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Oliver Glasner: Crystal Palace are heading in right direction after Ipswich winSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Leaks: Samsung is preparing to unveil its next flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which is anticipated to be a game-changer in the premium segment. Scheduled to launch on January 22, 2025, this highly awaited device is expected to build on its predecessor's success with notable upgrades and features aimed at solidifying Samsung's dominance in the smartphone market. Continues below advertisement window.addEventListener("load", function() { let ad_unit_fire_time = 1000; if(ad_delay_time_abp > 0){ ad_unit_fire_time = parseInt(ad_delay_time_abp) + 500; } setTimeout(function () { googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-9167143-2"); }); },ad_unit_fire_time) }); Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Leaks: Release Date and Pricing Speculation Rumours suggest the Galaxy S25 series will debut at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco on January 22, 2025, with availability starting around February 6. Pricing for the Ultra model remains uncertain, particularly after the Galaxy S24 Ultra launched at $1,299. Industry insiders speculate that increasing material costs and the addition of Qualcomm's advanced Snapdragon 8 Elite chip could lead to a price hike, though Samsung has yet to make an official announcement. Continues below advertisement window.addEventListener("load", function() { let ad_unit_fire_time = 1000; if(ad_delay_time_abp > 0){ ad_unit_fire_time = parseInt(ad_delay_time_abp) + 500; } setTimeout(function () { googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1253031-3"); }); },ad_unit_fire_time) }); Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Leaks: Design and Display Features Design-wise, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is rumoured to introduce subtle refinements while retaining the premium titanium frame introduced with its predecessor. The device is expected to feature a slightly larger 6.9-inch display with thinner bezels and a more ergonomic, curved design. However, reports indicate Samsung may reuse its M13 OLED display technology instead of adopting the brighter M14 panels seen in competing devices. Available colors may include titanium, black, green, and blue, with potential exclusive options such as jade and pink to appeal to diverse consumer preferences. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Leaks: Camera Upgrades Samsung appears to be prioritizing camera enhancements in its bid to stay competitive against rivals like Apple. One significant rumour suggests a substantial upgrade to the ultrawide lens, increasing its resolution from 12MP to an impressive 50MP. Additionally, the telephoto system might introduce "variable focal lengths," enabling smoother and more versatile zooming capabilities. Despite earlier speculation about removing the second telephoto lens, leaks indicate that Samsung will maintain its four-lens setup for now. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Leaks: Performance & AI Integration Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is rumoured to be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, promising a substantial boost in performance. Early benchmarks indicate a 40% increase in CPU efficiency and a 42% improvement in GPU capabilities compared to its predecessor. The device may also feature an upgrade to 16GB of RAM, which would enhance multitasking and support advanced on-device AI functions. Samsung is reportedly focusing heavily on AI integration for the S25 series, potentially incorporating generative AI features into Bixby and other applications. The phone is expected to launch with Android 15, customized with Samsung’s One UI 7, and will continue the brand's promise of extended software support. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Leaks: Battery Life & Charging The battery is anticipated to retain its 5,000mAh capacity, but thanks to the energy efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, users might experience longer battery life. Meanwhile, charging speeds are likely to remain at 45W, mirroring the capabilities of the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Van Nistelrooy has replaced Steve Cooper at the King Power Stadium and saw Jamie Vardy open the scoring after just 98 seconds. Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka added goals after the break to ensure the Dutchman started with three points in style. Starting with a win! 