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Miah brothers jailed for grooming and sexually abusing girls in Leeds and Barrow-in-Furness. They gave their victims cigarettes, alcohol, food and even hair extensions in what prosecutors called a "classic grooming technique". Three brothers have been jailed after underage girls in Leeds and Barrow-in-Furness were sexually abused and raped over a number of years. The trio were convicted in October last year, with the abuse taking place between 1996 and 2010. Shaha Amran Miah, 49, known as Jai; Shaha Alman Miah, 47, known as Ali; and Shah Joman Miah, 38, known as Sarj all pleaded not guilty. Sarj has since admitted his crimes. However, the judge said it could be a cynical attempt for leniency and did not give him any credit. They were sentenced on Friday to the following: Shaha Amran Miah - life with a minimum term of 20 years and 338 days. Shaha Alman Miah - 10 years in prison and four years on licence. Shah Joman Miah - life with a minimum term of 21 years and 232 days. Preston Crown Court heard Sarj and Jai regularly sexually abused two children at a Leeds mosque over many years, beginning when the victims were seven. The three also preyed on vulnerable and underage girls at a flat above their family's takeaway in Barrow, Cumbria, between 2008 and 2010. They gave them cigarettes, alcohol, food and even hair extensions in what barrister Tim Evans KC called a "classic grooming technique". He said the brothers worked as a team and "created an environment in Barrow in which each of them could abuse young girls". Judge Unsworth KC said they had shattered the lives of their victims and hid in plain sight in the Cumbria town. Multiple schoolgirls in their uniforms were regularly seen at the takeaway, the judge said, with Jai acting ruthlessly to stop them going to the police. The court heard Sarj would take one of the girls to a hotel for sex about twice a month and became increasingly controlling - to the point she remains on medication and is terrified of seeing him in the street. A witness told Sky News the men abused their victims in a dingy room above the takeaway that "looked like a crackhouse" and had mattresses on the floor and sheets covering the windows. "They knew exactly how young they were," she said. "They didn't only have one girlfriend each... they had multiple." Shaha Amran Miah was found guilty of 16 sexual offences against three girls, including rape, as well as two charges of intimidation and one of kidnap. Shaha Alman Miah was found guilty of three counts of sexual activity with a child. Shah Joman Miah was convicted of sexually abusing three children. There were nine counts of rape of a child among his 40 offences. Based on a report by Sky News 2025-02-22

Link not provided for the OP @bannork In factual areas such as news forums and current affairs topics member content that is claimed or portrayed as a fact should be supported by a link to a relevant reputable source. //closed//

Bickering and baiting troll posts contravening community standards have been removed

