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CNMI proposal to legalize online gambling is another desperate attempt to source new revenue – Asia Gaming Brief

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

The new proposal by the authorities in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to legalize online gambling appears to be yet another desperate attempt to source new revenue for their pension black hole, notes IGamiX Managing Partner Ben Lee.

According to recent reports, lawmakers in CNMI are pushing for a new revenue stream, looking to online gaming.

This comes as the multi-billion-dollar Imperial Pacific International (IPI) casino-resort operator faces calls for dissolution, with investors and creditors coming calling. The operator currently holds a monopoly for casino gaming on the island.

But the new bid for alternative income could bring more woes than benefits, as other jurisdictions, such as the Philippines, have already encountered.

The Philippines POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) as well as Cambodias Sihanoukvilles descent into unmitigated regulatory and policing disasters both appear to hold no lessons for the CNMI, notes Lee.

The Philippines endures an ongoing spat over the worth of offshore online gaming operation (POGOs), after multiple crackdowns, raids and charges linked to human trafficking and money laundering.

Meanwhile, Sihanoukville shut down its online gaming operations entirely after operators, mainly linked to China, set up shop and conducted operations that ran them abreast of authorities.

The CNMI, Saipan inclusive, still falls under United States jurisdiction, with increased scrutiny over activities such as gambling.

Lee notes that the CNMI [] remains subject to certain US Federal Laws, however it is unclear and untested if the CNMI falls outside the grasp of the Federal Wires Act.

The expert questions even if it does, will the CNMI government have sufficient resources to ensure that its online operators do not transgress the boundaries?

The overreach by some online operators has put the Philippines in the spotlight recently, calling for reapplication of POGO licenses and increased oversight of the sector.

And looking at their missteps, Lee outlines a possible way forward for CNMI.

To have a truly credible online gaming industry, the CNMI will have to put in place the proper IT and legal resources to monitor and regulate the operators. Only then can they incubate a transparent and sustainable industry.

One of the primary roadblocks for Saipan is their focus on Chinese clientele. Early within their operations, IPI published monthly rolling chip values that topped even those of Macau the biggest casino hub in the world.

Now, the operators must shift focus, notes Lee, pointing out that the Philippine justified their POGOs by denying that they targeted China and all the other countries that have outlawed online gaming by their nationals within their borders.

Looking to mitigate this problem: ring fencing would have been the solution but was never truly enforced nor was there any real auditing of the POGO servers and revenues.

This has led to particular oversight of the regulatory body in the Philippines, PAGCOR, and calls for the elimination of POGOs altogether, citing a lack of taxation payments and malfeasance.

While online gaming is prevalent in many countries, Asian operators have taken a relaxed or highly stringent approach, with little wiggle room in the more regulated vicinities.

Given its track record of oversight on casinos and video poker clubs, it will be interesting to see how CNMI aims to approach online gaming legislation and how strict (or lax) it may be.

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CNMI proposal to legalize online gambling is another desperate attempt to source new revenue - Asia Gaming Brief

Iran is gambling on ceasefire to keep Hamas from defeat – analysis – The Jerusalem Post

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Only a handful of countries opposed the vote, and about 20 abstained. While many countries legitimately want a ceasefire, Irans strategy is more complex.

Iran backs Hamas and other groups in the Middle East that have sought to leverage the Hamas attack on October 7 to its benefit. For instance, there have been almost 80 attacks on US forces in Syria and Iraq by the Islamic Republics proxies.

The Houthis in Yemen have attacked numerous ships. Iran is seeking to create instability and use it to threaten the US and Israel.

Therefore, Irans own views on the ceasefire and how the war might end in Gaza are important. Amid various reports about Hamas officials traveling this week, leaving Doha for some other destination, there are a lot of questions about what comes next in Gaza.

Hamas units in northern Gaza are under siege and are being slowly defeated. The terrorist group in Khan Yunis and other areas is fighting to remain intact enough to control Gaza after the war. Clearly, Israels policy is not to let Hamas retake control, but Hamass top leaders continue to hold sway in Gaza and abroad.

Even if the group lost 7,000 fighters, it has another 15,000 in some 20 battalions that continue to fight on in one form or another.

Irans Tasnim News Agency on Tuesday evening published several articles that indicated how the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps views the conflict. The first said the IRGC spotlights differences between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Biden administration. Another highlighted Israeli concerns that the Jewish states goals wont be met in Gaza. A third cited new warnings to the US by Irans foreign minister. The fourth said Israel was losing support globally due to indiscriminate bombing.

Irans Fars News Agency, which has close ties to the IRGC, highlighted the UN vote in reports it put out in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Fars also reported on the Iranian foreign ministers trip to Switzerland and his comments slamming Israel.

The Iranian coverage of the war is interesting. It is not bragging about Hamass success. In fact, the terrorist group has also not been bragging about any successes recently.

This means that Iran now knows it must gamble on a ceasefire and hope to influence world opinion against Israel in the next stage. It appears to think that Jerusalem is triumphing tactically in Gaza.

Although the war has already lasted 68 days, Hamas cannot hold out forever. Iran appears to know this, and it likely did not think the war would last this long. It operationalized the Houthis, Hezbollah, and other threats to distract from the war in Gaza. It wants a wider regional war.

Iran is concerned that it has not been able to draw the US or Israel into a wider conflict. Tehran now appears to think it needs to focus more on the strategic global agenda and less on Hamas in Gaza. It wants to use the besieged coastal enclave and the suffering there for leverage. But even the suffering is not highlighted in the Iranian regime media. This is a new shift as well.

Iran may have overplayed previous coverage accusing Israel of various crimes, and it is now setting its hopes on larger movements at the UN and in other spaces, such as Iran-Russia ties. This is an important shift in the Islamic Republics narrative and is worth paying attention to in the coming weeks.

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Iran is gambling on ceasefire to keep Hamas from defeat - analysis - The Jerusalem Post

Aimed at safety, Atlantic City road narrowing accelerates fears of worse traffic in gambling resort – NBC 10 Philadelphia

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

L.L. Bean has just added a third shift at its factory in Brunswick, Maine, in an attempt to keep up with demand for its iconic boot.

