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Trump supports immigration visas backed by Musk: ‘I have many H-1B visas on
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Tuesday 31 December 2024
Russian man arrested for rampage and knife attack at Phuket hotel By Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ Phuket Times ภูเก็ตไทม์ Police arrested a Russian man who went on a violent rampage at a hotel in the Choeng Thale area of Phuket, physically assaulting other hotel guests and Thai police officers. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1347537-russian-man-arrested-for-rampage-and-knife-attack-at-phuket-hotel/ -
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Labour's School Curriculum Overhaul More Diversity to Reflect modern Britain
Labour is facing renewed controversy over its education policies as plans emerge to overhaul the national curriculum in England to better reflect the "diversity" of modern Britain. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has ordered a review, labeling the current curriculum as "outdated" and emphasizing the need for changes that address the "diversities of our society." The review's terms of reference indicate a focus on ensuring that every child feels represented in their education and has access to a broad range of subjects. Reports suggest unions and teaching organizations have urged a "decolonization" of curriculum content deemed "monocultural." This announcement comes amid backlash against Labour’s other recent educational reforms, including the introduction of a 20 percent VAT on private school fees, a policy that took effect this week. Defending the move, Ms. Phillipson claimed to represent "pushy middle-class parents" who are largely unable to afford independent schooling. “The average private school fee has reached the considerable sum of about £18,000 a year,” Phillipson remarked. “Middle-class parents in good professional jobs with housing costs just can't afford that level of fee, and they want brilliant state schools. This policy allows us to raise more money to invest in what really matters for families.” Her comments were met with outrage. Critics accused her of class warfare, with campaigners arguing that the policy unfairly targets families from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds who rely on independent schools. Dr. Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council, countered: “The majority of our schools are far removed from the stereotype of independent education propagated by the Government. A typical independent school is a small day school that does not have the means to cut their budget by a fifth to absorb this unprecedented tax. The families who choose these schools come from a variety of backgrounds, including middle-class incomes.” Meanwhile, Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott criticized the curriculum review, suggesting Labour’s focus was misplaced. “Instead of spending time fiddling with our academic curriculum, which has led to English children being the best at maths and English in the Western world, the DfE needs to concentrate on getting absence rates down and kids back in the classroom.” Professor Becky Francis, appointed to lead the curriculum review in July, has emphasized a balanced approach, promising to consider how proposed changes might affect teachers' workloads. The Department for Education (DfE) has also stressed that the review will aim for "evolution, not revolution." As the debate continues, Labour's reforms face scrutiny from critics and supporters alike. Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel accused Ms. Phillipson of being a "Left-wing ideologue," stating, “This is more gaslighting from this socialist government that has broken its general election promises. The most socialist Government since the 1970s.' With the Government’s curriculum overhaul and tax reforms both sparking fierce opposition, the broader implications of these policies on education and social equity remain a contentious topic. Based on a report by Daily Mail 2024-12-31 Related Topics: Looming Crisis: Private Schools Face Closures Amid VAT Hike Top Oxfordshire Prep School to Close Amid Controversial VAT Policy on Private Education -
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UK Historic Golf Club Battles Rising Sea Levels and Coastal Erosion
Perched on the scenic Northumberland coast, Alnmouth Village Golf Club, one of the UK's oldest golf establishments, is grappling with a grave threat to its future—rising sea levels and coastal erosion. Established in 1869 by renowned Scottish golfer Mungo Park, the club holds the distinction of being the oldest nine-hole links course in the country. However, its historic status and breathtaking location now hang in the balance as tidal storms and relentless waves encroach upon its grounds. The club has already lost 10 meters of land to the sea, a stark reminder of the increasing impact of climate change. Ian Garrett, a representative of the club, highlighted the severity of the situation, saying, "We're facing a serious challenge to the history of the club. Tidal storms and coastal erosion have increased in frequency over the last decade." Efforts are underway to mitigate the damage, with timber sea defences being restored and repaired. Wooden groynes, designed to limit sediment movement and slow erosion, aim to collect sand and form a natural barrier against the advancing waves. Yet concerns persist about the long-term efficacy of these measures. "This affects the whole bay," Garrett warned, emphasizing the broader implications for the area. "That potentially means significant funding. There's a far bigger challenge here." Alnmouth Village Golf Club’s plight underscores a wider issue affecting coastal communities across the UK. The acceleration of coastal erosion, driven by rising sea