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
Former Thai PM Thaksin makes appearance on popular Clubhouse app

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been living in exile for over 10 years, has made an appearance on the new “Clubhouse” social media app, in which he discussed his battle with Covid-19. Thaksin’s appearance was confirmed by the CARE movement, as he joined a forum hosted by the organisation on Monday night.
Nation Thailand reports that also taking part in the forum were former ministers from Thaksin’s cabinet, including Surapong Suebwonglee, Prommin Lertsuridej, Chaturon Chaisang and Pichai Naripthaphan. According to a Facebook post from CARE, Thaksin appeared under the name he has been using while living abroad.
“Thaksin would appear under the name ‘Tony Woodsame’, as Tony is the name he had used while studying abroad.”
During his appearance, Thaksin confirmed he had contracted the Covid-19 virus but has since recovered. He also brought up the “30 baht cure all” policy of his former party, Thai Rak Thai, designed to deal with Thailand’s healthcare problems. Asked about the current political turmoil in Thailand and how he would deal with protesters if he was still in power, he emphasised the importance of communicating with Thailand’s youth.
“Political rallies in Thailand are caused by young people starting to become uncertain about their future. The government must communicate with these young protesters based on reason, as well as find ways to make Thailand open and free.”
The exclusive, invitation-only Clubhouse app is gaining popularity in Thailand and around the world, helped by the approval of prominent figures like Elon Musk, Kanye West, and Jared Leto. Renowned Thai academic, Pavin Chachavalpongpun, himself living in exile, is also a Clubhouse member.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
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Politics
US government urges Myanmar military to stop violence and step down

The US government is urging Myanmar’s military to stop the violence against coup protesters and step down, after the death of a young woman. The recommendation comes as the US, along with Britain, Australia, and Japan, commit to issuing sanctions against the military regime in an effort to support the toppled democracy.
Last November saw a landslide democratic, electoral victory for revered leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party. But the military regime labelled its results as fraudulent, without offering any evidence to support its claims. The buildup of tensions in the country led to a coup by the military on February 1, which saw the arrests and detainment of Suu Kyi, along with other major government leaders.
Since then, civilians have taken to the streets in protest, with security forces responding by using increasing force against them. Tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons have been deployed at the protest sites. But a 20 year old woman, Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, was shot in the head with a live round of ammunition in the capital last week, leading to her recent death.
The fatality sparked even more protests as some began calling her a martyr on social media, as demonstrators held her photos and a banner created showing the moment she was shot.
“We will regard you as our Martyr. We will bring justice for your loss.”
Now, people have created a memorial on the streets of Yangon for the grocery store worker, adorned with flowers and messages for the deceased woman. Her brother recently state that he was saddened, and had no words for the loss and Poh Poh, her sister, called for action.
“Please all join this protest movement to be more successful. That’s all I want to say.”
Around 550 people have been detained since the coup, with government workers walking off their jobs as part of a civil disobedience campaign. Neighbourhoods have began setting up watch groups to guard against evening arrests, as the nation has seen a overnight internet curfew for 6 days.
Internet monitor Netblocks revealed that Wikipedia, Facebook and other social media services have since been blocked in the country.
SOURCE: The Phuket News
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Crime
US charges 3 North Korean officials with stealing cryptocurrencies

The US Justice Department is accusing North Korea of stealing crypto and traditional currencies and is charging 3 military intelligence officials with the alleged crime. President Joe Biden is calling the incident a “global campaign of criminality.”
The accusations include hacking and malware operation cyberattacks to steal $1.3 billion US dollars from banks and other institutions. The actions were allegedly under the radar to avoid UN sanctions that have cut off sources of the government’s income.
The US government says the stealing occurred over the last 7 years as the 3 officials allegedly created malicious cryptocurrency applications, hacking into the marketing and trading companies that include bitcoin. The case has been filed in the Los Angeles’ federal court and is built on the 2018 charges against 1 of the 3 officials, named Park Jin Hyok.
Hyok was accused in 2018, before the other defendants were identified, for allegedly stealing $6.1 million from Pakistan’s Bank Islami ATM machines after gaining access to its computer systems. Now the US government says all 3 worked together in that instance.
Hyok was also charged in 2014 with hacking Sony pictures, creating the WannaCry ransomware as well as the theft of $81 million US dollars from Bangladesh’s central bank.
Jon Chang Hyok and Kim Il join Park Jin Hyok in being accused of working together in the Reconnaissance General Bureau, which is known within the cybersecurity community as the Lazarus Group, or APT 38.
The 3 allegedly operated out of North Korea, Russia and China to hack computers that allowed them to empty victims’ crypto wallets. They also allegedly robbed digital currency exchanges in Slovenia and Indonesia and extorted a New York exchange of $11.8 million US dollars.
Kim Il has also been accused of developing the blockchain-based digital currency-like “Marine Chain Token” which was used as a fake instrument for investors to buy shares of shipping vessels. He is accused of not telling potential investors that it was designed to hide ship ownership identities to help North Korea avoid sanctions.
Assistant Attorney General John Demers says North Korea used keyboards rather than guns to steal cryptocurrency over bags of cash.
“Nation-state indictments like this are an important step in identifying the problem, calling it out in a legally rigorous format, and building international consensus.”
The case is the first open action taken against North Korea by the Biden administration, amid ongoing tensions over Pyongyang’s development of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles that could be dangerous to the United States and allies.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said the administration is “reviewing policy toward the country.”
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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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