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World
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Hegseth tones down warnings about China in visit to region
Read more: Hegseth tones down warnings about China in visit to regionLast year, Hegseth called China a “threat” to Taiwan and said an attack might be “imminent.”
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Airbnb host sues start-up that rented his place to test robots that do chores
Read more: Airbnb host sues start-up that rented his place to test robots that do choresThe lawsuit claims the highly valued start-up booked the San Francisco home under ‘false pretenses’
Asia
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China to build ‘birth-friendly society’, refine social security system
Read more: China to build ‘birth-friendly society’, refine social security systemAuthorities will also foster “positive attitudes towards marriage and childbearing”, according to an official government report.
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China’s new five-year plan calls for AI throughout its economy, tech breakthroughs
Read more: China’s new five-year plan calls for AI throughout its economy, tech breakthroughsChina’s tech focus comes amid its rapidly ageing workforce, looming demographic crisis and fierce battle with the United States for supremacy in core technologies.
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Amid US pressure, India’s Reliance says it expects no Russian crude deliveries in January
Read more: Amid US pressure, India’s Reliance says it expects no Russian crude deliveries in JanuaryThis comes a day after United States President Donald Trump issued fresh warning to India to cut its imports of Russian oil or face further hike in tariffs.
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Flash floods in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi kill 14, four still missing
Read more: Flash floods in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi kill 14, four still missingThe floods also destroyed hundreds of houses and government buildings, said the North Sulawesi governor.
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US capture of Maduro tests limits of China’s diplomatic push
Read more: US capture of Maduro tests limits of China’s diplomatic push“We have never believed that any country can act as the world’s police, nor do we accept that any nation can claim to be the world’s judge,” says China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Thailand
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Thai visa exemptions cut by cabinet
Read more: Thai visa exemptions cut by cabinetTourism operators welcomed the government’s first step in revoking the 60-day visa exemption to curb illicit activities by foreigners, while urging authorities to provide proper guidance for genuine investors as well as advising frequent visa runners to apply for alternative long-stay visas instead.
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Thailand ends 60-day visa-free stay
Read more: Thailand ends 60-day visa-free stayThe cabinet on Tuesday decided to end the 60-day visa-free programme for foreign visitors to Thailand, with the timeline for enforcement still being worked out.
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Democrats call for review of Land Bridge plan
Read more: Democrats call for review of Land Bridge planThe Democrat Party has called for the House of Representatives to set up a committee to scrutinise the government’s proposed Land Bridge megaproject, citing concerns over transparency, economic viability and what they described as an unusual rush to push the plan ahead.
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Power tariff revamp, solar rooftop overhaul approved
Read more: Power tariff revamp, solar rooftop overhaul approvedThe National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) has approved a new electricity tariff structure that will help millions of Thai households save money, along with sweeping measures to unlock residential rooftop solar development.
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Thaksin granted parole, set for release on May 11
Read more: Thaksin granted parole, set for release on May 11Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been approved for parole without the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring (EM) device, with his release scheduled for May 11.
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China to build ‘birth-friendly society’, refine social security system
Read more: China to build ‘birth-friendly society’, refine social security systemAuthorities will also foster “positive attitudes towards marriage and childbearing”, according to an official government report.
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China’s new five-year plan calls for AI throughout its economy, tech breakthroughs
Read more: China’s new five-year plan calls for AI throughout its economy, tech breakthroughsChina’s tech focus comes amid its rapidly ageing workforce, looming demographic crisis and fierce battle with the United States for supremacy in core technologies.
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Travel agents slam B1,000 exit tax
Read more: Travel agents slam B1,000 exit taxThe Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) strongly opposes the government’s plan to levy a 1,000‑baht departure tax on Thai travellers, warning it will hamper two‑way tourism and hurt the economy during a cost-of-living crisis.
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Thai Airways to almost double fuel surcharges this week
Read more: Thai Airways to almost double fuel surcharges this weekThai Airways International will raise its fuel surcharges by nearly 100% on many routes for tickets issued from May 1 onwards to cope with the soaring price of jet fuel.
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Loud music shatters artefacts at Chaiyaphum museum
Read more: Loud music shatters artefacts at Chaiyaphum museumThe most famous annual event in Chaiyaphum has turned into a nightmare for a private museum as vibrations from loud music played by parade vehicles shattered several antique items.