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How do you fit in a plane seat ?
Yep. Couldn’t be bothered to read the rest of it and am neither fat nor old, but this dude is begging to be flattened. -
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Rubio Declares South African Ambassador Unwelcome in the U.S. Amid Diplomatic Tensions
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday that South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, is “no longer welcome” in the country. The decision marks another instance of the Trump administration’s increasing scrutiny of South Africa’s government. In a post on X, Rubio labeled Rasool a “race-baiting politician” who harbors disdain for President Donald Trump. He further declared the ambassador “persona non grata,” effectively barring him from U.S. diplomatic engagement. Rubio’s statement linked to a Breitbart article reporting on Rasool’s comments during a South African think tank’s webinar. In the virtual discussion, Rasool referenced Trump ally Elon Musk’s engagement with far-right figures in Europe, describing it as a “dog whistle” to a global movement of individuals who view themselves as part of an “embattled white community.” The State Department provided no additional details about Rasool’s ban, and it remained unclear whether the ambassador was in the U.S. at the time of the announcement. Rubio posted his statement while en route to Washington from a Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers meeting in Canada. It is uncommon for the U.S. to expel a foreign ambassador, as persona non grata designations are typically reserved for lower-ranking diplomats. Even during periods of heightened tensions between the U.S. and Russia—such as the Cold War, Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, allegations of election interference in 2016, and the poisoning of a former Russian intelligence officer in Britain—Washington and Moscow refrained from expelling each other’s ambassadors. Efforts to obtain comment from the South African Embassy in Washington were unsuccessful, as phone calls made toward the end of the workday went unanswered. Rasool, who previously served as South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S. from 2010 to 2015, had only recently returned to the post in January. His background includes a long history of anti-apartheid activism; as a child, he and his family were forcibly evicted from a Cape Town neighborhood designated exclusively for white residents. He later became a political figure in Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress, even serving time in prison for his activism. His expulsion coincides with Trump’s recent executive order cutting aid and assistance to South Africa’s Black-led government. In the order, Trump argued that South Africa’s Afrikaner population—descendants of mainly Dutch colonial settlers—were being unfairly targeted by a newly passed law permitting the government to expropriate private land. South African officials have denied that the law is racially motivated, instead framing it as a means to rectify the injustices of apartheid-era land dispossession. Trump, however, has characterized the law as discriminatory, referring to Afrikaners as “racially disfavored landowners.” His administration also announced plans to offer Afrikaners refugee status in the U.S., despite the fact that no land has yet been expropriated under the law. The Expropriation Act, signed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this year, grants the government authority to seize land in cases where it is underutilized or where redistribution serves the public interest. It is intended to address historical inequities stemming from apartheid, when Black South Africans were forcibly removed from their lands and relegated to racially designated areas. Musk, who was born and raised in South Africa and now heads Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, has frequently criticized the law on social media, portraying it as a direct threat to the country’s white minority. His stance has fueled further controversy over the issue, as the Trump administration continues to shape its foreign policy toward South Africa. Based on a report by NYP 2025-03-17 -
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Chinese ‘Invasion Barges’ Raise Fears of Taiwan Assault
China’s military has been spotted conducting drills with massive amphibious landing barges in the South China Sea, raising concerns that these specialized vessels could play a crucial role in a potential invasion of Taiwan. The footage, which surfaced on Chinese social media before being removed, shows the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) testing the Shuiqiao barges—large vessels equipped with retractable bridges designed to unload heavy military equipment onto enemy shores. BREAKING: China unveiled its new huge ”invasion barges” during an amphibious landing exercise near Zhanjiang. The barges will make it possible for China to move large amounts of military equipment to a shore without docking facilities. Ships would dock with barges, unload tanks, trucks and other armored vehicles which could then drive to shore across 120 meter long arm acting as a bridge. Such barges could be used for military operations against Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines and other areas near the South China Sea. Reports indicate that between three and five of these barges were constructed in Guangzhou shipyard in southern China, each completed in just a few months despite development beginning in 2022. Their