https://aseannow.com/rss/42-world-news1.xml/World news reports from around the worldenhttps://aseannow.com/worldnews/spearfisher-killed-in-second-australia-shark-attack-r1036/A spearfisher has died after being attacked by a shark on the Great Barrier Reef, marking Australia’s second fatal shark attack in just over a week, police have said in recent days in Australian waters. Get today's headlines by email The 39-year-old man was diving with three friends from a boat at Kennedy Shoal off the Queensland coast south of Cairns on Sunday when the incident occurred during a diving trip at sea, according to police. Police Inspector Elaine Burns said the man was spearfishing when he was attacked and suffered a fatal head injury in Queensland waters. Attack off Queensland reefKennedy Shoal is a shallow coral reef popular with recreational fishers and divers. It is also known for the nearby Lady Bowen shipwreck, a 19th-century wreck that attracts visitors, according to local authorities. Police said fishers in the area had previously reported sightings of bull sharks before the attack. Emergency response and victim detailsThe victim, a resident of Cairns, was brought by boat to the tourist town of Hull Heads around midday, shortly after the attack, where paramedics were waiting. An ambulance service statement said he had “sustained injuries not compatible with life”, according to the ambulance service. Inspector Burns said the man died from a critical head injury. Recent fatal attacks and national tollThe incident follows another fatal shark attack on 16 May at a coral reef off Rottnest Island near the southwest coast of Western Australia in another incident. In that case, spearfisher Steve Mattabonni, a 38-year-old Perth resident, was fatally injured. He was taken by boat to the holiday island, where paramedics were unable to resuscitate him, in that case. A five-metre white shark was suspected by authorities. Australia has recorded an average of more than three fatal shark attacks a year in recent decades over time. The latest death is Australia’s third shark fatality of 2026 so far. Earlier this year, 12-year-old Nico Antic died in hospital days after being attacked by a suspected bull shark off a Sydney beach on 18 January this year. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 25 May 2026Sun, 24 May 2026 20:52:54 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/white-house-tells-pompeo-to-shut-his-stupid-mouth-on-iran-r1035/The White House has sharply criticised former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after he attacked an emerging US proposal aimed at ending the conflict with Iran, with a senior communications official telling him to “shut his stupid mouth”. Get today's headlines by email White House Communications Director Steven Cheung accused Pompeo of commenting without proper knowledge of ongoing negotiations, escalating a public dispute over the direction of US policy on Iran. Cheung said Pompeo “has no idea what the f— he’s talking about” and urged him to stop commenting on the talks, arguing that he was not briefed on current developments and therefore could not accurately assess the situation. Pompeo, who served as Secretary of State during the first Trump administration, had earlier criticised the reported outline of a deal in a post on X, saying it did not align with an “America First” approach. Criticism of emerging Iran frameworkIn his remarks, Pompeo compared the reported negotiations to earlier diplomatic efforts linked to Obama-era officials, referencing figures involved in previous Iran nuclear talks, including Wendy Sherman, Robert Malley and Ben Rhodes. He argued that the approach being discussed would strengthen Iran’s military-linked institutions and warned against financial concessions, urging a far tougher strategy toward Tehran. His comments formed part of a wider wave of criticism from Republican figures. Several Republican lawmakers, including Senators Roger Wicker, Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham, also raised concerns about the emerging framework, reflecting divisions within conservative ranks over how to handle Iran. Limited details of proposed agreementDetails of the proposed deal remain limited, but reports suggest it may include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route through which around a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. Any disruption or reopening of the passage has significant implications for global energy markets. The reported framework also appears to include lifting a blockade on Iranian ports and establishing a temporary 60-day ceasefire intended to allow further negotiations on longer-term issues. However, the proposal does not appear to include immediate restrictions on Iran’s nuclear programme, a point that has drawn criticism from conservatives and former officials who argue the omission is a major weakness. US President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social that final details of the agreement were still being discussed and would be announced soon. He also indicated that reopening the Strait of Hormuz would be part of any deal. Tensions over past policy and alliancesPompeo served in Trump’s first administration but later became politically distanced from parts of the former president’s circle. Relations between the two have remained strained since Trump returned to office in 2025. The exchange also reflects wider disagreements over US strategy toward Iran, particularly the legacy of the Obama-era nuclear agreement, which the Trump administration previously withdrew from and has repeatedly criticised. Trump has also previously revoked security protection for Pompeo and other former officials with whom he fell out, despite ongoing threats reportedly linked to Iran. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 25 May 2026Sun, 24 May 2026 20:46:48 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/iran-switches-world-cup-base-from-us-to-mexico-r1034/Iran’s football federation says Fifa has approved a request to move the country’s World Cup training base from the United States to Mexico ahead of next month’s tournament. Get today's headlines by email The president of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, said the team would now be based in the Mexican border city of Tijuana instead of Tucson. Fifa has not yet publicly confirmed the change. Iran had originally been assigned a base camp in Arizona for the tournament, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. However, uncertainty linked to the conflict in the Middle East and related security concerns prompted discussions over relocating the team’s preparations. Tournament scheduleIran are due to begin their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June before facing Belgium in the same city six days later. Their final group match is scheduled against Egypt in Seattle on 26 June. Speaking about the move, Taj said the federation had held talks with Fifa and World Cup officials in Istanbul and also took part in an online meeting from Tehran with Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom. He said the request to relocate the camp to Mexico had been accepted and added that Tijuana’s location offered shorter travel times to match venues. According to Taj, flights from Tijuana to Los Angeles would take less than an hour, making logistics easier compared with the original Arizona base. Iran’s squad are currently training in Antalya ahead of the tournament, which begins on 11 June. Visa concerns remainThe preparations have also been affected by visa issues involving Iranian players and officials. Earlier this month, Taj said members of the national team were still waiting to receive visas to enter the United States for the competition. The Iranian federation has reportedly submitted a list of conditions to Fifa regarding participation in the tournament. These include requests for visas to be granted to players, coaches and officials who previously completed military service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Iranian players would be welcomed at the World Cup, although individuals linked to the IRGC could face restrictions on entry. In April, Taj and several other Iranian football officials were denied entry into Canada ahead of Fifa’s annual congress in Vancouver. Canada’s immigration minister later said Taj’s visa had been cancelled because of alleged links to the IRGC. Some members of Iran’s squad travelled to the US embassy in Ankara on Thursday to submit visa applications for the tournament. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 25 May 2026Sun, 24 May 2026 20:36:40 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/russian-strikes-on-ukraine-kill-four-in-kyiv-r1033/Russia launched a large-scale overnight assault on Ukraine, firing hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in attacks that killed at least four people and injured around 100, according to Ukrainian officials. Get today's headlines by email Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv was the primary target of the strikes, though several other regions were also hit. Loud explosions were reported across the capital through the night, while residential buildings, a school, an opera house and a museum suffered damage. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 90 missiles and 600 drones from Saturday evening onwards. Preliminary data indicated that 55 ballistic and cruise missiles and 549 drones were intercepted or destroyed, while 19 missiles may have failed to reach their targets. Officials also reported 16 direct missile strikes and 51 drone impacts across 54 locations. Kyiv Under Heavy FireKyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two people were killed inside the city and 36 others, including two children, were taken to hospital. One fatality occurred after a nine-storey apartment building in Kyiv’s Shevchenko district was struck, sparking a fire on the upper floors. In the same district, debris from another strike blocked the entrance to an air raid shelter at a school, trapping several people inside. Emergency crews were deployed across the capital to extinguish fires, clear rubble and treat the wounded. In the surrounding Kyiv region, regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk said two additional people had been killed. He described the strikes as “deliberate terror against peaceful people”. Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said the Chornobyl Museum in Kyiv had been heavily damaged. He called it “a deliberate attack on history, memory, and truth”. Other regions including Cherkasy, Kharkiv, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy and Zhytomyr were also targeted, according to Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Dispute Over Oreshnik MissileRussia’s defence ministry said the attacks were carried out in response to what it described as Ukrainian strikes on civilian infrastructure. Ukraine’s military denies targeting civilians. Moscow also claimed it used the Oreshnik hypersonic missile during the assault. The weapon is believed to travel at more than 10 times the speed of sound and is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. President Zelensky said the missile had been launched at Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region, though Ukraine’s presidential office later said investigations were continuing to confirm exactly which weapons had been used. If verified, it would mark the third known use of the Oreshnik missile since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022 under President Vladimir Putin. International ReactionEuropean leaders condemned the strikes and the reported use of the hypersonic missile. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticised the attack, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the missile’s use as “reckless nuclear-brinkmanship”. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the scenes in Kyiv were “awful” and pledged continued pressure on Russia. The assault came days after Russian officials accused Ukraine of attacking a student dormitory in the occupied town of Starobilsk, where Moscow said 21 people were killed. Ukraine acknowledged carrying out a strike in the area but said it targeted an elite Russian drone unit. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 25 May 2026Sun, 24 May 2026 20:24:53 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/starmer-calls-teen-rape-sentences-appalling-r1032/Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described as “appalling” a case in which three teenage boys convicted of raping two girls avoided custodial sentences. Get today's headlines by email The boys, aged 13 and 14 at the time of the offences, were sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on Thursday after attacks on two girls in Fordingbridge in November 2024 and January 2025. Two of the boys, both now aged 15, and another now aged 14, were instead given Youth Rehabilitation Orders (YROs), community-based sentences for children that can include curfews, supervision and treatment requirements. Review of sentencesSpeaking after one of the victims criticised the ruling in an interview with the BBC, Starmer said the case was being urgently reviewed by the attorney general. In a post on X, the prime minister said the girls had shown “extraordinary bravery and strength in heinous circumstances”. “This is an appalling case and it is right that law officers are urgently reviewing the sentences,” he said. The attorney general now has 28 days to decide whether to refer the sentences to the Court of Appeal under the unduly lenient sentence scheme. Cabinet Office minister Darren Jones said ministers expected the review to move more quickly because of the seriousness of the case. Victim criticises rulingOne of the victims, now aged 16, told the BBC the decision felt like “a rock straight in my face”. She said the outcome made it appear that what had happened to the girls was “not OK, but it was OK in the eyes of the law because they were still children”. The teenager questioned why she had gone through the court process and relived the attacks during the trial if the punishment amounted to what she described as “a slap on the wrist”. She had been 15 when she was raped in an underpass near the River Avon after travelling to meet one of the boys, who had contacted her through Snapchat. The second victim, aged 14 at the time, was raped in a field. The assaults were filmed on mobile phones, with some footage later shared online. Judge cited age of offendersAt sentencing, Judge Nicholas Rowland said he wanted to avoid “criminalising these children unnecessarily”, despite acknowledging the seriousness of the offences. He said the filming of the attacks made the crimes “even more serious”, but also praised the boys for their behaviour during the trial. One 15-year-old received a three-year YRO with 180 days of intensive supervision for raping both girls and for indecent image offences. The second 15-year-old received the same sentence for multiple rape charges and indecent image offences. The 14-year-old was given an 18-month YRO after being convicted of encouraging one of the rapes. Under UK law, offenders under 18 serve custodial sentences in secure youth facilities rather than adult prisons. Political reactionSenior politicians from across parties criticised the sentences. Robert Jenrick said justice had not been done and questioned whether judges should face greater accountability for sentencing decisions. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she was “sickened” by the case, while Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Ben Maguire called the crimes “utterly horrific”. Rachel de Souza said she was “deeply concerned” and that her office would contact the families to offer support. A government spokesperson said ministers shared the public’s “shock” at the details of the case and confirmed that law officers were reviewing the sentences “with the utmost care and attention”. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 25 May 2026Sun, 24 May 2026 20:12:45 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/trump-tells-us-team-not-to-rush-iran-deal-r1031/US President Donald Trump has told American negotiators not to rush efforts to secure a deal with Iran, despite reports suggesting an agreement may be close. Get today's headlines by email Media reports in the United States said discussions have focused on a possible 60-day extension of the current ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and continued negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme. In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump described the talks as “constructive” but stressed that both sides should proceed carefully. “Negotiations are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner, and I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal in that time is on our side,” Trump wrote. He added: “Both sides must take their time and get it right. There can be no mistakes!” Talks Continue Despite Remaining DisputesTrump had said on Saturday that an agreement had been “largely negotiated”, fuelling speculation that a breakthrough announcement could be imminent. However, Iranian media later reported that disagreements remain over “one or two” unresolved issues. Iranian officials have also indicated that progress has been made, though foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei cautioned that key matters had not yet been settled. Baghaei said negotiations were moving forward but warned that this did not guarantee final agreements on the most sensitive issues. Conflict and CeasefireThe latest diplomatic efforts follow months of conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States. On 28 February, Israel and the US launched major air strikes on Iran. Tehran responded with drones and missile attacks targeting Israel and US-linked sites across Gulf countries. A ceasefire reached in April was intended to create space for negotiations and has mostly held, although occasional exchanges of fire have continued. Nuclear Programme and HormuzTrump repeated Washington’s long-standing position that Iran must not develop a nuclear weapon. The United States and its allies accuse Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons capability through uranium enrichment. Iran has consistently denied the allegation, insisting its nuclear activities are for peaceful civilian purposes. Trump also said the US blockade on Iranian ports, introduced in early April, would remain in place until any agreement is fully finalised and signed. At the same time, Iran has maintained control over the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important shipping route through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass. Restrictions around the strait have contributed to rising global energy prices. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier that negotiations had produced “significant” but “not final” progress. Rubio suggested there could soon be positive developments regarding the strait, saying recent discussions could potentially lead to a “completely open strait... without tolls”. Mediation EffortsBaghaei told Iranian state television on Saturday that Tehran was preparing a “memorandum of understanding” aimed at extending discussions and eventually securing a final agreement. Trump also referred to a possible memorandum in a separate Truth Social post. Meanwhile, Ishaq Dar, whose government has been helping mediate the talks, said recent negotiations offered “grounds for optimism” and suggested a positive outcome could be “within reach”. Despite the upbeat signals, several US media outlets reported that officials did not expect a formal agreement to be signed on Sunday. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 25 May 2026Sun, 24 May 2026 20:01:32 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/pickup-crash-kills-six-on-chumphon-road-r1966/Six people were killed and three seriously injured after a pickup truck driver lost control in heavy rain and collided head-on with another pickup on the Khao Peep-Khao Thalu road in Chumphon province on 23 May 2026. Get today's headlines by email Police from Na Sak Police Station said the crash happened at about 12.30pm in Moo 13, Na Sak subdistrict, Sawi district. Rescue teams from local foundations and emergency services responded after reports of multiple fatalities and injured people trapped inside the vehicles. At the scene, officers found a single-cab grey Isuzu pickup registered in Bangkok with front-end damage. The driver, 22-year-old Yosawat Rodboonma from Lang Suan district and his wife, 24-year-old Pimkanok Rueangkhong, were rescued from the wreckage with serious injuries. Another injured passenger, 18-year-old Somphongsak Ondee, was also taken to Sawi Hospital. Four passengers travelling in the back of same vehicle were killed. They were later identified as 23-year-old Sumintara Rueangkhong, two-year-old Nalin Nipa Rodboonma, 18-year-old Paphawarin Noongtang, and 22-year-old Nattachai Rodboonma. Police said the victims suffered fatal injuries after being thrown from the vehicle. The second vehicle, a green Mitsubishi pickup from Chumphon, was found in a roadside ditch with front-end damage. The driver, 65-year-old Banchong Yuenyan and his wife, 60-year-old Jirawan Yuenyan from Thung Tako district, died after becoming trapped inside the cabin. Rescue workers used hydraulic cutting equipment to remove their bodies before transferring them to Sawi Hospital. Witness Pa Saenmuen, 43, told police he had been driving behind the Mitsubishi pickup during heavy rain when he saw the other pickup lose control on a bend. He said the vehicle spun across the road before crashing head-on into the oncoming truck carrying the elderly couple. Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath Relatives of Yosawat said he had been returning from helping family members harvest durian in the Khao Thalu area. Yosawat was driving with his wife and daughter in the cab while four relatives were riding in the rear cargo area when the crash occurred. ThaiRath reported that police believe the pickup may have been travelling too fast for the wet conditions, causing the driver to lose control on the curve. Investigators have documented the scene and will question Yosawat further before deciding on legal proceedings. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now ThaiRath 24 May 2026Sun, 24 May 2026 03:43:01 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/foreign-tourist-flees-after-jomtien-shop-clash-r1965/A foreign tourist fled after a confrontation with convenience store staff and bystanders outside a 7/11 store on Jomtien Beach Road, following allegations that he stole drinks from the store. Get today's headlines by email Video clips shared widely on social media showed a chaotic scene outside the convenience store. The footage, posted alongside claims that the foreign man had “stolen goods and refused to pay”, captured the tourist arguing with staff before attempting to leave the area on a motorcycle. According to reports, the man had arrived at the shop with his girlfriend before staff accused the pair of stealing two bottles of energy drink. Employees reportedly stopped them before they left the store and attempted to discuss payment of a store fine, but the tourists allegedly refused and tried to walk away. The dispute escalated in the car park outside the shop when a man wearing a black shirt and other Thai bystanders joined staff in attempting to stop the tourist from leaving. Video footage showed pushing, pulling and physical scuffling as the tourist tried to ride away on his motorcycle. During the struggle, the tourist’s bag was reportedly torn and damaged. The man and his girlfriend then took advantage of the confusion to run from the scene, leaving behind the motorcycle and a pair of shoes outside the store. Journalists later visited the convenience store, but staff declined requests for interviews or permission to film inside the premises. No additional official statement was issued by the business. Pictures courtesy of SiamChon The incident has triggered widespread criticism online, with social media users questioning why members of the public tried to physically restrained the suspect instead of contacting police to handle the matter through legal procedures. Concerns were also raised about the level of force used during the confrontation in a public area. Police at Pattaya City Police Station are reviewing video footage and witness accounts as part of an investigation into the incident. Authorities said no complaint had yet been filed by the foreign tourists involved. Investigators are expected to determine whether any offences were committed by either side during the confrontation and whether further legal action will follow. AQNHDKmgsWM_mpgzhuRW0gtXI1VqNy4p6XqMOpfG0KbEBegQu2D1qgrHIo1cQbezXxi2hiouotx6thrmFV40oWhAoI1mYS3CNEE8LoTUcg.mp4 Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now SaimChon 24 May 2026Sun, 24 May 2026 03:01:21 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/volvo-responds-to-suv-fire-on-thai-motorway-r1964/Volvo Car Thailand says an initial examination indicates that a fire involving a Volvo XC60 SUV on Motorway M81 in Nakhon Pathom did not originate from the vehicle’s high-voltage battery area. The fire occurred on Thursday in the outbound lane of the Nonthaburi-Kanchanaburi motorway, destroying much of the plug-in hybrid vehicle. Get today's headlines by email The occupants, a couple and their two children, escaped safely before the fire spread through the SUV. According to the driver, a yellow warning light appeared on the dashboard shortly before smoke began coming from the hood. He then noticed a burning smell followed by flames emerging from underneath the vehicle. The company issued a statement on Friday in response to growing public concern surrounding Volvo vehicles in Thailand. In its letter, Volvo Car Thailand said: “Based on a preliminary examination of images from the incident, together with information gathered from people at the scene, the company found that the source of the heat or fire did not originate from the high-voltage battery area.” However, the exact cause of the fire has not yet been identified. Volvo said the investigation remains ongoing and that additional findings would be released once the full facts have been established. The incident has attracted attention because it follows two separate fires involving Volvo EX30 electric vehicles in Thailand earlier this month. Those incidents prompted increased scrutiny from drivers and social media users concerned about the safety of electric and hybrid vehicles. The XC60 involved in the motorway fire is a plug-in hybrid model that operates using both petrol and electric power. The EX30, which has also faced questions following