by admin | Apr 7, 2025 | disasters, earthquakes, emergency management, natural disasters, news
A strong 7.7-magnitude quake hit central Myanmar on Friday, leading to considerable disturbances in local transport. This disruption impacted air travel as well as railway services not only within Myanmar but also extending into Thailand.
The number of fatalities resulting from the large earthquake in Myanmar has exceeded 1,000, as reported by the governing military regime on Saturday. Additionally, over 2,000 people have been recorded as injured.
AFP.
Here are five points travelers should keep in mind:
Thailand airports are operational
Thailand’s major airports are operating normally, with most arriving and departing flights facing only slight disruptions, as reported.
The Independent.
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In Bangkok, women were seen using their phones as thousands of individuals emerged from structures following the quakes. The image was captured by Reuters.
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On Friday, Airports of Thailand, which manages the nation’s airports, stated that they have finished inspecting six of these facilities.
This ensured that the constructional robustness of their structures and air transport facilities complies with safety regulations.
By 2:30 p.m., all airports had resumed normal operations.
The inspection covered Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang Airport, Chiang Mai Airport, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai Airport, Phuket Airport, as well as Hat Yai Airport.
According to FlightRadar’s flight monitoring information, most arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport, which serves as Bangkok’s main gateway, occur on time. Delays are infrequent, and cancellations or diversions happen quite rarely too.
Concerning departures, the majority of flights have already taken off; however, a few have experienced delays lasting more than a couple of hours.
Suvarnabhumai Airport informed travelers about the recent earthquake and recommended checking for traffic updates prior to departure. They also suggested allowing extra travel time to avoid missing their flights.
The airport recommends getting there at least three hours ahead of international flights and two hours in advance for domestic ones.
Railway connections in Bangkok have been halted.
All metropolitan railway services were halted, and traffic jammed the streets in Thailand’s main city of Bangkok, as reported.
Reuters
.
Worapa Angkhisirisap, who leads the Tourism Authority of Thailand office in London, stated: “The MRT Blue Line and Purple Line services are currently halted.”
The BTS Skytrain has also been halted temporarily as per the emergency procedures.
Moreover, the railway service heading towards Rangsit located in the north of Bangkok might face some delays because of continuous inspections being carried out on the raised sections of track.
Mandalay Airport in Myanmar has been closed down.
Mandalay International Airport, located near the earthquake’s epicenter, has been closed after suffering structural damage.
It is reported that the airport’s air traffic control tower has fallen down, resulting in at least five fatalities.
Videos from social media showed travelers at Mandalay Airport crouching and looking for cover on the runway as an earthquake struck.
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Following a powerful earthquake, people congregate on the street in Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 28, 2025. The image was captured by Reuters.
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Aftershock warnings
Following the earthquake, the U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Thailand.
“There may be aftershocks. If you are in the area or planning to travel there, follow the advice of the local authorities or your tour operator and monitor local media,” its advice states.
Regarding Myanmar, the FCDO mentioned that the earthquake’s epicenter is located in the Sagaing region close to Mandalay City; however, effects could reach other areas as well.
The Mandalay airport is said to be closed, with several significant aftershocks possible. Should you be in the region or considering travel there, adhere to guidance from local authorities and stay updated through local news sources.
Refunds not guaranteed
As the Foreign Office hasn’t issued guidance against unnecessary travel because of the demonstrations, there aren’t specific arrangements allowing you to get a complete refund if you decide to cancel your trip.
The cancellation terms will depend on the policy of each respective holiday supplier.
Simon Calder,
The Independent’s
The travel correspondent clarified: “When the Foreign Office issues a warning against traveling to certain areas, it mandates tour operators such as Tui, Jet2, and easyJet Holidays to promptly repatriate vacationers. This is why an outright ‘do-not-travel’ recommendation is extremely uncommon.”
