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Southport Stabbing: Child Killed and Several Injured in Taylor Swift-Themed Workshop Attack
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[QUIZ]30 August - Rock & Roll - The Early Years
I just completed this quiz. My Score 30/100 My Time 80 seconds -
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Tim Walz: The Unexpected Strength Behind Harris’s VP Pick
It seems that MAGA fans need to blow off steam! 😀 -
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Kremlin Mocks DOJ Indictments, Urges MAGA Media Allies to Seek Asylum in Russia
The recent Department of Justice indictments targeting employees of RT, Russia's state-controlled propaganda outlet, have been met with open derision and mockery in Moscow. The charges, which revealed a plot to funnel millions of dollars to a MAGA media group in the United States, were brushed off by Russian officials, who responded with a mix of jeers and veiled admissions. Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of RT, led the charge on her Telegram channel, where she posted a series of mocking messages. "Ptooey, they finally woke up!" Simonyan wrote, mocking US authorities for taking so long to uncover RT's activities. The indictment, unsealed this week, alleged that prominent right-wing influencers like Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, and Benny Johnson were secretly funded by Russian state media employees to produce favorable content. Among those caught up in the indictment were the founders of Tenet Media, widely believed to be Lauren Chen and Liam Donovan. Following the indictment, Blaze Media CEO Tyler Cardon announced that Chen had been fired, stating, "Lauren Chen was an independent contractor whose contract has been terminated." Simonyan, in her posts, noted that the accused influencers were denying any knowledge of the source of the funds they received. "Bloggers, of course, deny everything, but what else can they do?" she commented. She also praised the efforts of her team, writing, "Excellent work, team!" and dismissed the US reaction as “paranoia,” without bothering to deny the accusations. This attitude is consistent with Simonyan's past behavior, as she has frequently boasted about RT's role in destabilizing the United States. During several appearances on state television, she has proudly spoken of creating "an entire empire of covert projects" aimed at spreading Russian propaganda under various disguises. In 2022, Simonyan admitted, “When they [Western governments] conducted carpet bombing against us and destroyed everything, denying us any access to disseminating information, we came to our senses and started to penetrate their defenses using partisan trails: under other names, with different people, in new ways. I won’t disclose the rest here.” While Simonyan feigned indifference, other prominent figures in Russian state media appeared more concerned. Andrey Lugovoy, a State Duma member and former KGB officer found responsible for the 2006 radiation poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in London, expressed confusion over how RT managed to transfer $10 million to US influencers. The host of the state TV show "Evening With Vladimir Solovyov," Vladimir Solovyov, was visibly shaken by the indictment of his friend Dimitri Simes, who has often appeared on his show to criticize US policies and justify Russia's actions in Ukraine. Solovyov and his fellow propagandists even suggested that Tucker Carlson might be the next target of US authorities and urged the Russian government to offer asylum to all involved. Karen Shakhnazarov, Director General of Mosfilm, praised Simes as a “hero who made his choice” and is now paying the price. Shakhnazarov sarcastically noted, “Margo Simonyan is making American presidents left and right,” and speculated that the charges against RT and Simes were politically motivated, aiming to weaken “our Donald” in the run-up to the US presidential election. Russian state media figures have long admitted their support for Donald Trump, often referring to him affectionately as "Trumpushka." The recent indictments have done little to shake this allegiance, with prominent Russian commentators continuing to express their hope for Trump’s return to power, seeing it as beneficial to Russia’s interests. As Shakhnazarov bluntly put it, "Trump is a direct path to civil war in the United States." Credit: Daily Beast 2024-09-09 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Arrest of Pakistani Man Foils ISIS-Inspired Plot to Attack NYC Jewish Center on October 7th
