Fighting raged along the border of Cambodia and Thailand, with explosions heard near centuries-old temples ahead of US President Donald Trump's planned phone call to the leaders of both nations on Thursday (Dec. 11). At least 19 people have been killed in the latest round of border fighting that reignited last week, officials said. More than half a million people, mostly in Thailand, have fled border areas near where jets, tanks and drones have waged battle.

The Southeast Asian nations dispute the colonial-era demarcation of their 800-kilometre (500-mile) frontier, where both sides claim a smattering of historic temples. This week's clashes are the deadliest since five days of fighting in July that killed dozens before a shaky truce was agreed, following intervention by Trump. The US president said he expected to speak Thursday with the leaders of the two countries to demand a halt to the clashes. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said there had been "no coordination" yet with Trump.

Iceland joined Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands in saying it will boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest. All five countries have withdrawn after Israel's participation in the competition was officially confirmed last week. Stefan Eiriksson, director-general of Icelandic national broadcaster RÚV, said: "There is no peace or joy connected to this contest as things stand now. On that basis, first and foremost, we are stepping back while the situation is as it is."

RÚV said Israel's participation had "created disunity among both members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the general public". The broadcaster's board agreed the decision at a meeting on Wednesday, hours before the deadline for countries to confirm whether they will join what's supposed to be a celebratory 70th anniversary edition of the song contest next May. Iceland was believed to be the last remaining country to announce its decision. Israel's presence at Eurovision has been an increasing source of tension, because of the war in Gaza.

US President Donald Trump said that the United States has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela as tensions mount with the government of President Nicolás Maduro. Using US forces to take control of a merchant ship is incredibly unusual and marks the Trump administration's latest push to increase pressure on Maduro, who has been charged with narcoterrorism in the United States. The US has built up the largest military presence in the region in decades and launched a series of deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats.

The campaign is facing growing scrutiny from Congress. When asked what would happen to the oil aboard the tanker, Trump said, "Well, we keep it, I guess." US Coast Guard members were taken to the oil tanker by helicopter from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the official said. The Ford is in the Caribbean Sea after arriving last month in a major show of force, joining a fleet of other warships.

A devastating fire ripped through the popular nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, North Goa, resulting in the deaths of 25 people. The blaze began on the first floor while nearly 100 people were on the dance floor. Eyewitnesses said people rushed downstairs in panic, with several - including women and staff - getting trapped inside the kitchen. Rescue teams said the layout and chaos made evacuation extremely difficult. The owners of the nightclub fled the country hours after the tragedy, police said, but they were later arrested in Phuket and deported.

The authorities have confirmed the identities of at least four tourists and 14 staff members among the victims. The nightclub promotes itself as an "island club" and is connected to the main road through narrow lanes. This proved tricky after the blaze because fire engines could not reach the club and had to be parked about 400 m away.