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Sydney has been shocked by a series of assassinations and drive-by shootings amid a turf war between two organised crime gangs – the Alameddine Family and the Hamzy clan. Mejid Hamzy, brother of Bassam Hamzy – the leader of the Brothers 4 Life gang, was shot outside a house in the city’s west in October 2020 [File: AAP Australia via EPA] Police swoop on drug gangs in Australia’s biggest city but lawyers fear controversial law changes will leave minorities vulnerable. By Ian Lloyd Neubauer Last week, a home in Sydney’s southwest was sprayed with bullets during a drive-by shooting. No one was injured, although it was the second time in six months the house had been targeted and came after three assassinations over three weeks and a total of 13 in two years. “What can you do? It’s everyday life now,” a neighbour who heard the shots told a local TV station. Full story: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/26/sydney-reels-from-organised-crime-turf-war -- © Copyright AL JAZEERA 2022-05-26

'We don't want UK-EU trade war' - Irish PM By Faisal Islam Economics editor Micheál Martin says Ireland and the EU don't want a trade war with the UK A UK-EU trade war would be "shocking" and "unnecessary", the Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin has said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260732-we-dont-want-uk-eu-trade-war-irish-pm/

Micheál Martin says Ireland and the EU don't want a trade war with the UK By Faisal Islam Economics editor A UK-EU trade war would be "shocking" and "unnecessary", the Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin has said. He called on the UK government to "get into the tunnel and negotiate" over changes to the post-Brexit trade arrangements for Northern Ireland. The Taoiseach told the BBC that Ireland and the European Union "do not want a trade war" with the UK. Full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61583660 -- © Copyright BBC 2022-05-26

Thai airforce C-130 Hercules transport plane towed off Ubon airport runway after "incident" Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that a C-130 Hercules transport plane belonging to the Royal Thai Air Force was removed from the runway at the Ubon Ratchathani International Airport after an unspecified incident yesterday morning. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260730-thai-airforce-c-130-hercules-transport-plane-towed-off-ubon-airport-runway-after-incident/

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that a C-130 Hercules transport plane belonging to the Royal Thai Air Force was removed from the runway at the Ubon Ratchathani International Airport after an unspecified incident yesterday morning. They had a picture of the Lockheed aircraft being towed last night. Spokesman Air Vice Marshall Phrapas Sornjaidee said it was removed at 9.30 pm after the incident at 11.30 am. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The precise nature of the incident was not reported. All flight safety protocols were followed, said the AVM who further thanked airport users for their forbearance and airport authorities for their resolution of the problem. Wikipedia states that the American four-engined turboprop military aircraft was originally designed as a troop, medevac and cargo transport plane. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-26 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Thailand prevails! Country named as "Biohub" by impressed WHO - Anutin praised Picture: Thai Rath Thailand's DPM and health minister Anutin Charnvirakul - who spent much of the pandemic under intense pressure - was all smiles in Geneva yesterday as the kingdom received glowing praise from the World Health Organization and its director general Dr Tedrom Ghebreyesus, notes ASEAN NOW. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260728-thailand-prevails-country-named-as-biohub-by-impressed-who-anutin-praised/

Picture: Thai Rath Thailand's DPM and health minister Anutin Charnvirakul - who spent much of the pandemic under intense pressure - was all smiles in Geneva yesterday as the kingdom received glowing praise from the World Health Organization and its director general Dr Tedrom Ghebreyesus, notes ASEAN NOW. Thai Rath reported that Anutin and the WHO have agreed that Thailand should be declared a BIOHUB. They pictured Anutin and Dr Tedros shaking hands in a picture lifted from Facebook. Anutin was in Switzerland attending the 75th congress of the World Health Assembly. Anutin said that Thailand's Covid response had employed "soft power using Thainess - smile first, wai first and that will make a hard task appear much easier". This showed how far the country had come from the early days of the pandemic when Anutin got embroiled in a spat with a non-mask wearing foreigner, had his own mask wearing issues and presided over delays in the procurement of imported and locally produced vaccine, notes ASEAN NOW. All that was in the past as Anutin said that Thailand had been lauded for its Covid-19 response after a WHO team was sent to the country to discover how they did it. Thailand was praised for preventing disease, its vaccination program, medical treatment for infected people and strong health care system. So much so that the country is now the first to be named in a joint collaboration with the WHO making the country a BIOHUB for collecting existing pathogens, study and research and development of drugs and vaccines. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Thailand is the first country in the world to enter such an agreement because "we are the most ready", according to the minister. Meanwhile this was confirmed by Dr Tedros on Twitter who thanked Anutin for his efforts in ensuring that 70% of the population was vaccinated. This was a key aim since vaccines became available during the pandemic. In addition Dr Tedros said that Thailand was committed to vaccine equality and welcomed the country's cooperation in sharing knowledge about its universal health insurance scheme (the so called Gold Card). ASEAN NOW further notes that there was much consternation among Thai watchers that the country would not treat everyone equally. This proved unfounded as foreigners in the kingdom lined up alongside Thais for their jabs. Most even getting their vax for free. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-26 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Severodonetsk: Battle for key road as fighting reaches Ukraine city By Paul Kirby BBC News Russia has flattened large areas of Severodonetsk during weeks of bombardment IMAGE SOURCE, REUTERS A senior figure in eastern Ukraine has denied reports that a vital road linking Ukrainian-controlled areas in the east has been blocked from the rest of the country by Russian forces. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260716-severodonetsk-battle-for-key-road-as-fighting-reaches-ukraine-city/

