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Sponsored How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Amber heat-health alert as UK temperatures set to surpass 30C this weekend
An amber heat-health warning has been issued as the UK braces for a surge in temperatures, potentially exceeding 30C in some regions. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has raised its alert level after the Met Office forecasted that temperatures could reach up to 31C (88F) on Saturday. Aiden McGivern, a forecaster, mentioned that the highest temperatures are expected between…
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Saudi wealth fund takes over clubs, lures football stars
Next season, Saudi Arabia’s football league will feature some of the sport’s top players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kante. The Saudi Professional League (SPL) is set to commence in August, and more high-profile signings are anticipated. In addition to these transfers, the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin…
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Afghanistan mosque explosion kills 11 at Taliban deputy governor’s memorial
A deadly explosion occurred near Nabawi Mosque in northern Afghanistan, claiming the lives of at least 11 people who were attending a memorial service for the recently deceased Taliban provincial deputy governor, Nisar Ahmad Ahmadi. Over 30 individuals were wounded in the blast, and officials fear the death toll may rise. The memorial service took place on Thursday, honouring Ahmadi,…
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Pakistan crackdown targets PTI supporters’ businesses in Punjab
In Punjab province, Pakistan, supporters of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have reported that authorities are targeting businesses of those sympathetic to the former prime minister. Hammad Azhar, a top PTI aide, said his family-owned business, AFCO Steel Industries, was closed by police for over a week without any documentary evidence or sealing warrants. “The authorities did not have…
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Wildfires cause air quality alerts across North America and disrupt travel
Air quality alerts have been issued for millions of people across North America as wildfires continue to rage in Canada, causing evacuations, disruption to air travel, and smoke-filled skies even thousands of kilometres from the fires. The US National Weather Service has extended air quality alerts for the East Coast, from New England to South Carolina, as well as parts…
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Off-duty officer testifies in trial of deputy accused in Parkland shooting
An off-duty officer, Jeffrey Heinrich, who was present during the 2018 Parkland high school massacre in Florida, has given his testimony in the trial of the deputy accused of failing to stop the shooter. Heinrich described how he initially mistook the gunshots for fireworks before realising the situation and approaching unarmed. The trial focuses on what former Broward Deputy Scot…
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Biden and Sunak unveil Atlantic Declaration boosting defence, renewable energy ties
The United States and the United Kingdom have unveiled the Atlantic Declaration, a new economic agreement aimed at strengthening ties in defence and renewable energy. This announcement took place during UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s first visit to the White House. The agreement, however, does not encompass a full free trade deal that the UK has been seeking since its…
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US suspends $1.8bn Ethiopia food aid over diversion claims
The US Agency for International Aid (USAid) has halted food aid to Ethiopia after discovering that donations were being misdirected away from those in need. The suspension will affect approximately 20 million Ethiopians, who are currently experiencing severe food shortages due to war and drought. The United States remains the largest humanitarian donor to Ethiopia, having provided over US$1.8 billion…
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Russia accused of targeting Ukraine dam breach evacuation points
Ukraine has accused Russia of targeting evacuation points in the aftermath of the Kakhovka dam breach, resulting in one death and several injuries in the city of Kherson. The attack occurred during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the city, where he met with locals affected by the flooding. According to Kherson’s governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, 2,000 people have been evacuated from…
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China targets AirDrop and Bluetooth in censorship crackdown proposal
China is looking to impose restrictions on mobile file-sharing services such as AirDrop and Bluetooth, in an effort to expand its censorship capabilities. The country’s national internet regulator has initiated a month-long public consultation on the proposals, which aim to prevent the spread of illegal and “undesirable” information. Activists are concerned that this move will further limit their ability to…
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Wildfires cause worst air quality in years for US cities
Intense wildfires in Canada have led to the worst air quality in years for cities such as Washington DC and Philadelphia, affecting millions of people across North America. The hazardous conditions have resulted in event cancellations and flight disruptions throughout the United States. Almost 100 million individuals are currently suffering from very poor air quality. US President Joe Biden referred…
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UK and US unveil Atlantic Declaration to counter China’s economic threat
Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden have established a new partnership aimed at enhancing economic security in response to the growing threat posed by China. Despite not achieving a comprehensive free trade deal with the US as promised in the Tory manifesto, the prime minister and US president announced the Atlantic Declaration during a meeting at the White House. This marked…
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West Ham victory parade floods east London streets after historic win
A sea of jubilant West Ham United supporters filled the streets of east London to participate in a victory parade, celebrating the team’s first major trophy win in over four decades. The Hammers secured a 2-1 victory against Fiorentina in Prague on Wednesday night, with the bus carrying the players struggling to navigate the throngs of elated fans. As the…
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Teenage e-bike rider dies in ambulance collision after Salford police chase
A tragic accident in Salford has left a 15-year-old boy dead after his electric bike collided with an ambulance. The incident occurred following a police pursuit which began on Fitzwarren Street at around 2pm. Officers were forced to abandon the chase due to bollards on Lower Seedley Road. However, shortly after, the collision took place on Langworthy Road, resulting in…
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MCA chief accused of power play in Johor Baru division nominations
A Johor Baru MCA division chief candidate has expressed disappointment with party president Wee Ka Siong, accusing him of being power-hungry and manipulating the nomination of the division’s top posts. Ang Boon Heng, the current deputy chief of the Johor Baru MCA division, claimed that irregularities occurred during the division’s nominations earlier this month, leading to predetermined results. Ang stated…
