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Nasa Astronauts Aboard Boeing’s Starliner May Remain in Space Until August
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Trump Demands Transparency on U.S.-Russia Prisoner Swap Details
Translation trump is looking for dirt and distraction anything to keep attention away from his latest debacles and heaven forbid any discussion of policy. -
34
Men dominating 'Women's Sports @ Paris Olympics'
I would have thought that people would see the Russians for what they are anyway after so much evidence but then again, Trump continues ruling. -
29
Human-Induced Climate Change Creates Olympic "Heat Dome" Crisis
Yes I believe there' a climate change going on but one can believe or not what the cause of that is . No , I am Not Covid is the New China Flu that's what they said when it started . Got the jabs , Nothing Sad about that. Like I said Believe it or Not ,Like the Thais say ,,,, Up to you .🙏 -
0
Off Roading Isaan Area
Anyone know of any areas to 4x4? I.e. rock crawling or mud bogging? I've seen some Thais doing it on YouTube, just not where they were.... Not looking for the dangerous stuff like in Moab Utah, just areas to take a Jeep or Hilux to toodle around in and entertain the kids and teach them how to drive..... -
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Human-Induced Climate Change Creates Olympic "Heat Dome" Crisis
Some are tied to big oil to deny climate change. Easy to tell. The others are telling the truth. Impossible to deny it is happening. I'm guessing you are a covid denier and anti vaxxer? All tied together. Sad -
29
Human-Induced Climate Change Creates Olympic "Heat Dome" Crisis
No link Needed , You said yourself Some are Tied to big Oil and skew in their favor . You Know and Believe that some are on the take Right. I am not the Smartest man on the planet, but I Can believe what I like and you can do Same . For me , Yes there's a climate change going on , Caused by What? Natural Phenomenon . It will change again in a Few Hundred/Thousand Years into a Cold Icy world. Like they say ,It won't happen overnight but it Will happen. -
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"Regrets" versus "best thing I ever did".
Must of paid well being a Librarian if you retired in your early 50's !!! I would love to be a librarian and read books all day -
1
Apple Withdraws Ad Amid Thai Backlash, Extends Apology
Come on Apple, just because some of the rules here seem a bit prehistoric doesn't mean they're backward .... -
1
Trump Demands Transparency on U.S.-Russia Prisoner Swap Details
Former President Donald Trump has called for more transparency regarding the recent high-profile prisoner swap between the United States and Russia, which resulted in the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan from Russian custody. In a post on Truth Social, Trump highlighted his own track record with prisoner exchanges and raised concerns about the terms of the current deal. Trump questioned the specifics of the exchange, asking, "So when are they going to release the details of the prisoner swap with Russia? How many people do we get versus them? Are we also paying them cash? Are they giving us cash (Please withdraw that question, because I’m sure the answer is NO)?" He further speculated about the nature of those being released, suggesting that the U.S. might be releasing "murderers, killers, or thugs," and criticized the U.S. government for its history of making poor deals, particularly in hostage swaps. The former president expressed concerns about the implications of potentially giving cash to an opposing country, calling it a “bad precedent for the future.” He accused Russia of extorting the United States, referencing the complexity of the trade and suggesting it was designed to obscure the unfavorable terms for the U.S. "They are extorting the United States of America. They’re calling the trade ‘complex’ – That’s so nobody can figure out how bad it is!" Trump wrote. National security adviser Jake Sullivan responded to these claims during a White House briefing, asserting that no money was exchanged and no sanctions were loosened as part of the deal. Sullivan's statement aimed to dispel any rumors or misconceptions about the terms of the prisoner swap. President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that Gershkovich and Whelan, along with Alsu Kurmasheva and Vladimir Kara-Murza, were released as part of the largest prisoner exchange with Russia since the Cold War. The deal also saw the release of five Germans and seven Russian citizens who had been held as political prisoners. This historic exchange underscores the ongoing efforts and complexities involved in diplomatic negotiations between the two nations. Trump, who has often criticized Biden's handling of American detainees in Russia, had previously predicted that Biden would struggle to secure the release of Gershkovich, who had been detained in Russia for more than a year. When asked about Trump’s suggestion that he could have brought the detainees home without making any concessions, Biden retorted, "Why didn’t he do it when he was president?" This exchange highlights the ongoing political tension and debate surrounding the handling of international prisoner swaps, the strategies employed by different administrations, and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy and national security. Credit: Hill 2024-08-03 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. -
