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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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Udon Thani woman abuses son, commits suicide after heavy alcohol consumption
Yesterday, a tragic incident occurred in the Nong Na Charoen Village, Udon Thani province, where a 49 year old woman heavily consumed alcohol, assaulted her 14 year old son, and then committed suicide. Her family performed the last rites, while the villagers believed the funeral should be carried out immediately. Today, reporters visited the Wat Nong Na Choren temple where…
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Child’s innocent blunder sparks debate on teaching kids proper crush-etiquette
A young boy’s innocent expression of affection towards his father’s female colleague has prompted online discussions about the importance of teaching children appropriate behaviour. The event happened in China as the boy, around 3-4 years old, encountered the attractive co-worker during a visit to his father’s office and, filled with joy, hugged and attempted to kiss her. The pretty woman,…
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Woman trades 2 houses for ancient inkwell dish worth millions in baht
A young woman surprised Chinese television viewers when she brought an unremarkable ‘brick’ or ‘inkwell dish‘ for appraisal, which turned out to be a valuable artifact. The show’s experts stunned the audience with their evaluation of the item, which was worth far more than anyone expected. Over the past few years in China, there has been a surge of interest…
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Malaysian groom burries mum, marries same day: TikTok video goes viral
A Malaysian groom faced a heart-wrenching day as he lost his mother and got married on the same day. Ikmal and his bride, Ianna Bahari, held his mother’s funeral in the morning and then proceeded with their wedding ceremony in the evening. Ianna shared the gut-wrenching experience on TikTok, explaining that she and Ikmal had initially planned their wedding for…
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UK expands pardon scheme for historical gay convictions
The UK government has expanded its rules to pardon more individuals with historical convictions related to homosexuality. Starting this week, those who were convicted or cautioned for offences linked to same-sex activities that have since been abolished can apply to have their records expunged. This change will enable more veterans to apply for the removal of convictions that were brought…
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Anwar Ibrahim addresses maritime border deal, hydrogen economy in Parliament
Today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is set to address the Malaysian Parliament regarding the recently signed maritime border agreement between Malaysia and Indonesia. The Prime Minister will be responding to questions from Takiyuddin Hassan, who is seeking assurance that the agreement will not negatively affect Malaysia’s sovereignty or long-term maritime economic activities. In addition, Noraini Ahmad will be questioning the…
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Malaysia to replace nearly expired Covid vaccines with 2.7m new doses
Malaysia is set to receive 2.7 million doses of the new generation bivalent Covid-19 vaccines to replace the nearly expired stock held by the Ministry of Health (MoH). Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni revealed that, based on current data, only 2.5% of the population have received the second booster shot, leading to the possibility of having to dispose of…
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Malaysia targets 200 firms for 20,000 school leavers’ skills programme
The Malaysian government is targeting the participation of 200 companies in its Academy in Industry programme by the end of this year. The initiative aims to train 20,000 school leavers and equip them with the necessary skills to become skilled workers. Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli explained that the programme will provide Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school-leavers with 18 months of…
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Sarawak deputy minister proposes film academy to boost local talent
The possibility of establishing a film academy in Sarawak has been proposed by the deputy minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Sebastian Ting. The idea aims to encourage skilled Sarawakians to venture into the film industry and provide them with diplomas or certificates upon graduation. During a press conference on the Sixth Asean International Film Festival and…
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Family slams police inaction before daughter’s murder by ex-partner
The family of Nurul Ain Silien, who was tragically killed by her ex-partner in a shopping mall in Kota Kinabalu, has expressed their disappointment with the police’s handling of the case prior to the murder. Nurul’s mother, Siti Aminah Jabar Khan, a Warisan supreme council member, reported that they had lodged a complaint at the Alamesra police station on May…
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Hay fever advice page visits triple as UK pollen count soars
A surge in hay fever sufferers seeking advice on the NHS website has been recorded, with over 122,650 visitors last week as pollen counts reached some of the highest levels this year. According to NHS England, the number of weekly visitors to the hay fever advice pages has tripled in the past five weeks, with the site receiving one visit…
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COVID inquiry begins: Baroness Hallett vows to focus on 226,000 victims
The COVID inquiry is set to commence its initial public hearings today, with Baroness Hallett, a retired judge and the inquiry’s chair, delivering an opening statement. The hearings will also feature a film containing testimonies from grieving families, which has been deemed challenging to view. Baroness Hallett has pledged to centre the investigation around the 226,000 pandemic victims when examining…
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Malaysia ranks second worst globally for transgender rights, study reveals
A recent Global Trans Rights Index revealed that Malaysia is ranked as the second worst country in the world for transgender rights. The study, conducted by researchers Asher and Lyric Fergusson, gave Malaysia a score of -105 and a danger rating of F, highlighting that transgender individuals face significant obstacles and are often targeted by the police. The report stated,…
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Taliban bans music at weddings, Kabul halls face religious police scrutiny
Kabul’s wedding halls are set to be monitored by the Taliban’s religious police as they enforce a ban on playing music at such celebrations, claiming it goes against Islamic rulings. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice issued an online statement on Sunday, stating that hall owners were informed that music would no longer be…
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Youth-led climate case in Montana could set precedent for US government
A groundbreaking youth-led climate case is set to commence on Monday in Helena, Montana, marking the first time such a case has reached trial in the United States. Held v State of Montana involves 16 plaintiffs, aged between five and 22 years old, who claim that Montana’s promotion of a fossil fuel-reliant energy system breaches their right to a clean…
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I-95 highway collapse disrupts US East Coast traffic, delays repairs
