Biden in Ukraine: How the president's surprise visit was kept a secret
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 11 June 2025
No Border Closure: Thailand, Cambodia Pursue Diplomatic Path Forward Picture courtesy of Wikipedia Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra reassured the nation that the tense situation at the Thai-Cambodian border is gradually improving. On Tuesday, June 10, she confirmed no confrontations have arisen between the two nations. Border checkpoint opening and closing schedules remain unchanged as both countries aim to ease tensions collaboratively. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1363276-no-border-closure-thailand-cambodia-pursue-diplomatic-path-forward/ -
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Report No Border Closure: Thailand, Cambodia Pursue Diplomatic Path Forward
Picture courtesy of Wikipedia Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra reassured the nation that the tense situation at the Thai-Cambodian border is gradually improving. On Tuesday, June 10, she confirmed no confrontations have arisen between the two nations. Border checkpoint opening and closing schedules remain unchanged as both countries aim to ease tensions collaboratively. The Prime Minister highlighted the robust communication between Thailand and Cambodia under international law. She has engaged with Cambodian counterparts, including Prime Minister Hun Manet and Senate President Hun Sen, to safeguard national interests. These discussions have been peaceful, with both parties striving for harmony. Contrary to swirling rumours, Paetongtarn dismissed the notion of permanently closing the border, stressing the detrimental impact this would have on cross-border trade. Instead, timing adjustments at checkpoints are intended to minimise disruptions. The upcoming Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting on June 14 is anticipated to facilitate further progress. While the possibility of taking the issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) looms, Paetongtarn reinforced Thailand's rejection of the ICJ's jurisdiction. The Thai government continues its transparent yet discreet diplomatic approach. Though confidentiality limits public disclosure, both nations have reached a private understanding, ensuring regional stability. In conclusion, the Thai-Cambodian border situation is being managed diplomatically, with vital discussions scheduled to continue. The avoidance of permanent closure indicates a focus on maintaining crucial trade relations while addressing security concerns. The forthcoming JBC meeting will be crucial in determining further steps to sustain peace and prosperity between the two neighbouring countries. Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-06-11 -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 11 June 2025
Singer Murders Woman in Grocery Store in Frenzied Knife Attack Picture courtesy of Workpoint. A 43-year-old woman was brutally stabbed to death in a small grocery store in Wang Thong district, Phitsanulok, after being attacked by a man she was reportedly in a relationship with. The victim suffered over 30 stab wounds and died at the scene. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1363275-singer-murders-woman-in-grocery-store-in-frenzied-knife-attack/ -
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Crime Singer Murders Woman in Grocery Store in Frenzied Knife Attack
Picture courtesy of Workpoint. A 43-year-old woman was brutally stabbed to death in a small grocery store in Wang Thong district, Phitsanulok, after being attacked by a man she was reportedly in a relationship with. The victim suffered over 30 stab wounds and died at the scene. Police from Wang Thong Police Station responded to the emergency call near Phinphonrats School, where they found the lifeless body of Ms. Ratchada, 43, inside her store. The suspect, Mr. Wutthipong, 50, a singer at a well-known restaurant in central Phitsanulok, was arrested at the scene after also attempting to attack bystanders who had rushed to help. Initial investigations revealed that Mr. Wutthipong was in a romantic relationship with the victim. However, he claimed to have recently discovered that she was already married. He also stated that he had just learned he was suffering from both HIV and cancer, which caused him significant emotional distress and triggered the violent outburst. On the day of the murder, the suspect reportedly rode his motorcycle from his residence in Tha Takhian to the grocery store run by the victim. Upon arrival, he launched a vicious knife attack, stabbing her 31 times. A neighbour, Mr. Juti, 55, who lives next to the shop, said he heard loud shouting and rushed out to witness the horrifying scene. Police have charged Mr. Wutthipong with murder and are continuing their investigation, gathering additional witness statements and forensic evidence. Adapted by Asean Now from Workpoint 2025-06-11 -
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Government U-turn on Winter Fuel Payments, Expands Eligibility for Pensioners
Government Reverses Course on Winter Fuel Payments, Expands Eligibility for Pensioners In a significant policy shift, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced that more than three-quarters of pensioners in England and Wales will now qualify for the winter fuel payment, following widespread criticism and political pressure. The reversal means that nine million pensioners earning £35,000 or less annually will be eligible for the payment, which is worth up to £300 and intended to help cover energy costs during the winter months. Previously, the payment was restricted to those receiving pension credit, a limitation that was widely blamed for Labour's disappointing performance in recent local elections. Acknowledging the public backlash, Reeves stated, "We have listened to people's concerns." The Chancellor emphasized that the government’s improved fiscal management made the expansion possible, saying, "Because of changes we've made and the stability we've brought back to the economy, we are able to increase that amount." Despite the government’s assertion that the new income threshold ensures "no lower or middle-income pensioners will miss out," critics have not held back. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch derided the move as a "humiliating U-turn," highlighting the political pressure that led to the change. The move comes just days before Reeves is set to unveil the government’s much-anticipated Spending Review on Wednesday. That review will set departmental budgets for the next three years and outline investment plans through to the end of the decade. Although the government signalled its intention last month to widen eligibility for the winter fuel payment, the absence of concrete details led to mounting speculation and criticism. This ambiguity threatened to overshadow the upcoming Spending Review, which Reeves has said will focus on fiscal discipline and targeted investment. During a recent speech in Manchester where Reeves promoted a £15.6 billion funding package for local transport infrastructure, she was repeatedly pressed for clarification on the winter fuel policy. Though she confirmed changes would be in place for this winter, no specifics were offered at the time. Even as recently as Sunday, Science Secretary Peter Kyle was unable to provide further details, telling Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips that the full eligibility criteria would be revealed "in the run up to the autumn." While charities have largely welcomed the change in policy, they argue it falls short of what's truly needed. Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, praised Reeves for reversing the original decision, saying she had "seen sense." However, he also urged the government to "focus on how it supports all households in fuel poverty," not just pensioners. One major question remains unanswered: how will the expanded benefit be funded? The financial implications of the new eligibility threshold are expected to be addressed in the autumn budget. Until then, concerns about funding and the overall strategy to combat fuel poverty will likely persist. With the Spending Review looming, Whitehall insiders have warned that the budgeting process could become contentious. As one official reportedly put it, they expect the review to be "ugly." Nonetheless, the government hopes the revised winter fuel policy will ease financial pressures for millions of older Britons while shoring up its own political standing ahead of a challenging fiscal season. Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-06-11 -
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Greta Thunberg and the Cult of the Omnicause: When Activism Becomes Performance
Greta Thunberg and the Cult of the Omnicause: When Activism Becomes Performance Greta Thunberg’s recent foray into the Gaza crisis has raised eyebrows for what many see as a shallow, symbolic gesture rather than a meaningful act of humanitarian aid. Her high-profile sea journey to deliver assistance to Gaza was less a mission of substance and more a carefully orchestrated media performance. Critics argue that, like many of her peers in the activist community, Thunberg is more driven by optics than outcomes. Her latest move seems emblematic of a broader trend among younger activists who hop from cause to cause, capturing moments for social media while glossing over the complexity of the issues they claim to champion. Thunberg’s voyage into a war zone may have been ill-conceived from the start. Symbolism clearly trumped strategy. The stark irony, as noted by critics, is that Thunberg—known for her outspoken views, uncovered legs, and freedom to speak—would not be granted such liberties by Hamas, the very regime controlling Gaza. But such contradictions seem secondary to the goal of seizing the moral high ground. Activists like Thunberg seek to claim all of it, often with muddled logic. Sailing into an active war zone as a symbolic protest is not just naive—it borders on delusional. This mission, labeled by Thunberg and her team as an "aid boat," ultimately served more as a prop in a larger narrative. Detainment by Israeli forces, which she described as “kidnapping,” was seemingly anticipated. She even had a pre-recorded video ready in case of such an encounter. However, reality undercut her messaging: the viral image of Thunberg smiling while receiving a pastrami sandwich from an Israeli soldier stood in stark contrast to the devastating footage of real hostages being taken by Hamas on October 7—girls with bloodied clothing, injured bodies, terrified civilians. Reports suggest the Israeli Defense Forces intended to show Thunberg and her crew graphic footage from that day, underscoring the grim disparity between her symbolic activism and the brutal reality of the conflict. Reports are she and the other activists refused to watch it, their false equivalence of claiming to be kidnapped would not then be quite so appropriate. Thunberg’s journey from climate protester to political generalist reveals much about the evolution of youth activism in the digital age. Her early speeches in national parliaments and appearances at summits like Davos electrified audiences and gave her a powerful symbolic role. But over time, that symbolism has been stretched thin, applied to cause after cause in a seemingly random sequence. What once felt urgent and authentic now risks feeling performative. The Left, as observed by some, has morphed into a loose coalition of disparate movements—climate activism, trans rights, Palestinian solidarity—stitched together into what has been dubbed the "omnicause." The term emerged in 2023 to describe a form of activism that sacrifices focus for breadth. Whether it's campaigning for animal rights or prison abolition, the omnicause dilutes the individual weight of each issue. Specifics are lost in favor of easy-to-share, emotionally charged images that trend well but often lack nuance or context. Younger protest groups like Just Stop Oil—now rebranded as Youth Demand—have pivoted away from headline-grabbing tactics like soup-throwing to embrace broader causes like Gaza, all while remaining largely silent on other global crises such as the famine in Yemen or violence in Sudan. There may be valid links between climate instability and armed conflict, as some scholars suggest in the case of Syria, but the omnicause rarely accommodates such depth. Thunberg’s latest stunt felt particularly hollow when footage surfaced of her fellow protesters throwing their expensive smartphones into the sea as Israeli forces approached. So much for environmental stewardship. This is what happens when protest becomes performance: logic and consistency are sidelined in favor of dramatic imagery. The omnicause thrives not on clarity but on virality, closer to theatre than thoughtful activism. While this voyage may be over for Thunberg, there’s little doubt she’ll soon be aboard the next trending movement that comes her way. Related Topics: Greta Thunberg’s Gaza Aid Voyage Sparks Controversy After Senator’s Mocking Remark Undercover with Youth Demand: A New Era of Radical Protest and Political Ambitions Just Stop Oil Declares Victory and Ends Direct Action Campaign in London Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph 2025-06-11
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