0
Virginia Tech Scientists Discover Widespread COVID-19 Virus in Wildlife
Virginia Tech scientists have discovered that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is prevalent among wildlife species in Virginia. According to research published in Nature Communications, the virus was detected in six common backyard species, with antibodies indicating prior exposure found in five species. The rates of exposure ranged from 40 to 60 percent, depending on the species. The study tracked the virus’s genetic code in wild animals, confirming both the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and unique viral mutations that closely matched variants circulating in humans, supporting the theory of human-to-animal transmission. The highest exposure to SARS-CoV-2 was found in animals near hiking trails and high-traffic public areas, suggesting the virus was passed from humans to wildlife. This research was conducted by scientists from the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, the Department of Biological Sciences in Virginia Tech’s College of Science, and the Fralin Life Sciences Institute. The study’s findings highlight the identification of novel mutations in SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife, underscoring the need for broad surveillance. These mutations could be more harmful and transmissible, posing challenges for vaccine development. However, the scientists emphasized that they found no evidence of the virus being transmitted from animals to humans, assuring the public that typical interactions with wildlife should not be a cause for fear. Investigators tested animals from 23 common Virginia species for active infections and antibodies indicating previous infections. They found signs of the virus in deer mice, Virginia opossums, raccoons, groundhogs, Eastern cottontail rabbits, and Eastern red bats. The virus isolated from one opossum showed previously unreported viral mutations that could potentially impact how the virus affects humans and their immune response. “The virus can jump from humans to wildlife when we are in contact with them, like a hitchhiker switching rides to a new, more suitable host,” explained Carla Finkielstein, a professor of biological sciences at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC and one of the paper’s corresponding authors. “The goal of the virus is to spread in order to survive. The virus aims to infect more humans, but vaccinations protect many humans. So the virus turns to animals, adapting and mutating to thrive in the new hosts.” SARS-CoV-2 infections have previously been identified in wildlife, primarily in white-tailed deer and feral mink. The Virginia Tech study significantly expands the number of species examined and the understanding of virus transmission to and among wildlife. The data suggests exposure to the virus has been widespread in wildlife, with areas of high human activity serving as points of contact for cross-species transmission. “This study was really motivated by seeing a large, important gap in our knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a broader wildlife community,” said Joseph Hoyt, assistant professor of biological sciences in Virginia Tech’s College of Science and corresponding author on the paper. “A lot of studies to date have focused on white-tailed deer while what is happening in much of our common backyard wildlife remains unknown.” The research team collected 798 nasal and oral swabs from animals across Virginia, either live-trapped in the field and released or being treated by wildlife rehabilitation centers. They also obtained 126 blood samples from six species. The locations were chosen to compare the presence of the virus in animals in sites with varying levels of human activity, from urban areas to remote wilderness. The study also identified two mice at the same site on the same day with the exact same variant, indicating they either both got it from the same human or one infected the other. Researchers are uncertain about the means of transmission from humans to animals. One possibility is wastewater, but the Virginia Tech scientists believe trash receptacles and discarded food are more likely sources. “I think the big take-home message is the virus is pretty ubiquitous,” said Amanda Goldberg, a former postdoctoral associate in Hoyt’s lab and the study’s first author. “We found positives in a large suite of common backyard animals.” While this study focused on Virginia, many of the species that tested positive are common backyard wildlife found throughout North America. It is likely they are being exposed in other areas as well, and surveillance across a broader region is urgently needed, Hoyt said. “The virus is indifferent to whether its host walks on two legs or four. Its