There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings even if customers cancel, and customers will not be able to claim travel insurance due to safety concerns unless the Foreign Office advice changes.
by admin | Apr 3, 2025 | donald trump, news, news media, politics, politics and government
-
PODCAST: Trump’s ‘Freedom Day’ Tariffs, along with an unexpected push for the death penalty in the Luigi Mangioni case. Tune into Welcome to MAGAland here.
President
Donald Trump
was forced to abandon his helicopter on his way to his
Florida
golf club on Thursday.
The president landed at Miami International Airport at 4:45 pm and immediately transferred to a helicopter known as Marine One for a brief flight to the Doral golf club.
The Palm Beach Post indicates.
However, moments prior to departure, authorities mentioned they detected a problem with the wheels and had to switch to another helicopter.
The problem with Marine One reportedly involved a punctured rear tire.
Trump was subsequently observed crossing the tarmac from one helicopter to another.
Nevertheless, the president reached Doral without incident at 5:35 pm, after experiencing a short delay.
according to NBC News.
It is anticipated that he will head over to his Mar-a-Lago residence, with plans for him to reach there approximately by 10 pm.
This is a
breaking news
The narrative will evolve and be updated.
Read more
by admin | Apr 3, 2025 | everyday life tips and hacks, habits, health, health and exercise, news
-
EXPLORE FURTHER: Daytime snoozes during weekdays can decelerate brain aging by approximately seven years.
Having a mid-day snooze when you’re supposed to be working might appear unorthodox, yet specialists assert that it can significantly benefit both your cognitive functions and general well-being.
The term ‘siesta,’ which comes from Spain and means nap, refers to a brief sleep that is usually had during the early part of the afternoon.
frequently following lunch, and may continue for as long as one hour
.
An afternoon siesta has long been a customary ritual across various societies throughout history and may provide multiple advantages such as enhancing memory, decreasing stress levels, and possibly diminishing blood pressure.
It may as well revitalize you and enhance productivity during the post-lunch lull by diminishing tiredness and boosting your spirits.
Dr. Dylan Petkus, a specialist in sleep from Optimal Circadian Health, stated
Yahoo
:A brief rest lasting between 20 to 30 minutes can increase acetylcholine (the neurotransmitter responsible for memory function) levels, which improves wakefulness and strengthens memory retention.
This enhances your sense of being awake and prepared to handle various tasks. However, keep in mind that you may experience drowsiness immediately upon awakening. Nonetheless, a brief nap can enhance your mental capabilities for the remainder of the day.
Jenoa Matthes, a travel expert and the founder of The Travel Folk, relocated to Madrid.
Spain
About five years back, she claimed that embracing the siesta lifestyle has notably boosted her productivity.
She told
Yahoo
Having arrived from the US, where taking a break during the workday for a nap was almost inconceivable, the concept of a siesta felt very unfamiliar to me.
Initially, I felt somewhat disoriented by the disturbance to my usual working routine. However, after giving the siesta a try, I swiftly grasped the appeal that makes Spaniards so fond of their afternoon rest.
‘I find nothing rejuvenates me on a sweltering summer day better than coming back home post-lunch, closing the drapes, and resting for about 20 to 30 minutes.’
The nap significantly improves both my mood and productivity. When I miss out on a siesta on days where I don’t have time, I frequently feel lethargic and struggle more with concentration afterwards.
Matthes is not alone in her experience; research indicates that napping during the afternoon may help slow down cognitive decline and enhance memory retention.
A 2016 research article published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society revealed that individuals who took naps lasting between 30 to 90 minutes demonstrated superior word recall compared to those who either didn’t nap at all or slept more than 90 minutes, suggesting these participants possessed enhanced memory skills relative to their peers.
The study examined information pertaining to 2,974 individuals in China who were 65 years old and above.
Approximately 60 percent of the participants stated they took a nap lasting around an hour following their lunch break, as observed through self-reporting or interviews conducted during various evaluations.
To determine if daytime sleeping has advantages for young adults as well, scientists participating in a 2018 SLEEP Journal study had 84 Singaporean students absorb information over approximately one hour.
