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Sponsored Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you
Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...
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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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Thai cyanide serial killer: Big Joke hands over case reports
Deputy national police chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn announced today that the case reports against the alleged Thai cyanide serial killer Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn will be presented to prosecutors this week. Big Joke made the statement during a visit to the Correctional Institution for Women in Bangkok’s Bang Khen area, where Sararat is currently detained. Sararat is facing additional charges,…
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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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China’s nuclear arsenal grows 17%, could match US, Russia by 2030
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has revealed that China’s stockpile of nuclear warheads has risen by 17% in 2022, with the nation’s arsenal expected to continue growing. The SIPRI Yearbook 2023 estimates that China’s nuclear arsenal increased from 350 warheads in January 2022 to 410 in January 2023. The report suggests that by 2030, China could potentially have…
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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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Boris Johnson faces MPs’ verdict on lockdown party deceit allegations
The inquiry into whether Boris Johnson misled Parliament regarding lockdown parties at Downing Street is set to conclude today, with the Privileges Committee finalising their report. Johnson, who resigned as an MP on Friday, criticised the committee as a “kangaroo court” attempting to “drive him out of Parliament.” The report is expected to be published later this week. The seven-member…
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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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Malaysia’s oldest Johor Zoo set to reopen by year-end after upgrades
The Johor Zoo, Malaysia’s oldest, is set to reopen its doors to the public by the end of the year, following its closure in 2020 for upgrading work, according to Johor Mentri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi. The reopening is anticipated to take place with the consent of Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar. Onn Hafiz made the announcement during his…
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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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Selangor state assembly not dissolving in June, confirms Menteri Besar
Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari announced that the Selangor state assembly will not be dissolved in the coming weeks, despite June 19 marking his fifth year in office. He dispelled rumours that a dissolution would be called on that date during a meeting between Selangor public servants and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The Penang government, on the other hand, plans…
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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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Head in the window scare: Child narrowly escapes injury in Guangzhou car incident
A child narrowly escaped serious injury after her head became trapped in a car window while her mother was closing it in Guangzhou, China. Bystanders quickly rushed to help, pushing the window down, and freeing the girl without significant harm. This distressing event reportedly occurred on Wednesday, June 7 in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, and lasted only 30 seconds, but…
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Future luminaries unite: Hong Kong Laureate Forum to showcase Shaw Prize scientists
The prestigious Hong Kong Laureate Forum has been pencilled in later this year bringing together over 20 Shaw Prize scientists and approximately 200 young scientists from 30 countries, including Thailand. The event, scheduled for November 13-18, is designed as a global scientific exchange and networking opportunity to cultivate future leaders in science, as stated by the Hong Kong Laureate Forum…
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Shell shock: Songkla beach residents bemoan mussel decline
Residents around the Samila Beach area in Songkhla reported a decline in the green mussel population stating that it’s had a negative effect on the community who rely on them as a source of food. Small-sized mussels remain unsuitable for consumption, and it is estimated that the population requires further growth before harvesting is possible. Today, it was reported that the number…
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Nightlife note: College director denies teacher’s resignation over moonlight melodies in Thailand
A vocational college director in Yala, southern Thailand, denied that a female teacher was forced to resign for singing part-time at a bar at night for breaching professional ethics. The woman, known as “Teacher Jane,” hit out, accusing the director of twisting the truth. The director of Phadungpracha Yala Vocational College denied pressuring “Teacher Jane” to resign due to her…
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Ubolratana Dam usable water drops 11% amid insufficient wastewater plants
A significant decrease in usable water has been reported at Khon Kaen’s Ubolratana Dam, with an 11% drop attributed to an insufficient number of wastewater treatment plants in the region. The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) has revealed that the dam currently holds only 32% of its total capacity, with merely 207 million cubic metres (m³) of usable water,…
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BioNTech faces first German vaccine lawsuit amid claims of side effects
BioNTech is scheduled to make an appearance in a court in Hamburg today in response to a lawsuit that was filed by a German woman. The woman claims that she experienced side effects from the company’s Covid-19 vaccine and is seeking 5.6 million baht (US$160,000) in damages. This is the first time that BioNTech has been sued in Germany in…
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Malaysia appoints Wan Suraya as Auditor-General, effective tomorrow
Malaysia’s Institute of Integrity (IIM) CEO Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi has been appointed as the country’s new Auditor-General, effective tomorrow, according to an announcement made by Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali. The appointment follows the procedures outlined in Article 105 (1) of the Federal Constitution and has received the approval of Yang di-Pertuan Agong…
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Malaysia cuts combat ships order amid PAC investigation, saves costs
An article published by Malay newspaper Utusan Malaysia has been accused of jeopardising the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) ongoing scrutiny into the littoral combat ships (LCS) scandal. PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin expressed her concerns over the article, which claimed that the government had decided to reduce the number of LCS to be built from six to five to…
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Love gone awry: Indian man arrested for grisly ‘cooking’ of girlfriend’s remains
Mumbai Police arrested an Indian man for allegedly murdering his girlfriend, dismembering her body, and boiling the pieces in a pressure cooker. The arrest of 56 year old Manoch Sane followed a neighbour’s complaint of a foul odour emanating from the couple’s Mumbai apartment. Law enforcement searching the residence discovered several cans with human body parts inside, with more in a blender and…
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