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The Black-Screen of YT Death: I think I have been banned from watching YT Vids. Do I care?
Are you intentionally or unintentionally obtuse? -
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The New "subscription business model": Have you completely succumbed to it yet?
Dear Folks, I guess you know, if you are old enough to know, that.....just a few years ago..... One could buy software, and that would be that. Once could use the software without any need to pay, an pay. But, things have recently changed. The market has become saturated. And, these days, most companies have turned to the "subscription business model" in order to compensate. I guess you also know that....once you subscribe to just about ANYTHING...then....companies make it almost impossible to cancel a subscription. Or, sometimes they increase the charges on monthly subscriptions without one's express permission....just because.... This permission was granted when you signed up for the subscription....and just because one forgot to read the very fine print in the agreement. Welcome to the new Mafia style "subscription business model". What are your thoughts? Would you, these days, dare to subscribe to any service, or software? If you would, then are you a RISK-SEEKING personality Type? In my view, during this new age of scamming by major corporations, this new "subscription business model" is basically rather corrosive to society, in general. This model teaches our youth that this kind of thing is acceptable, when it is not. So then, I just wonder: Are you OK with signing for a subscription? Or.... Would you now not even consider subscribing to almost anything? I once subscribed to The New Yorker. And I was pleased with my subscription. I got good value for my money. These days, I would never subscribe to any products from Microsoft, for example, such as Office. These guys are now seeking a monthly payment to use their software products. I say: Go Flog Yourselves..... I just wonder how much more BRAZEN these Huge Corporations will become before..... Their House of Cards.... Comes completely tumbling down? Best regards, Gamma Note: By the way, I have heard tell, from my Chinese friends, several horror stories of people in China being compelled to actually cancel their credit cards....just in order to get rid of a monthly subscription for which they found no other way to cancel. They contacted the company charging them, month by month, attempting to cancel their subscription, but found that there was not "button" to click to easily cancel. Their only recourse was to completely cancel their credit card. Note2: I have stopped all my subscriptions, other than Google One, which i am grateful for. Google One is good, and one can cancel at anytime. Also good service. However, most other subscriptions, for software provided for a monthly fee...is a ripoff to me. These guys remind me of.... THE PUSHER MAN..... -
799
K bank E-mail with Tax Forms attached ?
So it's a day after the 20th which was suppose to be the deadline. I never got any emails or requests so I did nothing as I am not in Thailand right now. Just did a transfer today on the app, all working fine, same as before. -
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Who Is Controlling the Budget Bill? Trump, Johnson, or Musk?
You really don't keep up, do you? -
136
Amnesty International "It's a Genocide in Gaza"
A lot of foreign journalists want to get into Gaza but Israel won"t let them. https://pressgazette.co.uk/news/gaza-journalists-foreign-correspondents-israel-egypt-access/ -
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Recent stay Good Hotel near Swampy
Oriole Residence. See my review from last week. Very detailed assessment. -
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Judge Cites Distrust in Media Over Anonymity Order in Sara Sharif Case
The judge at the center of a contentious anonymity ruling in the tragic Sara Sharif case claimed that the media could not be trusted to report matters fairly, sparking intense debate over the principles of open justice. Urfan Sharif, 43, Sara’s father, and her stepmother, Beinash Batool, 30, were recently sentenced to life imprisonment for the 10-year-old’s murder. Following their trial, details of a family court decision that allowed Sara to remain in her parents' care despite warnings of potential abuse came under scrutiny. Mr. Justice Williams permitted the publication of information about the family court proceedings but prohibited the identification of the judges involved. He argued that such disclosure could provoke harassment in the digital age, citing the risk of a "lynch mob" mentality fueled by social media. "Experience regrettably shows that some reporting is better than others and that is not a reliable end point," he stated, acknowledging that while many media outlets report responsibly, others do not. His ruling revealed that during prior family court proceedings, Surrey County Council raised repeated concerns about Sara's vulnerability to physical and emotional abuse by her parents. However, allegations were never adequately tested in court, and Sara was returned to her father and stepmother in 2019. Tragically, she was murdered in their home in Woking, Surrey, in