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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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Three seriously injured in assault at £41,325-a-year Devon private school
A serious assault at Blundell’s School, a private institution in Tiverton, Devon, has left two students and another individual with significant injuries. Authorities responded to the incident at approximately 1am on Friday, June 9, after receiving reports of an attack on the school grounds. A 16-year-old boy from Tiverton has been apprehended on suspicion of three counts of causing grievous…
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Umno amends constitution to streamline new membership applications
The Umno Special General Assembly has recently approved amendments to the party constitution, focusing on membership-related matters to simplify the process for new applicants. The amendments encompass three primary clauses, including Clauses 5, 10, and 18, which address membership registration and the Supreme Council’s (MT) responsibilities. Umno permanent chairman Badruddin Amiruldin announced the unanimous approval. Earlier, Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled…
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Malaysia to launch nationwide babysitter database for parents
The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) in Malaysia has announced plans to create a database of registered babysitters to help parents make informed decisions when selecting childcare providers. Currently, there is no centralised platform for parents to access information about daycare centres and registered babysitters. Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, the minister of KPWKM, acknowledged that parents often rely…
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Malaysia rakes in RM421m from mining royalties, no export duty imposed
The Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change in Malaysia has revealed that there is no specific agreement in place for the mining industry between the federal government, state governments or mining operators. Despite this, the ministry has expressed its willingness to collaborate and offer advisory services to state governments for the development of the mineral industry. The mineral…
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GPS open to supporting allies in six Peninsular Malaysia state elections
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secretary-general Alexander Nanta Linggi has not ruled out the possibility of the party supporting coalition members in the unity government during campaigns in six state elections in Peninsular Malaysia. Although GPS is not directly involved in these polls, Linggi stated that the party would not mind assisting as Sarawak is on friendly terms with the Pakatan…
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Umno urged to rebrand for future relevance and regain public trust
Delegates at the Umno General Assembly 2023 have called for the party to rebrand itself and focus on future goals, rather than dwelling on past achievements. Bukit Gantang division head Mohammad Sollehin Mohamad Tajie emphasised the need for Umno to remain relevant and avoid becoming outdated during a debate session at the assembly. Fairul Nizam Roslan, head of the Alor…
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Man leaves after woman brings 23 relatives on first date, takes legal action
A Chinese man was left shocked and out of pocket after his blind date brought 23 relatives to the restaurant. The woman, Ms Zhang, later sued her date, Mr Liu, to recover the hefty bill for the meal. Mr Liu from Jilin Province, China, met Ms Zhang through a chaperone and arranged to have their first date at a restaurant…
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Jealous Indian man stabs girlfriend 18 times in Malaysian condo
In a tragic incident, an Indian woman was fatally stabbed by her boyfriend in a condominium in Kelana Jaya, Malaysia. The 30-year-old suspect, also an Indian national, was apprehended after being caught trespassing on train tracks by an Express Rail Link (ERL) auxiliary police team. Upon further questioning, he confessed to killing his 40-year-old girlfriend on June 2, suspecting she…
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Rohingya refugees demand repatriation amid food aid cuts in Bangladesh camps
Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are calling for repatriation to Myanmar, seeking to escape the dire conditions in the camps where they have resided since fleeing a brutal military crackdown in 2017. Over a million Rohingya live in these camps in southeastern Bangladesh, constituting the largest refugee settlement in the world. The World Food Programme reduced the…
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Everest’s deadliest season blamed on cold weather and inexperienced climbers
Mount Everest has experienced one of its deadliest climbing seasons, with experts attributing the increased danger to extreme weather, safety shortcuts, and inexperienced foreign climbers. As the final search and rescue teams leave the area and Base Camp is dismantled, experienced climbers believe that several of the 17 fatalities and missing persons could have been avoided. “This season was very…
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Thai nurse harassed by patient: ex-politician behind the threat
A Thai nurse faced verbal threats and ridicule from a patient, sharing her concerns about the lack of support from her superiors on social media. However, a Nursing Council member recommended reporting the incident to authorities and reassessing her work environment. In a viral post, the nurse shared her frustration about receiving verbal abuse from a male patient. She expressed…
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Messi’s Inter Miami move skyrockets ticket sales and social media
Excitement surrounding Lionel Messi’s potential move to Inter Miami has led to a massive surge in the club’s social media following and ticket sales. The Argentinian football legend’s announcement that he plans to join the Major League Soccer team after leaving Paris Saint-Germain has caused a frenzy among fans. In less than 24 hours following the news, Inter Miami’s Instagram…
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Tesco reported to watchdog over unclear Clubcard unit pricing
Tesco, one of the UK’s leading supermarkets, has been reported to the competition watchdog by consumer group Which? due to concerns surrounding its Clubcard pricing. The Tesco Clubcard loyalty scheme offers members discounted prices on a range of products. However, Which? argues that the supermarket fails to provide clear unit pricing for these deals, making it difficult for shoppers to…
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Windfall tax suspension possible for energy firms amid falling oil prices
The UK government has declared its intention to suspend the windfall tax on oil and gas companies if prices return to normal levels for a sustained period. This move would reduce the overall tax rate on energy firms from 75% to 40%. The windfall tax was introduced last year to fund a scheme aimed at reducing energy bills for households…
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Windfall tax to end in 2028 if oil and gas prices drop
The UK government has announced plans to terminate the windfall tax on exceptional oil and gas profits in 2028, provided that prices decrease. This decision comes after fossil fuel corporations warned of reduced investments. The windfall tax, which accounts for 75% of North Sea oil and gas production profits, will persist for the next five years. However, if prices drop…
