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Has anyone driven their motorcycle from Pattaya/Chonburi/Sattahip to Singapore
Geez , pattaya57 ,you must have a lot of time on ya hands mate to go through some blokes past threads . That's bloody creepy -
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Trump on Immigration: "We need a lot of people coming in."
Not due to immigration at all, home grown in Texas • The FBI has identified the suspect as a 42-year-old Texas man and Army veteran. -
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India helping Israel
I find that very hard to believe that India would have fighting troops there like North Korea has troops on the ground for Putin in Ukraine. However India and Israel have a close relationship as far as defense technology so I would expect that there would be Indians in Israel on business related to that. -
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Personal Goals For 2025
Don't be so prejudice! What about the ASEAN Forum ??? -
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Outrage in Germany as Elon Musk Accused of Election Meddling
Germany's government has expressed strong disapproval of tech mogul Elon Musk's apparent attempts to influence the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections by endorsing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Musk, a vocal supporter of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and recently appointed "efficiency czar" in Trump’s administration, has sparked widespread controversy with his public comments and media engagements. This month, Musk used his social media platform X to declare, "Only the AfD can save Germany," a statement that quickly ignited political backlash. He subsequently reinforced his stance through an opinion piece published in a German Sunday newspaper, intensifying the debate. Responding to Musk's remarks, German government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann emphasized the sanctity of Germany's electoral process, stating, "It is a fact that Elon Musk is trying to exert influence on the parliamentary election. In Germany, elections are decided by voters at the ballot box." She further asserted that Germany’s elections remain "a matter for Germans" and reminded the public that the AfD has been classified as "extremist" by the nation’s domestic security agency. The controversy comes as Germany prepares for February 23 elections following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left coalition government. Musk’s comments have drawn criticism across the political spectrum. Lars Klingbeil, co-leader of Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), accused Musk of mirroring Russian President Vladimir Putin’s tactics, claiming both figures aim to "weaken Germany and push it into chaos." Klingbeil also called for stronger European regulations to limit the political influence of large social media platforms like X. Musk's criticism of Scholz has been relentless, with his most recent attack following a deadly car-ramming incident at a Christmas market in Magdeburg on December 20. Musk called Scholz an "incompetent fool" and demanded his immediate resignation, further fueling tensions. Friedrich Merz, leader of the conservative opposition CDU/CSU, also condemned Musk’s actions, labeling his endorsement of the AfD as "interfering and presumptuous." Merz highlighted the unprecedented nature of such interference, stating, "I cannot remember a comparable case of meddling in the election campaign of an allied country in the history of Western democracy." The AfD, known for its controversial stances, currently sits in second place in the polls at 19 percent, trailing the CDU/CSU at 32 percent. Meanwhile, Scholz’s SPD is projected to achieve its worst-ever result at 16 percent, with its Green coalition partners polling at 13 percent. Musk’s controversial remarks have added a volatile dimension to an already tumultuous political landscape. As Germany navigates the challenges of an unexpected election, the fallout from Musk's intervention may further shape the discourse and outcome in the months ahead. Based on a report by AFP 2024-01-02 -
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Trump Reiterates Warning to Hamas on Hostage Release
Former US President Donald Trump has once again issued a strong ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of hostages being held in Gaza. Trump’s comments came during a New Year’s Eve gala at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, as he was pressed by reporters on the delicate situation. The former president’s remarks highlight the ongoing tension surrounding the hostages and the apparent impasse in talks aimed at resolving the crisis. As Trump prepares for a potential return to office, his firm stance underscores the high stakes involved in addressing the situation in the region. Asked about his resolutions for the new year, Trump said, “I just want everybody to be happy, healthy and well.” Trump later took the stage to briefly address the crowd ringing in the new year at Mar-a-Lago and promised “to do a great job as your president.” Biden, for his part, spent New Year’s Eve celebrating the wedding of his niece Missy Owens in Greenville, Delaware, followed by the reception in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Biden and first lady Jill Biden cut short their traditional holiday trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands to attend the ceremony. Based on a report by USA News | TOI | 2024-01-02 -
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Scrutinizing BBC Verify: A Record of Errors and Omissions
BBC Verify, an investigative unit launched to combat disinformation, has faced increasing scrutiny due to high-profile missteps in its reporting. Promoted as the "frontline of the fight for truth," the unit's commitment to accuracy has been questioned following a series of corrections and controversies. A notable example arose during the riots following the Southport murders, when BBC Verify reported a violent racist attack in Humberside. The team identified two alleged attackers using open-source intelligence (OSINT) and facial recognition, claiming they targeted a car of men "of Asian heritage." However, Humberside Police later clarified that the victims were Eastern European, making the event unrelated to racial tensions as originally reported. Despite having multiple writers on the story, Verify failed to identify this critical detail before publication. Another instance involved allegations of systemic racism in the motor insurance industry. Maryam Ahmed, a BBC Verify journalist, reported that drivers in racially diverse areas paid 33% higher premiums, suggesting an "ethnicity penalty." Months later, the article was quietly retracted. The BBC admitted its analysis was flawed, stating it had failed to account for the limitations of its data. In October 2022, BBC Verify’s reporting on an explosion at Al Ahli hospital in Gaza sparked further controversy. Initially attributing the blast to an Israeli airstrike, the BBC echoed Hamas' claim of 500 deaths. Subsequent investigations by independent experts and Western governments pointed to a misfired Palestinian rocket, significantly reducing the death toll. While many revised their assessments, Verify maintained the event’s origins were "contested," relying heavily on analysis from Forensic Architecture, an organization with strong ties to pro-Palestinian activism. Critics argued this affiliation should have been disclosed to provide context for the claim. Another Gaza-related report from Verify relied on a questionable source. Mahmoud Awadeyah alleged that Israeli soldiers deliberately attacked civilians during an aid distribution in March 2023. However, Awadeyah’s ties to Tasnim, a media outlet controlled by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, and his history of celebrating anti-Israeli violence raised serious doubts about his credibility. Despite these associations, BBC Verify presented his account without disclosing these affiliations, leading former BBC Television Director Danny Cohen to criticize the omission as "misleading audiences." Since its inception in May 2023, Verify has published more than 200 stories, of which approximately 5% have been corrected, clarified, or withdrawn. Cohen highlighted this as a troubling statistic, emphasizing the BBC’s responsibility to uphold the highest journalistic standards. These controversies underline deeper concerns about Verify's approach, which some argue prioritizes quick, shareable content over rigorous fact-checking. As the unit continues to dominate BBC News output with over 60 dedicated journalists, its effectiveness in combating disinformation will depend on its ability to address these systemic flaws and rebuild trust with its audience. Based on a report by UnHerd 2024-01-02 Related: Former BBC News Chief Voices Concerns Over Verify Unit’s Impact on Journalism Credibility
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