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Thai tax tangle: Expats warned of new rules on overseas income
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Is It Easy to Get Things Done in Thailand, or Is It Laden with Needless Formality?
Wouldn't that be Obvious to change phone number and Email Address Otherwise AN would know that it is the Same person Registreren that they Banned . Right . -
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BREAKING NEWS Mass Shooting at Adult School in Sweden's Orebro Leaves at Least 10 Dead
video screenshot A deadly shooting unfolded at an adult education centre in Orebro, leaving at least ten people dead. This attack, now marked as one of the country's most devastating in recent memory, occurred at the Risbergska School, creating waves of sorrow and shock across the Nordic nation. The incident took place just after midday on Tuesday, when authorities received reports of gunfire. Roberto Eid Forest, a local police chief, revealed that the scale of the tragedy was immense, preventing precise casualty figures immediately. "We know that 10 or so people have been killed here today," Forest stated, underscoring the complexity and gravity of the situation. Among the chaos, the identities of the victims remain undisclosed as investigations are ongoing. Orebro University Hospital reported receiving five patients from the scene, with varying degrees of injuries. One of these sustained only light injuries, while three others required surgical intervention. Despite the severity, two have successfully undergone surgery and are now in stable condition, though one still battles serious wounds. The attacker is believed to be deceased, possibly among the fatalities, according to police statements. While no other attacks are anticipated, the motive behind this horrific act remains a mystery. Authorities have clearly stated that they currently do not suspect any links to terrorism, leaving many to question what could have led to such violence in a place of learning. This tragedy has prompted responses at the highest levels, with Sweden's Prime Minister labeling it a significant and sorrowful blow for the nation. As Sweden struggles to come to terms with this grievous event, attention now turns to the authorities' ongoing investigation. At Risbergska School, a somber hush has fallen, as staff and students grapple with the reality of Tuesday's events. The broader Swedish society joins them in their mourning, confronting a new chapter in the country's history marked by senseless loss, reported Al Jazeera. -- 2025-02-05 -
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RFK Jr.’s Confirmation Hearings Prove He’s Unfit to Lead HHS
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s two-day Senate confirmation hearings have left no doubt: he is entirely unqualified to head the Department of Health and Human Services. His testimony failed to sway opinions in his favor, instead reinforcing long-standing concerns about his suitability for the role. One of the most glaring issues was his continued refusal to disavow the debunked claim that vaccines cause autism. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence disproving any link, Kennedy remained evasive when asked for a clear statement. When pressed directly on the matter, he hedged, saying, “If you show me data, I will be the first person to assure the American people that they need to take those vaccines.” Senator Bernie Sanders, usually on the opposing side of Kennedy’s politics, confronted him with established facts: “The evidence is there. Vaccines do not cause autism. Do you agree with that?” Rather than acknowledge the scientific consensus, Kennedy dodged the question, claiming he wouldn’t enter the HHS with “preordained” beliefs before being cut off by a frustrated senator. His refusal to accept facts didn’t stop there. When presented with direct evidence from Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician and Republican from Louisiana, proving that childhood vaccines don’t contribute to autism, Kennedy still defended his years of spreading skepticism. He insisted his past claims about vaccines and autism were not unfounded, despite years of scientific research proving otherwise. Beyond vaccines, Kennedy’s disregard for science extends to his stance on COVID-19 vaccines, which he continues to undermine even though data shows they have saved millions of lives. It is reasonable to question scientific developments, but Kennedy has spent much of his career pushing misinformation, often in ways that could discourage people from taking life-saving vaccines. The consequences of such rhetoric are real—people may forgo vaccinations, increasing their risk of preventable diseases. Conveniently, Kennedy’s relentless attacks on the pharmaceutical industry also align with the interests of trial lawyers, providing ammunition for lawsuits against drug companies. While scrutiny of Big Pharma is necessary at times, his approach has consistently leaned into conspiracy-driven narratives rather than evidence-based critiques. His embrace of conspiracy theories doesn’t stop at health topics. Kennedy has questioned the widely accepted facts about the 9/11 attacks and has even suggested that electromagnetic radiation from Wi-Fi alters DNA and is linked to cancer—claims that have no credible scientific backing. These beliefs raise serious concerns about his ability to lead an agency where decisions should be based on rigorous scientific evaluation. While Kennedy does advocate for healthier lifestyles through diet and exercise, his extreme and unfounded views far outweigh any positive contributions. Running a major federal health agency requires the ability to make informed decisions based on science, not personal theories or debunked claims. For the sake of public health, the Senate must reject Kennedy’s nomination and ensure the country’s top health agency is led by someone who respects and upholds scientific truth. Based on a report by NYP 2025-02-05 -