primary objective is survival. Mutations that do not confer a survival or replication advantage to the virus will not persist and will eventually disappear,” said Finkielstein, who is also director of the Virginia Tech Molecular Diagnostics Lab. The Roanoke lab was established in April 2020 to expand COVID-19 testing. “We understood the critical importance of sequencing the genome of the virus infecting those species. It was a monumental task that could only be accomplished by a talented group of molecular biologists, bioinformaticians, and modelers in a state-of-the-art facility. I am proud of my team and my collaborators, their professionalism, and everything they contributed to ensure our success.” Scientists emphasize the need for continued surveillance for these mutations and caution against dismissing them. More research is necessary to understand how the virus is transmitted from humans to wildlife, how it might spread within a species, and potentially from one species to another. “This study highlights the potentially large host range SARS-CoV-2 can have in nature and really how widespread it might be,” Hoyt said. “There is a lot of work to be done to understand which species of wildlife, if any, will be important in the long-term maintenance of SARS-CoV-2 in humans.” Finkielstein added, “But what we’ve already learned is that SARS-CoV-2 is not only a human problem and that it takes a heck of a multidisciplinary team to address its impact on various species and ecosystems effectively.” Other authors on the paper include: - Kate Langwig, associate professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Fralin Life Sciences Institute - James Weger-Lucarelli, assistant professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine - Anne Brown, associate professor, Department of Biochemistry - Amanda Goldberg, former postdoctoral associate, Department of Biological Sciences - Jeffrey Marano, graduate research assistant, Department of Biological Sciences - Pallavi Rai, graduate research assistant, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine - Kelsi King, graduate research assistant, Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology - Amanda Sharp, graduate research assistant, Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology - Christopher Kailing, graduate research assistant, Department of Biological Sciences - Macy Kailing, graduate research assistant, Department of Biological Sciences - Members of the Virginia Tech Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory: Katherine L. Brown, Alessandro Ceci, Russell Briggs, Matthew G. Urbano, Clinton Roby Credit: Virginia Tech 2024-08-03 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. -
0
Supreme Court Ruling Shifts Trump's Election Subversion Case Back to D.C.
The high-profile case involving former President Donald Trump’s alleged efforts to obstruct the 2020 election results is poised to return to the control of a federal judge in Washington, D.C. This comes after a Supreme Court decision that clarified the extent of presidential immunity from prosecution. The Supreme Court’s ruling on July 1 determined that while presidents possess broad immunity when performing their core constitutional duties, they can still face trial for private conduct or certain official acts that fall outside these duties. This landmark decision, split along ideological lines at 6-3, now charges U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan with the complex task of deciphering which of Trump’s actions related to the 2020 election can be prosecuted. Judge Chutkan’s forthcoming decisions are expected to be intricate and potentially lengthy, making a trial before the November election highly improbable. According to Randall Eliason, a former federal prosecutor and current law professor at George Washington University, the urgency that once surrounded this case has diminished since the Supreme Court’s ruling. He pointed out, “There’s no point in haste now, because there’s no way to do the trial now before the election. If Trump wins in November and returns to the White House in January, his Justice Department would be expected to drop the case, and he could not be prosecuted while in office anyway. If he loses, there will be plenty of time to do a trial next year and get all the issues right.” Barbara McQuade, another former federal prosecutor and now a professor at the University of Michigan, echoed the sentiment that while it is technically possible for Judge Chutkan to hold hearings or a “mini trial” to decide on the admissibility of certain evidence and allegations, the likelihood of such proceedings occurring before the election is slim. “Prosecutors and judges have to be thinking about the case, and not the election,” McQuade stated. “If I’m the prosecutor, I want to go by [written filings] because it is quick and I’m not subjecting witnesses to cross-examination repeatedly over time, which could create problems down the road and can take a very long time.” The Supreme Court’s ruling has set a Friday deadline for the case to be returned to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, which