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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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School students and passengers injured in truck and car collision in Nakhon Si Thammarat
20 people, including school students and passengers, were injured in Nakhon Si Thammarat when a truck crashed into a car and fell into a roadside ditch. The incident occurred at 7am today, on the Nakhon-Ron Phibun road in Chang Sai sub-district, where the truck experienced critical damage, and its right rear wheel detached. At the scene of the accident, officials…
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Malaysia eyes digital economy boom with RM130bn investment target by 2025
Malaysia is striving to become an Asian digital tiger over the next decade, with a focus on attracting talent and expertise in data and technology, according to Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil. Addressing around 100 Malaysian students in London, Fahmi highlighted the importance of the digital economy, which is expected to contribute at least one-fourth of the nation’s economy…
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Malaysia sees 60% investment surge, targets 4-5% GDP growth in 2023
The Malaysian Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) is working towards its 2023 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth target of 4.0 to 5.0% by focusing on investments and exports. In the first quarter of 2023, Malaysia recorded approved investments valued at US$17.1 billion, a nearly 60% increase year-on-year, with 1,265 projects expected to generate 23,977 new job opportunities across…
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Diver Datuk Pandelela Rinong named Malaysia’s national unity icon
National diving champion Datuk Pandelela Rinong has recently been named a national unity icon in Malaysia, according to National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang. This move is part of the ministry’s efforts to promote unity among the people by recognising leaders, artists, and sports legends who embody the values of unity and harmony. Pandelela Rinong, 29 years old and…
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Thousands evacuated as Philippines’ Mayon volcano oozes lava
Approximately 13,000 individuals have been forced to evacuate in the north-east region of the Philippines as Mayon, the country’s most well-known volcano, continues to emit lava. Residents within the six-kilometre “permanent danger zone” have sought refuge in shelters, using lorries and buffalo-drawn carriages to evacuate. Known for its flawless conical shape, Mayon began to spew lava last week, with evacuations…
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Mother dies in Amazon crash, kids survive 40 days before rescue
Four siblings were rescued from the Amazon jungle after surviving 40 days following a plane crash that killed their mother and two pilots. The children’s father, Manuel Ranoque, revealed that their mother, Magdalena Mucutuy, was alive for four days after the crash and urged them to leave and seek help. The siblings, aged 13, nine, five, and one, were airlifted…
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Russian military defector reveals low morale, high losses in rare interview
A Russian military defector has given a rare interview to the BBC, revealing an army suffering heavy losses and low morale. Lieutenant Dmitry Mishov, a 26-year-old airman, sought political asylum in Lithuania after escaping from Russia on foot. He is among a small number of known cases of serving military officers fleeing the country to avoid being sent to Ukraine…
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Wedding bus crash in Australian wine region kills 10, injures 20
A tragic bus accident in Australia’s Hunter Valley wine region has claimed the lives of at least 10 individuals and left over 20 hospitalised. The passengers were returning from a wedding celebration at a local winery on Sunday night when the bus they were travelling in overturned on Wine Country Drive near Greta, New South Wales. Authorities are currently investigating…
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Met Office issues UK-wide yellow warnings for thunderstorms, rain
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms and rain across the UK, following the hottest days of the year. Four yellow thunderstorm warnings are in place from 12pm to 9pm on Monday, covering parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, much of southern England and the Midlands, and most of Wales. Forecasters have warned that heavy downpours could lead…
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Anwar defends subsidy restructuring, excludes Malaysia’s affluent from benefits
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently defended Malaysia’s subsidy restructuring programme, which aims to benefit targeted groups by excluding affluent households. Anwar explained that the policy shift differs from previous administrations’ proposals for a nationwide electricity tariff hike, as the increased tariff will only impact multinational companies and high-income households. “This does not burden the people as compared to the proposal…
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Monitor lizard’s jaw-dropping surprise visit sends Chon Buri locals in a tail spin
A giant monitor lizard shocked locals when it entered a residential property in Chon Buri province, requiring a team of local rescue officers to remove it. The reptile hid behind a water basin, where it resisted capture. This forced authorities to use some special equipment and it took three to four officers to safely restrain the animal. Yesterday, the Nong…
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Krabi bluebottle: Officials deny Portuguese man-o-war at Phi Phi Islands
Despite recent media reports, officials have confirmed that the dangerous Krabi bluebottle Physalia, also known as the Portuguese man-o-war, has not been found on Phi Phi Islands. Last week, Phuket lifeguards raised concerns about the presence of the venomous hydrozoan on the islands, causing alarm for tourists’ safety. However, Ratchanok Phaenoi, Chief of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National…
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Bitkub’s bumpy ride: Thailand’s leading crypto exchange parent company sees sharp revenue decline amid market downturn
Bitkub Online (BO), the parent company of Thailand’s top cryptocurrency exchange Bitkub, experienced a 48% year-on-year drop in revenue last year, attributed to the downturn in the crypto market. Client investments also saw a significant 65% decline compared to the previous year. The financial statement published on BO’s website revealed a net profit of 341 million baht in 2022, marking…
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Thailand banks team up for digital revolution: Collaboration to launch retail CBDC
The Bank of Thailand is collaborating with three payment service providers, Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri), Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), and 2C2P (Thailand) Co, to develop and launch its retail central bank digital currency (CBDC). The new financial infrastructure aims to enhance the convenience and efficiency of financial transactions while reducing costs. The testing of the retail CBDC is scheduled to…
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Man charged with murder of missing Chloe Mitchell, 21, in Ballymena
Charges have been filed against a 26-year-old man in connection to the murder of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman who disappeared earlier this month in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. Additionally, a 34-year-old man faces charges for assisting offenders. The two men are scheduled to appear in Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Monday. A murder investigation commenced after human remains were uncovered on…
