Russia SMASHES Over 70 Ukrainian Drones As Kyiv Attacks Moscow Again
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The Hindu
21 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Russia starts direct commercial flights between Moscow, Pyongyang
Russia on Sunday (July 27, 2025) opened a regular air link between Moscow and Pyogyang, a move reflecting increasingly close ties between the two countries. The first flight operated by Russian carrier Nordwind took off from Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport carrying more than 400 passengers. Russia's Transport Ministry said there will be one flight a month to meet demand. North Korea plans to send military construction workers and deminers to Russia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who visited North Korea's new Wonsan-Kalma beach resort earlier this month to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, promised to encourage Russian tourists to visit the complex. The resort, which can accommodate nearly 20,000 people, is at the centre of Mr. Kim's push to boost tourism to improve his country's troubled economy. North Korea's Kim says he'll 'unconditionally support' Russia's war against Ukraine North Korea has been slowly easing the curbs imposed during the pandemic and reopening its borders in phases. But the country hasn't said if it would fully resume international tourism. Regular flights between Russia's eastern port city of Vladivostok and Pyongyang reopened in 2023 following a break caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Russia and North Korea have sharply expanded military and other ties in recent years, with Pyongyang supplying weapons and troops to back Russia's military action in Ukraine.
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First Post
21 minutes ago
- First Post
Beyond blame game: Thailand, Cambodia must understand their shared past
The talks between Phumtham Wechayachai, acting Prime Minister of Thailand, and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet, may bring a temporary pause to the conflict; however, lasting peace remains unlikely unless the deeper, unresolved issues are meaningfully addressed read more A monk visits the Preah Vihear temple on the border between Thailand and Cambodia. File image: REUTERS/Samrang Pring The border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand that erupted on Thursday, July 24, along various locations continues to worsen as it entered its fourth day on Sunday, July 27. Each side claims the other launched fresh artillery attacks across contested border areas, despite US President Donald Trump's Saturday claim that leaders of both countries had agreed to work towards a ceasefire. While Cambodia said it fully endorsed Trump's call for an immediate ceasefire, Thailand expressed gratitude to the US President but opined that talks with Cambodia were not possible at this stage because Cambodia continued to target Thai civilians—a claim Phnom Penh vehemently denied. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Blame Game Both sides continue to blame each other for firing the first shot on Thursday and for military actions that have exacerbated the border fight, engulfing new areas and causing severe collateral damage. Cambodia's Defence Ministry claimed on July 27 that Thailand shelled and launched fresh ground assaults at several points along the border, including firing heavy artillery at historic temple complexes. Contrarily, the Thai army claimed Cambodian forces had fired shots into several areas on Sunday, including civilian homes, and alleged that the Cambodian army was mobilising long-range launchers. Thailand also accused Cambodia of launching 'armed attacks' on its civilians, while Cambodia cited Thailand's deployment of F-16 jets and tanks, and its use of cluster munitions and artillery, as examples of aggression. As I write this piece, what began as skirmishes along the border threatens to escalate into an all-out war between the two Southeast Asian neighbors, who have a long history of disputed border claims. Friends Turned Foes The latest dispute has been exacerbated by a feud between two supposedly old friends—Hun Sen, the authoritarian ruler who handed power in Cambodia to his son Hun Manet in 2023, and Thailand's former populist leader Thaksin Shinawatra, whose daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra became prime minister in 2024 but had to resign over ethical issues related to the border dispute. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Both Thaksin and Hun Sen remain highly influential in their countries. Once considered close friends, they are now embroiled in a bitter dispute, trading insults on social media. The public rift between Thaksin Shinawatra and his longtime friend Hun Sen, Cambodia's de facto leader, has further fueled their countries' conflict, whose future trajectory remains unknown. Collateral Damage Thailand and Cambodia share a long, complex history that predates modern borders. The rigid lines of nation-states cannot fully account for the deep civilisational ties between these two Southeast Asian neighbours. Four days into the deadliest conflict in the last 14 years between the two countries, the border clashes, which began on Thursday with violence over contested territory near Prasat Ta Muen Thom—an ancient temple—have already claimed at least 34 lives and displaced more than two hundred thousand people. As I conclude this piece, clashes have escalated to at least 12 locations along the disputed border. Here is the breakup: STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Casualties: According to Cambodian defence ministry sources, at least 13 people have been confirmed killed so far—8 civilians and 5 soldiers—with more than 71 wounded. In Thailand, the army has reported a total of 21 deaths so far, including 14 civilians (children among them) and 7 armed forces personnel. Additionally, at least 29 Thai soldiers and 30 civilians have been wounded in Cambodian attacks. Displacements: At least 138,000 people have been evacuated from Thai border regions, while over 50,000 have either fled or been evacuated in Cambodia. The casualties and evacuations in this latest conflict have already exceeded those from the previous clashes between 2008 and 2011. The Centrifuge The most recent tensions began in May when troops from Thailand and Cambodia briefly exchanged fire in a contested area, killing a Cambodian soldier and leading to retaliatory measures by both sides. On Wednesday, July 23, the crisis worsened when five Thai soldiers were injured by a landmine—the second such incident in less than a week. Thailand alleged that landmines had been recently placed in the area—a claim Cambodia denies. The situation further deteriorated with Thailand recalling its ambassador to Cambodia and announcing it would expel Cambodia's envoy in Bangkok. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why the Fighting? First, a Century-Old Dispute—Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over un-demarcated points along their 817-km (508-mile) land border, leading to periodic tensions. The contested claims stem from a 1907 map drawn under French colonial rule that separated Cambodia from Thailand. Cambodia has used this map as a reference to claim territory, while Thailand argues it is inaccurate. The most prominent and violent conflicts have centered around the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple, a major point of dispute. In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded sovereignty over the Preah Vihear temple area to Cambodia. However, tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site, leading to skirmishes over several years that caused at least a dozen deaths. Since then, the ruling has been a major irritant in bilateral relations. Following further clashes that killed more than 20 people and displaced thousands, Cambodia again turned to the ICJ in 2011, and the court reaffirmed its ruling in Cambodia's favor in 2013. Thailand, however, has continually rejected the court's jurisdiction regarding the border dispute. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Secondly, Fanning Nationalistic Fervor: The conflict has been exploited to stoke nationalism in both countries. Cambodia, under one-party rule, may be witnessing Hun Sen's efforts to shore up his son Hun Manet's position. Meanwhile, Thailand is gripped by political instability, with its prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, suspended and her party accused of failing to act swiftly on the border dispute. Third, A Welcome Reprieve: The conflict may serve as a distraction for both countries, which are facing significant economic headwinds. Thailand is grappling with a struggling tourism sector, potential trade disruptions, and political instability, while Cambodia faces similar tourism challenges alongside concerns about its impending exit from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. Ironically, both nations face the prospect of a 36 per cent US tariff from August 1. What Next? Four parties can influence the warring neighbors to end the conflict and enter a truce, if not lasting peace: International Court of Justice: Cambodia earlier asked the ICJ to resolve the border dispute. However, this is unlikely to bring even a temporary or permanent solution, as Thailand refuses to accept the ICJ's authority on the matter. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD United States of America: Thailand shares a strong strategic partnership with the US, focused on defence, security, and economics. President Trump, as he has with other major global conflicts, claimed on social media that both parties were seeking an immediate ceasefire and peace, adding that tariff negotiations with both countries were on hold until fighting stopped. Yet, despite Trump's claims, the conflict continues. China: Though more closely aligned with Cambodia, China has strong economic ties with both countries. Expressing 'deep concern' over the latest conflict, Beijing has urged dialogue and consultation and offered to play a 'constructive role' in resolving the crisis. Malaysia: Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia and current Chairperson of Asean, is working overtime to broker peace, calling on Thailand and Cambodia to 'stand down'. But Asean's long-standing non-interference policy raises doubts about its ability to effectively mediate peace between two warring member states. Peace Talks Though both countries continue to blame each other as I conclude this piece, Thai and Cambodian leaders will meet for peace talks in Malaysia in response to an invitation from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as Asean Chairperson and ostensibly under pressure from President Donald Trump. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The talks, at the apex level between Phumtham Wechayachai, acting Prime Minister of Thailand, and Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet, may bring a temporary pause to the conflict. However, it is unlikely to deliver long-lasting peace, as the deeply entrenched territorial disputes along the 807-km border remain a festering wound. The author is a multi-disciplinary thought leader with Action Bias and an India based impact consultant. He is a keen watcher of changing national and international scenarios. He works as President Advisory Services of Consulting Company BARSYL. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
United News of India
32 minutes ago
- United News of India
Putin depicts Russian navy as pivotal in safeguarding national security, sovereignty
Moscow, July 28 (UNI) Russian President Vladimir Putin underscored the navy's pivotal role in protecting Russia's sovereignty and national security, as he oversaw its maneuvers, codenamed "July Storm," during Russia's Navy Day celebrations on Sunday. "Our primary task is to ensure Russia's security and defend its sovereignty and national interests. The navy plays a crucial role in this mission," Putin said. The large-scale operational maneuvers, which commenced on July 23, are being conducted simultaneously across multiple regions, notably the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, as well as the Caspian and Baltic Seas, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The "July Storm" exercise involves over 150 warships and support vessels, 120 aircraft, 10 coastal missile systems, 950 units of military equipment, and more than 15,000 personnel, the ministry said. Putin said that the exercise draws on lessons learned from the ongoing special military operation in Ukraine. "We will continue to enhance the combat readiness of our surface ships, submarines, coastal units and aviation, equipping them with the latest technologies and weaponry." He also revealed plans to strengthen the navy's capabilities, noting that five Marine Corps brigades will be upgraded to divisions, with two already scheduled for this year. "This transformation will significantly improve the navy's strike power and operational effectiveness," Putin added. Due to security concerns, this year's main naval parade, traditionally held in St. Petersburg, has been canceled. "While Navy Day is a festive occasion, given the current circumstances, it is more appropriate to observe it in a combat-ready environment, with the navy demonstrating its operational prowess," Putin explained. Following the maneuvers, Putin extended his congratulations to the navy personnel at the Admiralty in St. Petersburg, praising their dedication and skill in showcasing the navy's combat readiness. Russia's Navy Day, first celebrated in 1939, has featured the Main Naval Parade in St. Petersburg since 2017, in accordance with a presidential decree. Last year, on parade were 20 surface ships, one submarine, four sailing vessels, and more than 2,500 servicemen. UNI XINHUA RKM
