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World
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Two in three Gen Z adults don’t know VE Day marks end of Second World War, survey finds
Read more: Two in three Gen Z adults don’t know VE Day marks end of Second World War, survey findsThe Royal British Veterans Enterprise said it shows “a gap in public understanding of military service past and present”
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Pictured: Man ‘who killed himself and murdered his ex-partner with grenade’ in a Bristol house explosion that left three others injured
Read more: Pictured: Man ‘who killed himself and murdered his ex-partner with grenade’ in a Bristol house explosion that left three others injuredRyan Kelly, 41, turned up at Joanne Shaw’s home and detonated the device on his ex-partner’s doorstep, according to a neighbour.
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Meadows seeks reimbursement from DOJ for legal fees from Trump-related probes
Read more: Meadows seeks reimbursement from DOJ for legal fees from Trump-related probesMark Meadows is asking the Justice Dept. to reimburse him for legal fees he incurred in multiple federal and state investigations of President Trump, sources said.
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Trump slams Pope Leo as ‘weak’ and posts picture of himself as Jesus healing the sick
Read more: Trump slams Pope Leo as ‘weak’ and posts picture of himself as Jesus healing the sickPresident claims ‘if I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican’ in Truth Social tirade
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Trump may be ‘jealous’ of Pope Leo’s approval ratings as his support ‘drops down into the Dead Sea’, polling guru says
Read more: Trump may be ‘jealous’ of Pope Leo’s approval ratings as his support ‘drops down into the Dead Sea’, polling guru saysTrump is now underwater with American Catholics despite their ironclad support for him in the 2024 election, CNN’s chief data analyst Harry Enten pointed out
Asia
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China will push more proactive macro policies in 2026, Xi says
Read more: China will push more proactive macro policies in 2026, Xi saysChina’s economy is expected to have grown to about 140 trillion yuan (US$20 trillion) in 2025, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday (Dec 31).
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Japan says China’s military drills around Taiwan ‘increase tensions’
Read more: Japan says China’s military drills around Taiwan ‘increase tensions’China’s drills this week involved dozens of fighter aircraft and navy vessels conducting live-fire drills, simulating a blockade of Taiwan’s key ports and assaults on maritime targets.
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Asian student arrivals to US plunge to lowest level since COVID-19 pandemic
Read more: Asian student arrivals to US plunge to lowest level since COVID-19 pandemicThe decline coincides with measures adopted by US President Donald Trump’s administration, which include threats to deport foreigners and restrictions on several Asian countries like China.
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‘A form of cheating’: Malaysia FA used forged documents for 7 foreign-born footballers, says FIFA
Read more: ‘A form of cheating’: Malaysia FA used forged documents for 7 foreign-born footballers, says FIFAThe Football Association of Malaysia says it will immediately appeal FIFA’s decision.
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Sabah set to hold state polls within 60 days, posing test for Anwar’s unity government
Read more: Sabah set to hold state polls within 60 days, posing test for Anwar’s unity governmentSabah’s election is the first in a series of noteworthy state polls – next up are Melaka, Johor and Sarawak – between now and 2028, by when Malaysia’s 16th General Election must be held.
Thailand
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Thailand-China robotic surgery a first
Read more: Thailand-China robotic surgery a firstThailand has successfully carried out its first cross-border tele-robotic surgery, marking a significant advance in the country’s medical technology and international healthcare collaboration, the Ministry of Public Health announced on Tuesday.
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Wat Rai Khing abbot gets 50 years for B2bn embezzlement
Read more: Wat Rai Khing abbot gets 50 years for B2bn embezzlementThe 70-year-old former abbot of Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom, Yaem Ingkrungkao, was on Wednesday sentenced to 50 years in prison in a high-profile temple funds fraud case that broke last year.
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Thai stocks plunge, Asia shares slide as Gulf war rages
Read more: Thai stocks plunge, Asia shares slide as Gulf war ragesThai shares dropped sharply on Monday, in the same direction as other markets in Asia, as the United States and Iran traded escalating threats and Israel planned for “weeks” more fighting, sending oil prices on another roller-coaster ride.
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Gold prices plunge in Thailand
Read more: Gold prices plunge in ThailandGold prices in Thailand dropped sharply on Monday, falling by 3,850 baht from the previous close, according to the latest update from the Gold Traders Association.
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Klatham ‘waiting in the wings’
Read more: Klatham ‘waiting in the wings’In Thailand’s fluid and transactional political landscape, the emergence of the Klatham Party as a “waiting wing” opposition reflects a calibrated strategy.
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China will push more proactive macro policies in 2026, Xi says
Read more: China will push more proactive macro policies in 2026, Xi saysChina’s economy is expected to have grown to about 140 trillion yuan (US$20 trillion) in 2025, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday (Dec 31).
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Japan says China’s military drills around Taiwan ‘increase tensions’
Read more: Japan says China’s military drills around Taiwan ‘increase tensions’China’s drills this week involved dozens of fighter aircraft and navy vessels conducting live-fire drills, simulating a blockade of Taiwan’s key ports and assaults on maritime targets.
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Monitor lizards flourish in central Bangkok park
Read more: Monitor lizards flourish in central Bangkok parkNicknamed the “Bangkok Dragon”, the Asian water monitor has become an unexpected tourist draw thanks to its unusually calm, non-aggressive nature. These lizards are widespread beyond Lumpini Park, thriving along canals and wetlands across the capital and even appearing near Government House — where, some quip, honest politicians diligently work for the people.
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Poll: Doubts over oil reserves, Songkran travel at risk
Read more: Poll: Doubts over oil reserves, Songkran travel at riskA sizeable share of Thais lack confidence that the country’s oil reserves will last the promised 98 days or that the government can secure additional supplies, and some will cancel Songkran travel plans if the crunch persists, according to a survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida).
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Fake building permit racket uncovered on Koh Samui
Read more: Fake building permit racket uncovered on Koh SamuiSURAT THANI – Authorities on Koh Samui are widening an investigation into construction permit forgery involving a least 10 projects and potentially involving both municipal staff and outsiders.
