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Bangkokian or Pattayan – how to tell the difference
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Air purifier which to buy?
Good. Sleeping with earplugs, I cannot hear it at all. During the day, it doesn't disturb me. (I am very sensitive to noise. Xiaomi is quieter, BTW) -
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Pete Hegseth "President Trump will not allow anyone to turn Uncle Sam into Uncle Sucker."
During a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth strongly pushed back against criticism of Washington’s approach to negotiations with Russia over the war in Ukraine. He cautioned European allies against placing excessive security burdens on the United States, making it clear that President Trump would not tolerate America being taken advantage of. "Make no mistake, President Trump will not allow anyone to turn Uncle Sam into 'Uncle Sucker,'" Hegseth stated. He emphasized that European nations should take primary responsibility for their own defense. Defending his stance, Hegseth described his comments as a recognition of the realities on the battlefield. He also left open the possibility of U.S. flexibility in negotiations, including reconsidering American military support to Ukraine and the presence of U.S. troops in Europe. "I think it would be fair to say that things like future funding, either less or more, could be on the table in negotiations," he said, while emphasizing that he would not speak ahead of President Trump on the matter. The situation intensified following Trump’s direct engagement with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday. Trump instructed U.S. officials to initiate discussions aimed at ending the war, now approaching its third year. His decision to approach Putin unilaterally, without consulting NATO allies, raised concerns in Kyiv and across Europe. Many fear that the U.S. might negotiate a deal that compromises Ukraine’s interests and regional security. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made it clear that any agreement reached without Ukraine’s direct involvement would be unacceptable. "We, as a sovereign country, simply will not be able to accept any agreements without us," he stated firmly. European leaders echoed this sentiment, warning that any rushed settlement could result in an unstable and unfavorable outcome. "Any quick fix is a dirty deal," European foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas remarked at NATO headquarters, reinforcing the necessity of a collective approach. Hegseth, however, dismissed accusations that the U.S. was undermining NATO or weakening European security. Instead, he reiterated the importance of strengthening the alliance by ensuring that European nations take on more responsibility for their defense. "NATO is a great alliance, the most successful defense alliance in history, but to endure for the future our partners must do far more for Europe's defense. We must make NATO great again," he declared. His comments signal a shift in U.S. policy under the Trump administration, one that seeks to reassess long-standing defense commitments and encourage European nations to take greater ownership of their security. While the path forward remains uncertain, the tension between Washington and its NATO allies continues to build, reflecting deeper divisions over how best to approach the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Based on a report by Reuters 2025-02-15 -
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Georgetown Student Revealed as Daughter of Senior Hamas Adviser
A graduate student at Georgetown University has been identified as the daughter of a high-ranking Hamas adviser, with her own ties to the organization coming under scrutiny. Mapheze Saleh, a first-year master’s student in Arab Studies at Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, has been linked to Hamas through her father, Ahmed Yousef. Yousef previously served as an adviser to Hamas under the leadership of Ismail Haniyeh. According to Saleh’s biography on Georgetown’s website, she has also worked with government agencies affiliated with the Hamas regime. Hamas, designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. State Department in 1997, has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. The group, which is committed to armed resistance against Israel, was responsible for the October 7, 2023, attack that resulted in nearly 1,200 deaths. Saleh’s father, Yousef, has been widely quoted in media coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict. He also served as director of the U.S.-based think tank United Association for Studies and Research (UASR), which The Wall Street Journal has described as a front for Hamas. UASR was founded by Musa Abu Marzook, a senior Hamas official currently based in Doha, Qatar, who is now the group's second-in-command. Yousef led the organization until 2005 before returning to Gaza to advise Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Archived social media posts attributed to Saleh and published by the National Review, citing CAMERA, reportedly show her expressing support for Hamas’s October 7 attack. The posts allegedly included videos of Israeli hostages being paraded through crowds and criticism of the United States. Saleh's professional background includes working for the Qatar Embassy in New Delhi and contributing articles to Middle East Monitor, Al Jazeera, and Palestinian media outlets. This revelation comes amid heightened scrutiny of pro-Palestinian activism on U.S. campuses. Georgetown University is currently investigating a student event organized by Georgetown Law Students for Justice in Palestine, which had planned to feature Ribhi Karajah, a convicted terrorist. According to Fox News, Karajah was involved in the killing of a 17-year-old Israeli girl. Campus flyers for the event described it as "Palestinian Prisoners, an evening with Ribhi Karajah, student activist and former political prisoner." Former President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order on January 30 to revoke student visas of individuals who have shown support for Hamas, as part of a broader crackdown on anti-Semitism in American universities. Based on a report by Daily mail 2025-02-15 -
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Elon Musk Urges US to 'delete' Federal Agencies in Government Overhaul
