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Sponsored Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Perak considers Penang’s request to purchase treated water supply
Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad confirmed that an application from Penang to purchase treated water from the state was received two months ago. The Perak Water Board (LAP) currently sells treated water to users in the Nibong Tebal area, situated adjacent to Parit Buntar, based on cubic meters. Saarani expressed readiness to discuss the matter with the Penang state government,…
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Nigeria’s petrol subsidy removal: President promises infrastructure investment
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has acknowledged the additional burden on citizens following the removal of a popular petrol subsidy, but emphasised that the decision will ultimately benefit the nation through investments in education, power supply, transport infrastructure, and healthcare. In a broadcast on Democracy Day, Tinubu stated that the subsidy had become increasingly expensive for the country, with the government…
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Saudi Arabia targets Chinese tourists to bolster Vision 2030 and diversify economy
The bond between Saudi Arabia and China continues to strengthen as Saudi Arabia advances its Vision 2030 plan and Beijing pursues its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The collaboration between these two countries has grown significantly in recent years, with Saudi Arabia shifting its geoeconomic focus towards the East and China expanding its presence in the kingdom’s economy. The potential…
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Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi dies at 86, leaving controversial legacy
The passing of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi at the age of 86 marks the end of an era in Italian politics. Born in Milan on September 29, 1936, Berlusconi was a controversial figure known for his financial and sex scandals, but also for transforming the political landscape of Italy. Often compared to former US President Donald Trump, Berlusconi…
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Sunak touts AI revolution in education, seeks UK as global hub
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed enthusiasm for the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionise education by offering personalised learning for students. He believes AI could assist teachers in lesson planning and marking, reducing their workload, and comparing the impact of AI to having a personal tutor for each student. As schools and universities face the challenge of adapting…
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British man arrested scaling South Korea’s Lotte World Tower
A 24-year-old British man was apprehended by authorities on the 73rd floor of the Lotte World Tower in Seoul while attempting to scale the world’s fifth tallest building without safety ropes. The man, dressed in shorts, had been climbing South Korea’s tallest skyscraper for over an hour before he was intercepted on Monday and forced into a maintenance cradle, after…
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Malaysia tackles poverty-driven school dropouts with compulsory 11-year education
Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying has stated that poverty is a significant factor contributing to school dropouts, particularly among secondary school students in Malaysia. The Ministry of Education (MOE) has discovered that some students are unable to attend school as they must work to support their families financially. Addressing this social issue during a question and answer session at…
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Malaysia upholds 54.6% forest cover, exceeding 1992 Rio Summit pledge
Malaysia has successfully maintained over 50% of its land area as forest and tree cover for nearly three decades, according to Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Huang Tiong Sii. Currently, the nation’s forest cover stands at 54.6%, or 18.04 million hectares, demonstrating Malaysia’s commitment to preserving its natural environment. This pledge was made during the 1992…
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Penang PH and BN reach consensus on seat allocation for state elections
The Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) leaderships appear to have reached an agreement on seat allocations for the upcoming state elections, according to Penang PH chairman Chow Kon Yeow. However, discussions on seat distribution within the unity government will persist at the federal level. Chow, who is also the Penang chief minister, informed reporters that the central…
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Sarawak drafts biodiversity masterplan for sustainable economic growth
Sarawak’s state government is working on a biodiversity masterplan to integrate biodiversity and ecosystem management into the state’s legal framework and institutions, with the aim of promoting sustainable economic development. The draft masterplan is currently being discussed with relevant stakeholders before it can be officially endorsed by the state government. Sarawak is home to one of the world’s oldest rainforests,…
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Luggage surprise: Ryanair passenger takes ‘overhead’ to new heights in viral TikTok (video)
A TikTok video went viral after capturing the extraordinary moment of a passenger climbing out of the overhead luggage compartment of a Ryanair flight. The footage reveals a passenger emerging from the overhead luggage compartment, sparking a flurry of speculation about the perplexing state of the man in question. A TikTok user under the name @domdolla posted the video showing…
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Woman confesses to cryptocurrency scam involvement after husband’s suicide
A 31 year old woman named Priyanuch was arrested today, in connection with an online investment scam involving cryptocurrency trading. Upon interrogation, she confessed that her husband had encouraged her to open six bank accounts for the scam, and he later took his own life after learning he was wanted by authorities. Priyanuch, a mother of three children aged 13…
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Marital web of deception: Chinese woman’s hidden pregnancy spins a twisted tale of love
In a surprising turn of events within a Chinese marriage, a 27 year old woman from China weaved a crooked web of deception by concealing her pregnancy from her fiancé and deceiving him into marrying her. The 40 year old man from Hengyang in Hunan Province, found himself facing a challenging dilemma upon discovering the truth. Initially, he resisted the…
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Iraq approves record $153bn budget for infrastructure and job creation
Iraqi parliament has given the green light to a historic budget of 198.9 trillion dinars (US$153bn) for 2023, with the aim of addressing the nation’s increasing public wage bill and funding development projects to enhance services and rebuild infrastructure damaged by years of conflict and neglect. The budget, which covers 2023, 2024, and 2025, is the largest in Iraq’s history.…
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Manipur ethnic clashes displace 40,000, kill nearly 100
In the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, violence has erupted between the mainly-Hindu Meitei community and the predominantly Christian Kukis. Since May 3, nearly 100 people have been killed, 310 injured, and over 40,000 displaced. The conflict was triggered by a Kukis-led protest against the Meiteis demanding to be designated as a Scheduled Tribe. The Meitei Pangals, a Muslim community…
