Latest developments and discussion of recent events in the Ukraine War
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52
What really grinds your gears in Pattaya
In Pattaya there are variations in pricing even on one soi, for example Buakhao, thai food can cost 50 baht or 100 baht for the same thing, they charge tourist prices when they can get away with it -
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Animal sacrifices on the rise in Queens, NY
As a native of NYC, I can tell you that area is most definitely the creepiest part of the five boroughs. Houses on stilts over the water, we used to call it The Boondocks (from the pop song of the 1960s). I left the place in the early 1970s and I know at least three airliners filled with passengers crashed into that bay in my youth, the bodies and wreckage never completely recovered, and there have probably been other crashes since then. For people who practice voodoo they've found a perfect spot. -
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Claiming your trip as a tax deduction
Just like a doctor and blood sucking lawyer they would want something for it to answer I did offer a BJob but it was rejected -
3,357
Latest developments and discussion of recent events in the Ukraine War
you must have been so happy to read this ! fortunately, it's most probably false. -
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Trump: “There Will Be No Third Debate!”
What Fahoonkin planet are you on? You might want to read the latest headlines -
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Appears to be another assassination attempt on Trump's life
Sounds like a gunman with an AR-15 shooting through the fence in his direction while Trump was golfing: -
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Claiming your trip as a tax deduction
What did your accountant say ? -
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Garbage Republicans Slither Out To Endorse Harris
Two weeks ago this ago this got a lot of attention in political circles: James Carville Names 'Only Way' Republicans Can Get Their 'Party Back' In November I like Carville and his whole style of political commentary but I don't always agree with him. I disagree here because the 1964 presidential race was tainted by the JFK assassination, and the following 1968 race was colored by the incumbent dropping out and the assassination of the front-runner, which left the Dems in a mess. 1976 was about the Nixon skullduggery. Maybe some GOP members are taking this to heart -- after all, this is the guy who got Bill Clinton elected in 1992. They know they've already lost this year, but looking ahead to 2027 (when the 2028 race begins) they are probably already planning how they can beat her then. So yeah, the thinking in that camp might be "let's elect somebody we know we can beat next time around." -
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Watch: Melania Trump Condemns FBI Mar-a-Lago Raid: ‘A Warning to All Americans’
Former First Lady Melania Trump has sharply criticized the FBI’s 2022 raid on Mar-a-Lago, expressing deep concern over what she described as an invasion of privacy and a threat to the freedoms of all Americans. In a video posted on social media Saturday morning, promoting her forthcoming memoir, Melania warned that the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution must be "respected." However, in July, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case, ruling that special counsel Jack Smith had not been lawfully appointed. Smith has since appealed that decision, and the legal battle continues. Donald Trump previously shared how deeply Melania was affected by the search, revealing in late 2022 that she felt “very violated” by the FBI’s actions. “She felt very violated. I mean, this is a terrible thing,” he remarked. "They go into her closet, they go through her dresses, and who knows what else, and it wasn’t left the way it—they found it." With her new memoir on the horizon, Melania Trump’s critique of the Mar-a-Lago raid reflects her ongoing concerns about personal privacy and the balance between security and individual rights in America. Her remarks also signal that, for the Trumps, the incident remains a contentious and deeply personal chapter in their post-White House lives. Credit: The Hill 2024-09-16 -
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Freed Early From Prison Arrested for Sexual Assualt Same Day. UK Government Defends Scheme
The government has come under scrutiny after defending its early release scheme following the alleged sexual assault by a former inmate on the same day he was freed. The accused, Amari Ward, 31, was released under the policy aimed at alleviating prison overcrowding but is now facing serious charges. Ward appeared in Croydon Magistrates' Court on Thursday, accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Sittingbourne, Kent. Court documents, seen by the BBC, indicate that Ward allegedly "intentionally touched" a woman without her consent. The incident reportedly occurred just hours after his release on Tuesday. Ward was subsequently arrested in south London and has been denied bail, with a court hearing set for next month at Maidstone Crown Court. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) defended the early release policy, emphasizing its necessity to prevent a potential collapse of the prison system. “The government inherited prisons in crisis and on the brink of collapse,” said an MoJ spokesperson. They further explained that a collapse would have serious repercussions for the legal system, hindering the ability of courts to conduct trials and police to make arrests. The spokesperson assured that anyone who breached license conditions or reoffended would face consequences. Ward’s release was part of a larger program in which around 1,750 inmates across England and Wales were freed early. Inmates included in the scheme had served 40% of their sentences instead of the standard 50%. The scheme, while a response to the overcrowded prison system, has sparked concern over public safety and the risk of reoffending. Some inmates celebrated their release with family and friends, while others expressed fear of homelessness after their unexpected early release. The early release policy was reintroduced after the general election in July, although a similar initiative had been implemented by the previous Conservative government. It allows for the early release of prisoners serving sentences of less than four years for violent offenses. However, the policy excludes certain categories of offenders, such as those convicted of domestic abuse, terrorists, and sex offenders. Rioters involved in recent unrest may only remain incarcerated if they are serving sentences longer than four years for violent