A Bangkok-Samui passenger bus veered off the road, injuring several passengers, with two in critical condition. The incident occurred at 2.50am today, June 23, along Asia Highway 41 in Chumphon province. Nearby, a damaged pickup truck was also found, prompting further investigation by the police. Police Lieutenant Kreangchai Chumkaew, Deputy Inspector of Sawi District, Chumphon …
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A 54 year old Dutch national was discovered deceased in a hotel room in Ayutthaya province, Thailand. Police are investigating the circumstances, considering both suicide and murder as possibilities. Hotel staff informed police around 1pm yesterday, June 22, when the man missed his scheduled check-out. Using a spare key, a housekeeper entered the room and …
The story Dutch man found dead in Thai hotel room, police investigate as seen on Thaiger News.
TEARS streaming down her face, heartbroken mum Fiona Namusoke stroked her teenage son’s lifeless body as he lay in a hospital bed. It was still warm.
Barely hours earlier Fiona, 42, had been on her way to pick him up in September 2023 when she received a devastating call telling her Ashraf Habimana had been stabbed.
Ash, from Luton, had been wrongly targeted by evil twin brothers Athif and Althaf Hussaindeen, then both 17, in a revenge attack over a petty Snapchat feud.
The 16-year-old was stabbed multiple times by a large zombie knife which sliced through his body and punctured his lung. He was treated at the scene and rushed to hospital, but doctors couldn’t save him.
Now his devastated mum Fiona is sharing her heartbreaking story in a bid to raise awareness of knife crime in the UK and the growing threat it poses to our children.
She says: “I’d only taken my son to school that day. My son was a good boy, he was so pure.”
Fiona, a single mum to two sons, tells how Ash was a hard-working student who was just two weeks into his A-Levels.
He was also incredibly dedicated and caring towards his brother Raayan, 19, who was diagnosed with severe autism aged 10 in 2016 and became non-verbal.
Fiona, a full-time carer for Raayan, says Ash naturally stepped into the role of big brother, despite being younger.
She says: “Ash was always like a young carer. He would feed Raayan, play with him and teach him how to count. It was beautiful. He loved his brother.”
Ash filled his time with interesting hobbies, enjoying swimming, basketball, playing guitar and listening to R&B.
In 2021, the family moved house from central Luton, where they’d lived for eight years, to a new home on the edge of Luton, near Dunstable.
Fiona says: “As Ash got older, it was his dream to work in cybersecurity.
“He wanted to help people from being scammed on the internet.
“I was so proud of him. Ash studied incredibly hard, and got great grades for his GCSEs.”
On the day of the attack, Fiona had dropped him off at school as normal.
“I said goodbye, and gave him £10 for some food or the bus,” she recalls.
“That afternoon I was giving Raayan a bath when I rang Ash to ask when his last lesson was.
“He told me he was going to get his favourite wrap with his friends. He asked me to collect him from the wrap place.
“After our call he texted me, ‘Are you going to pick me up now or later?’ to which I replied, ‘I’ll pick you up in a few minutes.’
“Just minutes later, I had a call from an unknown number. A man’s voice yelled that Ashraf had been stabbed. I realised it was my old neighbour.
“I didn’t believe it. I thought it was a prank.”
Fiona got Raayan dressed, put him in the car and sped towards their old house in Luton.
She pulled up to the road which was packed with frightened locals, ambulances and police.
Fiona says: “A lady I’d known for years rushed over, confirming it was Ash. She said he’d been stabbed by the wrap shop. Another boy too.
“I burst into tears, I couldn’t believe it. He’d only just texted me.
“I realised Ash was inside the ambulance, bleeding out. It was locked.
“I was hysterical, screaming for God to save my son, to please save my baby. He couldn’t die.”
I was hysterical, screaming for God to save my son, to please save my baby. He couldn’t die
Fiona Namusoke
Ash was blue-lighted to the hospital. There, Fiona was taken into a private room.
The family of the other boy who’d also been stabbed were there with her. But as a group of doctors entered, they asked to be alone with Fiona.
Fiona says: “They told me they’d done everything they could, but they couldn’t save Ash.
“I didn’t understand. I begged them desperately to keep trying.
“But they told me Ash was already dead. His lungs had been punctured.
“I collapsed to the floor, and blacked out.
“When I came to, they let me see Ash. There was a pool of blood underneath his bed.
“I touched his feet, and they were still warm. I was crying, begging him to wake up, but he wouldn’t. I’d never felt such pain before.”
The following day police informed Fiona they’d arrested two young boys, who’d they’d tracked down through CCTV.
Athif and Althaf Hussaindeen, now 18, were twin brothers. Over the coming months, Fiona slowly discovered what had happened.