appearance in drills near Zhanjiang, Guangdong—600 miles from Taiwan—suggests China is refining its amphibious warfare capabilities. Naval analyst HI Sutton, who first reported on the barges in January, described them as “tailor-made for an amphibious assault.” He noted that while China might argue these ships have civilian applications, their size and purpose-built design make such claims unlikely. Dr. Emma Salisbury, a research fellow at the Council on Geostrategy, believes these barges could solve a long-standing logistical challenge for China in mounting a full-scale invasion. “A core problem for the PRC in invading Taiwan is getting the necessary heavy equipment over the Strait – and the solution to that problem is what we are seeing with these barges,” she told The Telegraph. “While landing forces on contested shores is always going to be difficult, these barges look to be ideal for moving tanks, armored vehicles, and the like quickly and safely on to shore.” Allowing information about these barges to reach the public, she added, underscores China’s growing threat in the region. The vessels perform a function similar to the U.S. military’s Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore system (JLOTS), which was used in an attempt to deliver aid to Gaza last year but was operational for only 20 days due to weather, technical, and security issues. However, not all analysts believe these barges will play a decisive role in an invasion scenario. Timothy R. Heath, a senior international defense researcher at RAND, pointed out that the slow-moving barges would be easy targets in a battle. “The slow-moving barges are easily targeted so they are unlikely to survive in the middle of a battle on the beaches,” he told The Telegraph. He noted that China already has military-grade amphibious assault ships that are better suited for deploying armored vehicles. Instead, Heath suggested that the barges might be intended for humanitarian missions in regions with poor port infrastructure. Despite this, defense analyst and former submariner Tom Shugart warned that Taiwan and the U.S. should remain on high alert. While the footage does not indicate an imminent attack, he wrote on X that concerns should grow “for when they’ve fully tested these and perhaps built many more.” China’s rapidly expanding naval capabilities are adding to these anxieties. A recent report from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies highlights that China has built the equivalent of the entire Royal Navy in just a few years, surpassing the U.S. Navy in sheer hull count and nearing its fleet tonnage. Between 2019 and 2023, Chinese shipyards in Dalian, Guangzhou, Jiangnan, and Hudong-Zhonghua collectively produced at least 39 warships—exceeding the Royal Navy’s total battle force fleet. With Beijing’s military ambitions continuing to grow, these developments signal an increasingly tense geopolitical landscape, particularly as China strengthens its ability to project power across the Taiwan Strait. Based on a report by The Telegraph 2025-03-17 -
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Trio Jailed for Kidnapping Israeli Music Producer in Wales "highly sophisticated planning"
A terrifying ordeal in West Wales when a Jewish-Israeli music producer, Itay Kashti, was lured from London under false pretenses and violently kidnapped. The three men responsible—Faiz Shah, 23, Mohammad Comrie, 23, and Elijah Ogunnubi-Sime, 20—have now been sentenced to over eight years in prison each after their meticulously planned attack was thwarted. Kashti was invited to what he believed was a legitimate music workshop at a secluded property in the Brynteg area of Llanybydder. The perpetrators posed as representatives of a reputable music production company and used stolen identities to rent the property and arrange a taxi for their unsuspecting victim. When Kashti arrived on August 26 last year, the men, masked and prepared for violence, launched their assault. The attackers also targeted the taxi driver but were forced to abandon their plan when he managed to escape, knowing he would alert the authorities. Police later discovered the three men hiding in nearby fields, leading to their arrest and subsequent guilty pleas to charges of kidnap. Judge Catherine Richards, sentencing the trio at Swansea Crown Court, described the crime as "motivated by events taking place elsewhere in the world" and highlighted the extensive planning involved. "None of you knew the victim," she told them. "He was an entirely innocent, hard-working music producer that you had identified as a victim based on your understanding of his wealth and his Jewish heritage." She imposed a 15-year restraining order alongside their prison terms. The judge detailed the sophisticated nature of the crime, revealing that the perpetrators had created false financial documents, used multiple mobile phones, and even developed escape routes. Messages between the attackers showed they had planned to drug Kashti with ketamine and had acquired an imitation firearm. When they attacked him, they handcuffed him to a radiator and threatened his life. The impact on the victim was profound. Recalling the terrifying experience, Kashti compared it to a national tragedy, saying, "As an Israeli, this incident felt like my own personal October the 7th." He described being kicked in the head, restrained, and told he would be killed if he tried to escape. "The awful attack of 7th of October was flashing through my mind as I lay restrained on the floor in handcuffs." Eventually, after his captors fled, he managed to free himself