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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 10 July 2025
Illegal Charcoal Plant Raided in Ratchaburi, Locals Suffer from Pollution and Noise Picture courtesy of Matichon The head of the Nakhon Chum Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO), Mr. Samai Kaewsa-ard, led a multi-agency raid on an unauthorised charcoal production facility that had been operating for three months on a nine-rai plot of rented land in Ban Pong district. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1366275-illegal-charcoal-plant-raided-in-ratchaburi-locals-suffer-from-pollution-and-noise/ -
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USA Zohran Mamdani’s Campus Group Hosted Speaker Who Blamed U.S. for 9/11
Mayoral Hopeful’s Campus Group Hosted Speaker Who Blamed U.S. for 9/11 and Admired Terror-Linked Leader Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist who recently surged to victory in New York City’s Democratic primary for mayor, is facing scrutiny for his past involvement with a college group that invited a controversial speaker who later blamed the United States for the September 11 terror attacks. In 2013, while attending Bowdoin College, Mamdani co-founded the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), a group that invited Lebanese-American professor As’ad AbuKhalil to speak about Middle Eastern politics. The visit has resurfaced as a point of contention, given AbuKhalil’s inflammatory remarks and ties to individuals widely condemned for promoting terrorism. Speaking in 2021, AbuKhalil asserted that the United States bore responsibility for the 9/11 attacks. “We have to remember that the US basically was hit on 9/11 by forces that were reactionary and fanatic and were raised and armed and sponsored by America and its allies in the Middle East,” he said. He added, “People forget that 9/11 is a repercussion of the Cold War when the US made its bed and clearly with the religious fanatics of the Muslim world.” While acknowledging the tragedy of 9/11, noting “it’s heart-wrenching remembering all these people who came from 80 nationalities, the ones who died on 9/11 here in the United States,” AbuKhalil contended, “but there were many earlier 9/11s that the US inflicted on people around the world.” AbuKhalil, who teaches at California State University Stanislaus, has also praised George Habash, the founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), an organization classified as a terrorist group by the United States since 1997. “He was a great Palestinian leader,” AbuKhalil said during a 2012 appearance in Edinburgh. “Of course if you look at newspapers he would be seen as terrorist,” he added, while crediting Habash as having “tremendous influence” on his thinking. Time magazine once described Habash as “the godfather of Middle East terrorism,” and the Anti-Defamation League noted that his PFLP gained notoriety in the 1970s for a wave of airplane hijackings. Mamdani’s SJP chapter has been involved in other controversial activities over the years, and his past affiliations and statements have drawn growing criticism as his political profile rises. He has previously come under fire for appearing to defend al Qaeda figure Anwar al-Awlaki in resurfaced tweets. Al-Awlaki, a known extremist preacher, was killed in a drone strike authorized by President Barack Obama. In another contentious revelation, Mamdani reportedly identified himself as both “African American” and “Asian” on a college application to Columbia University, which ultimately rejected him. Born in Uganda, Mamdani is of South Asian descent. Though Mamdani won the primary in a landslide, besting former Governor Andrew Cuomo and current Mayor Eric Adams among others, his general election battle is far from over. He faces Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and a trio of other contenders—Adams, Cuomo, and entrepreneur Robyn Walden—who are running on minor party lines. Despite his commanding primary win, establishment Democrats have so far withheld endorsements, reflecting concern among moderates desperate to prevent Mamdani’s far-left platform from taking control at City Hall. Adapted by ASEAN Now from NYP 2025-07-10 -
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UK UK-Based Muslim Matchmaking Site Under Fire for Promoting Virgin Brides and Polygamy
UK-Based Muslim Matchmaking Site Under Fire for Promoting Virgin Brides and Polygamy A UK-registered matchmaking platform has come under scrutiny for promoting virgin brides, polygamous unions, and content that critics say is deeply misogynistic and potentially harmful. Known as NikkahGram, the site markets itself as an Islamic solution for men seeking “a shy, untouched spouse” or looking to marry up to four wives, in accordance with interpretations of Sharia law. Founded in 2022, the platform has stirred outrage with its approach to female users. Virgin women under 35 are given free access and are positioned as ideal first wives. In stark contrast, women over that age or those with previous sexual experiences are likened to “low quality products,” whose only viable option is sharing a husband in a polygamous marriage. Women must disclose their virginity status—defined by the platform as having had no “previous relationship, haram physical touches or any type of intercourse”—as well as whether they would accept a non-monogamous union. The company’s messaging and practices have been condemned by politicians and