The China Mail - Politics

Lithuania builds shelters as drones prowl border skies

Recent drone sorties over Lithuania and its neighbours have sparked fears of a full-scale Russian attack, prompting the small Baltic country to encourage the building of bomb shelters.

Zelensky at European summit as EU seeks to bolster backing

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to join talks with leaders from across Europe in Copenhagen Thursday, as the EU seeks to bolster Kyiv's fight against Russia in the face of dwindling US support.

Papua New Guinea approves contentious defence treaty with Australia: PM

Papua New Guinea's cabinet has approved a contentious mutual defence treaty with Australia, the Pacific country's prime minister said Thursday, as Canberra seeks to deepen ties with the region and counter Beijing's rising influence.

Gaza aid flotilla presses on despite Israeli interception

A flotilla carrying aid to Gaza said dozens of its ships were still "sailing strong" towards the war-battered Palestinian territory on Thursday despite an interception by Israeli naval forces.

Papua New Guinea approves contentious defence treaty with Australia: officials

Papua New Guinea's cabinet has approved a contentious mutual defence treaty with Australia, officials told AFP on Thursday, as Canberra seeks to deepen ties with Pacific nations and counter Beijing's rising influence.

Two killed as violence flares in Morocco protests

Two people were killed when officers opened fire on a group of people attempting to "storm" a police station in Morocco on Wednesday, state media said, as protests -- sometimes violent -- roil the north African nation.

Israeli warships intercept Gaza aid flotilla with Greta onboard

Israeli naval forces on Wednesday intercepted a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza, ending its latest bid to break an Israeli blockade of the war-battered Palestinian territory.

Air traffic controllers warn of US shutdown strain

Aviation groups urged US political leaders to quickly resolve a budget impasse Wednesday, warning that the government shutdown strains air travel and delays key upgrades.

Trump offers security guarantees to Qatar after Israel strikes

US President Donald Trump has signed an order vowing to defend key ally Qatar against attacks, the White House said Wednesday, in an extraordinary move following Israeli strikes on the Gulf state last month.

Gaza aid flotilla says Israeli warships 'intercepted' boats

A flotilla carrying aid to Gaza said Israeli forces had on Wednesday intercepted its latest bid to break an Israeli blockade of the war-battered Palestinian territory.

Colombia gives chunk of druglord Escobar's ranch to conflict victims

Colombia has handed over a chunk of deceased drug lord Pablo Escobar's ranch, famous for its "cocaine" hippos, to women caught up in the country's armed conflict, President Gustavo Petro said Wednesday.

Gaza aid flotilla says Israeli warships intercepting boats

A flotilla carrying aid to Gaza said Israeli forces were on Wednesday intercepting its latest bid to break an Israeli blockade of the war-battered Palestinian territory.

W.House says firings 'imminent' as plan to reopen govt collapses

Efforts to swiftly end the US government shutdown collapsed Wednesday as Democrats in Congress rejected proposals to resolve an acrimonious funding stand-off with President Donald Trump and the White House threatened public sector jobs.

Supreme Court blocks Trump from immediately firing Fed governor

The US Supreme Court on Wednesday barred Donald Trump from immediately firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, as the president mounts multiple challenges that have tested the independence of the central bank.

Supreme Court blocks Trump from immediately firing Fed Gov. Cook

The US Supreme Court on Wednesday barred Donald Trump from immediately firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, as the president mounts multiple challenges that have tested the independence of the central bank.

Israel issues 'last' warning for Gazans to flee main city

Israel issued a final warning Wednesday for people to flee Gaza's main city, as Hamas weighed US President Donald Trump's plan to end nearly two years of war in the Palestinian territory.

India 'welcome' to collect trophy from me, says Asian cricket boss

Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads Pakistan's cricket board, said Wednesday that India are "welcome" to collect their Asia Cup trophy from his office in Dubai.

Gaza aid flotilla defies Israeli 'intimidation tactics'

A flotilla carrying aid to war-battered Gaza said Wednesday it would stay its course despite what it called "intimidation tactics" by the Israeli military.

Denmark warns EU over Russia 'hybrid war' as leaders talk defence

Danish premier Mette Frederiksen on Wednesday urged Europe to step up its response to Russia's "hybrid war", as she hosted EU leaders for defence talks held under tight security following mystery drone flights.

$UK's Labour govt plans permanent fracking ban$

UK's Labour govt plans permanent fracking ban

Britain's Labour government plans to permanently ban fracking, a highly controversial method of extracting fossil fuels, due its environmental impact, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said Wednesday.

EU eyes higher steel tariffs, taking page from US

The EU will propose cutting steel import quotas and significantly increasing tariffs on the metal from abroad, the bloc's industry chief Stephane Sejourne told the sector on Wednesday, mirroring US moves.

Survivors still carry burden as Bali marks 2005 bombings

Survivors and relatives of victims of the 2005 Bali bombings gathered on the popular tourist island Wednesday to mark 20 years since the attack, saying the trauma of that night still haunts them.

Indigenous protest urges end to Colombia border violence

Hundreds of Indigenous people in Colombia -- holding spears, blowguns and banners saying "Don't kill us" -- protested against bloody clashes between guerrilla factions on the Venezuelan border that have displaced their communities.

Georgia risks political turmoil over weekend vote

Georgia risks fresh political turmoil this weekend as the ruling party -- accused by critics of aligning the Black Sea nation with Moscow -- faces its first electoral test since a disputed parliamentary poll threw the country into chaos last year.

US government enters shutdown as Congress fails to reach funding deal

The US government began shutting down after midnight Wednesday as lawmakers and President Donald Trump failed to break a budget impasse during acrimonious talks that hinged on Democratic demands for health care funding.

FBI director gave New Zealand officials illegal firearms: police

FBI Director Kash Patel gifted New Zealand officials illegal firearms during his visit to the country earlier this year, authorities said Wednesday.

EU leaders plot defence boost in shadow of Denmark drones

EU leaders will discuss bolstering Europe's defences and Ukraine's financial firepower at a Wednesday summit in Denmark, where mysterious drone flights have ramped up fears about the threat from Russia.

US on brink of govt shutdown as last-ditch vote fails

The US government barreled towards its first shutdown in six years Tuesday, with funding expiring at midnight after Democrats fought a war of words with Donald Trump and senators rejected a last-ditch bid to keep the lights on.

UN Security Council OKs new military force to fight Haiti 'terrorist' gangs

The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday adopted a resolution to transform a UN-backed security mission in gang-dominated Haiti into a larger, full-fledged force with military troops.

Trump says US cities should be military 'training grounds'

US President Donald Trump told a rare meeting of top military officers Tuesday that the country faces a "war from within" and suggested American cities be used as "training grounds" for troops.

UN Security Council approves new military force to fight Haiti gangs