The China Mail - Politics

Government, Indigenous Ecuadorans dig in heels on day 10 of protests

Thousands flooded the Ecuadoran capital Quito Wednesday for a tenth day of demonstrations over living costs, in an ever-tenser standoff between the government and Indigenous protesters that has left two dead.

S.Africa's Ramaphosa should have acted against graft under Zuma: report

The last damning findings of a four-year probe into state corruption in South Africa under ex-leader Jacob Zuma, published Wednesday, suggested that President Ramaphosa could have acted against some of the allegations against his predecessor.

Oil prices tumble on recession fears as equities decline

Oil prices fell Wednesday on worries over weakening demand in the slowing global economy as Federal Reserve Chief Jerome Powell acknowledged interest rate hikes could lead to a recession.

Ecuador police officers missing after protest attack

Ecuador on Wednesday refused protesters' demands to lift a state of emergency and said 18 police officers were missing following an attack by Indigenous groups on a police station.

Macron urges 'compromises' to break France impasse

President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday urged France's political forces to make compromises to end a political deadlock sparked by his failure to retain a parliamentary majority that threatens to paralyse government.

Ecuador refuses to end state of emergency as 18 police 'missing' after attack

Ecuador on Wednesday refused to end its state of emergency and said 18 police officers are "missing" following an attack by Indigenous protesters on a police station in the eastern Amazon region.

Fresh turmoil for Bulgaria as govt loses confidence vote

Bulgaria's coalition government collapsed Wednesday after just six months when it lost a vote of confidence among MPs, bringing fresh political turmoil and the increased likelihood of an early general election.

Ukrainian swimmers seek pool success under shadow of war

Racked by worry for family, anger at Russian colleagues, and uncertainty about the future, Ukrainian swimmers are seeking world championship success in Budapest under the shadow of war.

Recession fears send oil prices plunging, equities diverge

Wall Street stocks climbed Wednesday as the US Fed chief stressed the need to combat decades-high inflation, but elsewhere equities and oil prices tumbled on mounting recession fears as central banks hike interest rates.

Biden seeks fuel tax suspension to help fight inflation pain

Joe Biden pitched a temporary fuel tax break Wednesday to help American drivers face the highest inflation in four decades, but critics called it attempted window dressing by an unpopular US president ahead of difficult midterm elections.

French minister investigated after rape allegations

French prosecutors said on Wednesday they were investigating a junior minister in President Emmanuel Macron's government after two allegations of rape were brought against her.

Saudi prince visits Turkey for talks clouded by Khashoggi murder

Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler took a big step out of international isolation Wednesday, paying his first visit to Sunni rival Turkey since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate.

Macron to address France over political impasse

President Emmanuel Macron was to address France on Wednesday over the crisis created by his failure to retain a parliamentary majority, with no solution in sight to an impasse that jeopardises his reform plans.

Xi warns about 'expanding military alliances' at BRICS summit: state media

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned against "expanding" military ties on Wednesday in a speech ahead of a virtual summit with top leaders from Russia, India, Brazil and South Africa.

Myanmar junta trial of Australian economist shifted to prison complex: source

The Myanmar junta's trial of a detained Australian economist will shift to a special court inside a prison compound in the capital Naypyidaw, a source with knowledge of the case said on Wednesday.

Confidence vote puts Bulgarian govt's fate in the balance

Bulgaria's coalition government faced collapse Wednesday just six months after taking office, as MPs prepared to vote on a no-confidence motion that if passed could mean fresh elections.

Iran movie feted by Cannes critics banned at home

Authorities in Iran have banned an Iranian movie about the struggles of a family in the sanctions-hit country after it was feted at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Israel lawmakers give initial approval for early election

Israeli lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to advance legislation to dissolve parliament and call an early election, after Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said his eight-party coalition was no longer tenable.

Prince Charles pays tribute to genocide victims in Rwanda

Prince Charles laid a wreath on Wednesday at a memorial to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda during the first visit to the country by a British royal.

Macron struggles to find compromise in France impasse

French President Emmanuel Macron pressed on with efforts Wednesday to end the crisis created by his failure to retain a parliamentary majority but with no solution in sight to an impasse that jeopardises his reform plans.

Biden seeks three-month federal gas tax holiday as prices skyrocket

US President Joe Biden will ask Congress Wednesday to suspend the federal gas tax for three months as skyrocketing prices cause widespread anger among Americans just months before crucial mid-term elections.

Why monkeypox may soon get a new name

Monkeypox may soon have a new name after scientists called for a change to dispel stereotypes of Africa being seen as a crucible of disease.

Stocks, oil plunge as renewed recession fears send traders running

Equities and oil prices tumbled Wednesday after a brief respite from last week's painful rout across world markets, with recession fears continuing to build as central banks hike interest rates to combat decades-high inflation.

Israel lawmakers hold first vote on bill triggering early election

Israeli lawmakers were holding a first vote Wednesday on a government bill to dissolve parliament and call an early election, after Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said his eight-party coalition was no longer tenable.

Stocks, oil dive as recession fears return after brief market respite

Equities and oil prices tumbled Wednesday after a brief respite from last week's painful rout across world markets, with recession fears continuing to build as central banks hike interest rates to combat decades-high inflation.

Indonesian president to visit Kyiv, Moscow this month: minister

Indonesian President and G20 chair Joko Widodo will visit the leaders of Ukraine and Russia this month to discuss the economic and humanitarian fallout of Moscow's invasion, his foreign minister said on Wednesday.

France's eye in the sky: Tracking Russian vessels in the Baltic

The cluster of dots on the Atlantique 2's screens may seem like a confusing mess to the untrained eye, but not to the crew of the French naval surveillance aircraft tasked with telling friend from foe in the Baltic Sea.

Ecuadoran Indigenous protester dies in anti-government demos

An Indigenous protester died Tuesday in clashes with law enforcement during a ninth day of demonstrations against the Ecuadorian government, which the military described as a "grave threat."

Markets struggle as recession fears weigh heavily

Equities struggled Wednesday after a brief respite from last week's painful rout across world markets, with recession fears continuing to build as central banks hike interest rates to combat decades-high inflation.

Ecuadoran Indigenous protester dies as anti-government demos