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Travelling by train in Thailand - It's so much fun! (inc photos)
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17
Return flight more than 60 days after departure
It's not a fake ticket. The company you buy the ticket from is the one that does the purchase and refund. Paying for the convenience of not having to tie up your own money and do it yourself. -
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K bank E-mail with Tax Forms attached ?
Can anyone who has visited a branch to complete these forms tell me :- - Do they just want a signed copy of the photo page of the passport or each page in the book? - Did you get any type of 'receipt' from the bank to say when/where you attended and provided them with this information? I am concerned that if there are any issues later where KBank dispute that you have given them the information requested by the due date you will have no kind of proof the meeting ever took place. -
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Places to stay for max 2 weeks on Jomtien Beach rd.
View Talay 5 and 7 are residential condos , not supposed to do 2 week rentals. -
7,128
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Controversy Over Trans Athlete Dominates Mountain West Volleyball Tournament
San Jose State University’s volleyball team finds itself at the center of a national controversy as it heads into the Mountain West Tournament. The team's season has been marked by forfeited matches, lawsuits, and debates over the inclusion of a transgender athlete, Blaire Fleming, whose presence has sparked polarized responses across the league. San Jose State, which finished the regular season with a 12-6 conference record, benefited from six forfeited matches, earning a first-round bye in the tournament. The Spartans are now guaranteed a spot in the semifinals, where they will face either Utah State or Boise State—two teams that refused to play against them during the season due to objections to Fleming’s participation. Boise State took the most drastic stance, forfeiting two scheduled matches, while Utah State forfeited one and has since joined a lawsuit seeking to have that loss overturned. The stakes are high for San Jose State, not just on the court but in navigating the social and legal challenges surrounding its inclusion in the tournament. Brooke Slusser, the team’s co-captain and a plaintiff in two lawsuits related to Fleming’s eligibility, expressed uncertainty about how the upcoming matches will unfold. “We’re just mostly wondering, are teams even gonna play us, period, if we go there?” Slusser told Fox News Digital. She noted the unpredictability of the situation, saying, “It seems like every few days it looks like it’ll be a fine day and everything’s normal, and then something else happens.” The Mountain West Conference has stated its commitment to ensuring fair competition while also preparing for potential forfeitures. A spokesperson confirmed that the conference would recognize San Jose State as the tournament champion if their opponent in the final were to forfeit. “If we get to a championship game, and it’s San Jose State vs. whoever, if that institution forfeits the game, then San Jose State wins that match, and they are tournament champions,” the spokesperson explained, adding that the team would become the automatic qualifier for the NCAA tournament. The controversy has also reached the courts, with a federal judge in Colorado holding an emergency hearing to address Utah State’s legal challenge. Plaintiffs argued that Fleming should not be allowed to compete in the tournament. The hearing, presided over by Judge Kato Crews, began with a contentious debate over pronouns and whether Fleming’s name should be used publicly for privacy reasons. Judge Crews ultimately decided to use she/her pronouns when referring to Fleming and promised a ruling in a “timely fashion.” Meanwhile, San Jose State has stood firmly behind Fleming and the team’s right to compete. A university spokesperson defended the inclusion of Fleming, citing compliance with NCAA and Mountain West Conference policies. “Our volleyball team members have earned the right to compete, and we are deeply disappointed for them and with them that they are being denied those opportunities through cancellations and forfeits,” the spokesperson said. “We are also proud of how they have persevered through these challenges on the court.” As the tournament approaches, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on San Jose State. With lingering questions about whether their opponents will take the court and a legal ruling pending, the team’s path forward is anything but clear. The controversy underscores the broader national debate surrounding transgender athletes in sports and highlights the complex intersection of inclusion, fairness, and competition in collegiate athletics. Based on a report by NYP 2024-11-27 -
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UN Removes Genocide Advisor: She Refused To Label Israels actions as Genocide
UN Faces Backlash Over Dismissal of Genocide Advisor Alice Nderitu The United Nations, once a symbol of moral accountability, has faced growing criticism over its handling of sensitive global issues. Its recent decision to terminate Alice Wairimu Nderitu, Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide, has sparked significant debate. A Kenyan mediator and expert in peacebuilding, Ms. Nderitu’s removal stems from her refusal to label Israel’s military actions in Gaza as genocide. Ms. Nderitu has held her position since 2020, bringing a thoughtful approach to what she has called humanity's gravest crime. Her work emphasized precision in applying the term "genocide," a word first coined in 1944 by Raphael Lemkin to describe the systematic extermination of entire ethnic groups, such as the Holocaust, the Rwandan genocide, and the Bosnian massacres. Her office’s 2022 guidance stressed the importance of adhering to this strict definition, cautioning against its