When Yale University released a groundbreaking study linking Covid vaccines to severe physical changes, Lindy Ayers felt a mix of validation and relief. The 31-year-old Army veteran from Arkansas has been confined to a wheelchair since receiving her second Pfizer shot in 2021, part of the military’s vaccination mandate. For years, Ayers was told that her symptoms—extreme fatigue, sickness, and heart palpitations—were merely anxiety. Later, doctors suggested long Covid as the culprit. When she raised concerns that the vaccine might have caused her condition, she was dismissed and even labeled an antivaxxer. She is not alone. Thousands of Americans have shared similar experiences, and following the study’s release, many in the fields of healthcare, law, and the military have spoken up, saying they finally feel heard after years of being dismissed. Dr. Trevor Keyler, a 39-year-old biology professor from Minnesota who describes himself as "pro-vaccine" and "pro-science," has endured extreme tremors, fatigue, and partial blindness since receiving his Moderna vaccine. Previously active and outdoorsy, Dr. Keyler has been forced to cut his work hours and can no longer enjoy hikes with his wife and two children. For years, doctors attributed his condition to Covid itself or long Covid, denying any connection to the vaccine. The mRNA vaccines produced by Moderna and Pfizer have been credited with saving millions of lives worldwide, including an estimated three million in the U.S. However, experts suggest that the push to combat vaccine misinformation has inadvertently led to individuals with legitimate vaccine-related injuries being ignored and ostracized. Yale’s research identified a condition called "post-vaccination syndrome," in which patients exhibit unique biological changes. Common symptoms include brain fog, dizziness, tinnitus, and an inability to exercise without exhaustion. The study also found that, in some cases, the vaccine appears to reactivate the Epstein-Barr virus and disrupt immune systems in ways still being investigated. Some affected individuals have been found to carry high levels of coronavirus proteins in their blood long after receiving the vaccine, potentially keeping their bodies in a prolonged state of inflammation. Ayers believes she suffers from this syndrome. Before her vaccination in September 2021, she was in peak physical condition. Two months later, she required a wheelchair. Doctors dismissed her symptoms as anxiety and prescribed antidepressants, but her condition continued to deteriorate. Once able to run 10 miles and bike 20, she soon struggled with severe muscle tears, including a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). One day during an art class, she passed out. "I couldn't see. I couldn't hear. I've been in a wheelchair ever since," she recalled. For over a year, doctors assumed Ayers had long Covid due to persistently high spike protein levels. It wasn’t until 2023—two years after her vaccination—that doctors at the Veterans Affairs and Stanford University diagnosed her with chronic fatigue stemming from vaccine residuals. She also tested positive for reactivated Epstein-Barr, similar to findings in the Yale study. "Doctors told me there’s nothing else they can do for me and to just rest. They would say stuff like, ‘You could die in seven months, or you could live the rest of your life like this. We don’t know what’s going to happen to you. We don’t know what’s wrong with you.’” For eight months, Ayers was bedridden and unable to speak. Her husband, a Coast Guard veteran, had to take leave to care for her. "I get these crashes where if I try to take care of myself, my body shuts down and I'm in so much pain. I can't even lift my arms," she said. While she has seen slight improvements, she worries about being dismissed. "I'm not an anti-vaccine person. I think vaccines help people, but I think this specific vaccine hurt a lot of people. It'd be cool if more people understood that it can hurt people so that more doctors will research and they'll have a cure for what I'm going through." Erica Evers, a 42-year-old former legal compliance worker from Iowa, was hesitant to receive the Moderna vaccine but complied to keep her job and health insurance, which she relied on to treat her son’s chronic illness. "I had to choose between his life and my own. It’s not a choice when you’re a mother," she said. The day after her first dose, her right eye became blurry, leaving her unable to see directly in front of her. After her second dose, the condition worsened. A retinal specialist diagnosed her with a hemorrhage at the back of her eye, requiring monthly injections costing over $2,000 per dose. Around the same time, she developed tinnitus and hearing loss. MRI scans revealed brain swelling, but doctors dismissed any link to the vaccine. "I kept asking them if it was the vaccine, and the big hospitals kept saying, ‘No, absolutely not. The shots are safe and effective.’ They couldn’t diagnose what was happening to me," she said. Evers fears waking up one day unable to see her three sons. Though her condition has never been officially tied to the vaccine, she hopes the Yale study will help provide answers. Kameron Snowden, a 57-year-old service technician from Indiana, took the Covid vaccine in support of his wife, a healthcare worker. "I was never a skeptic. For the sake of my wife’s career, it was something I was willing to do," he explained. After his second dose, he noticed heightened senses. "Lights were brighter. I could hear things across the room that I normally couldn't hear. Everything was more vivid." Then came the "frequencies" in his ears, akin to fax machine noises. Doctors initially dismissed his concerns, but by 2023, he developed an irregular heartbeat, feeling as though he was having heart attacks. "I can't bend down and stand up without feeling like I'm losing a grip on consciousness. It literally feels like sometimes my brain is being starved of oxygen," he said. Snowden now avoids being home alone, fearful of a sudden medical crisis. "I just never know what’s going to happen. I’m scared to be left home alone. You just resign yourself to the fact that your days are numbered." Dr. Keyler faced a similar trajectory. A year after his Moderna shot, he was diagnosed with blood clots in his right kidney, followed by rhabdomyolysis, a condition where muscle breakdown releases proteins that can damage the kidneys. He also developed cataracts, a condition usually linked to aging but sometimes associated with kidney damage. "I couldn't stand for more than 20 minutes at a time without being completely exhausted," he said. Eventually, he had to take partial leave from work. In his search for answers, he consulted Mayo Clinic specialists, who could not determine the root cause of his health issues, attributing them instead to post-Covid syndrome. However, Dr. Keyler is convinced his vaccine triggered his ailments. "In general, doctors need to believe what their patients are saying and when they don’t know, not come up with something completely wild out in left field. I was misdiagnosed with so many things along the way and some of them were pretty serious. I think they realize it now, but just how debilitating [the experience] can be… It was very difficult." Based on a report by Daily Mail 2025-02-21 Separate report also in NYT

The OP link is to a satire website. //Closed//

Off topic post making false claims has been removed. If you wish to discuss the topic it is: 4 Israeli men fined for causing chaos at hospital in Mae Hong Son

Based on a report by Truth Pole 2025-02-22

Another of your trolling posts removed @thaibeachlovers about time to add something to the topic other than flaming others posts.

