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Thailand releases 18 Cambodian soldiers captured in July after border ceasefire holds
PHNOM PENH, Dec 31 — Thailand today released 18 Cambodian soldiers captured in July, both governments said, after a fresh ceasefire between the neighbours held for more than three days following weeks of deadly border clashes. “I can confirm,” Cambodia’s
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Top Russian general says Putin orders expansion of Ukraine buffer zone in 2026
MOSCOW, Dec 31 — Russia’s top general said its forces were pressing forward in northeastern Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin had ordered expansion of territory Moscow calls a buffer zone there in 2026, Russian news agencies said today. Chief of
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Head‑on train crash near Peru’s Machu Picchu kills conductor, injures 40 passengers
LIMA, Dec 31 — A head-on collision between two trains on the line that services Peru’s Machu Picchu killed one person and injured at least 40 others, authorities said, updating an earlier toll. The deceased was the conductor of one
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Magnus Carlsen wins 20th world chess title with back-to-back blitz and rapid triumphs
PARIS, Dec 31 — Norway’s Magnus Carlsen, the world’s number one chess player, yesterday won the World Blitz Championship in Doha, days after victory in the slightly longer ‘rapid’ format, to secure his 20th world title. Carlsen, 35, beat Uzbekistan’s
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‘Major disruption’ leaves Eurostar passengers stranded at peak holiday period
PARIS, Dec 30 — Eurostar advised passengers to postpone their journeys today to a later date, citing “major disruption” including severe delays and cancellations. The operator blamed the travel chaos on “a problem with the overhead power supply in the
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China’s Taiwan drills explained: ‘Live’ fire, blockades and the message behind them
BEIJING, Dec 30 — China’s military drills around Taiwan entered their second day today, the sixth major manoeuvres Beijing has held near the self-ruled island in recent years. AFP breaks down what we know about the drills: What are the
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What does China mean by ‘Taiwan independence’?
TAIPEI, Dec 30 — China said today it would “never hesitate to combat separatism” as it held a second day of war games around Taiwan, describing the drills it calls “Justice Mission 2025” as a warning against independence and foreign
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Six states under thunderstorm warning as MetMalaysia forecasts heavy rain and strong winds
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds across six states until 7pm today. It said in a statement that the severe weather forecast covers Kulim and
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Border ceasefire brings hope but evacuees in Thailand and Cambodia remain wary
BANGKOK, Dec 28 — At a Thai university-turned-shelter for displaced people, Kanlaya Somjettana is reluctant to go home even after a truce halted weeks of border clashes with Cambodia, fearing the violence may not be over. She said some people
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Bangladesh police say suspects in student leader killing fled to India, straining ties
DHAKA, Dec 28 — Bangladesh police today said the alleged killers of popular student leader Sharif Osman Hadi had fled to India, in comments likely to further strain relations with its neighbour. Hadi, a vocal India critic who took part in
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