August last year. Mr. Justice Williams defended his anonymity decision, asserting, "The responsibility for Sara’s death lies on her father, her stepmother, and her uncle, not on social workers, child protection professionals, guardians, or judges." Nonetheless, his decision is now being challenged by several media organizations, including *The Telegraph*, with an appeal scheduled for January 14 and 15 in the Court of Appeal. Media groups argue that concealing the judges' identities undermines the principle of transparency central to public trust in the judicial system. Sir Geoffrey Vos, who granted permission for the appeal, acknowledged the issue's significance, stating, "It raises questions that are of considerable public importance, and it is in the public interest that the Court of Appeal considers them." The controversy comes amid broader debates over judicial anonymity, with other recent cases also sparking criticism. These include a ruling shielding the identity of an alleged Chinese spy barred from the UK and decisions in immigration tribunals where convicted criminals facing deportation were granted anonymity. One such case involved a Turkish crime boss, described as one of Britain’s largest heroin dealers, who avoided deportation despite a 16-year prison sentence. This growing trend of granting anonymity in high-profile cases highlights tensions between safeguarding individuals from undue harm and upholding the principles of open justice. As public and legal scrutiny intensifies, the forthcoming Court of Appeal decision in the Sara Sharif case could set a critical precedent. Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-12-21 -
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Lord Mandelson’s Past Remarks on Trump Resurface Amid Ambassadorship Appointment
Lord Peter Mandelson, a prominent Labour peer and architect of New Labour under Tony Blair, faces renewed scrutiny over his past criticisms of Donald Trump as he prepares to assume the role of British ambassador to the United States. His appointment by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer comes as Trump readies his return to the White House for a second term. In 2019, Lord Mandelson spoke candidly about his views on Trump during an interview with Italian journalist Alain Elkann. He described the former president as “a danger to the world” and “little short of a white nationalist and racist.” These remarks, made on Elkann’s podcast, now risk complicating efforts by Downing Street to build a positive relationship with the Trump administration. In the interview, Mandelson lamented the United Kingdom’s shift in global alliances, stating, “I wake up today and discover that not only am I seeing my country, which I love, being forced out of its own European neighbourhood, but is crossing the Atlantic to make common cause with an American president who is little short of a white nationalist and racist.” He expressed deep concern over Britain aligning itself with Trump, emphasizing, “This disturbs me greatly because it’s completely different from all my upbringing, whether my family or in politics, what I believe, and the identity I see for my own country.” Mandelson also criticized Trump’s approach to governance and diplomacy, arguing that his values are incompatible with those of the UK. “What Donald Trump represents and believes is anathema to mainstream British opinion,” he said, adding, “Even those who have a sneaking admiration for Donald Trump, because of the strength of his personality, nonetheless regard him as reckless and a danger to the world.” The Labour peer pointed to instances where Trump insulted British leaders and institutions, including the treatment of Her Majesty’s ambassador in Washington. “The way in which he has conducted himself in relation to the British government, our Prime Minister, who he has insulted, and the way in which he treated Her Majesty’s ambassador in Washington has been shocking to British people,” Mandelson remarked. Despite these past statements, Mandelson’s appointment is viewed as a strategic move by Starmer to signal a serious approach to engaging with the Trump administration. The decision bypassed other high-profile candidates, including David Miliband, Baroness Amos, and Baroness Ashton, reflecting Starmer’s confidence in Mandelson’s experience and political acumen. Trump’s endorsement of Nigel Farage for the ambassadorship in an autumn tweet added further intrigue to Mandelson’s selection. Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has been a vocal supporter of Trump, but his nomination was not entertained by Downing Street. Mandelson’s tenure begins at a critical time, with the UK navigating the threat of US tariffs on British exports and seeking to expand its services sector across the Atlantic. His ability to reconcile his past criticisms with the demands of fostering a constructive relationship with the Trump administration will be a key test of his diplomatic skills. As Trump resumes his role as president, Mandelson’s comments from 2019 serve as a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead in mending strained transatlantic relations. Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-12-21
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