🤩 Delivered by @bcgame #LEIWHU pic.twitter.com/X90nFSbMLm — Leicester City (@LCFC) December 3, 2024 His task is to keep the Foxes in the Premier League this season and after ending a five-game winless run they moved up to 15th, four points clear of the relegation zone. West Ham’s hierarchy will have seen what impact a managerial change can have as the jury remains out on Lopetegui, with away fans making their feelings clear by chanting “You’re getting sacked in the morning”. Niclas Fullkrug scored a consolation goal at the death but it counted for nothing and forthcoming games against Wolves, Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton could determine the Spaniard’s future. When Van Nistelrooy went to bed last night, even he would not have dreamt of his side starting as well as they did as they went ahead with less than two minutes on the clock. One of the Dutchman’s first conversations following his appointment was to take Vardy to task for breaking his record for scoring in the most consecutive Premier League games nine years ago. And the veteran striker rolled back to the years as, living on the shoulder of the West Ham defence, he raced clear from El Khannouss’ through-ball and slotted into the corner. The linesman’s flag immediately went up but a lengthy VAR review ruled Vardy had timed his run perfectly and the goal stood. Vardy could have added a second from a similar move but this time Lukasz Fabianski denied him. The Dutchman quickly learned about the frailties of his side as West Ham created a raft of chances in search of an equaliser. Jarrod Bowen forced Mads Hermansen into a stretching save when he cut in from the right before Ings’ header crashed into the post and Max Kilman slipped at the crucial point from the rebound. Bowen, a constant threat, sent a ball across face of goal which evaded everyone before the England international was denied by a reflex save from the busy Hermansen. The Danish goalkeeper needed to be alert to tip over Mohammed Kudus’ deflected effort early in the second half before he was saved by the referee’s whistle after after his attempted punch went into his own goal, Tomas Soucek the man penalised. Leicester remained a threat on the counter-attack and that is how they doubled their lead just after the hour. Kasey McAteer was set clear down the left and his ball inside was perfect for El Khannouss to find the bottom corner from 15 yards. It was almost three as Fabianski produced an acrobatic save from Wilfred Ndidi’s header before Leicester needed a heroic piece of defending to keep their 2-0 lead intact. Crysencio Summerville bundled the ball goalwards and it was heading over the line until Conor Coady adjusted his feet and poked it clear. The Foxes, who also had a goal from substitute Bobby De Cordova-Reid chalked off by VAR, wrapped things up in the 90th minute when Daka broke clear and emphatically converted into the roof of the net. West Ham did get on the scoresheet when Fullkrug headed a corner home, but the game was already done.
Everything you need to know about surge in Singapore-China travel bookings for 2025Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own. As the crypto market continues its roller-coaster ride, mainstream media outlets are spotlighting bold predictions about Bitcoin’s role in the American economy. A recent segment on Fox News’ “The Big Money Show” titled “ BITCOIN IS THE KING ” showcased Anthony Pompliano, founder and CEO of Professional Capital Management, who discussed how a potential second Trump administration could influence U.S. crypto policy. Meanwhile, business intelligence company MicroStrategy (MSTR), known for its massive Bitcoin holdings, continues to dominate headlines by positioning itself as a corporate bellwether for digital asset adoption. Below is an educational overview weaving together the Fox News discussion, publicly available data on MicroStrategy, and broader insights from around the web. In the Fox News interview , Anthony Pompliano argued that while Donald Trump might focus on acquiring strategic physical assets — such as Greenland or the Panama Canal — there is an equally important “digital real estate” that the United States could benefit from accumulating: Bitcoin. Here are the highlights: While the Fox News conversation focused on potential government moves, the private sector has already provided a blueprint. MicroStrategy, a publicly traded enterprise software firm founded by Michael Saylor, began accumulating Bitcoin in 2020 to hedge against inflation and diversify its treasury. As of December 16, 2024 (based on information circulating on the web and recent press mentions), MicroStrategy reportedly holds 439,000 BTC . Publicly available SEC filings and official MicroStrategy press releases (e.g., on their Investor Relations page) confirm the company has been consistently purchasing BTC since mid-2020. If Bitcoin trades around $95,000 to $100,000 (as some market data websites have suggested in late 2024), MSTR’s BTC stash could be valued well into the tens of billions of dollars. Analysts on the web frequently debate what happens if Bitcoin surges to $150,000 (or higher). Under such a scenario, MicroStrategy’s holdings could balloon in value, underscoring just how leveraged the company is to Bitcoin’s price movements. Historically, MSTR’s stock price has exhibited strong correlation to BTC movements. When Bitcoin rallies, MSTR shares often rise, sometimes even outpacing BTC’s percentage gains due to the company’s leveraged position. Conversely, if