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Los Angeles Times
5 minutes ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Thai and Cambodian forces clash as escalating border dispute leaves at least 11 dead
Thai people who fled clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers take shelter in Surin province, northeastern Thailand, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Thai and Cambodian soldiers clashed in several areas along their border Thursday in a major escalation of their conflict that left at least 11 people dead, mostly civilians. The two sides fired small arms, artillery and rockets, and Thailand also called in airstrikes. Thai villagers could be seen on video fleeing their homes to seek shelter as the clashes began in the morning. Fighting was ongoing in at least six areas along the border, Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said. The trigger for the clashes was a mine explosion along the border on Wednesday that wounded five Thai soldiers and led Bangkok to withdraw its ambassador to Cambodia and expelled Cambodia's. Advertisement Thailand has also sealed all land border crossings while urging its citizens to leave Cambodia. The Southeast Asian neighbors have longstanding border disputes that periodically flare along their 500-mile frontier and usually result in brief confrontations that sometimes involves exchanges of gunfire. But relations have deteriorated sharply since a confrontation in May that killed a Cambodian soldier, and Thursday's clashes were far bigger in scale and intensity than usual. Advertisement Each side accuses the other of starting the clashes The first clash Thursday morning happened in an area near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple along the border of Thailand's Surin province and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province. A video from the Thai side showed people running from their homes and hiding in a concrete bunker as explosions sounded. The Thai army said its forces heard a drone before seeing six armed Cambodian soldiers moving closer to Thai military positions at the border. It said Thai soldiers tried to shout at them to defuse the situation, but the Cambodian side started to open fire. Advertisement Cambodia's Defense Ministry, however, said Thailand deployed a drone first before opening fire, and that Cambodia 'acted strictly within the bounds of self-defense, responding to an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops that violated our territorial integrity.' Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet wrote to the current president of the U.N. Security Council asking for an urgent meeting 'to stop Thailand's aggression.' The Thai army said it later launched airstrikes on military targets in Cambodia, while the Cambodian Defense Ministry said the Thai jets dropped bombs on a road near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, which has been the site of some of the most prominent and violent past conflicts between the countries. Thailand's Foreign Ministry accused Cambodia of attacking both military and non-military sites in Thailand, including a hospital. 'The Royal Thai Government is prepared to intensify our self-defense measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attack and violations upon Thailand's sovereignty in accordance with international law and principles,' said Nikorndej Balankura, the ministry's spokesperson. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said 11 people have died, including 10 civilians and one soldier. Meanwhile 28 have been injured, four of whom were soldiers and the rest civilians. Advertisement Cambodia released no details on deaths or injuries on its side. Relations deteriorated even before the clashes On Wednesday, Thailand withdrew its ambassador to Cambodia and expelled the Cambodian ambassador to protest the mine blast that wounded its soldiers. Thai authorities alleged the mines were newly laid along paths that both sides had agreed were supposed to be safe. They said the mines were Russian-made and not of a type employed by Thailand's military. Cambodia rejected Thailand's account as 'baseless accusations,' pointing out that many unexploded mines and other ordnance are a legacy of 20th century wars and unrest. Cambodia also downgraded diplomatic relations, recalling all Cambodian staff on Thursday from its embassy in Bangkok. The border dispute in May that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier has had political fallout in Thailand. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra came under fire for for being too fawning in a phone call with her Cambodian counterpart when she tried to defuse the situation. She has since been suspended from office pending an investigation into possible ethics violations over the matter. Saksornchai writes for the Associated Press. AP writer Sopheng Cheang in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, contributed to this report.
