Thailand news

Thai Police Probe Scam Hospital in Cambodia

Fri, 29 May 2026 21:22:08 +0000

Thai police are investigating whether a hospital-like facility discovered inside a scam compound in O’Smach, on the Cambodia border, is linked to human trafficking or organ trading, according to Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot. Authorities are also targeting domestic transport networks accused of moving trafficking victims through Thailand to neighbouring countries. Get today's headlines by email Speaking at the Royal Thai Police headquarters on 29 May 2026, Pol Gen Thatchai, who also heads the Anti-Human Trafficking Centre, said foreign nationals continue to be deceived into travelling through Thailand before being sent to work in call-centre scam operations in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. Over the past two weeks, Thai authorities have rescued five Chinese nationals from Myanmar. The remarks came after Pol Gen Thatchai opened the “Youth Against Scam” project, organised with the United States Embassy and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The initiative aims to build awareness among young people about cybercrime and human trafficking while creating a regional anti-cybercrime youth network. Police said the problem extends beyond Asia, with victims from South America and Africa also being lured into scam compounds operating in neighbouring countries. Thai authorities believe the issue is significantly affecting Thailand because the country is often used as a transit route due to its transport infrastructure and travel connections. According to Pol Gen Thatchai, the Royal Thai Police are working with the Technology Crime Suppression Division to intensify efforts against scam gangs, following orders from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and National Police Chief Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet. The anti-scam youth programme attracted more than 1,400 applicants before organisers selected 52 participants from countries including Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, South Korea and Japan. Pol Gen Thatchai said the group would act as youth ambassadors, sharing information about cybercrime and producing content to warn people in their own countries about recruitment scams linked to call-centre gangs. Asked about scam activity in Cambodia, Pol Gen Thatchai said cybercrime statistics had shown signs of declining but cautioned it was too early to determine whether this resulted from Cambodian enforcement operations. He added that many Thais recently repatriated from Cambodia were linked to online gambling businesses rather than call-centre scams. Authorities are now examining reports of a large medical facility inside a scam compound in O’Smach. Pol Gen Thatchai said investigators found surgical equipment, X-ray machines and maternity equipment inside the building, which he described as unusual for a scam operation. Police are investigating whether the site was connected to organ trading or other criminal activities. Thai authorities are increasing screening procedures, although Pol Gen Thatchai stressed that dismantling transport networks within Thailand remained the priority. He said trafficked individuals were often collected directly from airports and taken to border areas by organised transport groups, which are now being targeted for prosecution. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 30 May 2026