Fiona says: “Earlier that day at school one of Ash’s good friends had got into a fight. He’d fought with the boy, Athif. Ash wasn’t there.
“Athif had been punched whilst being recorded on Snapchat.
“Humiliated, he went home, grabbed a large zombie knife he’d purchased online, and gathered his twin brother, Althaf.
“The teenage twin brothers, as well as other friends with knives, searched the area looking for Ash’s friend.
“Sadly, as they found him Ash was there, eating his wrap, waiting for the lift from me.
I touched his feet, and they were still warm. I was crying, begging him to wake up, but he wouldn’t. I’d never felt such pain before
Fiona Namusoke
“He had no idea what was happening. Ash was chased by the brothers.
“Althaf held Ash as he tried to run, whilst the other brother Athif stabbed Ash with the zombie knife three times in the back.
“The first time it went through Ash’s textbooks and calculator. But the other two times it sliced through his body, puncturing his vital organs including his lungs.
“Ash’s friend, the one they’d searched for, had also been stabbed but he’d survived.
“My heart was shattered. My son had no affiliation with gangs. He was innocent, unarmed and trying to get away to safety.
“He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
In October 2024, Fiona faced the twisted brothers at Luton Crown Court.
When the court was shown CCTV footage of Ash’s murder, Fiona couldn’t bear to watch.
After a lengthy trial Athif Hussaindeen was sentenced to 24 years after being found guilty of murdering Ash.
His brother Althaf Hussaindeen was given seven years after being found guilty of manslaughter.
Fiona says: “They laughed and smirked at me in tears.
“I’d only taken my son to school that day, I didn’t understand how this could happen.
“I’d always been a protective, strict mum, dropping and picking him up from everywhere.
“No time would make up for my losing my son, and Raayan losing his brother.”
Now Fiona refuses to let her son’s death be in vain and has started the Ashraf Habimana Foundation, dedicated to tackling knife crime and helping families affected.
Fiona says: “Our goal is to educate young children of how knives destroy lives, as well as encourage mothers to be more vigilant with their kids.
“Please check your children’s bags and bedrooms weekly. Become a detective, and even monitor their computer and phone use. It could save lives.
“Raayan can’t understand his brother is gone. Ash’s smile was contagious and I want him to be remembered for the love he had for everyone.”
IN the last 10 years there has been a shocking 87 per cent increase in the number of police-recorded offences involving a knife or sharp instrument.
In the 12 months to March 2024, 262 murders were committed involving a knife or sharp instrument.
In the same period, 57 young people aged under 25 were murdered – 17 under the age of 16 – by a knife or sharp weapon.
Over the past 10 years the number of teenagers killed with a knife or sharp object has increased by 240 per cent, from 22 to 53.
In the year ending September 2024, there was a devastating total of 55,008 knife-enabled offences.
Up to June of last year, the Met Police recorded offences involving a knife or sharp instrument in London generally had risen by 16 per cent over the past year.
In January Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick told The Sun the UK currently has a knife crime epidemic which is “completely out of control” in London.
Figures compiled by The Ben Kinsella Trust.
Some 145 revellers have been stabbed with syringes in a wave of horror attacks at a music festival in France.
Victims were taken to hospital for toxicology tests after fears they could have been injected with a mystery poison.
Some reported feeling unwell following the pricks.
Millions took to the cobblestone pavements across France on Saturday to attend a street music festival called Fête de la Musique.
The stabbings happened across France with 13 jabbed in Paris, according to cops.
Disgusting calls on social media had spread before the festival calling for women to be stabbed, according to Le Monde.
French cops have arrested 12 people.
Ten girls are alleged to have been attacked by one man with a syringe in the northeastern French city of Metz.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.
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BRIT Tom Aspinall has vowed to restore order to the UFC’s heavyweight division after becoming undisputed champion without even throwing a punch.
The Wigan warrior, 32, was elevated from interim titleholder last Sunday after Jon Jones walked away from their multi-million-pound unification bout at Madison Square Garden in November.
MMA legend Jones, 37, has retired from the sport after holding the division hostage for nearly two years and Aspinall has vowed to get it moving again as quickly as possible.
He said: “I am going to keep this thing as active as possible.
“I want to be the best heavyweight to ever walk the face of the Earth.
“I’m gonna defend this thing as many times as I possibly can and I’m gonna keep you guys entertained.
“I’m going to give back to everybody who has shown me support over the last year, over the last five years and over the last ten years.
“We’re gonna see an active defending UFC heavyweight undisputed champion going forward.”