A Pakistani man has been arrested in connection with a chilling ISIS-inspired plot to target a Jewish center in Brooklyn, New York, with the intent to kill “as many Jewish people as possible,” federal prosecutors announced on Friday. The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, allegedly aimed to carry out the attack on the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ October 7th assault on Israel. Khan, who resided in Canada, was apprehended on Wednesday as he attempted to cross the US border to execute his plan. His arrest was confirmed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, who commended the collaboration between US and Canadian law enforcement. "As I said to Canada’s Minister of Public Safety yesterday, we are deeply grateful to our Canadian partners for their critical law enforcement actions in this matter,” Garland stated. He further emphasized that “Jewish communities — like all communities in this country — should not have to fear that they will be targeted by a hate-fueled terrorist attack.” According to the federal complaint, Khan, who also goes by the alias “Shahzeb Jadoon,” had begun sharing ISIS propaganda on social media in 2023, publicly expressing his support for the terror organization. During conversations with undercover FBI agents, Khan revealed that he and another ISIS supporter based in the United States were plotting attacks on Jewish centers across the country. They were actively seeking assault rifles and other materials needed to carry out their planned atrocities. Khan indicated in his messages that the dates of October 7th and October 11th were ideal for targeting Jewish people. He wrote, “Oct 7th and oct 11th are the best days for targeting the jews” because “oct 7 they will surely have some protests and oct 11 is yom.kippur.” He pointed to New York as a prime location for their attack, noting, “New york is perfect to target jews” because it has the “largest Jewish population In america” and asserted that “even if we don’t attack a[n] Event[,] we could rack up easily a lot of jews.” He chillingly claimed, “we are going to nyc to slaughter them,” and even sent a photograph of the intended target, though the specific location was not disclosed by authorities. Khan began his journey toward the US border in three separate vehicles but was intercepted by federal authorities near Ormstown, Quebec, just 12 miles from the US border. If convicted of the charges against him, which include attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS, Khan could face up to 20 years in prison. The case is currently being overseen by the Manhattan federal prosecutor’s office, though it remains unclear when Khan will be extradited to the United States to face these serious charges. Credit: NYP 2024-09-09 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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The Rising Tide of Far-Right Politics in Eastern Germany is Not Over Yet
The rise of far-right politics in eastern Germany shows no signs of slowing down. Ingolf, a former conservative voter in the tiny village of Jämlitz near the Polish border, expresses a sentiment shared by many: “If the old parties had done their jobs properly, then the AfD would not exist.” This reflects a sense of disillusionment among eastern Germans, or “Ossis,” who feel looked down upon by the rest of the country. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) recently won the most votes in regional elections in Thuringia and is predicted to do the same in Brandenburg’s upcoming election. In Jämlitz and neighboring Klein Düben, support for the AfD has surged, reflecting broader political unrest. Ingolf, who recalls better educational standards during the days of the German Democratic Republic, is frustrated with Germany’s stagnant economy and rising immigration, comparing recent far-right riots in England to “civil war-like conditions”—a narrative fueling fears of potential clashes in Germany’s multicultural communities. “That’s not what we want here in Germany,” he adds, reflecting the general unease in his quiet village. Support for the AfD extends beyond domestic issues. The party’s stance on Ukraine, particularly its call to stop sending weapons to Kyiv, has resonated with many in the east. Yvonne, another local resident, criticizes the financial aid being sent abroad, saying, “This is our tax money that is sent abroad. We have enough things to fix in our own country.” She is also considering supporting the new Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), another anti-establishment party that opposes arms supplies to Ukraine. While Wagenknecht’s “left-wing conservatism” has propelled her party into the spotlight, critics argue that it represents yet another populist, pro-Putin movement undermining key aspects of German foreign policy. Yvonne’s hesitation to take a firm stance on the Ukraine war illustrates a broader regional ambivalence, particularly among older generations who grew up learning Russian during the GDR years. For them, pacifism remains a deeply ingrained value, especially given Germany’s history with two World Wars. Yvonne expresses concerns about potential escalation: “Poland is not big, and we are then the first ones to go when the tanks come across.” In local elections, 57.5% of voters in Jämlitz backed the AfD, while across the wider district, support was also unusually high at 43.7%. The