Bitcoin experiences a price correction or “crypto winter,” MSTR’s market capitalization can fall sharply. This volatility has made MSTR both attractive to Bitcoin bulls and concerning to risk-averse investors. Beyond Fox News and MicroStrategy, data and trends visible on major crypto tracking sites (such as CoinMarketCap , CoinDesk , and other financial news portals) paint a picture of an evolving industry: Institutional involvement on the rise Regulatory developments Potential for an ETF breakthrough Government adoption? Whether the next administration adopts Bitcoin directly into national reserves is still speculative. Proponents believe it could offer a hedge against currency devaluation, while critics argue that Bitcoin’s volatility remains a stumbling block for conservative fiscal policies. Corporate treasury trend MicroStrategy’s bet on BTC has influenced how corporate treasuries think about digital assets. Tesla, Block (formerly Square), and other firms also hold Bitcoin, though not at the same scale as MSTR. Market timing vs. long-term perspective Pompliano’s central argument on Fox News is that waiting for a “perfect” time to buy might lead to missed opportunities. Yet, he also stresses the importance of risk management—whether for individuals, companies, or governments. The intersection of Fox News coverage, MicroStrategy’s unprecedented BTC holdings, and the potential for a pro-crypto U.S. administration underscores a watershed moment. As Bitcoin matures, discussions about incorporating it into national reserves or corporate treasuries highlight its transformation from a fringe speculation to a mainstream consideration. Still, risks abound — crypto remains volatile and regulatory frameworks differ from nation to nation. For interested observers, the key is education: understanding both the historical context and the evolving landscape. Whether or not the U.S. follows through on “buying Bitcoin,” debates like these demonstrate that digital assets are firmly on the national (and global) radar. Disclaimer This article is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Always perform your own due diligence and consult with licensed professionals before making any investment decisions. Qamar Zaman is an American Entrepreneur and the founder of KISSPR, an award-winning, press release distribution ecosystem. His current position as managing director in Storytellers Inc, a news initiative partnering with global news publishers and media outlets to create a news and PR framework. Zaman is a published author of the e-book, “How to Create Google Knowledge Panel Using Press Releases, a Forbes Council member and has been mentioned in top news outlets and media as a thought leader and expert in digital transformation. Zaman is also a member of the Forbes Agency Council .
Van Nistelrooy has replaced Steve Cooper at the King Power Stadium and saw Jamie Vardy open the scoring after just 98 seconds. Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka added goals after the break to ensure the Dutchman started with three points in style. Starting with a win! 🤩 Delivered by — Leicester City (@LCFC) His task is to keep the Foxes in the Premier League this season and after ending a five-game winless run they moved up to 15th, four points clear of the relegation zone. West Ham’s hierarchy will have seen what impact a managerial change can have as the jury remains out on Lopetegui, with away fans making their feelings clear by chanting “You’re getting sacked in the morning”. Niclas Fullkrug scored a consolation goal at the death but it counted for nothing and forthcoming games against Wolves, Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton could determine the Spaniard’s future. When Van Nistelrooy went to bed last night, even he would not have dreamt of his side starting as well as they did as they went ahead with less than two minutes on the clock. One of the Dutchman’s first conversations following his appointment was to take Vardy to task for breaking his record for scoring in the most consecutive Premier League games nine years ago. And the veteran striker rolled back to the years as, living on the shoulder of the West Ham defence, he raced clear from El Khannouss’ through-ball and slotted into the corner. The linesman’s flag immediately went up but a lengthy VAR review ruled Vardy had timed his run perfectly and the goal stood. Vardy could have added a second from a similar move but this time Lukasz Fabianski denied him. The Dutchman quickly learned about the frailties of his side as West Ham created a raft of chances in search of an equaliser. Jarrod Bowen forced Mads Hermansen into a stretching save when he cut in from the right before Ings’ header crashed into the post and Max Kilman slipped at the crucial point from the rebound. Bowen, a constant threat, sent a ball across face of goal which evaded everyone before the England international was denied by a reflex save from the busy Hermansen. The Danish goalkeeper needed to be alert to tip over Mohammed Kudus’ deflected effort early