Miscellaneous News

Clango

New Member
Registered Member
The rare earths situation is somewhat solveable. It's just going to take a long time, a lot of hard work, and a willingness to lose a lot of money to accomplish. Unfortunately for the West, the people in power got there by not having to do any of the above, so I don't think that they're going to take the necessary steps until their stockpiles run low and someone starts really panicking. There aren't any shortcuts either, so any talk about fixing the problem in a couple of years means that nobody is willing to try yet.

It'd also help for them to think of rare earths as a product instead of as resources. Just getting your hands on the raw materials isn't going to be useful unless you're also capable of processing it to the purity that your designs require. We'll know when the West is serious about tackling the problem becasue the talking heads will take a totally different tone about the it than they're doing right now.

Of course, the above only applies to the light rare earths. These can be found in a lot of places throughout the world. The heavy rare earths, the ones that are necessary for military applications, are only found in abundance in China and Myanmar. Good luck on getting those independently.
It's very telling what their attitude is when they keep parading around the idea that rare earths aren't so rare after all, it's a good goalpost shift to pretend that all is good and all they have to do is simply dig
 

4Tran

Junior Member
Registered Member
It's very telling what their attitude is when they keep parading around the idea that rare earths aren't so rare after all, it's a good goalpost shift to pretend that all is good and all they have to do is simply dig
I used to hate the "rare earths aren't rare" mantra, but I've now learned to love it. If people are so willing to dig their own graves, then more power to them!
 

GulfLander

Brigadier
Registered Member
US accused of ‘bully-boy’ tactics to sink climate deal
Trump administration officials warned of additional trade tariffs and made personal threats against negotiators from other countries to block a historic climate deal for shipping, said people present at the talks.

More than 10 diplomats, officials from other governments and industry observers told the Financial Times that the US ripped up normal global diplomacy rules and used “bully-boy tactics” to derail the UN-backed Net Zero Framework for global shipping at meetings in London last month.

A phalanx of US officials intimidated African and small Pacific and Caribbean island countries into dropping support for the framework, which would have imposed a carbon emissions levy on shipping, according to people present at the talks at the headquarters of the UN’s International Maritime Organization in London. The US group included eight people, according to one person present.

The intimidation included approaching country officials during coffee breaks to warn them they might not be able to transit via the US, or that they and their families could face restrictions on entering the country if they acted against American interests, according to five people at the talks, including two from countries that were directly threatened.

US President Donald Trump has branded the framework a “global green new scam tax on shipping”, and in a social media post last month called for it to be blocked.
Creon Butler, head of global economy at Chatham House, said breaking with diplomatic tradition and using leverage to force other countries to comply with its approach to issues such as climate change carried long-term risks for US influence.

Ft link
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If cant access FT, the article is in this reddit link
https://www.reddit.com/r/geopolitics/comments/1omj0s3
 
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Sinnavuuty

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Cheng Li-wun sworn in as new leader of Taiwan's largest opposition party

Does anyone know her?

It seems her biography is ideal for a Kuomintang leader – a former member of the pro-American Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its youth league. She left the party amidst a scandal.

She built her career as the girlfriend of the head of the DPP's municipal committee in Taiwan's capital. They had no children, spending most of their time attending late-night party meetings in karaoke bars. She knows who's who in the DPP – it's difficult to put someone like her in jail.
 

AntiDK

New Member
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Malaysian rapper Namewee faces drug charges following Taiwanese influencer’s death


nameweescmp.jpg

Malaysian police have charged controversial rapper and filmmaker Namewee with drug possession following media reports that he was found in a Kuala Lumpur hotel room where a Taiwanese influencer was later discovered dead.

The 42-year-old celebrity, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, was arrested on October 22, at a hotel in the city centre, police said in a statement released on Monday.

“During the search of the hotel room, police discovered nine blue pills suspected to be Ecstasy, weighing around 5.12 grams [0.18 ounce],” Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus said in the statement obtained by This Week in Asia. “A urine screening later tested positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine, ketamine and THC,” he added, referring to the chemical compound in cannabis.

The rapper, who has denied taking or carrying drugs, was charged on October 24 under Malaysia’s Dangerous Drugs Act for possession and consumption of narcotics. He pleaded not guilty and was released on bail of 8,000 ringgit (US$1,907). Police have confirmed the next date for the case hearing is December 18.

The body of Iris Hsieh, the Taiwanese influencer, was reportedly found in the same unnamed hotel room in Kuala Lumpur.

In a social media post on Sunday, Namewee denied the drug-taking allegations and speculation linking him to the influencer’s death.

“I saw another piece of baseless, rumour-filled news … I didn’t take drugs, and I didn’t carry any drugs. At most, I’ve been drinking more [alcohol] lately,” he wrote in the Mandarin and Hokkien dialects of Chinese.

