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Accident Massive Concrete Slab Falls on Car in Lat Krabang
Picture courtesy of Khaosod. A large concrete slab fell from a transport lorry onto a passing car in the Lat Krabang district of Bangkok, severely damaging the vehicle. Remarkably, the driver escaped with only minor injuries. According to a report shared by the FM91 Trafficpro Facebook page and confirmed by the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, the incident occurred near the entrance of Soi Lat Krabang 54. The slab, which had been loaded onto a truck for a nearby construction project, slipped from the vehicle and crashed onto a private car travelling alongside. Images from the scene show the car crushed under the weight of the fallen slab. Fortunately, the driver, who has not been named, suffered only minor injuries and was able to exit the vehicle without assistance. Emergency services were called to the scene immediately, and the right-hand lane of the road was temporarily obstructed due to the debris. Local authorities are now investigating the incident. Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-12. -
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Zelenskyy welcomes Putin’s indication of readiness for peace talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed Vladimir Putin's offer for direct peace talks with Kyiv, calling it "a positive sign." In a potential turning point in the conflict, the Russian leader opened the door to direct negotiations with Ukraine "without any preconditions," suggesting a meeting in Istanbul next Thursday. His overture followed renewed pressure from Kyiv's Western allies on Saturday. “The entire world has been waiting for this for a very long time,” Zelenskyy wrote on X Sunday morning, referring to Putin’s announcement. “It is a positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war.” President Donald Trump responded optimistically on his TruthSocial platform early Sunday, writing, “It was a potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine!” He continued, “Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved as this never-ending ‘bloodbath’ hopefully comes to an end. It will be a whole new, and much better, WORLD. I will continue to work with both sides to make sure that it happens. The USA wants to focus, instead, on Rebuilding and Trade. A BIG week upcoming!” French President Emmanuel Macron, however, struck a more cautious tone. He described Putin’s proposal as “a first step, but not enough,” and suggested the Russian leader was “looking for a way out, but he still wants to buy time.” Putin’s announcement came at the conclusion of a three-day ceasefire declared by Moscow to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. The statement also followed a coordinated effort by European leaders, including UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who were in Kyiv on Saturday urging Moscow to extend the pause into an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. Starmer, alongside leaders from France, Germany, and Poland, met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv and later joined a virtual summit with leaders from nearly two dozen European countries. “All of us here, together with the US are calling Putin out,” Starmer said during a joint press conference. “If he’s serious about peace, then he has a chance to show it now by extending the pause into a full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire. With negotiations to follow immediately once a ceasefire is agreed. No more ifs and buts, no more conditions and delays.” Starmer warned that should Putin reject peace efforts, Western nations would respond decisively. “If the Russian leader turns his back on peace, we will respond. Working with President Trump, with all our partners, we’ll ramp up sanctions and increase military aid for Ukraine’s defence.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response, “We need to think about this. This is a new development,” but reiterated that Russia would not respond to external pressure. “We are open to dialogue, we are open to attempts to resolve [the conflict] in Ukraine. But trying to put pressure on us is rather useless,” he told CNN. Peskov also told ABC News that Russia would consider a 30-day ceasefire if it included a halt to Western arms deliveries to Ukraine — a condition flatly rejected by European and U.S. leaders. “Otherwise it will be an advantage for Ukraine. Ukraine will continue their total mobilisation, bringing new troops to (the) frontline,” he warned. The day was also marked by a highly public and vulgar reaction from Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president, who tweeted, “Macron, Merz, Starmer, and Tusk were supposed to discuss peace in Kiev. Instead, they are blurting out threats against Russia … Shove these peace plans up your pangender ar**s!” The historic visit by leaders of the UK, France, Germany, and Poland to Kyiv was the first of its kind, widely viewed as a strategic counterpoint to Putin’s Victory Day celebrations in Red Square, where he was joined by China’s President Xi and leaders from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The geopolitical divide remains stark, and whether peace talks materialize this week as Putin proposes remains uncertain. Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Times | Politico 2025-05-12 -