in the second half before he was saved by the referee’s whistle after after his attempted punch went into his own goal, Tomas Soucek the man penalised. Leicester remained a threat on the counter-attack and that is how they doubled their lead just after the hour. Kasey McAteer was set clear down the left and his ball inside was perfect for El Khannouss to find the bottom corner from 15 yards. It was almost three as Fabianski produced an acrobatic save from Wilfred Ndidi’s header before Leicester needed a heroic piece of defending to keep their 2-0 lead intact. Crysencio Summerville bundled the ball goalwards and it was heading over the line until Conor Coady adjusted his feet and poked it clear. The Foxes, who also had a goal from substitute Bobby De Cordova-Reid chalked off by VAR, wrapped things up in the 90th minute when Daka broke clear and emphatically converted into the roof of the net. West Ham did get on the scoresheet when Fullkrug headed a corner home, but the game was already done.Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The King seemed amused as he laughed at British comedian Matt Forde's impression of President-elect Donald Trump on the stage of the Royal Variety Performance. . In a statement from Buckingham Palace, he said: "The charity's crucial work in assisting those who have fallen ill, had an accident or hit hard times is as essential now as it ever has been." "I would like to thank all of those who have worked so hard to stage this year's production and wish everyone a very enjoyable evening." The performance saw political comic Forde reference the unfounded claims Mr Trump repeated during his presidential debate against Democrat candidate Kamala Harris earlier this year, that...A senior Republican lawmaker urged President-elect Donald Trump’s intervention to avoid a House leadership battle, saying he should reach out to GOP members who haven’t committed to reelecting Mike Johnson as speaker. With the speakership vote scheduled for Jan. 3 and Trump about to take office, the tiny Republican majority in the House is raising the specter of a factional fight among Republicans like the one that led to Kevin McCarthy’s removal as speaker last year. “We have five Republicans that won’t commit to voting for Mike Johnson — and he can only lose one or two votes,” House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer said on Fox News’ "Sunday Morning Futures." “It’s a terrible challenge.” Johnson has faced ire from some ultraconservative lawmakers after backing a temporary spending deal that didn’t include Trump’s initial demand for lifting the U.S. debt ceiling. While Trump hasn’t taken a public stand on the speaker’s future, no declared challenger to Johnson has emerged. “I strongly encourage Donald Trump to get on the phone with those five or six members who won’t commit to voting for Mike Johnson, because all this is going to do is delay us,” including on the certification of Trump’s election victory and his early agenda as president, Comer said. New York Representative Mike Lawler warned ultraconservative Republicans against moving to topple Johnson. “The fact is that these folks are playing with fire,” Lawler said on ABC’s "This Week." “And if they think they’re somehow going to get a more conservative speaker, they’re kidding themselves.” Republicans can count on 219 House seats, Lawler said, and need 218 votes to elect a speaker without Democratic support. GOP congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky has said he won’t support Johnson. Lawler called the infighting that led to the October 2023 House vote to oust McCarthy as speaker “the single stupidest thing I’ve ever seen in politics.” “With that said, removing Mike Johnson would equally be as stupid,” he said. Trump’s decisive election victory in November and his sway over House Republicans means he could wield his power to try to install someone else as speaker, though he hasn’t taken a public stand on Johnson’s future. “We can’t get anything done unless we have a speaker, including certifying President Trump’s election on Jan. 6,” Lawler said. “So to waste time over a nonsensical intramural food fight is a joke.” ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Fans of the speedy blue hedgehog can rejoice as the highly anticipated film "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" has officially been set to hit theaters in Mainland China on January 10 next year. After the success of the first two films in the series, audiences are eagerly looking forward to the next installment of the beloved video game character's cinematic adventures.TOPEKA, Kan. — Republicans made claims about illegal voting by noncitizens a centerpiece of their 2024 campaign messaging and plan to push legislation in the new Congress requiring voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Yet there’s one place with a GOP supermajority where linking voting to citizenship appears to be a nonstarter: Kansas. That’s because the state has been there, done that, and all but a few Republicans would prefer not