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Latest developments and discussion of recent events in the Ukraine War
Could be that Zelensky knows he'll look a fool if Kursk invasion fails with loss of all troops and equipment, and is trying to rescue something from the wreckage. -
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Yes, Virginia, Donald J. Trump WILL be the first convicted felon to become U.S. president
Off topic baiting post removed -
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A new Monroe doctrine is unlikely to work for the US in South America
To transport the lithium and other resources it can capture, China is building a mega port in Peru. But maybe it could double as a naval base. -
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Teen Gang Raid London Apple Store Amid Shopper Chaos
A mob of hooded youths carried out a brazen robbery at the Apple store in Brent Cross shopping centre, North London, on Sunday afternoon. The incident unfolded in broad daylight, leaving shoppers, including families with young children, in a state of panic. The chaos began as the store’s security guard attempted to block one of the youths from entering. While his attention was diverted, the rest of the group rushed through the entrance, shoving aside customers in their path. Some shoppers, including a father who was seen carrying his child, fled in fear as the thieves descended on displays of Apple’s latest products. Employees and security personnel tried to intervene, with one guard in a high-visibility vest attempting to trip the robbers as they made their escape. In the rush, at least one stolen phone was dropped on the floor of the shopping centre. Social media users were quick to condemn the thieves, with many labeling their actions as “savage.” The incident has reignited concerns about the rising tide of retail crime across the UK. The Met Police reported that more than £15 million in goods and cash were stolen in the past year, highlighting the significant financial burden this crime wave places on businesses. The Apple store, one of approximately 120 shops in Brent Cross shopping centre, attracts thousands of visitors daily. Opened in 1976, the centre has long been a bustling retail hub, drawing around 15 million visitors annually. This robbery adds to growing pressure on police forces and the government to address the country’s escalating shoplifting epidemic. As investigations continue, the swift arrests in this case demonstrate law enforcement’s commitment to tackling such crimes head-on. Based on a report by Daily Mail 2024-01-07 -
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US Aims for Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement Within Two Weeks
The United States is pushing for a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas to be finalized before the end of Joe Biden's presidency, Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed during a press conference. The announcement comes ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, adding urgency to ongoing diplomatic efforts. “We very much want to bring this over the finish line in the next two weeks, the time we have remaining,” Blinken told reporters when asked about the progress toward a deal. Hamas recently claimed to have provided Israel with a list of 34 hostages that could be released in the first phase of a ceasefire agreement. The list reportedly includes children, women, and the elderly. However, questions remain about the status of the hostages. A source involved in the negotiations told *The Telegraph*, “Israel of course demands that the hostages released are alive and not corpses. So until there’s a clarification on the list, there’s still work to be done to agree on the ceasefire.” The source further disclosed that Israel had already identified Palestinian prisoners who might be released in exchange. However, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the list of hostages provided by Hamas appeared to match the names shared with mediators by Israel in July 2022, suggesting no new information had been presented. While Israel has signaled its willingness to respect a ceasefire deal, officials have emphasized that any pause in hostilities will not signal an end to their campaign against Hamas. “It will be a ceasefire, where the international system along with Israel will hopefully manage to solve the issue of Hamas having any influence in Gaza,” the source added. As efforts to reach an agreement intensify, David Barnea, Israel’s intelligence chief, is reportedly set to travel to Qatar for further discussions. Meanwhile, Blinken’s remarks underscore the Biden administration’s determination to broker a deal that could alleviate tensions and potentially lead to a broader resolution of the conflict. Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-01-07 -
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Starmer Condemns 'Lies and Misinformation' Over Child Sexual Abuse
Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has firmly condemned the spread of "lies and misinformation" regarding child sexual exploitation. His comments come in response to Elon Musk's recent remarks on the social media platform X, where Musk accused Starmer of failing to prosecute grooming gangs during his tenure as director of public prosecutions and called Labour MP Jess Phillips a "rape genocide apologist." Musk also suggested Phillips should be jailed. The controversy centers on the government's decision not to initiate a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham, a decision defended by Phillips. In response to criticism, Starmer emphasized his commitment to addressing child sexual abuse, stating: "Child sexual exploitation is utterly sickening. For many years, too many victims have been completely let down." Starmer defended his record, asserting that he had tackled the issue "head on" during his time as director of public prosecutions. "I changed the system because I could see some of the things that were going wrong," he explained. Reflecting on the gravity of the issue, he acknowledged, "The victims here suffered terrible abuse, and then they weren't listened to." Speaking on the broader discourse around the topic, Starmer took aim at those perpetuating falsehoods. "Those who are spreading lies and misinformation as far and as wide as possible are not interested in victims; they're interested in themselves," he said, highlighting the harm such narratives cause to survivors seeking justice. Phillips, who has been a vocal advocate for addressing sexual abuse, received Starmer's staunch support amidst the attacks. He stated that Phillips has done "1,000 times more than they've even dreamt about when it comes to protecting victims of sexual abuse." The discussion also touched on existing reviews and inquiries into grooming gangs. Starmer pointed out that there have already been numerous localized investigations and called for the implementation of actionable recommendations. "Now is the time for action on inquiry recommendations," he urged. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak echoed this sentiment, agreeing that "no stone should be left unturned" in addressing the failures of the past. However, he questioned the effectiveness of previous governments in enacting meaningful change. Referring to the Jay Report, an independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, Sunak asked: "Why didn’t the last government implement the Jay requirements?" The tension between calls for further inquiries and the urgency for action highlights the ongoing complexities in addressing systemic failures surrounding child sexual exploitation. Both Starmer and Sunak stressed the importance of tangible measures to support victims and ensure accountability. As the discourse unfolds, the focus remains on safeguarding victims and preventing future abuse while countering the spread of harmful misinformation that distracts from these critical objectives. Based on a report by BBC 2024-01-07 Related Topics: UK Ex-MP Claims Grooming Gang Ethnicity Was Suppressed to Protect Votes Elon Musk Advocates for Tommy Robinson’s Release Amid Criticism of UK Leadership Kemi Badenoch Urges National Inquiry into UK Grooming Scandal -
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Cane Corso: The New Status Symbol in the Dog World
As the UK implements a ban on XL bullies, a new breed is rising to prominence among those seeking powerful, intimidating dogs: the cane corso. This Italian mastiff, weighing up to 50kg (110 lbs), has been described as “like an XL bully on steroids” and is rapidly gaining popularity due to its formidable presence and legal status in the country. The cane corso, a descendant of the Molossian war dogs of ancient Rome, has traditionally served as a guard dog. Unlike the restricted XL bullies, which require exemption certificates and must be muzzled in public, the cane corso faces no such limitations, making it an attractive option for those desiring a status dog without the legal constraints. However, its growing popularity raises concerns among experts. Rob Alleyne, a canine behavior specialist who runs the Canine Instructor Academy in Suffolk, has noticed a significant increase in cane corso sightings. “The XL bully ban is driving people towards other large breeds that can be just as dangerous if not trained properly,” Alleyne explained. He warned, “The cane corso is like an XL bully on steroids. It’s a killing machine, and they’ve become much more popular now. [The ban] has just pushed people towards an even worse dog that doesn’t need to be registered, and God help us if they become too popular.” Alleyne compared the current trend to the pitbull terrier ban, which led to the rise of the XL bully, noting a similar pattern with the cane corso. "When they banned the pitbull terrier, what did we get? We got a dog far more dangerous than the pitbull terrier. Then if we ban the cane corso, people will just go out and get something else." Despite not being recognized by the Kennel Club and often excluded from pet insurance coverage, the demand for cane corso puppies is soaring. Prices on the Pets4Homes website range from £600 to £1,600, with more than 200 posts advertising litters. Fully grown cane corsos can even be found for as little as £75. Recent incidents have further highlighted the potential dangers of the breed. Jack Fincham, a reality TV star, faced charges after his cane corso, Elvis, bit a man. In another tragic case, Gary Stevens from Derby was jailed for four and a half years after his cane corso, Ace, killed his brother. Police were forced to shoot Ace after tasering proved ineffective. The rise in cane corso ownership has not gone unnoticed by professional dog walkers. Faith Throssell observed, “I’ve literally not seen [an XL bully] for months, certainly not since the summer. People have got more interested in other big dogs. I’ve seen a few more cane corsos.” Another dog walker in Croydon mentioned a pensioner client who recently acquired a cane corso-rottweiler cross, highlighting the shift in public preference following the XL bully ban. Experts like Alleyne emphasize that the real issue lies in the training and socialization of these powerful breeds. “One of the failings of the current dangerous dogs legislation is that it identifies specific breeds as ‘dangerous’, implying that all other breeds are inherently ‘safe’,” he said. “The fact is that the behavior of a dog is shaped by the way that it is bred, raised, socialized, and trained.” As the cane corso gains traction as the new status symbol, the debate continues over how best to manage the ownership of large, potentially dangerous dogs. Based on a report by The Times 2024-01-07 -
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Police Investigate Earl Spencers Sexual Abuse Allegations
Earl Spencer school abuse investigation sees police speak to second alleged victimIn his memoir, the 60-year-old says that an unnamed female member of staff was a ‘voracious paedophile’. Detectives investigating claims that Earl Spencer was sexually abused by a member of staff at his boarding school have spoken to a second alleged victim, it has emerged. The brother of Diana Princess of Wales claimed he had been molested by a female member of staff at Maidwell Preparatory School in Northamptonshire in the 1970s. In his memoir, the 60-year-old claimed the unnamed female was a “voracious paedophile” who had groomed him and other boys at the school. In the book, Earl Spencer revealed how the alleged sexual abuse took place when he was moved into a new dormitory. He claimed the staff member – who boys would refer to as “Please” – would come into the room after lights out and hand out illicit snacks. But he said one night she kissed him on the lips before molesting him under the bedsheets. He said he was not the only pupil she did this to and would choose a different boy each term to have intercourse with. Earl Spencer also alleged in his book that the former headmaster would spank boys on their bare bottoms, while another teacher took boys for naked swimming lessons. He wrote that he had been so traumatised by his experiences that he had regularly considered shooting himself with one of his father’s shotguns. Northamptonshire Police launched an investigation into the abuse allegations and a woman from the Midlands was arrested and questioned in June 2024. At the weekend the force confirmed officers had now spoken to a second former pupil about the claims. A police spokesman said: “Officers are investigating reports made by two people in relation to alleged offences.” Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-01-07
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