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12
Splitting my time between Thailand & my originating country....
I've got an 'Elite' visa that's good until the 2040s and a 1 year visa in Cambodia that can be renewed each year, I come and go between both places as I please and keep a 'residence' in both. -
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Honda Scoopy v Yamaha Fino
In my experience the Fino was very heavy on fuel, apart from that it was a great little bike. -
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Tax Cuts or Tax Hikes? Harris and Trump Clash on Economic Strategies for the US
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are presenting starkly different visions for how to boost the US economy as they gear up for their upcoming debate. Trump is banking on a strategy of significant tax cuts, believing they will drive economic growth so robustly that the resulting budget deficits won’t matter. Meanwhile, Harris is advocating for increased taxes on the wealthy and large corporations to fund policies that directly support middle-class Americans, such as building affordable homes and providing tax breaks for parents. Trump’s approach is rooted in the belief that lowering taxes for businesses and the wealthy will stimulate investment and economic expansion, with some of his former advisers predicting growth rates exceeding 3%. Despite this optimistic outlook, the US economy never achieved a 3% annual growth rate during Trump’s previous term. However, median household income did see a notable increase between 2018 and 2019, rising by $5,220 to an inflation-adjusted $78,250. Joseph LaVorgna, an economist from the Trump White House, emphasized, “The Trump policies were designed to lift middle-class wages, re-onshore, and re-industrialize. The intention is to get wages higher.” Conversely, Harris is focused on directly addressing the financial challenges faced by the middle class, particularly the high costs of home ownership and raising children. Her plan includes $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers and broader efforts to build 3 million homes in four years. New parents would benefit from a $6,000 tax credit and an expanded child tax credit. Harris’s adviser, Brian Nelson, emphasized that these measures are aimed at empowering Americans to earn more, build businesses, buy homes, and climb the economic ladder. Both candidates also have proposals concerning taxation on tips and Social Security. Trump has proposed eliminating taxes on tips and Social Security income, a move that could cost $1.2 trillion over a decade. Harris has backed the idea of not taxing tips, but experts like Ernie Tedeschi from the Yale Budget Lab argue that the impact would be minimal since a small percentage of workers receive tips, and many do not earn enough to pay federal income taxes. Concerns have also been raised that eliminating taxes on Social Security could jeopardize the program’s ability to pay full benefits starting in 2033. Tariffs are another area where Trump’s plans could have a significant impact. He has floated broad tariffs on imports, ranging from 10% to as high as 20%, and even higher rates specifically on Chinese goods. While Trump argues that these tariffs would encourage domestic manufacturing without driving up inflation, Harris’s campaign warns that such measures could cost a typical household an additional $4,000 annually. The financial feasibility of Trump’s tax plans is uncertain, as he seeks to extend the 2017 tax cuts and further reduce the corporate tax rate from 21% to 15%. This agenda, combined with proposed cuts on tips and Social Security, could add up to a cost of nearly $6 trillion, further straining an already projected $22 trillion deficit over the next decade. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has suggested that Trump’s tax cuts would have minimal long-term impact on growth due to the additional debt. Harris, on the other hand, promises that her spending plans would be funded primarily through increased corporate taxes and other revenue-generating measures, aligning closely with President Biden’s 2025 budget proposal. According to the Penn Wharton Budget Model, Harris’s proposals would add $2.3 trillion in spending, with significant revenue coming from raising the corporate tax rate to 28%. However, her plan would also lead to higher deficits, though the impact on economic growth is expected to be more substantial compared to Trump’s policies. The fundamental difference in the candidates’ plans lies in their impact on tax burdens. Under Trump’s approach, the wealthiest 0.1% of earners would see significant increases in after-tax income, while the poorest 20% would benefit only marginally. In contrast, Harris’s policies would decrease the after-tax income of the wealthiest while significantly boosting the incomes of the poorest Americans. As the nation faces crucial decisions on its economic future, these contrasting approaches highlight the broader debate over how to best support the middle class and ensure sustainable growth. Credit: ABC News 2024-09-05 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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France Calls for Migrants to Claim UK Asylum from Within the EU