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Iran’s Nuclear Shortcut: U.S. Intelligence Warns of a Cruder, Faster Weapon
As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares for a critical meeting with President Trump, discussions are expected to focus on the growing concerns surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. The debate over whether to negotiate with Tehran or take military action has been reignited by new intelligence suggesting Iran is considering an accelerated but less sophisticated approach to developing a nuclear weapon. According to current and former American officials, recent intelligence reveals that a covert group of Iranian scientists is exploring ways to rapidly turn the country’s expanding nuclear fuel stockpile into a functional weapon within months, rather than the previously estimated year or longer. This assessment, gathered during the final months of the Biden administration, was handed over to President Trump’s national security team during the transition of power. Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information, emphasized that this potential shortcut would only be pursued if Iran’s leadership made a definitive decision to develop a nuclear bomb. Despite these findings, U.S. officials maintain that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has not yet made such a decision. However, recent intelligence suggests that as Iran’s regional proxy forces have been weakened and its missile attacks have failed to penetrate U.S. and Israeli defenses, Tehran’s military is seriously considering alternative deterrence strategies. This new intelligence is expected to be a key point of discussion when Netanyahu visits the White House—marking the first visit by a foreign leader since Trump’s inauguration. For years, Netanyahu has approached the brink of ordering a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, only to step back—often due to pressure from Israeli military and intelligence officials, as well as the United States. However, the geopolitical landscape has shifted, and Netanyahu’s calculus may now be different. From the perspective of both American and Israeli officials, Iran is in a significantly weakened state. Groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, long supported and armed by Tehran, have suffered leadership losses and diminished capabilities. Meanwhile, Syria, once a key conduit for Iranian arms, is in disarray, with President Bashar al-Assad having fled to Moscow. Adding to Iran’s challenges, an Israeli counterstrike in October targeted key military and nuclear infrastructure, including missile defenses around Tehran and critical components of its nuclear program. This strike also crippled Iran’s ability to produce fuel for new missiles, significantly hampering its military capabilities. Despite these setbacks, U.S. officials believe Iran possesses the technical knowledge to build a rudimentary nuclear weapon—an older design that could be assembled far more quickly than the advanced nuclear warheads it has previously considered. Iran is believed to have acquired blueprints for such a weapon decades ago from A.Q. Khan, the Pakistani scientist who also provided Iran with centrifuge designs. While this type of weapon would lack the capability to be mounted onto a ballistic missile and would likely be less reliable than modern nuclear arms, it could still serve as a powerful statement. If Iran were to construct and test such a device, it could publicly declare itself a nuclear-armed state. Though this cruder weapon may not pose an immediate offensive threat to Israel, it could drastically alter the strategic balance in the region. A demonstrated nuclear capability, even with an unsophisticated device, could act as a deterrent—forcing adversaries to reconsider any plans for military action against Iran. Based on a report by NYT 2025-02-05 -
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Elon Musk: Elizabeth Warren’s 18F Tech Team Has Been ‘Deleted’