UPDATE: Two bodies returned by Hamas identified as Bibas children, mother Shiri not among them The Israel Defense Forces said it had forensically identified the bodies of two Israeli hostage children returned by Hamas on Thursday – Kfir Bibas and his older brother, Ariel – but that the additional body they received is not that of their mother, Shiri Bibas. “No match was found for any other hostage. This is an anonymous, unidentified body,” the IDF said in a statement on social media. “This is a violation of utmost severity by the Hamas terrorist organization, which is obligated under the agreement to return four deceased hostages,” the IDF said. “We demand that Hamas return Shiri home along with all our hostages.” The identification of deceased hostages was conducted by Israel's National Institute of Forensic Medicine in collaboration with the Israel Police, the military said. The IDF said that “professional officials, based on the intelligence available to us and forensic findings from the identification process, Ariel and Kfir Bibas were brutally murdered by terrorists in captivity in November 2023.” https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/02/20/shiri-bibas-body-not-returned-israel/79352222007/

//Closed// There is a topic on this already running here.

@Chomper Higgot your repetitive snarky remarks about the Telegraph are getting tedious. It stops now or I will stop it for you. 17. ASEAN NOW news team collects news articles from various recognised and reputable news sources. The articles may be consolidated from different sources and rewritten with AI assistance These news items are shared in our forums for members to stay informed and engaged. Our dedicated news team puts in the effort to deliver quality content, and we ask for your respect in return. Any disrespectful comments about our news articles or the content itself, such as calling it "clickbait" or “slow news day”, and criticising grammatical errors, will not be tolerated and appropriate action will be taken. Please note that republished articles may contain errors or opinions that do not reflect the views of ASEAN NOW. If you'd like to help us, and you see an error with an article, then please use the report function so that we can attend to it promptly.

Hamas has drawn widespread condemnation after parading the coffins of Israeli hostages through the streets of Gaza in what has been described as a vile and cruel act. The United Nations’ human rights chief denounced the spectacle as “abhorrent” and a violation of international law, while grief-stricken Israelis mourned the victims, including baby Kfir Bibas, his four-year-old brother Ariel, their mother Shiri, and elderly hostage Oded Lifshitz. Their bodies were believed to be inside the caskets displayed by Hamas before being handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Children in Gaza celebrate on the stage where Hamas parade the coffins of a 1 year old and a 5 year old whom they kidnapped and murdered. International leaders expressed horror at the treatment of the victims. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock described the images as “almost unbearable,” condemning the prolonged suffering inflicted upon the victims’ families. The tragedy of baby Kfir, who was only nine months old when Hamas terrorists abducted him on October 7 alongside his mother and brother, struck a deep chord. Shiri’s husband, Yarden Bibas, was taken separately and released this month after 16 months in captivity—only to learn that his wife and children had been murdered. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retribution, calling Hamas "monsters" and declaring that justice would be served. “The voice of our dear ones’ blood cries out to us from the ground,” Netanyahu said on X. “It requires us to settle accounts with the depraved murderers – and we will settle the score with them.” Condemnation came from around the world, including from Saudi Arabia’s grand mufti, who called the parade of coffins “a disgrace to Islam.” Many Israelis, including those who have suffered personal loss at the hands of terrorists, echoed these sentiments. Hillel Fuld, whose journalist brother was murdered in a terrorist attack in the West Bank in 2018, said he was unsurprised by the shocking display. “It’s shocking to me that anyone was shocked by the satanic parade that we saw today in Gaza. This is Hamas,” said Fuld, a 45-year-old Queens native now living in Israel. “After today, mothers will stop telling their children that there is no such thing as monsters.” Michael Levy, the brother of recently freed hostage Or Levy, described the event as "just more proof of how evil this terror organization is." He added, “What kind of human being celebrates the murder of a baby – and a kid?” Struggling to comprehend the inhumanity, Levy questioned, “Knowing you have babies and an old man, an innocent woman who was murdered… And you see people happy and celebrate… What exactly are you celebrating? What’s wrong with you?” The horrifying spectacle has only deepened global outrage against Hamas, with calls for accountability growing louder. While the grieving families of the murdered hostages mourn their loss, the world watches in shock at the depths of brutality on display. Based on a report by Daily Mail 2025-02-21

