The China Mail - Politics

Zimbabwe's opposition leader seeks 'fresh start' with new party

Zimbabwe's main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa told AFP on Friday he will stay in politics and look to form a new political group, a day after he quit his own party denouncing government infiltration.

Bodies of 77 Ukrainian soldiers repatriated to Kyiv

Kyiv said Friday the bodies of 77 soldiers had been returned to Ukraine, days after the downing of a Russian military plane threw doubt on the future of such exchanges.

EU hails 'change' as Apple opens App Store to competition

The European Union's digital enforcer celebrated on Friday the "change" underway in the tech world after Apple yielded to a new EU law by announcing it would allow alternative app stores on the iPhone for the first time.

Farmers vow to besiege Paris to win govt concessions

France's top farmers' union on Friday announced plans to blockade major roads around Paris, upping the pressure on the government to respond to their demands on pay, tax and regulations.

Israel's El Al says scrapping S. Africa flights end March

Israeli flag carrier El Al said Friday it will scrap direct flights to South Africa following "a significant fall in demand by Israeli travellers" to the country and other destinations.

South Africa's genocide case against Israel explained

The International Court of Justice will hand down a highly anticipated ruling on Friday in South Africa's case against Israel over alleged genocidal acts in Gaza.

China's top diplomat to discuss Taiwan with US security advisor

China's top diplomat Wang Yi will discuss Taiwan with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan during talks in Thailand this week, Beijing said Friday, as the two powers seek to improve relations after years of tensions.

Ex-PM, diplomat DJ lead race for Finland presidency

Finland's former prime minister Alexander Stubb and ex-foreign minister Pekka Haavisto lead a pack of nine candidates running in the country's presidential election on Sunday.

China, North Korea vice foreign ministers meet in Pyongyang

China's vice foreign minister was in Pyongyang on Friday for a meeting with his North Korean counterpart.

Civilians trapped by fighting in Gaza's south, Hague decision looms

Concern grew on Friday for civilians trapped by fighting around Khan Yunis in Gaza's south, with the top UN court set to rule in a case against Israel over alleged genocidal acts in its campaign against Hamas.

Thousands protest Australia Day celebrations

Tens of thousands of Australians took to the streets on Friday, protesting a contentious national holiday that also marks the arrival of European colonists more than 200 years ago.

China's top diplomat to meet US security advisor in Thailand

China's top diplomat Wang Yi will on Friday meet with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Thailand, as the two powers seek to improve relations after years of tensions.

Top UN court to rule on landmark Israel Gaza genocide case

The top UN court hands down an initial decision Friday in a case against Israel over alleged genocide in Gaza, a landmark ruling closely watched in the Middle East and around the world.

Venezuela to Guyana: reject outside interference in border row

Venezuela called on Guyana Thursday to reject outside interference in their simmering dispute over the oil-rich Essequibo region, as the two sides met in a new bid to de-escalate tensions.

US regulator probes AI investments by tech giants

A top US antitrust regulator on Thursday said it was probing investments made by Microsoft, Google and Amazon into generative AI startups OpenAI and Anthropic.

Hamas says Israel kills 20 waiting for aid in Gaza

Authorities in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip said Thursday that Israeli forces had killed 20 people waiting for humanitarian aid to be distributed, as Israel pressed its blistering assault in the territory.

Washington, Baghdad to discuss future of foreign troops in Iraq

The United States and Iraq said Thursday they will begin discussions on the future of American and other foreign troops in the country, with Baghdad expecting the talks to lead to a timeline for reducing their presence.

Chinese man convicted in US of threatening democracy activist

A Chinese man was convicted on Thursday of stalking and threatening a fellow student at a prestigious Boston music school who put up fliers expressing support for democracy in China.

Trump back in NY court after New Hampshire win

Donald Trump could testify Thursday in a defamation court case, his first appearance since winning New Hampshire's primary and drawing closer to a seemingly inevitable election rematch with President Joe Biden.

Pioneering MP hails disability reform in Spain

Addressing Valencia's regional parliament, Mar Galceran's confidence is striking: she is Spain's first lawmaker with Down syndrome and one of just a few elected across Europe.

Europe court says UK has 'clear obligation' on Rwanda rulings

The top judge on the European Court of Human Rights said Thursday that the United Kingdom had a legal obligation to implement any rulings the court issues blocking deportations of migrants to Rwanda.

What we know about Russian military plane crash

The crash of a Russian military plane close to the border with Ukraine was caught on film and widely shared on social media, but who was on board and what caused the crash is the subject of a bitter dispute.

Hamas ministry says Israel kills 20 people waiting for aid

Authorities in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip said Thursday that Israeli forces had killed 20 people waiting for humanitarian aid to be distributed, as Israel pressed its blistering assault in the territory.

Uncertainty hangs over Russia's account of plane crash

Questions remained Thursday over the military plane crash that Russia said had killed dozens of captured Ukrainian soldiers ahead of a planned prisoner exchange.

Andriy Shevchenko elected Ukrainian football association boss

Ukraine's most celebrated footballer Andriy Shevchenko was elected president of the country's football association (UAF) on Thursday, pledging to develop the sport amid the Russian invasion.

'Resilient' US economy defies recession fears to cap solid year

US economic growth was stronger than expected in the final months of 2023, government data showed Thursday, offering a boost to President Joe Biden as he heads into reelection campaigning.

Spain says attacks on foreign troops in Iraq must stop

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares on Thursday said a spate of attacks targeting US-led troops in Iraq assisting the campaign against Islamic State group jihadists "need to stop".

US growth picks up in 2023 on jobs and consumer spending

US economic growth was stronger than expected in the final months of 2023, government data showed Thursday, offering a boost to President Joe Biden as he starts his reelection campaign.

Spain FM says attacks on foreign troops in Iraq 'need to stop'

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Thursday that a spate of attacks targeting US-led troops in Iraq assisting the campaign against Islamic State group jihadists "need to stop".

Russia jails nationalist critic Girkin for four years

Russian nationalist and ex-rebel commander Igor Girkin, whose pro-Moscow militants sparked a decade-long armed conflict in east Ukraine, was jailed for four years Thursday after repeatedly criticising the Kremlin.

Uncertainty hangs over Russia's version of POW plane crash