Thai Police Probe Scam Hospital in Cambodia

Fri, 29 May 2026 21:22:08 +0000

UK to Trial AI Age Checks for Asylum Seekers

Fri, 29 May 2026 21:19:11 +0000

The UK government will begin using artificial intelligence to help estimate the age of asylum seekers from next year, as part of efforts to identify adults who falsely claim to be children when arriving in the country. Get today's headlines by email The Home Office has awarded a contract to develop and test facial age-estimation software that analyses photographs taken at the border. Officials say the technology could help detect adults attempting to access support and legal protections reserved for children. However, human rights groups and social work professionals have raised concerns about the reliability of the technology, warning that mistakes could leave vulnerable young people without the protections they are entitled to receive. New tool aimed at disputed age claimsUnaccompanied children seeking asylum in the UK are placed in local authority care rather than standard asylum accommodation and receive additional legal safeguards. The government argues that some adults have sought to exploit these arrangements by claiming to be minors. According to Home Office figures, more than 6,400 people who said they were children underwent age assessments in the year ending March 2026. Of those cases, 43% were ultimately assessed as adults. Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said false age claims had diverted resources away from children who genuinely needed support. He said the new technology would help authorities identify people attempting to misuse the system while ensuring those entitled to protection received it. Testing and rollout plansThe Home Office first announced plans to explore AI-based facial age estimation last year. Since then, officials have conducted testing using images from people of different ethnicities and genders, including groups represented within the asylum-seeking population. Although the technology has been tested, the results have not yet been used to make operational decisions. Under the newly awarded contract, Harlow-based IT supplier Akhter Computers Ltd will continue development and testing of the system before a wider rollout planned for mid-2027. The contract is valued at £322,000 over three years. The first live trial is expected to take place next year at the Western Jet Foil processing centre in Dover. Officials say the software will not replace existing procedures. Border Force officers currently assess age by reviewing documents and considering an individual's appearance and behaviour. The AI system will be used only as an additional tool when doubts remain about a person's age. Concerns over accuracyQuestions about age assessment have persisted for years. A report by the government's independent immigration inspector found examples of adults being treated as children as well as children being wrongly classified as adults. The report concluded that, without a completely reliable method of determining age, errors were unavoidable and could have serious consequences, particularly when children are denied rights and protections. Social workers continue to carry out detailed assessments when an asylum seeker's age is challenged. The British Association of Social Workers warned that introducing AI into the process could increase safeguarding risks. Professor Sam Baron, the organisation's interim chief executive, said age assessment was a complex task best handled by trained professionals rather than through technological shortcuts. Human rights groups oppose schemeHuman Rights Watch has called on the government to abandon the project altogether. Anna Bacciarelli, a senior AI researcher at the organisation, described the technology as unproven and questioned whether facial age estimation can accurately determine a person's age in asylum cases. She argued that using the technology on vulnerable refugee children could undermine their rights and expose them to a process that lacks sufficient evidence of effectiveness. The government has previously said facial age estimation represented the most cost-effective option available for supporting age assessments. Critics, however, maintain that significant concerns remain over both its accuracy and its ethical implications. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 30 May 2026 View full article

John Bolton Calls Iran Deal a US Setback

Fri, 29 May 2026 21:13:15 +0000

Former national security adviser John Bolton has criticised a proposed agreement between Washington and Tehran, describing it as a major setback for the United States and arguing that domestic political concerns are shaping the Trump administration’s approach. Get today's headlines by email Speaking on NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas Reports on Thursday, Bolton said the administration was pursuing the arrangement because of worries about fuel prices and their potential impact on upcoming midterm elections rather than broader strategic considerations. “It’s a big defeat for the United States,” Bolton said, adding that he believed concerns about gasoline prices were the primary factor driving the negotiations. Proposed ceasefire extensionThe tentative agreement, first reported by Axios, would take the form of a 60-day memorandum of understanding aimed at extending a fragile ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The arrangement is designed to ease economic pressure on both the United States and Iran. Under the proposal, Iran would agree not to charge tolls to commercial vessels using the waterway and would remove mines from the strait. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes, carrying more than one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies. In return, the United States would lift its naval blockade and provide certain sanctions waivers that would allow Iran to sell oil more freely. Washington would also agree to begin discussions on wider sanctions relief. Nuclear commitments under discussionThe memorandum would include a pledge by Iran not to pursue nuclear weapons. However, Tehran has made similar assertions in the past, and those claims have been questioned by non-proliferation specialists. According to the Axios report, early negotiations would focus on the future of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and on how any future uranium enrichment activities would be handled. The proposed framework would leave several major issues to be negotiated during the 60-day period. Concerns over Iran’s intentionsBolton argued that Iran could use the agreement to strengthen its position while talks continue. He said Tehran may seek to benefit from sanctions relief and renewed oil sales while delaying decisions on the most difficult issues. According to Bolton, such a process could allow Iran to rebuild financial resources and military capabilities while reducing the economic pressure facing the government. Bolton also suggested that Iranian leaders may believe US willingness to use force in the region could weaken as the midterm elections approach. “They think we’ve got a short attention span, we’re obsessed by the elections,” he said. Election-year criticismDuring the interview, host Elizabeth Vargas noted that President Donald Trump had recently said he was not focused on the midterm elections. Bolton rejected that claim, arguing that electoral considerations were central to the administration’s calculations. He said reopening the Strait of Hormuz could increase energy supplies, potentially lowering global oil prices, reducing fuel costs for American consumers and easing inflationary pressures. According to Bolton, the administration views those economic effects as beneficial to its political prospects ahead of November’s elections. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 30 May 2026 View full article

