Tramps Like Us . . . (original) (raw)

Opinion: Biden's worst gamble? Backing student debt forgiveness [Nov. 13th, 2024|11:59 am]Vagabond of the Western World
[Tags**|education, law, money, news, politics]Biden's worst gamble? Backing student debt forgivenessRick Newman · Senior ColumnistCanceling student debt wasn’t a major part of Joe Biden’s campaign pitch when he ran for president in 2020. Once in office, however, he cozied up to these proposals, a strategy that ultimately backfired.During that campaign, Democrats like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren wanted to cancel $50,000 in student debt per borrower or more, while Biden, portraying himself as a moderate, backed a far lower threshold based on income. Biden won the Democratic nomination, of course, and then the White House. As president, Biden leaned harder toward the Sanders-Warren position.( Read more...Collapse )**
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Beijing's Chinese Position in the Western Pacific . . . . [Nov. 12th, 2024|08:12 pm]Vagabond of the Western World
[Tags**|australia, china, germany, japan, marshall islands, nauru, new zealand, news, pacific, palau, politics, solomon island, taiwan, tonga, tuvalu]China says “it’s never too late” for Palau to cut ties with Taiwanby Island TimesNovember 12, 2024Beijing has stated that Palau should fulfill its international law obligations by recognizing China instead of Taiwan.In a press conference last week, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Mao Ning, responded to a question from the media regarding Palau and its recent election results, saying, “It is never too late for Palau to ally with China.” She noted that only a few countries, including Palau, still maintain what she called “diplomatic relations” with Taiwan. “Such practices not only go against the interests of these countries and their people and contravene UNGA Resolution 2758, but they also violate China’s sovereignty and, therefore, need to be corrected,” she stated.( Read more...Collapse )----------------------------------------------------Resisting China’s relentless pressure: Taiwan girds itself for 2025 Pacific Islands Forum meetingby Island TimesNovember 12, 2024HAGATNA, 11 NOVEMBER 2024 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — This early, Taiwan is readying itself to fight for the right to be at the next Leaders’ Meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum in the Solomon Islands.Taiwan, which has a “development partner” status at the Forum, is allowed to send a delegation to the meetings. However, it expects pushback from China next year, when the meeting will be held in the Solomon Islands in September 2025. The Solomon Islands, which switched diplomatic ties from Taipei to Beijing in 2019, has been lobbying the Forum to strip Taiwan of its “development partner” status.( Read more...Collapse )**-------------------------------------------------------Guarding Our Sovereigntyby Island TimesNovember 8, 2024Palauans Assert Independence Amid Global PressuresIn our recent 12th General Election, Palauans came together to choose leaders to guide us over the next four years. Despite spirited debates and differences of opinion, we conducted this process peacefully and respectfully, proving once again the strength of our democratic values.This election wasn’t just about geopolitics or external narratives; it was about our own vision for Palau’s future. ( Read more...Collapse )
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2 Days of Water Outage in Palau with No Warning, No Preparation, & No Real Explanation [Nov. 12th, 2024|08:10 am]Vagabond of the Western World
[Tags**|environment, health, news, palau, personal]Water Restored in Koror After Nearly Two Days of Disruptionsby Island TimesNovember 12, 2024People waiting for water at temporary water dispensing sites after water pipes broke resulting in water outage last week.By: Eustoria Marie BorjaKOROR, Palau – Water service has been restored across Koror after nearly two days of widespread disruptions that left residents scrambling for emergency relief and forced the closure of schools and businesses. The crisis began on November 7, when the Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC) announced urgent repairs to a major water transmission line at Koror Side, Japan Palau Friendship Bridge( Read more...Collapse )**
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Antarctic Thwaites Glacier Meltdown Posing Major Threat to Sea Levels -- Maybe Sooner Than Expected [Nov. 10th, 2024|11:49 am]Vagabond of the Western World
[Tags**|antarctica, environment, florida, islands, news, oceans]Scientists Consider Drastic Action as Doomsday Glacier Threatens to Flood Entire Islands and CoastsFrank LandymoreSat, November 9, 2024 at 11:30 PM GMTThwaiting PeriodThe Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica is called the "Doomsday Glacier" for a reason.Larger than the state of Florida, the icy mass contains so much water that scientists predict that its melting could single-handedly raise global sea levels by over two feet — and possibly over five times more that, if it triggers a broader collapse of the Antarctic Ice Sheet.( Read more...Collapse )**
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Human Trafficking / Smuggling -- Perps Sink Boat to Kill at Least 25 Off African Coast [Nov. 4th, 2024|10:04 am]Vagabond of the Western World
[Tags**|africa, comoros, france, human trafficking, law, news, un, work]At least 25 dead after boat ‘deliberately capsized by traffickers,’ says UN migration agencyBy Eve Brennan, CNNPublished 6:05 PM EST, Mon November 4, 2024 — At least 25 people, including several children, died after their boat was “deliberately capsized by traffickers” near the Comoros Islands, the local office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Monday.( Read more...Collapse )**
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In the Midst of Tornadoes & Twisters all over Oklahoma . . . . [Nov. 4th, 2024|09:59 am]Vagabond of the Western World
[Tags**|environment, health, news, oklahoma, personal, texas, usa]Oklahoma City metro slammed by severe weather as tornadoes leave widespread damage, injuriesSteven YablonskiUpdated Mon, November 4, 2024 at 12:09 AM GMTOKLAHOMA CITY – Severe weather swept across portions of Oklahoma late Saturday night and early Sunday morning, leaving behind widespread damage and numerous injuries in the Oklahoma City metro after several tornadoes touched down.The National Weather Service office in Norman, Oklahoma, said that so far, forecasters believe at least seven tornadoes were reported across the region, but that number may be as high as 12 or 13.( Read more...Collapse )**