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One of the Iranians Arrested in Plot Against Israeli Embassy in London was an Asylum Seeker
A 40-year-old Iranian man arrested earlier this month in connection with an alleged terror plot targeting the Israeli embassy in London has been revealed to be an asylum seeker living in a taxpayer-funded home. The man, one of five Iranian nationals detained across England on May 3, was living in a property managed by Serco, a private company contracted by the Home Office to house asylum seekers. Footage circulating on social media captured the dramatic arrest, showing armed police and special forces dragging the semi-naked suspect from a terraced house in Rochdale. The arrest formed part of a coordinated operation under terrorism legislation, with additional suspects detained in Manchester, Stockport, Swindon, and London. A 24-year-old man from Manchester was released on bail with strict conditions days later. Security sources later confirmed that the alleged plot was aimed at the Israeli embassy in Kensington, West London, and that the suspects may have been just hours away from launching an attack. According to MI5, Iran has been linked to at least 20 terror plots on British soil since January 2022. The Mail on Sunday has now revealed that the Rochdale suspect was housed in a property Serco has operated for the Home Office since at least 2015. Former tenants and neighbors reported that the building typically accommodates four asylum seekers, each with their own bedroom and shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. Residents do not pay rent or utility bills, as all expenses are covered by Serco. A former occupant who stayed in the house nine years ago confirmed that new arrivals usually come in Serco vans after leaving temporary accommodation in hotels, and remain until their asylum claims are processed. One neighbor said the arrested man had lived there for over six months but kept to himself, only ever saying “Hello.” Another neighbor claimed a Serco official informed her the company would no longer use the house to accommodate asylum seekers. It is believed the suspect entered the UK illegally via a small boat and subsequently claimed asylum. The case has intensified fears among police and government officials that the Calais migrant route is being exploited by operatives linked to hostile foreign powers, particularly Iran, to infiltrate the UK for potentially violent missions. Terrorism expert Professor Anthony Glees of Buckingham University expressed grave concern over the security implications. “The Calais boat route self-evidently presents a clear and present danger to national security,” he said. “I have always said migrants should be met by warships, not lifeboats. A dedicated agent of a hostile state will use this route to come into the country.” This year alone, more than 11,000 migrants have arrived in Britain from Calais by small boat, despite Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s promises to dismantle the criminal networks responsible for smuggling. Last year, Iranians ranked third among nationalities arriving via this method, with 4,243 people crossing the Channel from that country. In a related investigation, three other Iranian men were arrested in London on May 3 under the National Security Act, accused of espionage. A fourth individual was taken into custody on Saturday in northwest London in connection with the same probe. Both Serco and the Home Office have declined to comment on the developments. Related Topic: 5 Arrested in Suspected Terror Plot as Counter- Terrorism Officers Raid Multiple UK Locations Adapted by ASEAN Now from Daily Mail 2025-05-12 -
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Outcry After Southport Killer Axel Rudakubana Attacks Prison Guard with Boiling Water
Axel Rudakubana, the 18-year-old convicted of murdering three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, is under renewed scrutiny after allegedly throwing boiling water on a prison officer at HMP Belmarsh. The incident occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, May 8, and has reignited concerns about prison safety and the management of high-risk inmates. Rudakubana is currently serving a minimum term of 52 years in the high-security London facility following his conviction for the brutal murders of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar. All three were killed in a horrifying attack last July that shocked the nation. Now, just months into his sentence, he is accused of seriously injuring a prison officer by hurling boiling water at them—a violent act that required the officer to be hospitalized. The Metropolitan Police confirmed it is investigating the incident, stating, “The Met is investigating after a prison officer was subject to a serious assault at HMP Belmarsh on the afternoon of Thursday, 8 May.” The Prison Service has also launched an internal investigation, focusing on how Rudakubana was able to access scalding water inside one of the country’s most secure institutions. It is believed that the attack took place in the prison’s healthcare