Doctor Among Two Killed in Cha-am Bypass Crash

Fri, 29 May 2026 21:13:11 +0000

Two people were killed and a 53-year-old woman seriously injured after a saloon car crashed into a central reservation barrier on the Cha-am-Pran Buri bypass road in Phetchaburi province on Friday morning. The metal barrier pierced through the vehicle from the front windscreen to the rear, leaving the car severely damaged. Get today's headlines by email Police from Cha-am Police Station were alerted to the crash at around 08.00 on 29 May 2026. Emergency responders from Sawang Sanphet Rescue Foundation, Cha-am Highway Rescue and Cha-am Hospital rushed to the scene on the inbound carriageway towards Bangkok near kilometre marker 18+100 in Sam Phraya subdistrict, Cha-am district. The crash occurred shortly before the U-turn point near Chang Thaeng Kradat intersection. Officers found a white Bangkok-registered saloon car lodged into the steel median barrier, which had penetrated the length of the vehicle. Two occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. One was a man who had been driving the car. Inside the vehicle, officers found a Ministry of Public Health doctor’s coat bearing the name Dr Phaithaya Suebsing, who is believed to have been the deceased driver. A second victim, a woman seated in the front passenger seat, also died at the scene. Her identity has not yet been confirmed. Rescue workers also found an injured woman trapped in the rear seat. She was identified as La-orntip Phranphanas, aged 53. Emergency crews used extraction rescue equipment to free her from the wreckage before transferring her to Cha-am Hospital with serious injuries. Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath Police investigators are continuing to examine the cause of the crash and will gather further evidence from the scene. The bodies of the deceased will undergo formal identification procedures as part of the ongoing investigation. ThaiRath reported that the crash caused disruption on the bypass road while emergency services cleared the wreckage and secured the area. Authorities have not yet released further details on the circumstances leading up to the collision. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now ThaiRath 30 May 2026

Doctor Among Two Killed in Cha-am Bypass Crash

Fri, 29 May 2026 21:13:11 +0000

Thailand Visa Cut Sparks Tourism Debate

Fri, 29 May 2026 21:12:56 +0000

Tourism numbers and revenue has fallen each year since the relaxed visas came into effect a few years ago - they did not increase numbers. Tourists want safety, less trash tourists, and more quality tourism around them. Will crime fall from this? Maybe not massively, but it will move scammers on who abuse the system. The real issue is the long term visas that are destroying the country.

Giving away crash helmets - is this a good idea?

Fri, 29 May 2026 21:10:41 +0000

And if you read my OP, you'll see, I suggest that it isn't, as this "performance" style arguably is not effective

Word Association - 2026

Fri, 29 May 2026 21:10:21 +0000

Blimey Apple

This Beast Caged for Life.

Fri, 29 May 2026 21:05:56 +0000

Heres this weeks Scum Bag his name is Yousif AI - Maliki an illegal migrant from Iraq. He entered the UK in a rubber boat in 2004 and was housed in a hostel in South Kensington Hostel. He raped a female in the same hostel. He had already been deported before we were not told why he was deported what we do know is he was living in Germany but was on the run for crimes in Germany. He was sentanced to 6-5 years so will be out in 3. He should be deported immediatly but his defence lawyers claim he will bre tortured in iraq being a bi-sexual. We simply are unaware rapists, murders, thieves, or Terroists on the run are slipping into the UK without being screened.