Orders have quadrupled in the past few years as the boots have become more popular among a younger, more urban crowd.

The company says it saw the trend coming and tried to prepare, but orders outpaced projections. They expect to sell 450,000 pairs of boots in 2014.

People hoping to have the boots in time for Christmas are likely going to be disappointed. The bootsare back ordered through February and even March.

"I've been told it's a good problem to have but I"m disappointed that customers not getting what they want as quickly as they want," said Senior Manufacturing Manager Royce Haines.

Customers like, Mary Clifford, tried to order boots on line, but they were back ordered until January.

"I was very surprised this is what they are known for and at Christmas time you can't get them when you need them," said Clifford.

People who do have boots are trying to capitalize on the shortage and are selling them on Ebay at a much higher cost.

L.L. Bean says it has hired dozens of new boot makers, but it takes up to six months to train someone to make a boot.

The company has also spent a million dollars on new equipment to try and keep pace with demand.

Some customers are having luck at the retail stores. They have a separate inventory, and while sizes are limited, those stores have boots on the shelves.

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Aimed at safety, Atlantic City road narrowing accelerates fears of worse traffic in gambling resort - NBC 10 Philadelphia

Liechtenstein extends online gambling ban until 2028, partners with Switzerland to exchange player information – Yogonet International

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

The government of Liechtenstein has extended the ban on online gambling until the end of 2028. The decision to delay online operators from obtaining licenses means the continuing inaccessibility of iGaming in the country, despite the legalization of gambling in 2010.

Furthermore, Liechtenstein has entered into an agreement with Switzerland for sharing information on banned players, aiming to ensure" effective cross-border player protection." This agreement is expected to be implemented next year.

Despite the online ban, physical casinos in Liechtenstein have been successful. However, a new measure was introduced in 2022, restricting the licensing of new casinos, in an attempt to moderate the growth of gambling in the country.

Earlier in the year, a referendum posed a question to the population of Liechtenstein regarding a total ban on casinos until 2028. The majority of voters, 73.3% of the 70% who participated, voted against the ban, choosing to keep the casinos open. This decision came despite concerns over potential damage to Liechtenstein's reputation and the risk of increased gambling addiction.

Casinos have been a significant source of revenue for Liechtenstein's economy. In 2018, the country's two casinos generated CHF 53.5 million ($53.6 million) in revenue and paid CHF 19.9 million ($23 million) in taxes and gambling fees, as a result of an effective tax rate of 34.5%.

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Liechtenstein extends online gambling ban until 2028, partners with Switzerland to exchange player information - Yogonet International

Crypto Gambling: A Boon for Bettors or Gateway to Addiction? – Crypto Times

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

While blockchain technology has been around since 2009, its the recent explosion of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies thats making waves across industries, including gambling.

Online crypto casinos are popping up left and right, attracting players with the promise of faster transactions, increased anonymity, and potentially generous bonuses. But before you jump into this exciting trend, its crucial to understand the ins and outs of crypto gambling and learn how to play responsibly.

This guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to navigate the world of crypto casinos safely and make informed decisions.

Crypto gambling refers to the act of wagering cryptocurrencies on games of chance or skill. This can be done on traditional online gambling platforms that have added support for crypto payments, or on dedicated crypto gambling platforms.

Unlike traditional online gambling platforms that rely on standard banking methods, crypto gambling operates within a decentralized financial ecosystem. This key distinction allows players to seamlessly convert their fiat currencies into Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, facilitating quick and straightforward transactions.

The rise of cryptocurrencies has not gone unnoticed in the gambling world. Many sites, including those not registered with GamStop, are increasingly adopting this digital currency, according to insights from NonGamStopBets UK. The appeal lies in the simplicity and efficiency of crypto transactions, which benefit both players and gambling operators.

One of the notable perks of using cryptocurrencies for gambling is the exclusive access it provides. Players who deposit using this system can enjoy all available games and bonuses.

In a bid to further encourage the use of digital currencies, many gambling platforms are offering additional incentives to crypto users. These incentives are designed to heighten the appeal of crypto gambling and motivate more players to explore this innovative payment method.

The integration of cryptocurrencies into the world of gambling has opened up a new frontier, offering players and platforms alike a range of exciting advantages.

Lets dive into some of the key benefits of using crypto for your next gambling adventure:

Say goodbye to the sluggishness of traditional banking methods! Crypto transactions are notoriously fast, often settling within minutes compared to the days or even weeks it can take for credit card or bank transfers. Additionally, crypto transactions typically incur lower fees, leaving you with more of your hard-earned funds to play with.

Gone are the days of sharing your personal and financial information with online gambling platforms. Crypto gambling allows you to remain anonymous, safeguarding your sensitive data from potential breaches. Transactions are recorded on a public blockchain ledger, but your identity remains obscured, adding an extra layer of security and peace of mind.

Unlike traditional payment methods that may be restricted by geographical boundaries, cryptocurrencies operate on a global network. This means you can access online gambling platforms no matter where you are in the world, opening up a wider range of options and potentially better odds.

Many crypto gambling platforms offer enticing bonuses and rewards specifically for players who use digital currencies. This could include welcome bonuses, deposit match bonuses, and even free spins or cashback offers. Taking advantage of these exclusive perks can boost your bankroll and give you a head start on your gambling journey.

Cryptocurrencies are known for their volatility, which can be a double-edged sword. While the value of your winnings could fluctuate, potentially leading to significant losses, it also presents the opportunity for higher returns. If the market swings in your favor, your winnings could be substantially boosted compared to traditional fiat currencies.

Some crypto gambling platforms leverage blockchain technology to offer provably fair games. This means that the fairness of the games can be mathematically verified by anyone, ensuring transparency and trust in the gambling process. No more black box algorithms or shady dealings with provably fair games, you can rest assured that the odds are truly in your favor.

