TOKYO: Japan’s foreign minister said on Thursday (Nov 1) she would meet Palestinian counterparts during a visit to Israel and Jordan, and would communicate Japan’s readiness to provide aid to the Palestinians. The minister, Yoko Kamikawa, is also set to meet Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen during her two-day trip from Friday, as theContinue Reading
But the White House was quick to say at the time that the discussions would not resemble formal arms reduction talks, like those the US has had with Russia. Since then, US officials had expressed frustration that China showed little interest in discussing steps to reduce nuclear weapons risks. ChinaContinue Reading
JAKARTA: An Indonesian court sentenced to jail on Wednesday (Nov 1) the chief executive and three other officials of a company whose cough syrup has been linked to the death of more than 200 children, for violating drug safety laws, the company’s lawyer said. The Indonesian company, Afi Farma, wasContinue Reading
SEOUL: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit South Korea next week for “wide-ranging” discussions on issues including nuclear-armed North Korea, Seoul’s foreign ministry said Wednesday (Nov 1). Blinken will arrive in Seoul next Wednesday for a two-day trip, marking his first visit to the country since March 2021.Continue Reading
SYDNEY: China’s spending spree throughout the South Pacific is drying up as Beijing instead seeks to cement its footprint in a smaller number of “friendly states”, Australian researchers said on Tuesday (Oct 31). Over the past decade, China has lavished billions of dollars on aid and infrastructure in Pacific islandContinue Reading
BEIJING: China’s second-ranked military official, speaking at a military forum on Monday (Oct 30), vowed to develop military ties with the United States while accusing “some countries” of “creating turbulence” and trying to undermine Communist Party rule. The Beijing Xiangshan Forum, China’s biggest annual show of military diplomacy, began Sunday withoutContinue Reading
BEIJING: Chinese and Russian military chiefs targeted the United States for criticism at a security forum in Beijing on Monday (Oct 30), even as China’s second-most-senior military commander vowed to boost defence ties with Washington. The Beijing Xiangshan Forum, China’s biggest annual show of military diplomacy, began Sunday without the country’sContinue Reading
SEOUL: The United States and South Korea began major air exercises on Monday (Oct 30), involving 130 warplanes from both countries to simulate 24-hour wartime operations. The annual drills, called Vigilant Defense, will run until Friday, featuring variants of the F-35 stealth fighter from both the United States and SouthContinue Reading
INJE, South Korea: South Korean and US troops held joint future combat drills involving drones, an unmanned vehicle and wearable laser sensors this week as part of efforts to modernise their militaries, Seoul’s army said on Saturday (Oct 27). The training came as South Korea’s military conducts a series ofContinue Reading
Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct 7, killing more than 1,400 people and taking over 200 hostages. Israel responded by pounding Gaza with air strikes, killing thousands.
Some Thai workers were working on Israeli farms near the Gaza border when the Oct 7 attack happened. Thai labourer Kamlue was on his way to harvest courgettes on a farm when the truck he was riding on came under heavy fire.
“They launched a relentless barrage of gunfire from every direction,” he said, asking not to use his full name as he recounted his escape from the Hamas attack.
The driver of the truck managed to steer it to a safe position, but Kamlue was among several workers who were wounded.
“I was shot in my right leg, and I’m still recovering from the injury,” said the 41-year-old, who returned to Thailand on a repatriation flight organised by the Thai government.
The killing of migrant workers has caused alarm among the roughly 110,000 foreign labourers who currently live legally in the country, prompting thousands to line up to leave.
But Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Thursday said he was concerned that Thai workers were planning to stay in Israel for higher pay, despite escalating conflict.
“We have to improve the state of our economy here … so Thais don’t have to risk their lives,” Srettha said on Thursday in a response to a question in parliament, adding 4,000 Thais had been repatriated so far but others were changing their minds to stay.