unit, where Rudakubana was likely being held due to concerns about his mental state and the risk of self-harm. A prison source described his presence in that wing as “unsurprising,” given the gravity of his crimes and the length of his sentence. The incident has prompted sharp criticism from prison reform experts and former officials. Professor Ian Acheson, who previously led an independent review into Islamist extremism in prisons, issued a stern warning about rising violence behind bars and the risks faced by prison staff. “A prisoner having a kettle is not a human right, especially when it could be used as a weapon by somebody who is dangerous,” he said. “There is a forest of red flags accompanying this wretched young man and, given that, I cannot see any reason why he would have been provided with anything other than food and drink delivered to his cell, because the risk he poses is serious and very obvious,” Acheson continued. He warned, “There has been a recent escalation in violent attacks and it is reasonable to conclude that we are closer to the murder of a prison officer on duty than ever before.” Acheson criticized what he described as a culture of “appeasement” toward dangerous inmates, arguing that staff protection must take precedence over perceived prisoner rights. “The balance has become completely skewed, particularly at Belmarsh, in favour of the rights of prisoners against the harm they might pose to prison officers. That balance is dangerously out of whack and needs to be restored,” he said. The attack by Rudakubana comes just weeks after another high-profile incident involving Hashem Abedi, one of the perpetrators of the Manchester Arena bombing, who assaulted three officers with hot oil and stabbed them using makeshift weapons at HMP Frankland. These violent episodes have intensified calls for systemic reform within the prison system. Meanwhile, a public inquiry is underway to investigate how Rudakubana, who had previously been known to authorities, was able to commit his horrific crimes. The latest alleged assault adds another troubling layer to the growing questions surrounding both his case and the broader safety of those working within the UK’s prison system. Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Times 2025-05-12 -
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DHS Spokesperson Suggests Possible Arrests of House Democrats Over ICE Facility Clash
DHS Spokesperson Suggests Possible Arrests of House Democrats Over ICE Facility Clash A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has stirred controversy after publicly suggesting that House Democrats involved in a recent altercation at a New Jersey Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility could face arrest. Tricia McLaughlin, speaking on CNN Saturday morning, alleged that members of Congress assaulted ICE officers during a confrontation at the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark on Friday. “I think that we should let viewers know there will likely be more coming,” McLaughlin said. “We actually have body camera footage of some of these members of Congress assaulting our ICE enforcement officers, including body-slamming a female ICE officer.” Her explosive claim followed a question by CNN’s Victor Blackwell, who had asked if others besides Newark Mayor Ras Baraka were arrested during the protest. Baraka had been charged with trespassing. When pressed on whether members of Congress could be arrested as a result of the incident, McLaughlin replied, “This is an ongoing investigation, and that is definitely on the table.” She added that ICE possessed video evidence to support the claims. Later that day, she posted footage on social media platform X showing chaotic scenes outside the facility. “We will not tolerate assault against our ICE law enforcement agents. By members of Congress or anyone else,” McLaughlin wrote in the post. The remarks came after a tense visit by three Democratic lawmakers—Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver—all representing districts in New Jersey. According to their accounts, the purpose of the visit was legitimate congressional oversight. “As Members of Congress, we have a legal right to conduct oversight at any DHS facility without prior notice, as we have already done twice this year,” said Menendez in a statement on Friday. “Throughout every step of this visit, ICE attempted to intimidate everyone involved and impede our ability to conduct oversight. This is like nothing I’ve ever seen before, and I am shocked and disturbed that something like this happened in our community.” McIver echoed those concerns, stating the lawmakers were treated with “contempt, disrespect, and aggression from ICE.” She went further, accusing the Trump administration of abusing its authority. “From roughing up members of Congress to arresting the mayor of our state’s largest city, there is no version of today that does not show the blatant abuses of power of the Trump administration,” McIver said. The dispute has sparked broader concerns over the treatment of elected officials performing oversight duties and raised questions about the transparency and conduct of immigration enforcement agencies under the Trump administration. While no formal charges have yet been announced against any members of Congress, McLaughlin’s comments suggest that the incident is far from resolved and could escalate further as the investigation unfolds. Adapted by ASEAN Now from NBC News 2025-05-12 -