US Judge Orders Trump Name Removed From Kennedy Center

Fri, 29 May 2026 21:05:47 +0000

A federal judge has ordered the removal of Donald Trump’s name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, ruling that the Washington DC institution cannot be formally renamed without approval from Congress. Get today's headlines by email US District Judge Christopher Cooper directed the Trump administration to remove all signage bearing Trump’s name and delete references to a “Trump Kennedy Center” from official materials within 14 days. Court Says Congress Controls the NameIn his ruling, Cooper said federal law clearly establishes the venue as a memorial to former President John F. Kennedy and leaves no authority for the center’s board to change its name on its own. “The Kennedy Center’s organic statute makes crystal clear that the Center is to be named for President Kennedy,” Cooper wrote. He added that Congress originally gave the institution its name and only Congress has the power to alter it. The judge concluded that the board had exceeded its legal authority by approving the renaming. The decision came in a lawsuit filed by Joyce Beatty, a Democratic congresswoman from Ohio who serves on the Kennedy Center’s board through her position in Congress. The White House did not immediately comment on the ruling. Renaming Followed Trump TakeoverThe dispute stemmed from changes made after Trump returned to office. In February last year, he appointed himself chairman of the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees, describing the move as a “take-over”. He subsequently removed existing board members and installed new appointees. In December, the restructured board voted to add Trump’s name to the institution, a move seen as part of a broader effort by the administration to reshape cultural organisations in the US capital. At the time, Joe Kennedy III, a former Massachusetts congressman and great-nephew of President Kennedy, questioned whether such a change was legally possible. He argued that the venue was established by federal law as a memorial to Kennedy and could not simply be renamed by board action. Backlash From Arts CommunityThe renaming effort prompted significant opposition within the arts sector. Several performers and organisations cancelled appearances at the venue in protest, including a scheduled run of the award-winning musical Hamilton. Leadership changes also followed. National Symphony Orchestra executive director Jean Davidson left to lead the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles. Richard Grenell, a Trump ally who played a prominent role in efforts to reshape the institution and challenge what he described as “woke” culture, later stepped down as president of the center. The Kennedy Center remains one of the United States’ most prominent cultural institutions and receives federal funding. It has traditionally enjoyed support from both major political parties. Wider Plans Face ChallengesUnder Trump, the venue increasingly became a platform for administration initiatives. It hosted events including an appearance by FIFA president Gianni Infantino ahead of the World Cup draw and other White House-linked functions. The center is also preparing for a two-year closure after trustees approved a major renovation programme. Officials said the project would begin following Independence Day celebrations in July, with a reopening planned once work is completed. The Kennedy Center case is one of several legal disputes involving Trump’s plans for Washington. Other proposals, including a large ballroom at the White House site and a “Victory Arch” near national monuments, have also faced court challenges. Congressional Republicans have additionally proposed renaming the Kennedy Center’s Opera House after First Lady Melania Trump. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 30 May 2026 View full article

Thai Woman Arrested Over Sweden Job Scam in Udon

Fri, 29 May 2026 21:03:16 +0000

A 56-year-old woman has been arrested in Udon Thani after allegedly deceiving more than 20 Thai workers with false promises of fruit-picking jobs in Sweden. Police said the suspect collected nearly 500,000 baht in deposits before disappearing for several years. Get today's headlines by email The arrest took place on 28 May after officers from the Highway Police Division tracked down the suspect, identified only as Suphanan, at a hut in Dong Sa Phang village, Kut Sa subdistrict, Mueang district, Udon Thani. She was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by Bueng Kan Provincial Court on 9 February 2022 for allegedly conspiring to fraudulently recruit workers for overseas employment and public fraud. According to investigators, the case dates back to 2022 when a group of victims, most of them from Si Wilai district in Bueng Kan province, were approached with offers of high-paying fruit-picking work in Sweden. The suspect allegedly charged each victim over 25,000 baht in brokerage and deposit fees in exchange for arranging travel and employment overseas. Police said the victims lost contact with the suspect shortly before the scheduled departure dates. More than 20 people were reportedly affected, with total damages estimated at over 500,000 baht. The victims later filed complaints with Si Wilai Police Station, leading authorities to seek an arrest warrant. Investigators believe the suspect had carried out similar schemes on multiple occasions. Police also said she deliberately moved house several times after learning that a warrant had been issued for her arrest. Following the warrant, the suspect allegedly fled to southern Thailand to avoid capture. Officers later received information that she had returned to Udon Thani, leading to her arrest. During questioning, Suphanan reportedly confessed to the charges. She was subsequently transferred to Bueng Kan Provincial Court for further legal proceedings. Thaitabloid reported that authorities have not disclosed whether additional suspects may be involved or whether more victims could come forward as the investigation continues. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 30 May 2026

Thai Woman Arrested Over Sweden Job Scam in Udon

Fri, 29 May 2026 21:03:16 +0000

People are saying that Trump has ruined the World Cup

Fri, 29 May 2026 21:00:54 +0000

Obviously another old American who knows sod all about Football and is humourless. In football, the wearing of a scarf indicates affiliation to a club or side. Your reference to "keffiyehs" indicates you don't know what that is. Its a word you found. Why the would you wear a keffiyeh with a scarf. Its nonsense. And your reference to the wearing of yarmulkes seems rather anti-Semitic. You question why a Jewish man or boy would be wearing their kippah to a football match. Why shouldn't they, and so what if they do.