women’s rights advocates. Naz Shah, former shadow minister for women and equalities, called the platform’s content “frankly vile and deeply disturbing.” She said, “The categorisation of women into so-called ‘virgins’ and ‘non-virgins’, along with different membership ‘tiers’ based on such degrading labels, is nothing short of dehumanising. This kind of rhetoric has no foundation in Islam, nor in any ethical framework rooted in dignity or respect.” Among the figures associated with NikkahGram is Asif Munaf, a former NHS doctor suspended from the medical register after an investigation into anti-Semitic social media activity, including Holocaust denial and 9/11 conspiracy theories. Originally listed as NikkahGram’s “associate qualified doctor,” Munaf was later rebranded as an “associate coach.” A £99 “mental wealth coaching call” offering his “medical expertise” has since been removed. Nonetheless, Munaf continues to post pseudoscientific claims and misogynistic views through the platform’s social media accounts. In one video, Munaf falsely claimed that contraceptive pills could make women “kind of bisexual” by disrupting hormones. In another, he argued that women “have defects in their intellect” and cannot be leaders, stating, “Women do need to be treated with a bit more support and advice. Because they don’t have the ability to make decisions for themselves… How many prophets were women? Zero.” He justified this by citing Islamic scholarship. Other posts and videos linked to NikkahGram promote wife-beating as “symbolic,” endorse the wearing of the niqab, and encourage divorcing “feminist” wives who fail to meet domestic expectations. Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem appears in one clip explaining that a husband displeased with his wife should first advise her, then withhold sex, and only as a last resort strike her “lightly.” He added, “Not with a baseball bat… but gradual. And this is for the goodness of the marriage.” Critics say NikkahGram’s brand of religious conservatism masks a more dangerous ideology. Baroness Shaista Gohir, chief executive of the Muslim Women’s Network UK, said, “What they present as ‘family values’ is thinly veiled misogyny, targeting vulnerable women – especially new converts, those with limited religious knowledge, and insecure young Muslim men struggling with identity.” She warned that the site reflects “fringe voices” inspired by Western misogynists like Andrew Tate, dressed in the language of piety and Islamic tradition. The website also encourages men to seek wives abroad, particularly for second marriages, suggesting women overseas are “less prone to feminism” and “more traditional.” One promotional video states: “If you’re tired of Western sisters and want a wife… who respects your role as a man and provider, and hers as a homemaker, you should consider this.” In response to inquiries, NikkahGram claimed it operates “strictly within UK law and Islamic principles” and denied any promotion of abuse or illegality. A spokesperson said, “We provide a religious matrimonial service that reflects the values and preferences of many practicing Muslims. All participation is voluntary.” Yet the platform’s portrayal of women, particularly its emphasis on virginity and domestic submission, has sparked broader concerns about integration and women’s rights in Britain. Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said: “This vile site promotes domestic abuse. It shouldn’t exist. The fact it does shows yet again how our immigration and integration policies have failed.” The Home Office has been contacted for comment. Related Topics: Britain’s Sharia Courts and the Challenge of Religious Freedom London’s Hidden Courts: The Rise of Unregulated Sharia Councils Adapted by ASEAN Now from Daily Telegraph 2025-07-10 -
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Middle East Hamas Its 'genocidal strategy' & use of Extreme sexual violence
A new report draws on a wide body of evidence on Hamas and its "deliberate genocidal strategy" during its 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. Their findings are laid out in a new report by the Dinah Project, an all-women initiative formed to pursue justice for victims of sexual violence. The report draws on evidence, including first-hand testimony from a survivor of an attempted rape and interviews with 15 former hostages who were held in Gaza. Additional material includes accounts from witnesses to sexual assaults, social media posts, forensic material, and visual and audio documentation. The Dinah Project was founded in the wake of the October attack by legal scholar Ruth Halperin-Kaddar, former chief military prosecutor Sharon Zagagi-Pinhas, and Nava Ben-Or, a former judge and deputy attorney general. The group states that their new report “establishes that Hamas used sexual violence as a tactical weapon, as part of a genocidal scheme and with the goal of terrorizing and dehumanizing Israeli society.” The report was released on Tuesday and, according to its authors, it “creates a pathway to justice for victims of the 7 October attack and potentially for victims in other conflict zones.” It offers what the group calls “a legal blueprint for prosecuting these crimes, even when direct attribution to individual perpetrators is impossible.” One former hostage cited in the report said she was forced to perform a sexual act after enduring verbal and physical sexual harassment, forced nudity, and abuse. Six other hostages also reported being