Kash Patel has officially been confirmed as the new director of the FBI, following a closely contested vote in the US Senate. Patel, a former prosecutor and vocal critic of the agency he now leads, was approved by a 51-49 margin. His nomination by President Donald Trump sparked fierce debate, with two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, joining all Democrats in opposition. Throughout the confirmation process, Patel sought to dispel concerns that he would use the FBI to settle political scores. Democrats had expressed fears that he would pursue retribution against Trump’s opponents, but Patel denied any such intentions. He also refuted allegations of keeping a list of "deep state" enemies and attempted to downplay past remarks in which he had referred to officials who investigated Trump as "criminal gangsters." Following his confirmation, Patel acknowledged his new role in a statement on X, writing, "I am honored to be confirmed as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. My mission as Director is clear: let good cops be cops - and rebuild trust in the FBI." His appointment comes at a time of significant upheaval within the agency. The Justice Department recently removed some top officials and demanded the names of agents involved in the investigation of the 2021 Capitol riot, an event that remains a point of contention in US politics. News of Patel's confirmation was met with enthusiasm at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where Republicans gathered in Washington, DC. Florida Senator Rick Scott addressed the crowd from the CPAC stage, asking, "What do you think about Kash Patel?" The audience responded with loud applause, underscoring the widespread support for Patel among conservatives. To many Republicans, Patel represents a much-needed force for change within the FBI, an agency they believe has been weaponized against them. Trump and his allies have long accused the bureau of political bias, and Patel's appointment is seen as an opportunity to overhaul its leadership and direction. However, Democrats have painted Patel as an unqualified extremist who lacks the necessary experience for the role. His critics argue that he prioritizes loyalty to Trump over the independence required of an FBI director. Senator Martin Heinrich voiced his concerns on X, stating, "[Patel's] poor judgment and lack of experience make him wholly unqualified to keep Americans safe as our FBI Director. I voted no." Patel replaces Christopher Wray, who had been appointed by Trump in 2017. Wray resigned last month, just before Trump’s inauguration for his second term, following signals from the new administration that he would be removed from his position. As Patel assumes control of the FBI, his leadership is expected to bring significant changes to the agency. Whether his tenure will rebuild trust or deepen divisions remains to be seen. Based on a report by BBC 2025-02-21

