The China Mail - Politics

Israeli strike kills 15 in Syrian capital: war monitor

An Israeli air strike in Syria killed 15 people early Sunday and badly damaged a building in a Damascus district that is home to several state security agencies, a war monitoring group said.

North Korea says it fired ICBM as warning to US, Seoul

North Korea said Sunday it had test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile as a warning to Washington and Seoul, saying the successful "surprise" drill demonstrated Pyongyang's "capacity of fatal nuclear counterattack".

Israeli strike hits heart of Syria's security elite

An Israeli missile strike early Sunday killed 15 people and destroyed a building in a Damascus neighbourhood home to much of Syria's security apparatus, a war monitor said.

Near misses raise fresh questions for US air regulator

US air safety regulators are facing fresh questions following recent near crashes at American airports, further challenging an aviation industry ramp-up in response to rising travel demand.

Blinken, China's top diplomat in 'direct, candid talks' amid balloon spat

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned China not to repeat its "irresponsible act" of sending a spy balloon into American airspace, as he held rare talks late Saturday with China's top diplomat Wang Yi.

Ex-US president Jimmy Carter receiving 'hospice care' at home

Jimmy Carter, the 98-year-old former US president who led the nation from 1977 to 1981, is receiving hospice care at home, where he will spend his "remaining time," his nonprofit foundation said Saturday.

Blinken meets China's top diplomat amid balloon spat

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned China not to repeat its "irresponsible act" of sending spy balloons into American airspace, as he held rare talks late Saturday with China's top diplomat Wang Yi.

Dutch expel Russian diplomats, close trade mission

The Dutch foreign ministry on Saturday announced the expulsion of several Russian diplomats and the closure of Russia's trade mission in Amsterdam, accusing Moscow of using it for spying.

Tunisia's Saied expels Europe's top trade unionist for 'interference'

Tunisian President Kais Saied ordered the expulsion Saturday of Europe's top trade union official for "blatant interference" in the country's affairs, the latest escalation in a quickening showdown with labour activists.

'Rifts' to surface within Iranian regime, says son of last shah

Rifts already exist within the Iranian regime and they will become more apparent, eventually contributing to cutting down Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's power, Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last shah of Iran, said Saturday.

Snow patrol: Ukraine unit faces blizzard of Russian attacks

On the deserted edge of a town near the front line in eastern Ukraine, a Ukrainian soldier kneels in a firing position, a gloved finger on the trigger of his high-powered rifle.

Bulgaria charges six over migrants found dead in truck

Bulgarian prosecutors indicted six people on Saturday over the deaths of 18 Afghans who suffocated in a truck later left abandoned outside the capital Sofia.

US sees 'historic' chance for peace in Nagorno-Karabakh

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to seize a "historic opportunity" to end their decades-long dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

North Korea fires ICBM missile that lands in Japan's EEZ

North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile Saturday which landed in Japan's exclusive economic zone, Seoul and Tokyo said, after Pyongyang warned of a strong response to upcoming US-South Korean military drills.

Belarus cadets train on Russian tanks amid fears of bigger conflict

In Moscow-allied Belarus, officers look out across a snowy training ground outside the capital Minsk as Russian and Soviet-era tanks fire into the distance.

Israel spat erupts at African Union summit

Israel accused arch-foe Iran of orchestrating the expulsion of a top diplomat from the African Union summit on Saturday, with the help of Algeria and South Africa.

US accuses Russia of 'crimes against humanity' in Ukraine

US Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday accused Russia of committing "crimes against humanity" in Ukraine, saying Moscow's forces had conducted "widespread and systemic" attacks on the country's civilian population.

China blasts US over 'hysterical' balloon claim

China's top diplomat Wang Yi on Saturday blasted the United States's reaction to what Washington has called a Chinese spy balloon as "hysterical and absurd", in uncharacteristically strong remarks against the top Western power.

Allies urged to ramp up Ukraine support at Munich meet

Ukraine's Western backers on Saturday urged allies to give Ukraine what it needs to beat Russia, with NATO's chief warning of the risks of victory for Moscow, ahead of the anniversary of the war's outbreak.

New African Union chair brings controversial record to top post

Azali Assoumani, who took over as African Union chair for the next 12 months, loves power and has not hesitated to throw opponents in jail or change the law to remain in control.

Pakistan Taliban warn of more attacks against police after compound raid

Pakistan's Taliban warned Saturday of more attacks against law enforcement officers, a day after four people were killed when a suicide squad stormed a police compound in Karachi.

China's zero-Covid structures take on second lives

With China's dropping of its "zero-Covid" policy, makeshift quarantine centres and testing booths are being repurposed as mini-libraries, information points or even housing.

Trade, security top issues as African leaders meet

African leaders gather Saturday in Addis Ababa for an annual summit, aiming to jumpstart a faltering trade deal while also focusing on the continent's most pressing challenges, including armed conflict and a worsening food crisis.

Madrid offers citizenship to more Nicaragua dissidents

Madrid on Friday extended an offer of Spanish nationality to another 94 exiled Nicaraguan opposition figures dubbed "traitors" by their government.

Rio carnival returns, celebrating 'life, democracy'

Rio de Janeiro's mayor declared the world's biggest carnival officially open Friday for the first full-scale edition in three years, calling it a celebration of life and democracy after the turmoil of Covid-19 and Brazil's bitterly divisive elections.

Bulgaria finds 18 dead migrants suffocated in truck

Bulgarian authorities on Friday found the bodies of 18 people who suffocated in a truck smuggling them through the country.

European allies vow more support for Kyiv at security meet

European powers on Friday vowed to intensify support for Ukraine as it battles to repel Russia, with France's president underlining at a major security conference that the time was not ripe for talks with Moscow.

Hamilton and F1 stars warned time and place for free speech

Lewis Hamilton and his fellow F1 drivers were told on Friday they can still speak out on controversial issues -- as long as they choose the right time and place.

Four killed in Karachi police attack claimed by Pakistan Taliban

At least four people were killed when a Pakistan Taliban suicide squad stormed a police compound Friday in the port city of Karachi, with a gun battle raging for hours as security forces went floor-to-floor through an office building in pursuit of the assailants.

Canada right to use emergency powers on truckers: probe

A public inquiry on Friday found Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government was right to use emergency powers to dislodge trucker-led protesters that jammed Canada's capital last year.

Scholz reverses roles on tanks for Ukraine

Just weeks ago, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was under fire for having failed to approve the delivery of Leopard battle tanks. Now however, it's full speed ahead.

Rio carnival returns, 'celebrating life and democracy'