is expected to send it back to Judge Chutkan. She will need to address several key questions: which alleged acts by Trump fall under the executive branch’s exclusive constitutional authority and are thus immune from prosecution, which are official acts but still prosecutable because they pose no danger to presidential powers, and which acts involve private conduct and are prosecutable. Carolyn Shapiro, a professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law, highlighted the challenges Judge Chutkan will face in answering these questions due to the lack of clear guidance from the Supreme Court. She noted that Judge Chutkan will likely seek input from both Trump's defense team and special counsel Jack Smith to determine the next steps. Trump's legal team is expected to continue employing strategies to slow down or dismiss parts of the case, similar to their approach following the Supreme Court’s immunity decision in other legal matters. Special counsel Jack Smith may also adjust his indictment strategy, potentially dropping allegations that are clearly shielded from prosecution while pushing forward with those that are not. The 45-page indictment in D.C. alleges that Trump conspired to overturn the 2020 election results by using false claims of election fraud to obstruct the government’s processes. The indictment outlines five key methods used by Trump: pressuring officials in swing states to flip electoral votes, attempting to submit fraudulent slates of electors, threatening Justice Department leaders to open sham investigations, pressuring Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election results during Congress’s certification, and exploiting the Capitol riot to disrupt Congress. However, the Supreme Court ruling has directly impacted the indictment by barring prosecution for Trump’s discussions with the Justice Department and hobbling Smith's pursuit based on Trump’s discussions with Pence. Special counsel Smith may argue that Pence was acting as president of the Senate and not as an executive branch adviser, but Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. was silent on whether this argument satisfies the court's test. Smith may continue to argue that Trump’s statements and actions, such as promoting slates of fake electors and pressuring state officials, were made as a candidate and therefore are unofficial acts. However, proving these charges will require careful examination by Judge Chutkan to determine whether Trump was acting in his official capacity or as part of a private scheme. The Supreme Court also limited prosecutors by ruling that a president’s motives cannot be considered when weighing whether conduct is immune and that official acts cannot be used as evidence for prosecuting unofficial acts. This could hinder prosecutors' ability to prove corrupt motive or intent, which is crucial in criminal law. Despite these limitations, there is still a sense of urgency to resolve the case. McQuade emphasized that the public has a right to a speedy trial, and if Trump is not re-elected, the case will eventually go to trial. Prosecutors and the judge have a duty to act with urgency to protect that right. “There is some urgency to the case because the public has a right to a speedy trial just as the defense does,” she said. “And if Donald Trump is not elected president, this case will go to trial eventually, so the prosecution and judge have a duty to protect that right by acting with urgency.” As the case moves forward, it will be crucial to observe how Judge Chutkan navigates the Supreme Court’s directives and balances the need for a thorough examination of the evidence with the public’s right to a timely resolution. The legal and political ramifications of this case are significant, and the outcomes could have lasting impacts on the interpretation of presidential immunity and the accountability of elected officials. Credit: W.P. 2024-08-02 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. -
0
Man Accused of Beheading Father & Posting Head on Youtube Deemed Competent for Trial
Justin Mohn, accused of decapitating his father and posting a video of the severed head online, has been declared competent to stand trial. The ruling, made by Judge Stephen Corr after a nearly five-hour hearing, means that Mohn will face charges of first-degree murder, abusing a corpse, and other related crimes. Mohn, dressed in a yellow jumpsuit with “inmate” printed on the back and hands cuffed in front of him, attended the hearing where he frequently smiled, nodded, or shook his head during testimony. The judge also granted Mohn’s request to dismiss his public defender and appoint a new attorney, to which Mohn responded affirmatively when asked if he would cooperate with the new lawyer. The case has garnered significant attention due to the nature of the crime and Mohn's subsequent arrest at a National Guard base, two hours away from his Levittown home. The video of the decapitation, which had already been widely viewed online, added to the case's notoriety. During the hearing, Dr. Kelly Chamberlain, a forensic psychologist and prosecution witness, testified