The China Mail - Politics

ICC marks 20th birthday with Ukraine in sights

The International Criminal Court marks its 20th anniversary on Friday, with the Ukraine war giving the tribunal new impetus after two decades of criticism and controversy.

China's Xi presides over muted Hong Kong handover anniversary

Chinese leader Xi Jinping presided Friday over tightly choreographed celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from Britain, with once annual demonstrations silenced and a massive security presence in force.

Crypto lending world sways under risk and turmoil

Starting with the lofty goal of competing with traditional banks, cryptocurrency lending giants and their clients now face financial ruin due to their appetite for risk and a paucity of regulatory guardrails.

Migrants recount nightmare journeys in US-bound trucks

Jose Mario Licona and his family spent 18 hours in a refrigerated truck being smuggled to the Mexican-US border -- a journey he feels lucky to have survived.

10 dead in Ukraine apartment strike, after Russia quits Snake Island

At least 10 people were killed Friday in a strike on a Ukrainian apartment building, a day after Russian troops abandoned positions on a captured island in a major setback to the Kremlin's invasion.

Eight anti-coup protesters killed in Sudan mass rallies

At least eight Sudanese demonstrators were killed Thursday as security forces sought to quash mass rallies of protesters demanding an end to military rule, pro-democracy medics said.

Ecuador government, Indigenous leaders sign deal to end protests

Ecuador's government and Indigenous leaders signed a deal Thursday to cut fuel prices and end cost-of-living protests that partly paralyzed Ecuador for 18 straight days.

China's Xi to preside over muted Hong Kong handover anniversary

Chinese leader Xi Jinping was set to preside Friday over tightly choreographed celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from Britain, with once annual demonstrations silenced and a massive security presence in force.

Erdogan warns Turkey may still block Nordic NATO drive

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday told Sweden and Finland that he could still block their drives to join NATO if they fail to implement a new accession deal with Ankara.

Ecuador talks resume on 18th day of protest

Talks between Ecuador's government and Indigenous leaders resumed Thursday, after an acrimonious suspension, to seek an end to cost-of-living protests that have largely paralyzed the country since June 13.

The US Supreme Court: nine judges with strong convictions

Behind the sharply crafted decisions of the US Supreme Court, which completed a tumultuous term on Thursday, are nine brilliant legal minds, each with strong convictions that can lead to decisions which profoundly shape American society.

Fela Kuti's son cancels Morocco gig over migrant deaths

Seun Kuti, son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, has cancelled a concert in Morocco to mourn last week's tragedy on the border of Spain's Melilla enclave in which at least 23 African migrants died.

France, Costa Rica eye next UN Ocean Conference

France and Costa Rica have jointly bid to host the next UN Ocean Conference, in 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron told some 7,000 diplomats, experts and advocates at this year's meet in Lisbon.

Iran says nuclear deal still possible despite Qatar talks setback

Iran insisted Thursday that a revived nuclear agreement with major powers remains achievable even as European powers backed Washington in urging Tehran to budge following talks in Qatar.

Six anti-coup protesters killed in Sudan mass rallies

At least six Sudanese demonstrators were killed Thursday as security forces sought to quash mass rallies of protesters demanding an end to military rule, pro-democracy medics said.

Ketanji Brown Jackson sworn in as first Black woman on US Supreme Court

The United States made history on Thursday as Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in as the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

Post-coup Mali sets timetable for vote ahead of key summit

Mali's government has adopted a timetable for staging elections, in a move just days ahead of a regional summit to mull the future of sanctions against the junta-dominated country.

Stocks and oil sink on recession fears

World stock markets mostly sank Thursday on intensifying recession fears, while oil prices receded after an OPEC decision to proceed with a limited boost to output.

Chinese leader Xi says Hong Kong 'reborn from the fire' as visit to city begins

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Hong Kong had been "reborn from the fire" as he arrived Thursday to mark the 25th anniversary of the city's handover, in his first visit since the business hub's democracy movement was crushed.

Canada to attend G20 summit even if Putin goes: Trudeau

Canada will take part in the G20 summit in Bali in November even if Russian President Vladimir Putin attends, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday.

Five Sudan protesters killed in mass rallies against army rule

At least five Sudanese demonstrators were killed Thursday as security forces sought to quash mass rallies of protesters demanding an end to military rule, pro-democracy medics reported.

US Supreme Court limits government powers to curb greenhouse gases

The US Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the government's key environmental agency cannot issue broad limits on greenhouse gases, sharply curtailing the power of President Joe Biden's administration to battle climate change.

Four Sudan protesters killed in mass rallies against army rule

At least four Sudanese demonstrators were killed Thursday as the security forces sought to quash mass rallies of protesters demanding an end to military rule, pro-democracy medics reported.

OPEC+ stays the course on oil output boost

Major oil producers led by Saudi Arabia and Russia stuck to a previously decided output boost on Thursday, despite calls for bigger increases to tame crude prices.

Israel parliament dissolves, sets fifth election in less than four years

Israeli lawmakers dissolved parliament on Thursday, forcing the country's fifth election in less than four years, with Foreign Minister Yair Lapid set to take over as caretaker prime minister at midnight.

Stocks sink on recession fear, oil slips before OPEC

World stock markets mostly sank Thursday on intensifying recession fears, while oil prices receded before an OPEC output decision.

OPEC+ tipped to stay the course on oil output boost

Major oil producers led by Saudi Arabia and Russia are expected to stick to a previously decided output boost on Thursday, despite calls for bigger increases to tame crude prices.

Ukraine's trans community caught in crosshairs of war

Oleksandra has wanted to leave Ukraine since her home was bombed. But she can't, because her passport says she is a man, and can therefore be drafted into the army.

Russian film director denounces 'murder' of his former theatre

Russia's celebrated film director Kirill Serebrennikov, who left the country after criticising its offensive in Ukraine, has accused the authorities of "murdering" his former theatre that he had built into a top cultural venue.

Israel parliament dissolves itself, sets November 1 election