World
US President Biden reverses Trump’s policies on first day of presidency

Just after being sworn in, the new US President Joe Biden is reversing Donald Trump’s policies by signing 15 executive actions, principally targeting pandemic and climate change. Joe Biden, now America’s 46th President, said there is “no time to waste” as he referenced America’s battle with Covid-19.
“Some of the executive actions I’m going to be signing today are going to help change the course of the COVID crisis, we’re going to combat climate change in a way that we haven’t done so far and advance racial equity and support other underserved communities. These are just all starting points.”
Among his initiatives, President Biden signed a mask mandate for those on federal property and federal employees. He also signed an order to designate a new White House office to coordinate the response to Covid-19 while halting the process of withdrawing from the World Health Organisation. His press secretary, Jen Psaki, says his quick actions were just the beginning of many changes.
“The Day One plans were just the start of a flurry of executive actions Biden would take soon after entering office. In the coming days and weeks, we will be announcing additional executive actions that confront these challenges and deliver on the president-elect’s promises.”
President Biden signed documents to begin the process of rejoining the Paris climate accord, including revoking the permit that was granted by former President Trump to the Keystone XL oil pipeline.
President Biden stopped Donald Trump’s emergency declaration that funded the border wall’s construction and ended travel bans on some majority-Muslim countries. It was reported that he will also reverse the ban on transgenders joining the military and reverse a policy that blocks US funding for abortion programs overseas.
He also asked to extend a moratorium on housing evictions until the end of March and on student loan payments until the end of September.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
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Politics
Japan may stop assistance projects to Myanmar in response to coup

Japan may stop assistance projects to Myanmar in response to the military coup, which has received major international backlash. As a major donor to Myanmar, Japan joins other advanced nations in condemning the coup which has seen security forces using violence against peaceful protesters.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi was quoted as saying in a phone call that “Japan will strongly urge the Myanmar military to release Suu Kyi and other detained individuals, and to swiftly restore democratic government.”
But it may not impose sanctions like the rest of the other developed countries as its longtime ties with the armed forces, ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy and investment promoting policy in the country may serve as a barrier in doing so. Britan and the United States have imposed sanctions in recent days which include the US freezing military funds.
A Japanese Foreign Ministry official says stopping its support of building projects would give China a chance to move in, increasing its clout in Myanmar. Around 450 Japanese companies operate in Myanmar with Japan being the 5th largest investor in the Southeast nation. Singapore has the most companies, followed by China, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
The Foreign Ministry says Japan spent about US $1.8 billion in official development assistance in the fiscal year of 2019, making it the largest among the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. But it is unknown what China has poured into it as it has refused to disclose its expenditures.
The Japanese government plans to continue coronavirus emergency assistance to Myanmar through international organisations and non-governmental organisations. The World Bank, however, has stopped payments to projects in the nation indefinitely, after the coup on February 1, which disrupted the democratic elections last November and saw the arrest of top leaders including Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party, the National League for Democracy, won the elections in a landslide victory.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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Law
Australia sets worldwide precedent by passing pay‐to‐play legislation for social media giants

In a landmark decision, Australia is now requiring global digital giants, such as Facebook and Google, to pay for using local news content on their websites. The move sets a precedent that many global companies have been anticipating.
The law passed yesterday after Facebook and Google reached an agreement to pay local Australian news organisations for using their stories on their websites. 1 week ago, Australians woke up to a blackout after Facebook temporarily banned local news, which included emergency notifications. The blackout was in response to the legislation being put forth for approval, with Facebook spokespeople saying it seemed to be their only choice at the time.
Companies like Google and Facebook pushed back against the legislation, saying such a law could threaten their companies’ business models, with Google saying it could make their search engine website “unworkable.”
But local news organisations have rebuked the reasoning, citing that social media giants claim a large percentage of online advertisin, leaving local news companies out of the revenue game. Citing that news is gathered by reporting and fieldwork, the companies say it is unfair for social media companies to profit largely off of the work of local, smaller companies.
The law, called the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code, aims to protect such local companies and to sustain public interest journalism. Thousands of journalists have lost their jobs over the past decade as local media outlets have seen the bulk of their advertising revenues flow to digital companies’ sites after using their content.
Australia’s competition watchdog says that for every $100 invested by Australian advertisers, $49 is sent to Google and $24 to Facebook. Now, both online businesses say they will each invest around US $1 billion in local news content globally in the next 3 years. Facebook and Google now have 2 more months to reach solid agreements before being subjected to binding arbritations.
SOURCE: The Phuket News
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World
Lady Gaga offers US $500,000 reward for stolen bulldogs