to go there again. Kansas imposed a proof-of-citizenship requirement over a decade ago that grew into one of the biggest political fiascos in the state in recent memory. The law, passed by the state Legislature in 2011 and implemented two years later, ended up blocking the voter registrations of more than 31,000 U.S. citizens who were otherwise eligible to vote. That was 12% of everyone seeking to register in Kansas for the first time. Federal courts ultimately declared the law an unconstitutional burden on voting rights, and it hasn’t been enforced since 2018. Kansas provides a cautionary tale about how pursuing an election concern that in fact is extremely rare risks disenfranchising a far greater number of people who are legally entitled to vote. The state’s top elections official, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, championed the idea as a legislator and says states and the federal government shouldn’t touch it. “Kansas did that 10 years ago,” said Schwab, a Republican. “It didn’t work out so well.” Steven Fish, a 45-year-old warehouse worker in eastern Kansas, said he understands the motivation behind the law. In his thinking, the state was like a store owner who fears getting robbed and installs locks. But, in 2014, after the birth of his now 11-year-old son inspired him to be “a little more responsible” and follow politics, he didn’t have an acceptable copy of his birth certificate to get registered to vote in Kansas. “The locks didn’t work,” said Fish, one of nine Kansas residents who sued the state over the law. “You caught a bunch of people who didn’t do anything wrong.” A small problem, but wide support for a fix Kansas’ experience appeared to receive little if any attention outside the state as Republicans elsewhere pursued proof-of-citizenship requirements this year. Arizona enacted a requirement this year, applying it to voting for state and local elections but not for Congress or president. The Republican-led U.S. House passed a proof-of-citizenship requirement in the summer and plans to bring back similar legislation after the GOP won control of the Senate in November. In Ohio, the Republican secretary of state revised the form poll workers use for voter eligibility challenges to require those not born in the U.S. to show naturalization papers to cast a regular ballot. A federal judge declined to block the practice days before the election. Also, sizable majorities of voters in Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and the presidential swing states of North Carolina and Wisconsin were inspired to amend their state constitutions’ provisions on voting even though the changes were only symbolic. Provisions that previously declared that all U.S. citizens could vote now say that only U.S. citizens can vote — a meaningless distinction with no practical effect on who is eligible. To be clear, voters already must attest to being U.S. citizens when they register to vote, and noncitizens can face fines, prison and deportation if they lie and are caught. “There is nothing unconstitutional about ensuring that only American citizens can vote in American elections,” U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, of Texas, the leading sponsor of the congressional proposal, said in an email statement. Why the courts rejected the Kansas citizenship rule After Kansas residents challenged their state’s law, a federal judge and federal appeals court concluded it violated a law limiting states to collecting only the minimum information needed to determine whether someone is eligible to vote. That’s an issue Congress could resolve. The courts ruled that, with “scant” evidence of an actual problem, Kansas couldn’t justify a law that kept hundreds of eligible citizens from registering for every noncitizen who was improperly registered. A federal judge concluded the state’s evidence showed only 39 noncitizens had registered to vote from 1999 through 2012 — an average of just three a year. In 2013, then-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Republican who had built a national reputation advocating tough immigration laws, described the possibility of voting by immigrants living in the U.S. illegally as a serious threat. He was elected attorney general in 2022 and still strongly backs the idea, arguing federal court rulings in the Kansas case “almost certainly got it wrong.” Kobach also said a key issue in the legal challenge — people being unable to fix problems with their registrations within a 90-day window — has probably been solved. “The technological challenge of how quickly can you verify someone’s citizenship is getting easier,” Kobach said. “As time goes on, it will get even easier.” Would the Kansas law stand today? The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the Kansas case in 2020. But in August, it split 5-4 in allowing Arizona to continue enforcing its law for voting in state and local elections while a legal challenge goes forward. Seeing the possibility of a different Supreme Court decision in the future, U.S. Rep.