MILESTONES

DIED: At 105 in her adopted home of Hong Kong, Clare Hollingworth, one of the world’s best newspaper combat reporters and military analysts in history. Born in Leicester, British to the core and a life-long correspondent for the Daily Telegraph, she reported the outbreak of World War II exclusively, and later directly from Korea, Vietnam, Algeria and the Middle East. A list of her exclusives and scoops would fill this entire newspaper page.

APPOINTED: By the interior ministry as deputy governor of Narathiwat, Pateemoh Sadeeyamu. She is the first Muslim woman to hold the position in any province in the deep South. The Yala native had previously been deputy governor of Phattalung.

ARRIVED: From the long, lamentable battle with Customs, 292 of the 489 gas-powered blue buses that the government promised as a New Year’s present. They may be approved to run in time to be a Valentine’s Day present. Middleman Bestlin Group said it paid “full, demanded customs fee” for the China-made vehicles, no further details available.

FOR SALE: A substantial stake in thriving McDonald’s Japan restaurant chain after McDonald’s Corp reached a deal to sell its China and Hong Kong franchises. Price negotiable. Call 3-5351-4498, ask for Ronald.

INCREASED: By Fifa on the way to the bank, the format of the 2026 World Cup final from the current, uncompetitive 32-nation tournament. It will instead be an interminable 48-team show, which only a US-Mexico combine can even host. Fifa’s multi-millionaire chief Gianni Infantino said teams like Congo DR (currently ranked 48th) play only high-standard football. (Thailand’s current rank is 126.)