crimes. Prison overcrowding has been a growing concern, with the prison population recently reaching a record high of over 88,500 inmates. Officials have warned that some released prisoners are likely to reoffend. Martin Jones, HM Chief Inspector of Probation, acknowledged earlier this month that while the risk of serious reoffenses remains rare, it cannot be entirely eliminated. "There is a certainty that some will reoffend," he stated, expressing concern over the challenges of managing these risks. Prison unions and victims' advocates have raised further concerns about the policy. The probation union Napo cautioned that the scheme may simply be “moving the problem from one place to another without properly assessing the risks.” Victims’ Commissioner Baroness Newlove criticized the scheme after learning that some victims had not been notified about the early release of the individuals responsible for crimes against them. Government data released earlier this week revealed that the prison population had fallen by 2%, or roughly 2,000 inmates, since the early release scheme was implemented, leaving 86,333 people in prisons across England and Wales as of Friday. Despite these reductions, the debate continues over whether the policy is truly addressing the root problems of overcrowding or creating new risks for the public. Credit: BBC 2024-09-16 -
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Gun Violence: The Leading Cause of Child and Teen Deaths for the Third Year
For the third consecutive year, gun violence was the leading cause of death for children and teenagers across the United States, according to a recent analysis by Johns Hopkins University. The study revealed that guns claimed the lives of 2,526 youths between the ages of 1 and 17 in 2022. On average, this grim statistic amounts to seven children being killed each day. The burden of this violence is disproportionately borne by children of color, particularly Black teenagers. More than half of Black teens aged 15 to 17 who died in 2022 were killed by guns. Overall, Black children and teens faced a gun homicide rate that was 18 times higher than that of their white peers. Hispanic and Latino youths were also affected by gun violence, with suicide rates involving firearms significantly higher than among white children. The data paints a troubling picture. Between 2013 and 2022, the youth gun violence rate doubled. In response, the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions has called for comprehensive measures that include secure gun storage, stricter licensing requirements for private gun sellers, and the removal of firearms from individuals deemed at risk. The report also emphasized the importance of community investments and regulations concerning the public carrying of firearms. "The ongoing crisis of gun violence is preventable," researchers from Johns Hopkins stressed in their report. "We must address this crisis through a public health approach, pushing for equitable, evidence-based gun violence solutions." Despite the alarming findings in the Johns Hopkins analysis, there has been little progress. Shortly after the 2022 data was published, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released statistics for 2023, showing only a slight decline in gun deaths—about three percent lower than the previous year. Even with this reduction, the number of gun-related deaths remained tragically high at 46,728, the third-highest ever recorded in the United States. For children and teens aged 1 to 17, gun-related fatalities remained the leading cause of death, with a slight increase to 2,566 deaths in 2023. These numbers were published amid the aftermath of yet another school shooting in the U.S. Earlier this month, a tragic incident occurred in Georgia when 14-year-old Colt Gray allegedly brought an assault-style rifle to school and killed two students and two teachers. Shockingly, the weapon, which his father Colin reportedly purchased as a Christmas gift, was a military-style AR rifle—one of the high-powered firearms used in some of the country’s deadliest mass shootings since 2012. According to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Georgia law does not set a minimum age for possessing a rifle, though federal law requires individuals to be 18 or older to purchase one. The devastating impact of gun violence on children and teens remains an urgent national crisis, with policymakers and experts calling for stronger preventive measures to protect the most vulnerable in society. Credit: The Independent 2024-09-16 -
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Watch: Jurors Assist in Detaining Convicted Child Assaulter After Courthouse Escape Attempt
A dramatic scene unfolded in Skowhegan, Maine, when Nicholas Carter, 31, attempted to flee the courthouse immediately after being convicted of aggravated assault on a 14-month-old child. Despite being handcuffed, Carter made a bold escape, but his flight was quickly thwarted by two jurors and a detective who intervened. Once outside, Carter raced across the parking lot, followed closely by several individuals. The footage shows the convicted assaulter running into a yard before tripping and falling, where he was apprehended by the two jurors and a detective. Their quick action ended the escape attempt within moments. Carter had just been convicted following a three-day trial for assaulting a young child. His sentencing for the aggravated assault charge is expected to take place in the coming weeks. This dramatic courthouse scene is a rare example of jurors playing an active role in law enforcement after their duty of deliberation was complete. Their swift response, along with the efforts of the detective, ensured that Carter did not remain at large. Credit: NBC 2024-09-16 -
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US Sanctions Russian State Media RT Amid Accusations of Covert Influence