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Bill Maher Warning to Democrats Over Embrace of young radicals cheering on terror orgs
Bill Maher Warning to Democrats Over Embrace of young radicals cheering on terror orgs Comedian and HBO “Real Time” host Bill Maher has delivered a scathing rebuke of what he sees as a dangerous shift within the Democratic Party, warning that the party is “doomed” if it continues to indulge young radicals who, he claims, cheer on extremist ideologies and turn their backs on American values. During his Friday night monologue, Maher did not hold back in criticizing younger Democrats for what he described as an alarming embrace of anti-Israel sentiment and sympathy toward radical groups. “If the thought leaders in the Democratic Party keep encouraging and not rebuking that America is cringe and the people who run Gaza are great, the Democrats are doomed,” he stated, expressing concern about the growing disillusionment among young progressives with their own country. Maher opened his remarks by referencing polling data suggesting many young Democrats are either ashamed of America or actively embarrassed by it. Mocking that sentiment, he quipped, “Embarrassed? Like America’s your mom picking you up from school?” He added, “You’re embarrassed to be an American? Well, guess what? The feeling’s mutual, because you have no perspective.” The veteran commentator turned his attention to what he sees as a disturbing trend among young liberals who not only reject American values but also align themselves with what he views as oppressive regimes. “Their young people, their key constituency, not only don’t like their own civilization, they like the wrong one,” Maher said. “They actually think Hamas is a liberation movement. They chant for the Houthis. They’re chanting ‘We will honor our martyrs’ at Yale. They’re looking for love in all the wrong countries.” Highlighting the contradictions in supporting such movements, Maher displayed images of women in full-body Islamic coverings and challenged the youth to reassess their stances. “Someone needs to tell the kids that America is not the society where women basically have no rights, where there is zero freedom of religion, and where dissent is punishable by death,” he said. “Our democracy may be on life support, but we still have elections. They don’t.” He took specific issue with the slogan “Globalize the Intifada,” a phrase gaining traction among some campus activists. Maher derided the notion, saying, “As if worldwide suicide bombing and cosplaying Islamic revolutionaries is the answer to our problems.” One particularly troubling example, Maher said, was a recent rally hosted by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, where a Palestinian flag was hoisted over an American one. “What should have happened after that is, one of the adults onstage should have told their young loyal followers, ‘This is not a symbol of freedom. This is,’” he said, displaying a picture of the American flag. Maher ended his critique with a broader swipe at what he sees as a pattern of indulgence by liberal elites. “Liberals are weak and woke – especially the White ones – and they indulge all sorts of nonsense from their kids, a pattern that then continues on in the Democratic Party,” he said. Reflecting on the last election, Maher continued, “It was all the gender stuff, the insistence that men can have babies and such. And now I fear that ‘We like the terrorists’ is the new that.” Maher's monologue served as both a wake-up call and a warning to Democrats: either confront the extremes within or risk political collapse. “Less than 1 in 4 Democrats under 30 say they’re proud to be an American. Fifty-four percent say they’re embarrassed by it. Embarrassed like America is your mom picking you up at school? You’re embarrassed to be an American?” “Well, guess what? The feeling’s mutual because you have no perspective.” Maher didn’t stop there. He called out progressive rallies where the American flag is disrespected—and the Palestinian flag is cheered instead. “At an AOC Bernie Sanders rally in Idaho last month, someone threw a Palestinian flag over an American flag and the crowd erupted in approval.” “What should have happened after that is one of the adults on stage should have told their young, loyal followers, this is not a symbol of freedom. This is [American flag].” Then came a warning to Democrats about where their base is headed. “Problem is the energy of the party is with the young, and the young are with the terrorists. That’s not good. So talk to your children and remind them you don’t really want to live like your heroes in Hamas. All the shit you do all day, it was all made in America.” “Your smartphone, your Grubhub, your freedom to bitch about America. That’s all American stuff. You tell your phone you want a milkshake and a guy brings it to your house, please. You couldn’t survive a week living in Intifadaville.” Adapted by ASEAN Now from NYP 2025-05-12
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