The decentralized nature of blockchain technology opens up exciting possibilities for the future of gambling. With crypto, we can expect to see more innovative platforms emerge, offering unique features and gameplay experiences that were previously unthinkable.

Also Read: Top 5 Myths Surrounding Crypto Online Casinos

While crypto gambling offers an array of enticing advantages, its crucial to be aware of the significant challenges and risks that come with it.

Before diving headfirst into this new frontier, consider the following:

The volatile nature of cryptocurrencies is perhaps the biggest risk. Your winnings (and losses) can fluctuate dramatically based on market movements, potentially leading to significant financial setbacks. Remember, what could be a big win today could evaporate tomorrow due to a sudden market dip.

The decentralized nature of the crypto world attracts both genuine platforms and unscrupulous actors. Be wary of phishing scams, fake exchanges, and unreliable platforms. Always research thoroughly before depositing any funds and prioritize platforms with strong security measures and positive user reviews.

Unlike traditional gambling, crypto gambling exists in a largely unregulated space. This means theres no overarching framework to protect consumers from unfair practices, fraudulent operators, or disputes. Proceed with caution, as you may have limited recourse if things go wrong.

Using cryptocurrencies and navigating unfamiliar blockchain technology can be challenging for newcomers. Understanding wallets, private keys, transactions, and technical jargon can be a steep learning curve. Ensure you have a solid grasp of the technology before venturing into crypto gambling.

The anonymity and convenience associated with crypto gambling can exacerbate the risk of problem gambling. The ease of depositing and playing without traditional verification processes can lead to uncontrolled spending and potentially dangerous habits. Be mindful of your playing patterns and seek help if necessary.

The anonymity of cryptocurrencies can potentially attract those seeking to engage in illegal activities such as money laundering or illegal gambling operations. Ensure you fully understand the legal implications of crypto gambling in your jurisdiction and avoid platforms with shady dealings.

By acknowledging the challenges and risks involved, you can make informed decisions and navigate the world of crypto gambling safely and responsibly.

New hacker group uses old attack methods to breach Asian gambling companies – The Record from Recorded Future News

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

Researchers have uncovered a previously unknown hacker group that uses simple and dated attack methods to target governments and businesses in the Asia-Pacific region.

Called GambleForce, the group has been active since September and has mainly targeted the gambling industry, according to the report by Singapore-based cybersecurity firm Group-IB.

GambleForce broadened its focus in recent months to include government, retail, and travel websites. As of now, it has 20 known victims in its portfolio, primarily located in Australia, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, South Korea, Thailand, and Brazil.

The attackers use a set of publicly available open-source tools designed for penetration-testing. They havent employed any unique modifications and keep almost all default settings on the tools.

They primarily infect their victims using SQL injections a type of cyberattack where an attacker manipulates a web application's database queries by injecting malicious SQL code. Researchers say this is one of the oldest attack methods, yet many companies are still susceptible to it.

SQL attacks persist because they are simple by nature, the researchers said. Companies remain susceptible to such attacks because they fail to address fundamental flaws.

The goal of GambleForces attacks is unclear. In some instances, the attackers stopped after performing reconnaissance, while in other cases, they successfully extracted user databases containing logins and hashed passwords, along with lists of tables from accessible databases, according to the researchers.

The threat actor attempts to exfiltrate any available piece of information within targeted databases, the report said. What the group does with the stolen data remains unknown so far.

After discovering GambleForce's malicious activity, the researchers took down its command and control server. However, they believe that the hackers will most likely regroup and rebuild their infrastructure to launch new attacks.

Group-IB didnt attribute this group to a specific country but said that they found commands written in Chinese. This fact alone is not, however, enough to determine the groups origin, researchers said.

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Daryna Antoniuk is a freelance reporter for Recorded Future News based in Ukraine. She writes about cybersecurity startups, cyberattacks in Eastern Europe and the state of the cyberwar between Ukraine and Russia. She previously was a tech reporter for Forbes Ukraine. Her work has also been published at Sifted, The Kyiv Independent and The Kyiv Post.

The Degenerate’s Gambit: 2023 Week 15 NFL Gambling Lines with Tony – Football Absurdity

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

Welcome back to The Degenerates Gambit! Once again, please remember that these articles are for fun, and while I love writing them and gambling on football, if you or someone you know is addicted and needs help, please get help or get help for them. The national helpline number is 1-800-522-4700.

Were here early this week, as Im trying to get all my writing, podcasting, and picks in before MY WEDDING on Saturday. The powers behind Big Wedding have conspired to have my nuptials in the first week of the fantasy playoffs, so while Ill be tying the knot with the love of my life, its also a great excuse to not have to sit through the Bengals and Vikings fumble their way around lost seasons. Truly a galaxy-brain decision on my fiancees part.

Selflessly, Ive decided that Im giving you a wedding gift for being a loyal degenerate: 4 banger picks for this weekends upcoming games.

The Colts rank incredibly high on Walker Kellys patented Chaosmeter. Im not sure of the statistical implications, but I do know that its incredibly easy to beat any team with Mitchell Trubisky under center. George Pickens is having a Stevie Johnson-level existential crisis every time he runs a route, the team is still determined to run Najee into dust, and they cant stop opposing offenses. A big Michael Pittman week awaits us, and the Colts walk away with a win.

Carolina is a bad football team, who couldve seen that one coming? At the same time, Arthur Smith is learning that maybe leading with a scheme that gets his best players the ball is worth running. Atlanta runs zone the most in the league, and Carolina gives up the second most yards to zone runs. Atlanta is a top 3 offense in red zone rush rate, and Carolina gives up the most rushes inside the 5 this season. Smash the Falcons -3, and take as many Bijan overs as you possibly can.

Baltimore should be the number-one seed in a fraudulent AFC this year when all is said and done. With that in mind, they tend to play down to the quality of their opponents. I think this can bite them in the ass and cost them that top seed, but I dont think that letdown happens in this game. Jacksonville is far from a complete team, and Trevor Lawrence at full health covers up a lot of shitty Press Taylor schematic issues. That said, TLaw isnt at full health and the Ravens defense is going to turn up the pressure. Baltimore should win this game handily.