Straits Times
5 minutes ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Boxing-WBO orders negotiations for heavyweight bout between Usyk and Parker
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Boxing - Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois - Undisputed World Heavyweight Title - BoxPark Wembley, London, Britain - July 19, 2025 Oleksandr Usyk during the press conference after winning the fight against Daniel Dubois Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo The WBO has ordered negotiations for a bout between its interim heavyweight champion Joseph Parker and the unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, the ruling body said on Thursday. Both parties have 30 days to agree terms for a mandatory defence of Usyk's title, and if they fail to do so the WBO will open a purse bid. "The minimum bid in the Heavyweight division is one million dollars... any of the parties herein may request purse bid proceedings at any time during negotiation stages," the WBO said in a statement. Usyk has held the WBO belt since 2021 when he won it from Anthony Joshua along with the WBA and IBF titles, and has defended it four times, also taking the WBC belt from Tyson Fury to become the unified champion. The undefeated Ukrainian vacated the IBF belt last year after opting not to face the sanctioning body's interim champion Daniel Dubois in favour of a rematch with Fury, which he won by unanimous decision in December. Usyk, 38, knocked out Dubois on Saturday to regain the IBF belt and undisputed status. New Zealand's Parker won the interim WBO championship last year in a majority decision over Zhilei Zhang. He defended it in February, knocking out Martin Bakole. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia 11 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Asia Deadly Thai-Cambodian dispute puts Asean's relevance on the line Asia Live: People evacuated from border regions amid deadly Thailand-Cambodia clash Singapore Technology can help efforts to shift healthcare delivery towards the community: Ong Ye Kung Singapore Mice industry will need more manpower in areas like technology, sustainability: Alvin Tan Singapore Khatib Camp to make way for housing, with its functions moving to Amoy Quee Camp Singapore Mindef to set up new volunteer management unit to grow volunteer pool Singapore Primary 1 registration: 29 schools to conduct ballot in Phase 2B
Straits Times
5 minutes ago
- Business
- Straits Times
IMF needs more data, deal on remedial measures for Senegal waiver
LONDON - The International Monetary Fund is waiting for more data before it can firm up its assessment on Senegal's debt situation and still needs to reach an agreement on key remedial measures with the country, a Fund spokesperson said on Thursday. Senegal is grappling with billions in debts hidden by the previous administration - a problem for the cash-strapped country - which has seen its programme with the Fund put on hold over the issue. The IMF's executive board must approve either a waiver for misreporting - seen as the base case by many investors - or order Senegal to pay back previous programme disbursements. With a waiver, Senegal would be able to negotiate a new programme. "Once we have reached agreement on the key corrective measures, the IMF Board will be in a position to consider the Senegal misreporting case and take a decision," a spokesperson for the Fund said in response to emailed questions from Reuters. An agreement on these measures could be reached "hopefully within the coming weeks," the spokesperson added. The IMF estimates - based on latest data from Senegalese authorities - that hidden debt stood at $11.3 billion by end-2023, the spokesperson added. This included a portion for state-owned enterprises of about 7.4% of GDP. There have been a range of estimates. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia 11 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Asia Deadly Thai-Cambodian dispute puts Asean's relevance on the line Asia Live: People evacuated from border regions amid deadly Thailand-Cambodia clash Singapore Technology can help efforts to shift healthcare delivery towards the community: Ong Ye Kung Singapore Mice industry will need more manpower in areas like technology, sustainability: Alvin Tan Singapore Khatib Camp to make way for housing, with its functions moving to Amoy Quee Camp Singapore Mindef to set up new volunteer management unit to grow volunteer pool Singapore Primary 1 registration: 29 schools to conduct ballot in Phase 2B S&P pegged the total hidden debt discovered since October 2024 at roughly $13 billion. Concerns over Senegal's debt situation have escalated since September 2024, when the then newly elected government said an audit of government finances had shown the budget deficit at the end of 2023 stood at over 10% - more than double of what was reported by the previous administration. Senegal is not the first case of hidden debt, with Mozambique's infamous "tuna bond" scandal the most recent high-profile example in Africa. The spokesperson said that the IMF, which has come under fire for not catching the off-books lending during its programme, will present information to the board on how the hidden debt went undetected. "The IMF is conducting an internal assessment and diagnostic as part of the misreporting process," the spokesperson added. REUTERS
Straits Times
5 minutes ago
- Business
- Straits Times
EU says China's links with Russia now ‘determining factor' in ties
Find out what's new on ST website and app. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen (left) and European Council President Antonio Costa briefing the media after their meetings in Beijing, China, on July 24. BEIJING - EU chief Ursula von der Leyen warned on July 24 that China's ties with Russia were now the 'determining' factor in its relations with the European Union, as she wrapped up a tense summit in Beijing that also saw China agree to speed up exports of rare earth minerals to the bloc. China's leadership has sought to draw the European Union closer as it positions itself as a more reliable partner than the United States and a bedrock of stability in a troubled world. But while nominally intended to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties, the EU has made clear there are deep divisions over trade, fears that cheap, subsidised Chinese goods could overwhelm European markets and Beijing's tacit support for Russia's war against Ukraine. Brussels says China's deepening political and economic relations with Moscow since the 2022 invasion have helped Russia's economy weather sweeping Western sanctions. Beijing denies that claim. Wrapping up that summit, Dr von der Leyen told a news conference in Beijing that the bloc had made clear that the issue was now the 'determining' factor in its relations with China. She and European Council President Antonio Costa expressed 'our expectations that China would follow up on our concerns and the expectation that it would use its influence to bring Russia to accept a ceasefire, to come to the negotiation table, enter peace talks and put an end to the bloodshed', Dr von der Leyen said. She also said the bloc agreed with Beijing to an 'upgraded' mechanism for Chinese exports of rare earth minerals – another key sticking point in ties. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia 11 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Asia Deadly Thai-Cambodian dispute puts Asean's relevance on the line Asia Live: People evacuated from border regions amid deadly Thailand-Cambodia clash Singapore Technology can help efforts to shift healthcare delivery towards the community: Ong Ye Kung Singapore Mice industry will need more manpower in areas like technology, sustainability: Alvin Tan Singapore Khatib Camp to make way for housing, with its functions moving to Amoy Quee Camp Singapore Mindef to set up new volunteer management unit to grow volunteer pool Singapore Primary 1 registration: 29 schools to conduct ballot in Phase 2B China dominates the global industry for extracting and refining rare earths. Since April, it has required licences to export some of the strategic materials, triggering anxiety among businesses worldwide. 'If there is a delay... we have now established a mechanism where the companies can immediately ask us to mediate and to find out why there's a delay on the delivery of the critical raw materials,' Dr von der Leyen said. And Mr Costa said the officials had raised human rights concerns with Chinese counterparts. 'Deepen cooperation' China, in contrast, framed the July 24 summit as a way for the bloc and Beijing to deepen trust in a turbulent world. Welcoming Dr von der Leyen and Mr Costa at Beijing's ornate Great Hall of the People, President Xi Jinping said 'the more severe and complex the international situation is, the more important it is for China and the EU to strengthen communication, increase mutual trust and deepen cooperation'. 'The challenges facing Europe at present do not come from China,' he said, calling on both sides to 'make correct strategic choices'. Mr Costa also stressed to the Chinese leader that the EU wanted to see 'concrete progress on issues related to trade and the economy, and we both want our relationship to be... mutually beneficial'. Chinese Premier Li Qiang told the EU leaders in a separate meeting that 'close cooperation' was a 'natural choice' for the two major economies. 'As long as both China and the EU earnestly uphold free trade, the international economy and trade will stay dynamic', he said. Climate agreement In rare agreement, China and the EU vowed to 'step up' efforts to address climate change. The warming planet is historically an area of convergence between Brussels and Beijing, with both willing to cooperate on combating climate change. Chinese and European leaders agreed on enhancing bilateral cooperation in energy transition and committed to accelerating global renewable energy deployment, a joint statement said. The EU also flagged its yawning trade deficit with China that stood at around US$360 billion (S$460 million) in 2024 and which Dr von der Leyen described as 'unsustainable'. Beijing dismissed those concerns, insisting that Brussels must 'rebalance its mentality', not its economic ties with China. If EU concerns were not addressed, 'our industry and citizens will demand that we defend our interests', Dr von der Leyen told Premier Li. The EU has imposed hefty tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China, arguing that Beijing's subsidies unfairly undercut European competitors. China has rebuffed that claim and announced what were widely seen as retaliatory probes into imported European pork, brandy and dairy products. AFP
Straits Times
5 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Runaway wallabies spark cross-border hunt in France, Belgium
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Firemen captured one of the fugitives on July 22, but its accomplice was still unaccounted for. BRUSSELS - Two runaway wallabies have sparked a cross-border chase in Belgium and France, with police and firefighters hot on the heels of the fast-hopping marsupials. Firemen captured one of the fugitives on July 22 near the northern French city of Lille – days after the pair broke out of their enclosure in the border town of Mouscron, Belgium. But its accomplice was still unaccounted for on July 24 at noon. The escape took place while their owner was on holiday overseas and had entrusted the care of the animals to a neighbour, said Belgian police. 'We are not combing the area to find it, it could be anywhere,' a Mouscron police spokeswoman told AFP. 'We are mainly waiting for a local resident who might spot him to report his location'. The bouncing duo went on the loose over the weekend and sightings soon spread across the region. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia 11 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Asia Deadly Thai-Cambodian dispute puts Asean's relevance on the line Asia Live: People evacuated from border regions amid deadly Thailand-Cambodia clash Singapore Technology can help efforts to shift healthcare delivery towards the community: Ong Ye Kung Singapore Mice industry will need more manpower in areas like technology, sustainability: Alvin Tan Singapore Khatib Camp to make way for housing, with its functions moving to Amoy Quee Camp Singapore Mindef to set up new volunteer management unit to grow volunteer pool Singapore Primary 1 registration: 29 schools to conduct ballot in Phase 2B Footage of the animals hopping around urban areas, at times scared by passing motorists, went viral on social media. 'Thank you for doing everything you can to find these poor animals,' an internet user commented on the Mouscron police Facebook page. The fire department in France's Nord district mused that the marsupials had 'suddenly decided to explore the world around them, far from the Australian plains, closer to the urban jungle'. A smaller member of the kangaroo family, wallabies are native of Australia and the country's rugby team is nicknamed after them. Firefighters in Wattrelos, France, eventually cornered one of the escapees on the evening of July 22 after it ventured into the garden of a residential building. 'An anti-escape net was deployed to prevent the marsupial from making a run for it,' the fire service said. 'Indeed, the main fear was that the animal could cause an accident or injure itself.' It took wildlife specialists two hours to get the wallaby safely inside a cage. It was then 'returned to its kingdom, that of Belgium' and freed back into its enclosure, the fire department said. Owning wallabies and other exotic animals is allowed in Belgium as long as they are fed, cared for and not mistreated. AFP