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Cyclone Biparjoy threatens India’s Gujarat, Pakistan’s southern coast
A powerful cyclone, named Biparjoy, is set to hit India’s Gujarat state and southern parts of Pakistan, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The cyclone is anticipated to make landfall on Thursday afternoon, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135kmph (78-84mph), gusting up to 150kmph (93mph). The IMD has advised fishing communities to cease operations and evacuate people from…
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Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi dies at 86 after leukemia battle
Italy mourns the passing of Silvio Berlusconi, its former Prime Minister and billionaire businessman, who died at the age of 86. Known for creating the country’s largest media company and transforming the political landscape, Berlusconi had faced several legal and sex scandals throughout his career. His health had been in decline in recent months, including a battle with COVID-19 in…
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Swiss police face homicide charges in Black man’s 2018 death
A Swiss court case commences today, with six police officers facing homicide charges following the 2018 death of a Nigerian man, Mike Ben Peter, aged 39. The man suffered a heart attack after being pinned facedown for several minutes during his arrest. The officers, whose identities remain undisclosed due to Swiss privacy laws, are charged with “homicide by neglect” and…
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Famous South Korean streamer found dead in Cambodian pond, Chinese couple arrested
The body of a famous South Korean DJ, broadcaster, and influencer was found dead in a pond in Cambodia. Police arrested a Chinese couple who allegedly confessed to killing the well-known female broadcaster, BJ Ahyeong, in the nation’s capital Phnom Phen. The 33 year old mysteriously disappeared from all of her social media platforms in March. Her body was discovered wrapped in a…
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Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi dies at 86 after battling leukaemia
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has passed away at the age of 86. He was pronounced dead at San Raffaele hospital in Milan, as reported by Italian media. Berlusconi had been treated for a lung infection in April, which was connected to a previously undisclosed case of chronic leukaemia. Berlusconi was a prominent billionaire media tycoon before entering politics.…
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Jodie Comer wins Tony Award for one-woman Broadway show Prima Facie
Jodie Comer expressed her overwhelming gratitude after receiving a prestigious Tony Award for her one-woman Broadway show, Prima Facie. The Killing Eve actress was awarded best leading actress in a play for her role as a defence lawyer who finds herself in the witness box. The Tony Awards, held in New York, were hosted by Ariana DeBose, who opted not…
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Three UK tourists presumed dead in Egyptian Red Sea dive boat fire
A fire on a dive boat in the Egyptian Red Sea has resulted in the presumed deaths of three British tourists, according to tour operator Scuba Travel. The boat, named Hurricane, had 26 other individuals on board, including 12 Britons, who were rescued. Authorities believe the fire, which occurred on Sunday, was caused by an electrical fault. The Foreign and…
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Upskilling crucial for women to excel in leadership, says Dr Wan Azizah
Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the wife of Malaysia’s Prime Minister and the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia president, emphasised the importance of continuous education, upskilling, reskilling, and cross-skilling for women to remain at the top of leadership. She believes that women’s participation in leadership roles should be based on their skills and capabilities, rather than simply filling…
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Anwar Ibrahim to launch Madani economic narrative in August
In August, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to launch the Madani economic narrative, a concept he introduced to provide clear directions for ministries and agencies in implementing the unity government’s economic plans. These plans encompass the creation of a high-value sustainable economy, expanding social protections by empowering individuals, and reforming the labour market. The government will…
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Hishammuddin questions Umno suspension, awaits disciplinary board summons
Former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein has revealed that he was never summoned by the party’s disciplinary board after his suspension. He stated that the usual suspension process involves appealing for reinstatement and presenting one’s case to the disciplinary board. However, Hishammuddin remains uncertain about the reasons behind his suspension and the sincerity of recent statements suggesting the possibility of reinstating…
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Anwar Ibrahim to address Indonesia maritime border deal in Parliament
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced he will address the concerns raised by Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin regarding the recent maritime border agreement with Indonesia during the Prime Minister’s Questions and Answers (PMQ) session in Parliament. Anwar urged Muhyiddin to attend the debate and stated that he hopes he will be present. The prime minister’s statement came during a…
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Health Ministry tackles Johor staff shortage with 35 nurses and RM771,600
The Malaysian Health Ministry is taking action to address the urgent staff shortage at health facilities in Johor by allocating 35 permanent staff nurses and other staff, including medical assistants. The allocation will also include various contract posts awaiting confirmation. This immediate solution is a collaboration between the Health Ministry and the central agency. Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa stated…
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Roadway tragedy: Foreign motorcyclist’s fatal collision with street sign shakes Pattaya
A tragic accident unfolded in the early hours of today, as a foreign man lost his life after colliding with a street sign while riding his motorcycle in Pattaya. The incident occurred on Pattaya Second Road within the Nongprue sub-district of Banglamung district, Chon Buri province. The foreign man, estimated to be between 30 and 35 years old, was found…
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PM urges public servants to embrace Madani concept, tackle corruption
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on public servants in Selangor to embrace the Madani concept and be open to change in order to combat corruption and cronyism. Selangor is considered the fortress of the national unity government and a crucial element in Malaysia’s aspirations to become a developed country. During a speech to Selangor civil servants, Anwar…
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Malaysian royals mourn loss of humanitarian Datin Paduka A. Mangalam
On June 10, Datin Paduka A. Mangalam, life president of the Pure Life Society, passed away. Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah expressed their condolences to her family and acknowledged her significant contributions to the community, particularly orphans and the less fortunate. Mother Mangalam, as she was affectionately…
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