Random Chat Thread VIII (Aka the world politics shitfight thread)

[Chadwiko]

It’s that singer claiming she was censored for mentioning fauci.

In hindsight, my screen shot needs more context.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh lol.

Yeah okay. Hahahaha.

 

[Cyber_punk]

Gaza war death toll could be significantly higher, researchers say

A study in The Lancet suggests Gaza ministry of health figures over a nine-month period might be too low.

www.bbc.com

 

[giantroo]

BREAKING: Details of the final draft for the ceasefire deal:

Phase One (42 Days):

1.Temporary Suspension of Military Operations:
​

•Mutual suspension of military operations between both parties.
​

•Israeli forces withdraw eastward, away from populated areas, to a zone along the border in all areas of the Gaza Strip, including Wadi Gaza (Netzarim axis and Kuwait Square).​

2.Temporary Suspension of Air Activity:
​

•Military and reconnaissance air activity over Gaza is suspended for 10 hours daily, extending to 12 hours on days when hostages and prisoners are released.​

3.Return of Displaced Residents and Withdrawal from Wadi Gaza:

•Day 7: After releasing seven detainees, Israeli forces completely withdraw from Al-Rashid Street eastward to Salah Al-Din Street. Military sites and installations in the area are dismantled. Displaced residents begin returning to their homes (without carrying weapons) and are granted free movement across the Gaza Strip.​

Humanitarian aid flows through Al-Rashid Street from Day 1 without obstacles.

•Day 22: Israeli forces withdraw from central Gaza (specifically the Netzarim axis and Kuwait Square) east of Salah Al-Din Street to areas near the border. Military sites and installations are fully dismantled. Displaced residents continue returning to their homes in northern Gaza (without weapons) as residents maintain freedom of movement across the Gaza Strip.

•Starting Day 1, sufficient humanitarian aid, relief supplies, and fuel (600 trucks daily, including 50 fuel trucks) are delivered.

Supplies include fuel for power plants, trade, rubble clearance, and the rehabilitation of hospitals, clinics, and bakeries. This continues throughout the agreement phases.

4.Exchange of Hostages and Prisoners:

•During this phase, Hamas releases 33 Israeli detainees (alive or deceased), including women (civilians and soldiers), children (under 19 and non-combatants), the elderly (over 50), and injured and sick civilians, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails as follows:
•Women and Children: Hamas releases all Israeli civilians under 19 and women, in return for 30 Palestinian women and children prisoners per Israeli civilian released.

•Israeli Female Soldiers: Hamas releases all Israeli female soldiers alive in exchange for 50 Palestinian prisoners per soldier.

5.Hostage and Prisoner Release Schedule:

•Day 1: Hamas releases three Israeli hostages (civilians).
•Day 7: Hamas releases four additional Israeli hostages (civilians).

•Subsequently, Hamas releases three Israeli hostages weekly, prioritizing women (both civilians and soldiers). All living hostages will be released before any deceased bodies.

•Week 6: Hamas releases all remaining civilian detainees in this phase, while Israel releases an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners from lists provided by Hamas.

•Day 7: Hamas provides information on the number of Israeli detainees to be released during this phase.

•Week 6: Following the release of Hisham Al-Sayed and Avraham Mengistu (among the 33 detainees agreed upon in this phase), Israel releases 47 prisoners rearrested after the Shalit deal.

•If the total number of living Israeli detainees falls short of 33, the balance will be completed with deceased bodies. In return, Israel releases all Palestinian women and children arrested after October 7, 2023.

6.Compliance and Conditions:​

​

•Prisoner exchanges depend on adherence to the agreement, including the cessation of military operations, Israeli withdrawal, return of displaced residents, and entry of humanitarian aid.​

​

•Released Palestinian prisoners will not be rearrested on the same charges or subjected to reimprisonment. No conditions requiring Palestinian prisoners to sign documents upon release will be imposed.​

​

7.No Precedent for Phase Two:​

​

•Hostage and prisoner exchanges in Phase One will not set a precedent for future phases.​

​

8.Negotiations for Phase Two:​

​

•By Day 16, indirect negotiations begin to finalize terms for Phase Two, including prisoner exchange standards, with agreements reached before the end of Week 5.​

9.Humanitarian Aid and Infrastructure Rehabilitation:​

​

•The UN and international organizations will continue delivering humanitarian aid throughout Gaza during all phases of the agreement. Infrastructure reconstruction (electricity, water, sanitation, communications, and roads) begins immediately, along with temporary shelters for displaced persons (at least 60,000 housing units and 200,000 tents).​

10.Post-Phase One Developments:

•After the release of all Israeli soldiers, the number of injured soldiers transported for treatment through Rafah will increase, along with the number of patients and injured civilians allowed to cross. Restrictions on goods and trade movement will be lifted.

Phase Two (42 Days):

11.Permanent Ceasefire:

• A permanent cessation of military operations and hostilities is declared before exchanging the remaining Israeli men (civilians and soldiers) for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners.