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Continued Palau & Taiwan Responses to (Drug-Related?) Homicide (Murder?) of T. Johanes in Palau [Nov. 2nd, 2024|08:28 pm]Vagabond of the Western World
[**Tags**|china, drugs, guam, health, pacific, palau, taiwan]Drug Trafficking Charges filed against foreign tourist amid Palau’s worsening meth crisisby Island TimesNovember 1, 2024The Office of the Attorney General has filed charges against a Chinese national for methamphetamine trafficking and possession, both felony offenses with mandatory jail time and fines if convicted. Authorities identified the defendant as Liu Mingkun, who was in Palau on an extended tourist visa.According to police reports, Liu allegedly sold 2.54 grams of methamphetamine, known locally as “ice,” to a police informant during a controlled drug buy last week. ( Read more...Collapse )----------------------------------------------------ROC, Taiwan – Donates Field Test Kits to help Fight Against Drugsby Island TimesNovember 1, 2024( Read more...Collapse )------------------------------------------------------------------Tellames acquitted of drug trafficking, Remeliik chargedby Leilani ReklaiFebruary 17, 2023Johanes Tellames was cleared of the charges of trafficking and possession of methamphetamine or “ice” after a four-day jury trial. Tellames was charged in May of 2022 with one count of trafficking and one count of possession of the illegal drug known as “ice.”( Read more...Collapse )
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Brutal Homicide of Tellames Johanes in Palau Sparks Community Concern & Customary "Bul" [Nov. 1st, 2024|04:43 pm]Vagabond of the Western World
[Tags**|custom, drugs, law, news, palau]Palauan found dead, homicide suspected as investigation unfoldsby Leilani ReklaiOctober 30, 2024Koror State Animal ShelterA 51-year-old Palauan man, identified as Tellames Johanes, was found dead early Tuesday, October 30, at the Koror State Animal Center in Malakal, where he worked as a security guard. Koror State Rangers discovered his body, and police suspect homicide, though they state the investigation is ongoing.( Read more...Collapse )**------------------------------------------------------------Community mourns beloved public servant as Palau confronts drug crisisby Island TimesNovember 1, 2024By: Samantha IyarFamily, friends and colleagues are mourning the loss of longtime public servant Tellames “Lams” Johannes, whose death on Oct. 29 has stirred both sorrow and renewed urgency in the fight against the island’s growing drug crisis. Johannes, a 51-year-old security guard at the Koror State Animal Center, was found dead last week, prompting an ongoing investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department, led by Acting Chief Lieutenant Gabriel, who confirmed the case is a top priority.Vice President Uduch Sengebau Senior addressed the tragedy in a press conference, calling for the community to stand together against the impacts of drugs and violence. ( Read more...Collapse )-----------------------------------------------------The Silent Majorityby Island TimesNovember 1, 2024by Alonzo Kahalicalkahalic6801@gmail.comDear Editor,Election Focus: An Administration’s Silence on JusticeAs Palau’s upcoming election looms, citizens look to their leaders for solutions to pressing issues. Yet, the recent silence from the administration on a deeply concerning event—a tragic death that has shaken the Palauan community—has raised questions about the government’s priorities. Today’s (31 Oct 2024) press conference, which was expected to address this devastating incident and provide insight into the administration’s efforts to secure justice, was instead focused on campaign tactics and political leaks.( Read more...Collapse )-----------------------------------------------------Koror’s Bul Promotes Peace and Respect While Supporting Local Businesses’ Operating Hoursby Island TimesOctober 29, 2024Ibedul Alexander MerepBy: Eustoria Marie BorjaKOROR, Palau – October 29, 2024 — Following last week’s issuance of a traditional Bul to curb disturbances and restore peace within Koror’s communities, the House of Traditional Leaders (HOTL) confirmed that the decree does not conflict with Palau’s national laws or affect local businesses’ operating hours. The Bul, effective November 1, restricts movement in inner hamlets from midnight to 5 a.m., while bars, restaurants, and other establishments are permitted to operate under existing legal guidelines as usual.( Read more...Collapse )
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AZ Attorney Josh Kolsrud's Story About Living with a Disability -- Flash of a Blade [Oct. 29th, 2024|06:33 am]Vagabond of the Western World
[**Tags**|arizona, cambodia, friends, law, news, palau, work]Kolsrud: Unbroken by a single blade — how disability shaped my lifeJoshua KolsrudPosted Wednesday, October 16, 2024 8:00 amThis October, during Disability Awareness Month, I reflect on the unexpected journey my life has taken. It would be easy to see my disability as a cruel twist of fate that left me vulnerable. But it has been one of my greatest teachers, teaching me resilience, compassion and the power of the human spirit.”By Joshua Kolsrud Attorney, Kolsrud Law OfficesIn the blink of an eye, everything can change. For me, that moment came on a February night in 2002, when an ordinary evening spiraled into chaos. The Mardi Gras celebration in Tempe, Arizona, had been vibrant — laughter, drinks and the buzz of life all around. But as I walked outside, my world collided violently with a stranger’s rage. A careless bump, a few words exchanged and then the flash of a blade.( Read more...Collapse )
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Norman OK Class of '85 Classmate Leads Lawsuit Against Trump & Vance for Pets Comments [Oct. 25th, 2024|07:22 pm]Vagabond of the Western World
[Tags**|education, haiti, law, money, news, ohio, oklahoma, politics, usa]Norman local represents Springfield suing Trump, Vance for ‘eating the cats’ commentsSAM ROYKATRANSCRIPT STAFF REPORTERCivil rights lawyer Subodh Chandra is a 1985 Norman High School graduate who attended Stanford and Yale Law schools and now finds himself embroiled in perhaps the most absurd case in election history.( Read more...Collapse )**
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