The China Mail - Politics

Zelensky says Ukraine, and the world, want Russia at peace summit

The entire world, including Ukraine, wants Russia to join global leaders at a planned second peace summit to end the war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has told French media including AFP.

'Whole world' wants Russia at next peace summit: Zelensky

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine and the entire world wants to see Russia take part in global forums aimed at ending the grinding conflict in Ukraine.

Pressure mounts on Venezuela over disputed Maduro election win

International pressure mounted Wednesday on Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro to release voting records to back his contested election victory claim that has sent thousands onto the streets in protest, at the cost of a dozen lives so far.

Stocks rise ahead of Fed meeting; Yen rallies

Stock markets advanced Wednesday as investors bet that the US Federal Reserve will signal that lower interest rates are on the way.

Ukraine Olympic pavilion aims to jolt West over war

The damaged blue and yellow seats from a stadium destroyed by Russian troops stand at the entrance to the "Ukraine House" at the Paris Olympics.

World reactions to killing of Hamas leader Haniyeh

The killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in an air strike in Tehran on Wednesday blamed on Israel has stunned the international community.

Hezbollah says top commander Shukr was in Beirut building hit by Israel

Hezbollah said Wednesday that senior military commander Fuad Shukr was inside a south Beirut building hit by Israel the previous day but that his fate remained unknown.

'It's a thunderbolt,' say Palestinians of Hamas chief's killing

The killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in an air strike in Tehran Wednesday came as a "thunderbolt" to war-weary Gazans, with some expressing disappointment Iran was unable to "protect him".

Trump sharpens his weapons against new rival Kamala Harris

Forced to formulate a new electoral strategy less than 100 days before the US presidential election, Donald Trump will take part in two campaign events on Wednesday, with new opponent Kamala Harris in his sights.

Hamas says leader killed in Israel strike in Iran

Hamas said Wednesday its political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in an Israeli strike in Iran, where he had been attending the inauguration of the country's new president.

Yen rises ahead of Bank of Japan decision as rate hike talk swirls

The yen extended its rally against the dollar Wednesday ahead of a much-anticipated Bank of Japan announcement, with debate centred on whether it will hike interest rates, while equities mostly rose on growing hopes for a cut in US borrowing costs.

Bot-like accounts on X fuel US political conspiracies, watchdog says

Bot-like accounts on social media platform X that spread misinformation and hate ahead of Britain's election are now amplifying conspiracy theories around US politics, a watchdog investigation revealed Tuesday, as the race to the White House kicks into high gear.

'Say it to my face,' Harris dares Trump as White House battle deepens

US presidential hopeful Kamala Harris launched a searing attack on Donald Trump Tuesday, telling her biggest campaign rally yet that the momentum was shifting in the White House race and daring the Republican to debate her face to face.

Israel says Hezbollah commander killed in south Beirut strike

Israel struck Hezbollah's stronghold in southern Beirut on Tuesday in retaliation for rocket fire from Lebanon that killed 12 children over the weekend, saying it had killed the commander responsible for the attack.

'We are not afraid': Venezuelan opposition puts up peaceful resistance

A young violinist accompanied thousands of opposition supporters belting out the Venezuelan national anthem Tuesday at a rally in Caracas, in a peaceful, but firm, rejection of an election victory claimed by strongman Nicolas Maduro.

Harris says Israel has 'right to defend itself' against Hezbollah

US Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic election nominee, said Tuesday that Israel had a "right to defend itself" following a strike in Hezbollah's stronghold in southern Beirut.

Outrage, pro-Hezbollah chants as Israel hits group stronghold

Anger simmered Tuesday after Israel struck a southern Beirut suburb that is also a Hezbollah stronghold, with young men chanting in support of the group at the site of the strike.

US Senate passes first major online child safety bills in years

The US Senate passed a sweeping social media safety package Tuesday that would force tech companies to do more to protect children -- the first major legislation targeting Silicon Valley in a generation.

Venezuelans rally to support opposition after disputed vote

Venezuelans gathered Tuesday in a peaceful show of opposition support as their leader urged the military not to "repress the people" a day after four died in protests against President Nicolas Maduro's disputed presidential victory.

French D-Day veteran dies aged 105: presidency

One of the last surviving French veterans of the June 1944 D-Day landings has died aged 105, only weeks after he helped welcome US President Joe Biden to Paris for the 80th anniversary of the amphibious assault, the presidency said Tuesday.

Israel targets Hezbollah commander in south Beirut strike

Israel struck Hezbollah's stronghold in southern Beirut on Tuesday in retaliation for rocket fire from Lebanon that killed 12 children over the weekend, saying it had targeted the commander responsible for the attack.

UN lifts territorial arms embargo on C.Africa

The UN Security Council on Tuesday lifted a territorial arms embargo on the Central African Republic that was put in place in 2013 after civil war broke out, but which the country's foreign minister said was now "unjust."

French D-Day veteran dies ages 105: presidency

One of the last surviving French veterans of the June 1944 D-Day landings has died aged 105, only weeks after he helped welcome US President Joe Biden to Paris for the 80th anniversary of the amphibious assault, the presidency said Tuesday.

US Senate passes first major child online safety bills in years

The US Senate passed a sweeping social media safety package Tuesday that would force tech companies to do more to protect children -- the first major legislation targeting Silicon Valley in a generation.

As Russia punches forward, Ukraine's Toretsk living in 'hell'

Buildings in flames, burnt-out cars, deserted streets strewn with debris -- the once peaceful city of Toretsk in eastern Ukraine has been transformed into an inferno of ruins and ashes.

Harris targets battleground Georgia with rapper's help

US presidential hopeful Kamala Harris rallies in Georgia on Tuesday, hoping to expand Democrats' battleground map against Donald Trump and appeal to young Black voters with an appearance by hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion.

Israel, Hezbollah exchange fire amid calls for restraint after Golan attack

Israel and Hezbollah exchanged deadly fire on Tuesday, following a rocket attack from Lebanon on the Golan Heights that killed 12 children over the weekend and sent regional tensions soaring.

Stock markets diverge before key earnings, rate calls

Leading equity markets traded mixed Tuesday before the week's slew of interest-rate decisions and earnings from tech titans.

Druze in Golan reject Israeli threats to retaliate for rocket strike

Druze residents of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights distanced themselves Tuesday from Israeli threats to retaliate against Lebanon's Hezbollah group for a deadly rocket strike on a Druze Arab town in the territory.

Fresh protests loom in Venezuela in wake of disputed vote

Fresh demonstrations were expected in Venezuela Tuesday after one person died when security forces tried to break up protests triggered by a hotly disputed election result that gave Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro a third term in power.

Blinken says US to provide $500 mn military funding to Philippines

The United States will provide $500 million in military funding to the Philippines, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday, as Washington boosts ties with Manila in the face of China's growing assertiveness.

Blinken says US to provide $500 mn in military funding to Philippines