-elect Derek Schmidt says states and Congress should pursue proof-of-citizenship requirements. Schmidt was the Kansas attorney general when his state’s law was challenged. “If the same matter arose now and was litigated, the facts would be different,” he said in an interview. But voting rights advocates dismiss the idea a legal challenge would turn out differently. Mark Johnson, one of the attorneys who fought the Kansas law, said opponents now have a template for a successful court fight. “We know the people we can call,” Johnson said. “We know that we’ve got the expert witnesses. We know how to try things like this.” He predicted “a flurry — a landslide — of litigation against this.” Born in Illinois but unable to register in Kansas Initially, the Kansas requirement’s impacts seemed to fall most heavily on politically unaffiliated and young voters. As of fall 2013, 57% of the voters blocked from registering were unaffiliated, and 40% were under 30. But Fish was in his mid-30s, and six of the nine residents who sued over the Kansas law were 35 or older. Three even produced citizenship documents and still didn’t get registered, according to court documents. “There wasn’t a single one of us that was actually an illegal or had misinterpreted or misrepresented any information or had done anything wrong,” Fish said. He was supposed to produce his birth certificate when he sought to register in 2014 while renewing his Kansas driver’s license at an office in a strip mall in Lawrence. A clerk wouldn’t accept the copy Fish had of his birth certificate. He still doesn’t know where to find the original, having been born on an Air Force base in Illinois that closed in the 1990s. Several of the people joining Fish in the lawsuit were veterans, all born in the U.S., and Fish said he was stunned they could be prevented from registering. Liz Azore, a senior adviser to the nonpartisan Voting Rights Lab, said millions of Americans haven’t traveled outside the U.S. and don’t have passports that might act as proof of citizenship, or don’t have ready access to their birth certificates. She and other voting rights advocates are skeptical there are administrative fixes that will make a proof-of-citizenship law run more smoothly today than it did in Kansas a decade ago. “It’s going to cover a lot of people from all walks of life,” Avore said. “It’s going to be disenfranchising large swaths of the country.”
Thailand-South Korea relations are paradoxical. The countries share a dynamic that boasts both heroic achievements and glaring challenges. While their cultural and economic ties have progressed over the decades, they are black-eyed by labour and immigration issues. Solving these irritating issues can elevate friendship and unleash the potential of bilateral cooperation. On the one hand, Thailand has one of the world's most famous faces, Lisa Manoban, the superstar from the K-pop group Blackpink, whose Isan (northeastern region) heritage is celebrated widely in South Korea and beyond. On the other hand, there is the darker reality of over 120,000 undocumented Thai workers also from the Isan region living in South Korea. They often make constant news headlines. These visa overstayers, often young and in their prime, contribute to South Korea's labour force but face legal and social challenges. Tragically, of late, well over 600 Thai nationals are incarcerated in South Korean prisons for drug-related offences. The outlook is not good. This dichotomy of fame and infamy exemplifies the dual narratives in Thai-South Korean relations -- one of cultural admiration and the other of unresolved labour and immigration issues. At a recent meeting in Seoul between Thai Ambassador Tanee Sangrat and Parinya Wongcherdkwan, Deputy Chair of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, they discussed approaches for managing labour migration and reducing the number of Thai workers who overstay their visas. Indeed, this year, Thai lawmakers from these workers' constituencies have been visiting South Korea for fact-finding trips. By all means, Thailand is still enjoying a visa waiver despite the immigration issue. In the past several months, Thai netizens have been unhappy with South Korea's immigration measures, particularly the high rejection rates for Thai travellers at airports, despite their compliance with the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) system. Anti-Korea websites and hashtags have inundated social media to show their frustration. Even though the 2023-2024 period has been designated as the Thailand-South Korea Mutual Visit Year, the number of Thai tourists to South Korea, once one of the most popular destinationห, has dropped dramatically. This year, around 200,000 Thais visited the country, down nearly 21% from the previous year. When it comes to South Korea and the efforts to mitigate these outstanding tasks, Thailand must be clear-headed and adopt proactive measures. Rhetoric on soft power -- such as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's promotion of Thai culture and cuisine -- must be backed