A major highway collapse has led to severe traffic congestion, potentially affecting transportation throughout the eastern United States. On Monday, commuters faced lengthy delays after a tanker truck caught fire and damaged a section of the I-95 Interstate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, causing temporary closure of one of the busiest routes in the area. Jana Tidwell, a spokesperson for the American…
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Trump faces federal charges in Miami amid cautious calm
A sense of cautious calm enveloped the area around the Miami courthouse where former US President Donald Trump is due to face federal charges. Residents and tourists mingled with journalists and law enforcement agents preparing for Tuesday’s arraignment. Although local officials expect pro-Trump protesters and potential counter-demonstrations, the size of these gatherings remains uncertain. Trump, who is running for the…
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UBS acquires Credit Suisse for $1.6tn, creating Swiss banking giant
UBS has finalised its emergency acquisition of struggling rival Credit Suisse, marking the largest banking deal since the 2008 global financial crisis and creating a Swiss banking behemoth with a balance sheet of US$1.6 trillion. The merger, which sees UBS overseeing US$5 trillion of assets, brings an end to Credit Suisse’s 167-year history, tainted in recent years by scandals and…
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Ukraine reclaims seven villages in counteroffensive against Russian forces
Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian forces in the south and east of the country has reportedly made progress, with seven villages reclaimed since the weekend. Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar confirmed the recapture of these settlements, encompassing a total area of 90 square kilometres (35 sq miles) along the front line. However, these gains represent only a small portion of the…
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Canadian judge quits over misconduct claims from Arizona resort incident
A Canadian Supreme Court justice has resigned from his position following allegations of misconduct, according to the Canadian Justice Council. Justice Russel Brown was accused of being involved in a drunken altercation at an Arizona resort in January, where he allegedly harassed a female guest. Brown, who has denied the allegations, has been on leave since February. The retirement concludes…
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I-95 collapse: Body found, Philadelphia motorway repairs to take months
A body has been recovered from the wreckage of a section of the I-95 motorway in Philadelphia, which collapsed following a petrol lorry fire on Sunday, according to Pennsylvania State Police. The identity of the body, handed over to the Philadelphia County Medical Examiner on Monday, remains unknown. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has declared a state of emergency to speed…
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JP Morgan to pay $290m in Epstein lawsuit settlement
JP Morgan is set to pay approximately US$290m to settle a lawsuit involving alleged victims of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The bank’s lawyers stated that the settlement was in the best interests of all parties, particularly the survivors who suffered from Epstein’s appalling abuse. The lawsuit claimed that JP Morgan, the largest US bank, overlooked red flags about…
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Trump faces court over mishandling nuclear secrets, Miami braces for crowds
Former US President Donald Trump has landed in Miami, Florida, where he is set to appear in court on Tuesday facing charges of mishandling national security files. Trump travelled from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Monday morning. He is accused of illegally retaining classified information, including nuclear secrets, in dozens of charges. This marks the second time…
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Wedding guests killed in Hunter Valley bus crash, driver charged
A tragic accident in the Hunter Valley wine region, north of Sydney, has left at least ten people dead and 15 others hospitalised. The victims were returning from a wedding celebration at a winery on Sunday night when their bus overturned near the town of Greta. Authorities have charged the 58-year-old driver with ten counts of dangerous driving resulting in…
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Ex-Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi dies at 86, national mourning declared
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who held office four times despite numerous scandals, has passed away at the age of 86. He was being treated at the San Raffaele hospital in Milan for a lung infection related to leukaemia. Italy’s defence minister announced that Berlusconi’s death leaves a “huge void” in the country, with a national day of mourning…
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Heathrow security strike postponed amid new pay deal offer
Heathrow airport security workers have postponed their initial two days of strike action, set for June 24 and 25, after being presented with an enhanced pay offer. Over 2,000 staff members agreed to delay the industrial action while Unite, the union representing them, holds a vote on the new pay deal in the coming days. If the proposal is rejected,…
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UK flash floods disrupt travel, Manchester City parade delayed
Torrential rain and thunderstorms swept across parts of the UK on Monday, causing flash floods and travel disruptions. North-west London experienced significant flooding, while Manchester City’s victory parade was delayed by 30 minutes due to lightning. Though official weather warnings for Monday have passed, Northern Ireland and Scotland face two storm warnings on Tuesday. Yellow storm warnings, indicating possible disruption,…
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Sunak and Johnson clash over blocked peerage nominations amid resignations
A heated exchange has unfolded between Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson regarding the latter’s attempt to award peerages to several close allies. Sunak accused his predecessor of requesting him to “overrule” the vetting advice on his House of Lords nominations. In response, Johnson accused Sunak of “talking rubbish.” The House of Lords Appointments Commission (HOLAC) disclosed that it had rejected…
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Manchester City fans celebrate treble win in rain-soaked parade
Manchester City supporters came together in droves to revel in their team’s remarkable Treble achievement, as an open-top bus parade made its way through the city. Fans set off blue flares and tossed inflatable bananas into the air, while several players removed their shirts in the pouring rain. Manager Pep Guardiola enjoyed a cigar as fans scaled lamp-posts. Despite delays…
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Elderly man investigated for fatally shooting British girl, 11, in France
A 71-year-old man, Dirk Raats, is being investigated for murder after the fatal shooting of an 11-year-old British girl, Solaine Thornton, in France. The incident took place on Saturday evening while Solaine was playing on a swing in her garden. Raats, a neighbour, reportedly opened fire through a hedge after approaching within 10m of the girl’s father. The suspect had…
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