Its my wedding weekend and I can bet on the Bears if I want to, so I will. The Joe Flacco story is truly one to behold, but at the same time this Browns defense is getting absolutely rocked with injuries and I believe in the Justin Fields/DJ Moore connection against the man coverage scheme that Cleveland utilizes extensively (the numbers agree with me). Injuries on the Bears defensive line are also not ideal, but the addition of Montez Sweat has completely turned this defense around. Joe Flacco should be under pressure all game, and the secondary has the ability to smother Amari Cooper. Im taking the Bears on the road, and hoping the win streak extends to 3.

Last Week: 1-2-1 Year to Date: 30-25-1 (3-11 Long Shot Plays)

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The Degenerate's Gambit: 2023 Week 15 NFL Gambling Lines with Tony - Football Absurdity

AICDAC aims to curb youth gambling this holiday season – The Courier-Express

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

SHELOCTA Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission is participating in the 2023 Gift Responsibly Campaign, joining more than 80 other lotteries and community organizations from across the United States and Canada, and around the world.

The campaign is organized by the National Council on Problem Gambling and the International Center for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University. The Gift Responsibly Campaign is also endorsed by the World Lottery Association and the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries. The campaign aims to raise awareness regarding the risks of underage lottery use. Lottery products are appropriate for gifting only to adults, from adults.

Gambling is defined as risking something of value on an unknown outcome that depends on chance or skill. Research shows that the earlier a persons participation or exposure to gambling in childhood, the more likely they are to develop gambling problems later in life. Even though gambling activities are legally restricted to adults, there is clear evidence that underage youth actively participate in gambling.

Despite gambling being promoted as a harmless form of entertainment, it operates on the same reward pathways and neurotransmitters as substance addiction. Youth gambling is associated with alcohol and drug use, truancy, risk-taking behaviors and low grades in school.

More and more youth are exposed to the availability and accessibility of many forms of gambling at even younger ages and are tempted by the pressures to participate. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling approximately 60 percent of high school aged adolescents in the United States report having gambled for money during the past year.

According to the 2021 Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) data, overall, 34.9 percent of Armstrong County students in eighth, 10th and 12th grades have engaged in gambling for money or anything of value in their lifetime, which is higher than the state average of 30.4 percent. From these grade levels in Armstrong County, students reported the different forms of gambling used were 23.2 percent lottery (including scratch cards, numbers, etc.), 15.9 percent personal skill games (such as pool, darts, coin tossing and video games), 12.7 percent poker or other card games, dice, backgammon, or dominoes, and 10.7 percent sporting events or sports pools. In addition, 10.24 percent bet/gambled in some other way, and 4.4 percent reported gambling online.

For most people gambling is simply entertainment, but it is entertainment that comes with a degree of risk. When a lottery ticket is given as a gift by a trusted parent or other family member, a child is likely to interpret the gift as saying, this is a safe thing for you to do. Lottery tickets arent childs play.

For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/AICDAC.

AICDAC aims to curb youth gambling this holiday season - The Courier-Express

Why Argentinians are gambling everything on ‘anarcho-capitalist’ Javier Milei podcast – The Guardian

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

Hes known as the madman, his hairdresser likens him to Wolverine, while the man himself prefers the term anarcho-capitalist. But this week Javier Milei has a new title: president of Argentina.

By now the world should not be surprised by a far-right TV personality with attention-grabbing hair winning at the polls, but Mileis meteoric rise up the ranks of Argentinian politics still shocked observers. On the election trail, he promised to close the central bank, dollarise the economy and insulted Argentinas biggest trading partners, China and Brazil. But what will he do now that he has power?

The Guardians Latin America correspondent, Tom Phillips, has been in Buenos Aires for Mileis inaugaration. He tells Nosheen Iqbal how he has spoken to everyone from former ministers to astrologers to try to understand Mileis appeal and speculates how Argentina will fare under the former Rolling Stones tribute band member. He explains the toll sky-high inflation is taking on the people of Argentina and why voters would rather risk everything on Milei than prop up the status quo.

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Why Argentinians are gambling everything on 'anarcho-capitalist' Javier Milei podcast - The Guardian

MLB partners with EPIC, Entain Foundation to educate Minor League players on gambling harm – Yogonet International

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

Major League Baseball (MLB)has partnered with EPIC Global SolutionsandEntain Foundation U.S.to enhance its educational efforts aimed at Minor League playersregarding the prevention of gambling-related harm.

EPIC will provide lived experience educational sessions focusing on responsible gaming and mental health for Minor League players and other selected MLB staff members. Meanwhile, Entain Foundation U.S., Entain's non-profit subsidiary, will offer financial support and additional resources for conducting these sessions.

"We believe that EPIC's impressive program facilitators, including an ex-minor leaguer, will communicate critical insights on gambling harm prevention in relatable and compelling ways," said Quest Meeks, Vice President, Sports Betting & Compliance at MLB.

"Our younger minor league players in particular are coming into the league at a time when mobile sports betting is an increasingly prominent part of the sports ecosystem. We want to help those players avoid gambling-related pitfalls that can derail not only their careers, but also their day-to-day lives more generally."

"We are pleased to be able to support baseball to take a proactive stance on player protection against gambling-related harm through our innovative lived experience approach, sharing the stories of those who have experienced gambling disorder firsthand," said Ben McGregor, director of sports partnerships at EPIC Global Solutions.

"Working with such an iconic American institution provides a unique opportunity to not only help the players connected to every franchise, but also the wider supporter base across the country, who can learn more about the potential effects of gambling harm through the increased profile this program will generate. We thank Major League Baseball and Entain Foundation U.S. for providing this platform for wider awareness."

This new three-way collaboration expands the ongoing relationship between EPIC Global Solutions and Entain Foundation U.S., to educate the public on preventing gambling-related harm. Entain Foundation U.S. already funds educational and awareness programs about gambling issues for professional and college athletes, coaches, and teams across the United States, as well as various sports organizations.

