Thailand, Cambodia exchange heavy artillery fire as fighting rages for second day
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Thailand, Cambodia exchange heavy artillery fire as fighting rages for second day
Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire on July 25 as their worst fighting in more than a decade stretched for a second day. Authorities said 100,000 people had been evacuated from conflict areas on the Thai side. Both sides blamed each other for starting the conflict on July 24 at a disputed border area, which quickly escalated from small arms fire to heavy shelling. The Thai death toll rose to 15 as of the morning of July 25, 14 of them civilians, according to the health ministry. Cambodia has not provided details of any casualties or evacuations of civilians, and did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest clashes. The United States, a long-time treaty ally of Thailand, called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution” The fighting erupted on. July 24 just hours after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh and expelled Cambodia’s envoy.
Both sides blamed each other for starting the conflict on July 24 at a disputed border area.
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SURIN, Thailand – Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire on July 25 as their worst fighting in more than a decade stretched for a second day, despite calls from the region and beyond for an immediate ceasefire in an escalating border conflict that has killed at least 16 people .
Thailand’s military reported clashes from before dawn in the Ubon Ratchathani and Surin provinces and said Cambodia had used artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rocket systems. Authorities said 100,000 people had been evacuated from conflict areas on the Thai side.
“Cambodian forces have conducted sustained bombardment utilising heavy weapons, field artillery and BM-21 rocket systems,” the Thai military said in a statement.
“Thai forces have responded with appropriate supporting fire in accordance with the tactical situation.”
Both sides blamed each other for starting the conflict on July 24 at a disputed border area, which quickly escalated from small arms fire to heavy shelling in at least six locations 209km apart along a frontier where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century.
Reuters journalists in Surin province reported hearing intermittent bursts of explosions on July 25, amid a heavy presence of armed Thai soldiers along roads and gas stations in the largely agrarian area.
A Thai military convoy, including around a dozen trucks, armoured vehicles and tanks, cut across provincial roads ringed by paddy fields and moved toward the border.
The fighting erupted on July 24 just hours after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh the previous night and expelled Cambodia’s envoy, in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently by rival troops. Cambodia has dismissed that as baseless.
A Cambodian military personnel stands on a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher in Oddar Meanchey province, around 40km from the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple in Cambodia on July 25. PHOTO: REUTERS
Death toll rises
The Thai death toll rose to 15 as of the morning of July 25, 14 of them civilians, according to the health ministry. It said 46 people were wounded, including 15 soldiers.
Cambodia’s national government has not provided details of any casualties or evacuations of civilians. A government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest clashes.
Spokesperson for the provincial administration of Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province Meth Meas Pheakdey said one civilian had been killed and five were wounded, with 1,500 families evacuated.
Thailand had positioned six F-16 fighter jets on July 24 in a rare combat deployment , one of which was mobilised to strike a Cambodian military target, among measures Cambodia called “reckless and brutal military aggression”.
Thailand’s use of an F-16 underlines its military advantage over Cambodia, which has no fighter aircraft and significantly less defence hardware and personnel, according to the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies
A Thai mobile artillery unit fires towards Cambodia’s side of the border as the two countries exchanged heavy artillery on July 25. PHOTO: REUTERS
The United States, a long-time treaty ally of Thailand, called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of Asean, of which Thailand and Cambodia are members, said he had spoken to leaders of both countries and urged them to find a peaceful way out .
“I welcome the positive signals and willingness shown by both Bangkok and Phnom Penh to consider this path forward. Malaysia stands ready to assist and facilitate this process in the spirit of Asean unity and shared responsibility,” he said in a social media post late on July 24. REUTERS
Thailand, Cambodia exchange heavy artillery fire as fighting rages for second day
Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire on Friday as their worst fighting in more than a decade stretched for a second day. Authorities said 100,000 people had been evacuated from conflict areas on the Thai side. Both sides blamed each other for starting the conflict on Thursday at a disputed border area, which quickly escalated from small arms fire to heavy shelling. Thailand had positioned six F-16 fighter jets on Thursday in a rare combat deployment, one of which was mobilised to strike a Cambodian military target. Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh the previous night and expelled Cambodia’s envoy, in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid by rival troops. The Thai death toll rose to 15 as of early Friday, 14 of them civilians, according to the health ministry.