France is urging the United Kingdom to establish safe and legal routes for migrants to claim asylum from within the European Union, following a devastating incident in the English Channel that left 12 people dead, two missing, and two critically injured. French Interior Minister Gérard Darmanin emphasized the need for safer migration pathways just hours after the tragedy, stressing the importance of creating a formalized system that would allow asylum seekers to legally seek refuge in the UK from EU territories. Darmanin described the tragic event as a “terrible shipwreck” on X, formerly known as Twitter, and called for a new agreement that would allow for “re-establishing a classic migration relationship” between the UK and the EU, not just between France and the UK. He stated, “The solution is…to do a treaty that allows the UK and the EU to create a causal link between asylum requests and the granting of asylum in the UK. Otherwise, we will be condemned to see the small boats continue.” Highlighting the allure of the UK for migrants, Darmanin pointed out that many feel drawn to the country because they can often find work without proper documentation and are rarely deported. He also criticized the Rwanda deportation deal, stating that its collapse had failed to deter human traffickers, and mentioned the ongoing financial strain of migration controls, with France shouldering most of the costs despite British contributions. Darmanin said, “The tens of millions of euros we negotiate every year with our British friends, who only pay a third of what we spend,” highlighting the insufficient impact of the current £478 million Anglo-French deal meant to bolster beach patrols. Despite France’s calls for action, the UK Government appears unlikely to adopt the proposed approach. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has expressed openness to a new “Dublin” agreement that would facilitate the return of illegal migrants to the EU but ruled out any reciprocal arrangement that would see the UK accepting thousands of migrants from Europe. The UK Government has scrapped the controversial Rwanda deportation scheme, redirecting funds to establish a new Border Security Command. This initiative will involve the deployment of up to 1,000 additional officers, many stationed across Europe, to collaborate with agencies like Europol in dismantling human smuggling networks. Shadow Home Secretary James Cleverly, who previously advocated reviving the Rwanda scheme, labeled the situation as “tragic” and unsustainable. He stressed the need for decisive action against people smuggling and emphasized the importance of restoring a strong deterrent to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation and secure the UK’s borders. Cleverly stated, “It is not enough to talk about ‘smashing the gangs’ when the real-life consequences are so serious.” In its latest report, the National Crime Agency (NCA) underscored the persistent and high-risk nature of these dangerous crossings, warning that the volume of attempts and the increasingly hazardous conditions, such as overcrowding on smaller and less stable boats, have made fatal outcomes more likely. NCA Chief Graeme Biggar highlighted the urgent need for an asylum system that works “quickly and effectively” to deter dangerous crossings. Charities, including the Refugee Council, have voiced support for France’s proposal, urging the UK Government to expand safe and legal routes for asylum seekers. They argue that such measures would significantly reduce the reliance on perilous crossings and provide a more humane and controlled approach to migration. As the debate continues, the tragic loss of life serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for international cooperation and more compassionate migration policies. Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-09-05 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Greta Thunberg Detained by Danish Police During Gaza War Protest
Danish police detained climate activist Greta Thunberg on Wednesday during a protest in Copenhagen against the ongoing war in Gaza. The demonstration, organized by a student group, took place at Copenhagen University, where Thunberg and other protesters aimed to raise awareness and express their opposition to the conflict. The protest led to the apprehension of six individuals after a group of around 20 people blocked the entrance to a university building, with three of them reportedly entering the premises. A police spokesperson confirmed the detentions but did not disclose the identities of those arrested. However, a spokesperson for the Students Against the Occupation, the group behind the demonstration, confirmed to Reuters that Thunberg was among those detained. A photograph published by the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet showed Thunberg, who has become a global symbol of youth activism, reportedly wearing handcuffs during the arrest. The image quickly circulated online, drawing attention to her involvement in the protest and the actions taken by Danish authorities. Thunberg's participation in the protest underscores her ongoing commitment to activism, extending beyond climate issues to include human rights and social justice. The protest in Copenhagen was part of a broader series of demonstrations across the world, as activists and concerned citizens voice their opposition to the violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The detainment of Thunberg has sparked further discussions about the role of youth activists in global movements and the responses they face from authorities. As the situation in Gaza continues to escalate, protests like the one in Copenhagen are likely to persist, with activists such as Thunberg remaining at the forefront of calls for peace and justice. Credit: Reuters 2024-09-05 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Starlink Complies with Brazil's Court Order to Block X After Initial Defiance