"Entain Foundation U.S. is proud to support EPIC Risk Management's effort to educate the Major League Baseball community about problem gambling," saidMartin Lycka, Entain's Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling and Trustee of Entain Foundation U.S.

"We must take a preventative approach to gambling harm, particularly those involved in sports, so educating the baseball community on responsible gambling practices is a critical measure," he added.

The delivery model is expected to commence in 2024, when EPIC will visit Minor League teams during Spring Training.

MLB partners with EPIC, Entain Foundation to educate Minor League players on gambling harm - Yogonet International

Conservative towns in liberal American states want to ban abortion – The Economist

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

On December 10th about a dozen people file into a church in Seminole, Texas. Upbeat Christmas music plays softly over the speakers as people take their seats in wooden pews. But the pastor is not the main speaker. He hands the microphone to Mark Lee Dickson, an anti-abortion activist, and David Gallegos, a state senator for New Mexico. The two men explain how their plan to ban abortion in eastern New Mexico could deter women from neighbouring Texas from crossing state lines for the procedure. They are coming, says Mr Gallegos. The only way to stop death in my state is help from your state.

New Mexicos role in Americas abortion wars derives largely from its geography. Abortion in the state is legal throughout all stages of pregnancy. But New Mexico shares a border with Texas and Oklahoma, where the procedure is illegal, and touches Arizona and Utah, which have restrictions. The Guttmacher Institute, a pro-abortion research group, finds that abortions in New Mexico more than tripled between 2020 and 2023, the largest percentage increase of any state. Adrienne Mansanares, chief executive of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, reckons that more than 80% of patients at the groups clinic in Las Cruces, New Mexico, come from Texas.

New Mexico has thus become a target for anti-abortion activists. Mr Dickson initially sought merely to limit abortion in cities and counties in Texas. But in 2021 the state passed SB8, which in effect banned the procedure, and a year later the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade. The emboldened activist now has his sights set on eastern New Mexico, which is home to plenty of conservative, rural communities that chafe against the states progressive government and permissive abortion laws. Its basically West West Texas, says Laura Wight, a member of Eastern New Mexico Rising, a rare progressive group in the region.

Several municipalities in New Mexico recently passed ordinances that endeavour to ban abortion despite state law. The states attorney-general sued them, and the case came before New Mexicos Supreme Court on December 13th. The ordinances have two goals. The first is to deter Texas women from seeking an abortion in New Mexico. Whole Womans Health, which runs abortion clinics, recently considered opening an office in Hobbs, just across the state line from Seminole, but decided on progressive Albuquerque instead. Hobbs is right in line for getting abortion clinics and weve been fighting that tooth and toenail, says Jan Auld, a Hobbs resident who attended the church meeting in Seminole.

Second, Mr Dickson and his supporters want the New Mexico ordinances to bolster their argument that a federal law on the books since 1873, known as the Comstock Act, already in effect blocks abortion nationwide. The Comstock Act is an ambiguous anti-vice law that prohibits the mailing of obscene or lewd materials, including things related to contraception and abortion. Some argue that it could be used to block the shipping of any tools used for abortion, making the procedure difficult to perform at all.

The law was only ever patchily enforced, explains Mary Ziegler, a legal historian at the University of California, Davis. It was this sort of weird relationship between government and social-movement activists, she adds. There were very few prosecutions even before Roe established a constitutional right to abortion in 1973. But the eastern New Mexico ordinances assert that Comstock is the supreme law of the land, thereby trumping any New Mexico law that protects abortion.

New Mexicos Supreme Court will probably disagree. During oral arguments the justices appeared loth to consider Comstock at all. They seem minded to rule that the new local laws violate state law: case closed. But the debate over Comstock will rage on. A federal judge in Texas recently ruled that the 150-year-old law plainly forecloses mail-order abortion, referring to the Food and Drug Administrations approval of mifepristone, a drug used to end a pregnancy. The Supreme Court will hear the case in 2024.

The question of whether, and how, Comstock is enforced will also loom over the 2024 presidential election. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank that has published detailed policy plans for a second Donald Trump term, contends that the next conservative administration should announce its intent to enforce federal law against providers and distributors of such pills.

David Cohen, a law professor at Drexel University, argues that, should he lose the election, in the lame-duck period before he leaves office President Joe Biden should consider pardoning anyone who may have violated the Comstock Act. The Biden administration is not going to enforce that law, Mr Dickson tells those gathered at the church. But another administration might.

Stay on top of American politics withChecks and Balance, our weekly subscriber-only newsletter, whichexamines the state of American democracy and the issues that matter to voters.

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Conservative towns in liberal American states want to ban abortion - The Economist

In two of the great liberal democracies, freedom of speech stops at Israel – The Irish Times

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

If theres one thing you read this week, make it Masha Gessens piece in the New Yorker, In the Shadow of the Holocaust. Gessen, one of the finest journalists working today, is caught up in one of those through-the-looking-glass moments we are experiencing regarding the censorship and shunning of countless academics, public intellectuals, artists and journalists in relation to any kind of critique or even contextual framing of Israels policies and bombardment of Gaza.

In an interview in the Washington Post, Gessen said that the Heinrich Bll Foundation which sponsors the Hannah Arendt Prize for Political Thought pulled its support for the presentation of the prize to Gessen, who is Jewish. The Post quoted the foundation as saying that Gessens piece implies that Israel aims to liquidate Gaza like a Nazi ghetto This statement is not an offer for open discussion; it does not help to understand the conflict in the Middle East.

However, the Hannah Arendt organisation has not rescinded the prize. Its a slightly absurdist hypothetical to posit, but under the current conditions in Germany, could Arendt herself famous for her writing on totalitarianism even be awarded the Hannah Arendt Prize today without opposition? I doubt it.