forced to strip during their captivity. The Dinah Project argues that the nature and scale of the sexual violence committed point to it being “widespread and systematic” during the 7 October assault. Specific numbers from the report are harrowing. Five witnesses described at least four separate incidents of gang rape. Seven reported at least eight other distinct cases of rape or severe sexual assault, including some that occurred during captivity. Additionally, five witnesses spoke of three separate sexual assaults, while three others recounted cases involving mutilation. The incidents are reported to have occurred in various locations, including the Nova music festival, the Nahal Oz military base, the Route 232 road, and multiple sites inside Gaza where hostages were held. The group’s legal blueprint outlines a method for establishing criminal responsibility even when individual perpetrators cannot be linked to specific acts. It proposes an evidentiary structure that organizes material based on its relevance and reliability, and a legal framework that allows for prosecution even when a person did not commit or directly witness a crime. This, the authors argue, is crucial in cases involving mass atrocities where chaos and terror obscure traditional evidence trails. In March 2024, a United Nations mission found “reasonable grounds” to believe that conflict-related sexual violence had taken place during the 7 October attacks, including incidents of rape and gang rape. The mission also reported “convincing information” that hostages had been subjected to rape and sexualized torture. Furthermore, three top Hamas leaders—who were later assassinated by Israel—were named by the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor for crimes against humanity, including rape, sexual violence, murder, extermination, and torture. The Dinah Project concludes its report with a strong message: “Justice is essential not only for individual victims but for affirming broader principles: that sexual violence in conflict is a serious violation of international law, that perpetrators will be held accountable, and that the international community will not allow such crimes to be committed with impunity.” Related Topics: 7 October Parliamentary Commission Report (pdf download) UN finds evidence of rape on Oct. 7 and after Chilling Confessions Father and Son Describe Sexual Crimes During Hamas Invasion Israeli report says Hamas sexual violence 'systematic and intentional' Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-07-10 -
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USA Biden’s Former Physician Seeks Delay in Congressional Testimony Over Doctor-Patient Privacy
Biden’s Former Physician Seeks Delay in Congressional Testimony Over Doctor-Patient Privacy Concerns Dr. Kevin O’Connor, who served as President Joe Biden’s personal physician during his White House tenure, has requested a delay in his scheduled testimony before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, citing legal and ethical concerns over the scope of questioning he may face. The deposition, originally set for Wednesday, is part of a broader Republican-led inquiry into President Biden’s cognitive health and alleged use of an autopen device for signing documents. In a formal letter to Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), O’Connor’s attorney, David Schertler, asked to postpone the deposition until the week of July 28 or August 4, highlighting the unresolved issue of how the committee intends to handle protected medical information. “Dr. O’Connor has legal and ethical obligations that he must satisfy and for which violations carry serious consequences to him professionally and personally,” the letter stated. Schertler also questioned the committee’s apparent refusal to define or limit the scope of the deposition, warning that forcing O’Connor to testify without safeguards would set a dangerous precedent. “We are unaware of any prior occasion on which a Congressional Committee has subpoenaed a physician to testify about the treatment of an individual patient,” Schertler wrote. “And the notion that a Congressional Committee would do so without any regard whatsoever for the confidentiality of the physician-patient relationship is alarming.” The committee, which has been pushing forward with its investigation into the President’s health and mental acuity, has dismissed O’Connor’s concerns as obstruction. A spokesperson told NBC News, which first reported the letter, that the physician was trying to “stonewall” the investigation and added that O’Connor could assert privilege question by question during the deposition if necessary. O’Connor is not the only White House insider the committee has sought to question as part of its probe. Neera Tanden, the former director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, has already sat for an interview. Anthony Bernal, a top aide to former First Lady Jill Biden, was also scheduled to testify but failed to appear, prompting the committee to issue a subpoena. The investigation into President Biden’s health has become a politically charged issue in recent months, with Republican lawmakers raising questions about his cognitive fitness, especially in light of his 2024 re-election campaign. The inquiry has also focused on the use of an autopen—a device that allows for remote signature replication—as a potential sign of declining health or absent leadership, though its use is neither new nor unique to the Biden administration. As the dispute over Dr. O’Connor’s testimony intensifies, it underscores the broader clash between congressional oversight authority and the sanctity of medical confidentiality. Whether the committee will agree to the delay or impose clearer boundaries on its questioning remains to be seen. For now, Dr. O’Connor’s appearance remains in limbo, pending further negotiation over what he can—and cannot—be compelled to say. Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Hill 2025-07-10 -