Starlink, the satellite broadband company owned by Elon Musk, has announced its compliance with an order from Brazil's top court to block access to the social media platform X in the country. This development comes after a brief period of defiance in which the company informed Brazil's telecom regulator, Anatel, that it would not obey the order. However, Starlink has now backtracked, stating that despite what it describes as the illegal freezing of its assets, it will follow through with the court's directive. The conflict between Starlink and Brazil escalated when Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered the freezing of Starlink's accounts, which could potentially be used to pay fines owed by X, another company owned by Musk. Starlink, which has more than 200,000 customers in Brazil, responded with a statement on the platform X, saying, "Regardless of the illegal treatment of Starlink in freezing of our assets, we are complying with the order to block access to X in Brazil." On Monday, Anatel had been notified by Starlink that the company did not intend to comply with Judge Moraes' order, which required all internet providers in Brazil to block domestic access to X. However, by Tuesday, Starlink had reversed its stance and informed Anatel that it would comply with the order within hours. Anatel has since verified that Starlink has begun cutting access to X in Brazil. The platform X has been blocked in Brazil since last week, following Judge Moraes' order that all telecom providers in the country shut down access due to the platform's lack of a legal representative in Brazil. This decision was later upheld by a panel of Supreme Court justices. In response, Starlink has initiated legal proceedings in the Brazilian Supreme Court, arguing the "gross illegality" of Moraes' order, which not only froze the company's finances but also prevents it from conducting financial transactions in the country. Starlink has stated that it will continue to explore all legal avenues available to it, joining others who believe that Judge Moraes' recent orders "violate the Brazilian constitution." However, a court document revealed that Starlink missed the deadline to present a new appeal against the decision to freeze its accounts. It remains unclear what legal instrument the company will use to challenge the freezing of its assets. The origins of the dispute trace back to an earlier order by Judge Moraes requiring the platform X to block accounts involved in investigations related to the spread of distorted news and hate messages. Musk has publicly criticized this order, labeling it as censorship. In response, Musk closed X's offices in Brazil in mid-August, although the platform remained accessible in the country until Moraes' latest shutdown order. Despite the official block, some Brazilians continue to access the platform using VPNs and other methods. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between Musk's companies and Brazilian authorities, as well as the broader debate over the balance between free speech and the regulation of online content. Credit: Reuters 2024-09-05 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Hamas Cheering Protestors at Columbia University
The first day of classes at Columbia University and Barnard College erupted into chaos as dozens of anti-Israel protesters, some cheering for Hamas, descended on the campuses, leading to two arrests by the NYPD. This turbulent start to the new school year echoed the disruptive demonstrations that plagued the Upper Manhattan campus at the end of the previous semester. Protesters formed picket lines, banging drums as students waited in long queues to pass through security to enter the Ivy League institution in Morningside Heights. Nearby, at Barnard College, Columbia’s sister school, the protests continued, resulting in the arrest of two demonstrators, including one who concealed their identity with a keffiyeh scarf. Protesters waved signs with slogans like “resist until victory” and chanted, “over 100,000 dead, Columbia your hands are red” and “don’t cross the picket line, we must honor Palestine.” At one point, over 150 students lined the block, waiting to enter the campus through its tall iron gates at Broadway and West 116th Street. Inside Columbia, the Alma Mater, a historic bronze statue from the early 1900s located on the steps of the Low Memorial Library, was defaced with red paint by midday. This act of vandalism comes on the heels of a new 91-page report by Columbia’s faculty-led antisemitism task force, which highlighted the urgent need for reforms to address rising hate on campus. The report detailed how the university failed to protect Jewish and Israeli students from ostracization, humiliation, and verbal abuse following Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel. It also noted that some professors dismissed the growing concerns about antisemitism, further aggravating the situation. Governor Kathy Hochul has pledged to crack down on such demonstrations to prevent a recurrence of last year’s widespread campus protests across New York. One Columbia student, Levin, expressed disappointment over the defacement of the statue, stating, “I expected protest but I didn’t expect the statue to be defaced. It shows a complete disrespect and sheer hostile intent.” Levin further criticized the demonstrators, saying, “The protesters are not here to engage in discussion. They have a hateful agenda and they’re dragging the rest of the school down with them.” The escalating tensions have also caught the attention of House Republican leaders, who are promising to confront the wave of anti-Israel protests taking over college campuses as students return for the fall semester. Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., called for strict measures against antisemitic violence targeting Jewish students, saying, “There should be a zero tolerance policy for antisemitic violence on campus that targets Jewish students. If universities won’t hold protestors accountable, Congress will.” Scalise also mentioned that Congress had recently subpoenaed several Columbia University officials and vowed to continue investigations as students return to campus. With the new school year just beginning, Columbia University finds itself at the center of a growing debate over freedom of expression and the limits of protest, as both state and federal officials grapple with how to address the rising tide of campus unrest. Credit: NYP 2024-09-05 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Luxury, Lies, and Espionage: New York Official Accused of Spying for China
Linda Sun, a high-ranking New York state government aide, has been accused of secretly assisting the Chinese government in accessing sensitive information, including an official call about Covid-19, while leading a lavish lifestyle as an undercover agent for Beijing. A recent U.S. indictment reveals that Ms. Sun, who served as deputy chief of staff to the governor, allegedly exploited her position to aid Chinese officials in various covert activities. Over the course of 14 years, Ms. Sun, 41, allegedly helped the Chinese government by blocking Taiwanese diplomats from contacting state officials and secretly sharing internal documents with Beijing. In return, prosecutors claim that China rewarded Ms. Sun and her husband, Christopher Hu, with millions of dollars in kickbacks. These funds allowed the couple to purchase a $4.1 million house in New York and enjoy luxurious perks such as home deliveries of Nanjing-style salted duck, prepared by a personal chef of a Chinese government official. They also acquired a $2.1 million ocean-view condominium in Honolulu, Hawaii, and luxury vehicles, including a 2024 Ferrari Roma sports car. On Tuesday, Ms. Sun and Mr. Hu pleaded not guilty in a Brooklyn federal court to various charges, including failing to register as a foreign agent, visa fraud, and money laundering. U.S. law mandates that individuals acting on behalf of foreign countries register as foreign agents, something Ms. Sun never did. Prosecutors allege that she "actively concealed that she took actions at the order, request, or direction" of Chinese government officials. During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Ms. Sun allegedly facilitated access for Chinese consular officials to meet with New York leaders. Prosecutors claim that in one instance, she covertly added a Chinese official to a private state government call discussing the public health response to the virus. Former New York prosecutor Howard Master commented that the charges against Ms. Sun reflect a "disturbing" trend of senior public officials accepting gifts from foreign governments, including those recently faced by former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez. The indictment outlines several instances where Ms. Sun worked to obstruct Taiwanese representatives from communicating with high-ranking U.S. officials. In one notable 2016 message to a Chinese consular official, Ms. Sun allegedly boasted, "It's all been taken care of satisfactorily," after successfully diverting a prominent New York politician from an event hosted by Taiwan. She was also photographed in 2019 participating in a pro-Beijing protest against the visit of Taiwan's president to New York City. Up until January 2021, Ms. Sun was accused of working behind the scenes to remove mentions of Beijing's detention of Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group in Xinjiang Province, from official statements. When Chinese officials requested a Lunar New Year video from the governor, Ms. Sun inquired about the desired "talking points." Chinese officials replied, “Mostly holiday wishes and hope for friendship and co-operation. Nothing too political.” Ms. Sun later informed a Chinese official that she had argued with Governor Kathy Hochul’s speechwriter to remove a reference to the “Uyghur situation” from the governor’s speech draft. In 2023, while working in the New York labor department, Ms. Sun allegedly presented an unauthorized framed Lunar New Year proclamation from Governor Hochul to a Chinese official. Prosecutors claim she also wrote fraudulent invitation letters for Chinese politicians to travel to the U.S. and penned an unauthorized employment letter to include an associate on the governor's Asian American advisory council. Prosecutors assert that Ms. Sun and Mr. Hu "received substantial economic and other benefits from [Beijing] representatives," including all-expenses-paid trips to China, tickets to exclusive events, and employment opportunities in China for Ms. Sun's cousin. The couple's home also received deliveries of salted ducks on at least 16 occasions, underscoring the extent of their alleged rewards from the Chinese government. Federal agents detained Ms. Sun and Mr. Hu at their Long Island home on Tuesday morning on ten criminal counts. Their lawyer, Jarrod Schaeffer, stated, “We’re looking forward to addressing these charges in court. Our client is understandably upset that these charges have been brought.” Following their court appearance, the judge released the couple on bail, restricting their travel to three U.S. states and prohibiting Ms. Sun from contacting any Chinese consulate representatives in New York. Credit: BBC 2024-09-05 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Trump: ‘God Thinks I’m Here to Straighten Out Our Country’