[Seven arrested in Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands over suspected terrorism plots]

[Empathy key in Germanys link to Israel, says former ambassador to Ireland]

Germany and America present themselves as open and progressive societies where people can express themselves freely. In the context of any desire to call out Israels abhorrent slaughter of innocent people in Gaza, this is a fantasy. Unless real progressives, genuine democrats, those who authentically believe in free societies stop this rot, these two countries in particular Germany and the US are going to fold their hypocritical concepts of freedom in on themselves. All that will be left is the shadow of an aspiration operating in darkness.

In February 2012, I travelled to multiple Russian cities with the band And So I Watch You From Afar and, late at night, would chat to their young fans about their context. A sort of code emerged that almost felt like jazz, navigating and interpreting the gaps and silences to extract meanings, gently searching for their assessment of the political and social conditions they were living under. A week after I flew home from Moscow, Pussy Riot walked into the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, a few hundred metres from the Kremlin, and began a performance that would lead to global fame and their arrest.

You dont protect democracy by rounding up protesters calling for peace, or censoring or silencing journalists, artists and public intellectuals

Ive also travelled to countries where being gay is punishable by imprisonment, and where the threat to safety is very obvious should the fact of ones sexuality become known, and so I have outright lied about my sexuality when asked, in order to preserve my personal safety.

None of this felt as unnerving as what I experienced in New York in October. The consequences of striking up a conversation about the Israeli attacks on Gaza wouldnt be particularly severe. They might cause anger or a profound social awkwardness. But it was the lie of Americas freedom of speech that felt so grotesque. I was disturbing myself by participating in the sort of social censorship that hung over the city; being careful about who I spoke to about what was going on, talking in low tones when in public, engaging in the game of not mentioning what was on everyones mind when it was so obviously being left out of conversation. Police rounded up protesters, many of them Jewish. If there is one good thing to take from America right now, it is the actions of Jewish Voice for Peace, who are putting their bodies on the line in the name of peace.

In this context which feels so specifically disturbing when one is in it America is not fighting anti-Semitism. It is performing that fight, but actually behaving in a manner that can only lead to the comparative naming of a single term: McCarthyism.

[US vetoes UN call for immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza]

[Pro-Palestinian demonstration held outside US ambassadors residence in Dublin]

An Irishwoman, Julie Fogarty, who has lived in Berlin for 15 years, recently co-organised a Gig for Gaza, directly inspired by the Dublin event. Whatever about raising money, Fogarty told me, it came from a sense that we had to show the Palestinian community and there is a huge Palestinian population in Berlin that we are with them. I just wanted them to know: people do support you, people are here in solidarity, there are white Europeans who stand with you, people in the Berlin queer community do stand with you.

Fogarty characterises the current atmosphere of censorship in Germany as insane and a nightmare. She said she was shocked by the actions of the Berlin police at early protests where she saw young Arab men being pulled out of crowds and beaten. Over here, a demo could have a hundred people at it, she said, and there will be just as many heavily militarised police, guns, constantly filming the protest. This is for a peaceful demonstration. You cant help now but think of their history in relation to that.

You dont protect democracy by rounding up protesters calling for peace, or censoring or silencing journalists, artists and public intellectuals. When freedoms fall apart in democracies, its often not only due to attacks on democracy instigated by the fascistic. The collapse includes the assistance and facilitation of impositions on civil liberties and freedom of expression by the forces that characterise themselves as the centre. This is whats happening in America. Its also whats happening in Germany.

When the far right triumphs or obtains more power in these countries, it will be important for those who claim to resist such futures, yet replicate their trademarks of oppression, to examine what they did, what they didnt do, and why. It will also be too late.

Go here to read the rest:

In two of the great liberal democracies, freedom of speech stops at Israel - The Irish Times

The liberal arts’ role in mental health (opinion) – Inside Higher Ed

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

I began my role as dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Georgetown University shortly after we emerged from the instructional Zoom world of the pandemic. When Ifirst began informally meeting with students on campus, they told me that one of the hardest things they dealt with was the perceived stress culture, which they defined as a constant state of seeing who could be the most stressed out.

This cannot be a healthy culture for learning. And students at Georgetown arent alone.

America is experiencing an escalating mental-health crisis among college-age youth. Almost three-fourths of students report experiencing moderate or serious psychological distress, according to a recent survey from the American College Health Association.

Will the Liberal-NDP supply and confidence agreement hold until 2025? – News-Press Now

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

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Will the Liberal-NDP supply and confidence agreement hold until 2025? - News-Press Now

Liberal group appeals ruling letting Trump stay on ballot to Michigan Supreme Court – Bowling Green Daily News

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

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Liberal group appeals ruling letting Trump stay on ballot to Michigan Supreme Court - Bowling Green Daily News

Liberal group appeals ruling letting Trump stay on ballot to Michigan Supreme Court – Grand Haven Tribune

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

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Chrystia Freeland definitely running in the next election amid Liberal freefall in polls – True North

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland confirmed her plans to run in the next federal election and even predicted a Liberal win.

Freeland, who has been a member of Parliament since 2013 and a member of Trudeaus cabinet since 2015, deflected questions about her ambitions for the Liberal partys leadership.

I am focused first and foremost on supporting Canadians right now, Freeland said in an interview with CTV.

Recent polling by Ipsosshows that 72% of Canadians think Trudeau should step down as party leader. Even 33% of Canadians who plan to vote Liberal want Trudeau to step down, up from 28% in September. Of all potential replacements, Freeland received the most positive reviews in the poll.

Freeland sidestepped the question but said the Liberals can absolutely win the next election.

I am also absolutely supporting our Prime Minister, who is leading our team doing a really, really great job, she added.

Freeland said that while journalists never believe her, her focus is not on the polls but her neighbours.

When you are put by your fellow Canadians in a position like mine, your job is to wake up every day and think, what are the problems people have? And what can I try to do today to make it better? Thats what I focus on, said Freeland.

Throughout the interview, Freeland discussed the economic challenges being faced by Canadians. She said that in her personal life, the thing that brings the challenge home to her most is that her church has a food bank every Wednesday, where the lines have been getting longer. True North previously reported that food banks across Canada were near a breaking point.