Elon Musk has called for a drastic reduction of the United States federal government, stating that entire agencies should be eliminated rather than merely downsized. Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, the billionaire entrepreneur emphasized the need for structural change, warning that without completely removing these institutions, bureaucratic inefficiency would persist. "If we don't remove the roots of the weed, then it's easy for the weed to grow back," Musk said, reinforcing his belief that deep systemic cuts are necessary for government reform. Wearing a black T-shirt with the words “Tech Support,” Musk humorously referred to himself as the White House’s unofficial technical advisor, a nod to his profile on X, the social media platform he owns. Since taking leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency under President Donald Trump’s administration, Musk has consolidated significant influence over government operations. His tenure has seen career officials sidelined, access granted to sensitive federal databases, and a growing debate over the extent of presidential authority. His remarks in Dubai highlight his continued push for aggressive government streamlining, a stance that could set the stage for further political and constitutional debates in Washington. Musk, whose vast wealth stems from his leadership at SpaceX and Tesla, has long been vocal about the inefficiencies of government bureaucracy. His comments are likely to fuel discussions about the role of government oversight and whether such extreme measures are viable or necessary. However, critics argue that dismantling entire federal agencies could lead to significant disruptions in essential services and governance. As Musk continues to influence both the private and public sectors, his call for eliminating government agencies raises questions about the future direction of U.S. federal operations. Whether his vision gains traction or meets resistance, it is clear that his role in shaping government policy is growing stronger. Based on a report by The Independent 2025-02-15 -
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Britain's Secret Fascist Fight Club: The Rise of Active Club England
A far-right extremist group, operating under the guise of a fitness club, has been secretly training for what they term a "race war." An undercover investigation by ITV News has exposed 'Active Club England' as an emerging white supremacist network, using fitness as a tool for recruitment and radicalization. Following a well-documented blueprint from neo-Nazi groups in the US and Europe, the organization has rapidly expanded, especially in the wake of the 2024 summer riots. Capitalizing on the unrest, the group managed to grow its membership to over 100, with some branches, including one in Vauxhall, south London—mere steps from MI6 headquarters—holding regular training sessions. One of its newest members is Jay Barlow, a 28-year-old convicted violent offender previously jailed for a knife attack in a supermarket. Barlow, who joined under the alias ‘Glenn,’ was recruited in December—mere weeks after being sentenced for separate offences. Despite being under probation and required to attend a 'thinking skills programme,' Barlow denied any affiliation when confronted by ITV News. After six months of covert filming, ITV News uncovered that Active Club England has become one of Britain’s largest white supremacist groups, with at least eight branches nationwide. Secretly recorded meetings between October 2024 and February 2025 revealed a shift from racist "jokes" about Adolf Hitler to explicit discussions about weapons and the strategic pursuit of power. The group has been making plans to rent a permanent indoor training space in London for "practicing knife defense without getting arrested." Members have also discussed pooling resources to purchase ten acres of land for the group’s activities. While the group publicly insists on being "peaceful and legal," counterterrorism experts have expressed deep concerns. Neil Basu, former head of UK counterterrorism policing, warned, "These are people preparing to commit acts of violence." Unlike traditional far-right organizations, Active Club England operates in a highly decentralized manner, designed to maintain secrecy and resilience. The group demands rigorous vetting before allowing new recruits to attend training. Only after proving their commitment are they granted access to a private group on the encrypted messaging app Telegram. ITV News’ undercover journalist was interrogated over the phone by the group’s national leader, ‘Lance,’ who questioned their religious beliefs, ethnic background, and views on the state of the country. Security is paramount within the organization. Internal directives from October advised members to buy "a secondary phone" for communications, use Faraday pouches to block signals, and transition to the encrypted app 'Threema' to protect their anonymity. Even among members, trust is limited, with identities often concealed. In November, a rented village hall in Buckinghamshire became the setting for one of Active Club England’s rituals. After a boxing session, members gathered for a group photo, with several instinctively raising their arms in a Nazi salute—referred to among them as a 'Roman salute.' Their leader, ‘Lance,’ quickly intervened, instructing, "No Romans, no Romans." This calculated approach is part of their broader strategy to maintain a sanitized public image while embracing extreme ideologies in private. Observers have drawn comparisons between Active Club England and the radical Islamist group al-Muhajiroun, which managed to evade legal repercussions for years through careful adherence to the law. "If you are inciting racial hatred online and in a public place, with the intention of being abusive or insulting someone, you have committed a criminal offence," warned Neil Basu. "They know that, and they are being careful. They are clearly being coached in how to stay the right side of the law." Based on a report by ITV News 2025-02-15 -
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UK Court told Transgender Woman Raped and Abused Young Girl
A transgender woman accused of sexually abusing children has appeared in court to face multiple charges, including the rape of a young girl. Maddison Wilson, 37, who was born male but now identifies as a woman, attended Southampton Magistrates’ Court dressed in black and wearing a pink headband. During the brief hearing, Wilson spoke only to confirm preferred pronouns as “she/her.” The allegations date back over a decade and involve multiple victims. According to court documents, Wilson is accused of raping a girl under the age of 13 in Hull, East Yorkshire, in 2011. The charge sheet specifies that the alleged abuse was carried out using “your penis.” In addition, Wilson faces charges of causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity. Separate allegations relate to offences in Southampton between 2017 and 2020, in which Wilson is accused of sexually assaulting a boy under 13 and causing or inciting him to engage in sexual activity. Despite the defendant's transition, the official court charge sheet identifies Wilson as female. Wilson, who resides in Portsmouth, is set to appear at a crown court hearing later this month to enter a plea. Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2025-02-15
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