SURIN, Thailand: Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire on Friday as their worst fighting in more than a decade stretched for a second day, despite calls from the region and beyond for an immediate ceasefire in an escalating border conflict that has killed at least 16 people.
AI Brief Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy fire at a disputed border, causing civilian deaths and mass evacuations.
Thailand deployed F-16 jets, highlighting its military edge, while Cambodia accused it of reckless aggression.
ASEAN and the US urged both nations to cease hostilities and seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Thailand’s military reported clashes from before dawn in the Ubon Ratchathani and Surin provinces and said Cambodia had used artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rocket systems. Authorities said 100,000 people had been evacuated from conflict areas on the Thai side.
“Cambodian forces have conducted sustained bombardment utilising heavy weapons, field artillery and BM-21 rocket systems,” the Thai military said in a statement.
“Thai forces have responded with appropriate supporting fire in accordance with the tactical situation.”
Both sides blamed each other for starting the conflict on Thursday at a disputed border area, which quickly escalated from small arms fire to heavy shelling in at least six locations 209 km (130 miles) apart along a frontier where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century.
Reuters journalists in Surin province reported hearing intermittent bursts of explosions on Friday, amid a heavy presence of armed Thai soldiers along roads and gas stations in the largely agrarian area.
A Thai military convoy, including around a dozen trucks, armoured vehicles and tanks, cut across provincial roads ringed by paddy fields and moved toward the border.
The fighting erupted on Thursday just hours after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh the previous night and expelled Cambodia’s envoy, in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently by rival troops. Cambodia has dismissed that as baseless.
DEATH TOLL RISES
The Thai death toll rose to 15 as of early Friday, 14 of them civilians, according to the health ministry. It said 46 people were wounded, including 15 soldiers.
Cambodia’s national government has not provided details of any casualties or evacuations of civilians. A government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest clashes.
Meth Meas Pheakdey, spokesperson for the provincial administration of Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province, said one civilian had been killed and five were wounded, with 1,500 families evacuated.
Thailand had positioned six F-16 fighter jets on Thursday in a rare combat deployment, one of which was mobilised to strike a Cambodian military target, among measures Cambodia called “reckless and brutal military aggression”.
Thailand’s use of an F-16 underlines its military advantage over Cambodia, which has no fighter aircraft and significantly less defence hardware and personnel, according to the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies
The United States, a long-time treaty ally of Thailand, called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Thailand and Cambodia are members, said he had spoken to leaders of both countries and urged them to find a peaceful way out.
“I welcome the positive signals and willingness shown by both Bangkok and Phnom Penh to consider this path forward. Malaysia stands ready to assist and facilitate this process in the spirit of ASEAN unity and shared responsibility,” he said in a social media post late on Thursday.
Dollar steadies as focus shifts to Fed, BOJ meetings
The dollar inched off two-week lows on Friday, but kept on track for its biggest weekly drop in a month. Both the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan are expected to hold rates at next week’s policy meetings. The prospect of rate hikes by the BOJ had improved after a trade deal struck with the United States this week lowered tariffs to 15% on auto imports from Japan. But a near-term rate hike is hardly a done deal with the timing dependent on whether the economy can withstand the impact of U.s. tariffs, four sources familiar with BOJ’s thinking told Reuters. The dollar index was at 97.448, set for a drop of 1% this week, its weakest performance in a months. The euro was little changed at $1.174, but not far from $ 1.183, the near four-year high it touched at the start of the month. The Australian dollar has been boosted by the rise in risk appetite after the trade deals and was last at $0.6593, hovering near an eight-month high.
Summary Sentiment boosted by US-Japan deal this week
Markets pauses ahead of Fed, BOJ policy meetings next week
Eyes on US-EU trade deal negotiations
Markets shrug off Trump’s Fed visit
SINGAPORE, July 25 (Reuters) – The dollar inched off two-week lows on Friday, but kept on track for its biggest weekly drop in a month, as investors contended with U.S. tariff negotiations before an August 1 deadline, while looking ahead to central bank meetings next week.
Both the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan are expected to hold rates at next week’s policy meetings, but traders are focusing on the subsequent comments to gauge the timing of the next move.
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“Next week’s BOJ policy meeting will be closely watched for hints on the timing of the next rate hike,” said Carol Kong, currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
The prospect of rate hikes by the BOJ had improved, she added, after a trade deal struck with the United States this week lowered tariffs to 15% on auto imports from Japan.