Tech mogul Elon Musk has announced that the General Services Administration’s tech arm, 18F, has been “deleted,” appearing to confirm prior reports that the group has been dismantled. The move aligns with Musk’s ongoing push against what he considers government inefficiency. 18F, which played a key role in developing the IRS’ Direct File program championed by Senator Elizabeth Warren, has been a target of conservative criticism. Responding to a user on X who alleged that the “far-left government-wide computer office … was recently taken over by allies” of Musk, the billionaire confirmed, “That group has been deleted.” The 18F team was responsible for assisting various government departments in acquiring or developing technology and operated under the GSA’s Technology Transformation Services (TTS). It functioned as a counterpart to the U.S. Digital Service, which was renamed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration—an agency that Musk now oversees. As of midday Monday, 18F’s official X account had been removed. The Post has reached out to the GSA for confirmation on whether the group has been officially disbanded. Late last month, Musk ally Michael Peters assumed leadership at TTS and reportedly began reviewing the operations of the 18F team. According to the *Daily Wire*, staffers were discovered removing elements of internal monitoring code, including an “inclusion bot” designed to scan internal messages for potentially “racist” phrases such as “peanut gallery.” The GSA, which oversees federal property and contracting, has requested approximately $655 million in funding for fiscal year 2025, per its website. Musk has been making sweeping changes across government agencies, beginning with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Over the weekend, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been critical of USAID’s responsiveness, announced that he had been appointed acting director. He signaled his intent to consolidate parts of the agency’s operations under the State Department. “These are spending taxpayer dollars and we owe the American assurances that every dollar we spend abroad is being spent on something that furthers our national interest,” Rubio stated on Monday. Based on a report by NYP 2025-02-05 -
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Australia: Former Home Affairs Secretary Criticizes Government’s Decision on Gazan Visas
Former home affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo has argued that the Albanese government should have taken a more cautious approach before approving nearly 3,000 visas for Palestinians fleeing Gaza in the wake of the October 7 attacks. Pezzullo suggested that the government should have "paused" the process to more carefully assess the character of applicants and the potential risks involved. The Australian government extended refuge to Gazans after Hamas’ attack on Israel in 2023, despite growing concerns from some quarters that elements of the conflict could be imported into Australia. The increase in antisemitic incidents, including shocking attacks on the Jewish community, has intensified scrutiny of the decision, with critics questioning whether enough was done to ensure national security. Speaking with Sky News' Sharri Markson on Monday, Pezzullo weighed in on the matter, saying that he would have taken a different approach. "There is an issue here of judgements about character, last year there was a debate about whether there'd been an ASIO screening," he said. "From an abundance of caution, I probably would have paused any consideration, even from a character point of view." He explained that the Migration Act allows for ministerial discretion in assessing character and that he would have applied this authority to temporarily halt visa approvals. When pressed by Markson on whether he would have actively paused the process, Pezzullo confirmed: "Yes, I would." He elaborated that he would have sought extensive consultations with Australia’s intelligence allies, including Five Eyes partners and Israeli authorities. "I would have taken a step back, consulted with Five Eyes partners, consulted with the Israelis," he said. "Of course, there are checks done—you can't cross into Egypt, for instance, without going through an Israeli checkpoint. That would have helped." Pezzullo argued that gathering intelligence from international allies and putting a temporary freeze on visas would have been a more prudent approach. "I would have just, until the situation became clearer and after extensive consultation with Five Eyes, European, Israeli and other colleagues, I would have taken an extra cautious view of those visas on character grounds and not just simply the more narrow lens that the director general of security has to, by law, apply in a very restricted fashion." His comments come amid a rise in antisemitic incidents across Australia, including a suspected terror plot involving a caravan filled with explosives and a note listing Jewish targets in New South Wales. Over the weekend, antisemitic attacks were reported in Sydney, with a group of women having eggs thrown at them at Bondi Beach and offensive graffiti being spray-painted on multiple properties and vehicles in Kingsford and Randwick. Expressing concern over the safety of the Jewish community, Pezzullo acknowledged the growing fears among Australian Jews. "I can't imagine what it would be like living as a Jewish Australian person in Sydney, Melbourne or indeed anywhere else," he said. "You certainly would feel that apprehension of an expected attack. So I don't want to take anything away from that visceral feeling that regrettably some members of our community have and they shouldn't have. They should feel safe." Based on a report by Sky News 2025-02-05
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