Facing questions about her political future after a decade in office, speculation had arisen about Freeland possibly pursuing an international role post-politics. However, when queried about these prospects, she firmly stated her intention to continue her political career in Canada.

Im definitely running in the next election. Up to my neighbours to decide whether I get re-elected, Freeland said.

Chrystia Freeland definitely running in the next election amid Liberal freefall in polls - True North

Bid to cut through post-Brexit red tape tying up UK trade with Flanders – theloadstar.com

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

Charlieaja

Research for Flemish firms has found that 74% of UK companies said they had been forced to consider other markets, due to post-Brexit administration struggles.

But GatewayBritain has promised to make trade between Flanders and Britain as frictionless as possible.

GatewayBritain, described as an innovative digital application that will bring visibility and transparency for trading with Flanders into one place, derives from a partnership between Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO), Flanders Investment and Trade and Deloitte.

The initiative was announced in June and will allow traders to fill out just one dataset online, which is then automatically shared with all the relevant supply chain and logistics partners.

Earlier this month, the pilot product of the application was launched. Functionalities include shipment and transport management, data authorisation management, document management, communication management and notification management.

Dirk Verlee, trade and investment counsellor at Flanders Investment and Trade, said: Flanders is a key route in and out of the EU for British traders. This means that if GatewayBritain solves the challenges of Brexit in the Belgian region, supply issues that have affected the UK should also be solved.

Flanders is a popular route into the EU for UK companies, due to its proximity to both the UK and Europes major business centres. A market of 400 million consumers, or 60% of Europes purchasing power, is within six hours of the region.

Trade figures for 2022 revealed that the total value of exports from the UK to Flanders was 33.77bn ($37bn), and imports into the UK from Flanders totalled 27.95bn ($30.7bn). The UK is Flanders fourth-highest export market.

However, research conducted in May by Censuswide of more than 1,000 UK traders found that some 74% of UK companies said they had been forced to consider alternative markets, due to difficulties in trading with the EU post-Brexit. And 42% had seen trade with the EU decrease, while 48% of the respondents said they would trade more if the process was simplified.

Minister and president of the government of Flanders Jan Jambon said: Britain is an important trading partner for Flanders. We know from our research that British companies have been looking at alternative markets due to the bureaucracy involved post-Brexit. GatewayBritain signals the end of that bureaucracy.

After the pilot shipments, stakeholders will be invited to share their feedback.

Link:

Bid to cut through post-Brexit red tape tying up UK trade with Flanders - theloadstar.com

Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal is up and running. It’s ‘cataclysmic’ for UK food exports – POLITICO Europe

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

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LONDON When Rishi Sunak signed his new Brexit deal in February, he boasted that it would deliver smooth flowing trade within the whole United Kingdom.

But just two months after the Windsor Framework came into effect, it's having huge unintended consequences for a key export sector, with hundreds of millions of pounds in trade now at risk.

Since October this year, all meat and some dairy products moving from Great Britain to be sold in Northern Ireland a part of the U.K. have been required to carry not for EU labels. It's meant to ensure goods aren't moved onward into the Republic of Ireland, an EU member country.

But the British government is going further.

From October 2024, all meat and dairy products sold right across the U.K. will also have to include the labels even if there is no intention to ever send the products to Northern Ireland.

The requirement will be applied to more U.K. food products from July 2025. And it applies whether the food is produced in the U.K. or imported.

Businesses say the plans for a U.K.-wide rollout go way beyond Brussels requirements as set out in the Windsor Framework and, crucially, could see EU exports plummet because of the costs and inefficiency of doing separate production runs for British and European markets.

Sean Ramsden, director of the Food and Drink Exporters Association and the CEO of food export business Ramsden International, described the new system as absolutely cataclysmic for food exporters.

Ramsden told POLITICO he fears that eventually all of the products he is supplied with by partner Co-op will be labeled not for EU, which means we cant export them to the EU."

While large manufacturers may find it easier to comply with the new rules, Ramsden says the changes could prove too costly for smaller operations.

A lot of manufacturers will probably just give up on the European market, he said. It seems an inconsequential thing to say put it onto the packaging, but in practice it means changing production runs. Manufacturers are saying this is crazy because they dont want to start doing additional production runs.

His concerns were echoed by Balwinder Dhoot, director of sustainability and growth at the Food and Drink Federation (FDF). He told British MPs recently that implementation costs of the labeling requirement would run into hundreds of millions of pounds a year across the industry.

It generates a risk for hundreds of millions, if not billions, of pounds worth of exports, he told MPs last month. That is an unnecessary domestic policy. You cannot have a trade policy that is trying to promote exports on one hand, and then undermine that with domestic policy on the other.

A spokesperson for the group, which represents food and drink manufacturers, said the labeling removes the flexibility that was agreed with the EU and will result in less choice for shoppers in both Northern Ireland and GB.

A more pragmatic approach would be to monitor supply before taking action, and work with the industry to find a practical solution.

Although the U.K.-wide labeling requirements do not come into force until October next year, some manufacturers appear to already be using the labeling system in preparation for the rollout.

As a result, Ramsden says his company is having to do manual checks on everything, take out the [labeled] products from the orders, return them to the supplier, credit them to the customer and take them off our list.

Another unintended consequence, Ramsden warns, is that non-EU consumers will be put off by the not for EU labels.

If we export to other markets, what are the consumers going to think when they see not for EU on the packaging? They are going to question whether its safe, he said.

For Ramsden, the labeling requirement is just the latest in a string of headaches resulting from the U.K. leaving the EU, which has already seen the companys sales with the bloc plummet from 25 million to 16 million as a result of Brexit.

This will finish it all because we are supplied by stock thats in circulation in the U.K. market.

A government spokesperson said: The Windsor Framework drastically reduces the paperwork and processes required compared to the old protocol. We continue to engage extensively with businesses to support them in adapting to these new arrangements.