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UK Gregg Wallace Vows to Fight On as BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Misconduct Cover-Up
Gregg Wallace Vows to Fight On as BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Misconduct Cover-Up The BBC is under mounting pressure to explain its handling of longstanding allegations against TV presenter Gregg Wallace, who has now been removed from his long-held role on MasterChef following a series of misconduct claims. The broadcaster's silence amid a growing number of complaints—now reported to involve more than 50 individuals—has sparked public outrage and calls for accountability at the highest levels of BBC leadership. Wallace, 60, was officially dismissed from his presenting role on MasterChef, a programme he had co-hosted since 2005, after a legal review into his conduct. Despite the BBC distancing itself by deferring the investigation to Banijay, the independent production company behind MasterChef, the scandal has nonetheless placed the BBC in the spotlight. Wallace is adamant that he has been treated unfairly, stating, “After 21 years of loyal service to the BBC, I cannot sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged to protect others.” In a defiant statement ahead of the official report's release, Wallace acknowledged that he had used inappropriate language at times, saying, “I recognise that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate. For that, I apologise without reservation.” He insists that the findings will clear him of any serious misconduct, though he did admit to once opening his dressing room door naked except for a sock over his genitals, which he claims happened after filming had ended. Wallace also suggested that some of his behaviour may have been influenced by his recently diagnosed autism, which, he said, made the MasterChef environment “dangerous” for him. “Yet nothing was done to investigate my disability or protect me,” he said. “That failure is now being quietly buried.” New allegations published by BBC News include disturbing accusations of sexual misconduct spanning more than two decades. Sophie, a junior staffer on the 2013 MasterChef series, alleged Wallace groped her covertly at a wrap party while standing beside co-host John Torode. “Gregg’s time has come,” she said. “But the most senior leadership, who have clearly heard these testimonies over the years and not chosen to remove him, should also resign.” Another accuser, known as Alice, described an incident in 2012 when Wallace allegedly invited her to his dressing room under the pretext of needing help changing into formalwear. Once inside, she claims he pushed her onto a sofa and exposed himself. When she reported the incident to the production team, a senior staff member allegedly dismissed her concerns with the remark: “You’re over 16, you’re not being ‘Jimmy Saviled’.” Earlier complaints include an allegation from a participant on Saturday Kitchen in 2002, when Wallace was said to have touched a woman’s groin during a pre-show dinner and asked, “Do you like that?” A junior production worker on the same show claimed that Wallace had groped her breasts and bottom, but she stayed silent out of fear of losing her job. “It was like no one else had a problem with what was happening, so I couldn’t have a problem either,” she said. Despite these troubling accounts, the BBC has not conducted its own investigation. Given that MasterChef is one of the BBC’s eight flagship programmes, critics argue that the broadcaster had a responsibility to provide better oversight rather than outsource accountability. Wallace has lashed out at the BBC and its news division, claiming the recent coverage amounts to “baseless and sensationalised gossip masquerading as properly corroborated stories.” He continued, “The BBC is no longer providing balanced and impartial public service journalism.” He also took aim at his critics, alleging that the complaints were driven by “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age.” According to Wallace, “The most damaging claims including allegations from public figures… have not been upheld [and] were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation.” Wallace concluded with a vow not to retreat quietly, stating, “I will not be cancelled for convenience. I was tried by the media and hung out to dry well before the facts were established. The full story of this incredible injustice must be told and it is very much a matter of public interest.” A BBC spokesperson has said, “Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to run an investigation into allegations against Gregg Wallace. We are not going to comment until the investigation is complete and the findings are published.” Related Topics: BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Allegations Against Gregg Wallace Following External Investigations Adapted by ASEAN Now from Daily Telegraph 2025-07-10
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