“Believe it if you want, don’t if you don’t. Anyway, when the police report comes out, everything will be clear … I didn’t respond earlier because the case is still under investigation, and we are not allowed to disclose the details.”

Hsieh, 31, a former nurse turned social media celebrity, was best known for her skincare tips and comedic short videos that earned her the nickname “Nursing Goddess”.

She also ran an OnlyFans account where she shared lifestyle and modelling content with subscribers.

According to local media reports, Hsieh arrived in Malaysia on October 20 to take part in a film collaboration with Namewee in the hotel room. She was found unconscious in a bathtub in the room on October 22.

Hsieh’s death and Namewee’s arrest have dominated headlines in Malaysia and Taiwan, sparking debate over celebrity culture and Malaysia’s strict drug laws.

Representatives of Namewee and Hsieh did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.

Namewee is one of Malaysia’s most controversial artists, known for his politically charged lyrics and criticism of social and religious taboos. He first gained notoriety in 2007 with his viral song “Negarakuku”, which mocked the country’s national institutions and drew public outrage.

Despite having faced multiple investigations by local authorities over the years, he continues to command a loyal fan base across Asia.

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Clango

New Member
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Malaysian rapper Namewee faces drug charges following Taiwanese influencer’s death


View attachment 163804

Malaysian police have charged controversial rapper and filmmaker Namewee with drug possession following media reports that he was found in a Kuala Lumpur hotel room where a Taiwanese influencer was later discovered dead.

The 42-year-old celebrity, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, was arrested on October 22, at a hotel in the city centre, police said in a statement released on Monday.

“During the search of the hotel room, police discovered nine blue pills suspected to be Ecstasy, weighing around 5.12 grams [0.18 ounce],” Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus said in the statement obtained by This Week in Asia. “A urine screening later tested positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine, ketamine and THC,” he added, referring to the chemical compound in cannabis.

The rapper, who has denied taking or carrying drugs, was charged on October 24 under Malaysia’s Dangerous Drugs Act for possession and consumption of narcotics. He pleaded not guilty and was released on bail of 8,000 ringgit (US$1,907). Police have confirmed the next date for the case hearing is December 18.

The body of Iris Hsieh, the Taiwanese influencer, was reportedly found in the same unnamed hotel room in Kuala Lumpur.

In a social media post on Sunday, Namewee denied the drug-taking allegations and speculation linking him to the influencer’s death.

“I saw another piece of baseless, rumour-filled news … I didn’t take drugs, and I didn’t carry any drugs. At most, I’ve been drinking more [alcohol] lately,” he wrote in the Mandarin and Hokkien dialects of Chinese.

“Believe it if you want, don’t if you don’t. Anyway, when the police report comes out, everything will be clear … I didn’t respond earlier because the case is still under investigation, and we are not allowed to disclose the details.”

Hsieh, 31, a former nurse turned social media celebrity, was best known for her skincare tips and comedic short videos that earned her the nickname “Nursing Goddess”.

She also ran an OnlyFans account where she shared lifestyle and modelling content with subscribers.

According to local media reports, Hsieh arrived in Malaysia on October 20 to take part in a film collaboration with Namewee in the hotel room. She was found unconscious in a bathtub in the room on October 22.

Hsieh’s death and Namewee’s arrest have dominated headlines in Malaysia and Taiwan, sparking debate over celebrity culture and Malaysia’s strict drug laws.

Representatives of Namewee and Hsieh did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.

Namewee is one of Malaysia’s most controversial artists, known for his politically charged lyrics and criticism of social and religious taboos. He first gained notoriety in 2007 with his viral song “Negarakuku”, which mocked the country’s national institutions and drew public outrage.

Despite having faced multiple investigations by local authorities over the years, he continues to command a loyal fan base across Asia.
Yikes
 

Chevalier

Captain
Registered Member
I had heard this conspiracy last year that all those indian students brought here in recent years was to offer them PR if they enlist (or get deported).
They must not be aware of the history of supposed Indian martial prowess.
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Cheng Li-wun sworn in as new leader of Taiwan's largest opposition party

Does anyone know her?

It seems her biography is ideal for a Kuomintang leader – a former member of the pro-American Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its youth league. She left the party amidst a scandal.

She built her career as the girlfriend of the head of the DPP's municipal committee in Taiwan's capital. They had no children, spending most of their time attending late-night party meetings in karaoke bars. She knows who's who in the DPP – it's difficult to put someone like her in jail.
so basically the kamala Harris route for getting into power. Not the first time courtesans have become heads of state, but can she be a Theodora as opposed to any 9 tailed fox.
 
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