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REVEALED: Three Chinese spy balloons infiltrated the US during Trump administration but he NEVER shot them down or told the public - as Republicans call for Biden to resign for putting Americans at risk
By
Scott
in World News
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82
Does Donald Trump Have Dementia?
English is hard. There was no viewing audience in the studio where the debate took place. There were millions of people viewing via tv etc. No live audience present. -
116
Kamala Harris Expresses Openness to Exploring Reparations for Slavery
IMO she is an empty vessel with nothing to offer. IMO she is only getting support because she is neither Biden nor Trump. -
251
What’s the best area in Thailand for expats to settle for long-term living?
Obviously we do not know what the OP likes. For me, I am not a beach or big city person. First trip to Thailand i went straight to Udon Thani after researching it extensively online (yes, i was conversing with a girl there). Never met the girl, but was pleasantly surprised and felt at home straight away (2008). moved there in 2010, married now with daughter. Plus factors - low cost of living especially accommodation. Very little 'Farang pricing'. Reasonable levels of English spoken Quite a few retired expats, so some shops and bars serve this community. Airport only 20 minutes away (for me, as on other side of town). most of city is less than 15 minutes away by car City small enough you can actually walk everywhere if you have to. Good weather in cool season. Few tourists Quite a few women in their 30s and 40s looking for a partner Air quality rarely bad. Good road system. Reasonable hospitals. Negative factors - Hot season is hot! Wet season is humid and still quite hot Not a beautiful city, just OK Not a city for the younger expat. -
251
What’s the best area in Thailand for expats to settle for long-term living?
where will you meet jesus? you tell your wife you're flying to pattaya just to meet up with "the boys" and she believes you? -
37
Thailand to borrow 2.59 trillion baht for 2025 budget
Borrowing can be OK or even good, if it's for the right reason and the existing levels of debt are not too high. Borrowing to undertake major infrastructure build outs such as airports, hospitals and roads, allows expensive projects to be done earlier, all of which benefit the economy and the population more quickly. Borrowing to fund unexpected and unbudgeted costs such as covid for example, allows subsequent budgets to proceed along "normal" lines rather than having to be cut to pay for something that has already happened, that had no benefit to the economy. Servicing the debt each year is a tricky balancing act, the problem is that excessive debt becomes difficult to service and only leads to new debt, unless the country is disciplined and is able to avoid becoming addicted. Thailand learned its lesson from the 1997 crash, thereafter its debt load was small to non-existent and every year the same level of budget was put forward, for several years the debt level was reduced to low levels. But it's difficult to build roads, airports etc using revenue income alone, especially when not many people pay tax and those taxes don't increase. If you look at the graph below you'll see the country's debt to GDP ratio over the years and you'll see how covid has affected things. If you dig in to each years debt, you'll see that most of it resulted from subsidies to the poor and for agriculture, in other words, government giveaways in order to stay in power. https://tradingeconomics.com/thailand/government-debt-to-gdp -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Saturday 21 September 2024
Baht's biggest surge since 1998 poses risk to tourism and Exports Picture courtesy: Thai Rath The baht is experiencing its sharpest rise in 26 years, reaching levels last seen during the 1998 Asian financial crisis. This surge has hampered Thailand's recovery in the tourism and export sectors, Bloomberg News reports. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338716-bahts-biggest-surge-since-1998-poses-risk-to-tourism-and-exports/ -
461
I Love Donald Trump
Do yourself a favor and add that account to your ignore list. I just wish the ignore feature also ignored the quotes. -
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Baht's biggest surge since 1998 poses risk to tourism and Exports
The Thai baht is experiencing its sharpest rise in 26 years, reaching levels last seen during the 1998 Asian financial crisis. This surge has hampered Thailand's recovery in the tourism and export sectors, Bloomberg News reports. While the baht's rise is partly linked to a weakening US dollar ahead of the Federal Reserve's anticipated rate cut, its unexpected appreciation against key trade currencies has made Thai products less competitive abroad. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan and Deputy Finance Minister Paophum Rojanasakul have called on the Bank of Thailand (BOT) to take action to curb the baht’s rapid rise and manage exchange rate volatility. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), noted that the strong currency has driven up production costs and worsened the influx of low-cost imports from China. "We need a stable baht and help managing financial costs," Kriengkrai emphasized. Paophum added that it's vital for the baht to remain "neither too strong nor too weak, but above all, stable." Despite continued growth in tourism, the stronger baht may reduce tourists' spending power, particularly affecting shopping and accommodation. Surawat Akaraworamat, vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, pointed out that the higher exchange rate makes goods and services appear more expensive to foreign tourists. The baht’s strength may also hamper Thailand's ability to meet its tourism goals for the year. This presents a fresh challenge for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is focused on boosting the economy and lowering living costs amid slower growth in Thailand compared to other ASEAN countries. Both tourism and exports are vital economic drivers, repoerted The Nation. Picture courtesy: TTG Asia The BOT has voiced concern over sharp currency fluctuations, with the baht appreciating 9.14% against the US dollar in the past three months, significantly above the yearly average of 7.96%. This volatility has put the export sector under additional pressure. The BOT has committed to stepping in to stabilize the baht and mitigate further damage to the economy. Nattaporn Triratanasirikul, deputy managing director of Kasikorn Research Center, noted that the currency’s sustained strength will be a key topic for the BOT’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting on October 16. TOP Picture courtesy: Thai Rath -- 2024-09-21 -
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Common reporting standard (CRS) information
The CRS specifies the format of information and yes, the USA doesn't use this format. I have mentioned this elsewhere, but the sharing (by the USA) appears to be done using the "Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes" which is effectively the same thing as the CRS reporting, just using different mechanics, the way I understand it. -
19
High cholesterol as a pre-existing condition?
