Canadian Tourist Dies After Slipping on Stairs at a Jomtien Beach Resort
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British man’s Thai-high’ trip goes up in smoke at Manchester customs
Should have given the idiot 10 years for stupidity. Suspended sentence,now that i s a joke. -
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Cost to Send a Pea: How much to send a pea from NYC to Thailand via UPS?
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Israel’s Disinformation Campaign Against UNRWA
The Government of Israel has intensified its campaign against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), utilizing commercial advertisements, including billboards in various cities worldwide and paid Google ads on multiple websites. These measures mark the latest chapter in a broader effort by Israel to discredit UNRWA, with repeated public calls for the Agency’s dismantling. This campaign’s use of global advertising channels to brand a UN entity as a terror organization has raised serious concerns. Such accusations, presented through media typically reserved for commercial messaging, may qualify as hate speech. By leveraging corporations that ordinarily promote consumer products, the campaign’s reach and potential harm have expanded significantly. UNRWA, currently the largest humanitarian provider for Gaza’s population amidst an ongoing war, faces severe reputational damage as a result. This campaign not only undermines the Agency's mission but also endangers its personnel. Reports indicate that since the war in Gaza began, 251 UNRWA team members have lost their lives, with many killed in direct or repeated strikes on UNRWA facilities. Two-thirds of the Agency’s buildings in Gaza have sustained damage, further compounding the crisis. The implications of this disinformation campaign extend beyond reputational harm. By framing UNRWA in a manner that could incite hostility, the campaign potentially jeopardizes the safety of its workers on the ground. This heightened risk underscores the need for accountability. Advocacy groups and international observers have stressed that those responsible for propagating such disinformation—including advertisement companies—must cease their involvement immediately. Calls for regulatory measures to curb the dissemination of damaging and potentially dangerous narratives are growing. Observers argue that mechanisms to address the misuse of advertising platforms for spreading disinformation about humanitarian organizations are essential to prevent further harm. Amid an escalating humanitarian crisis, UNRWA’s role remains critical, providing essential aid to a population enduring immense suffering. Efforts to undermine its work not only compromise the Agency’s effectiveness but also pose a direct threat to those it serves and employs. The international community is urged to take swift action to safeguard UNRWA’s mission and the lives of its personnel. Based on a report by UNRWA Press Release 2024-12-11 -
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Kemi Badenoch and JD Vance Strengthen Ties Ahead of Trump Administration
Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the UK Conservative Party, recently dined with U.S. Vice President-elect JD Vance, marking a renewal of their political and personal camaraderie as preparations for Donald Trump’s return to the White House progress. The two have maintained a steady exchange of messages over the past year, and this meeting reaffirmed their shared vision for a new wave of conservative leadership. Following their dinner, Mr. Vance posted a picture on social media featuring himself alongside Mrs. Badenoch, both smiling warmly. Accompanying the image, he humorously wrote, “Great to see the leader of the UK Conservatives (Mrs. Badenoch) during her trip to the US. We discussed many topics, but I was unable to persuade her that coffee is much better than tea. Cheers, Kemi!” An associate close to Mrs. Badenoch highlighted the significance of their interaction, stating, “The dinner renewed their friendship, and Kemi and JD will continue to stay in touch as the Trump administration gets up and running. JD sees Kemi as one of those on the global Right doing the deep thinking about how we reform the state.” The ally further noted the duo’s alignment as part of a new generation of center-right politicians, citing parallels with Canada’s Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who endorsed Badenoch’s leadership campaign. This meeting was not their first; the two previously crossed paths when Mr. Vance served as a senator and Mrs. Badenoch held the position of business secretary. Their connection reflects an emerging international collaboration among conservative leaders seeking to inspire younger generations with strong principles and innovative reforms. Mrs. Badenoch is not the only UK political figure to engage with the incoming U.S. administration. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy have also sought to establish connections with Mr. Vance. However, Mr. Lammy’s past remarks about Donald Trump—such as labeling him a “neo-Nazi sociopath” during his prior presidency—have cast doubts over the sincerity of these overtures. In addition to fostering relationships with key U.S. figures, Mrs. Badenoch used a recent speech at the International Democracy Union Forum to express support for Elon Musk, who was appointed by President-elect Trump to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Praising Musk’s efforts, she remarked, “The more state power grows, the more we curtail what people can and should do for themselves. Worse, we reduce people’s ability to think for themselves. This is why I am excited about DOGE and what president-elect Trump and Elon Musk will do on government efficiency. It is terrifying people around the world, but I think it will be absolutely brilliant.” Meanwhile, speculation has surfaced regarding Musk’s potential $100 million (£79 million) donation to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, further signaling the influential entrepreneur’s active engagement in reshaping political dynamics. As global conservative leaders like Kemi Badenoch and JD Vance continue to collaborate, their shared vision underscores a commitment to innovation and reform within the political landscape, setting the stage for the forthcoming Trump administration’s agenda. Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-12-11 -