The United States has introduced new sanctions targeting Russian state media, specifically the channel RT, as tensions between Washington and Moscow escalate over the latter’s influence operations. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the measures, stating that RT operates as a "de facto arm of Russia's intelligence apparatus" and is part of a broader network of Russian-backed media outlets accused of undermining democracy in the US. Speaking to reporters, Blinken emphasized that the Russian government has embedded cyber operatives within RT who are linked to Russian intelligence. "RT is not simply a media outlet; it has connections to a unit with cyber operational capabilities," Blinken remarked, underscoring the gravity of the situation. In response, RT livestreamed his speech on the platform X (formerly Twitter), dismissing the claims as part of the "US’s latest conspiracy theory." Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reacted with sarcasm, suggesting there should be a "new profession" in the US dedicated to managing the numerous sanctions imposed on Russia. These comments come amid RT’s continued defiance of accusations that it played a role in influencing elections. Margarita Simonyan, RT’s editor-in-chief, who was herself sanctioned by the US in the previous week, quipped, "We are excellent teachers," noting that many of RT’s staff were educated in the US, often with American funding. The State Department has leveled serious accusations against RT, claiming the broadcaster engages in activities far beyond journalism. According to the Department, RT has been involved in "information operations, covert influence, and military procurement" across various regions, including Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Blinken went further, alleging that RT has run online fundraisers to purchase military gear, such as body armor, sniper rifles, and drones, for Russian troops engaged in the conflict in Ukraine. In addition to RT’s alleged activities in Ukraine, Blinken claimed that the network has been trying to interfere with Moldova’s political landscape in collaboration with Russian intelligence, particularly ahead of the country's October 2024 presidential elections. US officials pointed out that two RT employees have already been indicted for attempting to interfere in the US presidential election earlier this year, but now argue that RT plays a much broader role in Russia’s campaign to destabilize democracies. RT has responded to these accusations with characteristic derision. In a statement to the BBC, the state broadcaster mockingly referenced past allegations, saying, "2016 called and it wants its clichés back," alluding to accusations from the US that Russian interference impacted the 2016 presidential election. The statement added, "Three things are certain in life: death, taxes, and RT's interference in US elections." In addressing the sanctions during a press conference, Blinken stated, "Our most powerful antidote to Russia's lies is the truth. It's shining a bright light on what the Kremlin is trying to do under the cover of darkness." He also clarified that the sanctions are not intended as a response to RT's content, but rather to its alleged covert influence operations. "Covert influence activities are not journalism," Blinken asserted, reiterating the US government's support for independent media. These sanctions are part of a broader set of measures taken by the US in response to the ongoing influence efforts by Russian state media, particularly as the 2024 US presidential election approaches. The State Department has also officially designated RT as a foreign mission, further highlighting the serious concerns surrounding its operations. Credit: BBC 2024-09-16 -
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Teacher Barred After Smuggling Teenager to the UK as a "Slave"
A primary school teacher in the UK has been banned from the classroom after it was revealed she smuggled a 14-year-old girl from Africa into Britain to serve as her "slave." Ernestina Quainoo, 53, who had been teaching children aged five to seven at Cherry Lane Primary School in West Drayton, London, from 2019 until December 2022, had hidden her conviction from her employer. Her criminal past only came to light when a colleague received an old newspaper article detailing the crime she committed in 2008. Ms. Quainoo was convicted for her involvement in human trafficking in 2008, but she failed to disclose this when she was hired by the school. The incident prompted an investigation by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), which concluded with a decision to permanently ban her from teaching. The TRA found that her actions were in direct contradiction to her responsibilities as a teacher, calling it a breach of "the very core of her practice." Originally from Ghana, Quainoo and her husband Samuel moved to the UK in 2004. The couple had promised the 14-year-old girl an education and a job, only to subject her to 18 months of forced labor. During this time, the girl was made to cook, clean, and babysit the couple’s children without pay. She was also isolated, prevented from attending school, and given a T-shirt with the phrase "my other name is bitch" printed on it. The teenager’s situation became so dire that she contemplated suicide. The girl ultimately escaped after falling ill and seeking medical assistance. She later reported the abuse to the police and social workers. When questioned by the authorities, Mr. Quainoo claimed that the girl had cast a "voodoo" spell on the couple. In 2008, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison, while Ernestina Quainoo received a two-year suspended sentence for her role in facilitating the girl’s illegal entry into the UK. Despite this, Ms. Quainoo went on to secure a teaching position at Cherry Lane Primary School, where she worked until late 2022. Her conviction went undiscovered until a colleague unearthed the past newspaper report, leading to her resignation in February 2023. The school referred the matter to the TRA, which found that her failure to disclose the conviction violated employment policies. While the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act allows individuals with spent convictions to withhold this information for most job applications, the TRA panel noted that Ms. Quainoo’s conviction was not protected under the act. Initially, she denied having any prior convictions, later disclosing that she had committed an "immigration offence." In her statement, Ms. Quainoo explained that she was charged because she could not prove the girl was a member of her family, saying, "I completely misunderstood the cultural differences that exist between the two [countries]." During the TRA hearing, chairperson Sue Davies concluded that although Ms. Quainoo had incorrectly answered "no" when asked about prior convictions on her application, there was insufficient evidence to prove she had deliberately lied. However, the panel criticized the school for failing to conduct a more thorough investigation when they first employed her, calling their lack of diligence "regrettable." In addition to being barred from teaching, the TRA’s head of investigation, Sarah Buxcey, emphasized that Ms. Quainoo’s past actions contradicted her duty of care towards children, stating, "A prohibition order would therefore prevent such a risk from being present in the future." The ban will remain in place for two years, ensuring that Ms. Quainoo will not be able to return to the teaching profession. Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-09-16
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