that Mohn appeared intelligent, calm, and socially appropriate during her two meetings with him. She noted that Mohn disagreed with his attorney’s strategy of using a mental health defense, suggesting that he was appropriately self-interested. Chamberlain disputed the findings of defense expert Dr. John Markey, who initially diagnosed Mohn with schizophrenia but later revised it to delusional disorder. Markey pointed to Mohn’s claims of being the messiah and his belief in being persecuted by the federal government. Mohn’s delusions extended to thinking his public defender was a federal agent working against him, and he even wrote a letter to Russia’s ambassador to the United States seeking refuge, while apologizing to President Vladimir Putin for claiming to be the czar of Russia. “It’s all delusional,” Markey stated. Chamberlain, however, interpreted Mohn’s claims differently. She believed that while his writings could be seen as delusional, they were more rhetorical, indicating his feeling of being wronged by society. She mentioned that Mohn wrote about “Satanic” cults within the U.S. believing he was the messiah, a point Mohn agreed with during her testimony. Corrections officer Ralph Taylor, another prosecution witness, described Mohn as “extremely polite” and respectful in jail, further supporting the prosecution’s argument that Mohn was competent to participate in his legal defense. Judge Corr directly questioned Mohn at the start of the proceedings, and Mohn demonstrated an understanding of the charges against him, including the “most serious” charge of first-degree murder. Prosecutors allege that Mohn fatally shot his father, Michael Mohn, with a pistol before using a kitchen knife and machete to decapitate him. Justin Mohn then recorded a video holding his father’s head, identifying him as a 20-year federal employee, and calling for violence against the government. Blood stains and a computer with several open tabs, including YouTube, were found in the room where the video was recorded. In the video, Mohn espoused various conspiracy theories and ranted about the Biden administration, immigration, fiscal policy, urban crime, and the war in Ukraine. The video was available on YouTube for several hours before being taken down. Justin Mohn is being held without bail and faces charges of first-degree murder, abusing a corpse, and possession of instruments of crime. The ruling of his competency ensures that the case will proceed to trial, where the gruesome details and Mohn’s mental state will be scrutinized in the courtroom. Credit: NBC News 2024-08-03 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. -
0
Kremlin Gets what it wants Calculated Hostage Strategy
Russia and its close ally Belarus have successfully negotiated a significant prisoner exchange with the United States and Germany. This deal has resulted in the release of several high-profile detainees, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, retired U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, and the Russian-British journalist and Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza. Additionally, some Russian dissidents, allies of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, were freed and allowed to leave Russia. While the release of these individuals is undoubtedly good news, the stark reality remains that Russia has effectively engaged in hostage-taking, leveraging the lives of innocent people for strategic gains. This exchange marks one of the largest of its kind since the Cold War, during which the United States and the Soviet Union typically traded spies quietly and in small numbers. Notably, one of the largest Cold War exchanges occurred in 1985, when 25 East German political prisoners were traded for three Soviet spies and one Polish agent. In the post-Cold War era, a significant exchange involved ten deep-cover Russian spies arrested by the FBI in 2010, who were traded for four prisoners from Russia. The scale of the current exchange raises questions about why the Russians have chosen to act now and release such a large number of prisoners. The underlying reason for this exchange appears to be that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his advisors believe the timing and the balance of assets are finally in their favor. They have strategically arrested individuals on minor or fabricated charges, using them as bargaining chips until the West offered enough in return to make the deal worthwhile for Moscow. An earlier attempt to negotiate the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner, as reported by CNN, failed because the United States alone could not offer a prisoner held in Germany. This time, however, the Russians included a German citizen, arrested for possession of cannabis gummies, alongside more prominent detainees, tipping the scales in their favor. Prisoner swaps serve multiple purposes for Russia, regardless of the timing. Firstly, they create a false equivalence between the West and Russia in the public eye. By framing these exchanges as "prisoner swaps," the media inadvertently suggest a level of parity: both sides have