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Sponsored Why health insurance costs more each year and how expats in Thailand can save more money
Each year, many expats living in Thailand see their health insurance premiums go up and often without a clear reason. This can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to plan your budget. But by understanding why prices rise and learning...
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Elderly woman’s death prompts criminal probe into police escorting Duchess
A criminal investigation is underway following the tragic death of an 81-year-old woman who was struck by a police motorbike escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh. Helen Holland was hit at a junction in Earl’s Court, West London, on May 10. The police officer riding the vehicle is being investigated for offences, including causing death by dangerous driving, by the Independent…
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Bournemouth Pier boat operations suspended after children’s drowning deaths
Bournemouth Pier has suspended all boat operations as a precautionary measure following the tragic deaths of two children, Joe Abbess, 17 years old, from Southampton, and Sunnah Khan, 12 years old, from Buckinghamshire. The council has clarified that the suspension affects only one company, which operates the Dorset Belle sightseeing boat. The vessel was impounded by police after the incident,…
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Influencer Andrew Tate accused of choking woman during non-consensual sex
A 30-year-old British woman has accused social media influencer Andrew Tate of choking her until she lost consciousness during a sexual encounter in 2014. The woman, who was 20 at the time, claims that the consensual act turned violent when Tate choked her and continued to have sex with her after she regained consciousness. Tate has denied the allegations, stating…
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Sturgeon’s WhatsApp messages sought in Covid-19 inquiry by bereaved families
The legal team representing families who lost loved ones to Covid-19 in Scotland has requested complete transparency regarding former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s WhatsApp messages. Although counsel for Scottish ministers has claimed Sturgeon has no relevant informal correspondence, lawyers for the bereaved argue that inquiry officials should determine what is considered relevant, including private messages, emails, or diaries related to…
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Driver jailed after drug-fuelled crash kills girl he met hours earlier
A young driver has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison after causing a fatal car crash under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Keilan Roberts, 22, lost control of his Skoda Octavia in Fochriw, Caerphilly county, last July, leading to the death of his 17-year-old passenger, Chloe Hayman. The car collided with protective railings on a…
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SNP’s Ian Blackford to stand down at next election
Ian Blackford, the former leader of the SNP in Westminster, has announced that he will not be standing in the next election. Blackford, who was replaced as leader of the independence-supporting party’s Commons delegation by Stephen Flynn last year, has been contemplating his decision for some time. He remains committed to the cause of Scottish independence and will continue to…
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Piers Morgan hits back at Prince Harry’s phone hacking trial accusations
Piers Morgan has responded to Prince Harry’s accusations of phone hacking during the Duke of Sussex’s ongoing legal trial against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN). The former editor of the Daily Mirror was criticised by the royal for allegedly intercepting his mother’s private messages. In a statement to Sky News, Morgan said he hadn’t seen Harry’s comments but wished him luck…
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Woman to sue influencer Andrew Tate over alleged rape and death threats
A 30-year-old woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, has come forward with allegations of rape against social media influencer Andrew Tate. She claims that during a sexual encounter, Tate strangled her until she lost consciousness and continued to have sex with her while she was unconscious. The woman, who was 20 at the time of the incident, met Tate in…
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Record gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnoses in UK, highest since 1918
Gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnoses reached an all-time high in the United Kingdom last year, according to newly released data from the UK’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA). In 2022, there were 82,592 gonorrhoea diagnoses, marking a 50.3% increase from the previous year’s 54,961 cases. This is the highest number of diagnoses since records began in 1918. Additionally, infectious syphilis diagnoses rose…
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80 unclaimed bodies remain after India’s deadliest train crash this century
A tragic train collision in India’s Odisha state has left 288 people dead, with more than 80 bodies still unclaimed five days after the incident. The accident, which involved two passenger trains and a stationary goods train, is the country’s worst rail disaster this century. Over 1,000 injured individuals were taken to hospitals for treatment, and many families are still…
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Bossa nova legend Astrud Gilberto dies aged 83, granddaughter announces
Brazilian bossa nova singer Astrud Gilberto, famed for her rendition of The Girl from Ipanema, has passed away at the age of 83. A prominent figure in Brazil’s music scene during the 1960s and 70s, Gilberto worked with an array of artists, including Quincy Jones and George Michael, and recorded 16 albums. Her version of The Girl From Ipanema sold…
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Fermanagh man sentenced to life for killing family of four and arson
A 32-year-old man, Daniel Sebastian Allen, has received a life sentence for the murder of four family members in County Fermanagh. Allen, who resided near Derrylin on Doon Road, changed his plea just before his trial commenced. He confessed to the killings of siblings Roman Gossett, 16 years old, Sabrina Gossett, 19 years old, and Sabrina’s 15-month-old daughter Morgana Quinn.…
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Margaret Ferrier suspended, triggering SNP by-election challenge
Margaret Ferrier, an independent MP, faces a 30-day suspension from the Commons after a vote by MPs regarding her breach of Covid lockdown rules. This suspension will likely result in a by-election for her constituency of Rutherglen and Hamilton West. Ferrier had previously won the seat for the SNP in the 2019 election but lost the party whip and has…
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Bournemouth Pier boat operations halted after teen and child drown
Boat operations at Bournemouth Pier have been temporarily halted following the tragic deaths of a young girl and a teenage boy. Joe Abbess, a 17-year-old from Southampton, and Sunnah Khan, a 12-year-old from Buckinghamshire, both passed away in the hospital after an incident that took place last week. An inquest has suggested that a riptide may have caused the pair…
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Scotland’s lochs’ dangerous depths highlighted in water safety campaign
Scotland’s lochs, known for their picturesque landscapes, have hidden depths that can pose dangers to swimmers and watersports enthusiasts. As part of Water Safety Week (18-25 June), VisitScotland has released images illustrating the true depths of these lochs to promote safety and awareness during the summer season. Although the lochs may appear calm on the surface, they can contain crevices,…
