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Kremlin set to annex four Ukraine territories at ceremony
Kremlin set to annex four Ukraine territories at ceremony

Russia is expected to annex four occupied regions of Ukraine at a lavish Kremlin ceremony on Friday that follows a threat by President Vladimir Putin to use nuclear weapons in their defence. Along with threats to use nuclear weapons, Putin announced a mobilisation of hundreds of thousands of Russians to bolster Moscow's army in Ukraine, sparking demonstrations and an exodus of men abroad.

Japan plans more stimulus to tackle inflation, low yen
Japan plans more stimulus to tackle inflation, low yen

Japan is preparing another round of economic stimulus measures, the government said Friday, as rising prices and the plummeting yen squeeze the world's third-largest economy. Kishida said on Thursday that his government would take "bold" measures to tackle inflation and the falling yen, as "the rapid rise of energy and food prices is directly hitting households".

Fire in Paraguay elections office destroys thousands of vote machines
Fire in Paraguay elections office destroys thousands of vote machines

A fire broke out Thursday at Paraguay's Superior Court of Elections, destroying thousands of electronic ballot boxes and other equipment only two months ahead of the South American country's presidential primaries, officials said. Paraguay's primary elections are scheduled for December 18, with the general presidential election on April 30, 2023. hro/dl/ll/des/caw

Legal marijuana, but Uruguayans still prefer black market
Legal marijuana, but Uruguayans still prefer black market

Uruguay was a pioneer in the legalization of recreational cannabis use, a move that helped to push many drug traffickers out of the domestic market. "There are many more domestic growers who are simply not registered" but have already overtaken trafficking networks in the sale of cannabis.

Thai court to decide suspended prime minister's fate
Thai court to decide suspended prime minister's fate

A Thai court is set to rule Friday on whether suspended prime minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha should be reinstated, or thrown out of office permanently, with a verdict in his favour likely to trigger protests. Under the 2017 Thai constitution, a prime minister cannot serve more than eight years in office, but Prayut's supporters and critics disagree as to when his term began.