appeal of the AfD in eastern Germany persists despite the party being officially classified as right-wing extremist in three states. In Thuringia, the AfD recently secured 36% of the vote among those under 30, underscoring its growing influence among younger voters. Despite being viewed as a far-right extremist group, its supporters vehemently reject this label. When visiting a local lake that has been transformed from an open-cast coal mine, most people were reluctant to discuss politics, highlighting the sensitive nature of these conversations in the area. Katrin, a local resident who disapproves of the AfD, sums up the confusion surrounding the party’s popularity: “Half the people here didn’t vote for the AfD,” she reminds us. She finds it difficult to comprehend why so many of her neighbors are drawn to far-right ideology, despite relatively stable living conditions. “Life is actually good for people in the community,” she says, attributing the AfD’s rise to a misguided “grass-is-greener” mentality. Mainstream parties, including those in Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition, are struggling to understand or effectively respond to the success of the AfD and BSW, which are polling at 18% and 8% nationally, respectively. As these fringe movements gain traction, the traditional, consensus-driven nature of German politics is increasingly under threat. Credit: BBC 2024-09-09 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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BBC Accused of Bias in Israel-Hamas Coverage: Over 1,500 Breaches of Guidelines
A recent report has accused the BBC of violating its editorial guidelines more than 1,500 times during its coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict, revealing a pattern of alleged bias against Israel. The investigation, led by British lawyer Trevor Asserson, analyzed four months of BBC content across various platforms, including television, radio, online news, podcasts, and social media. The report highlighted that Israel was associated with terms like genocide significantly more than Hamas, raising questions about the BBC's impartiality. Former BBC executive Danny Cohen has called the findings an "institutional crisis" and advocated for an independent inquiry into the broadcaster's coverage of the war. This call was echoed by Jewish groups such as the Campaign Against Antisemitism and the National Jewish Assembly, who criticized the BBC for its perceived lack of neutrality. The Asserson report, which analyzed approximately nine million words of BBC content, identified 1,553 instances where the corporation allegedly breached its guidelines on impartiality, accuracy, editorial values, and public interest. The findings noted that the BBC often portrayed Israel as a militaristic and aggressive state while downplaying acts of terrorism by Hamas. Specific accusations were made against prominent BBC journalists, including Jeremy Bowen and Lyse Doucet, who were alleged to have shown sympathy towards Hamas and minimized the severity of the group’s attacks. The report was particularly critical of the BBC's Arabic channel, which it claimed to be among the most biased in its coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict. It identified instances where BBC reporters had made public statements supporting Hamas, which were not disclosed to viewers. The analysis also found that Israel was associated with war crimes far more frequently than Hamas, despite the latter openly publicizing acts that could constitute such crimes. Public criticism of the BBC intensified following the October 7 massacre in southern Israel, when Hamas killed around 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages. Despite Hamas being officially recognized as a terrorist organization, the report found that the BBC labeled the group as such only 3.2% of the time during the period analyzed. This perceived reluctance to clearly identify Hamas as terrorists drew widespread condemnation, including from MPs and Jewish community leaders. Calls for an independent review of the BBC's coverage have grown louder, with several prominent figures questioning the broadcaster's adherence to its own editorial standards. Sir Oliver Dowden, the shadow deputy prime minister, expressed concern that the BBC’s alleged failure to maintain impartiality could damage its global reputation. Julia Lopez, the shadow culture secretary, warned that any perceived bias undermines public trust in the BBC, particularly in a media landscape increasingly fraught with misinformation. Further criticism came from Lord Austin, who described the BBC’s stance as failing to meet the standards of impartiality that justify its public funding. The Campaign Against Antisemitism has called for fundamental reform of the broadcaster, arguing that a transparent public inquiry is necessary to address the issues raised by the report. Trevor Asserson, a long-standing critic of BBC bias, has launched a new organization, Campaign for Media Standards, aimed at scrutinizing UK media for similar biases. He emphasized that the BBC's deviation from its responsibility as a public service broadcaster to deliver unbiased news, especially in its Arabic content, raises questions about its suitability for continued public funding. Credit: Sunday Telegraph 2024-09-09 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Trump's Fiery Immigration Rhetoric Signals Potential for Turbulent Future