taking medication ( statins) does not fix anything. ,,, try changing your diet -
27
Truth social is the future! Buy now while it's on sale.
Down almost 8% today while the overall market was flat. 😂 -
4
Vehicle Crashes into Canal, Woman Found Dead Inside
possibilty .. found clutching I-Phone and Google Map still on the screen -
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Rotterdam Stabbing Rampage Knifeman shouted "Allahu Akbar"
A man armed with two long knives went on a violent stabbing spree in Rotterdam, Netherlands, killing one person and seriously injuring another. The suspect, who allegedly shouted "Allahu Akbar," meaning "God is Greatest" in Arabic, during the attack, has been taken into police custody. The horrific incident unfolded near the iconic Erasmus Bridge, where the attacker, now severely injured himself, was eventually subdued by a heroic bystander. Dutch broadcaster NOS reported that several witnesses heard the suspect shouting the religious phrase as he carried out the brutal assault. One witness, a sports instructor who was teaching a class near the scene, recounted how he stepped in to overpower the attacker. "I saw a man with two long knives stabbing a young guy," he told NOS. "I eventually managed to get them away." Images from the aftermath showed a heavy police presence near the bridge, with emergency services setting up a medical tent and an ambulance at the scene. Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported that a man was stabbed beneath the bridge, as confirmed by bystanders passing over it. Several of them also stated that the suspect had shouted "Allahu Akbar" during the violent attack. Wessel Stolle, a police spokesman, confirmed that authorities were aware of the phrase being shouted during the incident and that it is part of the ongoing investigation. However, he also emphasized that there was no immediate information regarding the attacker's motive, and all possibilities are being explored. The attacker was subdued by Renil Renato David Litecia, a sports coach who witnessed the horrifying scene. Litecia described how he acted quickly to prevent further bloodshed. "I hit the attacker with two sticks after seeing him lunge at someone," Litecia said. "I managed to wrestle the knives away and throw them aside." Initially, Litecia thought the scene was a physical fight. "But when I started running in that direction, I saw that it wasn't a fight," he explained. "It was a man with two long knives who was stabbing another young guy. When I started shouting, he turned around and began approaching everyone nearby." Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims or the suspect, but the investigation is ongoing, with police urging witnesses to come forward with any information that may assist in understanding the full scope of the attack. The city of Rotterdam is now grappling with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence, as the investigation seeks to uncover the motivations behind the deadly rampage. Credit: ABC 2024-09-21 -
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More Than 70,000 Soldiers Fighting for Russia Have Now Been Killed
More than 70,000 people fighting for Russia have now lost their lives in the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to data analyzed by the BBC. For the first time since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, volunteers—civilians who joined Russia's armed forces after the start of the war—constitute the highest number of battlefield deaths. Daily, the names of those killed, their obituaries, and images from their funerals are shared across Russian media and social platforms. BBC Russian, along with the independent website Mediazona, has been compiling these names from public sources, including official reports. They have verified that the information was shared by either authorities or relatives of the deceased and confirmed their deaths in combat. New graves in Russian cemeteries, often marked by defense ministry flags and wreaths, also provide names of soldiers who have died in Ukraine. BBC and Mediazona’s research has identified the names of 70,112 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine, although the true number is likely much higher. Some families do not publicize the deaths of their relatives, and the analysis does not cover deaths in militia units in Russian-occupied regions like Donetsk and Luhansk. Among the confirmed dead, 13,781 were volunteers, constituting roughly 20%. This category now surpasses others, such as former prisoners, who previously accounted for 19% of deaths, and mobilized soldiers, who make up 13%. Since October 2022, weekly deaths of volunteers have consistently exceeded 100, with some weeks seeing more than 310 fatalities. In contrast, Ukraine has remained relatively silent about its losses. While President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in February that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed, U.S. intelligence estimates suggest higher numbers. The story of Rinat Khusniyarov illustrates the experience of many Russian volunteers. Hailing from Ufa in Bashkortostan, Khusniyarov had been juggling two jobs at a tram depot and a plywood factory before enlisting in November last year at age 62. He was killed less than three months later, on February 27. His obituary on a local memorial website described him as "a hardworking, decent man." Data shows that most volunteers come from small towns in Russia where stable employment is scarce, and many appear to have enlisted voluntarily, although reports from Chechnya