But a near-term rate hike is hardly a done deal with the timing dependent on whether the economy can withstand the impact of U.S. tariffs, four sources familiar with the BOJ’s thinking told Reuters.
The yen stood at 147.20 to the dollar, on course for a weekly gain of nearly 1%, although the currency was weaker on the day as investors weighed monetary policy outlook and the fate of embattled Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba
A majority of economists in a Reuters poll this week said they expect Japan’s central bank to raise interest rates by 25 basis points this year.
The dollar index , which measures the U.S. currency against six other units, was at 97.448, set for a drop of 1% this week, its weakest performance in a month.
On Thursday, the European Central Bank left its policy rate at 2%, as expected, in a break from a year of policy easing, to await clarity over future U.S. trade ties after the European Commission said a negotiated solution was in reach ahead of the August 1 deadline.
The euro was little changed at $1.174, but not far from $1.183, the near four-year high it touched at the start of the month. The euro is up 13.5% this year as tariff policies take the shine off the dollar.
Progress on trade deals has also raised market hopes for talks with China, after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said officials of both countries would meet in Stockholm next week to discuss an extension of the deal negotiation deadline.
The Australian dollar has been boosted by the rise in risk appetite after the trade deals and was last at $0.6593, hovering near an eight-month high touched on Thursday.
TRUMP’S FED VISIT
Donald Trump locked horns on Thursday with Fed Chair Jerome Powell during a rare presidential visit to the central bank, criticising the cost of renovating two historical buildings at its headquarters and pressing the case for lower interest rates.
Markets mostly shrugged off the visit, however, having become accustomed to Trump’s repeated tirades against Powell and the Fed.
“Trump’s Fed visit was spectacle over substance,” said Prashant Newnaha, senior Asia-Pacific rates strategist at TD Securities.
“The market’s focus is firmly on next week’s Fed meeting. We expect Powell to repeat a patient, data-dependent policy outlook with flexibility but (he) is unlikely to commit to cuts.”
At their two-day rate-setting meet, the central bank’s 19 policymakers are widely expected to leave their benchmark interest rate in the range of 4.25% to 4.50%. Traders are pricing in 43 basis points of rate cuts by the end of 2025.
ANZ strategists expect the Fed to cut rates by 25 basis points in September and again in December.
“Were it not for tariff uncertainty, we judge that rate cuts would already have resumed,” they said in a note.
“The labour market is weakening, service price disinflation is well established, demand growth has slowed and there is no discernible evidence that higher tariffs are spilling into a broader inflation problem.”
In cryptocurrencies, bitcoin fell 2.6% to $115,644, while Ether was down 3.3% at $3,616.
Reporting by Ankur Banerjee in Singapore; Editing by Clarence Fernandez
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Weak local stocks, positional adjustments push rupee to one-month low
The Indian rupee declined to its weakest level in a month in early trading on Friday. The rupee fell to 86.5775, its lowest level since June 23, before paring losses to last quote at 86.51. Regional equities and currencies were mostly lower as well with the offshore Chinese yuan, a closely tracked peer of the rupee, down 0.2%. Analysts expect the Reserve Bank of India to keep policy rates unchanged in August but note that the central bank is likely to lower it again by year-end.
The rupee fell to 86.5775, its lowest level since June 23, before paring losses to last quote at 86.51, down 0.1% on the day as of 10:10 a.m. IST.
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Regional equities and currencies were mostly lower as well with the offshore Chinese yuan, a closely tracked peer of the rupee, down 0.2%.
Interbank was holding onto modest long positions on the rupee overnight, which were cut in early trading, pushing the currency lower, a trader at a private bank said.
In the near-term, expectations are that the rupee could go “another leg lower,” to 86.80 before reversing course.
Investors and traders are also hunkering down for a week likely to be dominated by news flow surrounding the August 1 U.S. tariff deadline, policy decisions by the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan, alongside key U.S. data prints.
For the dollar, “what seemed like a new uptrend to start the month has nearly all but unwound. Lot of event risk next week, before the market switches into August-mode,” BofA Global Research said in a note.
The dollar index is on course to end the week down by about 1% after rising over the last two weeks and was last quoted at 97.6.
Meanwhile, analysts polled by Reuters expect the Reserve Bank of India to keep policy rates unchanged in August but note that the central bank is likely to lower it again by year-end.