Controversial American Jones, who was last week charged with fleeing the scene of an accident, retires as the youngest champion in UFC history and the greatest fighter in the history of the sport.
But Aspinall insists his legacy won’t in any way be tarnished by his ‘dream’ fight with the former pound-for-pound king falling through.
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He told SunSport: “Ultimately, I want to be the heavyweight champion of the world. It doesn’t really matter about Jon Jones.
“It’d be nice, it’d be a lovely cherry on the cake to have the scalp and get that experience. I’m a massive Jon Jones fan, first and foremost.
“It would just be awesome to experience that with Jon. But as Jon said, Jon said, ‘Don’t let me hold you back.’
“And when he said that, he came out and said that in an interview, I thought, ‘You know what, he’s right.’ I’m not letting Jon hold me back.”
Jones’ retirement was followed by news that he was charged with FLEEING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT, which caused no great bodily harm or death, on June 17.
A police report from the accident, which took place in New Mexico on February 27, states that a woman was found in the front passenger seat of one of the cars involved in the incident.
The woman, who according to the report was “exhibiting signs of significant intoxication and lacking clothing from the waist down” claims that Jones was driver of the car and fled the crash on foot.
She admitted to taking mushrooms and drinking alcohol at the residence of Jones, who, when interviewed by police a few days later, claimed that she drove away from his house by herself while intoxicated.
RAPPERS Kneecap should be on the curriculum for the Leaving Certificate, Brian Kennedy has claimed.
The singer grew up on the same streets in Belfast as the controversial hip hop trio, who were mobbed by fans last week when they arrived at a court in London.
Lead singer Liam Og O hAnnaidh, 27, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court accused of a terrorism offence — before being released on bail.
He is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in November 2024.
But Brian believes the group could teach students both the Irish language and the history of the island through their rap songs.
Brian told The Irish Sun: “I think putting the lyrics and songs of Kneecap on the Leaving Cert would be a really clever way of speaking to a new generation.
“Kneecap are passionate about the Irish language. I want to see them live.”
Brian hopes he might meet Kneecap when he tours in new musical Moonlight: The Philip Lynott Enigma, which comes to UCH Limerick tomorrow night.
This comes just days after UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he does not think Kneecap’s planned Glastonbury Festival performance is “appropriate”.
Asked if he thought the trio should perform at Glastonbury, Starmer replied: “No, I don’t, and I think we need to come down really clearly on this.
“This is about the threats that shouldn’t be made, I won’t say too much because there’s a court case on, but I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch also voiced her disapproval of the band being platformed and said the BBC “should not be showing” Kneecap’s performance at the festival.
Badenoch said in the X post: “The BBC should not be showing Kneecap propaganda.
“One Kneecap band member is currently on bail, charged under the Terrorism Act.
“As a publicly funded platform, the BBC should not be rewarding extremism.”
Last year Kneecap won a discrimination case against the UK Government in the Belfast High Court after Badenoch tried to refuse them a £14,250 (€16,640) funding award when she was a minister.
Kneecap took aim at her in their latest single, The Recap, released just before their headline set at London’s Wide Awake festival in May, with the song mocking the politician’s attempts to block their arts funding and the Conservative Party’s election loss.
A MOTHER who battled addiction for 14 years has told how Ireland’s only full-time Drug Treatment Court “saved my life”.
Anne Marie Sweeney — who previously served time in the Dochas women’s prison — made the claim after The Irish Sun gained an exclusive insight into the justice system.
The court, based in Dublin’s Green Street, offers addicts who have been found guilty or pleaded guilty to non-violent offences the chance to have their charges dropped if they successfully complete a programme.
After completing her course last year, the mum of seven, 43, from Swords, north Dublin, wants to see full-time drug treatment courts (DTC) in cities and towns across Ireland.
Anne Marie, who now works as an outreach worker for the Traveller community, said: “This court is such a positive aspect of our criminal justice system — it saved my life.
“Once I had completed the process, it then gave me a foundation to build on, and now I am in the community helping others.
“It allowed me to be a mother to my children and I wouldn’t have had this opportunity if I had been in prison.
“I can’t recommend this court process to people enough — especially those who are struggling with their mental health and addictions.”
Anne Marie added: “I firmly believe that this type of court should be operating on a full-time basis all across Ireland.
“I often travel around the country to talk about my experience and I have also been to the prisons to speak about such a positive experience.”
During the court process, which normally takes around two years to complete, participants have to prove they are no longer on drugs, must undertake education courses and prepare a plan for their future.
The programme is based on different ‘bronze’, ‘silver’ and ‘gold’ phases.
Those participating in the programme range from the ages of 18 to people in their 60s.