In a recent interview, former President Donald Trump shared his belief that God spared his life during an assassination attempt in July because he is destined to "straighten out" the United States. The attempt on Trump’s life occurred during a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, when a shooter opened fire, grazing Trump in the ear, killing one attendee, and injuring two others. Speaking with Fox News host Mark Levin on "Life, Liberty & Levin," Trump discussed how the harrowing experience has deepened his faith. When asked by Levin if his belief in God had grown following the incident, Trump responded thoughtfully. “I think you think like, if you believe in God, you believe in God more. And somebody said like, why? And I’d like to think that God thinks that I’m going to straighten out our country,” he said, reflecting on the gravity of the event. He described the state of the nation as “so sick and so broken,” suggesting that his survival might be part of a divine plan. “Maybe that was the reason, I don’t know. I don’t know, a lot of people have said that,” he added. Trump has previously suggested that divine intervention played a role in his survival, and during the interview, he reiterated this belief, recounting the chaotic moments when the gunman fired. He speculated that the shooter’s failure to hit his target was not due to lack of skill but rather because the assailant was rushed. “I think you believe more, because when you speak to experts, like my sons who are shooting experts. But when you speak to experts, they said there was no chance that he could have missed from that distance,” Trump explained. He continued, “I think he was hurried. I think he was rushed because people were starting to say, like, you know, there’s a guy up there with a gun. And I think he was probably rushed.” Trump also praised the swift actions of the Secret Service agents who protected him during the attack, lauding their bravery and quick response. “They were on top of me and they were bullets were flying over us — and there wasn’t one of them that said, ‘Oh gee, I’m not doing that,’” Trump recalled, emphasizing the agents' dedication under fire. He commended the sniper who neutralized the threat as “amazing” but pointed out that security flaws allowed the shooter to take the shot in the first place. “Now, obviously, somebody should have been on top of that roof. And there were some problems,” he acknowledged, highlighting the gaps in security that have since come under intense scrutiny. In the wake of the assassination attempt, the Secret Service has faced significant criticism over the breach that allowed a gunman to come so close to the former president. Kimberly Cheatle, who was serving as the Secret Service director at the time, resigned from her position amid mounting pressure and questions regarding the security lapses that led to the incident. The resignation has sparked further debate about the effectiveness and readiness of the agency tasked with protecting high-profile figures like Trump. As Trump continues to reflect on the events of July 13, his comments reveal a man who sees his survival as more than just a stroke of luck. For Trump, the failed assassination attempt has reinforced his belief that he has a purpose yet unfulfilled. “I’d like to think that God thinks that I’m going to straighten out our country,” he said, a sentiment that underscores his enduring connection between faith and his political mission. Credit: The Hill 2024-09-05 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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French Man Faces Trial for Recruiting 50 Men Who Raped Unconscious Wife
In a case that has shocked France, a 71-year-old man identified as Dominique P. has gone on trial for the repeated drugging, raping, and facilitating the rape of his wife by dozens of strangers over the course of a decade. The crimes, which have horrified the nation due to their sheer scale and depravity, allegedly involved the participation of 72 men, of whom 50 have been identified, charged, and are standing trial alongside Dominique P. Dominique P. is accused of recruiting strangers online to come to his home and sexually assault his wife, who was sedated to the point of unconsciousness, according to her lawyers. The victim, now 72 years old, only became aware of the horrific abuse in 2020 after police informed her. Her lawyer, Antoine Camus, described the trial as "a horrible ordeal" for the victim, as it will be the first time she is confronted with video evidence of the abuse she endured over the years. "For the first time, she will have to live through the rapes that she endured over 10 years," Camus told AFP news agency. The investigation into Dominique P. began after a security guard caught him secretly filming under the skirts of three women in a shopping center in September 2020. This incident led police to search his computer, where they discovered