Russia has flattened large areas of Severodonetsk during weeks of bombardment IMAGE SOURCE, REUTERS By Paul Kirby BBC News A senior figure in eastern Ukraine has denied reports that a vital road linking Ukrainian-controlled areas in the east has been blocked from the rest of the country by Russian forces. "Luhansk has not been cut off," said the region's military administration head, Serhiy Haidai. Fighting has reached the outskirts of the big city of Severodonetsk, a key Russian target. Full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61578156 -- © Copyright BBC 2022-05-26

Putin weaponising Ukraine’s crops, says Polish PM By Faisal Islam, Economics editor Vladimir Putin is "weaponising Ukraine's crops" as "a blackmail tool" for the rest of the world, Poland's prime minister said at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260715-putin-weaponising-ukraine’s-crops-says-polish-pm/

By Faisal Islam, Economics editor Vladimir Putin is "weaponising Ukraine's crops" as "a blackmail tool" for the rest of the world, Poland's prime minister said at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Mateusz Morawiecki told the BBC it was like what "Stalin did in 1933". In a wide-ranging interview, he also warned that "only Putin" would be "happy" with a UK-EU trade war over the Brexit deal for Northern Ireland. Full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61562864 -- © Copyright BBC 2022-05-26

‘America is killing itself’: world reacts with horror and incomprehension to Texas shooting The international press responds scathingly to the tolerance for gun violence in the US: ‘nothing fundamentally changes’ by Jon Henley Mass violence in the US is ‘a recurring drama, to which America’s lawmakers seem unwilling to put an end’, wrote Iker Seisdedos in El País. /File photo Politicians and media around the world have reacted with horror, incomprehension and weary resignation to news that an 18-year-old gunman had murdered 19 children and two teachers. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260714-‘america-is-killing-itself’-world-reacts-with-horror-and-incomprehension-to-texas-shooting/

Mass violence in the US is ‘a recurring drama, to which America’s lawmakers seem unwilling to put an end’, wrote Iker Seisdedos in El País. /File photo The international press responds scathingly to the tolerance for gun violence in the US: ‘nothing fundamentally changes’ by Jon Henley Politicians and media around the world have reacted with horror, incomprehension and weary resignation to news that an 18-year-old gunman had murdered 19 children and two teachers in America’s 27th school shooting so far this year. The politicians mostly observed formalities; commentators, not so much. In devastated Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he was “deeply saddened by the murder of innocent children”, adding that his people “share the pain of the relatives and friends of the victims, and of all Americans”. Full story: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/may/25/international-reaction-texas-school-shooting -- © Copyright The Guardian 2022-05-26

Container truck fails to climb Patong Hill before given police assistance By Goong Nang(GN) Patong – A container truck failed to ascend Patong Hill this morning before the Patong Traffic Police gave assistance. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260713-container-truck-fails-to-climb-patong-hill-before-given-police-assistance/

By Goong Nang(GN) Patong – A container truck failed to ascend Patong Hill this morning before the Patong Traffic Police gave assistance. The Patong Traffic Police was called at about 11:00 A.M. today (May 25th). A green container truck was unable to go up Patong Hill due to heavy weight and a reportedly wet road. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Motorists were stopped on the road to help the container truck driver while waiting for the Patong Traffic Police to arrive. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/05/25/container-truck-fails-to-climb-patong-hill-before-given-police-assistance-video/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-05-26 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Debt Collector Who Brutally Beat Up Young Woman Arrested TNR Staff AFTER a video clip of a debt collector violently beating up a young woman who failed to pay up went viral on social media Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) provincial police last evening (May 24) arrested and filed three charges against him, Naewna newspaper said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260711-debt-collector-who-brutally-beat-up-young-woman-arrested/

TNR Staff AFTER a video clip of a debt collector violently beating up a young woman who failed to pay up went viral on social media Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) provincial police last evening (May 24) arrested and filed three charges against him, Naewna newspaper said. In the video clip the debt collector, Mr. Supachai (surname withheld), or Toei, 29, is seen hitting and kicking the young debtor and also pulling her hair while she took all the blows without resisting in any way. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe This incident occurred at noon on May 22 at Hin Dat subdistrict, Dan Khun Thot district, with the unidentified 23-year-old woman later filing a complaint at Hin Dat police station. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/05/25/debt-collector-who-brutally-beat-up-young-woman-arrested/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2022-05-26 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Wonderfruit Festival is set to return in December at Siam Country Club in Pattaya By Tanakorn Panyadee The Wonderfruit Festival is set to return in December at Siam Country Club in Pattaya. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260710-wonderfruit-festival-is-set-to-return-in-december-at-siam-country-club-in-pattaya/