Next, they were instructed to either take a nap, have a rest period, or keep studying for one hour. After completing whichever activity was chosen, the students had to learn additional material before taking a 30-minute exam.
The findings indicated that taking a one-hour nap was more beneficial for learning new information compared to spending that same duration cramming.
The 30-minute exam indicated that retention of factual information was considerably higher after spending an hour either napping or studying compared to having a break.
The research further indicated: ‘After one week, the advantage of napping persisted, whereas cramming no longer offered substantially greater memory retention compared to taking a break.’
Nevertheless, experts recommend limiting your nap to just 30 minutes to reap the maximum benefits.
Brief power naps (up to 20 minutes) boost alertness and mental sharpness for as long as three hours. In contrast, extended rest periods (30 minutes or more) lead into deeper stages of slumber where brain temperature drops along with cerebral blood circulation, often leaving one feeling disoriented upon waking.
Physicians suggest napping during the afternoon, specifically from 1 to 4 PM, to maintain balance in our circadian rhythms—the natural mechanisms controlling our sleep-wake cycles.
Read more
by admin | Apr 3, 2025 | activists, humanitarianism, news, politics, politics and law
Moroccan activist and historian Maati Monjib has declared that he has begun a hunger strike following his prohibition from travel.
In an announcement about himself, he stated
Facebook page
Monjib disclosed that Sorbonne University had extended an invitation to him for a talk about “The Arab Spring in Tunisia: 2011-2021.” Nevertheless, when he reached Rabat-Salé Airport today, he was not allowed to depart, even though he held a legitimate ticket and passport.
“I want to inform everyone that I’ve been prohibited from travel since 2020, and my vehicle, home, and financial accounts have been confiscated for over four years,” he stated additionally.
Monjib was among the activists who received a royal pardon on Throne Day the previous year. He has faced two distinct legal proceedings. In 2015, he was originally handed a sentence of one and a half years for allegations concerning “endangering national security.” His second legal issue arose in 2021, resulting in his arrest as part of an inquiry into “money-laundering” accusations; however, he was subsequently freed awaiting further court action.
In his posting, Monjib condemned his travel ban as a “breach of legal boundaries and the royal pardon.” Referencing Article 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, he noted that such restrictions and judicial oversight should not exceed two months initially but can be renewed up to four additional times for a total of ten months maximum. In his view, since this limit wasn’t adhered to in his situation, the ruling became unlawful and unwarranted. Furthermore, he argued that because these proceedings were politically motivated, they involved false and contrived accusations against him,” he penned.
Monjib has previously undertaken multiple hunger strikes, with the latest one occurring in 2023, against his suspension from his role as a university professor.
by admin | Apr 3, 2025 | crime, crimes, criminal justice, news, nigeria
On Thursday, the Ondo State Security Network Agency, commonly referred to as Amotekun, announced that approximately 61 alleged criminals were apprehended by the Ondo State joint security team. This group includes 28 suspects believed to be part of a kidnapping ring along with another 33 individuals involved in different unlawful acts within the region.
Chief Adetunji Adeleye, the State Commander of Amotekun, revealed this information at a parade for the criminals held in Akure, which serves as the state’s capital. According to him, these individuals were arrested within the past fortnight due to their involvement in suspected acts such as kidnap, attempted homicide, armed burglary, and fraud related to visas.
Adeleye disclosed that 28 of the suspects were part of a gang detained for allegedly abducting and swindling 72 Ghanaians and Nigericans who were trying to migrate overseas for improved prospects.
As he stated, the syndicate, headed by someone from Ghana, enticed many of its targets within Ghana with promises of obtaining safe visas to go to the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and Australia.
The head of Amotekun stated: “As you know, the government of Ondo State, led competently by Dr. Seun Akeredolu, established a committee along with a task force to address the increasing security concerns in Ondo State over the past few days.”
