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Some great value in Chinese carriers currently.....Bangkok London
Wow, £182 one-way on Christmas Day? Score! And £404 return? Not bad at all, especially for that time of year. -
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Trump's Legal Battles and Their Unintended Legacy of Backfiring
Agree. If a political bias was run on articles on here regarding US politics the needle would IMHO be showing left. A bit like this Case in point AXIOUS political bias is https://www.allsides.com/news-source/axios -
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Is Accident Insurance a Requirement in Thailand
Nah, it's not required. But seriously, get travel insurance before you go. -
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Trump Praises Agreement with Mexico’s New President to Curb Migration
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Mexico's newly inaugurated president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, has committed to halting migration through her country into the United States. Trump described the conversation as highly productive, emphasizing its significance for addressing issues related to migration and illegal drug trafficking. “Just had a wonderful conversation with the new President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo,” Trump shared on Truth Social. “She has agreed to stop Migration through Mexico, and into the United States, effectively closing our Southern Border.” The discussion extended beyond migration, with Trump highlighting their dialogue on combating the flow of illegal drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border. “We also talked about what can be done to stop the massive drug inflow into the United States, and also, U.S. consumption of these drugs,” he wrote, concluding, “It was a very productive conversation!” Sheinbaum Pardo, 62, made history as Mexico’s first female president when she took office in October. A scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, she responded to Trump’s remarks with her own comments on social media. On X, formerly known as Twitter, she confirmed their collaborative efforts on migration and security. “I had an excellent conversation with President Donald Trump,” Sheinbaum Pardo wrote. “We discussed Mexico’s strategy on the migration phenomenon and I shared that caravans are not arriving at the northern border because they are being taken care of in Mexico.” She further detailed plans to strengthen security collaboration while respecting national sovereignty and elaborated on efforts to address drug consumption, particularly fentanyl, within Mexico. “We also discussed strengthening collaboration on security issues within the framework of our sovereignty and the campaign we are carrying out in the country to prevent the consumption of fentanyl,” she added. Trump has been vocal about leveraging tariffs as a means to pressure Mexico and other countries on issues like illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Earlier this week, he announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on Mexican imports if significant action wasn’t taken. Canada and China were also named in Trump’s broader tariff strategy, with proposed rates of 25% and 10%, respectively. Following his conversation with Sheinbaum Pardo, Trump expressed confidence in the immediate impact of Mexico’s commitment. “Mexico will stop people from going to our Southern Border, effective immediately,” he declared in a separate Truth Social post. “THIS WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARD STOPPING THE ILLEGAL INVASION OF THE USA. Thank you!!!” The exchange marks a significant step in addressing key issues surrounding U.S.-Mexico relations, with both leaders signaling their readiness to collaborate on pressing challenges. Based on a report by NYP 2024-11-29 -
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Labour MPs Call for Greater Diversity in Parliamentary Art
A group of Labour MPs is urging a government-appointed commission to ensure the paintings displayed in Parliament reflect the diversity of modern Britain. The appeal comes as part of a broader set of proposals aimed at modernizing the institution and fostering a more inclusive environment. The group of eight backbench MPs, including former shadow ministers Stella Creasy and Dr. Rosena Allin-Khan, as well as Beccy Cooper, the newly elected MP for Worthing West, plans to present their recommendations to the Commons Modernisation Committee. This new panel, comprising 14 MPs, has been established to explore reforms to parliamentary procedures. Speaking to *PoliticsHome*, Beccy Cooper highlighted the evolving nature of Westminster. "Westminster is a changing place, with more women MPs, people from ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities," she stated. While emphasizing the privilege of working in Westminster, Cooper added that she and her colleagues are keen to propose changes to enhance its operation and inclusivity. This push for reform follows Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s controversial decision to replace several historic portraits in Downing Street, a move that has drawn criticism. Under previous administrations, portraits of Elizabeth I, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Margaret Thatcher were prominently displayed. These have now been substituted with landscape artwork, reflecting Starmer’s preference for less politically charged decor. The shift in artistic focus has extended beyond Downing Street. Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently replaced a portrait of Nigel Lawson, a prominent Conservative chancellor under Thatcher, with an image of Ellen Wilkinson. Wilkinson, a former Labour education minister and a founding member of the Communist Party of Great Britain, symbolizes Labour’s historical roots and progressive ideals. In addition to advocating for diverse artwork, the Labour MPs are reportedly considering other recommendations. These include providing parliamentary staff with greater access to green spaces and introducing regular, guaranteed breaks to improve well-being within Westminster. However, the proposals have not been universally well-received. Critics argue that such initiatives fail to address pressing national concerns. Elliot Keck, head of campaigns at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, expressed his dismay, saying, "Dear me. The quality of our current crop of politicians. How about these MPs spend their time fixing the backlog of driving tests or any of the other dozens of issues they were elected by their constituents to solve?" Steven Barrett, a commercial barrister and commentator, was similarly scathing. "We appear to have elected a bunch of controlling, authoritarian loons," he remarked, questioning the priorities of the MPs involved. The Commons Modernisation Committee is open to receiving feedback on potential reforms until just before Christmas, providing MPs and members of the parliamentary community with an opportunity to shape the future of Westminster. While the debate over parliamentary paintings may seem symbolic to some, it reflects broader discussions about representation and inclusivity in British political life. Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-11-29 -
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Trump Lashes Out at New York Times, Demands Apology for “Phony” Coverage
President-elect Donald Trump launched a scathing critique of *The New York Times* early Tuesday, accusing the publication of grossly misrepresenting him in its reporting and demanding an apology. Trump expressed his grievances in a series of posts on Truth Social, labeling the outlet’s coverage as “so wrong” and accusing it of intentionally trying to tarnish his reputation. “Will the failing New York Times apologize to its readers for getting years of ‘Trump’ coverage so wrong?” he wrote. Trump alleged that the publication knowingly publishes false information. “They write such phony ‘junk,’ knowing full well how incorrect it is, only meaning to demean.” Among his specific grievances, Trump targeted Maggie Haberman, a national political correspondent for the paper known for her extensive coverage of Trump dating back to his career as a New York real estate magnate. “A third rate writer and fourth rate intellect, writes story after story, always terrible, and yet I almost never speak to her,” Trump said of Haberman, who co-authored a recent *Times* piece that seemed to ignite his ire. The article in question, published late Monday, detailed an internal investigation conducted by Trump’s transition team. The investigation reportedly examined allegations that top aide Boris Epshteyn solicited payments from candidates for high-ranking Cabinet positions to gain favor with Trump. The claims, which Epshteyn has denied, drew significant attention and added fuel to Trump’s ongoing feud with the press. Trump’s indignation extended beyond Haberman to *The New York Times* as a whole, criticizing what he described as a disregard for accuracy. “They do no fact checking, because facts don’t matter to them,” Trump asserted, emphasizing what he sees as a consistent bias against him in the paper’s reporting. The president-elect also pointed to his historic 2016 election victory as evidence of the disconnect between *The New York Times* and the American public. “I don’t believe I’ve had a legitimately good story in the NYT for years, AND YET I WON, IN RECORD FASHION, THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN DECADES,” he declared, adding, “WHERE IS THE APOLOGY?” Trump’s fiery comments come amid ongoing tension between his administration and major media outlets, particularly those he perceives as hostile. This latest exchange highlights the sharp divisions between Trump and the press as he prepares to assume the presidency. Based on a report by The Hill 2024-11-29 -
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Controversy Erupts Over Release of Terrorist Linked to Manchester Bomber
The release of Abdalraouf Abdallah, a convicted terrorist with ties to the radicalization of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for intervention from the Justice Secretary. Abdallah, a childhood friend of Abedi, was freed from HMP Full Sutton in East Yorkshire this week after serving his full sentence, despite being deemed a continuing danger to the public. Abdallah's release comes just two months after the Parole Board rejected an early release plea, citing assessments from his prison officer, psychologist, and probation officer, all of whom agreed he posed a "high risk of serious harm to the public." Reports stated that Abdallah remained engaged with extremist ideologies and retained an intent to commit terrorist-related offenses. Despite these concerns, his automatic release was mandated as his sentence had expired. Abdallah, now 31, had been jailed for facilitating travel to Syria for individuals seeking to join the Islamic State group. In 2021, he was recalled to prison after breaching license conditions, underscoring the risks associated with his release. His potential to influence and radicalize others remained a central issue, with reports highlighting that he could exploit any accommodation or contacts post-release to further extremism. The release has prompted a fierce backlash, with Shadow Secretary of State for Justice Robert Jenrick leading calls for action. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Jenrick said: “This is the terrorist, Abdalraouf Abdallah. He was released on Tuesday. His prison officer, psychologist, and parole officer said he was ‘high risk,’ ‘engaging with extremism,’ and intended to ‘commit terrorist-related offending.’ The Justice Secretary must intervene.” According to documents from his parole hearing, Abdallah exhibited no significant change in his extremist mindset, and the proposed measures for managing his release were criticized as insufficiently robust. His continued engagement with extremism raised alarm among officials, who concluded that public safety could not be guaranteed under current release plans. The case has reignited debates about the adequacy of the UK’s system for managing the release of dangerous offenders. Critics argue that the automatic release mechanism, which is triggered when sentences expire, fails to account for the ongoing risks posed by individuals like Abdallah. Calls for reform have intensified as public and political figures question whether the existing legal framework adequately prioritizes public safety. The Justice Secretary is now under pressure to take urgent action. Jenrick and others have emphasized the gravity of the threat Abdallah poses, particularly given his previous role in radicalizing Abedi, whose attack on the Manchester Arena in 2017 claimed 22 lives and left scores injured. The case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in balancing legal obligations with the imperative to protect the public from individuals who, even after serving their sentences, remain committed to dangerous ideologies. Whether Abdallah’s release will prompt changes to the system remains to be seen, but the anger surrounding the decision underscores the need for a comprehensive review of policies governing the release of high-risk offenders. Based on a report by Daily Mail 2024-11-29 -
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Putin on Ukraine: A Former EU Leader's Revelations "does not want Ukraine to exist"
Former European Commission President José Manuel Barroso has revealed striking insights into Vladimir Putin’s view of Ukraine, describing the Russian leader’s desire to undermine its sovereignty. In an exclusive interview with Euronews, Barroso recounted his interactions with Putin during his decade-long tenure from 2004 to 2014. Over the course of 25 meetings, Putin made it clear that he did not see Ukraine as an independent entity. Barroso recalled that Putin once referred to Ukraine as “an artificial country created by the CIA and by the European Commission.” According to Barroso, the Russian president’s goal was to prevent Ukraine from achieving full independence. Instead, Putin envisioned Ukraine as a satellite state firmly under Moscow’s influence, much like Belarus. “I know because I spoke with him about this,” Barroso explained. “He does not want Ukraine to exist, or if it exists, to be a kind of Belarus without any independence in foreign policy or in defense terms—a vassal state. This is his goal.” Barroso emphasized his unique perspective, having met Putin more frequently than any other non-European leader during his presidency. “Putin is the leader outside Europe that I met the most during my ten years in office. I met him 25 times. I know what he feels. I know,” Barroso said. He further noted that Putin’s ambitions extended beyond territorial gains, asserting, “Putin does not want to come to the Russian people and say, okay, we have gained some more territory, a little bit of Donbass, a little bit of Crimea now. The goal of Putin was to avoid Ukraine being a country.” During Barroso’s time in office, several key events marked Russia’s increasingly aggressive posture. These included the annexation of Crimea, the conflict in Georgia, and high-profile assassinations linked to the Kremlin, such as journalist Anna Politkovskaya and former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko. Reflecting on the annexation of Crimea, Barroso noted that many European governments viewed it as a “special case.” He added, “That’s why today, honestly, nobody believes that Ukraine is going to get back Crimea. That’s the reality.” Barroso also shed light on the European Union’s response to Russian aggression during his tenure. While there was awareness of Putin’s intentions, EU member states hesitated to impose strong sanctions due to economic concerns. “The problem was which kind of sanctions because then they could not agree, and they asked the commission to design the sanctions,” Barroso explained. Each country sought exceptions for specific industries, ranging from farming and energy to banking and even diamonds. “I don’t think at that moment it was possible to conceive a much stronger position because, in fact, the governments were not ready for it,” he admitted. Despite past hesitations, Barroso is unequivocal about Europe’s responsibility to support Ukraine in its current struggle against Russia. He argued that Europe must ensure Ukraine’s victory regardless of any potential policy shifts in the United States. “Whatever happens with our American friends, we should support Ukraine because if not, it’s not only going to be a tragedy for Ukraine. It’s a very important country, but a tragedy for Europe,” Barroso said. He warned that failing to act decisively would embolden movements opposed to democracy, international law, and European values. Based on a report by Euro News 2024-11-29
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