The China Mail - Politics

Madagascar army unit claims control, president says power-grab underway

A mutinied army unit declared Sunday that it was taking control of all Madagascar military forces as President Andry Rajoelina said an "attempt to seize power illegally" was under way.

Taliban say dozens of Pakistani troops killed in border clashes

Afghanistan's government on Sunday said dozens of Pakistani troops and nine Afghan soldiers were killed in a night of heavy border clashes between the two countries.

Pakistan-Afghan border crossings closed after heavy clashes

Key border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan were closed on Sunday after fierce clashes erupted overnight following Taliban accusations that Islamabad had carried out air strikes this week, officials said.

China, Philippines trade blame over boat collision in disputed sea

The Philippines said a Chinese ship deliberately rammed one of its government vessels in the disputed South China Sea on Sunday, though Beijing blamed Manila for the incident.

Banned Bangladesh party turns to flash protests ahead of polls

Once Bangladesh's largest political party, the Awami League has been outlawed since its leader Sheikh Hasina was overthrown in a mass uprising last year.

Seychelles opposition leader wins presidential run-off

Seychelles' opposition leader Patrick Herminie won the presidential run-off on Sunday, electoral commission results showed, after a race dominated by environmental and economic concerns.

Hamas says Israeli hostages to be freed from Gaza before Trump peace summit

Hamas will begin releasing Israeli hostages held in Gaza on Monday morning, a top official from the Palestinian militant group told AFP, before US President Donald Trump chairs an international summit in Egypt on his peace plan for the region.

Palestinians find Gaza City in ruins, Trump to chair peace summit

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians returned to a devastated Gaza City on Saturday, as Hamas prepared to release Israeli hostages and US President Donald Trump readied to chair an international summit on his peace plan for the region.

Madagascar soldiers join protesters as thousands gather in Antananarivo

A military contingent joined thousands of anti-government demonstrators in Madagascar on Saturday, calling on security forces to "refuse orders to shoot" and condemning police action to quell over two weeks of youth-led protests that have rocked the Indian Ocean island.

French PM races to form government before budget deadline

France's newly reappointed Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Saturday scrambled to get an austerity budget approved, as more parties threatened to topple him again, after his first term lasted only 27 days.

Palestinians find Gaza City in ruins as Hamas warns tough talks ahead

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians returned to a devastated Gaza City on Saturday, as Hamas warned the next stage in US President Donald Trump's peace plan would be more difficult than the first.

Madagascar soldiers join protestors as thousands gather in Antananarivo

Soldiers joined thousands of anti-government demonstrators in Madagascar on Saturday, calling on security forces to "refuse orders to shoot" and condemning police action to quell over two weeks of protests that have rocked the Indian Ocean island.

Zelensky urges Trump to end Ukraine war like in 'the Middle East'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Donald Trump to broker peace in Ukraine like in "the Middle East" during a phone call Saturday, saying if Trump could stop one war, "others can be stopped as well".

Madagascar soldiers join protestors

Groups of Madagascar soldiers joined thousands of protestors in the capital Saturday, AFP reporters said, after announcing they would refuse any orders to shoot demonstrators.

Palestinians return to devastated Gaza City as truce holds

Thousands of displaced Palestinians returned to a devastated Gaza City on Saturday, the second day of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with many stunned by the destruction even as others were relieved to find their homes still standing.

Aid groups seize on truce to tackle Gaza hunger

International agencies were preparing Saturday to pour aid into Gaza, hopeful a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will allow them to put an end to the famine haunting parts of the territory.

Reappointed French PM scrambles to form government

Pressure mounted Saturday on France's newly reappointed premier Sebastien Lecornu to get an austerity budget approved, as more parties threatened to topple a man whose first term lasted a mere 27 days.

Pakistani Taliban claim attacks that killed 23 in northwest

The Pakistani Taliban on Saturday claimed responsibility for deadly attacks in several northwestern districts that killed 20 security officials and three civilians.

Japan main opposition eyes unified PM candidate to block Takaichi

Japan's biggest opposition party will seek to support a unified candidate with other groups in a bid to block Sanae Takaichi's election as prime minister, media reported after the ruling coalition collapsed.

US announces deal for Qatar air force facility in Idaho

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Friday that Qatar will be allowed to build an air force facility at Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho that will house F-15 fighter jets and pilots.

North Korea shows off 'most powerful' missile at military parade

North Korea showed off its "most powerful" intercontinental ballistic missile at a military parade attended by top officials from Russia and China, Pyongyang's state media reported Saturday.

How can Europe protect its skies against 'escalating' drone menace?

Drones flying over airports, commercial sites and other sensitive infrastructure in Europe is a growing phenomenon which EU leaders blame on Russia, and preventing the disruption they cause will prove a tough technical challenge, observers say.

Why Peru just ousted another president, and what comes next

In a matter of hours, Peru impeached one of the world's most unpopular presidents, Dina Boluarte, and appointed its seventh leader in nine years.

Israeli settlements close in on West Bank herding community

In the occupied West Bank's Jordan Valley, Naef Jahaleen fears for the future as Israeli settlers come for the land home to one of the area's last Bedouin herding communities.

Trump announces new 100 percent China tariff, threatens to scrap Xi talks

US President Donald Trump announced an additional 100 percent tariff on China Friday and threatened to cancel a summit with Xi Jinping, reigniting his trade war with Beijing in a row over export curbs on rare earth minerals.

Macron reappoints Sebastien Lecornu as France's PM

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday reappointed his outgoing prime minister, Sebastien Lecornu, back into that position, just four days after Lecornu gave his resignation.

Nobel institute to probe possible leaks over peace prize

The Norwegian Nobel Institute will investigate whether leaks preceded Friday's award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado because of suspicious betting.

Melania Trump says Putin talks secured return of Ukraine war kids

US First Lady Melania Trump said Friday she had secured the release of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia after establishing an extraordinary back channel of communication with President Vladimir Putin.

White House says 'substantial' shutdown layoffs have begun

The White House said Friday it had begun mass layoffs of federal workers as President Donald Trump sought to amp up pressure on opposition Democrats to end a government shutdown that has crippled public services.

Peru ousts unpopular president blamed for failing to end violent crime

Lawmakers in Peru removed the country's immensely unpopular president Dina Boluarte from office on Friday, ending a stint in office plagued by protests, corruption probes and an unprecedented wave of violent crime.

Peru ousts unpopular president blamed for failing to stem crime