The University of Calabar will be hosting an international conference focused on indigenous knowledge systems. According to UNICEF, more than 556,000 children in Bauchi haven’t been vaccinated. Additionally, INEC addresses why they dismissed the recall petition against Senator Natasha.
This led to our code-named mission: Operation Daadaa. Security personnel from various units across Ondo State, such as the Amotekun Corps, the Police, the Army, and the Civil Defence, conducted intensive operations in the Alagada, Ago Ademekun, and Ago Oyinbo Forests. These efforts also covered regions within the Ose and Owo local government areas, along with both Akure North and South local government areas in Ondo State.
Today, we are marching with 61 suspected individuals. These suspects were apprehended for different offenses throughout the state. Regarding the kidnapping incidents, we’ve presented both the victims and those arrested as perpetrators; these individuals confirmed each other’s identities during their encounters.
We also took down a group of 28 individuals involved in kidnapping, human trafficking, and cattle theft.
They lure innocent members of the public with promises of assisting them obtain U.S. visas. There are currently 28 Ghanaians who were enticed to go to Akure; upon their arrival, the criminal group demanded payments ranging from $2,000 to $1,500 before abducting and holding them captive in Oda.
The sole condition for their release was capturing another individual as a hostage. The keen-eyed operatives from the Intelligence Division of the Amotekun Corps managed to locate these individuals, resulting in 28 of them being apprehended today. Additionally, several victims have been saved by the corps along with their respective family members.
My counsel to young men: make sure you interact with trustworthy individuals as you pursue better prospects overseas.
In the Owo Local Government Area, we successfully rescued two families—five people in one instance and four in another—from kidnappers without paying any ransom. Both families are safe here, and no money changed hands.
The sole amount of money obtained from the Idanre group during the kidnapping was 210,000 naira, discovered when they were trying to negotiate for ten million naira. Nevertheless, due to intelligence tips, we conducted an operation in the forest where they were concealed, successfully rescuing the hostages unharmed.
We have apprehended multiple people for stealing livestock and breaking the anti-grazing regulations. Notably, we caught Sylvester—a person of interest in kidnapping cases—who was detained at Old Garage in Akure.
We also detained Olaoluwa Akinmuyi and Anthony for comparable crimes. In Araromi, Akure, Blessing Imafidon was taken into custody for attempting murder. Furthermore, our forces seized weapons from cult members such as Abdullahi Suberu and Abiodun Edward in both Owo and Ikare.
Describing his experience, victim Jeremiah Amoah recounted that he was approached by the leader of the criminal group, a man from Ghana, who promised to assist him in obtaining an Australian visa through Nigeria.
Amoah mentioned that he went to Nigeria and was instructed to travel from Lagos to Akure, which is the capital of Ondo State. Nevertheless, when he arrived, a motorcycle taxi driver guided him to a spot in the Oda section of the town.
As per Amoah, upon entering the premises, the group gathered $2,000 USD from him right away. It was only afterward that he understood he had been deceived when they told him to bring another individual from Ghana, intending to replace him as part of his liberation from the site.
He stated, “A acquaintance phoned me from Ghana and instructed me to go to Nigeria for my travel formalities to Australia. Upon reaching Lagos, he informed me to hail a taxi to Akure.”
Upon reaching Cathedral Junction, I was instructed to await an agent who would collect me. Once this agent showed up, they escorted me to a hotel before taking approximately $2,000 from me.
“After collecting my money, they took me to another location and instructed me to lure another person to Nigeria before I would be released.
I managed to flee at midnight when everybody was sleeping. I climbed over the wall. Amotekun truly assisted us; they made sure that all those involved were detained and more than 70 victims were released.
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by admin | Apr 3, 2025 | donald trump, news, politics, politics and government, u.s. presidents
-
EXPLORE FURTHER: Minute by minute, the highly illuminating specifics of Biden’s daily routine
-
PODCAST: Trump’s ‘Freedom Day’ Taxes, along with a surprising push for the death penalty in the Luigi Mangioni case. Tune into Welcome to MAGAland here.