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Sydney Celebrations Over Assad’s Downfall Marred by Antisemitic Chants
A celebration in Sydney marking the end of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria took a troubling turn as a group of protesters were filmed chanting an antisemitic slogan. The incident occurred on Sunday in Chullora, where crowds had gathered to commemorate the overthrow of Assad, whose family ruled Syria for nearly five decades. In footage exclusively obtained by *The Daily Telegraph*, men and boys holding flags and loudspeakers chanted in Arabic: *“Khaybar, Khaybar, ya Yahud”*. The phrase references the Battle of Khaybar in 628, during which a Muslim army conquered a Jewish settlement in the Arabian Peninsula. The chant, which translates to “Khaybar, Khaybar, oh Jews. The army of Muhammad will return,” is often associated with anti-Israel demonstrations and has been widely condemned as antisemitic. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a prominent U.S.-based advocacy organization, has categorized the chant as antisemitic due to its historical and inflammatory connotations. While it is sometimes used as a rallying cry in political protests, its invocation at a celebration of Assad’s fall has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the nature of the rhetoric. The celebration itself was part of a larger wave of public rejoicing following the collapse of Assad’s government, marking the end of decades of authoritarian rule. Syrian rebels, led by Islamist factions, succeeded in toppling the regime, prompting gatherings around the world, including in Sydney. However, the presence of such inflammatory slogans overshadowed the event and highlighted the complexities of the region's politics and the narratives surrounding them. The chant not only brought antisemitism into a moment of celebration but also cast a shadow on broader efforts to promote unity and peace in the aftermath of Assad's downfall. As videos of the incident circulate, they have drawn criticism from community leaders and advocacy groups alike. The use of divisive and hateful language has sparked a renewed call for vigilance against antisemitism, emphasizing the need to ensure that public expressions of political victories do not devolve into displays of hate. ‘Come after the Jews’: Sydney rally turns ugly with antisemitic hate slogans “This comes just hours really after the synagogue in Melbourne was firebombed in an antisemitic attack … in the wake of that we have got lots of people out on the street in Sydney chanting Muhammad is going to come after the Jews.” Based on a report by Daily Telegraph AU 2024-12-11 -
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Iran's ‘axis of resistance’ dealt a severe blow with the fall of Assad
The swift collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government has sent shockwaves through Tehran, dealing a severe blow to Iran’s “axis of resistance,” a key component of its foreign policy cultivated over decades. For 13 years, Iran funneled extensive resources into supporting Assad during Syria’s civil war. Yet, its efforts unraveled in mere days as Syrian rebels swiftly captured city after city, rendering Tehran’s investment futile and undermining its regional power projection. This failure is compounded by a string of setbacks suffered by Hezbollah, a cornerstone of Iran’s resistance alliance. Once a force feared by armies across the region, Hezbollah faced a resounding defeat by Israel last month and is now grappling with the challenge of rebuilding, dependent on Iranian aid. “The resistance front has had a really hard year,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi admitted during an interview on state television. Still, he sought to emphasize the resilience of the alliance, pointing to Hamas’s continued attacks on Israel as a testament to its strength. “Nobody could have predicted that the front could be so strong,” he insisted. Yet, the collapse of Assad’s regime has left many doubting whether the alliance can survive intact. “Without Syria, we could see the entire axis of resistance just unravel,” a Western diplomat warned, speaking anonymously about the geopolitical implications. Within Iran, the fall of Assad has sparked widespread criticism. Even staunch supporters of Tehran’s foreign policy have questioned the wisdom of pouring billions of dollars into a network that disintegrated so quickly. Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, a former member of parliament, expressed public discontent, writing on X, “Iranians can be happy. No one has the right to spend the nation’s dollars to maintain spiderwebs anymore.” Just weeks prior, Tehran’s axis of resistance seemed ascendant, bolstered by Hamas’s audacious attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Iran’s allies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and various factions in Iraq, rallied to Hamas’s cause, launching strikes on Israel and U.S. interests. Yet, rather than showcasing strength, these efforts revealed vulnerabilities. Israel responded decisively, neutralizing key leaders of both Hamas and Hezbollah while depleting their forces in Gaza and Lebanon. Iran’s direct confrontation with Israel only further highlighted its challenges. In October, it launched around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, marking the largest attack in their shadow conflict. However, Israeli, U.S., and allied defenses intercepted most of the barrage, limiting its impact. Israel’s retaliatory strikes were devastating, targeting and destroying some of Iran’s most advanced military systems, including critical air defenses. Maria Luisa Fantappiè, a