suggest some have faced coercion or threats. Some volunteers did not fully understand that the contracts they signed had no clear end date. Several have unsuccessfully sought help from pro-Kremlin journalists to leave the service. Military salaries, significantly higher than the average wages in less affluent regions, as well as benefits like tax breaks and free childcare, have lured many to enlist. One-time sign-up bonuses have also increased in value across Russia. Most of the volunteers killed are aged between 42 and 50, with 4,100 of them in this age range. A total of 250 volunteers over the age of 60 have died, including the oldest volunteer, who was 71. Rising casualties among volunteers are attributed in part to their deployment in the most dangerous front-line areas, particularly in the Donetsk region. Russian soldiers describe a "meat grinder" strategy where waves of troops are sent forward to exhaust Ukrainian forces, often with little equipment or artillery support. Drone footage shows Russian soldiers attacking Ukrainian positions without necessary military backing. In some cases, hundreds of soldiers have been killed in a single day. Recently, Russian forces have made desperate attempts to capture the eastern Ukrainian towns of Chasiv Yar and Pokrovsk, but have faced significant losses. According to an official study by the Russian defense ministry's medical directorate, 39% of soldiers die from limb injuries that could be prevented with better first aid and medical care. Despite these casualties, the Russian government appears reluctant to initiate a new wave of forced mobilization. Instead, it is intensifying efforts to recruit volunteers, offering greater incentives to enlist. Local officials are increasingly tasked with recruiting from their regions, often targeting men with financial or legal troubles. They have also conducted recruitment campaigns at universities. Since 2022, prisoners have been encouraged to enlist in exchange for pardons, and a new policy allows people facing criminal prosecution to avoid trial by agreeing to fight, with their cases being frozen or dropped. The war, which has already claimed tens of thousands of lives, continues to grind on with no clear end in sight. Credit: BBC 2024-09-21 -
0
Former C.I.A. Officer Sentenced to 30 Years for Sexual Assault and Drugging Women
Brian Jeffrey Raymond, a former C.I.A. officer, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for drugging, sexually assaulting, and photographing more than two dozen women. His actions, carried out while he served in various international posts, came to light after years of abuse, according to federal prosecutors. Raymond, 48, of La Mesa, California, pleaded guilty in a U.S. District Court in Washington to four of the 25 charges against him. These included sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact, coercion and enticement, and transportation of obscene material. His sentence reflected the maximum punishment prosecutors had requested. "When this predator was a government employee, he lured unsuspecting women to his government-leased housing and drugged them," said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves. "After drugging these women, he stripped, sexually abused, and photographed them." Prosecutors revealed that the assaults took place between 2006 and 2020 across multiple countries where Raymond had worked. During that time, he drugged and photographed or filmed 25 women while they were nude or partially nude. "Many of the recordings featured Raymond touching and manipulating the victim’s bodies when they were unconscious and incapable of consent," prosecutors added. When Raymond became aware of the investigation, he tried to delete the explicit images and videos. The most recent of Raymond’s crimes occurred in Mexico City between 2019 and 2020, where he was stationed at the American Embassy. Prosecutors said he raped six women while in Mexico, each assault following a similar pattern. He met his victims through dating apps, communicated in Spanish, and presented himself as a "high-level embassy employee in whom the government had reposed special trust." The investigation into Raymond began in May 2020 after authorities in Mexico responded to a report of "a naked, hysterical woman desperately screaming for help" from the balcony of his apartment. The FBI and State Department subsequently launched a probe into his actions. During his sentencing, several of Raymond’s victims shared the traumatic impact of his actions. One woman said, “My body looks like a corpse on his bed,” recalling a photo of herself. "Now I have these nightmares of seeing myself dead." Raymond addressed the court, acknowledging his actions. "It betrayed everything I stand for, and I know no apology will ever be enough. There are no words to describe how sorry I am. That’s not who I am, and yet it’s who I became," he said. The C.I.A. issued a statement condemning Raymond’s actions, saying, “We take any allegations of sexual assault or sexual harassment extremely seriously and have taken significant steps to ensure we maintain a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for our workforce. There is absolutely no excuse for Mr. Raymond’s reprehensible, appalling behavior.” In addition to the 30-year prison sentence, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ordered Raymond to be on supervised release for life and to pay $260,000 in restitution to his victims. He will also be required to register as a sex offender. Credit: NYT 2024-09-21
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