Aides to
Joe Biden
are expressing their worries over his state where he seemed ‘disconnected’ and the efforts required to maintain his appearance as presidential during his last years in office.
White House
.
Biden required fluorescent tape placed on the carpet to indicate where he should walk during events. This allowed the octogenarian to navigate easily without needing an assistant to lead him.
One senior advisor mentioned that the president was extremely distracted during the preparations for his now notorious debate.
Donald Trump
that he believed he was the ‘President’
NATO
instead of the United States.
Several books revealing insights into Biden’s presidency are set to be published in the upcoming months. As many as four new volumes will explore his downturn and legacy.
Some of the new information is eye-opening, particularly when it comes to what aides knew about the president’s health and the actions they took to conceal Biden’s condition to the public.
Ron Klain, who was Biden’s chief of staff for two years and also supported him throughout the 2024 campaign, told author Chris Whipple about the six-day period they spent at Camp David. The aim was to prepare Biden for his sole debate against Trump.
This debate was expected to be the end of Biden’s political journey.
Klain recounted to Whipple for his upcoming book, “We were seated at the table. Biden had responses written on index cards, and he seemed incredibly fatigued. It struck me how disconnected he appeared from U.S. politics. His main focus was clearly on his exchanges with NATO officials.”
‘He simply got deeply engrossed in his role as the leader of NATO,’ Klain stated.
Whipple suggests that Klain ‘entertained the notion, somewhat jokingly, that Biden might have believed he was the leader of NATO rather than the United States.’
Whipple’s book
Uncharted: How Trump Defied Expectations Against Biden, Harris, and the Toughest Race in American Political History
It will be released next week.
The Guardian published
excerpts.
Following his debate against Trump, Biden required fluorescent tape to navigate through a fundraising event.
New Jersey
Governor Phil Murphy’s (D) residence so he wouldn’t get disoriented.
Just as politicians, much like actors, use tape marks on the floor to ensure proper positioning for the camera, Biden required a series of vibrant markers acting as ‘colorful breadcrumbs’ to guide the leader of the free world on his path.
As per authors Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes’ book, an aide clarified, ‘He understands where to search for that.’
Conflict: The Most Ferocious Fight for the White House
, which releases this week.
Parnes informed ‘Rising The Hill’ that during the fundraiser, Biden had ‘fluorescent tape on the ground to indicate his path.’
‘During overseas visits, a makeup artist arrives early each day to freshen him up and apply his cosmetics before important meetings. His role involved attending these gatherings rather than participating in TV appearances,’ she explained.
At that fundraising event, Biden had to rely on a teleprompter to address a small gathering of people outside on the patio. Even with the aid of the teleprompter, he still drifted off-topic and meandered in his speech.
More harmful information is probably yet to be revealed.
Original Sin: President Biden’s Downfall, Its Concealment, and His Poor Decision to Seek Re-election
Scheduled for release on May 20th, this book by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson will be available soon.
Thompson stood out as one of the journalists highlighting worries regarding Biden’s well-being throughout his tenure as president.
During his presidency, Biden fell and stumbled numerous occasions. He acknowledged struggling with mobility issues following a fractured foot sustained during the 2020 election campaign, which occurred because he did not consistently wear his required protective boot. Additionally, he committed various verbal slips-ups that disrupted the communication strategy of his administration.
And, lastly, Josh Dawsey, TylerPager, and Isaac Arnsdorf have authored a book.
2024: How Trump Regained the Presidency and the Democrats Lost Their Grip on America
– set to release on July 8.
Biden personally did not grant any interviews to the authors of these books.
In the midst of the 2024 election campaign, Biden faced scrutiny regarding both his physical and mental well-being. Trump consistently referred to him as ‘Sleepy Joe’ and raised doubts about Biden’s mental acuity.
The White House repeatedly countered these claims, asserting that the president remained in excellent health.
