Laos cave rescue mission called off amid hazardous conditions

23 Sept 03:09 Key points summarised by AI

The multinational rescue mission in Laos, which successfully extracted five miners, has been indefinitely suspended due to severe weather, flooding, and a collapsed cave entrance, leaving two men still trapped.
Rescuers faced escalating dangers from heavy rains, geological instability, and the collapse of part of the cave entrance, making continued operations unsafe for personnel.
Despite the suspension and emotional setback, rescue teams have vowed to resume the search for the two missing Laotians once conditions improve and the site is deemed safe.
The 14-day mission involved Laos, Thai, and international experts who faced numerous natural setbacks and left millions of baht worth of equipment inside the cave due to retrieval risks.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Today 15:20 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul initiated a nationwide crackdown on illegal Thai nominee shareholders in foreign-run businesses and land holdings to safeguard national interests.
The government will integrate efforts across all relevant agencies to target illicit foreign operations, forced sales of illegally acquired property, and high-risk land ownership schemes.
Key strategies include auditing suspect land and building holdings, establishing a long-term monitoring system, and cross-referencing data from various authorities to trace ultimate beneficial owners.
Prime Minister Anutin emphasized that no influential figures or corrupt officials are above the law, promising straightforward prosecution, asset seizures, and protection for enforcing officers.
Beyond land ownership, the integrated crackdown will also extend to tackle transnational crimes, including drug and human trafficking.