NATO is undergoing a profound shift as European nations face increasing pressure to bolster their defense capabilities. This follows a stark warning from U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who emphasized that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security. Charles Woodburn, CEO of BAE Systems, has stressed that while the defense industry is ready to meet rising demands, many governments have yet to translate their commitments into actionable budgets. "There’s no question, it feels like quite a profound change and a paradigm shift," Woodburn stated. "In terms of how that evolves – in terms of Europe’s thinking, NATO’s response and what the sense is of the new number to be aiming for – I think we’ll learn more in the coming couple of months. There’s lots of rhetoric but that has not, as yet, translated into a clear set of budgets that we will be looking for in order to make those plans that we need." BAE Systems recently reported a surge in sales, reaching £34 billion last year, pushing its order backlog to a record £77.8 billion. The company, Europe’s largest defense contractor, manufactures a range of military equipment, including nuclear-powered submarines, Typhoon fighter jets, and artillery shells. With tensions persisting in Europe as the U.S. seeks to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, BAE expects at least another £30 billion in sales in 2025. This projection hinges on the outcome of an ongoing UK defense review, which will determine how and when the government meets its commitment to spending at least 2.5% of GDP on defense. As speculation grows over increased defense budgets, Woodburn emphasized that BAE is prepared to ramp up production accordingly. "Well, [the spending target] makes a big difference to us and the UK. But we can handle it. And frankly, unless we end up in a hot conflict, the best thing to have is a strong deterrent," he said. "The growth to whatever the number ends up happening over several years and, on the kind of numbers that have been talked about, I’m confident we can meet that challenge. If we know what the ultimate goal is, I’m confident that we can deliver the capability." Certain areas of production, such as ammunition and drones, could be accelerated relatively quickly. However, Woodburn cautioned that larger, more complex equipment would require more time. Concerns persist within Western defense circles regarding the prolonged construction timelines for ships, submarines, and aircraft. A recent U.S. Navy report highlighted that China’s shipbuilding capacity has surpassed that of the United States by a staggering factor of 600. BAE has also faced its own production delays, notably with the UK’s Type 26 frigates in Glasgow, which are now running a year behind schedule and are expected to exceed initial cost estimates by more than £200 million. To enhance NATO’s preparedness against potential threats from Russia or China, Woodburn suggested a greater emphasis on unmanned platforms such as drones, which are cheaper and faster to build. BAE has significantly expanded its drone production capabilities, becoming Europe’s leading producer outside of Ukraine through acquisitions of British firms Malloy Aeronautics and Callen-Lenz. "We are producing a lot of drones now and the ability to scale those up – we have real capability there," Woodburn noted. "That’s very different to scaling up some of the big platform parts of our business, which, if we ended up in a full-blown conflict – and heaven help, none of us want to be in that position, but if we did – that is a different thing to scale up for." He stressed that while smaller systems like drones and missiles can be produced rapidly, they must be integrated with larger defense platforms for effective military capability. "The truth is, all the war gaming that we have done shows that you need a combination [of big platforms and drones]. You can’t do it with just cheap, off-the-shelf capabilities. It’s the combination." As NATO grapples with these challenges, European nations must determine how quickly they can convert their commitments into tangible defense investments. The coming months will be critical in shaping the alliance’s future approach to security and deterrence. Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2025-02-21

Joe Rogan did not hold back in his criticism of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a recent podcast conversation with former CIA operative Mike Baker. The outspoken podcaster accused Trudeau of pushing Canada toward a totalitarian form of communism and expressed his deep disdain for the Prime Minister’s leadership. “It’s fu**ed. It’s on the same patch of land as us and it’s fu**ed,” Rogan said, emphasizing what he saw as the dangers of left-leaning governments seeking total control. “It just shows you what could happen here if you have the right laws because people like that fu**khead Justin.” He further insulted Trudeau, calling him a “co**sucker.” Rogan admitted that he rarely speaks about individuals with such anger but said he “genuinely despised” what Trudeau represented. He expressed concern over what he described as severe restrictions on free speech in Canada, particularly on the internet. “If you can’t express yourself and say, ‘Hey, this is fu**ed up, this is crazy, why am I doing this, these studies show that you’re not correct.’ If you can’t say all those things, which right now you cannot do in Canada, it’s not the same,” he said. He warned that leaders like Trudeau were working alongside lobbyists, pharmaceutical companies, and military-industrial interests to consolidate power. According to Rogan, this was a dangerous path that could eventually threaten the United States. “These people are leading you on the road to legitimate communism. He’s leading that country on a road to legitimate communism. It’s very dangerous, and I think most Canadians are fed up with it at this point,” he stated. Despite his criticism, Rogan remained hopeful that Canada would soon elect a leader who was radically different from Trudeau. He cautioned Canadians against being fooled by another politician who could use charisma to push the same agenda. “Hopefully they don’t get some new slick talker to con them into the same old bull**it,” he concluded. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited controversy by joking about Canada becoming the 51st state. As he began his second term, Trump took a tough stance on trade with Canada, threatening additional tariffs on Canadian exports. He also teased Trudeau, suggesting that he could become the governor of “the great state of Canada” if the country were to be absorbed by the United States. “I look forward to seeing the Governor again soon so that we may continue our in-depth talks on Tariffs and Trade, the results of which will be truly spectacular for all!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. In a moment caught on a hot mic, Trudeau was overheard telling Canadian business leaders that he believed Trump was serious about the idea. “Mr. Trump has it in mind that the easiest way to do it is absorbing our country and it is a real thing,” Trudeau reportedly said before the microphone cut out. As tensions between the two nations persist, the debate over Canada’s political future and its relationship with the United States continues to intensify. Based on a report by Daily Mail 2025-02-21