• Israeli forces withdraw entirely from the Gaza Strip.

Phase Three (42 Days):

12.Exchange of Deceased Bodies:
​

•The exchange of bodies and remains of the deceased is conducted after identification.​

13.Long-Term Reconstruction:
​

•A 3-5 year reconstruction plan for Gaza begins, covering homes, civilian buildings, and infrastructure. Affected individuals are compensated under the supervision of Egypt, Qatar, the UN, and other parties.​

14.Border Openings and Free Movement:​

•Crossings are opened, allowing the free movement of people and goods.​

Agreement Guarantors: Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.

 

[giantroo]

Mix of optimism, scepticism in Gaza amid ceasefire negotiations​

• Tareq Abu Azzoum
  Reporting from Deir el-Balah, central Gaza

The past 24 hours have been extremely bloody.

Here in Deir el-Balah, we heard heavy explosions throughout the night. The attacks flattened one home and targeted a cafe in the western part of the city. At least eight civilians have been confirmed killed.

Attacks have also been intensifying in the city of Khan Younis, where witnesses report another house has been flattened. A woman and children were killed in the attack, according to medical reports.

Our sources in northern Gaza confirm that the scale of military operations is intensifying there by the minute.

As ceasefire negotiations advance, residents in Gaza are expressing a mixture of optimism and deep-seated scepticism. They have endured over 15 months of relentless war and are eager for a ceasefire to be announced. Everyone is closely monitoring the developments.

Trump says Gaza ceasefire deal could be complete by ‘end of the week’: Report​

Incoming US President Donald Trump has said in a phone interview with the US-based Newsmax network that a Gaza ceasefire deal is very close and could be realised by the end of this week.

“We are very close to getting it done,” Trump said on a segment with the network’s Rob Schmitt Tonight show, when asked about the continuing negotiations.

“They have to do get it done, and if they don’t get it done, it’s going to be a lot of trouble out there, like they have never seen it before.

“I understand there’s been a handshake and they’re getting it finished, maybe by the end of the week,” Trump added.

 

[bengrina]

Why on earth would the Israelis be open to a ceasefire?

 

[bengrina]

They've literally spent the last year killing anything that moves

 

[giantroo]

Aussie soldier captured by Russian forces feared executed

Australian officials are making urgent enquiries into the welfare of Oscar Jenkins, a Melbourne private school teacher who went to fight for Ukraine last year before being snatched by Russian soldiers.

7news.com.au

 

[giantroo]

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/13/middleeast/israel-hamas-deal-talks-intl

 

[giantroo]

Why on earth would the Israelis be open to a ceasefire?

Pressure from the US/International community/ hostage families and IDF soldiers refusal to fight.

Gaza ceasefire deal looks set to ‘happen very soon’: Ex-Israeli official​

Alon Liel, the former director general of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, says a ceasefire deal in Gaza “looks as if it’s going to happen very soon”.

“The feeling is that there is no choice this time,” he told Al Jazeera, speaking from Tel Aviv.

“We have to go along with it because the international pressure, or to be more exact – the American pressure – has doubled. It’s two presidents now working on it – it’s Biden and Trump together, putting the pressure … and it looks very effective on our right-wing government.”

There is a “big change” in Israel’s mood in recent weeks, and internal politics don’t appear to be an obstacle to completing a deal, Liel added.

Israeli captives’ families call on media, politicians to refrain from harming truce talks​

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has issued a statement, urging “the media, Knesset members and public opinion leaders to refrain from making statements that could harm negotiations”.

“We are following with vigilance, anticipation, and concern the various media publications regarding the agreement for the return of our loved ones,” the statement added.

The forum reiterated its demand for “a comprehensive agreement ensuring the return of all captives, down to the last one – the living for rehabilitation and the dead for a proper burial in their own country”.

‘Broad’ support in Israel for Gaza ceasefire: US ambassador to Israel​

US ambassador to Israel Jack Lew is the latest high-level official to express optimism about a possible ceasefire deal.

Speaking to Israel’s Army Radio, Lew said that there is “broad support” in Israel for a deal and that Netanyahu, despite some resistance from his government coalition, believes he can push it through.

The deal under consideration, Lew said, would be implemented in phases. In the first phase, a group of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners would be released, followed by talks on the release of additional captives, he said.

 

[Ligma]

Wow re tar dant gets censored here.

Just say regarded!

 

[rickety]

The budget is the bottom line right. The one that keeps dropping away below expenses.

The reality is this has more in common with Scott Morrison's decision in early 2019 than it does any MAGA Chadness.

Every indicator was that this year would be a bad fire season. Bugger all rain, large falls over very short periods followed by long hot dry spells means that short periods of intense growth are followed by long periods of curing leading to higher than usual fuel loads.