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Malaysian Haj pilgrim dies in Makkah, country introduces ATMs in Holy Land
A Malaysian Haj pilgrim, aged 57, passed away due to heart failure on June 4 in Makkah. The woman from Raub, Pahang, died at the Tabung Haji (TH) Treatment Centre, according to Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman, Head of the Malaysian Haj Delegation. Her funeral prayers were held at Masjidil Haram (the Grand Mosque) after the Zohor (midday)…
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Sturgeon released pending probe into SNP’s £660k referendum donations
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s former first minister, has been released without charge pending further investigations following her arrest in connection with the ongoing inquiry into the SNP’s funding and finances. Sturgeon was questioned by detectives and later released from custody. In a statement, she expressed certainty of her innocence and described the situation as “shocking and deeply distressing.” Police have been…
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Farmer crashes into petrol station shop after mistaking accelerator for brake
A 69-year-old farmer sustained minor injuries after mistakenly pressing the accelerator instead of the brake pedal, causing his car to crash into a convenience store at a petrol station in Jalan Bukit Rambai, Melaka. The incident took place yesterday evening when the farmer, Jaafar Yusof, was leaving the station after refuelling his Hyundai Sonata. Melaka Tengah district police chief Christopher…
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Mysterious intrusion: Hotel guest’s chilling encounter leaves her shaken in San Jose (video)
A woman guest at a hotel in San Jose, California suffered an unnerving experience while chilling in her room. To her surprise, the woman, Debra, witnessed an unusual device sliding under her room door. The quick-thinking traveller managed to leap off her bed and grab the instrument before it reached the door handle. She then sought help from the hotel…
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Myanmar worker killed in stabbing, three foreigners arrested in Malaysia
A factory worker from Myanmar tragically lost his life after being stabbed by a colleague during an argument at a house in Butterworth, Malaysia. Seberang Perai Utara district police chief Mohd Asri Shafie announced that three foreign individuals have been arrested and are currently being held in remand for seven days in connection to the murder. Two coworkers of the…
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Chevron Thailand’s gas game-changer: Boosting domestic supply and breaking free from costly imports
Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production aims to boost domestic gas supply to reduce the Thai government’s reliance on costly liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, with plans to increase petroleum production in the Gulf of Thailand. The US-based company was granted a licence to explore and produce petroleum at Block G2/65, an area of 15,030 square kilometres in the gulf, under…
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Man turns 1,700-baht online auction chair into 3 million baht jackpot after designer discovery
In an extraordinary turn of events, Los Angeles resident Justin Miller unknowingly discovered a highly valuable Danish designer chair while browsing an online auction site. He bought it for just 1,700 baht (US$49) and sold the item for an astounding 3 million baht (US$86,500) to an eager collector. Miller stumbled upon an online auction listing featuring the broken-down, leather-covered chair,…
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Mysterious red light in sky sparks panic and intrigue in social media (Video)
A mysterious red light hovering in the sky has been captured on video, leaving residents in Ratchaburi Province on edge. Authorities have been called to investigate the source of the phenomenon, shared on Facebook, while villagers are curious to discover if the supernatural may be the cause. A video clip on Facebook featuring a floating red light in the sky…
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Thousands of subreddits go dark protesting Reddit’s API changes
Between June 12 and June 14, a vast number of Reddit communities, known as subreddits, are going dark in protest of the planned API changes that could potentially put an end to many third-party applications. Reddit, often referred to as the “front page of the internet,” is one of the top 20 most popular websites with approximately 430 million monthly…
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Ofsted reforms insufficient, says sister of teacher who died post-downgrade
The sister of a headteacher who took her own life after her school received a downgrade from Ofsted has stated that the recently announced inspection system reforms are insufficient. Ruth Perry, former headteacher of Caversham Primary School in Reading, passed away in January. The school was rated “good” in every category except leadership and management, where it was deemed “inadequate.”…
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Anwar orders transfer of minor infrastructure projects from JKR to district offices
In a recent announcement, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that minor infrastructure projects, such as repairs of dilapidated schools currently overseen by the Public Works Department (JKR), will be transferred to other departments or district offices. This decision aims to reduce the workload of JKR, which is responsible for implementing development projects and maintaining infrastructure for various ministries, departments, statutory…
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Dengue fever outbreak hits 3-year high, nearly 20,000 affected, 15 deaths
A recent warning from Thailand’s government deputy spokesperson, Trisuree Trisaranakul, has alerted the public to the rapidly growing dengue fever outbreak. With nearly 20,000 reported cases and 15 deaths in the past five months, the epidemic reached its highest level in three years. Citizens are urged to take precautions to protect themselves and their children during the rainy season from…
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Covid inquiry: Bereaved families demand government accountability
Lobby Akkinola has experienced a range of emotions since his father Femi’s death in April 2020 due to Covid-19. The 60-year-old key worker’s passing left Lobby searching for answers and questioning why his father was left vulnerable to the virus. This led him to join thousands of other bereaved families in demanding a public inquiry into the handling of the…
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Malaysia needs action plan to retain talent amid planter shortage
Malaysia is urged to develop an action plan to retain existing talents and attract a new generation of planters, as the industry faces a potential shortage of skilled professionals. Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof highlighted the issue at the 10th International Planters Conference 2023, noting that some planters have retired or are seeking opportunities in other countries. Fadillah, who also…
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PAS open to all members contesting in six state elections
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan has stated that all party members, including Muafakat Nasional President Annuar Musa, are eligible to become candidates in the six states facing elections this year. The party is yet to finalise its list of candidates, but Takiyuddin expects a decision to be made next week. “Any PAS member has the right to be a candidate and…
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