fund supporting countries impacted by climate disasters, while a €4 billion initiative has been set up for climate action abroad. At COP29, Meloni emphasized Italy’s ongoing commitment, stating, “Italy intends to continue to do its part.” Right-wing leaders also emphasized nuclear energy as a clean yet stable power source. Poland’s President Andrzej Duda declared, “I believe that nuclear is [the] future and it is only nuclear that will help us to achieve our climate goals.” This view was echoed by Slovakia’s President Peter Pellegrini, who emphasized nuclear power’s role in achieving climate neutrality. Immigration concerns were woven into these discussions, with Orbán criticizing climate legislation that, in his view, places undue burdens on European farmers. “We cannot sacrifice our industry for agriculture… We cannot impose unrealistic quotas or burdensome rules on farmers,” he declared. Duda, addressing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, also linked regional security to climate concerns, stating, “Russian aggression against Ukraine has shown us that armed conflicts also result in serious environmental damage and pollution.” While some right-wing leaders used the summit to highlight their own environmental efforts, they remained cautious about embracing a full green agenda. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, for instance, avoided mentioning his country’s conflict with Ukraine and instead committed to “the wellbeing of future generations.” Similarly, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan promoted his country’s ambitions to host COP31, even though Turkey only ratified the Paris Agreement three years ago. Italian Prime Minister Meloni wrapped up her address with a perspective that encapsulates this nationalist climate approach. “We must protect nature,” she said, “with man at its core.” The speeches at COP29 show how Europe’s right-wing leaders are blending climate action with nationalist rhetoric, positioning themselves as pragmatic stewards of both environmental and national interests. Based on a report by Politico 2024-11-16
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