Influential ex-Thai PM Thaksin to receive verdict on royal insult case in late August
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The Star
10 minutes ago
- The Star
UK man convicted of offering minister's information to Russian intelligence
British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps attends the international ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the 1944 D-Day landings and the liberation of western Europe from Nazi Germany occupation, at Omaha Beach in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, Normandy region, France, June 6, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) -A British man who offered personal information about former defence minister Grant Shapps to Russian intelligence for money was on Tuesday found guilty of assisting a foreign intelligence service. Howard Phillips offered Shapps' home address and phone number to two people he believed were Russian agents but were in fact British undercover officers, prosecutors said. The 65-year-old denied one count of engaging in conduct intended to materially assist a foreign intelligence service, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in jail. Phillips gave evidence at his trial at Winchester Crown Court, claiming he was trying to "trap and expose a foreign agent". But he was convicted of the offence under the National Security Act by a jury on Tuesday. He will be sentenced at a later date. At the start of his trial, prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward said Phillips offered to help Russian intelligence "not necessarily for ideological reasons or because he sympathised with the Russian state". Ledward said Phillips had sought to carry out "easy – and, perhaps, interesting or exciting – work for easy money". Phillips was approached in March 2024 by purported Russian agents, using the names Sasha and Dima, who asked Phillips to save a file onto a clean USB stick, stating what he could offer and why, and hide it inside a parked bicycle on a London street. He later met Dima in May 2024, saying he knew Shapps' home address, telephone number and where his private plane was kept as he had visited Shapps' house, Ledward said. Phillips also offered logistical support, by booking a hotel and buying a mobile phone for a foreign intelligence service, prosecutors said. (Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Sarah Young)
The Star
10 minutes ago
- The Star
Cambodian PM Hun Manet lashes out at Thailand over 'baseless accusations'
PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has taken to social media to deliver a sharp rebuke to Thailand, accusing its political leadership, military, and media of making "baseless accusations" against his nation. The premier's unusual five-point post emerged amidst renewed friction concerning alleged Cambodian interference in Thai internal politics, landmines, and threats of unilateral action in disputed border zones, including the Emerald Triangle and Ta Muean Thom temple. Hun Manet stated that Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of National Defence, and other relevant agencies have already issued direct rebuttals to the allegations, aiming to protect Cambodia's honour. He added that the government is prepared to take "additional necessary measures" to safeguard national interests. "I see no need for lengthy comments, but I would like to offer five brief reminders to the Thai side," the Prime Minister wrote: - In disputed areas or locations where sovereignty is not clearly defined, neither party possesses the right to act unilaterally or implement unilateral measures. All actions must first receive the mutual consent of both parties. - The red line remains a red line. It is not meant to be crossed. Please do not violate it. - Cambodia has not violated anyone, but it will not allow anyone to violate us either. Cambodia possesses sufficient capabilities and is well-prepared to defend itself and protect its territorial integrity by all means if violated. - The method of accusing or blaming others is unethical and insincere. Such methods should not be employed if we genuinely desire to build mutual trust. - Cambodia remains committed to finding solutions to these issues through non-violent means, with the ultimate goal of achieving a swift, clear, and lasting resolution. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
New York mayoral frontrunner Mamdani leaves business leaders divided on opposition strategy
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks at an event to celebrate his endorsement from District Council 37, New York's City's largest labor union, in New York City, U.S., July 15, 2025. REUTERS/Adam Gray/File Photo NEW YORK (Reuters) -The business community in New York City is scrambling to figure out who to support in November's mayoral race, with many leaders saying either Andrew Cuomo or Mayor Eric Adams needs to drop out for the other to have a chance against surprise Democratic primary winner Zohran Mamdani. Following Cuomo's announcement that he would stay in the race as an independent after losing to Mamdani, New York-based CEOs have yet to coalesce behind either the former governor or incumbent Adams in their bid to defeat Mamdani, a Democratic socialist who won the primary in June. Several business leaders who would only speak under the condition of anonymity said they would support Cuomo, while others were backing Adams, a former police captain who was elected mayor as a Democrat in 2021 but this year decided to run as an independent, as less sure of the former governor's leaders are taking a wait-and-see approach -- though others believe that could be a bad move, keeping another candidate from gaining momentum. Mamdani won the June 24 primary with 56% of the vote, bolstered by young voters drawn to his social media presence and messaging focused on solving the city's affordability crisis. Polling suggests he would prevail over a fractured field of Cuomo, Adams and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, but some polls suggest Cuomo would win a head-to-head matchup against Mamdani in heavily Democratic New York. Business owners are concerned that Mamdani's proposals, which include rent freezes, free city buses and city-owned grocery stores, would add to residents' tax burden and cause an exodus of capital. Mamdani says his plans, which also include free childcare, would be paid for by raising corporate taxes and imposing an additional 2% income tax on New Yorkers earning more than $1 million a year. 'I can only vote for one candidate in November, and that decision won't be made until closer to Election Day,' said Jared Epstein, president of real-estate owner and developer Aurora Capital Associates, in an email. 'Until then, like nearly every one of the 20,000 contacts in my phone, my position is simple: ABZ – 'Anyone But Zohran.'" Mamdani has raised about $820,000 since the primary through July 21, according to the city's campaign finance board. Few prominent business leaders have publicly come out in support of Mamdani, who has received endorsements from unions that previously backed recent days, Mamdani met with executives in a meeting organized by the nonprofit Partnership for New York City. "He did a pretty good job of making the case that he was open to conversations, discussion and learning, and that he wanted to build a coalition that would represent all New Yorkers," said Kathy Wylde, president and chief executive officer of the group. Cuomo has said he would drop out by September if he isn't the clear favorite and has urged others to do the same, though by state law his name would remain on the ballot. He has raised just $64,000 since June 10. Adams has raised roughly $1.5 million since June 10. Maria and Kenneth Fishel, who own luxury real estate company Renaissance Properties, hosted a fundraiser for Adams in Long Island's Hamptons over the 4th of July weekend. Adams has also received support on social media from hedge-fund managers Bill Ackman and Daniel Loeb. He has been endorsed by 13 police unions. Hedge fund manager Whitney Tilson, who ran in this year's Democratic mayoral primary, receiving just 0.8% of the vote, said in an email that once the election is one month away, "it will hopefully be clear who's better positioned to beat Mamdani and ONLY THEN should the other guy drop." Neither Cuomo nor Mamdani's campaigns responded to a request for comment. Todd Shapiro, spokesperson for Adams, said Adams made New York stronger after the pandemic and will continue to deliver results for the business community in New York. Sliwa, who is polling behind both Mamdani and Cuomo, said he is not planning on dropping out; Sliwa, as the Republican candidate in the 2021 mayoral general election won 27.8% of the vote. (Reporting by Samantha Marshak; additional reporting by Svea Herbst Bayliss; editing by David Gaffen and Leslie Adler)