Former President Donald Trump has intensified his immigration rhetoric, warning that the removal of migrants from the United States would be a "bloody story" if he is reelected in the upcoming election. Speaking at a campaign rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin, Trump’s remarks aligned closely with the Republican National Committee’s newly unveiled 2024 platform, which advocates for aggressive immigration enforcement and mass deportations. During the rally, Trump declared, “And ya know getting them out will be a bloody story,” referring to his plans for large-scale removal of undocumented immigrants. He emphasized that these individuals “should have never been allowed to come into our country. Nobody checked them.” His comments, which underscore the hardline stance he intends to take on immigration if reelected, were captured in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) by the account @KamalaHQ. The video quickly gained traction, amassing over 260,000 views. The Republican National Committee (RNC) formalized its new immigration policy priorities on July 15 during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The platform positions the GOP firmly against the “open-border policies” they claim have led to a surge in illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and migrant crime. Among the key points are plans to seal the border, carry out the largest deportation operation in American history, and crack down on foreign drug cartels and gang violence. The platform also promises to reinstate policies from Trump’s previous administration, such as the "Remain in Mexico" policy, and to complete the border wall. Ohio Senator JD Vance, Trump’s vice-presidential pick, echoed Trump’s sentiments at the convention, emphasizing the necessity of deporting individuals who have violated U.S. laws. Vance’s campaign has been particularly explicit, asserting that “We need to deport every single person who invaded our country illegally.” Trump has claimed that between 15 and 20 million people could be deported under his plan, though official estimates place the number of undocumented migrants in the U.S. at around 11 million. Vance’s aggressive stance on immigration, however, contrasts with his personal life. His wife, Usha, is the daughter of Indian immigrants, whom he has praised for enriching the country. This has sparked some criticism from extremist figures within Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, questioning the authenticity of Vance’s views. Additionally, some Republican lawmakers have raised concerns about the feasibility of mass deportations. Representative Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican representing the largest stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border, has expressed doubts, stating, “You’re not going to round up 10 million people and deport them. It’s simple—you do not have the infrastructure to do that.” The immigration debate has become increasingly heated as both major political parties present starkly different visions ahead of the 2024 election. While Trump and the RNC advocate for a stringent, enforcement-focused approach, Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, has committed to reviving President Joe Biden’s failed bipartisan border security bill. Recent data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse indicates that over 620,000 immigration court deportation cases were filed in fiscal year 2023, resulting in approximately 236,000 removals—a figure surpassing the peak of 187,000 removals during Trump’s administration in 2019. Gonzales has also warned that a complete border shutdown would severely impact industries across the country, emphasizing that “There’s not one industry that is not tied to the U.S.-Mexico border.” Credit: Newsweek 2024-09-09 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Iranian-Linked Websites Targeting U.S. Minority and Veteran Voters Ahead of Elections
