The China Mail - Politics

US-Hamas talks complicate Gaza truce efforts: analysts

Unprecedented direct talks between the US and Hamas are a sign of dysfunction in fraught negotiations to prolong a truce in Gaza, analysts said Thursday.

Racked by violence, Haiti faces 'humanitarian catastrophe': MSF

Haiti is facing a "humanitarian catastrophe" as it reels from a surge in violence that is forcing people from their homes and pushing overstretched health facilities to the brink, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said Thursday.

US to carry out first firing squad execution since 2010

A South Carolina man convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend's parents is to be put to death by firing squad on Friday in the first such execution in the United States in 15 years.

Bosnian Serb leader rejects prosecutor summons as crisis deepens

Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik said Thursday he would ignore a summons from the country's central prosecutor who is investigating him for undermining the constitution.

Bosnian Serb leader says he is no threat to Bosnia

Ethnic Serb leader Milorad Dodik insisted Thursday that he was not a threat to Bosnia, a day after signing laws that banned the country's central police and judiciary from his statelet.

Lithuania quits treaty banning cluster bombs despite outrage

Lithuania on Thursday quit an international convention banning cluster bombs citing security concerns over neighbouring Russia, in a move that has drawn criticism from human rights groups.

'We are not alone': Zelensky thanks Europe at crisis summit

Volodymyr Zelensky thanked EU leaders Thursday for standing by Ukraine's side, as the bloc kicked off crisis talks on confronting US President Donald Trump's pivot away from Kyiv and its transatlantic partners.

European court rejects bid to overturn Romania vote annulment

Europe's top rights court Thursday rejected Romanian far-right candidate Calin Georgescu's bid to overturn the annulment of last year's presidential election where he won the first round amid claims of Russian interference.

As Trump woos Russia, Kremlin shifts blame to Europe

For three years, the Kremlin saw the United States as its biggest enemy, accusing US President Joe Biden of prolonging the Ukraine conflict by supplying weapons to Kyiv.

Thailand repatriates hundreds more Chinese scam centre workers

Hundreds of Chinese nationals freed from Myanmar online scam centres flew home through Thailand on Thursday, as the kingdom said it aimed to repatriate 1,500 such workers a week.

Hamas says Trump's 'DEAD' threat to Gaza undermines ceasefire

Hamas said Thursday that Donald Trump's threats would encourage Israel to disregard the fragile ceasefire, after the US president said that unless hostages are freed, the people of Gaza would be "DEAD".

EU seeks unity on Ukraine and defence boost as Trump pivots from allies

EU leaders gather with Volodymyr Zelensky Thursday in Brussels in search of unity on bolstering Ukraine and Europe's defences after Donald Trump upended traditional US alliances and retracted wartime backing of Kyiv.

Zelensky urges pressure on Russia after deadly hotel strike

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged "no pause" in pressure on Russia to halt its "terror" after a Russian missile strike on a hotel in his hometown killed four civilians.

Acquittal of Fukushima operator ex-bosses finalised

Japan's top court said Thursday it had finalised the acquittal of two former executives from the operator of the Fukushima nuclear plant charged with professional negligence over the 2011 meltdown.

Russian missile strike on Zelensky's hometown kills three

A Russian missile strike on a hotel in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's hometown overnight killed three people and injured 31 with about half of them in serious condition, authorities said Thursday.

UN report finds women's rights weakened in quarter of all countries

Women's rights regressed last year in a quarter of countries around the world, according to a report published by UN Women on Thursday, due to factors ranging from climate change to democratic backsliding.

EU emergency summit seeks to beef up defence to counter Trump pivot

European Union leaders will hold emergency talks in Brussels on Thursday, gathering as the Trump administration upends traditional alliances and retracts wartime backing of Ukraine.

Lithuania quits cluster bomb ban treaty despite outrage

Lithuania on Thursday quit an international convention banning cluster bombs, citing security concerns over neighbouring Russia in a move that has drawn criticism from human rights groups.

New Zealand to sack senior diplomat after Trump jibe

New Zealand will sack its top diplomat in London after he made a "deeply disappointing" remark questioning Donald Trump's grasp of history, the foreign minister said Thursday.

Trump to welcome crypto elite at White House

US President Donald Trump, who has multiple ties to the crypto industry, will host the sector's top players at a White House summit on Friday, as the field enjoys renewed momentum following his election.

Trump warns Gaza 'you are dead' if hostages not freed

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened further destruction of Gaza if all remaining hostages are not released, and issued an ultimatum to Hamas leaders to flee.

Accused IS militant appears in US court over Kabul airport attack

An Islamic State operative who allegedly helped carry out the 2021 suicide bombing outside Kabul airport during the chaotic US military withdrawal from Afghanistan appeared in a Virginia court Wednesday.

Trump pauses tariffs for autos as Trudeau call yields no breakthrough

Automakers received temporary reprieve Wednesday from US President Donald Trump's tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico, as concerns mounted over consumer impacts and talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yielded no immediate breakthrough.

US confirms direct talks with Hamas as Israel warns not done in Gaza

The United States on Wednesday confirmed unprecedented direct talks with Hamas on hostages, as Israel threatened to renew its military campaign in Gaza despite a fragile ceasefire.

Ukraine plans new talks with US after intelligence sharing ends

Ukraine said Wednesday it planned to hold new talks with the United States after Washington suspended its intelligence sharing, delivering a fresh blow to Kyiv as it battles Russia's invasion.

Accused IS militant to appear in US court over Kabul airport attack

An Islamic State operative who allegedly helped carry out the 2021 suicide bombing outside Kabul airport during the chaotic US military withdrawal was to appear in a Virginia court Wednesday, the Justice Department said.

US signals possible exemptions in Canada, Mexico tariffs

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said an announcement on Canada and Mexico tariffs was expected later Wednesday, signaling potential relief for specific sectors such as automobiles, a day after the steep levies took effect.

Swiss lawmakers vote to enshrine cash in constitution

Swiss lawmakers voted Wednesday in favour of enshrining cash in the country's constitution as mobile and card payments have taken a dominant position.

Israelis bid farewell to hostage in emotional kibbutz funeral

Dozens of mourners gathered Wednesday in Nir Oz, a kibbutz in southern Israel near Gaza, to bid farewell to Ohad Yahalomi, whose body was returned by Hamas last month.

Greek govt to face no-confidence vote over 2023 train tragedy

Four Greek opposition parties on Wednesday submitted a motion to trigger a no-confidence vote against the government over its handling of the country's worst rail tragedy in 2023, the head of the socialist party said.

Zelensky says lasting peace 'achievable'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that a lasting peace was "entirely achievable" as the Kremlin called it "positive" that Kyiv was professing its readiness for talks on ending the three-year war.

US official says possible Canada, Mexico tariff relief on 'categories'