Labour Reports Farage Russia Hack Claim to Police

Fri, 29 May 2026 20:56:49 +0000

Labour has formally reported claims that Nigel Farage was targeted by Russian hackers to the Metropolitan Police and the UK's cyber security authorities, escalating a dispute over allegations first raised by Reform UK. Get today's headlines by email The move follows reports that Farage believed his phone, email and bank accounts may have been compromised by individuals linked to Russia. According to accounts published in the Mail on Sunday, Reform sources said concerns arose after details emerged of a £5 million gift made to Farage by businessman Christopher Harborne. Labour chair Anna Turley has written to both the Metropolitan Police and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), asking whether they are investigating the alleged cyber intrusion. She said the matter could have implications for national security, political integrity and public confidence in democratic institutions. Reform Says Authorities Have Been ContactedReform UK said it had informed the appropriate authorities about the alleged incident, although it is not believed to have made a report to the Metropolitan Police. The party declined to comment further, saying it would be inappropriate to do so while inquiries were ongoing. According to Reform sources, Farage became concerned that information had been accessed by foreign actors after reports surfaced about the financial gift. They claimed that only four people were aware of the payment and that Farage subsequently arranged for his mobile phone to undergo forensic examination by counter-espionage specialists. Those specialists allegedly concluded that hostile actors, believed to be linked to Moscow, had used spear-phishing techniques to gain access to Farage's devices and accounts. Spear phishing involves sending targeted messages designed to trick recipients into revealing information or installing malicious software. Farage told the newspaper that the alleged actions demonstrated the security threat posed by Russia. Labour Calls for Evidence to Be SharedBoth Labour and the Conservatives have urged Reform UK to provide any evidence it possesses to the relevant security agencies. In a letter sent to Farage last week, Turley described the alleged hacking as a potentially serious criminal matter and said any evidence should be submitted for independent investigation. She later wrote directly to the Metropolitan Police and the NCSC, stating that if Reform UK had not reported the allegations, her correspondence should be treated as a formal report of what appeared, based on media accounts, to be a serious crime. Turley stressed that Labour was not taking a position on whether the alleged compromise had actually occurred, but argued that the claims warranted examination by the authorities. An NCSC spokesperson said the agency was ready to assist with any suspected cyber incident reported to it. Gift Investigation ContinuesThe hacking allegations come amid continuing scrutiny of the £5 million gift made to Farage by Harborne in April 2024, shortly before Farage announced his candidacy in that year's general election. The payment was not included in Farage's declaration of interests and only became publicly known after it was reported by the Guardian. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards is investigating whether parliamentary rules were breached. Farage has maintained that the payment was a private, non-political gift and therefore did not need to be declared. He has said Reform UK examined the rules carefully and concluded there was no requirement to register the payment. Harborne has said he did not expect anything in return and described the gift as motivated by his admiration for Farage's role in achieving Brexit. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 30 May 2026 View full article