Almost half of the polled analysts forecast that interest rates would be lower than previous forecasts at the year-end as falling inflation has prompted calls for at least one more rate cut this year.
Reporting by Jaspreet Kalra; Editing by Janane Venkatraman
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Trump travels to Scotland for golf and bilateral talks amid Epstein furor
U.S. President Donald Trump heads to Scotland on Friday for a trip that will mix golf with politics mostly out of the public view. Trump plans to visit his golf resort in Turnberry on Scotland’s east coast, where he will meet on Monday with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He will then head to his sprawling golf property 200 miles away near Aberdeen on the west coast. The trip, initially billed as a private visit, gives Trump and Starmer a chance to deepen their already warm relationship. Key issues on the agenda to include ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, UK and U.K. sources said. Trump will return from September 17-19 for a state visit to Britain hosted by King Charles Charles II, the first world leader to undertake two state visits to Britain in modern times. The Queen hosted him at Buckingham Palace in June 2019 and a three-day state visit in June 2014, when he was still a candidate for the U.N. presidency.
Item 1 of 4 A police officer stands near a newly installed vehicle check point on the Trump Turnberry golf course ahead of the expected arrival of U.S. President Donald Trump later this week in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain, July 24, 2025. REUTERS/Phil Noble
Summary Trump’s Scotland trip comes as the U.S. president faces crisis over Epstein ties
Trump and Starmer to discuss U.S.-U.K. trade deal and Ukraine conflict
Scottish protests expected due to Trump’s unfavorable opinion among locals
EDINBURGH/LONDON, July 25 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump, dogged by questions about his ties to disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein , heads to Scotland on Friday for a trip that will mix golf with politics mostly out of the public view.
Trump plans to visit his golf resort in Turnberry on Scotland’s east coast, where he will meet on Monday with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, before heading to his sprawling golf property 200 miles away near Aberdeen on the west coast.
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As part of the visit, he will open a second 18-hole course on the Aberdeen property named in honor of his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born and raised on a Scottish island before emigrating to America.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt this week said the trip was intended as a “working visit that will include a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Starmer to refine the historic U.S.-U.K. trade deal.”
The overseas travel comes as Trump faces the biggest domestic political crisis of his second term in office. Allies and opponents alike have criticized his administration’s handling of investigative files related to Epstein’s criminal charges and the circumstances of his 2019 death in prison.
The issue has caused a rare breach with some of Trump’s most loyal Make America Great Again supporters, and majorities of Americans and Trump’s Republicans say they believe the government is hiding details on the case, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling.
White House officials, frustrated by the ongoing focus on the Epstein saga, are hoping the controversy dies down while Trump is abroad, one person familiar with the matter said.
DEEPEN TIES
The trip, initially billed as a private visit, gives Trump and Starmer a chance to deepen their already warm relationship, with key issues on the agenda to include ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, UK and U.S. sources said. British officials have been heartened by what they see as a clear shift in Trump’s rhetoric on Ukraine and Russia in recent weeks, a UK source said.
Since being elected last year, Starmer has prioritized good relations with Trump, stressing the importance of Britain’s defense and security alliance with the U.S. and being careful to avoid openly criticizing Trump’s tariff policies.
That approach helped Britain seal the first tariff-reduction deal with the U.S. in May, which reaffirmed quotas and tariff rates on British automobiles and eliminated tariffs on the U.K. aerospace sector, but left steel tariffs in place. Tariffs will likely come up, but sources close to the matter said it was unclear if any breakthrough could be achieved.
Trump also is expected to meet with Scottish leader John Swinney, who publicly backed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, but no details have been released by either side.
Trump has described Scotland as a “very special place” and made a similar trip there in 2016 during his first run for the presidency, but he won’t necessarily receive a warm welcome.
About 70% of Scots have an unfavorable opinion , opens new tab of Trump, while 18% have a favorable opinion of him, an Ipsos poll in March found.
Scottish police are girding for protests on Saturday in both Aberdeen and in Edinburgh, the country’s capital.
Trump will return to Britain from September 17-19 for a state visit hosted by King Charles. It will make Trump the first world leader in modern times to undertake two state visits to Britain. The late Queen Elizabeth hosted him at Buckingham Palace for a three-day state visit in June 2019.
Reporting by Andrea Shalal in Edinburgh and Andrew MacAskill in London; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Shri Navaratnam
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