Middle East expert at the International Affairs Institute in Rome, critiqued Iran’s strategy. “Iran needs to rethink its strategy of proxies. The proxies have become more of a liability than an asset,” she observed. Iranian leaders had long argued that their network of militias provided a security buffer, enabling Iran to fight adversaries abroad. However, the recent conflict has undermined this rationale. “The axis is not an effective way to project power,” Fantappiè concluded. “On the contrary, it was projecting weakness.” As Assad’s regime crumbled, Tehran’s top officials were conspicuously silent. When the Foreign Ministry finally broke its silence, it underscored the historic ties between Iran and Syria, a muted response reflecting the gravity of the situation. Iran now faces a stark reality: its carefully constructed regional strategy is faltering. The collapse of Assad’s government and the setbacks faced by Hezbollah mark a pivotal moment for Tehran’s axis of resistance, forcing a reassessment of its ambitions and methods in an increasingly hostile and unpredictable geopolitical landscape. Based on a report by WP 2024-12-11 -
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Jay-Z Challenges Anonymity of Sexual Assault Accuser Amid Legal Battle
Jay-Z, the hip-hop mogul and entrepreneur, has asked a judge to reject a request for anonymity from a woman who accused him and Sean "Diddy" Combs of raping her when she was 13 years old in 2000. The lawsuit, filed under the name "Jane Doe," alleges that the assault occurred following an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, alleges that the accuser was driven to a house party after being told by a limousine driver that she "fit what Diddy was looking for." At the party, described as being filled with celebrities and illicit drug use, she claims she was given a drink that made her feel disoriented. According to the suit, she later went to a room to rest, where Jay-Z and Combs allegedly raped her while an unnamed female celebrity watched. Jay-Z has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as “idiotic” and calling for criminal rather than civil proceedings if the claims were true. “These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?” he said in a statement. Meanwhile, Buzbee has filed multiple lawsuits against Combs, who is also facing federal charges for racketeering, sex trafficking, and other offenses. Combs, currently in custody in Brooklyn and awaiting trial in May, has denied the allegations. His legal team labeled the lawsuits as "shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them." The lawsuit against Jay-Z and Combs includes claims that the accuser signed a nondisclosure agreement to enter the party, which was held at a house with a U-shaped driveway. Following the alleged assault, she reportedly escaped, contacted her father, and is now seeking unspecified damages under New York’s Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act. Both defendants have refuted the claims, with the case continuing to unfold under intense public scrutiny. Based on a report by NBC News 2024-12-11 -
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Britain Suspends Syrian Asylum Claims Amid Political Upheaval
In response to significant political changes in Syria, the UK government has decided to suspend decisions on asylum applications from Syrians. This move aligns with actions taken by Germany and Austria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. The decision reflects a cautious approach as nations assess the implications of the regime change on the safety of Syrians seeking refuge. It followed calls by senior Tory and Reform MPs for such a move after President Assad and his family fled the country in the face of a two-week march on Damascus by Islamist rebels. A Home Office spokesperson confirmed, “The Home Office has paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims whilst we assess the current situation. We keep all country guidance relating to asylum claims kept under constant review so we can respond to emerging issues.” The collapse of Assad’s government raises questions about the ongoing risk faced by Syrians who fled persecution under his rule. However, David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, emphasized in Parliament that this pause would not impact those already part of the UK’s resettlement program. This scheme primarily assists individuals escaping conflict directly from Syria or neighboring regions. Currently, over 6,500 Syrians in the UK are awaiting decisions on their asylum applications. Most arrived via small boats across the English Channel, bypassing official resettlement channels. With 99% of Syrian asylum claims typically approved, they have one of the highest success rates, comparable to those of Sudanese, Eritrean, and Afghan applicants. The UK’s move mirrors Germany's recent decision to freeze decisions on more than 47,000 Syrian asylum applications. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated, “In view of this unclear situation, it is right that the federal office for migration and refugees has today imposed a freeze on decisions for asylum procedures that are still ongoing until the situation is clearer.” Similarly, Austria has adopted a stringent stance. The country, home to one of Europe’s largest Syrian diaspora populations with approximately 100,000 Syrians, has also halted asylum proceedings for Syrian nationals. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer directed the interior ministry to review all existing asylum grants for Syrians and suspend ongoing applications. An official statement from the ministry declared, “From now on, open (asylum) proceedings of Syrian citizens will be stopped.” This collective response by European nations underscores the uncertainty surrounding Syria’s future. As governments await clarity on the political and security situation, the fate of thousands seeking refuge hangs in the balance. Based on a report by Independent 2024-12-11
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