recent fires, is a fully battery-electric vehicle. Industry observers say fires involving electric and hybrid vehicles often draw heightened attention because of concerns about lithium-ion battery systems, even when investigations later point to other causes. Volvo’s statement appears aimed at addressing speculation that the battery system was responsible in the latest case. The Bangkokpost reported that authorities and Volvo engineers are expected to continue examining the damaged vehicle to determine where the fire started and what triggered it. The company said any further developments from the investigation would be communicated publicly. Related story Volvo-faces-inquiry-over-ex30-battery-fires-in-Thailand Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Bangkokpost 24 May 2026Sun, 24 May 2026 02:29:38 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/report-says-uk-protesters-face-longer-jail-terms-r1030/A growing number of climate and pro-Palestinian activists in England and Wales are being jailed for acts of protest and civil disobedience, according to new research that argues Britain has created a “new breed” of political prisoner. Get today's headlines by email The report, produced by researchers at Queen Mary University of London and campaign group Defend Our Juries, says custodial sentences for direct action protests were once uncommon but are now becoming longer and more frequent. Researchers examined 286 cases involving climate activists and Palestine solidarity protesters who received prison sentences, amounting to a combined total of 136 years in jail. The findings are due to be published on Tuesday. Rising use of prison sentencesThe report links the increase in imprisonments to tougher anti-protest legislation, expanded police powers and the growing use of civil injunctions by companies and public authorities. It also highlights concerns about judges limiting legal defences available to protesters and imposing what it describes as unusually severe punishments. Of the 256 cases where sentencing data was available, the average period spent in detention was 28 weeks. One-third of protesters received sentences of at least six months, while one in five was jailed for more than a year. David Whyte, professor of climate justice at QMUL and co-author of the report, said the sentences reflected a political response to protest movements. He said the use of long prison terms and extended periods on remand showed authorities were treating political protesters differently from other defendants involved in civil disobedience cases. Concerns over pre-trial detentionThe report describes pre-trial detention as “the first line of attack” against protesters, arguing that lengthy remand periods discourage future demonstrations. Researchers found that in 60% of the cases studied, protesters ultimately received sentences shorter than the time they had already spent in custody awaiting trial. Among the cases highlighted are the “Filton 24”, a group charged over a protest linked to Palestine Action at a factory near Bristol operated by Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. Some defendants spent up to 18 months in custody before trial, despite the standard pre-trial detention limit being six months. Most were later granted bail after the first six defendants were cleared of aggravated burglary charges. Two of those six were also acquitted of criminal damage offences. Eighteen other defendants are still awaiting trial on separate charges connected to the protest. Civil injunctions and contempt casesThe report found that contempt of court offences accounted for 40% of imprisonment cases examined. These included breaches of courtroom orders as well as violations of civil injunctions obtained by companies or public authorities to prevent protests. Whyte said the growing use of injunctions was concerning because actions that begin as civil matters can ultimately result in criminal penalties and prison sentences. Researchers pointed to the case of 69 people jailed following a high court injunction secured by Warwickshire borough council during a Just Stop Oil campaign at the Kingsbury oil terminal in 2022. Some of those imprisoned had been holding placards, according to the report. A spokesperson for the judiciary defended the independence of the courts, saying judges make decisions based on evidence, legal arguments and sentencing guidelines established under the law. The spokesperson added that judges and magistrates sentence offenders according to legislation set by parliament and guidance issued by the independent Sentencing Council, while taking account of aggravating and mitigating factors in each case. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 24 May 2026Sat, 23 May 2026 23:32:35 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/spacex-starship-v3-makes-debut-in-test-flight-r1029/SpaceX launched the largest and most powerful version of its Starship rocket on Friday, carrying out the 12th test flight of the spacecraft that the company hopes will eventually take humans to Mars and the moon. Get today's headlines by email The upgraded rocket, known as Starship V3, lifted off from the company’s Starbase facility in southern Texas near the Mexican border. The launch came two days after SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk announced plans to take the company public. The mission carried 20 mock Starlink satellites, which were due to be released later in the flight. The launch followed a scrubbed attempt on Thursday evening caused by last-minute problems at the launch pad. New Design and More PowerThe latest Starship model stands 407 feet (124 metres) tall, making it slightly larger than earlier versions while delivering greater engine thrust. The redesigned booster includes fewer but larger grid fins to help guide it back toward Earth after separation, along with a bigger fuel transfer system supplying its 33 engines. The stainless steel spacecraft also features upgraded navigation systems, increased computing capability and additional cameras. Engineers have added docking cones intended for future rendezvous operations and lunar missions. SpaceX has faced several setbacks during previous test flights. Back-to-back launches last year ended in midair explosions that scattered debris over the Atlantic Ocean, while other missions also failed before completing their objectives. Friday’s launch was intended to demonstrate improvements to the upgraded design. Although Starship is designed to be fully reusable, SpaceX did not attempt to recover any parts during this mission. The first-stage booster was expected to fall into the Gulf of Mexico, while the spacecraft and its satellite payloads were planned to end their journey in the Indian Ocean. Moon Race IntensifiesNASA is relying on Starship as part of its Artemis programme, which aims to return astronauts to the moon for the first time since the Apollo era. NASA has awarded billions of dollars in contracts to both SpaceX and Blue Origin, the company founded by Jeff Bezos, to develop lunar landing systems. The companies are competing to provide the spacecraft that will carry astronauts from lunar orbit to the moon’s surface. While Starship has already completed several brief spaceflights lasting around an hour, Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander has yet to launch. A prototype mission is expected later this year. NASA plans to follow April’s crewed lunar flyby mission with an orbital docking test next year under Artemis III. During that mission, astronauts aboard the Orion capsule are expected to practise docking with Starship, Blue Moon or both systems. A crewed lunar landing under Artemis IV could take place as early as 2028 using whichever lander is ready first. NASA aims to establish a long-term base near the moon’s south pole, supported by astronauts and robotic systems. Private Missions PlannedSpaceX has also begun taking reservations for private journeys aboard Starship. Businessman Dennis Tito, recognised as the world’s first space tourist, and his wife signed up several years ago for a planned flight around the moon, although no timetable has been confirmed. This week, cryptocurrency investor Chun Wang announced plans to join Starship’s first interplanetary mission to Mars. Wang previously funded a privately chartered SpaceX Dragon flight that became the first human mission to orbit above both the north and south poles. Neither the cost nor a launch date for the proposed Mars mission has been disclosed. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 24 May 2026Sat, 23 May 2026 23:18:00 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/secret-service-responds-to-gunfire-reports-near-white-house-r1028/The U.S. Secret Service moved reporters into the White House briefing room on Saturday evening after sounds believed to be gunfire were heard near the White House complex, according to reports from NewsNation and local journalists at the scene. Get today's headlines by email Chris Flanagan, an anchor for DCNewsNow who was on White House grounds at the time, said on social media platform X that he heard “about 30 shots” shortly after 6 p.m. local time before members of the press were quickly ushered indoors. The incident prompted a response from federal law enforcement agencies as authorities worked to verify what had happened near the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, close to the White House perimeter. In a statement posted on X, the Secret Service Office of Communications said officials were “aware of reports of shots fired” in the area and were seeking confirmation from personnel on the ground. “We are working to corroborate the information,” the agency said, adding that further details would be released when available. FBI Director Kash Patel also confirmed on X that FBI personnel were at the scene alongside other law enforcement officers. Trump at White HousePresident Donald Trump was at the White House during the incident. Earlier in the day, he had canceled a planned trip to his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, amid ongoing reports of negotiations involving Iran. At around 4:30 p.m., Trump posted on Truth Social that he was “in the Oval Office.” White House Communications Director Steven Cheung later said on X that the president had been working at the White House since early Saturday morning. Investigation OngoingAuthorities had not immediately confirmed whether shots had actually been fired or whether there were any injuries, suspects, or arrests connected to the reports. Law enforcement agencies continued to investigate the situation Saturday evening as security remained heightened around the White House grounds. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 24 May 2026Sat, 23 May 2026 23:06:31 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/russia-war-losses-and-economy-pile-pressure-on-putin-r1027/Russian President Vladimir Putin is facing mounting military and economic pressure as the war in Ukraine drags on, according to Estonia’s top intelligence official, who said the Kremlin may soon lose its ability to negotiate from a position of strength. Get today's headlines by email Kaupo Rosin, head of Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, told CNN that Russia’s battlefield setbacks, growing casualties and economic strain are increasing pressure on Moscow. Speaking from the agency’s headquarters in Tallinn, Rosin said the next few months could prove decisive. “In four or five months, Putin may no longer be able to negotiate from a position of strength,” Rosin said, arguing that “time is not in Russia’s favor.” Battlefield gains slowEstonia, a former Soviet republic and NATO member bordering Russia, closely monitors developments inside its neighbor. Rosin said attitudes within the Kremlin have shifted as Russian forces struggle to make meaningful advances in Ukraine. “I do not hear any more talk about total victory,” Rosin said. “People in the Kremlin recognize that the situation on the Ukrainian battlefield is not going too well.” Analysts from the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies have estimated that Russian troops advanced by an average of about 70 meters a day over a two-year period ending in January, while suffering roughly 1,000 killed or wounded daily. Recent progress has slowed further. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week that Russia was losing between 15,000 and 20,000 troops each month. Ukrainian officials reported more than 35,000 Russian soldiers were killed or seriously wounded in April, broadly in line with the previous two months. Neither side regularly publishes official casualty figures, and the claims cannot be independently verified. Drone warfare reshapes conflictRosin said the war has increasingly become dominated by drones, limiting the possibility of major breakthroughs by either side. “Both sides are unable to conduct a massive, mechanized breakthrough,” he said. Ukraine and Russia have both expanded their drone capabilities during the conflict. Ukraine says improved interceptor drones are reducing the effectiveness of Russian attacks on cities. Ukraine’s defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov said this week that the proportion of Iranian-designed Shahed drones destroyed by interceptors had doubled in the past four months. Economic strain deepensRosin said Russia’s only realistic option for significantly accelerating its offensive in eastern Ukraine would be another large-scale mobilization of troops. However, he warned such a move could create internal instability. Russia’s partial mobilization in 2022 triggered protests and prompted many men to leave the country to avoid conscription. Since then, authorities have relied heavily on financial incentives to attract recruits. At the same time, Russia’s economy is coming under increasing pressure from war spending, labor shortages, sanctions and Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure. Last week, Moscow lowered its economic growth forecast for 2026 from 1.3% to 0.4%. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak blamed labor shortages, high government spending and Western sanctions. Rosin said Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries, export hubs and pipelines had caused “billions and billions of dollars” in damage to Russia’s energy sector. He added that attacks on Moscow have brought the war closer to ordinary Russians. Internal concerns in MoscowDespite the pressures, Rosin believes Putin is unlikely to abandon his objectives in Ukraine. He said the Kremlin would continue trying to weaken Ukraine, including through attacks during the coming winter and political efforts aimed at installing a pro-Russian government in Kyiv. Rosin also described growing concern within the Kremlin over domestic stability, with tighter security measures around Putin and reports of fears over possible internal unrest. He said Russian soldiers returning from the war have contributed to rising violence and crime, with some joining organized criminal groups. A study last year by the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that returning soldiers had killed or injured more than 1,000 people inside Russia. Although Rosin said he sees little immediate sign of mass protests due to the tight control of Russia’s security services, he warned that authoritarian systems can sometimes weaken rapidly beneath the surface. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 24 May 2026Sat, 23 May 2026 22:58:15 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/uk-floats-wider-eu-goods-market-deal-r1026/The UK has explored the idea of joining a broader single market for goods with the European Union as part of efforts to deepen post-Brexit economic ties, according to reports. Get today's headlines by email Industry representatives briefed on the discussions said the proposal has not progressed after meeting scepticism from the EU. Attention has instead shifted to ongoing negotiations covering food, agriculture and energy trade. The discussions nevertheless point to growing ambition within the UK government for closer economic integration with Europe ahead of a UK-EU summit expected in July. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have spent recent weeks publicly advocating a stronger economic relationship with the EU as part of a wider reset in post-Brexit relations. Broader trade ambitionsUntil now, public details of the government’s plans have largely focused on talks aimed at easing trade barriers in areas such as food, farming products, electricity and emissions trading. However, it has emerged that UK officials suggested a more far-reaching agenda for the next stage of negotiations. One option discussed involved frictionless trade within a UK-EU single market covering all goods. The proposal was first reported by the Guardian. A spokesperson for the European Commission declined to comment directly on the reported UK proposal but said there was room to strengthen industrial and defence cooperation. The spokesperson pointed to Britain’s interest in discussions linked to financial support for Ukraine. The UK government did not confirm the exact nature of the talks but acknowledged that a range of proposals had been discussed with the EU in recent months and that negotiations were continuing. EU resistanceBusiness groups in Britain were reportedly informed both about the proposal and about resistance from Brussels. According to those briefed, EU officials indicated that such a comprehensive arrangement would be difficult to negotiate while the UK maintains existing red lines, including opposition to restoring freedom of movement. Some ministers believe recent shifts in the United States’ approach towards Europe could encourage greater openness among EU governments to closer economic cooperation with Britain. The issue comes as the Labour government seeks to rebuild relations with European partners without reversing Brexit or rejoining the EU single market in full. Legal framework plannedIn the recent King’s Speech, the government announced plans for a European Partnership Bill. The proposed legislation would create a mechanism for aligning UK and EU rules in sectors covered by future agreements. Ministers have suggested the framework could initially apply to areas such as food trade but could later be extended to other industries if new deals are reached. The upcoming summit in July is expected to provide further indication of how far both sides are willing to go in reshaping the post-Brexit relationship. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 24 May 2026Sat, 23 May 2026 22:42:50 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/france-eases-dover-checks-after-long-delays-r1025/French authorities temporarily suspended additional European Union border checks at Dover on Saturday after thousands of travellers faced lengthy delays at the port during the busy May bank holiday weekend. Get today's headlines by email Queues built up early in the day as holidaymakers heading for cross-Channel ferries encountered slow processing in soaring temperatures. The Port of Dover said it had raised the “challenging situation” with border authorities, leading to the temporary suspension of the extra checks to ease congestion at the terminal and on nearby roads. Travellers reported waiting up to two hours to reach the port, followed by an additional two-and-a-half hours for processing once inside the terminal. By lunchtime, the port said traffic conditions had improved, with queues moving slowly and processing times reduced to under an hour. Shortly after 14:00 local time, officials said traffic had become “free-flowing”. EU Border System TestedThe busy holiday weekend is seen as an early test of the European Union’s upcoming Entry/Exit System (EES), a new digital border control programme for non-EU travellers. Passengers travelling through Dover must complete French border checks before boarding ferries to France. The EES system will eventually introduce biometric checks, including fingerprint scans and facial recognition, across 29 countries in the Schengen Area. Although the biometric machines have not yet been activated at Dover, French border officials were still collecting traveller information manually for entry into the system’s database. The additional processing contributed to the long delays seen on Saturday. French authorities later reinstated the extra checks shortly before 17:00, after traffic conditions improved. Standard border procedures remained in place throughout the disruption. Port Frustration Over DelaysPort of Dover chief executive Doug Bannister said more than 8,000 cars were expected to pass through the port on Saturday. He said 84 kiosks had already been installed to support the future digital border system and to manage high passenger volumes safely. However, Bannister said processing had been much slower than expected despite prior assurances from British and French authorities. “I think we’re all quite frustrated,” he told the BBC. Passengers who missed scheduled ferry departures because of the delays would be transferred to the next available sailing, the port added. Travel Disruption Across UKElsewhere, transport disruption affected rail and road networks across Britain during the bank holiday getaway. LeShuttle, which operates services through the Channel Tunnel between Folkestone and Calais, reported delays of around 90 minutes because of longer border processing times. Major engineering works disrupted several rail routes, including lines between London St Pancras International and London Blackfriars, York and Darlington, and Bristol Parkway and Newport. Some services were cancelled or significantly altered. Industrial action also affected West Midlands Railway services on Saturday. Traffic monitoring agencies reported widespread congestion on roads across the UK. National Highways issued 22 severe congestion alerts on motorways and major A-roads by mid-afternoon, while heavy traffic was also reported in parts of Scotland and Wales. Heatwave Conditions ExpectedThe travel disruption coincided with unusually hot weather across the UK during the bank holiday weekend. Saturday became the warmest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching 30.5C in Frittenden, Kent. The previous day saw highs of 28.4C recorded at Heathrow, Cranwell in Lincolnshire and Cambridge. Forecasters said temperatures were expected to rise further over the weekend, with some areas likely to meet official heatwave criteria. Amber heat-health alerts remain in place in parts of England as temperatures are forecast to stay above 30C. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 24 May 2026Sat, 23 May 2026 22:35:38 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/california-declares-emergency-over-toxic-leak-r1024/California has declared a state of emergency as emergency crews worked through the weekend to contain a dangerous chemical leak at an aerospace manufacturing facility in Orange County. Get today's headlines by email Officials warned that a tank holding about 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate — a highly flammable chemical used in plastic production — was at risk of catastrophic failure. Thousands of residents were ordered to evacuate surrounding areas as a precaution. The emergency is centred on a facility operated by GKN Aerospace in the city of Garden Grove, around 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles and about five miles from Disneyland. The theme park remains open and is outside the evacuation zone. Tank Temperature Continues to RiseOfficials said the damaged tank’s internal temperature was significantly higher than first believed and continued rising on Saturday. Orange County Fire Authority division chief Craig Covey said crews were preparing for two possible outcomes: a rupture causing a chemical spill, or a thermal runaway reaction leading to an explosion. Emergency teams have been spraying water on the tank in an effort to cool it and reduce pressure buildup. However, authorities said an inoperable valve had complicated efforts to stabilise the situation. Covey said officials initially believed the tank had cooled to around 16C (61F) after drone measurements on Friday evening. But when crews later checked the internal gauge directly, they discovered the temperature had climbed to about 32C (90F) and was increasing by roughly one degree Fahrenheit per hour. “Letting this thing just fail and blow up is unacceptable to us,” Covey told reporters. Evacuations and Road ClosuresAuthorities have closed local schools and shut several major road exits to restrict access to the area. Officials are also constructing containment barriers in case chemicals spill from the tank. Covey said the aim was to stop hazardous material from reaching storm drains or flowing into the ocean. Orange County health officer Dr Regina Chinsio-Kwong warned residents to report any noticeable “fruity and heavy smell”, which could indicate the presence of chemical vapours. She said exposure to the vapour could lead to breathing difficulties, dizziness and eye irritation, but added that people outside the one-mile evacuation zone were not believed to face immediate danger. Covey warned on Friday that the situation was no longer theoretical. “This thing is going to fail, and we don’t know when,” he said during a news conference. Residents Describe UncertaintyResidents forced to leave their homes described confusion and anxiety as emergency sirens sounded across neighbourhoods. Mark Olsen, who evacuated to the Garden Grove Sports and Recreation Center, told local media he woke to emergency alarms before being instructed to leave the area. He said uncertainty over when residents could safely return home was difficult. “It’s just frustrating,” Olsen said. Company ApologisesGKN Aerospace said it was cooperating fully with emergency responders and hazardous materials teams. A company spokesperson apologised to residents and said efforts remained focused on protecting the local community, employees and emergency personnel as crews continued attempts to stabilise the tank. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 24 May 2026Sat, 23 May 2026 22:25:30 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/trump-says-iran-deal-largely-negotiated-hormuz-to-reopen-r1023/US President Donald Trump said an agreement with Iran had been “largely negotiated”, adding that details of the proposed deal — including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz — would be announced soon. Get today's headlines by email In a social media post on Saturday, Trump said he had held a “very good call” with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar regarding what he described as a “Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE”. “An agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries, as listed,” Trump wrote. He said the remaining details were still being discussed and would be made public shortly. Hormuz reopening discussedTrump did not provide specifics about the draft agreement, but said it would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway is one of the world’s most important shipping routes for oil and gas exports. The US president has repeatedly insisted that any deal with Iran must ensure Tehran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon. Trump also said he had spoken by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, describing the conversation as having gone “very well”. Earlier in the day, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran and Washington had moved closer in their positions over the past week, although he cautioned that major disagreements remained. Speaking on Iranian state television, Baqaei accused the US of making “contradictory statements” and warned that progress did not guarantee agreement on key issues. Framework under discussionBaqaei said Iran was seeking a deal “in the form of a framework” made up of 14 points. He added that both sides were finalising a memorandum of understanding that could pave the way for further talks within 30 to 60 days and eventually lead to a final agreement. The renewed diplomatic momentum follows growing tensions in recent days. On Friday, anonymous US officials told domestic media outlets that the administration was preparing for another round of military strikes, although no final decision had been taken. Trump also posted on Truth Social that he would not attend his son Donald Trump Jr’s wedding this weekend because he needed to remain in Washington during what he called an “important period of time”. Only last week, the president said the existing truce with Iran was on “massive life support” after rejecting Tehran’s demands as “totally unacceptable”. Blockade and maritime tensionsThe temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran began in early April. The US has maintained a blockade of Iranian ports since 13 April. On Saturday, US Central Command said it had redirected 100 vessels, disabled four ships and allowed 26 humanitarian aid vessels to pass since the operation began. Centcom commander Admiral Brad Cooper said US forces had been “highly effective” in preventing trade through Iranian ports and increasing economic pressure on Tehran. At the same time, Iran has claimed military control over waters surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and stated that ships passing through the area require authorisation from the Persian Gulf Strait Authority. The US and its Gulf allies have rejected Iran’s claims over the strait, while Washington has instructed ships not to comply with Iranian regulations. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 24 May 2026Sat, 23 May 2026 22:15:10 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/former-f1-driver-mika-salo-stabbed-in-bangkok-r1963/Former Formula 1 driver Mika Salo said he is recovering after suffering a serious leg injury in what doctors suspect was a stabbing in Bangkok, earlier this week. Salo, 59, told Finnish media from Bangkok that he received a deep wound to his leg while crossing a pedestrian crossing near his hotel. Get today's headlines by email He said a motorcycle passed very close to him and he felt a slight impact, but initially thought nothing of it. The former racing driver continued walking before a passer-by alerted him that blood was pouring from his leg. When he looked down, he saw that his shoe was covered in blood and realised the injury was severe. Salo was taken by taxi to a nearby hospital, where doctors treated a deep open wound to his leg. He said surgeons had to stitch both muscle tissue and skin, with a total of 28 stitches required. “It looked really bad. A huge open wound. The muscle had torn,” Salo said. He added that doctors believed the injury may have been caused by a knife and was not accidental, because the cut was straight, deep and clean. According to Salo, hospital staff later told him that several patients arrived with similar slash wounds on the same evening and overnight. He said the incidents appeared to have happened in the same area near his hotel. Salo has been holidaying in Thailand with his wife and said he regularly visits the country, where many of his friends live. He said he had never experienced anything similar before. The first few days after the injury were considered critical because of the risk of infection in Bangkok’s hot and humid conditions. Salo said he has returned to hospital daily for wound cleaning and dressing changes. Despite the seriousness of the injury, he said he has not suffered significant pain and has not needed painkillers. He is currently taking antibiotics and can still walk short distances, although doctors advised him not to walk too far. Heavy rain and temperatures of around 35-36C during Thailand’s rainy season have limited his movements, with Salo spending much of his time inside his air-conditioned hotel room to keep the wound dry. Two days after the incident he was able to walk to a nearby sports bar with friends to watch Finland’s national ice hockey team play. He said he could comfortably manage one or two kilometres on foot. Salo praised the treatment he received in Thailand, describing the hospitals and doctors as excellent and efficient. He also said the incident had not made him fearful of motorcycles in Bangkok. “If this was intentional, they only tried to injure me,” he said, adding that the outcome could have been far worse if the attack had targeted his upper body. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Source 24 May 2026Sat, 23 May 2026 20:41:41 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/nigerian-romance-scam-gang-busted-in-nonthaburi-r1962/Thai police have arrested six Nigerian nationals accused of operating a romance scam network from a condominium in Nonthaburi, seizing mobile phones, laptops and evidence allegedly linked to online fraud targeting elderly Thai women. Get today's headlines by email The raids took place at 4pm on 22 May at three rooms inside a riverside condominium near Phra Nang Klao Bridge in Nonthaburi province. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, the Narcotics Suppression Centre and local police forces carried out Operation “Dark Room” under search warrants issued by the Nonthaburi Provincial Court. Police said the suspects were charged with criminal association and overstaying their visas. Investigators are also coordinating with victims and local police stations to pursue additional charges related to romance scams. Authorities seized 18 mobile phones, three laptop computers and three bank books. Investigators said the devices contained chat records, scam scripts and AI-generated face images allegedly used to deceive victims through online relationships. The operation followed an investigation into a transnational cocaine trafficking network. On 18 April, police arrested a Nigerian suspect known only as Patrick along with three others and seized 27 grammes of cocaine and assets worth 2.5 million baht. Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath Police later traced suspicious financial transactions to a group of Nigerian nationals living in Nonthaburi on student visas. Officers said the group showed unusually high financial activity despite allegedly not attending classes or working. According to investigators, the suspects used fake online profiles portraying successful foreign professionals such as pilots, American soldiers, lawyers, engineers and doctors. They contacted victims through Facebook Messenger, WeChat, TikTok, Line and Zalo before building romantic relationships online. Police said the scammers then claimed to have sent valuable parcels from overseas, later telling victims the packages were held by customs and required transfer payments to release them. Investigators said most victims were older Thai women. During the raids, officers reported hearing movement inside the rooms and suspected evidence was being destroyed. Police forced entry after the occupants allegedly refused to open the doors. One suspect reportedly tried to escape via a balcony while another hid inside a bathroom. Investigators also discovered what police described as “psychological scripts” containing flirtatious and sexually suggestive dialogue designed to manipulate victims emotionally. Authorities said the group allegedly used AI technology to create moving facial images and fake video calls to make the profiles appear genuine. Pol Maj Gen Theeradej Thamsuthee, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said the operation formed part of a wider government crackdown on foreign criminal networks operating illegally in Thailand. ThaiRath reported that he warned the public to be cautious of attractive strangers online who quickly move conversations into romantic or intimate territory before requesting money. The six suspects