Crowley was specific in her criticism too. It was the cuts to maintenance, spare parts and maintenance staff that she raised and those issues meant 15% of LAFDs vehicles were out of service, some of them for months. So budget cuts, specifically to the services that maintain LAFDs fire fighting capacity in the lead up to what looks like the worst fire season in the city's history are more important than you think they are. The LAFD was operating at reduced capacity because some of its vehicles had been waiting for maintenance for over a year. There are reports that the vehicles in the maintenance depot have weeds growing around the tyres that nearly as high as the tyres.

None of this would have been better under Trump. It would probably have been worse, but he wasn't running LA when these fires hit so he isn't responsible for this particular failure.

We had a situation last week when we didn't have enough bikes at work, as 3 had been tagged out in a day when we also had another 3 already tagged out and awating repair. Over the years, preventative maintenance has been removed in favour of repair maintenance. Bikes that used to be replaced at circa 28k on the clock are now ridden to their death. Mine is on 56k and is reasonably new in comparison to many.

 

[Chadwiko]

Why on earth would the Israelis be open to a ceasefire?

Many here won't like the answer, but the reports I'm seeing seem to suggest that the Biden administration has been pushing Netanyahu hard about this, wanting a ceasefire before he leaves office.

 

[giantroo]

 

[Chadwiko]

So TWO good things would come from this ceasefire?

Amazing.

 

[Cyber_punk]

Aussie soldier captured by Russian forces feared executed

Australian officials are making urgent enquiries into the welfare of Oscar Jenkins, a Melbourne private school teacher who went to fight for Ukraine last year before being snatched by Russian soldiers.

7news.com.au

Predictable result. Russia was never going to obey international law on POWS.

 

[bengrina]

Many here won't like the answer, but the reports I'm seeing seem to suggest that the Biden administration has been pushing Netanyahu hard about this, wanting a ceasefire before he leaves office.

That’s the most ridiculously outrageous view I have read in this entire thread in the last 18 months.

 

[Liam Boy]

The budget is the bottom line right. The one that keeps dropping away below expenses.

The reality is this has more in common with Scott Morrison's decision in early 2019 than it does any MAGA Chadness.

Every indicator was that this year would be a bad fire season. Bugger all rain, large falls over very short periods followed by long hot dry spells means that short periods of intense growth are followed by long periods of curing leading to higher than usual fuel loads.

Crowley was specific in her criticism too. It was the cuts to maintenance, spare parts and maintenance staff that she raised and those issues meant 15% of LAFDs vehicles were out of service, some of them for months. So budget cuts, specifically to the services that maintain LAFDs fire fighting capacity in the lead up to what looks like the worst fire season in the city's history are more important than you think they are. The LAFD was operating at reduced capacity because some of its vehicles had been waiting for maintenance for over a year. There are reports that the vehicles in the maintenance depot have weeds growing around the tyres that nearly as high as the tyres.

None of this would have been better under Trump. It would probably have been worse, but he wasn't running LA when these fires hit so he isn't responsible for this particular failure.

What every American needs to understand is that both parties are not up to it and if they want a government that can actually be responsive to crises like this, and in general look after people's safety instead of profits, they need to do more than wait 4 years for the next election and change sides

 

[Chadwiko]

That’s the most ridiculously outrageous view I have read in this entire thread in the last 18 months.

I know many here will be unable to accept it, but it seems to be true.

Let me paint you a narrative;

All the way back in late November, following the Israel/Lebanon ceasefire;

US to start immediately on fresh push for Gaza ceasefire

President Joe Biden aims for a deal involving the release of hostages and the removal of Hamas from power.

www.bbc.com

Fast forward to this week;




So... yes. I stand by what I said, despite it being unpopular with the "**** Biden and **** the Democrats" crew.

 

[ferball]

Just say regarded!

Fire regardent

 

[ferball]

Works for me, cheers Ligs.

 

[Ligma]

Works for me, cheers Ligs.

You are not regarded!

 

[ferball]

We had a situation last week when we didn't have enough bikes at work, as 3 had been tagged out in a day when we also had another 3 already tagged out and awating repair. Over the years, preventative maintenance has been removed in favour of repair maintenance. Bikes that used to be replaced at circa 28k on the clock are now ridden to their death. Mine is on 56k and is reasonably new in comparison to many.

Yeah its a problem everywhere.

Our economy has been looted by billionaire oligarchs for most of this century, whoever is in power in whatever country. (Which is why its so annoying that Chuddles is only noticing now the guy he doesn't like is president.)

 

[ferball]

You are not regarded!

You either.

 

[ferball]

I know many here will be unable to accept it, but it seems to be true.

Let me paint you a narrative;

All the way back in late November, following the Israel/Lebanon ceasefire;


View attachment 2203694

US to start immediately on fresh push for Gaza ceasefire

President Joe Biden aims for a deal involving the release of hostages and the removal of Hamas from power.

www.bbc.com

Fast forward to this week;


View attachment 2203697

So... yes. I stand by what I said, despite it being unpopular with the "** Biden and ** the Democrats" crew.

Did you just emphasise the "both sides" bit!!!!

I know many here will be unable to accept it, but it seems to be true.

Maybe that arms deal we all criticised was contingent on an actual cease fire.