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AI advances could kill many humans within two years, warns Sunak adviser
Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) could pose a significant threat to humanity within just two years, according to Rishi Sunak’s adviser, Matt Clifford. In a TalkTV interview, Clifford highlighted the lack of global regulation for AI producers and warned that unregulated AI could become “very powerful” and difficult for humans to control. He cited the potential for AI to develop…
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COVID inquiry chair defies government over Johnson’s WhatsApp messages
Baroness Hallett, chair of the COVID inquiry, has stated that it is her responsibility to determine what evidence is “relevant or potentially relevant” in the ongoing legal dispute with the government over Boris Johnson’s WhatsApp messages. Despite the government’s request to withdraw her order for the unredacted material, Baroness Hallett has refused to do so. The government recently launched a…
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Bournemouth pier boat operations halted after swimmers’ tragic deaths
Bournemouth pier has halted all boat operations due to the recent tragic drowning of two young swimmers, as announced by the local council. A spokesperson for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) council stated that the suspension is a precautionary measure until the police investigation reaches a conclusion. The council acknowledged the complexity of the investigation and will consult with Dorset…
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Prince Harry accuses tabloids of inciting hatred and harassment in court
Prince Harry has accused the tabloid press of inciting hatred and harassment in his private life, claiming that it led him to “play up to the headlines” when he was portrayed as a “playboy prince” and a “thicko” during his younger years. Details of these accusations have emerged in Harry’s witness statement as he begins giving evidence in court against…
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Hong Kong government seeks high court ban on protest anthem
The Hong Kong government has sought an injunction order from the city’s high court to ban the protest anthem “Glory to Hong Kong,” which emerged during the massive demonstrations in 2019. If the injunction is granted, it would be the first song to be banned in Hong Kong since the handover to China in 1997. The government claims the song…
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Thailand set to exchange financial data to combat transnational tax evasion
The Revenue Department of Thailand is set to enhance its efforts to combat transnational tax evasion through the exchange of financial information, according to its director-general, Lavaron Sangsnit. Thailand joined the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes in 2017 and has since been working towards adhering to international standards for tax cooperation. The Convention on…
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Chinese suppliers protest Changan’s 10% payment cut amid price war
In the wake of an ongoing price war among automobile manufacturers in China, Chongqing Changan Automobile, a state-owned automaker, has faced backlash from its suppliers after cutting their payments by 10%. The suppliers claim that they are being unfairly forced to bear the brunt of the intense competition in the world’s largest auto market. Since January, over 40 brands have…
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100 unclaimed bodies remain after India’s deadliest rail crash in decades
Indian authorities have urgently requested assistance from families to identify over 100 unclaimed bodies following the country’s deadliest rail crash in over two decades. The accident occurred near the Balasore district in the eastern state of Odisha, resulting in 275 fatalities. Despite continuous efforts to rescue survivors and repair the track, around 100 bodies remain unclaimed as of yesterday evening.…
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Blinken faces uphill battle amid Middle East’s shift towards China and Russia
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken faces challenges during his three-day visit to Saudi Arabia this week, as the United States seeks to maintain its influence in the Middle East. Despite President Joe Biden’s commitment to staying engaged in the region, countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have been forging stronger ties with China, Russia, and…
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Gonorrhoea and syphilis cases surge in England amid sexual health cuts
Record levels of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhoea and syphilis are being reported in England, following a decline during the Covid-19 pandemic. Health experts are urging individuals to practice safe sex and get tested if they believe they are at risk. According to the UK Health Security Agency, there were 82,592 cases of gonorrhoea in 2022, a 50%…
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Asian nations revive Mice industry, Taiwan focuses on preferred destination
As the demand for on-site meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (Mice) activities recovers following the pandemic, Asian countries are preparing their exhibition venues and marketing strategies to welcome international visitors. Northeast Asia has shown significant enthusiasm, with South Korea’s Busan bidding for the World Expo 2030 and Hong Kong unveiling the West Kowloon Cultural District, a 40-hectare area designed to…
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Woman burns to death in car at Pattaya reservoir in suspected suicide
A tragic incident occurred near the Mabprachan Reservoir in Pattaya, where a woman lost her life after setting herself on fire inside a parked car. The police believe it was suicide. The incident took place yesterday evening, June 5, when residents alerted the Pattaya Police and Sawang Boriboon rescuers about a car engulfed in flames. Upon arriving at the scene,…
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Thailand celebrates five cities designated as UNESCO Creative Cities
Thailand earns global recognition with five cities designated as UNESCO Creative Cities. Government Spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri celebrated the achievement, emphasizing the cities’ diverse creative talents and cultural heritage in areas like gastronomy, crafts, folk arts, and design. Phuket was the first Thai city to be honoured with the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy status back in 2015. The island’s local…
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Power play on the border: Thai electricity authority shocks Myanmar towns with supply halt
The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) of Thailand halted the supply of electricity to two Myanmar border towns following a request from the Myanmar government. These towns, located across the Moei River, have been the site of significant illegal investments by groups of Chinese businessmen. Shwe Kokko and Ban Le Le Ko, both situated in Myanmar’s Karen State, are the two…
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Tourists deceived: Travel agency crew ‘unpacked’ by police on fraud charges in South Thailand
Six people from a travel agency have been apprehended by the Provincial Police on charges of fraud in Surat Thani, South Thailand. The suspects are accused of selling counterfeit overseas package tours to a minimum of 99 customers, resulting in damages amounting to 27 million baht. The six arrested allegedly include Sumontri Sonnong, Phanuda Thepchum, Kobsak Pensawat, and Wongchan Pensawat,…
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