by substantive policies that address underlying problems. True soft power, as political scientist Joseph Nye says, is about building a nation's attractiveness through sustainable frameworks, not just leveraging existing cultural assets. In short, soft power is more than labelling existing popular Thai products or food as such. Truth be told, for too long, the two countries have used the Korean War as the symbol of their relationship. The Thai troops took part in the UN-backed international forces during the Korean War. It is a memory that dates back over 70 years, and Seoul has never forgotten the heroic Thai actions and has continued to offer friendship and assistance to families of Thai veterans. But it is a time for both countries to move into the future together in a creative way. Indeed, Thailand can take inspiration from South Korea's deepened ties with Vietnam over the past three decades, which serve as a model of successful bilateral cooperation. A fresh approach to Thailand-South Korea relations could unlock untapped potential in areas like labour, investment, and education. One of the most pressing issues is the overall plight of Thai workers in South Korea. To improve their conditions and reduce the number of overstayers, Thailand must take decisive action in several areas. First of all, language proficiency is critical for Thai workers to thrive in South Korea. However, language requirements are often ignored by Thai authorities, who prioritise physical labour over communication skills. The Thai Labour Department must enforce mandatory language tests in English or Korean to enhance the workers' employability and integration. Thailand's Ministry of Education should revamp vocational school curricula to align with the demands of the modern labour market. Vocational education in Thailand suffers from a poor reputation and is often associated with school violence and juvenile delinquency. Addressing these issues would make vocational training a more attractive and effective pathway for Thai workers. Japan has been quite successful in technological training for Thai students through its so-called "kosen" schools. Secondly, the government must also crack down on local illegal recruiters who exploit workers, particularly in rural areas. Most brokers have strong ties with local officials or are local influential figures themselves. Thai authorities must implement stricter measures to combat these networks as it would reduce the number of undocumented workers in South Korea. Transparent but stringent background checks on the Thai side can effectively deter any possible dodgers. Furthermore, the Thai authorities' voluntary return programme should be extended, allowing overstayers to return home without penalties. Seoul has responded positively and extended the current deadline, which ended last month, by two more months until January. These programmes would reduce the number of overstayers and pave the way for more legal migration pathways. To increase the quota of Thai workers, Thailand should negotiate with South Korea's Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Employment and Labour for both skilled and unskilled workers. South Korea still needs foreign workers to help with the local economy, especially in the shipping industry. For the Thai workers whose visas will expire, they need help to keep their jobs and stay on with better language and upskilling training. Beyond labour issues, Thailand and South Korea have much to gain from closer economic and strategic cooperation. South Korea's investments in Thailand remain disappointingly low. Sad but true, only around 400 Korean companies invested in Thailand in comparison to 9,000 companies in Vietnam. Expanding Seoul's investments in high-tech industries and renewable energy would significantly promote Thai economic growth and align with the current sustainable economic pathway. Lest we forget, the two countries are members of the US-led alliance in the Indo-Pacific region. South Korea has been participating in the annual Cobra Gold annual exercise since its inception. Enhanced collaboration in areas such as technology, defence and trade would reinforce their strategic importance in the region. Thailand is interested in furbishing hundreds of its armoured personnel carriers. In addition, South Korea's advanced technology sector and the growing local digital economy could form joint ventures and innovation partnerships. Bangkok and Seoul must move beyond the impasse of unresolved labour issues and nostalgia to bolster ties. Both sides must be constructive in their approach to lay a stronger groundwork for deeper economic cooperation integration. As such, Thailand should learn from Vietnam on specific strategies that have won major corporations' investment. For Thailand, this means taking responsibility for its workforce by equipping workers with the skills and support they need to succeed in South Korea. For South Korea, it involves treating Thai workers with dignity and fairness and recognising their economic contributions. By tackling