But the June 27th debate in Atlanta rapidly changed public perception of Biden. During the showdown, Biden often stared blankly into space, struggled for answers, and appeared shaky.
Following the event, members of Biden’s team mentioned that he was dealing with a common cold, leading to a difficult night for him. Critics argued that rather than allowing him time to recuperate, they felt he received excessive coaching and practice sessions.
Klain was among the trio of assistants who dedicated the most hours to preparing Biden for the debate. Having known Biden for many years, he previously served as his chief of staff during Biden’s tenure as vice president. The other two key figures were longtime associates Mike Donilon and Bruce Reed.
The group, including the president, reached Camp David on the Saturday before the debate to undergo a five-day preparatory lock-in period.
Biden had recently completed an extensive tour: he visited France for both a state visit and the D-Day anniversary celebrations in Normandy. After returning to the United States, he soon traveled to Italy a few days later for a G7 conference. He concluded his journey with stops along the West Coast to attend fundraising events for his political campaigns.
He felt drained and hardly got any downtime.
At the secluded Camp David, a mountainous presidential getaway in Maryland, he underwent policy briefings and simulated debate practices to prepare himself.
However, Biden, who was dealing with a cold, abandoned his debate preparation and dozed off beside the swimming pool, as Klain informed Whipple.
He also appeared flustered and confused.
The former president stated that he ‘was unaware of what Trump had been discussing and could not comprehend the exchange,’ ‘found it difficult to follow his reasoning regarding inflation,’ and when asked about a potential second term, simply responded with ‘focus on completing the current term,’ as noted by Whipple.
Biden was similarly preoccupied with foreign leaders, stating, “These folks insist I’m performing admirably as president, so I must be an excellent one.”
The initial mock debate was planned to run for 90 minutes; however, it concluded early at the 45-minute mark because “the President’s vocal cords were exhausted, along with his understanding of the topic,” according to Whipple’s account.
Twenty-five minutes into the second simulated debate, Biden called it quits.
According to the book, he stated, “I’m simply exhausted and I fear straining my voice further. I feel awful.” He added, “All I need is some rest; things will improve by tomorrow.”
He retired for the night.
‘Whipple describes the president as exhausted, confused, and disconnected,’ ‘Klain worried that the debate against Trump would turn into a nationally broadcasted catastrophe.’
Indeed it was.
Following this, it triggered a cascade of inquiries into the feasibility of Biden’s run for presidency and his competency to handle the role.
Openly, Biden’s family, friends, and aides came to his defense.
Privately they had concerns.
In their book, Parnes and Allen state, “While publicly dismissing Republicans’ assertions that Biden lacked the necessary capabilities, Democrats secretly harbored concerns about overestimating an elderly candidate who might have already squandered his prime.”
A friend of both Biden and Obama stated to the authors that Biden’s decision to run for another term was considered the “original sin” of the 2024 election. This individual held Biden’s family and trusted advisors responsible for failing to counsel against his reelection campaign.
Whipple said to Politico that he believed Biden’s assistants perceived what they wished to see.
“I personally feel that describing it as a ‘cover-up’ is overly simple. It was far more complex and deeply concerning. Biden’s close advisors, members of his inner circle, were largely enveloped in a haze of self-deception and denial. They chose to believe whatever suited their narrative,” the author stated.
Meanwhile, Democratic leaders were concerned that Biden might lose the presidential election, potentially dragging down congressional candidates as well.
Some went public, questioning Biden’s ability to remain the nominee. After growing calls for his departure, including behind-the-scenes work by Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi, Biden exited the race on July 21.
However, Klain, even though he had reservations about Biden, believed he ought to have remained in the competition.
He received a call from Jeff Zients, who took over as chief of staff after him, informing him about Biden’s choice to resign.
He informed Whipple that it felt like a ‘punch in the gut.’
He stated to Zients, “I believe that’s a misstep. In my view, this tragedy could have been prevented.”
Kamala Harris was chosen as the party’s candidate but eventually lost to Trump.
Read more
