The China Mail - Politics

China defends Hong Kong cardinal's arrest as Western alarm grows

China on Thursday defended the arrest of a 90-year-old Catholic cardinal under Hong Kong's national security law, a move that triggered international outrage and deepened concerns over Beijing's crackdown on freedoms in the financial hub.

US, China congratulate Marcos for Philippine election win

The United States and China have congratulated Ferdinand Marcos Jr on his win in the Philippine presidential election, as the superpowers jostle to have the strongest ties with the Southeast Asian nation.

Sri Lanka president set to name new PM

Beleaguered President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was set to name a new prime minister Thursday to try to steer Sri Lanka out of its dire economic crisis after days of violence, officials said.

Cardinal's arrest deepens alarm over Hong Kong crackdown

The arrest of a 90-year-old Catholic cardinal under Hong Kong's national security law has triggered international outrage and deepened concerns over China's crackdown on freedoms in the financial hub.

Ukraine to hold first war crimes trial over Russian invasion

Ukraine will launch its first war crimes trial over Moscow's ongoing invasion, bringing a 21-year-old Russian soldier to the stand, Kyiv's top prosecutor announced Wednesday.

Finnish political leaders to unveil NATO stance

Finland's president and prime minister will announce Thursday their highly awaited positions on whether to join NATO, the first step toward a formal decision after Russia's war in Ukraine triggered a swift turnaround in opinion.

Russia 'most direct threat to world order': EU's von der Leyen

Russia is the "most direct threat" to the international order because of its invasion of Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday in Tokyo.

Besieged Ukrainian commander asks Elon Musk for help

A Ukrainian commander in Mariupol appealed directly to Elon Musk on Wednesday, asking the world's richest man to intervene on behalf of those trapped by Russian forces in control of the southern city.

Colombia's Gulf Clan sows terror ahead of presidential vote

With dozens of villages under siege and as many as two dozen people killed in a week, Colombia's largest drug cartel is sowing terror among civilians, flexing its muscle with days to go to presidential elections.

New Cuban penal code 'turning the screw' on dissent, critics say

Ten months after unprecedented anti-government protests rocked Cuba, the government is pushing through a penal reform opponents say is designed to pre-emptively quell any future displays of growing public discontent.

Biden loses potent aide with departure of press secretary Psaki

She could be playing the charmer, hurling verbal explosives, or just applying spin, but whichever version of Jen Psaki appears at the White House podium, there's little question her departure Friday strips President Joe Biden of an able ally.

Ukrainian forces collect Russian dead left behind

After combing the forests and meadows west of Kyiv, a special Ukrainian unit finally found what they were searching for —- the body of a Russian "occupier".

Biggest white diamond ever auctioned fetches $21.9 million

The Rock, the biggest white diamond ever auctioned, sold for 21.7 million Swiss francs ($21.9 million) on Wednesday, far short of the record for such a jewel.

Finland joining NATO 'would not be against anyone': president

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said on Wednesday that it "would not be against anyone", if the Nordic country joined NATO, despite Russia warning against the membership.

'No time to hide' for Ukraine social worker in town near front line

Shelling thundered from several directions and black smoke drifted upward in the distance as Zhanna Protsenko pedalled off for a house call in a war-hit Ukrainian town.

Cardinal, pop star bailed in latest Hong Kong security arrests

A Catholic cardinal critical of Beijing was released on bail by Hong Kong authorities, local media reported late Wednesday, as his arrest under the city's national security law prompted US demands that he be freed.

Coups undermining Sahel anti-jihadist force: UN chief

Military coups in Mali and Burkina Faso -- two members of the G5-Sahel anti-jihadist force -- are undermining the mission's operational capacity, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a Wednesday report.

France opens torture case against Interpol's UAE president

French authorities have opened a case against Interpol's Emirati president over accusations of torture and arbitrary detention by two Britons who were detained in the UAE, a source close to the inquiry told AFP on Wednesday.

Remittances to Ukraine to jump over 20 percent: World Bank

Payments from workers living abroad to low- and middle-income countries are expected to rise 4.2 percent this year, with Ukraine as the main beneficiary of the increase, the World Bank said Wednesday.

Russia urged to annex Ukraine's Kherson as battles rage

Pro-Kremlin authorities in Ukraine's Kherson said Wednesday they will ask Russia to annex the region as Moscow seeks to shore up its gains in the increasingly drawn-out and bloody war.

Australia's election foes get personal

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison derided his Labor Party opponent Wednesday as an unreliable "loose unit" on the economy as he fought to catch up in the opinion polls 10 days from May 21 federal elections.

Al Jazeera journalist shot dead during Israel West Bank raid

Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, a respected veteran of the Al Jazeera network, was shot dead Wednesday as she covered an Israeli army raid in the occupied West Bank.

Australia's election battle gets personal

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison derided his Labor Party opponent Wednesday as an unreliable "loose unit" on the economy as he fought to catch up in the opinion polls 10 days from the federal election on May 21.

Cardinal, pop star among latest Hong Kong security arrests: sources

An elderly Catholic cardinal critical of Beijing and a Cantonese pop star are among a group of veteran democracy advocates who have been arrested under Hong Kong's national security law, legal and police sources said Wednesday.

Sri Lanka's economy on brink of collapse as troops quell unrest

Sri Lanka's economy will "collapse" unless a new government is urgently appointed, the central bank chief warned Wednesday, as security forces fanned out on the streets to restore order after spasms of mob violence.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr claims victory in Philippines election

The son of the late Philippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos on Wednesday claimed victory in the presidential election, vowing to be a leader "for all Filipinos", his spokesman said.

South Korea's new president opens Blue House to the public

Thousands of South Koreans poured into the presidential Blue House in leafy northern Seoul on Wednesday, after President Yoon Suk-yeol made good on a campaign promise to return the once-fortified compound to the people.

Hong Kong Tiananmen vigil organisers labelled 'foreign agents'

A Hong Kong court ruled on Wednesday that prosecutors could label organisers of the city's annual Tiananmen vigil "foreign agents" without having to reveal who the group is accused of working for.

Hong Kong defence fund trustee arrested at airport: sources

A Hong Kong scholar who helped run a now-disbanded defence fund for democracy protesters was arrested at the airport under the national security law, two legal sourcestold AFP on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka orders 'offensive' to contain riots

Sri Lankan police have been ordered to go on the offensive and use live ammunition to prevent "anarchy", a top official told AFP Wednesday after another night of sporadic arson attacks.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr claims victory in Philippine election