prisoners and make deals. This obscures the fact that while the West holds Russian murderers and spies, Russia detains Western journalists and ordinary citizens. Secondly, and more critically, these swaps send a clear message to those doing the Kremlin's bidding overseas: Putin will not abandon them. Unlike the disavowal of agents depicted in American media like "Mission: Impossible," Putin reassures his operatives that he will go to great lengths to bring them home if they are caught. Despite the grim motivations behind these deals, democracies are compelled to engage in them to protect their citizens. The lives of innocent individuals matter, and efforts to bring them back to their families are paramount. However, each successful deal reinforces Putin's assurance to his agents and hitmen that their crimes will not go unpunished, as he will always work to secure their release. Negotiating these deals is a lengthy process, taking weeks, months, or even years. Consequently, it is unwise to link this deal too closely to American politics. The Kremlin operates on its own timeline, independent of U.S. electoral cycles, and is indifferent to whether the deal benefits President Joe Biden or undermines former President Donald Trump's claims of unique efficacy in securing releases. To the Kremlin, such considerations are mere background noise. The timing of the deal likely coincides with a strategic decision to act when the terms were most favorable, rather than waiting for a new administration. While the release of Gershkovich, Whelan, Kara-Murza, and others is cause for celebration among Americans and their European allies, it is crucial to recognize that the Kremlin has achieved its goals. This exchange serves as a reminder to Westerners that setting foot in Russia could result in becoming the next bargaining chip for future deals. As part of this exchange, the Russians are set to receive a mix of criminals, including Vadim Krasikov, a colonel in the Russian intelligence services sentenced to life in a German prison for executing a Kremlin-ordered hit on a dissident in Berlin. Moscow's demands also reportedly include a Russian money launderer in an American prison and two Russian spies apprehended in Slovenia. This strategic maneuvering by the Kremlin underscores the ongoing geopolitical chess game, where human lives are regrettably used as pawns to achieve broader political objectives. Credit: The Atlantic 2024-08-03 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. -
0
Judge Upholds Anonymity for Wolverhampton Machete Attack Murderers
A judge has upheld the anonymity of two 12-year-old boys found guilty of the brutal murder of Shawn Seesahai in Wolverhampton. The court rejected a media application to name the young convicts, emphasizing that their welfare outweighed the principles of public interest and open justice. The case has drawn significant attention due to the shocking nature of the crime and the tender age of the perpetrators, who are among the youngest defendants convicted of murder in Britain since the notorious case of Robert Thompson and Jon Venables in 1993. The tragic incident occurred on November 13th of the previous year, in the Stowlawn playing fields of Wolverhampton. Nineteen-year-old Shawn Seesahai was fatally attacked, sustaining a machete wound to the heart and a skull fracture. The court heard that the attack lasted scarcely more than a minute, yet resulted in devastating injuries. One of the boys used a machete to inflict severe wounds on Seesahai’s legs and heart, while the other punched and stamped on his head. Seesahai's injuries were catastrophic: his back and legs were slashed, his skull was fractured, and a 23cm-deep machete wound pierced through his right lung and heart, nearly exiting his chest. Four media organizations—PA news agency, ITN, NewsCorp, and Associated Newspapers—argued that the anonymity granted to the defendants under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act should be lifted. They cited significant public interest and the need for open justice. Jude Bunting KC, representing three of the media organizations, contended that the murder fell into a category of high public interest, involving the prevalent issue of knife crime. He asserted that naming the boys would enable the media to investigate potential institutional failures and better inform public debate. However, Mrs. Justice Tipples, presiding over the case at Nottingham Crown Court, rejected the application. She accepted the evidence contained in pre-sentence reports and from social workers, which indicated that naming the boys would have a severely detrimental impact on their welfare. One of the defendants, still aged 12, was described as vulnerable with extremely complex needs, and identifying him was said to have an extremely detrimental impact on his mental health. The other boy, who turned 13 after the conviction, was similarly at risk of negative attention within the custodial setting if his identity were disclosed. In her ruling, Mrs. Justice Tipples acknowledged the shocking nature of the killing, given the very young age of the defendants. However, she