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World
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Abandoned malls, whispers of nuclear war and young foreigners detained. This is what’s REALLY going on in Dubai… and the chilling warning one taxi driver gave to the Mail’s IAN BIRRELL
Read more: Abandoned malls, whispers of nuclear war and young foreigners detained. This is what’s REALLY going on in Dubai… and the chilling warning one taxi driver gave to the Mail’s IAN BIRRELLThe Burj Al Arab hotel, built on a man-made island jutting into the Persian Gulf, is famous for being designed like a billowing sail on one of the traditional local dhow boats.
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Longtime AP reporter and editor Bill Mann dies at 83
Read more: Longtime AP reporter and editor Bill Mann dies at 83Bill Mann, a reporter and editor who covered the Philippines, Egypt, India, Scandinavia and Washington, D.C. over a nearly 50-year career at The Associated Press, died Thursday in Reston, Virginia
Asia
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Malaysia’s mid-2026 vape ban plan: Market players lament ‘conflicting signals’ but experts urge tougher action
Read more: Malaysia’s mid-2026 vape ban plan: Market players lament ‘conflicting signals’ but experts urge tougher actionExperts interviewed by CNA emphasised that the effectiveness of any vaping regulations – be they for a ban or a more controlled market – will hinge entirely on enforcement.
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China and Russia start joint drills in Sea of Japan
Read more: China and Russia start joint drills in Sea of JapanChina’s defence ministry has said this year’s exercises are aimed at “further deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership” between the two countries.
Thailand
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Insurers look to manage risk from Middle East conflict
Read more: Insurers look to manage risk from Middle East conflictInsurance companies have taken steps to cautiously manage their risk exposure amid intensifying conflicts in the Middle East, which has resulted in the cost of war insurance coverage for ships in the Gulf region to reach “unprecedented levels”.
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Energy woes dent Songkran travel sentiment
Read more: Energy woes dent Songkran travel sentimentTourism operators are increasingly concerned about declining energy confidence, fearing it could dampen their high expectations for the upcoming Songkran holiday.
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Phiphat unveils plan for new EEC
Read more: Phiphat unveils plan for new EECTransport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has unveiled a plan to transform the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) into a global entertainment and tourism hub, anchored by a proposed “Disneyland Thailand”.
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Pheu Thai pledges major overhaul of SSF
Read more: Pheu Thai pledges major overhaul of SSFThe Pheu Thai Party has vowed to implement comprehensive reform of the Social Security Fund (SSF) within three months if it returns to office after the election.
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Reserve senators call for action on stalled vote-rigging probes
Read more: Reserve senators call for action on stalled vote-rigging probesA group of reserve senators on Thursday called on the Election Commission and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to expedite their investigations into irregularities in the 2024 Senate election.
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Malaysia’s mid-2026 vape ban plan: Market players lament ‘conflicting signals’ but experts urge tougher action
Read more: Malaysia’s mid-2026 vape ban plan: Market players lament ‘conflicting signals’ but experts urge tougher actionExperts interviewed by CNA emphasised that the effectiveness of any vaping regulations – be they for a ban or a more controlled market – will hinge entirely on enforcement.
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Thailand’s skiing siblings return home for Winter Games
Read more: Thailand’s skiing siblings return home for Winter GamesMILAN, Italy – Karen and Mark Chanloung grew up in the Italian Alps where winter sports are a way of life and children are on skis almost as soon as they can stand.
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BoT flags suspicious cash withdrawals, largest case hits B250m
Read more: BoT flags suspicious cash withdrawals, largest case hits B250mThe Bank of Thailand (BoT) has detected unusually large cash withdrawals amounting to more than 250 million baht, with some customers requesting only 500‑baht banknotes, prompting the agency to prepare reports for concerned agencies, including the Election Commission.
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30 ancient sites damaged during border clashes
Read more: 30 ancient sites damaged during border clashesThe Fine Arts Department has found damage to around 30 ancient sites from recent conflicts along the Thai–Cambodian border and has scheduled a meeting on Friday to discuss restoration plans.