and call his wife, who alerted the police. Authorities later released images showing blood on the cottage floor and the cable ties used to bind him. Prosecutor Craig Jones revealed that messages between the kidnappers referred to Kashti’s perceived political stance and their lack of remorse. Their plot also included plans to launder extorted money through cryptocurrency. Items found in their possession included face masks, gloves, rental cars, a gag, blindfold, handcuffs, and cable ties—evidence of the chilling extent of their intentions. Mark Gardner, chief executive of the Community Security Trust (CST), expressed gratitude to prosecutors and law enforcement, emphasizing the gravity of the crime. "The combination of criminality and anti-Jewish hatred could easily have resulted in a far worse, perhaps even fatal outcome. We will continue to work with the police and all other partners to ensure the safety of our Jewish community and to bring perpetrators of antisemitism to justice." Inspector Gareth Jones of Dyfed-Powys Police acknowledged the traumatic impact on Kashti and his family. "This sentence today reflects the severity of this offence and the ordeal the victim suffered. We hope it gives the victim a sense of justice. We thank him for his strength, bravery, and patience whilst we carried out a thorough investigation into what was an extraordinary crime." Based on a report by BBC | Telegraphandargus 2025-03-17 -
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Sir Hamid Patel Appointed Interim Chairman of Ofsted in Historic Move
For the first time in its history, Ofsted, the schools regulator, will be led by a religious school leader. Sir Hamid Patel, the chief executive of Star Academies Trust, has been appointed as interim chairman, stepping in until a permanent successor is found for Dame Christine Ryan. Sir Hamid has been a member of the Ofsted board since 2019 and has overseen the expansion of Star Academies, which operates nearly 40 primary and secondary schools, including several Islamic institutions, a Christian school, and grammar schools. Many of these schools have achieved an "outstanding" rating from Ofsted. His leadership at the trust, which he has headed since its formation in 2010, has been widely recognized, culminating in his knighthood in 2021 for services to education. His career in education began as the headteacher of Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School in Blackpool, where he implemented policies encouraging students to wear a hijab outside of school and to engage in religious study, such as reciting the Koran weekly. The school also advised against bringing stationery featuring images deemed "un-Islamic," such as those of pop stars. Sir Hamid’s tenure at Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School was not without controversy. In 2010, the school hosted Sheikh Abdul Rahman al-Sudais, a Saudi cleric known for inflammatory remarks about Jewish people. Sheikh Sudais had previously referred to Jews as "pigs" and prayed for God to "terminate" them. Sir Hamid later defended the visit, explaining in a 2013 interview that students were interested in meeting the cleric, who was widely followed online, and that his visit lasted only 20 minutes. There is no evidence that these remarks were made at the school. His appointment has drawn reactions from various groups. The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism voiced concerns, stating, "We hope that in his new role, Hamid Patel will adopt a higher degree of scrutiny than he appeared to in his previous occupation. British Jews will understandably be concerned that an individual who invited a man who allegedly described Jews as ‘pigs’ to speak to children will be responsible for assessing the performance of schools." However, Star Academies now hosts speakers from multiple faiths, including Jewish, Sikh, Hindu, Christian, and Islamic leaders. Sir Hamid has also made commitments to improving educational outcomes for all students, not just those from religious backgrounds. He has previously highlighted the struggles of white working-class boys in the education system, calling their low academic achievement “a national disgrace” and vowing to support efforts to improve their performance. The National Secular Society acknowledged his appointment with cautious optimism, stating, "At a time when religious fundamentalism is increasingly impacting schools, we’re willing to support any chairman who upholds principles of equality, regardless of sex and religion or belief. We urge Sir Hamid to ensure that Ofsted remains committed to ensuring that religion does not impede educational standards or undermine children’s fundamental human right to a broad and balanced education." His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, praised the appointment, noting, "Sir Hamid Patel runs some of the best schools in England. He is a highly respected school and academy trust leader, knighted for his contribution to education. After more than five years on the Ofsted Board, I’m delighted he is stepping up to lead while the secretary of state recruits a permanent chairman." Sir Hamid’s appointment comes at a time when Ofsted faces scrutiny over its school inspection processes. As interim chairman, he will be responsible for guiding the regulator through ongoing debates about its policies and ensuring that educational standards remain rigorous and fair across all schools in England. Based on a report by NYP 2025-03-17 -
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UK Jewish Students Fear for Safety as University Societies Share Hamas Propaganda