these issues head-on and urgently, they can transform their stoic bilateral ties into a model of cooperation that balances cultural ties with pragmatic policies and shared economic interests. It should be the immediate pathway. Kavi Chongkittavorn is a veteran journalist on regional affairs.MLB Trade Rumors: White Sox Want 'Meaningful Piece' in Return for Luis Robert Jr.In conclusion, the resurgence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections, coupled with alarmingly high drug resistance rates, underscores the importance of vigilance and proactive measures in prevention and treatment. By staying informed, practicing good hygiene, seeking early medical intervention, and being cautious with antibiotic use, we can effectively combat this challenging pathogen and protect our health. Remember, prevention is key, and knowledge is power when it comes to dealing with Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Stay safe, stay healthy, and be proactive in safeguarding yourself and your loved ones against this persistent threat.Reports from the Decatur Police Department said the trouble broke out around 10 p.m. Saturday while the brothers, aged 18 and 11, were at their grandparents’ home on South Fontaine Drive. The 18-year-old is accused of locking his sibling in the choke hold and strangling him to the point where the younger boy felt dizzy and light-headed but didn’t lose consciousness. “Grandma then entered the room and broke it up,” said Sgt. Brandon Rolfs. “And the 11-year-old called us.” The older sibling was arrested and booked into the Macon County Jail at 12:02 a.m. Sunday on a preliminary charge of aggravated domestic battery involving strangulation. He is due to be arraigned Monday in Macon County Circuit Court. Rolfs said people see choke holds being used on television in mixed martial arts, the Ultimate Fighting Championship and professional wrestling bouts without understanding the dangers they represent. “There are boys and men who will resort to these things because they think it is an effective way to restrain somebody else and they think this is better than punching somebody,” he explained. “But both are wrong; you don’t punch somebody and you don’t put somebody in a choke hold. It is very dangerous to even temporarily restrict oxygen flow or blood flow to the brain. "And it significantly increases the risks of multiple different health complications depending on how long the hold is applied.” Rolfs said even applying momentary pressure to the neck could cause major harm to somebody with an underlying or unknown medical condition. “For police officers, for example, lethal force would have to be justified for an officer to engage in any type of behavior like this,” Rolfs said. “Nobody should engage in this behavior lightly.” In an ironic twist, police reports say the older brother, who had just turned 18 two days prior, had bought his younger sibling the Xbox games system that sparked the violence as a Christmas gift. Rolfs said the 11-year-old had been playing the system and yelling and slamming things while immersed in the game. He had been repeatedly warned by his brother to quiet down and go to bed and finally the 18-year-old had pulled the plug. “This made the younger brother irate and they got into each other’s personal space with pushing and insults going on,” Rolfs said. “Then the older brother got behind the younger one and wrapped his arm around his neck and upper chest to create a choke hold position, making it difficult for the younger brother to breathe.” All preliminary charges are subject to review by the office of the state's attorney.
On the other hand, for Super Smash Bros. players, Sora's arrival brings a new level of excitement and possibilities to the game. With his unique abilities and fighting style, Sora is sure to shake up the competitive scene and offer players a fresh and thrilling gameplay experience. His inclusion adds another layer of depth to an already diverse roster of fighters, further cementing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a celebration of gaming history and culture.
Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery
The stakes couldn't be higher for Real Madrid as they prepare to face off against their formidable opponents in a make-or-break Champions League showdown. The team's recent struggles have raised doubts among fans and critics alike, with many questioning their ability to compete at the highest level. However, the return of the superstar player has injected a renewed sense of optimism and determination within the team.One of the key aspects of transitioning from the "lying flat" mindset to a more strategic approach to savings is the need to develop a sound financial plan. This involves setting clear financial goals, establishing a budget, and prioritizing savings as a means of building a financial cushion for the future. By incorporating regular saving habits into their routine, individuals can gradually accumulate wealth and protect themselves against unexpected expenses or economic downturns.