A network of nearly two dozen websites with ties to Tehran is the latest pro-Iranian effort aimed at influencing specific groups of U.S. voters, including minorities and veterans. These fake news websites, identified by a neoconservative think tank, have been spreading disinformation related to the upcoming U.S. elections, raising concerns about Iran's growing interference in the U.S. electoral process. Researchers from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) discovered a network of at least 19 websites posing as news or analysis platforms. Among them is “Afro Majority,” a site promoting Vice President Kamala Harris and Black Lives Matter, and “Not Our War,” which criticizes both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, targeting U.S. veterans. These findings, shared exclusively with POLITICO, suggest a coordinated and expansive influence operation. Five of the websites had been previously identified by other researchers, but the FDD findings indicate they are part of a broader, organized effort. All the sites were found to disseminate at least some pro-Iranian fake news or opinion pieces, such as content praising the Iranian government’s response to recent protests on U.S. college campuses against the war in Gaza. While FDD did not directly link these sites to the Iranian government, five had been previously connected to Tehran by other organizations. Microsoft had earlier exposed two of these websites, “Savannah Time” and “Nio Thinker,” as having ties to the Iranian government. Savannah Time masqueraded as a news outlet for Savannah, Georgia, a critical swing state, while Nio Thinker posed as a left-leaning site aimed at reducing support for Trump. OpenAI also flagged these sites, along with others, as part of an “Iranian influence operation.” Another site, “Westland Sun,” was found to target voters in Michigan, another key swing state in the upcoming election. Many of these websites utilized artificial intelligence, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, to generate their content. Despite being hosted on servers outside the U.S., these websites continue to operate, even those initially identified by Microsoft and OpenAI. FDD has called on the U.S. government to collaborate with international partners to take down these sites. FDD experts informed the Biden administration of their findings before publication but did not specify which agencies were involved. Both the White House and the FBI declined to comment when contacted by POLITICO. Max Lesser, a senior analyst on emerging threats at FDD and one of the report’s authors, stated that the investigation began after Microsoft and OpenAI’s findings were released. “When we first looked at this web hosting server, we saw a lot of domains,” Lesser explained. “We don’t believe that every domain on that server is related, but when we came through and actually looked at each domain on the primary server that was shared between the three domains that Microsoft exposed… we found that these appear to be Iranian influence operations.” Though many of the websites appeared sophisticated at first glance, most lacked author bylines, and those that did often featured nonexistent individuals. Social media accounts linked to the sites were also found to be inoperative. These findings were disclosed weeks after the Trump campaign suffered a hack and leak operation, which U.S. agencies attributed to the Iranian government. The Biden and Harris campaigns were similarly targeted. Additionally, Google Cloud’s Mandiant recently published evidence of an Iranian counterintelligence operation using fake pro-Israeli websites to identify potential dissidents in Iran and abroad who might support Israel. Credit: Politico 2024-09-09 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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The New Cold War: Why the West Must Counter Russia's Covert Influence
The recent revelations by the U.S. government have exposed the alarming scale of Russia's covert efforts to influence the upcoming American presidential election. As Moscow wages a brutal war in Ukraine, it simultaneously deploys subtler, yet equally dangerous, tactics against the West, aiming to tip the scales in favor of Donald Trump and undermine Washington’s support for Kyiv. It is time for Washington and its allies to take a stand and fight back. According to the U.S. Justice Department, Russian state media outlet RT (formerly Russia Today) funneled $10 million to a U.S.-based company as part of a scheme to create and distribute content laced with hidden Russian government messaging. The company, founded by former RT employees, produced content that infiltrated American social media platforms, often employing contracted American pundits. One such commentator falsely accused Ukraine of orchestrating a terror attack in Moscow, which was, in reality, committed by ISIS. The Justice Department also implicated RaHDit, a hacker group with ties to Russian intelligence, in spreading RT’s disinformation and propaganda. Additionally, the Kremlin directed three Russian companies to covertly spread Russian government propaganda aimed at weakening support for Ukraine and influencing elections in the U.S. and other Western countries. Using fake social media profiles, fabricated influencers, and impersonations of legitimate news websites, these companies spread content designed to sow discord among American voters. Internal documents from one of these companies revealed a targeted effort to sway voters in key swing states by exploiting divisive themes such as job loss for white Americans