Jewish students at UK universities are feeling increasingly unsafe as campus societies share material glorifying Hamas and spreading antisemitic messages. Concerns over student safety have grown so much that Jewish sixth-formers are now attending workshops to prepare for potential harassment before they even step onto campus. The higher education regulator has made it clear that while universities must uphold free speech, this does not extend to harassment or support for proscribed terrorist organizations. This statement follows reports that student activists have been sharing content sympathetic to Hamas, which is recognized as a terrorist group by the UK government. An investigation by The Times uncovered that some student societies have been publicly praising terrorist “martyrs,” including those responsible for the October 7 attack that claimed over 1,200 lives. Some groups have also engaged with social media content featuring Hamas fighters and have used language echoing antisemitic tropes. This has led to an alarming climate on campuses, prompting the need for training sessions to help Jewish students navigate antisemitism in higher education. Robert Halfon, a former Conservative universities minister, who attended one of these workshops, condemned the current situation as a “shocking stain on our university system.” He pointed out that certain student societies have been posting material that appears to violate their universities' own codes of conduct, which emphasize respect and prohibit harassment. At the University of Leeds, the Students Against Apartheid Coalition engaged with social media posts referencing “messages from the resistance,” alongside an image of Hamas fighters on stage during an Israeli prisoner exchange. The same account also used the phrase “Nazi Zionism,” a well-known antisemitic slur. Meanwhile, Action For Palestine at Queen Mary University in London shared a post praising terrorist “martyrs,” including Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 7 attacks, and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike. In January, Cardiff Students For Palestine posted an image of Hamas fighters surrounding Israeli hostages with the caption, “Glory To The Resistance.” They also shared multiple images of Hamas members celebrating in Gaza, including one showing a fighter surrounded by children with the phrase “the resistance will never die.” The issue is not isolated to a few universities. At Cambridge, students have used Instagram to spread conspiracy theories alleging that Israel is stealing and trafficking Palestinian organs. Many other student societies across the UK have also been found sharing Hamas propaganda online, further escalating tensions on campuses. A spokeswoman for the Office for Students, the independent regulator for higher education in England, issued a statement reinforcing that universities must protect free speech while also preventing harassment. “Universities and colleges should take steps to uphold free speech within the law for students, staff, and visiting speakers. But this does not, and cannot, include discrimination against, or harassment of, Jewish students or staff, or any other conduct prohibited by law, including unlawful support for a proscribed organization,” she said. The Community Security Trust, an organization that monitors and addresses antisemitism, has called for urgent disciplinary action against students and societies engaging in this kind of behavior. Concerns over rising campus hostility have also been highlighted by recent controversies, such as the London School of Economics (LSE) facing backlash for allowing a book launch that critics say provided a platform for Hamas. The book, Understanding Hamas: And Why That Matters, by Helena Cobban and Rami Khouri, has been widely criticized. Cobban, who also spoke at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), was recorded expressing “respect” for Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas political leader assassinated last year. She also suggested that the October 7 attack was targeted at military objectives. Meanwhile, at King’s College London, tensions flared when a pro-Gaza protest disrupted a panel discussion titled From Conflict to Connection: Israelis and Iranians in Dialogue. The event's moderator, a 21-year-old Jewish student, was forced to take refuge in a nearby room when protesters stormed the venue. “It was a legitimate panel discussion that was focused on dialogue,” he explained. “So it is quite telling that it got shut down by the very people who say they don’t want violence.” He went on to describe how Jewish students are increasingly made to feel unwelcome on campus. “Antisemitism is disguised as anti-Zionism. They say ‘Zionists off our streets,’ but they mean Jews off our streets. It’s like saying breathing is OK, but oxygen is not allowed.” Many Jewish students now find themselves avoiding student events altogether. “University is supposed to be the happiest years of your life,” the student added. “But Jewish students are frightened to walk from their halls of residence to lectures. And Jewish societies are being advised not to have stalls at freshers’ weeks. What’s going on is disgraceful — it’s not getting better, it’s getting worse.” As hostility towards Jewish students rises, calls are growing for universities to take stronger action to protect them from intimidation and ensure that campus environments remain spaces of safety, respect, and open dialogue. Based on a report by The Times 2025-03-17
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