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Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire – Relief from Colonial Echoes
An unconditional ceasefire was agreed between Thailand and Cambodia, starting midnight 28/07/2025, following intense clashes along their shared 800km border. The fighting, which lasted five days, claimed at least 36 lives and displaced over 300,000 people. Brokered during emergency talks in Putrajaya, Malaysia, the agreement offers temporary relief but underscores deeper historical tensions and longstanding…
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Martial Law in Effect Friday (25/07/25) in Chanthaburi and Trat
Declared by the Chanthaburi–Trat Border Defence Command, martial law is now in place in eight districts across two provinces: Chanthaburi Province (7 districts): Trat Province (1 district): These districts were explicitly listed in Thai-language declarations issued by the regional military command on Friday and the martial law order empowers the military to enforce searches, restrictions,…
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Thailand and Cambodia: New UK FCDO Travel Advice
If you’re living in Thailand or Cambodia, or planning to travel between the two, the latest update from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) demands careful attention to the conflict that has killed at least 34 people and displaced more than 168,000 as of writing. Escalation Along the Thailand and Cambodia Border On 24…
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UK Government Revives Pensions Commission to Confront Crisis
The UK government has announced the revival of the landmark Pensions Commission, tasking it with confronting what many fear is an impending retirement crisis. The move is widely seen as a recognition that the current system is failing to deliver adequate retirement outcomes for future generations. For British expats, particularly those relying on the UK…
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Summer Travel 2025: What You Need to Know About Flights to the UK
This summer, British expats flying back to the UK from somewhere like the Philippines will encounter several significant complications due to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The situation remains unstable, with particular concern around Iranian and Israeli airspace closures, US military involvement, and shifting Gulf state alliances. All of this affects flight safety,…
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New IHT on SIPPs in 2027
For British expats who hold Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) or other defined contribution (DC) schemes, these changes are more than just technical adjustments. From 6 April 2027, the UK government will significantly alter the tax treatment of pensions at death. They mark a fundamental shift in how retirement wealth can be passed on to your…
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Iran’s Nuclear Paradox in a ‘Might Is Right’ Middle East
Iran’s Nuclear Programme: Compliance and Escalation For a decade, Iran’s nuclear activities have embodied a paradox of earnest cooperation and alarming provocation throughout the Middle East. On one hand, Tehran adhered closely to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) after its signing in 2015. International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors confirmed “Tehran’s strict compliance with its commitments”…
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FAQ – The Guide to Company Pension Freezes
The real questions about company pension freezes 1. Is my company pension (Defined Benefit scheme) going to be frozen?No, not officially. But many schemes are now refusing discretionary increases (like BP and Shell), even when inflation is high. So while your pension may rise by 3% or 5% as guaranteed, if inflation is 8%, you’re…
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British in Israel and Palestine Must Register Now
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is urging all UK Passport Holders / British in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories to register their presence with the UK government as airspace closures and regional hostilities with Iran continue to escalate. The UK plans to charter flights from Tel Aviv when Israeli airspace opens.…
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Guide to Discretionary Increases in Defined Benefit Pensions
An expanded explainer of discretionary pension increases, the BP legal dispute, and why these issues are gaining urgency among British expatriates. Defining Discretionary Increases in the Context of Defined Benefit Pensions Defined Benefit (DB) pensions are often viewed as the gold standard of retirement income arrangements. These schemes commit to paying a fixed proportion of…
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