levels and more frequent storms, poses a growing threat. A spokesperson from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) acknowledged the scale of the problem, noting the government’s commitment of £2.4 billion over the next two years to bolster flood and erosion defenses. Additionally, a newly established Flood Resilience Taskforce is tasked with enhancing preparation and protection efforts nationwide. However, Alnmouth faces unique challenges due to its private ownership. The financial burden for its upkeep falls squarely on the patrons, limiting access to public funding. Club member Tim Irwin stressed the significance of the golf course beyond its recreational purpose. "It's very important to this community," he said. "It provides jobs and tourism, bringing a lot of income into the local community." The situation has sparked broader discussions about how the UK’s coastline can be managed in the face of climate change. The climate campaign group One Home argues that difficult decisions must be made about what can and cannot be preserved along the coastline. As Alnmouth Village Golf Club fights for its survival, it stands as a poignant symbol of the challenges faced by communities that rely on the sea for their livelihoods and heritage. The question remains: how much can be saved, and at what cost? Based on a report by Sky News 2024-12-31 -
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Trump Shifts Tone on Grand Campaign Promises Amid Transition
President-elect Donald Trump, known for his bold rhetoric during the campaign trail, has recently tempered his grandiose promises as he transitions to governing. Throughout his campaign, Trump pledged sweeping actions, such as quickly reducing costs, resolving the Ukraine war even before taking office, and using tariffs to boost the U.S. economy and manufacturing. However, since his victory in November's election, he has suggested that fulfilling these commitments may prove more challenging than initially portrayed. In a recent interview on "Meet the Press," Trump admitted he could not guarantee that tariffs wouldn't lead to higher consumer prices. During a separate interview with *Time* magazine, where he was honored as Person of the Year, Trump acknowledged the complexities of lowering costs. “It’s difficult to bring down the cost of groceries once they’ve gone up,” he conceded. Similarly, during his first post-election press conference from Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump signaled that resolving the war in Ukraine might be even more complex than managing tensions in the historically volatile Middle East. Critics, including Democrats, were quick to interpret these remarks as a backpedaling of campaign promises. Some suggested Trump was lowering expectations or reneging on his commitments. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) highlighted this sentiment, posting on X, “Candidate Trump promised to lower grocery prices, but now it seems he isn’t even going to try.” She added, “While champagne corks pop at Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Trump says that he can’t really lower grocery prices because it’s ‘very hard.’ Sad. It’s the start of a broken promise.” Nonetheless, Trump’s allies defended his shift in tone, framing it as a natural transition from campaign rhetoric to the more nuanced responsibilities of governing. “The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin, giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail. He will deliver,” said Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the transition team and incoming White House press secretary. One Trump ally dismissed accusations of inconsistency, asserting that the president-elect was merely moving away from the dramatic sales pitch typical of campaigns. Trump himself suggested a pragmatic outlook when asked if his presidency would be considered a failure if costs didn’t decline. “Look, they got them up. I’d like to bring them down. It’s hard to bring things down once they’re up,” he said. “But I think that they will. I think energy is going to bring them down. I think a better supply chain is going to bring them down. You know, the supply chain is still broken.” In other areas of foreign affairs, Trump has oscillated between his characteristic bombast and newfound pragmatism. He floated provocative ideas such as suggesting Canada become the 51st U.S. state and revisiting American control of the Panama Canal, alongside revisiting Greenland’s acquisition as a "necessity." Analysts speculate these statements could be part of strategic negotiating tactics aimed at leveraging trade and tariffs to benefit the U.S. Regarding the Ukraine conflict, Trump appeared to step back from his earlier debate-stage assertion that he would end the war “before even becoming president.” This week, he told reporters that resolving the Ukraine-Russia war would likely be more challenging than managing tensions in the Middle East, a region rife with conflicts involving Israel, Iran, and Syria. While Democrats frame these shifts as early evidence of broken promises, Trump and his team argue that the adjustments reflect a realistic approach to governing—a balance between ambition and practicality. As the president-elect prepares to take office, the weight of global complexities and domestic challenges appears to be shaping his approach to the promises that energized his campaign. Based on a report by The Hill 2024-12-31 -
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Columbia University Investigates Controversial Student Newspaper Amid Criticism