hundreds of pictures and videos of his wife in which she appeared unconscious. These images allegedly depict dozens of sexual assaults that took place in the couple's home, beginning in 2011. Further investigation revealed that Dominique P. had used an online chat room to recruit strangers to come to his home and rape his wife. He admitted to giving his wife powerful tranquilizers, including an anxiety-reducing drug, to keep her unconscious during the assaults. Prosecutors allege that Dominique P. not only participated in the rapes but also filmed them and encouraged the other men with degrading language. No money is believed to have changed hands in these arrangements. The accused rapists, aged between 26 and 74, come from various walks of life. While most of them participated only once, some allegedly took part in the assaults up to six times. Their defense claims that they were helping a couple live out their fantasies, but Dominique P. told investigators that everyone involved knew his wife had been drugged without her knowledge. An expert who examined the case stated that her state during the assaults "was closer to a coma than to sleep." Dominique P.'s lawyer, Beatrice Zavarro, told AFP that her client, who has also been charged with a 1991 murder and rape (which he denies) and an attempted rape in 1999 (which he admitted after DNA testing), is prepared to face "his family and his wife" during the trial. The trial, which is being held at Parc des Expositions in Avignon, southern France, is expected to continue until December 20th. On the opening day of the trial, the victim arrived at the court supported by her three children. Despite the option to have the trial held behind closed doors, her lawyer explained that she chose a public trial to prevent giving her attackers the privacy they might have preferred. Credit: BBC 2024-09-05 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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The Silent Erasure of Afghanistan’s Women: A Tragic Global Complicity
The Taliban's reign over Afghanistan has marked a dark chapter for the nation’s women, with the world seemingly content to watch from the sidelines. Videos of Afghan women, draped in the shrouds they are forced to wear, singing in defiance of the Taliban's oppressive decrees, have surfaced, revealing a reality where women’s voices are now considered instruments of vice. They are silenced, unable to speak, sing, or even read aloud in their own homes. This dystopian scenario, rightly characterized as gender apartheid, shocks the conscience. But should it? This is, after all, the Taliban. As Maya Angelou wisely remarked, "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." Since the mid-1990s, the Taliban have consistently shown the world who they are, yet somehow, the international community has failed to fully grasp the gravity of their actions. After the Second Afghan Civil War ended in 1996, the Taliban took over Kabul and controlled most of the country. They began implementing a strict interpretation of law based on a blend of Deobandi traditionalism, Wahhabi puritanism, and an ultra-conservative Pashtun code. This resulted in the brutal repression of women’s rights, their exclusion from education and employment, and the tragic destruction of non-Islamic cultural heritage, such as the Buddhas of Bamiyan. The free-spirited female students of 1970s Kabul became a distant memory as the country regressed. In 2001, following the 9/11 attacks, an international military coalition led by the United States invaded Afghanistan. Officially, the war was to hunt down Osama bin Laden, but leaders like Cherie Blair and First Lady Laura Bush assured the world that it was also about liberating Afghan women. However, the soldiers who fought in Afghanistan returned home with little fanfare, their sacrifices overshadowed by the confused and unclear objectives of the war. The chaotic withdrawal of Western troops, a process initiated by Trump and completed under Biden, marked the final abandonment of Afghan women. Amidst the chaos of the military evacuation, it was revealed that J.K. Rowling, in collaboration with Baroness Helena Kennedy, helped rescue at least 500 Afghans, many of whom were women facing imminent danger. These women, along with their families, were on "kill lists," and some had already lost their lives. While these efforts were commendable, they were a drop in the ocean compared to the vast number of women left behind. Since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, they have systematically dismantled women’s rights, despite some hopeful speculation that this might be a "Taliban 2.0." The world has watched, and in some cases, even facilitated this regression. Russia sees the Taliban as an ally against terrorism, and former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan suggested that the treatment of Afghan women is a cultural norm, despite condemnation from other Islamic countries like Turkey and Saudi Arabia. In the West, leaders like former Tory MP Tobias Ellwood have downplayed the severity of the Taliban's rule, focusing instead on reduced opium production and corruption. His praise for the regime and failure to address the plight of women led to his resignation as chair of the Commons’ defense select committee. Ellwood argued that stability was worth the price of authoritarian leadership, a sentiment that reflects a broader, troubling complacency. The United Nations and various NGOs have also sent mixed messages, often