Once each phase has been completed, participants receive a cash voucher with a graduation ceremony held at the end of the ‘gold’ phase.
Following the end of the gold phase, participants are drug-free, have completed an education course, and have identified a “pathway” to employment.
In operation since 2001, the DTC has helped change the lives of more than 700 people.
In March this year, ten people were in the bronze and silver phases, with one in gold. Eight people are also being assessed for the programme.
Other figures show that, since its formation, 105 people have graduated from the gold phase.
Judge Paul Kelly, who is President of the District Court, told The Irish Sun how the aim of the court was to help improve the lives of offenders.
The senior judge said: “Every person before the court is an individual whose own case is personal and individual to them.
“They are human beings and they are citizens — they are entitled to get the best out of our system, including our judicial system.
“The people who participate in the programme often have chaotic backgrounds, but if they successfully complete the programme, they will reconnect with their community and contribute to society.”
Former gang member Ger Redmond, 43, who now teaches kids in Oberstown Detention Centre, described the DTC as a “unique opportunity” for the participants.
“This court is such a positive aspect of our criminal justice system — it saved my life.”
Anne Marie Sweeney
Ger, from Darndale in north Dublin, said: “Anyone who participates in this programme has nothing to lose but everything to gain.
“This is a great alternative to a prison sentence, courses like this don’t just keep people out of prisons.
“It gives people an opportunity to be redeemed and live a life they could never have imagined.”
Judge Kelly added: “Prison doesn’t address their underlying problems. It’s the underlying conditions of addiction that drive the criminality, particularly for shorter sentences.
“This is an alternative to the traditional court process and it allows offenders who have addictions to illegal drugs to divert from the normal criminal court system and embark on a programme of treatment which is supervised by the court and in the control of the court.
“The programme allows them to avail of a ‘Rolls Royce’ service in terms of support with education, housing, personal support, probation support and Garda support.
“I have often said that there really is a need for a drug treatment court in every city and large town in Ireland, at the very least.”
The judge also said: “Anybody who gets through the gold standard is somebody who has got back to a sustainable, productive and fulfilling life.
“They are back in the community and contributing to society — great positive benefits for society, less stealing and drug dealing.
“The multi-agency approach to this process is crucial and it wouldn’t work without that.”
When we visited the court last week, we also spoke to Mary, 50, one of two women who were appearing at the court last Wednesday.
The Dublin woman, who is in the ‘silver’ phase of the process, has vowed to turn her life around after struggling with addiction to sleeping tablets and other prescription pills.
“This is a great alternative to a prison sentence, courses like this don’t just keep people out of prisons.”
Ger Redmond
She joined the programme two years ago after she was charged with theft. Once she completes the course, her charge will be struck out.
She said: “I’d rather do this programme than go to prison.
“I love life now and I can hold my head high, because, in the past, I was always out of it.”
Other participants have included a mother who now gives talks at justice conferences, a former addict who is now participating in Hyrox fitness competitions in France, and a man who recently read a poem he had written to the court.
Another includes a former participant who now works at the DTC, providing support to others undergoing the programme.
Louise Dwyer, who has had 27 years working in the courts and is the registrar at the DTC, paid tribute to those people who are working hard to turn their lives around.
She added: “I have been at the DTC for nine years and it has been fantastic to see the real positive changes that people have made to their lives.”
Garda Jamie Cruise, who is the full-time Garda at DTC, also praised those who had changed their lives.
Gda Cruise added: “The participants on the programme get great encouragement and it provides them with the opportunity to get their lives back on track.”
Sgt Colin Sullivan, who is based at the Criminal Courts of Justice, also spoke about the benefits of the drug treatment court.
He said: “The court offers a positive engagement with the clients who participate in the programme.
“We have had great support from Supt Jonathan O’Brien at the Bridewell Garda Station and we can see the benefits once individuals have graduated from their courses.”
The agencies involved in the DTC are the HSE, An Garda Siochana, City of Dublin Educational Training Board, the Courts Service and Judiciary.
Participants are also given points by the DTC after completing different phases of their courses and, once they earn 70, they receive a voucher.
Those who fail to reach the required standard could have their bail revoked or be discharged from the programme.
Although the only full-time court is in Dublin, similar courts have been held in Louth, Meath and Limerick.
HOUSE price inflation has soared to its highest in ten years.
The House Price Report from property website Daft.ie found that the cost of an average home in Ireland rose by three per cent in the second quarter of the year.
The typical price of a house around the country was found to be €357,851, 12.3 per cent higher than at this time last year and 40 per cent higher than at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
In Dublin, house price inflation is in line with the rest of the country at 12.3 per cent, while Leinster as a whole saw an increase of 14.3 per cent.