and crimes allegedly committed by people of color and immigrants, including new arrivals from Ukraine. This type of interference is not new. During the Cold War, Soviet operatives regularly conducted covert “active measures” to weaken or influence the United States and other nations. Today, Moscow employs a similar playbook, updated for the digital age, where social media accelerates the spread of disinformation with greater precision. U.S. intelligence now views Russia as the “predominant threat to U.S. elections.” Despite increased scrutiny, Moscow continues to refine its tactics, using front companies, fake social media accounts, and even artificial intelligence to create deep fakes and bolster its online bots. Russia’s meddling extends beyond U.S. borders. Earlier this year, Moscow was accused of attempting to interfere in the UK and EU political arenas, as well as in the upcoming presidential elections in Moldova and Georgia. The Kremlin has become adept at exploiting political, cultural, and socioeconomic divisions in Western countries, seizing on issues such as abortion, gun control, and migration to weaken the West and bolster its preferred candidates. Since Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Washington has taken steps to safeguard its electoral processes and expose Russian influence operations. However, these efforts, while necessary, are insufficient. The U.S. and its allies must go on the offensive, conducting their own information operations to undermine Putin’s regime both within Russia and abroad. These operations should not aim to promote the American Dream but rather focus on messages that will resonate with targeted audiences, such as ethnic minorities in Russia who face systemic repression and have suffered disproportionately in Putin’s war on Ukraine. Additionally, the West should challenge Moscow’s influence in the Global South, where Russian propaganda often enjoys more popularity than Western media. Information operations have become a key tool in Russia’s strategy to weaken America and its allies. The U.S. must modernize its approach to information warfare and confront Moscow with the same intensity it is facing. Only by giving Putin a taste of his own medicine can Washington hope to effectively compete against Moscow in the information space. Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-09-09 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Keir Starmer Condemns Conservatives for Leaving NHS in "Unforgivable" State
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sharply criticized the Conservative Party, accusing them of leaving the National Health Service (NHS) in an "unforgivable" condition. Starmer stated that the Tories began siphoning funds from the NHS when they came to power in 2010 and implemented a series of "hopelessly misconceived" reforms that have left the health service in a dire state. Starmer’s comments come ahead of a much-anticipated report by former health minister and surgeon Ara Darzi, set to be released this Thursday. The report, expected to be candid and thorough, is likely to reveal the severe challenges currently facing the NHS, particularly in the realm of children's care. Starmer remarked, "Everybody watching this who has used the NHS, or whose relatives have, know that it’s broken, they know that it’s broken, that is unforgivable, the state of our NHS." He further elaborated that the financial cuts imposed on the NHS during the early years of the coalition government from 2010, along with the ill-conceived Lansley reforms, significantly contributed to the current state of the health service. "The money that was taken out of the NHS, particularly in the early years of the coalition from 2010 onwards, the Lansley reforms, which were hopelessly misconceived, and then of course Covid on top of all that, which has put us in this awful position for the NHS," Starmer said. The Lansley reforms brought about a sweeping transformation of the NHS's management and bureaucratic framework, emphasizing competition and market-based approaches to care provision. However, these changes coincided with increasing pressure on hospitals and GPs due to a growing and aging population, along with a significant slowdown in government funding. Health experts have criticized the reforms, describing them as "damaging and distracting" and pointing to their role in exacerbating the crises within the NHS. Lord Darzi’s forthcoming report is expected to expose the full extent of the crisis, particularly in children's healthcare. It is anticipated to highlight the troubling statistics, including 100,000 infants left waiting for more than six hours in A&E departments last year and a 60 percent increase in waiting times for infants since 2010. Additionally, it will reveal that around 800,000 children and young people are currently on NHS waiting lists, with 175,000 waiting between six and 12 months and 35,000 waiting more than a year. The report is also likely to draw attention to falling vaccination