appearing powerless as women’s rights are systematically erased. The UN's sanctions on Taliban leaders have proven ineffective, with many still living in luxury while their daughters attend school abroad. Critics argue that the UN’s decision to exclude women and civil society groups from a recent conference in Doha emboldened the Taliban, further undermining the rights of Afghan women. Western nations appear more concerned with regional stability and opium control than with the rights of women. Meanwhile, China has capitalized on the situation, building roads into Afghanistan and eyeing the country’s lithium reserves. The voices of Afghan women, now reduced to ghosts, are being drowned out by global geopolitical interests. We cannot allow this erasure to continue. The voices of resistance from Afghan women must be heard and amplified. The Taliban should be treated as pariahs, not granted legitimacy. To do otherwise is to accept the barbaric erasure of women as human beings, disguised as religious practice. Those of us who can speak must raise our voices in solidarity. Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-09-05 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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UK Government to Ban Deadly 'Zombie' Drug Found in Vapes
The UK Government is set to ban the flesh-rotting drug xylazine, commonly known as "tranq," in a move to curb its rising use and prevent further deaths. Xylazine, a potent veterinary sedative, has become notorious for its effects on addicts, particularly in the United States, where it has been linked to nearly 3,500 deaths. Now, the drug has spread to the UK, where it has been found in vapes and is used by some illicit drug users to enhance their highs. The Home Office is preparing to introduce legislation that will ban xylazine along with 21 other dangerous illegal substances. This is part of the government's broader strategy to prevent drug-related deaths and crack down on drug-dealing gangs. Experts have warned that xylazine is now "widespread" in the UK, and its impact has been devastating. Long-term users often find themselves immobilized on the streets, suffering from non-healing skin lesions, which has led to the drug being dubbed the "zombie drug." Research conducted by King’s College national substance abuse team has revealed that at least 11 people in the UK have died from taking xylazine since the first recorded death of a 43-year-old man from Solihull in May 2022. In the United States, xylazine-involved overdose deaths surged from 102 to 3,468 in just three years between 2018 and 2021. The White House designated xylazine as an "emerging drug threat" in April 2023, a classification that often precedes the drug being made illegal. Xylazine has increasingly been combined with opioids such as heroin and fentanyl to extend the effects of each dose at a lower cost. Under the new UK legislation, xylazine will be classified as a class C drug. This means that possession for personal use will carry a maximum prison sentence of two years, while dealing the drug could result in a sentence of up to 14 years. The UK is believed to be the first country to implement a nationwide ban on xylazine, a step that has not yet been taken in the United States, Canada, Mexico, or other countries affected by its abuse. However, some individual US states, including Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, have already implemented their own bans. Diana Johnson, the UK policing minister, emphasized the government's commitment to making streets safer and protecting vulnerable individuals from the dangers of these drugs. "One of this new Government’s central missions is to make our streets safer, and we will not accept the use of substances that put lives at risk and allow drug gangs to profit from exploiting vulnerable people," she said. Johnson also pointed to the dangers of allowing the use of such drugs to grow unchecked, drawing lessons from other countries where xylazine has caused significant harm. "The criminals who produce, distribute, and profit from these drugs will therefore face the full force of the law, and the changes being introduced this week will also make it easier to crack down on those suppliers who are trying to circumvent our controls," she added. Xylazine is just one of 22 harmful substances that will be banned under the new legislation, six of which will be classified as class A drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Those caught producing or supplying these class A drugs could face life imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both. Among the drugs included in the ban are variations of nitazenes, highly addictive synthetic opioids that can be hundreds of times more potent than heroin, thus significantly increasing the risk of accidental overdose. Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-09-05 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Next door neighbor's pain-in-the-butt tree
Find out what the local law is and follow that. In my country, trees from a neighbouring property can be trimmed back to the boundary line and all the cuttings passed over the fence to the other property. I would not be surprised if Thailand has a similar law but best to check first before doing anything. -
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The Thai ETA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation)
Removed an off-topic post (Chinese characters) -
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