emphasized that the welfare of the youths, who both face mandatory life sentences, outweighed the broader public interest and principles of open justice. The judge noted that the evidence from social workers and pre-sentence reports was compelling, demonstrating that naming the boys would significantly harm their mental health and safety. Defense counsel Rachel Brand KC and Paul Lewis KC opposed the media application, underscoring the importance of prioritizing the boys' welfare over public interest. Brand argued that the welfare of the boy who is still 12 should be given heavier consideration than public interest factors. Lewis, representing the boy who has turned 13, urged the court to focus on the specific facts of Seesahai’s killing rather than abstract principles from previous cases. He questioned how naming the two boys would better inform public debate, stating, "There is no evidence that to name two 12-year-olds would provide any deterrent." The victim’s family had expressed the belief that the boys should be named. However, Mrs. Justice Tipples focused on the particular needs of the young defendants and the compelling evidence regarding their welfare. The decision underscores the court's commitment to safeguarding the welfare of young offenders, even in the face of severe public scrutiny and media interest. Following the judgment, Jude Bunting KC acknowledged that an appeal against the ruling in a higher court was unlikely. He had previously submitted that the murder was within a category identified during a previous case as having a high public interest, noting the substantial public concern surrounding knife crime. However, the judge's decision to prioritize the welfare of the young defendants over public interest considerations reflects the nuanced and complex nature of justice in cases involving juvenile offenders. The youths are due to be sentenced in September, with their identities remaining protected to safeguard their welfare as mandated by the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act. The case highlights the ongoing tension between the principles of open justice and the need to protect vulnerable young offenders, raising important questions about how society balances these competing interests. Credit: The Guardian 2024-08-03 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. -
0
Russian-Linked Fake News Outlet Fueled Lies About Southport Stabbings, Igniting UK Riots
The dissemination of false information about the Southport stabbings is part of Vladimir Putin's "grey warfare" strategy against the West, according to Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of MI6. Russian state media were among the entities that wrongly identified the suspect in the Southport stabbings as an asylum seeker who arrived in the United Kingdom on a small boat. This misinformation played a role in inciting violence in Hartlepool, London, and Southport, resulting in injuries to dozens of police officers in clashes with far-right protesters. Sir Richard Dearlove emphasized that the spread of fake news is a core tactic used by Putin’s regime to destabilize Western nations. He explained to LBC's Nick Ferrari, "What I can tell you is that we’re in a state of grey warfare with Russia – we may not feel that we are, but they certainly think they are. The exploitation of that space is a fundamental tactic in their conflict with the West. So if these bots have been used to stir up through social media a violent response, I’m not the slightest bit surprised. People just don’t seem to understand the extent of the Russian attitude to conflict and the way every aspect of their relationship with us will be seen as a basis to attack us." In March, the Kremlin initiated a disinformation campaign that falsely accused MI6 and other Western intelligence agencies of orchestrating a terror attack in Moscow. This is part of a broader strategy where, according to Sir Richard, Russia perceives itself in an existential conflict with the West. "The Russians think they’re in an existential conflict with us. That’s my view of the international situation. I think we are slightly complacent and I don’t think people necessarily understand the danger that we’re in," he noted. Sir Richard admitted he had not specifically heard of Channel3Now, the fake news website responsible for spreading false information about the Southport attacker. However, he acknowledged it as part of Russia’s broader disinformation operations. "Clearly, it’s one of the sources of this activity out of Russia. I think the people running these [sites] have a pretty open instruction to exploit opportunities as they identify them. They’re not going to get clearance from Putin, but it’s part of the nature of their setup and how they operate … They’re not going to act with restraint." Highlighting the personal impact of such activities, Sir Richard revealed that his own email account had been targeted by Russian hackers, despite him no longer holding an intelligence role. "You can see the extent of the effort they’re prepared to put into these activities. I can’t say I’m a strategically crucial person." Addressing