Who knew that finding 2 french bulldogs would earn US $500,000? That is the case for the lucky person that finds Lady Gaga’s equally lucky stolen dogs. The dogs, Koji and Gustav, were stolen in Los Angeles, California while out on a walk with their dog walker.
But that’s not all. The employee in charge of keeping the dogs healthy was shot and wounded by a gunman who left the scene in a car, but not before allegedly shooting another man in this 30s. That man was hospitalised according to LA police.
Asia, Gaga’s 3rd dog was luckily found by police at the scene and was taken home by the singer’s staff. It isn’t clear if the frenchies were targeted due to their owner’s famous status or if they were taken simply because they were an expensive pedigree breed that can be sold for thousands of dollars.
Gaga, however, has offered the hefty reward for their return with “no questions asked.”
SOURCE: CNN
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Bill Sweeney
Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 12:26 pm
Why would the US government be wasting tax payer money on abortion programs overseas. I dont think US citizens want their tax dollars being sent to overseas programs. The same with the Paris and WHO. Biden needs to ask for congress to approve him spending our money. it is not his money he is spending. He is more full of himself than Trump was. Trump tried to save money, Biden just wants to give it all away to orgs outside of the USA.
David Macarelli
Friday, January 22, 2021 at 9:19 pm
Trump spent money like a drunken sailed. Please. If you are going to comment, stay informed.
Jesse
Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 9:09 am
Hi Bill, What have you been smoking mate? Trump never cared about any people, only the ultra white rich folks & his family. Get a grip & turn off Fix News!
MikeA
Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 1:40 pm
So in other words.. America will become the world’s bitch again under Biden.. too funny..
Jesse
Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 9:11 am
Good one mate. Too many people stuck on Fox News!
Barry Betts
Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 2:49 pm
Mark my words on this day my friends USA is doomed now Biden and his puppet are in power. The American people who voted for them have nothing to complain about when it all goes wrong!!!!
Jesse
Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 9:15 am
So are you saying Trump was perfect? I’ve never seen a President who had so many of his close friends put in jail.
James Pate
Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 4:51 pm
I support every new president, whether I voted for him or not. My parents raised me better than the parents of those domestic terrorists who stormed the Capitol. Best wishes to Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris!
Don jones
Friday, January 22, 2021 at 8:10 pm
How about the weeks of rioting by BLM (Burn Loot and Murder)and Soros sponsored Antifa
Don jones
Friday, January 22, 2021 at 8:13 pm
Biden is just a temp puppet for the hard left till the Harris horror takes charge
Jesse
Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 9:19 am
They should have been stopped!
Jesse
Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 9:21 am
Please turn off Fix News & get some other view points.
Jesse
Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 9:17 am
Good on ya’ mate.
RA
Friday, January 22, 2021 at 8:49 am
I am one Republican that’s ecstatic that Trump is gone, hopefully for good. Trump was a stain on the office. I watched, for my first time, a full inauguration in joy of his defeat.
Jesse
Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 9:23 am
Trump’s foul, insulting & treating mouth got him where his is today. He’s a poor excuse of a human being.
dispensed
Friday, January 22, 2021 at 9:27 am
Took him one day to break his own rules. He should be arrested for not wearing a mask on federal property.
Jesse
Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 9:26 am
And we all know that Trump never did that. But, he did lie to all the American people about the virus. Why? Because he only cares about money first