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Labour scales back £28bn green plan, citing economic instability
The Labour Party has scaled back its ambitious £28bn green prosperity plan, attributing the change to increasing interest rates and the economic “damage” caused by the Conservatives. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasised the importance of prioritising “economic stability, financial stability.” Initially, the party had committed to investing £28bn annually to expedite the transition towards net-zero emissions by 2050. However, Reeves…
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Umno Youth submits memorandum to US ambassador over comedian Jocelyn Chia’s remarks
Umno Youth, a Malaysian political organisation, has submitted a memorandum to the US Ambassador to Malaysia, Brian D. McFeeters, protesting against stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia. The group’s chief, Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, is urging the US government to investigate the incident and take appropriate action. In an official letter to the US ambassador, Dr Akmal stated, “I appreciate your attention…
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Binance.US suspends dollar deposits, braces for fiat withdrawal halt
Crypto exchange Binance.US has announced the suspension of US dollar deposits and the potential halt of fiat dollar withdrawal channels, just days after the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against Binance and its CEO Changpeng Zhao. In response to the regulatory pressure, Binance.US is taking proactive steps to transition to a crypto-only exchange for the time…
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Lopburi fraud: Thai philanthropist scams locals for millions
Residents of Lopburi province have reported a well-known local entrepreneur for allegedly defrauding them of millions of baht under the guise of a charitable investor. The victims claim they were lured into investing and purchasing shares in the perpetrator’s ventures, but were left with unpaid debts and empty promises. Today, knowing the businessman by his work in the community and…
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National Highways workers strike for 10% pay rise and improved pensions
In southwest England, Mark Dollar, 50, and three other picketers stood outside the National Highways office, wearing yellow vests emblazoned with “PCS” and “Public and Commercial Services Union”. They were participating in industrial action following a PCS ballot last November, where members across 124 business units, including National Highways, voted in favour of a 10% pay rise, improved pension benefits…
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Dengue outbreak hits Thai village with over 100 cases, ranking second nationwide
A severe dengue outbreak has hit Thailand’s northern Nan province, with over 100 cases reported in a single village. Ranking second in Thailand for the highest number of dengue patients, health officials are stepping up efforts to control the spread of the disease. Dr. Warin Teppitaksak, the provincial public health officer, revealed that the dengue outbreak situation in Nan province…
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Ukrainian teen trapped amid Russian-occupied flood zone fears help won’t come
In the attic of a flooded home, a Ukrainian teenager and her 83-year-old grandfather, along with two other elderly individuals, have been waiting for days to be rescued after a catastrophic dam collapse in the town of Oleshky. However, help has been slow to arrive, as Russian forces are reportedly seizing rescue boats and only assisting those with Russian passports.…
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Trump faces new criminal charges over classified files mishandling
Former US President Donald Trump faces criminal charges for the second time in three months, this time concerning his handling of classified files after leaving the White House. Thousands of documents were seized in an FBI search at his Florida estate Mar-a-Lago last year, including around 100 marked as classified. Legal experts suggest that Trump, who plans to run for…
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Trump charged over classified documents, faces 10-year jail term
Former United States President Donald Trump, aged 76, is facing charges over his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. The charges, which are not yet public, include unauthorized retention of classified files. This marks the second indictment against Trump, with a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted. Despite this, legal experts believe that…
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Firefighters train in global wildfire skills amid UK climate change risk
As climate change increases the risk of wildfires in the UK, fire crews are adopting new techniques learned from global wildfire hotspots. Last year’s heatwaves resulted in thousands of fires, and hundreds of grass fires have already occurred this year. Fire chiefs are focusing on expanding the number of specialist teams trained in “burn suppression” techniques, which involve the deliberate…
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Police crisis risks public trust amid low charge rates and misconduct
Public trust in policing is at risk, and time is running out for the police and government to address the issue, warns Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cooke. In his annual report, Cooke highlights that police forces are facing one of the most significant crises in recent memory. He cites “atrocious” crimes committed by serving officers and a decline in…
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Amber heat-health alert as UK braces for weekend temperatures up to 30C
An amber heat-health warning has been implemented as parts of the United Kingdom are predicted to reach 30C in the upcoming days. The amber alert, signifying that high temperatures may affect all age groups and impact the health service, covers eastern and southern England, as well as the Midlands. Forecasters anticipate that this weekend’s temperatures will be 5C to 10C…
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Chiang Mai bank embezzlement scandal: 70 million baht stolen from cooperative
Five former Chiang Mai bank employees, including a former manager, have been accused of forging signatures to embezzle 70 million baht from the San Pa Tong Agricultural Cooperative. The cooperative has had to use reserve funds to pay dividends to its members following the alleged fraud. Chaiwiset Deesuwan, Chairman of the San Pa Tong Agricultural Cooperative Board, and Suchitra Mano,…
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Teen dies in e-bike crash after police chase, IOPC investigates
A 15-year-old boy, identified as Saul Cookson, tragically lost his life after his e-bike collided with an ambulance following a police pursuit in Salford. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when Greater Manchester Police (GMP) traffic officers followed the teenager until their vehicle was obstructed by bollards. Saul continued riding until the fatal collision took place on Langworthy Road. The…
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Labour scales back £28bn green investment pledge amid economic concerns
Labour has revised its commitment to invest £28bn annually in green industries, citing the need for fiscal responsibility. The original pledge, made in 2021, proposed investing £28bn per year until 2030 in green projects. However, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves now plans to gradually increase investments starting from a potential 2024 election victory, reaching the £28bn per year mark by 2027.…
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