the role of social media in this context, Sir Richard responded to concerns about X, formerly Twitter, under Elon Musk’s ownership, suggesting that Musk's management style reflects a broader ideological split in the United States between proponents of control and advocates of absolute freedom and anarchy. This view aligns with concerns expressed by Lord Mann, the government's independent adviser on anti-Semitism, who urged Sir Keir Starmer to regulate the platform. "The way Twitter is framing its algorithms towards violent extremism requires careful but decisive action from legislators. Online harm is back on the agenda," Lord Mann wrote. The fake news website with connections to Russia has been found to have played a significant role in spreading false information about the Southport stabbings, which led to a series of violent riots throughout the UK. On Monday, a 17-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the killing of three young girls attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport. This mass stabbing rampage also resulted in nine others being critically injured. The suspect, named Axel Rudakubana after a judge lifted reporting restrictions, was charged and brought to court. In the immediate aftermath of the killings, a social media account named Channel3 Now, masquerading as an American news network, falsely claimed that the alleged murderer was an asylum seeker named Ali Al-Shakati, who was "on the MI6 watch list" and "known to mental health services." This false information was quickly amplified by Russian state media and far-right influencers Tommy Robinson and Andrew Tate, who claimed the suspect was an "illegal migrant" who had recently entered the country on a small boat. The initial post by Channel3 News was viewed nearly two million times before it was eventually deleted. The site's 'Editor' later posted an AI-generated apology, claiming that the team responsible for the post had been "sacked." However, the damage had already been done. Merseyside Police released a statement clarifying that the name pushed by Channel3 News was "incorrect" and that the suspect was born in Cardiff. Despite this, hundreds of far-right hooligans hijacked a vigil for the victims in Southport, attacking police and chanting "English til I die" before trashing the town center and setting a police van on fire. More than 1,000 people descended on Westminster last night as the rioting intensified. The misinformation spread by Channel3 News played a significant role in amplifying the far-right response. An investigation by the Mail revealed that Channel3 Now, which claims to be based in the US, actually began as a Russian YouTube channel 11 years ago. Its first video, posted in 2013, depicted Russian men rally-driving in the snow in Izhevsk, a city about 750 miles east of Moscow. The drivers in the videos were later found to have connections to Russia’s defense and IT industries, including a man who appears to be a former KGB operative who has since served in Russia’s parliament. Channel3 Now lay inactive for six years before reemerging in 2019, posting a series of scattershot news pieces, including a story about a tiger being beaten to death and a match report from the Manchester City Women’s team. The organization has since rebranded itself multiple times, changing its name to aliases such as "Fox3 News" and "Fox3 Now" to mimic legitimate news organizations. Last June, it set up a website accused of sharing "racially motivated click-bait." Although Channel3 claims to be based in the US, it is registered with an online hosting company in Lithuania and uses privacy features to hide its owner’s identity. The first mention of the Southport suspect’s false name was shared on Twitter by a well-known UK anti-lockdown activist, around five hours after the stabbings took place. Channel3 repeated the claim just two minutes later, and it was then picked up by Russian state broadcaster Russia Today. Although Channel3 deleted the tweet containing the false name, RT kept it on their website, adding an Editor’s Note stating, "The outlet has later retracted the claim." Conservative security advisor Stephen McPartland suggested that Russia could be behind a social media misinformation campaign designed to inflame tensions in the UK. A report by McPartland, which Rishi Sunak pledged to implement but was left on the shelf following the change in government, called for a substantial review of cybersecurity and social media misinformation. He stated, "Disinformation to undermine democracy is a huge part of the Russian playbook and just in May the British government expelled a Russian defense attache and accused the Russian Federal Security Service [FSB] of systemic malign cyberattacks aimed at undermining democracy." "The tragic events in Southport are being mobilized by hostile states to stir up hatred and division instead of letting the community grieve. We need much more cyber-resilience throughout our whole society and economy to defend democracy." Credit: Metro 2024-08-03 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. 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