misuse due to the political and legal sensitivities it carries. In assessing Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas, Ms. Nderitu argued that it did not meet the definition of genocide. She acknowledged the tragic civilian toll but pointed to Israel's stated intent: dismantling a terrorist organization rather than eradicating an ethnic group. Israel, she noted, has taken significant steps to minimize civilian casualties, even as Hamas reportedly uses Palestinian civilians as shields, exploiting their deaths for propaganda. However, these views clashed with the narrative pushed by a faction within the UN. On November 14, the UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices issued a report alleging potential genocide in Gaza and apartheid in the West Bank. This report aligns with the stance of Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who has consistently criticized Israel. Critics argue that these accusations are influenced by political bias, as evidenced by the committee's composition, which includes member states Malaysia and Senegal, countries with a history of hostility toward Israel. Ms. Nderitu’s dismissal has been framed as a contractual expiration, with a UN spokesperson asserting that genocide determinations fall under judicial bodies, not advisors. Yet, observers note that UN contracts are frequently renewed, and the Secretary-General holds the authority to extend her tenure. Her removal is widely seen as a political decision, signaling the influence of anti-Israel factions within the organization. Beyond the controversy surrounding Ms. Nderitu, the situation highlights broader concerns about the politicization of genocide accusations. As the term becomes a tool for propaganda, its moral weight diminishes, threatening its power to describe true atrocities. Ms. Nderitu’s unwavering commitment to truth, even at the cost of her position, is a testament to her integrity. Her case raises a critical question: can principled leadership survive in an increasingly polarized UN? Based on a report by WSJ 2024-11-27 -
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Trumpworld Finds Inspiration in Argentina's Maverick President Javier Milei
Donald Trump and his allies have embraced Argentina’s libertarian president, Javier Milei, as a political role model, citing his radical efforts to slash government spending and deregulate the economy. Milei, a chainsaw-wielding populist who rose to power with unorthodox charisma, is now a celebrated figure in right-wing circles in the United States, where his approach has been touted as an example for dismantling the so-called administrative state. Shortly after Trump’s election victory, Milei appeared at a black-tie event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, where he was warmly welcomed by Trump, tech mogul Elon Musk, and other luminaries. Known for his flamboyant persona, the Argentine leader danced to disco hits and declared, “The forces of heaven [were] on our side.” He was the first world leader to meet Trump in person after the November 5 election, underscoring their ideological camaraderie. Milei’s political style has drawn comparisons to Trump and Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro. Like them, Milei has positioned himself as a disruptor, railing against perceived leftist elites and promising sweeping reforms. Since taking office, he has dramatically cut public spending, dissolved government ministries, and pushed deregulation with an intensity that has captivated Trump allies such as entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Ramaswamy has championed “Milei-style cuts, on steroids,” advocating mass federal layoffs in the U.S. While Trump has framed his critique of American governance as a response to crises akin to Argentina’s, the realities differ significantly. Argentina’s economic dysfunction, marked by decades of hyperinflation and chronic deficits, created fertile ground for Milei’s radical agenda. Despite Trump’s claims of a comparable crisis in the U.S., such parallels lack substantive support. However, both leaders share a strategy rooted in political grievance and a commitment to upending the perceived status quo, bolstered by influential financial elites. Milei has praised Musk as “a great fighter for the ideas of freedom” and a champion against what he calls “the socialist virus.” This alignment with Musk and other Silicon Valley figures reflects the merging of libertarian ideals with populist rhetoric, a combination that resonates deeply within Trump’s orbit. The implications of this alliance could reshape U.S.-Latin America relations. Christopher Sabatini of Chatham House predicts that Trump’s ties with Milei and other nationalist populists would shift White House policy toward partisan support for such leaders, marking a departure from traditional diplomacy. Sabatini warns this could deepen divisions in the Western Hemisphere, exacerbating the ideological rift between hard-right and centrist or leftist governments. Milei’s economic policies have yielded mixed results. Inflation in Argentina has fallen from nearly 300 percent, and the country has achieved a budget surplus for the first time in years. Government bonds are recovering, and economic activity shows signs of revival. However, these gains have come at a steep cost. With state welfare cutbacks, frozen pensions, and the closure of soup kitchens, poverty has soared to its highest levels in two decades. Kirsten Sehnbruch, a Latin America expert, described the situation as “absolutely horrendous,” highlighting the disproportionate burden on the poor. Despite Milei’s efforts, skepticism persists about the sustainability of his reforms and the potential benefits of a Trump presidency for Argentina. As Benjamin Gedan of the Wilson Center noted, U.S. businesses remain wary of Argentina’s volatile economy, and Trump’s protectionist tariffs could undermine Milei’s free-market agenda. Based on a report by WP News 2024-11-27
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