Myanmar Reopens Myawaddy-Mae Sot Border

Fri, 29 May 2026 20:56:25 +0000

Thailand’s border trade with Myanmar resumed on 28 May 2026 after Myanmar authorities unexpectedly coordinated the reopening of the Myawaddy-Mae Sot trade checkpoint following more than 10 months of closure. Get today's headlines by email Tak customs chief Yodphon Witchayakul said Myanmar customs officials in Myawaddy contacted Mae Sot customs officers at 2am to arrange the reopening of the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge crossing at Ban Wang Takhian Tai in Tha Sai Luat subdistrict, Mae Sot district, Tak province. The crossing officially reopened on 28 May 2026, allowing Thai goods trucks to begin moving across the Moei River once again. The reopening immediately brought renewed activity to the border area, with freight vehicles seen travelling through the checkpoint. The bridge had been closed since August 2025, severely affecting cross-border trade between Thailand and Myanmar. According to Mr Yodphon, the prolonged closure caused border trade values to fall by more than 50%. Mr Yodphon said he met Myanmar customs officials in Myawaddy on 28 May to discuss operational details. He noted that the checkpoint may not initially reopen at full capacity but expressed confidence that the move would help improve the border economy. Thai exporters welcomed the reopening, saying it would improve economic activity and reduce transport costs for shipments travelling deeper into Myanmar. The Mae Sot-Myawaddy crossing is one of the most important trade routes between Thailand and Myanmar, particularly for goods transported by road. Businesses on both sides of the border have faced major disruptions during the closure period. Manager Online reported that authorities are expected to continue discussions on operational procedures and the phased expansion of border activities in the coming weeks as trade volumes gradually recover. Picture courtesy of Manager Online Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now MGRonline 30 May 2026

Myanmar Reopens Myawaddy-Mae Sot Border

Fri, 29 May 2026 20:56:25 +0000

Word Association - 2026

Fri, 29 May 2026 20:56:16 +0000

Core

Technology, Data Centers, and Life without Parole

Fri, 29 May 2026 20:50:03 +0000

c'mon ....... wef is alive and well , with blackrock head fink making the usual rounds assuring everyone (including thailand's chosen leaders) that he's got their backs. Literally ! We've been through this before.... and the same "chosen" globos are still calling the shots . And speaking of shots .... STILL not taken off the market and STILL no accountability . and STILL the inflation game going full steam ahead. a few cherry picked quotes from a few people does not a case make . you know that the wind , mi amigo . the wind !

Word Association - 2026

Fri, 29 May 2026 20:49:36 +0000

Centre

NATO Condemns Russian Drone Strike on Romanian Flats

Fri, 29 May 2026 20:48:43 +0000

A Russian drone struck a residential apartment block in eastern Romania on Friday, injuring two people and prompting strong condemnation from NATO and European Union leaders after what Romanian officials described as the most serious wartime incident to affect the country since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Get today's headlines by email The drone hit a high-rise building in the city of Galați, close to Romania’s border with Ukraine, causing a fire and forcing the evacuation of around 70 residents. Romanian emergency authorities said the drone’s full explosive payload detonated upon impact, igniting a blaze on the building’s 10th floor. Residents Injured as Building EvacuatedTwo people suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment. Firefighters later brought the blaze under control. Romania’s Defence Ministry said two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled after drones were detected approaching the area. Brigadier General Gheorghe Maxim said military personnel had only four minutes between detecting the drone and its impact. Officials identified the aircraft as a Geran-2 drone, known internationally as the Shahed-136. According to the ministry, the drone’s entire explosive load exploded when it struck the building. Romania Points to Deflected Flight PathPresident Nicușor Dan said the drone likely altered course after being hit by Ukrainian air defences over Ukrainian territory. Speaking during a visit to Galați, Dan said one drone from a group of 43 incoming aircraft appeared to have been struck above the Ukrainian city of Reni, changing its trajectory before it crossed into Romania. Romanian military officials stressed that their forces face operational restrictions because they cannot fire weapons into Ukrainian airspace. Authorities also sought to reassure residents that Romania had not been deliberately targeted, describing the incident as a consequence of fighting taking place close to the border. NATO and EU Express SupportDan convened an emergency meeting of Romania’s Supreme Defence Council and announced plans to expel Russia’s consul in Constanța and close the consulate. Moscow later indicated it would respond. Romania’s Foreign Ministry said it had requested faster delivery of anti-drone capabilities from NATO. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance stood ready to defend all allied territory and would continue strengthening its defences against drone threats. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the incident as another escalation resulting from Russia’s war against Ukraine. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said the strike demonstrated that Russian aggression remained a threat to the wider Black Sea region and called for increased support for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later said he had spoken with Dan and pledged continued cooperation to protect against Russian threats. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the incident a serious violation of NATO airspace and reaffirmed Britain's support for Romania, Ukraine and other alliance members. Putin Questions Drone's OriginSpeaking later on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had only recently learned of the incident and suggested the drone wreckage be handed to Russia for an independent investigation. He also noted previous incidents involving Ukrainian drones entering EU countries. Romania has experienced numerous drone incursions since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Defence Ministry says drone fragments have been discovered on Romanian territory 47 times during the war, including 12 occasions this year. The border region around Galați, opposite the Ukrainian ports of Reni and Izmail on the Danube River, remains particularly vulnerable during Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 30 May 2026 View full article