In both Limerick city and Galway city, costs rose at roughly the rate of the national average, sitting at 12.8 and 12.5 per cent respectively.
The rate of inflation in Waterford city is 15.2 per cent, while the same figures are lower in Cork, where price increases are 8.6 per cent.
The average cost of a home in Dublin was €467,913, while in Galway city it was €426,348 and in Cork it was €369,938.
The current market inflation is the highest seen in ten years — since mortgage market rules were introduced.
And while the Government has boosted its homebuilding target this year, Housing Minister James Browne said last week that the aim of 41,000 is “not realistic”.
Trinity College economist and author of the report Ronan Lyons said it is time for the Government to step in and create a plan for producing more homes.
He explained: “The fastest increase in housing prices since mortgage market rules were introduced a decade ago highlights the importance of addressing Ireland’s chronic housing shortage.
“The substantial increases over the past year in almost all parts of the country are linked to the lack of second-hand supply.
“This in turn is related to the increase in interest rates earlier in the decade.
“As interest rates come down and mortgage-holders come off their fixed rate terms, the picture for second-hand supply will improve.
“There are already some tentative signs in Dublin of an increase in second-hand supply. Nonetheless, the second-hand market is only part of the solution.”
He added: “Policymakers have to address their failure to recognise and provide the framework for enough new homes each year.”
A TRAUMATISED woman who was sexually abused by her brother over 1,000 times said last night: “He will always be a monster.”
Michelle Cooke, 49, made the claim as her vile older sibling Kenneth, 62, prepares to be released from Dublin’s Mountjoy Prison next month.
The paedo targeted his younger sister when she was between the ages of seven and 11.
He was jailed for nine years at Dublin Circuit Court in January 2015, when he was found guilty on 16 counts of indecently assaulting his brave sibling.
In 2016, he received a 14-year sentence after he was convicted of abusing two boys.
Although both sentences ran concurrently, he will now be freed after serving more than ten years in prison, due to time served.
Ahead of the sicko’s release, Michelle, who works with other sex abuse survivors, told of her ongoing trauma after The Irish Sun on Sunday contacted her about Cooke’s impending freedom.
She said: “He’s not my brother, he’s a paedophile and a monster.
“The Prison Service have told me that he’s being released and it is causing me to have flashbacks, great anxiety and genuine concern.
“In my view, he will always be a danger to children because he was a professional groomer.
“My evidence convicted him and he knows where I live — what’s to stop him coming to my house?
“I knew where he was these last ten years but when he’s released he could go anywhere.”
When released, Cooke has to notify Gardai of his new address.
He will also be placed on the sex offenders register for life.
And if he fails to notify Gardai of his location, he will then face new charges.
Cooke will also be ordered not to have any contact with his sister.
Before his release, Michelle also took a civil case against him to prevent him accessing funds from the sale of their family home.
Michelle added: “I’m speaking out now because children have to be protected.
“I stood up against evil but I would hate to bump into him in a shop. He has never shown any remorse for what he did to me.”
She added that “a predator like him will never change”.
Michelle continued: “I trust that the authorities will be monitoring him because I have no doubt that my brother still poses a significant risk to children.”
“The Prison Service have told me that he’s being released and it is causing me to have flashbacks, great anxiety and genuine concern.”
Michelle Cooke
The abuse survivor also remains convinced her older sibling has targeted other children in the south Dublin area in the past.
She added that if Cooke “has targeted other young potential victims over the years, I would ask them to come forward”.
She said: “They shouldn’t have to suffer in silence.
“I will be really shocked if there are no other victims.”
Michelle also told The Irish Sun on Sunday: “I’m trying to get my life back and want to be a voice for others.
“When I was on the stand it was horrific — it was the worst thing I’ve ever had to do, but it was worth it.
“Sibling abuse is like a taboo subject but people need to talk about it.”
The sex attack victim also paid tribute to Gardai for nailing the pervert.
The investigation into the case was run by Det Gda Dan Connell under the command of Det Supt Brian Sutton, now retired.
“In my view, he will always be a danger to children because he was a professional groomer.”
Michelle Cooke
Michelle said: “Gardai did a superb job and it was great to have people finally believe me. They trusted me and they were there with me every step of the way.”
During Cooke’s sentencing for abusing his sister, Judge Martin Nolan said: “What makes the offence incredibly serious was the number of times he has sexually assaulted his young sister.”
He told the paedo: “You were an adult and she was a child. You must have known what you were doing was wrong and you continued to do it.”
And in sentencing Cooke for abusing the two boys, Judge Patricia Ryan described his crimes as “very, very serious”.