The rest is here:

Rishi Sunak's Brexit deal is up and running. It's 'cataclysmic' for UK food exports - POLITICO Europe

‘Get Brexit Done’ is now ‘Stop the Boats’: Is the Rwanda Bill the Conservatives’ Trojan Horse? Byline Times – Byline Times

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Danzig

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One of the lines that stays with me from learning Latin at school is from Virgils epic poem, the Aeneid Timeo Danaos et Dona Ferrentes (I fear the Greeks, even when they bring gifts). This line was uttered by the Trojan priest, Laocoon, who was warning that the Trojan Horse apparently gifted to the city of Troy by the departing Greeks might actually be a trap.

In similar fashion, I cant help feeling that I cant Trust the Conservatives, even when they obey the Law.

A huge song and dance was made by the Government before last weeks first vote on its Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill that the legislation just stayed within the framework of the European Convention of Human Rights.

The Bill, if adopted, would allow government ministers to ignore temporary injunctions raised by the European Court of Human Rights to stop flights taking off at the last minute. However, it would still allow asylum seekers to launch legal appeals to argue that they should be spared deportation, if they can claim various special circumstances.

Supporters of the Governments approach argue that the Bill goes as far as it can, without breaching international law and that Rwanda itself would withdraw from the scheme if the UK went any further.

Conservative opponents of the bill, including 29 MPs from the right wing of the party, who abstained on the vote, argue that it does not go far enough and that the language should have explicitly ruled out the scope for any legal challenges to deportation, whether under domestic or international human rights law.

Former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, who resigned over his disagreement with Rishi Sunaks migration policy, was even quoted (ironically, on Human Rights Day) as saying that the Government must put the views of the British public above contested notions of international law and that MPs are not sent to Parliament to be concerned about our reputation on the gilded international circuit.

I feel a weary sense of dj vu. This is Brexit, on repeat.

Former British diplomat Alexandra Hall Hall reflects on the complexities involved in the conflict and why there are no easy answers if any

Alexandra Hall Hall

Yet again, we have some members of the Conservative Party arguing that the UK needs to abandon another European institution this time the European Court of Human Rights in order to take back control of immigration.

Yet again, they scapegoat others on this occasion lefty lawyers for thwarting the will of the people.

Yet again, they claim unique knowledge and possession of what that will of the people actually is though there has been no explicit vote put to the public as to whether they really do support the Rwanda scheme, even if it involves the UK derogating from some aspects of human rights law. Just as there never was any explicit indication in the EU Referendum that the British public wanted the most hardline break with Brussels, including departure from the Customs Union and Single Market.

Yet again, we have Conservative MPs misrepresenting the facts, to argue that the Rwanda scheme will brilliantly solve all of the UKs immigration problems despite the evidence that it will only ever be able to remove a few hundred migrants, at most, and only at vast expense; that it will do nothing to resolve the massive asylum claim backlog; and the fact that most immigrants to the UK come here legally, partly as a result of the Governments own migration policies.

But then, Conservative MPs never acknowledge inconsistencies in their arguments, whether over Brexit or now over immigration.

Just like during the Brexit debates, Conservative MPs now are also happy to gloss over inconvenient facts regarding migration such as that our health, care, agriculture and hospitality sectors are dependent on affordable immigrant labour, and that there are no safe, legal routes for asylum seekers to come to the UK.

Instead, they waffle on about this being yet another issue of sovereignty. Indeed, the Rwanda Bill goes one step further than Brexit, in deliberately overriding the Supreme Courts judgment on Rwanda, to assert that Rwanda actually is a safe country. So now, not just laws, but facts, are whatever the British Government says them to be.

Russian President Vladimir Putin or Chinese President Xi Jinping are no doubt delighted to see members of the British political establishment adopt their practices of disinformation and disdain for international law. How much easier it makes it for them to continue gulling their own citizens, and defying international conventions and treaties, when they can point to a country like the UK previously a stalwart defender of the international rules-based order doing the same.

And just as during Brexit, so now, we have different factions of the Conservative Party tearing themselves to shreds, while critical national and international problems go unaddressed.

The hapless Sunak is in the role of Theresa May, desperately trying to hold his party together and risking pleasing none. The same Goldilocks dilemma prevails his immigration policy risks being too hard for the One Nation group of MPs on the moderate wing of the party, but too soft for the so-called Five Families factions on the right wing of the party.

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Terrified of losing voters to Nigel Farage and the Reform Party, Sunak, like May, will keep trying to appease the migration hardliners, though they will never be satisfied until he has fully ruptured relations with the ECHR. Terrified of alienating traditional conservative voters in their constituencies, the centrist MPs will hold their noses and keep going along, putting party before principle, time and again.

The one advantage Sunak has over May is that it would be hard, even for this shameless party, to seek to replace him as party leader, without triggering a general election, in which on current polling many MPs would lose their seats.

But this is precisely why I sense a trap.

For now, Sunak can play the role of responsible statesman, doing his best to restrain the more extreme members of his party, and insisting that any British legislation should stay just on the right side of the law. If the legislation passes, and asylum seekers start being deported to Rwanda even if its only a few dozen he can make the case that his scheme works, and campaign in the general election for voters to back him, in order to allow it to continue.

But if the legislation falls, or squeaks through only to be defeated again in the courts, before any asylum seekers are deported, Sunak can switch tactics to campaign full bore in support of leaving the ECHR on the grounds that he has exhausted all options and that his hand has been forced into accepting the most extreme approach.

This ploy might not be enough to prevent Conservative defeat to the Labour Party, but it might be enough to save a few seats and to allow the party to keep posturing in hardline fashion on immigration, without ever having to suffer the embarrassment of the Rwanda scheme failing, or having to deal with the damaging wider consequences of leaving the ECHR, such as for the Good Friday Agreement, or our post-Brexit relationship with the EU.

Like the Trojan Horse, I believe the Rwanda bill is a set-up. Get Brexit Done is now Stop the Boats. But, unlike the good citizens of Troy, I believe British voters will not let themselves be suckered a second time.

Never trust the Conservatives, even when they bring gifts.

Originally posted here:

'Get Brexit Done' is now 'Stop the Boats': Is the Rwanda Bill the Conservatives' Trojan Horse? Byline Times - Byline Times

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