First Lao Man Rescued From Flooded Gold Mine

Fri, 29 May 2026 20:46:32 +0000

A Lao worker trapped inside a gold mine cave in Laos has been rescued after a major international operation involving Thai and Finnish cave diving experts. Rescue teams successfully brought one of five survivors out of the flooded tunnel at 20.40 on 29 May 2026, according to the Thailand Rescue Diver Facebook page. Get today's headlines by email The worker was among seven Lao labourers trapped inside a gold mine cave in Long Chaeng, Xaysomboun province, Laos, since 19 May. Heavy rain and flash flooding had swept through the mine, cutting off access and leaving the workers stranded underground. Thai and Finnish cave diving and rescue specialists travelled to the area on 20 May to assist with the operation. On 27 May 2026, rescuers finally reached the trapped workers, who were reported to be suffering from exhaustion after spending days inside the cave system. Following contact with the survivors, rescue teams began planning a complex extraction from the flooded mine tunnels. The latest operation successfully removed the first survivor from the cave, while four others remain underground awaiting further assessment before evacuation attempts continue. Picture courtesy of Komchadluek “Kaengkaj Bongkaowong”, head of the Metta Tham rescue team from Thailand, confirmed the rescued worker was brought out safely. He added that teams would continue assessing conditions before attempting to evacuate the remaining four survivors. Rescuers are also continuing efforts to locate two additional workers still missing inside the cave complex. Search operations for the missing pair are expected to resume on 30 May. The rescue operation has drawn attention due to the difficult conditions inside the flooded mine and the involvement of experienced international cave rescue specialists. The operation follows days of challenging underwater access and hazardous conditions caused by persistent flooding. Komchadluek reported officials have not yet released further details on the rescued worker’s medical condition. Authorities are expected to provide additional updates as rescue teams continue evacuation and search efforts in the coming days. AQOpjYNuKUgMVWbyNK4fTeVKfAkfAgfmbtSz6U2bdOVwKEtQ4tkguwsgRmZhIqQiDLpesK8VhimY-R6QTr7WJdDDkBvt4kfCRiA5jIpWYw.mp4 Related story Thai-divers-find-five-in-collapsed-Laos-gold-mine Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Komchadluek 30 May 2026

First Lao Man Rescued From Flooded Gold Mine

Fri, 29 May 2026 20:46:32 +0000

The "refugees". In general.

Fri, 29 May 2026 20:42:55 +0000

I see that your use of Soviet/Putinesque "the Ukraine" marks you out as a Russophile who believes that Ukraine is not a proper country, and has no right to independence. Most of them are women and kids. 75% are women. Most left behind partners in Ukraine. 33% of Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland are in work, which is much higher than for other refugee groups in Switzerland. Ukrainian male refugees are more likely to be in work than women. Employers express a reluctance to employ Ukrainians because they don't know how long they will be around. 70% of refugees have a university degree. Language is a significant bar to integration in Switzerland. People bitching about refugees is an age old thing. Notably, during WW2, Switzerland practised anti-Semitic policies by collaborating with the Germans over refusing entry by refugees who has the J stamp in their passports. The Bergier Commission concluded that about 24,000 Jewish refugees were refused entry or were forcibly deported to death camps by Switzerland. The Swiss have a dirty secret in addition to the pollution they dump in the rivers for Belgium to clean up.

Is it fair for older men to date much younger women?

Fri, 29 May 2026 20:42:54 +0000

This is common, mostly with men with limited budget. A long term visa is more economical to stay in Thailand, these poorer men looking for anything to shack up with, they end up with the dregs, the old girl in the bar, been working there for years, who never gets bar fined. As the years go by they move on to the aged pension, it's why some these pensioners are always grumpy, angry with themselves, they hate the world.