rates among children, a rise in ADHD prescriptions, and a surge in hospital admissions for children and young people with eating disorders. In his interview, Starmer emphasized that the report will underscore the impact of these policies on children's health, particularly those from the most deprived backgrounds. He said, "It’s the last government that broke the NHS. Our job now through Lord Darzi is to properly understand how that came about and bring about the reforms, starting with the first steps, the 40,000 extra appointments. But we’ve got to do the hard yards of reform as well. And as I say, I think it’s only a Labour government that can do the reform that our NHS needs, and we’ll start on that journey." Tory shadow health secretary Victoria Atkins responded to Starmer's comments by accusing Labour of politicizing children's health rather than offering solutions for NHS reform. She remarked, "Labour’s instinct is to politicize children’s health, rather than provide solutions and reform of our NHS... Labour should stop politicizing our children’s health and the NHS if they are serious about reform." Atkins defended the Conservative government's record, highlighting their efforts to bring more doctors, nurses, and investment into the NHS, including mental health services, and criticized Labour for failing to offer substantial plans for NHS reform since the election. Credit: The Independent 2024-09-09 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Trump Pledges to Restore Free Speech, Labels 'Fake News' a Threat to the Nation
Former President Donald Trump vowed on Saturday to restore free speech in America, claiming that it is currently under threat. Speaking before a crowd of 15,000 supporters at a rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin, Trump arrived in his private jet, dramatically touching down in his Boeing 757, dubbed “Trump Force One.” If re-elected, Trump promised to sign an executive order prohibiting any federal employee from collaborating to limit speech. He also vowed to terminate any federal bureaucrat who has engaged in domestic censorship under the current administration. Trump’s appearance marked his fourth visit to Wisconsin during his campaign but his first trip to the predominantly rural and deeply Republican central region of the battleground state. During his speech, Trump also took aim at Vice President Kamala Harris, criticizing her for her immigration policies, which he argued have exacerbated a national migrant crisis, contributed to rising crime rates, and imposed heavy financial burdens on taxpayers. Trump and Harris are set to face off in a high-stakes presidential debate on Tuesday, adding to the already tense atmosphere of the campaign. Harris, like Trump, has been a frequent visitor to Wisconsin this year, a key battleground state where four of the last six presidential elections have been decided by narrow margins. With Biden having withdrawn his re-election bid in July, recent polls show Harris and Trump locked in a tight race for Wisconsin’s crucial electoral votes. Democrats are focusing on Wisconsin as a critical “blue wall” state that they need to secure victory. In the 2020 election, Biden won Wisconsin by a slim margin of just under 21,000 votes, while Trump carried the state in 2016 by nearly 23,000 votes. Both parties are aware of the importance of the state, and the outcome of this year’s election could once again hinge on a razor-thin margin. Credit: NYP 2024-09-09 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Rising Wave of Anti-Semitism Sparks Fears of a Dark Future for Jewish Communities
The surge in anti-Semitism following Hamas's attack on October 7, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza, is evoking memories of the tense period leading up to World War II. This alarming rise in hostility toward Jews is spreading fear across global Jewish communities, as highlighted by key European and US officials. "We have seen a tsunami of anti-Semitism really rolling across Europe and the globe," stated Katharina von Schnurbein, the European Commission's coordinator on combating anti-Semitism and fostering Jewish life. Speaking to AFP in Geneva after a private workshop at the United Nations, von Schnurbein expressed her concerns about the unsettling parallels between current events and Europe's darkest historical periods. She described a disturbing wave of anti-Semitic actions, including firebomb attacks on synagogues, Stars of David being spray-painted on Jewish homes, and Jewish students facing violence on university campuses. "We are seeing a situation that we had hoped we would never see again," she said. During the UN workshop, hosted by the United States, officials underscored a significant spike in anti-Semitic incidents since last October. In France, the number of anti-Semitic incidents quadrupled last year, reaching 1,676 cases. Denmark experienced a similar trend, with 121 reported incidents in 2023—an astonishing increase of 1,244 percent compared