Columbia University has launched an investigation into a controversial student newspaper titled *The Columbia Intifada*, which has sparked significant backlash. The university disavowed the publication, emphasizing that its association with the institution’s name and its messaging are unacceptable. Columbia University is so embedded in Anti-Israel propaganda that it has a publication entitled “The Columbia Intifada.” What is needed in our society is a revolution of the responsible against the Intifada idiocy of the far left. The publication was publicly endorsed by Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), which promotes itself as a New York City-based organization supporting Palestinian liberation. CUAD announced the release of the newspaper via Instagram, stating: “Columbia SJP’s first ever print paper ‘The Columbia Intifada’ is available at today’s READ-IN at BUTLER LIBRARY 301! We’re distributing 1,000 copies — get them while you can! From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” In response, Columbia University issued a strongly worded statement condemning the association of its name with the publication, saying, “Using the Columbia name for a publication that glorifies violence and makes individuals in our community feel targeted in any way is a breach of our values. As we have said repeatedly, discrimination and promoting violence or terror is not acceptable and antithetical to what our community stands for.” The university added that it is investigating the matter through its appropriate offices and policies. The paper has also drawn criticism from political and organizational leaders. Representative Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., expressed his disapproval on X, formerly Twitter, writing, “Columbia University is so embedded in Anti-Israel propaganda that it has a publication entitled ‘The Columbia Intifada.’ What is needed in our society is a revolution of the responsible against the Intifada idiocy of the far left.” Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, also criticized the publication, calling it “beyond offensive.” He stated, “It’s a provocation. It’s an incitement. It’s a not-so-veiled threat against Jewish & Israeli students. Columbia can’t just condemn; the administration must hold the culprits accountable.” The controversy has brought national attention to Columbia University, highlighting tensions over free speech, campus activism, and the broader implications of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Based on a report by NBC 2024-12-31 -
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New Report to UN on Horrific Torture & Sexual Abuse of Hostages by Hamas
Teens forced to perform sexual acts on each other: Report to UN details Hamas torture. Government document compiles grim details of abuse of hostages, including whipping, branding with heated iron, isolation, binding, starving, maltreatment and psychological torment. The report from Israel’s health ministry details the horrific torture and abuse inflicted on the hostages in Gaza. More on the report from Sky News: According to the report, the terrorist captors forced two minors to perform sexual acts on one another and compelled them to take off their clothes in front of them, touched their private parts, and whipped their genitalia. The same two former hostages also reported that “they were held bound and were beaten throughout their captivity. Signs of binding, scars, and marks consistent with trauma were found,” the report says. “Additionally, two young children had burn marks on their lower limbs,” the report adds. “One child stated that the burns were the result of a deliberate branding with a heated object. Both the child and adults who were with him in captivity described the incident as a purposeful branding event, not an accident. It was described as an extremely traumatic experience.” “One of the returned hostages described being sexually assaulted at gunpoint by a Hamas terrorist,” the report says. “On several occasions, captors forced women of all ages to undress while others, including the captors, watched. Some women reported that the captors sexually assaulted them. Some former hostages have spoken publicly. Earlier this year, freed hostage Amit Soussana told The New York Times of how she was forced to perform “a sexual act” on one of her captors. Conditions were ‘designed to torture the hostages psychologically’. A total of 251 hostages were abducted from Israel on October 7, 2023, during the Hamas-led onslaught in southern Israel that killed 1,200 people. Ninety-six of them remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 34 confirmed dead by the IDF. Hamas released 105 civilians during a weeklong truce in late November, and four hostages were released before that. Eight hostages have been rescued by troops alive, and the bodies of 38 hostages have also been recovered, including three mistakenly killed by the Israeli military as they tried to escape their captors. Captives, including children, were forced to watch videos of the October 7 atrocities. Many of the terrorists who took part in the attack filmed it, including extreme acts of cruelty. The men, meanwhile, “endured severe physical abuse, including continuous starvation, beatings, burns with galvanized iron (branding), hair-pulling, confinement in closed rooms with a limited amount of food and water, being held in isolation with hands and feet tied, and being denied access to the bathroom, which forced them to defecate on themselves.” The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said the report painted “a grim reality of the physical abuse and psychological torment” endured by the hostages. It urged a comprehensive deal “to secure the immediate release of all hostages.” Based on reports by AFP | VOA News | TOI | 2024-12-31 Related Topics Harrowing Captivity: The Ordeal and Rescue of Hostages Held by Hamas Chilling Confessions Father and Son Describe Sexual Crimes During Hamas Invasion New Very Disturbing Video Released of 5 Female Hostages being abducted by Hamas on Oct 7th UN finds evidence of rape on Oct. 7 and after; Israel: They tried to downplay issue -