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Sarawak delegation visits Huawei, explores digital economy collaboration
A delegation from Sarawak, led by Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, visited the Huawei Enterprise Digital Transformation Exhibition Hall in Shenzhen, China. The International Trade, Industry and Investment Minister received a briefing from Huawei officials on the company’s various technologies and initiatives for the digital economy. These include the application of smart processes in sectors such as city management,…
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40 luxury handbags linked to 1MDB scandal set for auction
An auction is set to take place for 40 luxury handbags from various brands linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial scandal. The Malaysian government has filed an application for the forfeiture of assets under Section 56 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds Act 2001, in connection with the misappropriation of assets. Assets seized by the police…
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Bank of Thailand continues interest rate normalisation amid new government
The Bank of Thailand has stated that the formation of a new government will not impact its decision to raise interest rates further. The central bank’s deputy governor, Mathee Supapongse, emphasised the need for the bank to maintain a separate view from elected officials, with the aim of continuing to normalise interest rates. “Despite recent increases, Thai interest rates are…
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Afghanistan mosque explosion kills Taliban officials during funeral prayers
A mosque in north-east Afghanistan was rocked by an explosion, resulting in multiple casualties. Among those injured or killed were several local Taliban officials. The blast took place during a prayer service held for the deputy governor of Badakhshan province, who lost his life in a car bomb attack earlier this week. The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for…
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Ukraine blamed for ammonia pipeline blast, threatens Russian grain deal
Russia has accused Ukraine of being responsible for an explosion on a crucial ammonia pipeline, stating that it could negatively impact the renewal of a significant grain export agreement. The Togliatti-Odesa pipeline was damaged in a blast on Monday, which Moscow attributes to Ukrainian “sabotage” groups. The Kremlin has declared that it will not renew last year’s grain export deal…
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Climate change boosts flight turbulence, study warns
A recent study has revealed that climate change is causing an increase in turbulence during flights, with the situation expected to worsen. Clear-air turbulence, which is nearly invisible and difficult to detect with current equipment, has long been anticipated to increase as a result of climate change. The study from Reading University provides the most comprehensive analysis of this effect…
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M&S settles Percy Pig dispute, Swizzels to change design
Marks & Spencer (M&S) has reached a settlement with confectionery firm Swizzels, which it accused of imitating its popular Percy Pig sweets. The two companies have come to an “amicable resolution” after Swizzels agreed to alter the design of its Pigs Mugs sweets. M&S had claimed that the similarities between the products could lead to customers purchasing the wrong item.…
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Coca-Cola, Red Bull seek millions after Scotland’s deposit return scheme collapse
Coca-Cola and Red Bull are among the companies considering seeking millions of pounds in compensation following the postponement of Scotland’s deposit return scheme, according to sources. The Scottish Government’s plan, which would have added a 20p charge to single-use bottles and cans, has been delayed until at least October 2025. The beverage industry had invested millions in preparation for the…
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First Dates’ Merlin Griffiths announces all clear in cancer update
First Dates star Merlin Griffiths has provided fans with an update on his health status, announcing that he is “all clear” of cancer for the time being. The 48-year-old was initially diagnosed with the disease in 2021 and had previously informed fans he was clear of it in April of this year. On Wednesday, Griffiths shared his “final Year 1”…
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Rebecca Ferguson urges inquiry into reality TV’s terrifying behind-the-scenes treatment
Rebecca Ferguson, a former X Factor contestant, has called for an investigation into reality TV shows to protect future participants, claiming there are “terrifying” occurrences happening behind the scenes. The 36-year-old singer used Twitter to express her concerns and request an independent inquiry, interviewing herself and all previous X Factor staff from 2004 to the present day. Ferguson, who finished…
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Piers Morgan injected info into royal stories, ex-Mirror editor claims
The High Court has heard that Piers Morgan, the former editor of the Daily Mirror, took a “genuine interest” in royal stories and would occasionally “inject” information into articles at the newspaper. Jane Kerr, the paper’s former royal correspondent and later assistant news editor, provided evidence during the second day of the lawsuit brought by Prince Harry against publisher Mirror…
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Malaysia and Indonesia sign border crossing agreement, boosting security
A border crossing agreement between Malaysia and Indonesia has been signed, as part of six bilateral instruments agreed upon during Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s two-day visit to Malaysia. The joint statement by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Joko Widodo revealed that the agreement aims to strengthen Malaysia-Indonesia bilateral relations, particularly in the economic and security sectors. The agreement, which covers…
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Anwar Ibrahim congratulates students on SPM 2022 exam results
Kuala Lumpur witnessed the release of the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2022 examination results, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim extending his congratulations to all students. In his social media post, he expressed hope that those who achieved excellent results would be prepared for their next academic phase. He also encouraged students who did not perform as well, reminding…
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Malaysia identifies Haj pilgrims using Rahmah Cash Aid list
The Malaysian government is using the Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) recipient list to identify prospective Haj pilgrims from the B40 and M40 income groups, while those in the T20 income group are identified based on an individual income of above RM15,000 per month. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, explained that the Pilgrims Fund Board…
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Umno to enable online membership applications with constitutional amendment
The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) is set to approve an amendment to its constitution, enabling online membership applications. The special UMNO General Assembly, scheduled for tomorrow, will discuss the motion to change the clause to a rule, granting the Supreme Council the power to amend membership application rules. UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi explained that although an…
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