Briefly

CAMBODIA

Fire at border hotel casino kills at least 19

A fire burning through a hotel casino at Cambodia's border with Thailand has killed at least 19 people and injured 70 others, officials said on Thursday, and neighboring Thailand sent firetrucks to help fight the blaze in the bustling region. Videos posted on social media showed people apparently jumping from windows after they were trapped by the fire at the Grand Diamond City Casino and Hotel in the border town of Poipet. Thailand's public broadcaster reported dozens of Thais were trapped inside. A volunteer with Thai rescue group the Ruamkatanyu Foundation said the blaze started on the first floor but spread quickly along the carpets, leaping up through the multistory building.

SERBIA

Vucic: Kosovo Serbs to dismantle barricades

Kosovo Serbs who have been blocking roads for nearly three weeks will dismantle their barricades, President Aleksandar Vucic said following calls by Washington and Brussels to de-escalate tensions in the region. "Barricades will be removed, but the mistrust remains," Vucic was quoted as saying by the state-controlled public broadcaster RTS on Wednesday during his meeting with Kosovo Serb representatives. This summer, tensions rose over the Kosovo authorities' decision to oblige Serbian vehicles to use their license plates. Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Serbia rejects it and considers Kosovo its own province.

Agencies - Xinhua