By Tanakorn Panyadee The Wonderfruit Festival is set to return in December at Siam Country Club in Pattaya. The Wonderfruit Festival recently announced its comeback after over two years of being canceled due to Covid-19 in December of this year. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The announcement has now officially been made on its website, stating that it could not resist the audience’s fierce demand for its comeback. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/25/wonderfruit-festival-is-set-to-return-in-december-at-siam-country-club-in-pattaya/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-05-26 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Alloy wheel thief finally arrested in Bang Lamung, Chonburi By Tanakorn Panyadee Bang Lamung, Chonburi — An alloy wheel thief was finally arrested by Laem Chabang police. The thief was reportedly involved in several identical cases around Sri Racha and Bang Lamung. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260709-alloy-wheel-thief-finally-arrested-in-bang-lamung-chonburi/

By Tanakorn Panyadee Bang Lamung, Chonburi — An alloy wheel thief was finally arrested by Laem Chabang police. The thief was reportedly involved in several identical cases around Sri Racha and Bang Lamung. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe At 1 p.m. today, May 25th, Laem Chabang police held a press conference to announce the arrest of a 23-year-old alloy wheel thief, Thanawat Pankaew, who had reportedly been stealing alloy wheels from Sri Racha and Bang Lamung residents’ cars. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/25/alloy-wheel-thief-finally-arrested-in-bang-lamung-chonburi/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-05-26 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Walking Street road repairs expected to complete by August 2022, say Pattaya City officials By Tanakorn Panyadee PHOTO: บริษัท โสภณ เคเบิ้ล ที.วี.และสื่อสาร พัทยา จำกัด Walking Street, Pattaya — Pattaya city has spent 13 million baht to expedite Walking Street road repairs, city officials stated this afternoon. The project is expected to be completed by mid-August 2022. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260708-walking-street-road-repairs-expected-to-complete-by-august-2022-say-pattaya-city-officials/

PHOTO: บริษัท โสภณ เคเบิ้ล ที.วี.และสื่อสาร พัทยา จำกัด By Tanakorn Panyadee Walking Street, Pattaya — Pattaya city has spent 13 million baht to expedite Walking Street road repairs, city officials stated this afternoon. The project is expected to be completed by mid-August 2022. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Today, May 25th, local media reported on the progress of Walking Street repairs after electric wires were moved underground, leaving several unsurfaced spots and construction materials on Walking Street and causing inconvenience to a large number of residents and tourists. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/25/walking-street-road-repairs-expected-to-complete-by-august-2022-say-pattaya-city-officials/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-05-26 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Ballots missing in Pattaya sound familiar Mr. Trump! ASEAN NOW Op-Ed Lost ballot papers have become almost as contagious as the Covid Omicron virus. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260705-ballots-missing-in-pattaya-sound-familiar-mr-trump/

ASEAN NOW Op-Ed Lost ballot papers have become almost as contagious as the Covid Omicron virus. Apparently, it was reported that two ballots were reported missing from one polling station, and two excessive ballots were found in another, putting the official results on hold in two districts. Therefore, unofficial results of the Pattaya mayoral and council elections on Sunday, the first such election in over ten years, have now been withdrawn pending an investigation. They are looking into the mysterious absence of these two ballot sheets, and one case of a ballot sheet being issued to a person who is ineligible to vote. The late-night decision to withdraw the results, by, Permanent Secretary of Pattaya city and Director of the Pattaya mayoral and council elections Pramote Taptim, came just a few hours after he had actually announced the results at city hall, in which Poramet Ngampichet, of the “We Love Pattaya” team, had apparently won the mayoral election. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Pramote said that he will consult the Election Commission in Bangkok about how to deal with the problem, with the possibility of a fresh election needing to be held at the two polling stations where the ballot sheets went missing. So that is the story so far in what is fast becoming a situation ripe for a Thai soap opera. Familiar territory I seem to remember a rather irate Donald Trump having the same issue regarding recounts and lost ballot papers in the last Presidential elections in the United States. This month’s presidential elections in the Philippines fell far short of “free and fair” due to rampant vote-buying, politically motivated violence, and serious shortcomings in the electoral process, according to a group of international election monitors. In an interim report the International Observer Mission (IOM), which was sponsored by the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines, found that the May 9 polls, “took place in the most repressive atmosphere seen since the time of dictator Ferdinand Marcos” – not coincidentally, the father of this year’s winning candidate, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Among these were unprecedented failures in the country’s electronic voting system and problems with the voter lists that saw many voters unable to cast a ballot. The IOM also noted “a higher level of blatant vote-buying, disturbing level of ‘red-tagging’” – in which opposition members are publicly accused of ties to communist insurgents – “and a number of incidents of deadly violence.” Voting in the Philippines has in the past always related to violence. French blank votes A record 13,600,000 voters, or 28% of the electorate, abstained in the second round of the French presidential election on Sunday, April 24. Blank and invalidated votes, meanwhile, declined in proportion compared to the 2017 presidential race, which featured the same two finalists, Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen. The bottom line is that voting systems around the world seem to have not engaged with modern IT systems, to enable us the voters, to actually believe in the final result. It seems a mystery. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-26 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information