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Watch: Bravery in Action, Trainee Officers Capture Rapist in Birmingham
Two trainee police officers, celebrated for their courage and quick thinking, successfully apprehended a rapist on the streets of Birmingham. The incident unfolded after Awalkhan Sultankhail, 24, committed a horrifying attack on a woman in a park. The assault occurred on August 27 last year, when Sultankhail approached his victim on Golden Hillock Road in Small Heath at approximately 4 PM. After attempting to initiate a conversation, he dragged her into nearby bushes and raped her when she tried to walk away. The assault was interrupted by a member of the public, who promptly alerted the police, causing Sultankhail to flee. CCTV footage and a detailed description provided by the victim enabled police officers to identify Sultankhail four days later. Pcs Declan McDevitt and Peter Jones, on reassurance patrols in the area, recognized the suspect and initiated a pursuit. In dramatic video footage, the two officers can be seen chasing Sultankhail before cornering and arresting him on Ladypool Road in Sparkbrook. Speaking about the arrest, Pc Jones shared the emotional intensity of the moment: “I was just concentrating on not letting him get away, due to the nature of the offence. I was also concentrated on communicating using my radio to other officers and the control room by letting them know where the suspect was running, in order to get more officers there in case we lost him in the foot chase.” Reflecting on the successful apprehension, Pc Jones added, “I felt immensely proud of myself and Pc McDevitt as we have caught someone who has committed an horrific offence in broad daylight. I went home that day feeling satisfied that I have helped the victim get one step closer to getting the justice she deserves, and knowing that he won’t be able to commit another offence for a long time.” Sultankhail initially denied interacting with or following the victim. However, faced with overwhelming evidence, he pleaded guilty to the crime. At Birmingham Crown Court, he was sentenced to five years and three months in prison, with an additional four years to be spent on licence. Supt Emlyn Richards of Birmingham Police commended the officers, stating, “This was absolutely first-rate work by these two officers, who have only relatively recently joined us. The footage shows how the two refused to let the suspect get away, and thanks to their determination, he’s now going to be spending years behind bars.” This swift and determined response highlights the bravery and dedication of trainee officers in protecting the community and ensuring justice for victims of crime. Based on a report by The Independent 2024-12-31 -
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Nigel Farage Demands Apology from Kemi Badenoch Over Membership Dispute
A public feud between Reform Party leader Nigel Farage and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has escalated, with Farage demanding an apology for allegations that he misrepresented his party’s membership size. The controversy has spilled into the media, particularly GB News, where Farage hosts a prime-time show. The row began on Boxing Day when Farage claimed that the Reform Party now boasts more members than the Conservatives. Badenoch reportedly dismissed this as "fakery," sparking a heated exchange. Farage responded by calling the accusation “disgraceful” and insisting that Badenoch either apologize or face consequences. Farage took to social media, tweeting: “Kemi talks about competition being a good thing but now we see that she wants me taken off air. Maybe her first priority should be to go on GB News today and apologize for calling me dishonest. Her two days of silence are deafening.” The feud intensified with reports that Badenoch urged GB News executives to limit Farage’s airtime, allegedly accusing the channel of “favoring” him and giving undue exposure to her critics. Sources close to Badenoch dismissed these claims as “nonsense,” but Farage continued to press the issue, describing her actions as part of a "crazy conspiracy theory." According to *The Mail on Sunday*, GB News CEO Angelos Frangopoulos was summoned to meet with Badenoch before Christmas. During this meeting, Badenoch reportedly expressed concerns over the regulatory implications of allowing politicians like Farage, Lee Anderson, and Andrea Jenkyns to host programs on the channel. However, sources close to Badenoch framed the discussion differently, stating that she was seeking to ensure media projects adhere to “the highest standards of propriety.” An ally of Badenoch commented, “Kemi had a good meeting with GB News, which was mostly about her doing more with the channel. She did ask about the status of programs fronted by politicians and where GB News stood with the regulator. The meeting was very friendly.” Farage, however, has characterized the situation as an attack on his credibility and a bid to silence him. He also alleged that whistleblowers informed him that ballots were sent to former Conservative members during their leadership election, further fueling his accusations of impropriety within the Tory party. The debate has even extended to social media, where a fact-checking alert on one of Badenoch’s tweets labeled her claims about Farage as false. The community note added, “This claim is false. It’s not a ‘fake ticker.’” Farage continues to demand a public apology, stating, “The accusations of fraud and dishonesty made against me are disgraceful.” As the dispute plays out, it highlights tensions between traditional media, political figures, and emerging platforms like GB News, which increasingly serve as battlegrounds for public opinion. Based on a report by Daily Mail 2024-12-31
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