to the previous year’s nine cases. "We see these spikes everywhere," von Schnurbein remarked. The war's impact has extended beyond the battlefield, inciting protests on numerous university campuses across the US and beyond. Some demonstrations have been accused of fostering anti-Semitic sentiments and creating a hostile environment for Jewish students. Columbia University in New York recently released a report highlighting a "surge in violent anti-Semitic and xenophobic rhetoric" and called for improved training and reporting to safeguard Jewish students. Deborah Lipstadt, the US envoy against anti-Semitism who also participated in the UN workshop, stressed the distinction between criticizing Israeli policies and harboring anti-Semitic views. "Criticism of Israeli policies (or) the Israeli government... is not anti-Semitism," Lipstadt emphasized. She pointed out that if criticizing Israel equated to anti-Semitism, then the hundreds of thousands of Israelis protesting in the streets would be labeled anti-Semites, which is obviously untrue. However, Lipstadt also noted that both sides are guilty of conflating criticisms of Israel with anti-Semitism. She cited incidents like the defacement of an Anne Frank statue in Amsterdam with "Free Gaza" slogans and Jewish students being pursued by demonstrators who claimed they were only targeting them for their political views. Lipstadt voiced her concern over the "normalisation of anti-Semitism," which has sparked a pervasive sense of fear within the Jewish community. She noted that Jewish students are now choosing universities based on perceived levels of hostility, and Jewish men are concealing their yarmulkes under baseball caps. Michele Taylor, the US ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, expressed particular alarm over the violent online rhetoric, especially threats targeting Jewish women. Taylor highlighted a chilling case from France where a 12-year-old Jewish girl was brutally gang-raped, illustrating the harrowing extremes of anti-Semitic violence. The workshop underscored the urgency of countering anti-Semitism through global guidelines that urge governments and political leaders to swiftly denounce such hate whenever it surfaces. "Anti-Semitism is a scourge on our collective humanity," stated UN rights chief Volker Turk in a video address. "We all have a duty to eliminate it." Turkey's Erdogan recently called for Islamic alliance against Israel. "The only step that will stop Israeli arrogance, Israeli banditry, and Israeli state terrorism is the alliance of Islamic countries," Erdogan said at an Islamic schools' association event near Istanbul. “Israel will not stop in Gaza,” he claimed. “If Israel continues in this manner, it will set its sights elsewhere after occupying Ramallah. The turn will come for other countries in the region. It will come for Lebanon, Syria. They will set their eyes on our homeland between the Tigris and Euphrates." It is unclear what Erdogan was referring to, as Israel has made no such declarations. Credit: AFP | Reuters 2024-09-09 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Conor McGregor's Presidential Bid: The Fighter Who Wants to Lead Ireland
Retired MMA star Conor McGregor has announced his intention to run for President of Ireland in 2025. Known for his outspoken personality and history in the octagon, McGregor’s declaration has raised eyebrows and stirred debate about the qualifications necessary to lead a nation. The 36-year-old fighter took to social media to express his dissatisfaction with Ireland’s current political landscape, proclaiming himself the “only logical choice” to steer the country. “I would have all the answers the people of Ireland seek from these thieves of the working man,” McGregor boldly stated. His announcement, however, has been met with skepticism, as many question the seriousness and suitability of a former fighter aspiring to the highest office in the land. McGregor’s presidential ambitions are not entirely new, as he has hinted at political aspirations in the past. However, the seriousness of his bid is now being put to the test. While his confidence and charisma have served him well in the world of MMA, leading a nation requires more than bravado and a fighting spirit. The prospect of a fighter-turned-president is a reminder that voters should be cautious of candidates who see politics as a fallback plan when other career paths falter. As McGregor steps into the political ring, Ireland watches with a mix of curiosity and concern. Whether his campaign is a genuine effort to bring change to the country or merely another chapter in the colorful saga of Conor McGregor remains to be seen. Credit: Vice 2024-09-09 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
17
/TV & Film The Simpsons #1
I just completed this quiz. My Score 20/100 My Time 36 seconds -
27
/Sports quiz31 July - The Laws of Cricket
I just completed this quiz. My Score 40/100 My Time 42 seconds
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