https://aseannow.com/rss/42-world-news1.xml/World news reports from around the worldenhttps://aseannow.com/worldnews/extreme-heatwave-disrupts-fourth-of-july-celebrations-r1359/Extreme heat has disrupted Fourth of July celebrations across the eastern United States, forcing the temporary closure of the White House's flagship Great American State Fair on the National Mall and prompting organisers to alter or cancel several outdoor events. Get today's headlines by email More than 165 million people were under record-breaking temperatures on Friday across the East Coast and Midwest, according to the US National Weather Service, as one of the year's most intense heatwaves coincided with the Independence Day holiday. Freedom 250, which is organising the Great American State Fair in Washington, DC, temporarily closed the event during the hottest part of the day. Heat Forces Closures and Event Changes"The safety and well-being of our guests, volunteers, performers, vendors, and staff is our highest priority," the organisation said in a social media statement. The fair was scheduled to reopen at 17:00 local time after conditions were expected to improve. The heatwave comes as President Donald Trump hosts celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, while several FIFA World Cup matches are also taking place outdoors. Warnings Across the EastThe National Weather Service warned that parts of the Midwest and eastern United States face "major" or "extreme" heat-related health risks. Temperatures in Washington, DC, and Philadelphia were forecast to reach about 106F (41C), close to all-time records. Forecasters also predicted three consecutive days above 100F (38C) in Philadelphia and four such days in Washington. Although hot and humid weather is common during North American summers, meteorologists said the scale and geographic extent of this heatwave make it particularly dangerous. The hottest conditions are expected to continue through the holiday weekend before gradually easing early next week in some areas. Holiday Events CurtailedThe extreme temperatures have affected many traditional Independence Day activities, including parades, festivals and concerts. In Washington, US Capitol Police delayed public entry to the outdoor A Capitol Fourth concert until 19:00 local time because temperatures were expected to exceed 100F (38C). Entry to the National Mall for the evening fireworks display was also delayed until 17:00, while the fireworks themselves were scheduled to begin at 22:30, later than usual. America 250, the bipartisan commission established by Congress to oversee the country's 250th anniversary commemorations, said it was closely monitoring weather conditions but expected its events, including block parties in Boston, Philadelphia and New York City, to continue. video screenshot President Trump is still expected to deliver an outdoor address on Saturday despite the forecast heat. He told supporters he intended to give "a really long speech just to show that I can do anything." In Philadelphia, organisers cancelled Friday's Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade because of the dangerous conditions. Michael DelBene, chief executive of Wawa Welcome America, said cancelling such a major event at short notice was "heartbreaking", but safety had to come first. Storms to Follow the HeatNew York City reached 100F (38C) on Thursday, its hottest day since 2012, with the heat index remaining in triple digits on Friday. Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the conditions as "extremely dangerous". While temperatures are expected to ease slightly in some central areas over the weekend, dangerous heat will persist across parts of the East before shifting towards Virginia, the Carolinas and the southeastern United States. Hot conditions are also forecast to spread into western parts of the US and Canada next week. Forecasters also warned that severe thunderstorms could sweep across the northern Plains, Midwest and Great Lakes, bringing damaging winds, large hail, flash flooding and the risk of isolated tornadoes as cooler air replaces the heat. Canada has also experienced unusually high temperatures, with heat warnings issued across much of Quebec, including Montreal and Quebec City. In Ontario, temperatures were expected to reach the mid-30s Celsius. Thunderstorms left more than 137,000 Hydro-Québec customers without electricity at their peak on Thursday evening. More than 51,000 customers remained without power on Friday morning, with outages largely caused by strong winds and lightning. Scientists say heatwaves are becoming more frequent, longer-lasting and more intense because of human-induced climate change. Global temperatures have risen by about 1.1C since the industrial era, with further warming expected unless greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 4 July 2026Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:37:38 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/poland-says-it-is-preparing-for-possible-russian-threats-r1358/Poland is preparing for a range of possible security threats as concerns mount over Russia's actions, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk warning that the coming months could prove "critical." Get today's headlines by email Security concerns growSpeaking to reporters on Friday, Tusk said the government was ready for "various" scenarios after media reports claimed Moscow could be planning an armed provocation against Poland to test Nato's resolve. "I don't mean to scare anyone, but the coming months may truly be critical, also due to the changing nature of the war. These concerns are particularly palpable in the Baltic states," Tusk said. Reports cite US intelligencePolish news outlet Onet reported that sources close to President Karol Nawrocki said the United States had issued several warnings to Warsaw about an alleged Russian plot targeting Poland. The Telegraph also reported the claims. According to the reports, possible scenarios could include missile or drone strikes against Polish infrastructure or the deployment of soldiers into the Nato member state. The reported objective would be to pressure Ukraine's Western allies into reducing or suspending military assistance as Kyiv continues to defend itself against Russia's full-scale invasion, launched in 2022. The White House and the US State Department did not respond to requests for comment on the reports. Asked about the allegations, Tusk said Poland could not ignore the warnings. "Let's not be afraid, we are preparing for various situations, but we cannot ignore them. We are aware of the threats, also thanks to information from our allies," he said. Nato summit approachesPresident Karol Nawrocki is due to attend a Nato summit in Turkey next week alongside leaders from the alliance. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has said the meeting will demonstrate that European members are responding to long-standing calls from US President Donald Trump to increase defence spending. Leaders are also expected to reaffirm continued military support for Ukraine. Regional fears persistPolish officials have repeatedly warned that Russia could seek to test Nato's defences. In April, Tusk told the Financial Times that Russia could attack a Nato member state within months. Deputy Prime Minister Radek Sikorski later told CBS News that he could not rule out a Russian "false flag" operation within the next two years aimed at justifying an attack on a Nato country. Neighbouring Baltic states have also expressed concern about the regional security situation. Latvian media reported in June that the country's intelligence services believed Russia was planning military provocations in the Baltic region or Poland. Lithuania's ambassador to Nato said this week that Russia was more likely to rely on hybrid tactics, including missile or drone incursions, rather than launch a conventional military assault. Under Nato's Article 5, an armed attack against one alliance member is considered an attack against all, obliging members to assist in the collective defence of the targeted country. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 4 July 2026Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:22:51 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/france-reports-2025-excess-deaths-after-heatwave-r1357/France has reported more than 2,000 excess deaths during the final week of June following a record-breaking heatwave, as forecasters warn that another spell of extreme temperatures is set to affect parts of Europe in the coming days. Get today's headlines by email French health authorities said 2,025 more deaths were recorded between 22 and 28 June compared with expected levels, representing a 29% increase from the previous week. Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said there had been a "clear increase" in deaths among people aged over 45. Heatwave Death Toll Rises Across EuropeThe figures were released after France experienced its hottest average day on record on 24 June. Temperatures approached 41C in Paris, while around half the country was placed under the highest-level red heat alert. Public Health France said deaths in the Paris region alone rose by 62% during the week. The health ministry added that the preliminary figures were likely to underestimate the final toll, suggesting mortality could ultimately be higher. Heat Takes Toll Across the ContinentFrance was not the only country to report a sharp rise in deaths linked to the extreme weather. Belgium recorded 1,222 excess deaths during the heatwave, 39% above normal levels, with nearly half of those who died aged 85 or older. The country's health ministry described the mortality during the heatwave as "unprecedented". Dutch authorities also reported around 480 excess deaths after temperatures climbed to almost 40C in parts of the Netherlands. Most of those who died were aged 80 and over, with the highest mortality recorded in the country's south and east, where temperatures were highest. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said drowning fatalities also increased during the hot weather. Since 18 June, 72 people have died by drowning across the country. Fresh Heatwave and Wildfire RisksMeteorologists are warning that another period of intense heat is approaching. According to BBC Weather, a large area of high pressure is building from the Azores towards Portugal and Spain and is expected to spread warmer conditions across France and southern Britain over the weekend. Temperatures could reach 40C in southern France, with highs of 36C to 37C forecast around Bordeaux, Toulouse and Agen. Météo-France has issued red alerts for forest fire risks on Friday and Saturday in southern France, warning that weather conditions make the likelihood of new fires "very high" compared with normal summer conditions. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said nearly 7,000 wildfires had broken out since the start of the summer season, burning about 8,700 hectares of land. Nearly 3,000 residents were evacuated after a wildfire spread from Sainte-Marie-la-Mer to Canet-en-Roussillon on Thursday. Warnings Extend Beyond FranceElsewhere, Portugal has declared a state of alert until midnight on Tuesday, with temperatures expected to exceed 40C in some areas and overnight lows remaining above 25C. Spain's national weather service, Aemet, has warned that another heatwave is possible, with parts of the southwest under orange alerts as temperatures are forecast to reach 40C. Meanwhile, prolonged extreme heat and high humidity are also affecting parts of the central and eastern United States during the July Fourth holiday weekend. Scientists say climate change is increasing temperatures worldwide, with Europe warming about twice as fast as the global average, according to the Copernicus climate service. The trend has contributed to more frequent summer heatwaves, greater pressure on water supplies and increasingly severe wildfires across the continent. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 3 July 2026Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:08:47 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/trump-and-tradition-define-july-fourth-celebrations-r1356/The United States marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July Fourth with celebrations taking place across the country, although this year's commemorations reflect differing approaches to the milestone. Get today's headlines by email President Donald Trump has promoted the National Mall festivities in Washington as a large-scale patriotic event, describing the evening's fireworks display on social media as "the most spectacular TRUMP RALLY of them all, a 'TRIBUTE TO AMERICA.'" The event is expected to feature military bands and music selected by the president after several popular music acts reportedly withdrew from the programme. Washington celebrations take a different directionTrump has also described the fireworks display as the largest in history. Freedom 250, a Trump-aligned organisation overseeing the National Mall celebrations, has said it hopes to set a Guinness World Record, although it has not disclosed the overall cost of the event. The group's month-long Great American State Fair on the National Mall has faced organisational challenges, uneven attendance and controversy, including the appearance of a Confederate flag. Not all 50 states are participating in the fair. The anniversary comes at a time of political division in the United States. Debate over the principles set out in the Declaration of Independence has continued in recent weeks, including in a US Supreme Court case concerning birthright citizenship. The court's majority upheld constitutional protections for citizenship by birth in the United States. Comparisons with the 1976 bicentennialThe country's previous major independence anniversary, the bicentennial in 1976, drew an estimated one million people to Washington for fireworks, according to historical accounts. Heavy traffic caused by the celebrations lasted into the following day. President Gerald Ford did not centre the bicentennial around a single rally in the capital. Instead, he attended events across the northeastern United States, including a speech outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where another crowd estimated at one million people gathered. Observers note that the United States in 1976 was emerging from the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal, providing a different national backdrop to this year's celebrations. Separate organisations lead anniversary eventsPlanning for the semiquincentennial has been divided between two organisations. America 250, established by Congress a decade ago on a bipartisan basis, continues to coordinate commemorative events nationwide, including community celebrations branded as "America's Block Party." The Trump administration instead backed Freedom 250, a separate public-private organisation created after disagreements over staffing and planning. Freedom 250 has organised several high-profile events, including plans for a UFC event at the White House and an IndyCar race through Washington later this year. States and broadcasters pursue their own commemorationsMany states are holding independent celebrations. In Virginia, commemorations are centred on Colonial Williamsburg, where historical interpreters portray figures from the American Revolution and events focus on the nation's founding. PBS, which has traditionally televised the National Mall fireworks, is instead broadcasting its Independence Day programme from Colonial Williamsburg. The programme will include fireworks, a drone display and historical presentations. Carly Fiorina, honorary chair of Virginia 250 and chair of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, said the state chose to develop its own programme rather than focus on Washington. She said the celebrations were intended to emphasise that the country's history extends beyond any individual political leader. Fiorina pointed to George Washington's decision not to remain in office indefinitely and his choice not to seek a third presidential term as examples of that principle. Trump visited the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota before the anniversary celebrations. Roosevelt declined to seek another term in 1908, although he later mounted an unsuccessful presidential campaign in 1912. Under the US Constitution, presidents are limited to two elected terms, meaning Trump cannot seek another term after leaving office in 2029. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 3 July 2026Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:06:01 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/thailand-revives-riviera-coastal-road-plan-r2591/Thailand’s Transport Ministry is reviving the long-delayed Thailand Riviera coastal road project, with funding for the remaining sections included in the draft Budget Expenditure Act for the 2027 fiscal year. The tourism-focused infrastructure scheme, first approved in 2006, is intended to improve travel along the Gulf of Thailand coast, although only its first phase has been completed after more than 15 years of construction. Thailandtravel guides Get today's headlines by email The ministry plans to commission an 18 million baht consultancy contract to carry out a feasibility study and prepare a conceptual design for the Chumphon-Surat Thani-Nakhon Si Thammarat-Songkhla section. A further 21 million baht has been proposed for the survey and detailed design of the Sichon-Tha Sala section in Nakhon Si Thammarat. The Southern Coastal Road Project, widely known as the Thailand Riviera, was launched during the administration of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra after the Cabinet approved the tourism development project for the upper southern coast on 7 February 2006. At the time, the scheme covered Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Ranong with a total budget of 32.54 billion baht, following a proposal by then deputy prime minister Suwat Liptapanlop. The Department of Rural Roads carried out construction and improvement works between fiscal years 2009 and 2025. However, only Phase 1, a 515-kilometre route linking Samut Sakhon, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon, has been completed. The full Thailand Riviera project is planned to extend for 950 kilometres across the Gulf coast, linking Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Pattani and Narathiwat. The remaining phases include a 150-kilometre stretch from Chumphon to Songkhla, a 200-kilometre section from Songkhla to Narathiwat, and an 85-kilometre route connecting Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram. Thailandtravel guides The Nation reported that if approved under the 2027 budget, the new studies and design work will mark the next stage in advancing the remaining phases of the coastal road. The government also continues to pursue a separate Thailand Riviera route along the Andaman coast, covering Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun over 600 kilometres, with that project currently undergoing a preliminary feasibility study. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 3 July 2026Fri, 03 Jul 2026 08:33:55 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/russian-woman-dies-after-phuket-condo-fall-r2590/A 31 year old Russian woman died after falling from the eighth floor of a condominium in Kathu district, Phuket, on July 2. Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death. Get today's headlines by email Officers from Kathu Police Station were called to the condominium in Kathu subdistrict at about 1.35pm after receiving reports that a foreign woman had fallen from the building. Rescue workers and a forensic doctor from Vachira Phuket Hospital also attended the scene. Police found the woman’s body beside the condominium building. Her 31 year old Russian husband, who was at the scene with their one year old son, told officers the couple had argued before she left their eighth-floor room. According to the husband, he was later informed that she had fallen from the building. Police have not confirmed the circumstances leading to the fall and said their investigation remains ongoing. Initial police inquiries found that the couple had argued over financial problems and overstaying their permission to remain in Thailand. Investigators are continuing to examine all aspects of the case to establish exactly what happened. Khaosod reported that authorities have also contacted the Russian Embassy to assist with the necessary legal procedures. No further details have been released while the investigation continues, with police reviewing CCTV and questioning witnesses. If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress or depression. Seek help. Picture courtesy of Khaosod Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 3 July 2026Fri, 03 Jul 2026 08:13:10 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/doj-refuses-to-release-more-epstein-files-r1355/The U.S. Department of Justice has declined to release additional records from the Jeffrey Epstein files, arguing that the withheld material either contains sensitive information identifying victims or was lawfully redacted, despite a court order requiring further disclosure or an explanation for the omissions. Get today's headlines by email In a filing submitted on Thursday, Associate U.S. Attorney General Stanley Woodward asked the court to either extend the deadline for producing the records by 60 days or accept the department's explanation for why certain documents should remain withheld. The filing came shortly before a court-imposed deadline set by U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan, who had ordered the department to provide additional records or justify its decision not to release them. DOJ cites victim privacyWoodward said the Justice Department disagrees with the court's conclusion that the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA) can be enforced by private parties through the Administrative Procedure Act. However, he said the department was using the opportunity to clarify why some documents had not been disclosed. According to the filing, several emails had identifying information removed to protect the identities of victims. Woodward said parts of one email were also withheld because communications written by victims could appear misleading or disturbing if viewed without the surrounding context. The department also addressed a redacted draft indictment from 2007 prepared by the Southern District of Florida. Woodward said the redactions were already present in the copy obtained by the Justice Department and that officials had been unable to locate an unredacted version of that particular document. Interview notes remain withheldThe filing also explained why handwritten interview notes linked to a woman who made unsubstantiated assault allegations against President Donald Trump had not been released. Woodward said the handwritten notes duplicated information contained in typed interview reports that have already been disclosed. He added that the handwritten format made it more difficult to carry out redactions and increased the risk of accidentally revealing victims' personally identifiable information. The allegations made by the woman have not been corroborated, and Trump has denied them. While the Justice Department has released typed summaries from some interviews, it has not published the underlying handwritten notes. Court challenge continuesWoodward also rejected Judge Sullivan's suggestion that the department had effectively acknowledged violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act by withholding records. He wrote that the department had neither knowingly breached the law nor admitted doing so, maintaining that it continues to comply with its statutory obligations. Last week, Sullivan dismissed the department's arguments against releasing the additional records. He also found that the Public Integrity Project, a public interest law firm, had demonstrated that journalist Katie Phang was harmed by the withholding of the materials. The Justice Department began publishing thousands of pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein late last year following the enactment of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. However, the release process has drawn criticism from some lawmakers, who argue that the department failed to disclose all required records and did not meet statutory deadlines. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 3 July 2026Fri, 03 Jul 2026 08:02:36 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/driver-held-over-flight-attendants-parcel-delivery-r2589/Police have detained the driver who allegedly transported the parcel linked to Thai Airways flight attendant Mina, who was arrested in Australia in a heroin trafficking investigation. The 59-year-old man from Ayutthaya admitted driving the package to Mina’s condominium in Bangkok’s Bang Na district on June 22, but claimed he had simply been hired by a foreign-looking man to provide transport. Get today's headlines by email The investigation forms part of a wider probe ordered by National Police Chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet. Senior officers from the Royal Thai Police, the Metropolitan Police Bureau and the Narcotics Suppression Bureau have been tasked with tracing everyone connected to the case after the flight attendant was arrested overseas with illegal drugs. Investigators said CCTV footage showed a man wearing a long-sleeved jacket and a hood concealing his head delivering the parcel to Mina’s condominium. The suspect arrived in a Toyota car, which police later traced to the 59-year-old driver. Police discovered the driver has a criminal record dating back to 1997, when he was arrested while transporting 10,000 methamphetamine tablets from Chiang Rai to Bangkok. He was originally sentenced to life imprisonment before serving a reduced 20-year prison term. During questioning at the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Narcotics Suppression Operations Centre, the driver admitted taking the parcel to Mina’s condominium on June 22. He told investigators he had been hired by a foreign-looking man, who travelled with him in the vehicle, and said they had also delivered another parcel to a woman in the Soi Suea Yai area before visiting Mina’s condominium for the first time. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lt Gen Siam Boonsom said officers later located the Toyota at a garage in Ayutthaya, where it was awaiting a windscreen replacement. The vehicle has been seized and transferred to the Metropolitan Police Bureau for forensic examination as investigators continue gathering evidence. Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Maj Gen Thiradet Thamsuthee said financial investigations confirmed Mina received a total of 3,400 baht for carrying the package. The payment was split into a 1,700-baht deposit and a further 1,700 baht transferred on the day she was due to depart on her flight. Komchadluek reported that police said further details of the investigation cannot yet be disclosed because they could affect efforts to identify other members of the suspected trafficking network. Forensic officers will examine the seized vehicle while investigators continue questioning the driver to establish the identities of all those involved. Related stories Thai-police-arrest-couple-in-Melbourne-heroin-probe Thai-flight-attendant-held-over-heroin-at-Melbourne-airport Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Komchadluek 3 July 2026Fri, 03 Jul 2026 07:51:41 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/thai-police-arrest-couple-in-melbourne-heroin-probe-r2588/Thai police have arrested a husband and wife in Loei province as part of an expanding investigation into an alleged transnational drug network linked to a Thai Airways flight attendant arrested in Australia. The case centres on the seizure of approximately 1 kilogram of heroin allegedly concealed in the flight attendant’s luggage at Melbourne Airport. Get today's headlines by email The arrests are directly connected to the investigation involving the Thai Airways crew member, identified in Thai reports as Mina, who was detained by Australian police at Melbourne Airport. Following her arrest, Thai authorities broadened their inquiry to identify the person who had allegedly sent the parcel linked to the case. Police investigators in Loei worked alongside the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and other police units to trace those suspected of involvement. At about 1pm on Thursday, July 2, investigators from Chiang Khan Police Station visited a house in That subdistrict of Chiang Khan district after learning that Athit, 43, and his wife, Thatsaphon, 42, were linked to an address in Pak Tom subdistrict. The couple were not found at the property. Officers later discovered they had been hired to tap rubber in Erawan district, prompting ONCB officers and Loei provincial police investigators to continue their search. Athit was eventually located at Wat Tham Pha Mak Ho in Sri Songkhram subdistrict of Wang Saphung district, where he was working on a temple roof. He was taken to Erawan Police Station for questioning. During the initial inquiry, police said Athit admitted being paid to send parcels to Bangkok on six occasions for a Lao national. Investigators stated that three parcels had been sent through a parcel service in Chiang Khan, with two dispatched from Ban That in That subdistrict and one from Erawan district. Police said Athit allegedly received 8,000 baht for each delivery. The most recent parcel was reportedly sent on June 28, 2026. Officers later detained Thatsaphon, a Lao national and Athit’s wife, after locating a black Mitsubishi Triton pickup with Loei registration parked in a rubber plantation in the Pha Nang-Pha Koeng area of Pha In Plaeng subdistrict in Erawan district. She was taken to Erawan Police Station for questioning. The Nation reported that during the preliminary inquiry, Thatsaphon denied any involvement in or knowledge of the alleged drug operation. Thai authorities have not announced any further arrests, and the investigation into the suspected transnational narcotics network remains ongoing. Related story Thai-flight-attendant-held-over-heroin-at-Melbourne-airport Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 3 July 2026Fri, 03 Jul 2026 05:08:17 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/iran-plans-massive-funeral-for-khamenei-r1354/Iran is preparing a week-long funeral for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, four months after he was killed at the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, with authorities planning one of the largest public ceremonies in the country's history. Get today's headlines by email The funeral will extend across five cities in Iran and Iraq, with officials expecting millions of mourners to take part. The government says the ceremonies are intended to honour Khamenei while demonstrating the resilience of the Islamic Republic following the conflict. State media has devoted extensive coverage to the preparations, replacing recent focus on negotiations with the United States with tributes, documentaries and religious programming centred on Khamenei's life and legacy. Week-long ceremonies to span Iran and IraqParliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the ceremonies would show that Iran would not remain silent in the face of what he described as oppression, calling the funeral an event that would demonstrate the nation's resolve. The funeral may also provide the first public appearance of Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has remained out of public view since his father and several family members were killed. The ceremonies coincide with the Islamic month of Muharram, a period of mourning in Shiite Islam associated with the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. Officials have also scheduled key events to overlap with the 250th anniversary of US Independence Day and other significant religious commemorations. Khamenei, who led Iran for 37 years, was killed on the first day of the US-Israeli war on 28 February. Authorities have portrayed the funeral as a celebration of his legacy despite the country's military losses and prolonged economic difficulties. Religious symbolism and nationwide preparationsAnalysts say his assassination has strengthened his symbolic status among supporters. Sina Toossi, a senior non-resident fellow at the Center for International Policy, said Khamenei was now being presented as a martyred religious figure whose influence had grown after his death. Iran has previously held mass funerals for the country's founding leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989 and Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani in 2020. Both events were marred by deadly crowd crushes, prompting extensive security planning for the latest ceremonies. Authorities have mobilised thousands of emergency personnel, ambulances, helicopters and volunteers, while schools, mosques, sports halls and public buildings have been prepared to accommodate visitors. Firefighters have installed thousands of water sprinklers around the main funeral venue in Tehran to help cope with summer temperatures. The government has also announced major transport restrictions, including airport closures during parts of the ceremonies, and says millions of loaves of bread will be baked to feed mourners. Regional procession and international attendanceFollowing ceremonies in Tehran, Khamenei's body will be taken to the holy city of Qom before being transported to the Shiite holy cities of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq. It will then return to Iran for burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, his birthplace. Officials say the inclusion of Iraq reflects Iran's view of itself as a leader of a broader regional Shiite movement. Iranian authorities estimate attendance could range from four million to 15 million people and say around 14,000 journalists, including 900 from overseas, will cover the events. State media says several foreign leaders and senior officials are expected to attend, including Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Russia's Security Council deputy chairman Dmitry Medvedev. Western officials have not been invited. Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref described the funeral as one of the century's most significant events, while Revolutionary Guards commander Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian said it would demonstrate the Islamic Republic's strength to the international community. Questions remain over Mojtaba KhameneiAttention is also focused on whether Mojtaba Khamenei will appear publicly during the funeral. He has not been seen since the war began, communicating only through written statements while officials say he is overseeing negotiations with Washington. Funeral organisers said any decision on his attendance rests with the Supreme Leader's office. His appearance would mark his first public event since assuming the country's highest office and could reinforce his authority. If he does not attend, questions are likely to persist about his security and his role in leading the country. Iran has warned against any attacks during the funeral, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying Tehran would respond immediately to threats against its leadership after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Mojtaba Khamenei was "marked for death". Despite the government's efforts to portray the funeral as a national show of unity, some Iranians have expressed frustration at the disruption caused by the preparations, with long fuel queues and heavy traffic reported in Tehran. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 3 July 2026Fri, 03 Jul 2026 04:36:56 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/trumps-crypto-earnings-raise-tax-questions-r1353/President Donald Trump's disclosure that he earned about $1.4 billion from cryptocurrency ventures has prompted renewed scrutiny over how much tax he may owe, with experts saying the answer is difficult to determine because of the limited public information about the businesses involved. Get today's headlines by email The financial disclosure, released after Trump's return to office, provides the clearest picture yet of the scale of his involvement in the cryptocurrency sector. However, it does not reveal how the income is structured for tax purposes, leaving accountants and legal experts unable to calculate his actual tax liability. Potential Tax BillOne accountant who specializes in cryptocurrency taxation estimated that Trump could owe at least $250 million in taxes on the crypto income. If the entire $1.4 billion were taxed as individual federal income at the highest statutory rate of 37%, the bill would reach about $518 million before any deductions or offsets. Tax experts cautioned, however, that such estimates may differ significantly from the amount ultimately owed because the income could have been earned through corporate entities or reduced by deductible expenses and operating losses. Omri Marian, a law professor specializing in cryptocurrency taxation, said the available disclosures do not provide enough detail to determine the ownership structure behind the assets or how the income should be taxed. He said the public information shows Trump generated substantial earnings but offers little insight into how the beneficial ownership is arranged, making it impossible to accurately assess the tax consequences. Sources of the IncomeAccording to the disclosure, Trump received about $625 million in royalties linked to the $TRUMP meme coin through a licensing agreement with Celebration Coins. The filing also states that World Liberty Financial, the cryptocurrency company co-founded by Trump and his sons, paid him more than $590 million from sales of digital tokens and the sale of an equity stake in the business. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service generally treats digital assets under the same tax rules that apply to traditional securities. However, experts said it remains unclear whether Trump's crypto earnings would be classified as capital gains, ordinary income or business income because the disclosure does not provide sufficient detail. The structure of the businesses receiving the income is also significant. If the earnings were recognized by corporate entities rather than Trump personally, they could be subject to different tax rates, while any previous business losses could reduce the overall tax bill. Limited TransparencyThe White House declined to answer questions about whether Trump paid taxes on the crypto income, whether it was reported on an individual or corporate basis, or whether any losses were used to offset taxable gains. Unlike several recent presidents, Trump has not made his tax returns public, limiting outside analysis of his finances. Settlement Limits Future Tax ClaimsQuestions about Trump's tax affairs have also been complicated by a Justice Department settlement reached in May. Under the agreement, the IRS and the Treasury Department are permanently barred from pursuing claims against Trump or his company based on prior tax returns. The settlement resolved Trump's lawsuit alleging the IRS failed to safeguard his confidential tax records after a government contractor leaked them to news organizations, including The New York Times, in 2020. The agreement also proposed creating a $1.7 billion "anti-weaponization" fund to compensate individuals claiming they had been targeted by government "lawfare." The proposal drew criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, and a federal judge later paused its creation. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche subsequently told Congress that the Justice Department was no longer moving forward with the fund. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 3 July 2026Fri, 03 Jul 2026 04:01:50 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/burnham-pledges-cost-of-living-relief-if-elected-pm-r1352/Andy Burnham has pledged to introduce measures aimed at reducing the cost of living if he becomes prime minister, outlining proposals to lower household bills, support businesses and expand public control over key services. Get today's headlines by email In his first interview since returning to parliament, the Makerfield MP told LBC he would consider cutting business rates for some high street firms, reducing water and energy costs by bringing utilities under greater public control, and making bus travel free for 16- to 18-year-olds. Plans Target Household Bills and High Street BusinessesThe proposals are expected to form part of an early package of cost-of-living measures. Allies have also suggested the package could include more far-reaching policies, such as a temporary freeze on private sector rents. Speaking to Andrew Marr, Burnham said there was scope within Labour's 2024 manifesto to adjust tax policy. He argued that higher business rates could be applied to large warehouses and major developments on the outskirts of towns and cities, allowing lower rates for businesses such as pubs. Burnham said both households and businesses were paying too much for essential services, particularly energy. He said a government led by him would introduce a plan to increase public control over water, energy and transport over time, with the aim of reducing bills and fares. He said the country needed to give both families and businesses more financial breathing space by putting more money back into people's pockets. Allies Push for Wider MeasuresSupporters of Burnham have urged him to go further by freezing private rents for a year, removing green levies from energy bills and funding them through taxation instead, and lowering the cap on bus fares. Opinion polling suggests proposals focused on easing living costs could prove popular with voters. Research by Persuasion UK found Labour could win significantly more parliamentary seats by campaigning on a platform centred on tackling the cost of living than by maintaining its current approach. Questions Over FundingSeveral of Burnham's proposals could face financial and practical challenges, particularly over how they would be funded. Wes Streeting, the former health secretary and a potential member of a Burnham cabinet, has suggested increasing capital gains tax. However, Treasury officials have argued such a move would not necessarily generate additional revenue. Experts have also questioned whether bringing utilities under greater public ownership would automatically reduce consumer bills, pointing to the substantial investment still required in sectors such as water. Burnham insisted he would continue to follow the government's borrowing rules and rejected suggestions that his plans would rely on higher public borrowing. He said his previous experience in the Treasury and as health secretary demonstrated his commitment to disciplined public finances. Manchester Role for GovernmentBurnham also said he intended to spend part of his working week in Manchester if he became prime minister, as part of plans to decentralise government away from Westminster. He confirmed that his preferred location for a planned "No 10 North" would be a digital campus currently under construction near Manchester Piccadilly station. Burnham said having part of the Prime Minister's operation based in Manchester would demonstrate a commitment to shifting power away from Westminster and strengthening regional decision-making. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 3 July 2026Fri, 03 Jul 2026 03:56:51 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/cambodian-man-sets-five-myanmar-workers-ablaze-in-bangkok-r2587/Five Myanmar migrant workers suffered serious injuries after they were set on fire by a Cambodian man in Bangkok’s Phra Khanong district in the early hours of 3 July, according to emergency responders. The attack took place inside Soi Punnawithi 12 in Bang Chak, prompting a major emergency response and the victims’ transfer to several hospitals. Get today's headlines by email Rescue volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation were called to the scene after receiving reports that several Myanmar workers had been attacked and set alight. On arrival, they found five people with severe burn injuries, comprising three men and two women, all identified as Myanmar nationals. Emergency personnel provided immediate assistance before transporting the injured victims to multiple hospitals for urgent medical treatment. Authorities have not released details of their conditions beyond describing the injuries as serious. Police identified the suspected attacker as a Cambodian man. Officers are continuing to investigate the motive behind the attack. At this stage, investigators have not disclosed what led to the alleged assault or whether the suspect has been formally charged. Further details are expected once police complete initial interviews and gather evidence from the scene. The incident has drawn a large emergency response due to the number of casualties and the severity of the injuries. Rescue workers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation assisted alongside police in managing the aftermath and ensuring the victims received urgent medical care. Daily News reported the investigation is ongoing, with officers working to establish the circumstances that preceded the attack and determine the suspect’s alleged motive. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as inquiries continue. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 3 July 2026Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:00:54 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/kalasin-school-offers-5500-baht-teacher-salary-r2586/A primary school in Kalasin province has drawn widespread criticism after advertising a temporary English teaching position with a monthly salary of just 5,500 baht. Ban Non Yang School in Kuchinarai district, under the Kalasin Primary Educational Service Area Office 3, published the recruitment notice on 1 July 2026. Get today's headlines by email The school is seeking one temporary employee to work as an assistant teacher and English teacher. Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in English, while the advertised salary is fixed at 5,500 baht per month. Applications are being accepted in person at the school’s personnel office from 1 to 7 July 2026, between 09:00 and 15:00. The school said applications would be accepted throughout the period, including weekends and public holidays. The recruitment notice quickly spread across social media, prompting widespread debate over the level of pay being offered. Many users questioned whether the salary would be enough to support even a basic standard of living. Commenters calculated that the monthly salary equates to around 275 baht per day based on a 20-day working month. Several argued that this is lower than the earnings of many daily labourers, while others said food delivery riders working only a few hours each day could earn more. Some social media users also questioned whether the advertised wage complies with Thailand’s labour laws. The discussion has renewed attention on the pay and employment conditions of temporary teachers in the country’s public education system. The advertisement has also reignited wider debate over funding for public education and the reliance on temporary teaching positions with relatively low salaries. While criticism has focused on the advertised pay, the recruitment notice itself remains open to applicants under the published conditions. Khaosod reported that there has been no response from the school or the Kalasin Primary Educational Service Area Office 3 about the announcement. Applications will continue until 7 July 2026, after which the school is expected to proceed with its recruitment process for the temporary position. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 3 July 2026Thu, 02 Jul 2026 22:51:08 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/vietnam-drug-suspects-arrested-in-bangkok-r2585/Five Vietnamese nationals wanted in connection with a drug trafficking case in Vietnam have been arrested in Bangkok after officers from Thailand’s Immigration Bureau tracked them to two apartments in the Sukhumvit area. Get today's headlines by email The arrests followed a request from the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security, made through its representatives in Thailand, seeking the deportation of three suspects, including Mr Tran, who is wanted on charges of illegally distributing narcotics in Vietnam. Thai immigration authorities had previously revoked Mr Tran’s visa and ordered investigators from Division 1 of the Immigration Bureau’s Investigation Division to locate him. On 1 July 2026, senior Immigration Bureau officers, including Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyalak, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, received a report that Mr Tran was staying at apartments in the Sukhumvit area. Investigators obtained a search warrant from the South Bangkok Criminal Court and searched two rooms. Officers spent around one hour and 30 minutes knocking and waiting, on the first apartment door before it was opened. During that time, they reported hearing repeated toilet flushing. Inside, they found Mr Tran, Miss Thi, Miss Thi, and Mr Huy. Police seized 2.14 grams of ketamine contained in a zip-lock bag, drug-taking equipment and other items, totalling eight exhibits. Investigators also found residue believed to be methamphetamine inside the toilet. Testing of the toilet water confirmed the presence of methamphetamine. During a search of the second apartment, officers found another Miss Thi along with drug paraphernalia. Urine tests conducted on all five suspects returned positive results for methamphetamine. While officers were carrying out the operation, building management alerted them that items had been thrown from the building. Police recovered a stainless steel container and seven resealable bags, six of which contained methamphetamine tablets. The items were seized as evidence while investigators work to identify their owner and source. Suspects one to three were charged with jointly possessing a Category 2 narcotic (ketamine) without permission and using a Category 1 narcotic (methamphetamine). The fourth suspect faces the same charges, together with remaining in Thailand after permission to stay had expired. The fifth suspect was charged with using methamphetamine. All five were handed over to investigators at Lumpini Police Station for legal proceedings. Following any court rulings in Thailand, authorities said those wanted by Vietnam would be deported to face the outstanding drug trafficking charges there. Thaitabloid reported that The Immigration Bureau urged members of the public to report foreign nationals suspected of criminal activity to local immigration offices or via the Immigration Bureau hotline on 1178. Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 3 July 2026Thu, 02 Jul 2026 22:19:35 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/thai-court-jails-four-doctors-in-surrogacy-case-r2584/Bangkok Criminal Court has sentenced four obstetricians to prison terms ranging from 10 years 6 months to 15 years in a major surrogacy and commercial egg trafficking case, following a ruling delivered on 2 July 2026. The court found the defendants guilty of involvement in an international criminal network operating surrogacy arrangements for commercial gain. Get today's headlines by email According to the case details, the network was linked to Chinese investor Zhao Ran and was uncovered after police from the Anti-Human Trafficking Division arrested suspects in February 2020. The operation involved recruiting Thai women to act as surrogate mothers or egg donors, with payments of around 400,000 to 450,000 baht per person. Procedures such as embryo implantation were carried out in Laos or Cambodia, after which the women returned to Thailand for antenatal care at private hospitals and were housed by the Chinese-backed group in the Lat Phrao area of Bangkok before travelling to China for delivery. The court said obstetricians in the case were aware that surrogacy for commercial purposes and egg trading were illegal and breached medical ethics, yet facilitated the process by treating human bodies as commodities for profit. It also found that agents and doctors operated at different levels of the organisation, with serious impacts on children born through the arrangements, who were deprived of traditional family upbringing and faced long-term emotional harm. The court applied sentence reductions of one quarter due to partially useful testimony but stressed the gravity of the offences. Amarin reported that the sentences varied among the defendants, with doctor 1 receiving 15 years, doctor 2 13 years, doctor 3 10 years 6 months, and doctor 4 13 years 6 months. Other defendants received terms between 4 years 6 months and 13 years 6 months, while two defendants were acquitted. In a related ruling, Zhao Ran and his associates were previously sentenced to 50 years imprisonment. Further legal proceedings may continue as the convicted parties retain the right to appeal. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 3 July 2026Thu, 02 Jul 2026 22:06:25 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/thai-drug-agency-seizes-heroin-bound-for-australia-r2583/Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has seized heroin concealed inside silk clothing, local handicrafts, coffee packets and winter jackets that was destined for Australia and Taiwan. The drugs were hidden in international parcels intercepted during an operation involving the ONCB and partner agencies, with investigators linking the network back to the Golden Triangle. Get today's headlines by email Speaking at the ONCB headquarters on 2 July 2026, ONCB Secretary-General Pol Lt Col Suriya Singhakamol said the latest seizures followed an earlier operation on 30 June. Officers intercepted two parcels in Bangkok containing heroin hidden inside local products and bound for Australia. Investigators traced the latest parcels to Loei province, where they found they had been dispatched on 1 July. ONCB officers immediately inspected a parcel delivery shop in Loei and discovered that three more packages with similar characteristics to those that had already been distributed to two locations in Bangkok. At the first location in Bang Kapi district, officers seized two parcels containing 6.23kg of heroin hidden inside silk clothing. The packages were destined for Taiwan. At the second location on Rang Nam Road in Ratchathewi district, officers seized one parcel containing 9.98kg of heroin concealed inside coffee packets and winter jackets. That shipment was destined for Australia. Further investigation found that the suspected organiser of the Australian-bound shipments is a Thai national wanted under an arrest warrant issued in Tak province for fraud. According to investigators, the suspect directed the operation from Australia. Officers expanded the investigation by raiding three locations in Loei and Nakhon Phanom linked to the parcel shipments and bank accounts used to receive transport payments. A suspect involved in dispatching the parcels told investigators that he and his Lao wife had delivered the packages on two occasions after collecting them from a Lao man. Payment for the work was transferred into his wife’s bank account. Authorities are also looking at possible connections with the Thai Airways hostess arrested in Australia. Pol Lt Col Suriya said Thailand’s border with the Golden Triangle, a major production area for methamphetamine, crystal meth, heroin and ketamine, together with the country’s extensive transport links by road, air, sea and international postal services, makes close cooperation between domestic and international agencies essential in disrupting drug trafficking networks. Khaosod reported that he said authorities will continue investigating the wider trafficking network and pursue legal action against everyone connected to the operation. Members of the public with information about drug offences are encouraged to contact the ONCB hotline on 1386, with officials stating that all reports will remain strictly confidential. Pictures courtesy of Khaosod Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 3 July 2026Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:53:14 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/man-rescued-from-water-tank-in-khon-kaen-r2582/A heavily intoxicated man was rescued in Khon Kaen, Thailand, after climbing into a water tank and falling asleep inside. Police were alerted at 11:30am on 2 July 2026, after residents reported a man inside the tank in an alley off Phimphasut Road in Khon Kaen municipality. Get today's headlines by email When officers and rescue workers arrived, they found the unidentified man standing upright and asleep, wedged in the tank with only his head above the rim and unresponsive despite repeated attempts to wake him. Rescuers drained the water from the tank and the man fell to the bottom still asleep. They then carefully tipped it onto its side to pull the man out safely. After regaining consciousness, the man walked to the road and rode away on his motorcycle. There is no report explaining why no officers stopped him, despite being clearly intoxicated. Pictures courtesy of Khaosod A local resident, Montakarn Buathong, 44, said workers behind her home discovered the man inside the tank and initially feared he had died because he was motionless. She said he later told rescuers as he walk to his motorcycle that he had been drinking heavily before parking his motorcycle near the alley, climbing over a fence, opening the tank lid and getting inside to sleep. Khaosod reported that residents said the man was fortunate to survive, noting that if he had lost his balance and fallen into the water inside the tank, he could have drowned. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 3 July 2026Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:35:54 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/ice-quietly-arrests-10000-in-five-day-operation-r1351/US immigration authorities have arrested about 10,000 people suspected of being in the country illegally over a five-day period, according to sources familiar with the figures. Get today's headlines by email The arrests were made across the United States during a recent nationwide enforcement effort, the sources said, marking a significant increase in detention activity. Immigration arrests accelerateOfficials have also set a new operational target of at least 2,000 immigration arrests per day, according to the sources. The goal follows discussions between senior White House and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) leadership aimed at increasing enforcement activity. A source familiar with those discussions told ABC News that officials had previously urged ICE to work toward 3,000 arrests per day. DHS highlights focus on criminal offendersIn a statement, a DHS spokesperson said immigration officers had been carrying out President Donald Trump's pledge to arrest and remove migrants accused or convicted of serious crimes. "Since Day One, DHS law enforcement has been delivering on President Trump's promise to the American people to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists," the spokesperson said. The Trump administration has repeatedly said its immigration crackdown is focused on what the president has described as the "worst of the worst" offenders. While the criminal records of those arrested in the latest operation have not been disclosed, the DHS spokesperson said nearly 70% of ICE arrests involve migrants who have been charged with or convicted of crimes in the United States. Lower-profile enforcement strategyAccording to sources, the recent enforcement operations have been conducted with relatively little public attention. The approach follows a commitment by DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin during his confirmation hearing earlier this year to keep the agency focused on its work rather than publicizing enforcement actions. That represents a shift from the approach of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who favored greater publicity for ICE operations. ICE is also preparing for new leadership under Lance Schroyer, a close ally of Mullin and a former Oklahoma state trooper. Schroyer has no previous federal immigration enforcement experience. Calls for more public dataMike Howell, president of the Trump-aligned Oversight Project and a leader of the Mass Deportation Coalition, welcomed the reported increase in arrests but said the administration should release more detailed deportation statistics. "There have been so many numbers thrown around in press releases, estimates, extrapolations, and puffery that most people are just kind of immune to it and waiting to see the hard data that's being withheld," Howell said. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 3 July 2026Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:34:14 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/uk-arrests-eight-in-crackdown-on-online-rape-networks-r1350/At least eight people have been arrested in the UK as part of investigations into online networks that encourage men to drug and sexually assault women, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has said. Get today's headlines by email Since October 2025, the agency has identified 270 individuals connected to a forum and associated websites where footage of coordinated sexual abuse was shared. Investigators said the offending mirrors the abuse suffered by French survivor Gisèle Pelicot, whose case drew international attention after she was repeatedly drugged by her husband and raped by dozens of men. Investigations uncover organised abuse forumsThe NCA said the abuse is typically carried out by a long-term partner and can continue undetected for many years, with some cases lasting decades. Deputy director Nigel Leary said drug-facilitated sexual assault was "no longer isolated behaviour" but had become "increasingly organised". Victims identified and international inquiries launchedThe agency said 14 investigations are under way, with eight victims identified and provided with support. Evidence gathered from the online forums has been shared with law enforcement agencies in several countries as part of efforts to identify offenders and victims beyond the UK. The NCA said it has established a coordinated response involving prosecutors and safeguarding organisations to help identify victims and provide support while pursuing criminal investigations. Last week, representatives from law enforcement agencies in Brazil, Canada, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain and the United States met in London to exchange intelligence on suspected offenders, victims and online communities linked to the abuse. The agency said the meeting resulted in the identification of more than 150 offenders and victims, as well as four previously unknown online communities. Authorities urge victims to seek helpSiobhan Blake, the Crown Prosecution Service's national lead for rape and serious sexual offences, described the crimes as among the most disturbing she had encountered. She said victims were subjected to severe sexual abuse in their own homes, calling it an extreme betrayal of trust. Blake added that the offending flourished in secrecy, both online and behind closed doors, and said the criminal justice system was committed to exposing those responsible and securing justice for victims and survivors. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Millichap, director of the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection, said victims may not immediately realise they have been assaulted. She urged anyone who feels something is wrong to seek help, even if they have no clear memory or proof, adding that police and support services would listen, take reports seriously and provide appropriate care. Pelicot case highlighted scale of abuseEarlier this year, Gisèle Pelicot told the BBC she had been "crushed by horror" after learning that her former husband, Dominique Pelicot, had repeatedly drugged her and invited dozens of men to rape her while she was unconscious. The 73-year-old waived her right to anonymity to speak publicly about her experience and campaign for victims. Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 3 July 2026Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:25:59 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/ex-son-in-law-admits-triple-murder-in-nakhon-sawan-r2581/Police in Nakhon Sawan have uncovered the bodies of three family members buried in a cassava field in Phaisali district after an investigation into their disappearance. Officers have arrested the victims’ former son-in-law in Chon Buri, and he has reportedly confessed to killing his former father-in-law, mother-in-law and ex-wife. Get today's headlines by email The case began after the three victims disappeared from their home in Ban Mai Waree Yen, Village 8, Phaisali subdistrict, Phaisali district, Nakhon Sawan. Investigators found evidence suggesting an intruder had entered the property and cut the home’s CCTV system before the family vanished. The family’s pickup truck was last seen in Khlong Ha, Pathum Thani province, providing investigators with an important lead during the search. As enquiries continued, officers from Phaisali Police Station searched a cassava field owned by the victims. Police discovered freshly disturbed ground covered with leaves, prompting them to call forensic officers from the Nakhon Sawan Provincial Police forensic unit. The investigation led to the recovery of the three bodies buried at the site. Police later detained the prime suspect, identified as the victims’ former son-in-law, in Chon Buri province. According to initial reports, he admitted carrying out the killings. The suspect reportedly told investigators the motive stemmed from family conflicts and disputes over the victims’ property and assets. No further details regarding the alleged dispute have been released. Major General Narewit Sukonthawit, commander of the Nakhon Sawan Provincial Police, travelled to the scene and is personally overseeing the investigation and witness interviews. ThaiRath reported that the investigation remains ongoing as police continue gathering evidence and conducting further questioning. Authorities have not yet released additional information about the circumstances surrounding the killings. Picture courtesy of ThaiRath Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now ThaiRath 3 July 2026Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:24:42 +0000https://aseannow.com/worldnews/damascus-cafe-bombing-kills-six-near-government-district-r1349/At least six people were killed and 22 others injured after a bomb exploded inside a busy cafe in central Damascus, according to Syrian state media. Get today's headlines by email Deadly Blast Rocks Central DamascusThe interior ministry said the explosive device had been planted inside the cafe, which is located about 100 metres from the Palace of Justice in the capital's Hejaz district. Authorities have not identified those responsible, and no group immediately claimed the attack. The bombing is the deadliest to hit Damascus since a suicide attack on a church in June 2025 that killed 25 people. Witness Describes Scene of DevastationMohammed al-Dahabi, who owns a glasses shop next to the cafe, said the explosion brought back memories of the violence that gripped the city during Syria's civil war. "I felt strong pressure, and the whole place shook," he told AFP. "I ran to the place and saw people lying on the floor with blood pooled around them everywhere." Video shared on social media appeared to show at least two men lying motionless on the outdoor terrace of the cafe after the blast. Authorities Vow ActionDamascus Governor Maher Marwan Idlibi visited the scene and said those behind the attack would be held accountable. "Each time the country sees a period of stability, malicious parties try to destabilise it," he said. Officials have not announced any arrests or provided further details about the investigation. Security Challenges PersistThe bombing comes as Syria's interim government continues to face significant security challenges following the overthrow of former president Bashar al-Assad by Islamist-led rebel forces in December 2024, ending more than 13 years of civil war. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has been working to consolidate government control across the country and improve security, but violence has continued in several areas. The June 2025 church bombing, which killed 25 people, was claimed by the little-known jihadist group Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah. However, Syrian authorities attributed that attack to the Islamic State (IS) group. In recent months, Syria has also experienced repeated outbreaks of deadly sectarian violence involving government forces and members of the country's Alawite and Druze religious minorities, underscoring the continuing instability despite the end of the civil war. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 3 July 2026Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:19:10 +0000