remain in custody and were transferred to Ratthanathibet Police Station for further legal proceedings. AQMfz7rb6uLtefeClOMxGS_UPUZ-vpz-HKAe6AE3j-7HxoC5E_IAso7yE2ZXsxx6M7napRe4u42Xgnnwm9rrmZSu9ddcfJwYat2xBwz_3g.mp4 Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now ThaiRath 24 May 2026Sat, 23 May 2026 20:32:01 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/police-raid-koh-phangan-nominee-firms-r1961/Thai police have arrested 22 foreign nationals and seized more than 40 rai of land worth over 200 million baht during the second phase of a major crackdown on alleged nominee companies on Koh Phangan. Get today's headlines by email The operation began at 6am on 23 May 2026 after Pol Gen Samran Nuanma, deputy national police chief and director of the Centre for Suppression of Transnational Criminals and Illegal Immigration, ordered officers to target foreign-owned businesses suspected of illegally using Thai nominees to hold land and operate restricted businesses. More than 300 officers took part in the raids, led by Pol Lt Gen Nopasin Poolsawat. Investigators pursued 39 cases and obtained warrants to search 36 locations from Koh Samui Provincial Court. Police also secured 45 arrest warrants for foreign suspects accused of operating businesses prohibited to foreigners under Thailand’s Foreign Business Act and illegally possessing land under the Land Code. One key target was FB Properties Co Ltd, also known as Yoga House, where police alleged an Israeli national was the true owner while Thai shareholders were used as nominees. Officers said the company controlled eight plots of land covering 7.5 rai worth more than 60 million baht and had also been operating an unlicensed hotel business. Police said these second phase raids uncovered 32 companies clearly operating as nominee firms. Authorities seized 45 plots of land totalling more than 40 rai and arrested 22 foreign nationals. Investigators estimated the total amount involved at more than 200 million baht. The 32 companies were identified as holding land while foreign shareholders outnumbered Thai shareholders. Those firms controlled 38 plots of land covering more than 38 rai, most of them undeveloped. Officers searched 21 of the companies to collect further evidence for prosecution. The crackdown follows an order from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to intensify action against nominee arrangements involving foreigners using Thai citizens to hold shares and land on their behalf. Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet, the national police chief, instructed officers to accelerate investigations to prevent transnational crime, illegal business operations and unfair competition affecting Thai citizens. Authorities said the problem had been building on Koh Phangan since 2024. So far, 29 cases involving suspicious businesses have been prosecuted, with courts already ruling on two cases. A total of 62 suspects have been identified, including 32 Thai nationals and 30 foreigners. Earlier this month, phase one of the operation focused on legal firms, accounting firms and nominee companies. Police handled 37 cases, carried out 27 searches and issued three arrest warrants. Investigators found alleged nominee shareholders included state welfare card holders and company employees, while more than 100 foreign-linked firms were registered under the same address. ThaiRath reported that oficials said the next step will involve meetings with the Department of Business Development, provincial commerce officials and the Land Department to investigate financial trails and determine whether any state officials were involved. Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now ThaiRath 24 May 2026Sat, 23 May 2026 20:23:38 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/thai-couple-held-over-cambodia-scam-compounds-r1960/Thai anti-trafficking police have arrested a husband and wife accused of helping lure Thai nationals to scam compounds in Cambodia, where victims were allegedly tortured and forced to work for criminal gangs. Get today's headlines by email The suspects, identified as 28-year-old Angkarn, also known as Joe, and 29-year-old Saharuthai, also known as Kae, were arrested on 23 May 2026 in Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai. Officers from Thailand’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division acted on Criminal Court warrants issued on 18 May 2026. The pair face charges including participation in a transnational criminal organisation, conspiracy to commit human trafficking, and jointly forcing labour or services with three or more people. Police said the arrests followed complaints from Thai victims who escaped from what they described as a “hell building” in Cambodia. Victims told investigators they had been recruited in April 2025 with promises of admin jobs in Cambodia. Once across the border, they were allegedly detained and forced to work as scammers targeting victims through fake online investment and shopping schemes resembling Shopify platforms. According to witness statements, workers who refused to sign contracts or failed to meet financial targets were subjected to severe punishment. Victims alleged they were shocked with electric batons, beaten and forced to witness other Thai nationals being tortured. Some reportedly died while being held by Chinese-backed criminal groups operating the compounds. One victim said they became seriously ill and asked to return to Thailand, only to be told they had to pay a ransom of 500,000 baht. The amount was later negotiated down to 120,000 baht per person, with two victims paying a combined 240,000 baht to secure their release and return home. Investigators from Division 2 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division later traced the network and obtained arrest warrants for 10 Thai and Chinese suspects, several of whom remain overseas. Police alleged the arrested couple acted as recruiters responsible for persuading Thai nationals to cross the border and monitoring money transfers through mule bank accounts. Authorities said the couple initially hid in Wang Nam Yen district, Sa Kaeo, before fleeing to a mountain area in Chiang Dao district. Officers reportedly seized chat records allegedly used to recruit additional victims. During questioning, both suspects denied direct involvement in managing the operation. They admitted travelling to Cambodia with victims and acknowledged knowing about ransom demands and physical abuse, but denied ordering or organising the crimes. Khaosod reported that police transferred the suspects to investigators for legal proceedings. Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau warned the public not to trust offers of overseas jobs promising unusually high pay, saying such schemes could lead to forced labour, human trafficking, financial crime, or death. Pictures courtesy of Khaosod Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 24 May 2026Sat, 23 May 2026 20:16:19 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/indian-man-dies-after-collapse-in-pattaya-r1959/An Indian man died after collapsing outside a bank in Pattaya on the morning of 23 May 2026, with police now awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. Get today's headlines by email Police at Pattaya City Police Station were informed at 06.50 that a foreign national had died after being admitted to Pattaya City Hospital. Officers reported the case to senior officials before coordinating with relevant authorities to investigate. At the hospital, officers identified the deceased as Mr.Kaku Ram, aged 34, an Indian national. He was wearing a white sleeveless shirt and black trousers and investigators found no wounds or signs of physical assault on the body. Hospital staff told police they had earlier received reports that the man had suffered convulsions and collapsed unconscious outside Bangkok Bank opposite the VC Hotel in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Rescue workers and members of the public assisted in transporting him to Pattaya City Hospital, where he later died. Police also questioned a friend of the deceased, who said the man had previously experienced intermittent chest pain. Initial checks by officers at the scene found no signs of a struggle or any suspicious circumstances linked to the incident. The investigation is being led by Pol. Lt. Chiwaphat Jaikan, the case officer, who worked alongside an on-duty doctor to carry out a preliminary post-mortem examination, photograph the body, and document the scene according to procedure. Authorities have since sent the body for a detailed forensic examination to establish the precise cause of death. Police have not yet released further findings and are awaiting the results of the autopsy. The case was handled under the direction of Pol. Col. Anek Sarathongyu, chief of Pattaya City Police Station. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now ฉลาม นิวส์ 24 May 2026Sat, 23 May 2026 20:08:32 +0000