The China Mail - Politics

Eurozone stocks skid lower on German gloom, despite Asia bounce

Eurozone stock markets slid Tuesday as news of a shock contraction in German industrial output fanned fears over the health of Europe's top economy.

Gabriel Attal picked as France's youngest PM

French leader Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday picked Gabriel Attal as prime minister in a bid to give new momentum to his presidency, with the 34-year-old becoming France's youngest and first openly gay head of government.

Blinken back in Israel as deadliest Gaza war grinds on

The Israeli army bombed Gaza and battled Hamas fighters on Tuesday as US top diplomat Antony Blinken was back in Israel on a regional tour aimed at stopping the war from escalating across the Middle East.

Russia to do 'everything' to halt Ukrainian shelling of Belgorod

Russia on Tuesday said its military would do everything possible to stop the Ukrainian shelling of Belgorod, a border town where hundreds were evacuated after fatal bombardments.

Blinken returns to Israel as bloody Gaza war grinds on

The Israeli army bombed Gaza and battled Hamas fighters on Tuesday as US top diplomat Antony Blinken was back in Israel on a regional tour aimed at stopping the war from escalating across the Middle East.

Macron expected to name new PM to reboot presidency

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday was expected to name a new prime minister in a long-awaited cabinet reshuffle to reboot the final three years of his presidency.

Taiwan issues alert over China satellite as poll ramps up security fears

Taiwan issued a national emergency alert on Tuesday as China launched a satellite, days before the self-ruled island holds a crucial presidential election that has heightened security worries.

Most markets track Wall St rally, Tokyo hits three-decade high

Asian markets enjoyed a much-needed bounce Tuesday after a dour start to the year, with Tokyo notching a three-decade high as traders tracked a rally on Wall Street.

Taiwan poll frontrunner hits out at Beijing 'interference'

Taiwan's presidential election frontrunner on Tuesday accused Beijing of using "all means" to influence this weekend's crucial poll, which will set the course of cross-strait ties for the next four years.

Taiwan island scarred by China war prepares for key vote

Spikes jut from the beaches of Taiwan's Kinmen island, military checkpoints serve as traffic roundabouts and bunkers double up as tourist cafes -- reminders everywhere of the conflict decades earlier with Chinese communist forces.

Top US diplomat to meet Israeli PM as fears of escalation rise

Top US diplomat Antony Blinken was set to meet Israeli leaders Tuesday as part of efforts to contain the war in Gaza, a day after strikes in Syria and Lebanon killed high-profile members of Hamas and its ally Hezbollah.

Disney debuts deaf Native superhero as 'woke' debate swirls

Can a deaf, Native American superhero with a prosthetic leg reinvigorate Disney's Marvel franchise, just weeks after its CEO appeared to criticize his filmmakers for prioritizing messaging over storytelling?

China's top diplomat says ties with US 'stabilised' last year

China's foreign minister said Tuesday that relations with the United States "stabilised" last year, as the two powers seek to put ties on a surer footing in 2024.

Bhutan votes as economic strife hits 'national happiness'

The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan began voting Tuesday in general elections with parties vowing to tackle serious economic challenges, calling into question its longstanding policy of prioritising "Gross National Happiness" over growth.

Harvest lost as war expands in famine-threatened Sudan

Since Sudan's war spread to Al-Jazira state south of Khartoum, farmers have watched their livelihoods wither away after fighting between paramilitary forces battling the army wreaked havoc on once-bountiful lands.

ASAP Rocky pleads not guilty to shooting friend

Rapper ASAP Rocky pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that he pulled a gun on a former friend and artistic colleague during an argument in Hollywood.

Lula vows 'no pardon' for Jan 8 rioters as Brazil marks anniversary

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva vowed Monday there will be no pardon for supporters of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro who rioted in the capital a year ago, as Brazil marked the anniversary of the attacks.

Top US diplomat lands in Israel on regional tour as Gaza war rages

Top US diplomat Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv late Monday as part of a regional tour seeking to avert regional escalation as Israel pounded Hamas-ruled Gaza and Lebanon's Hezbollah said an Israeli strike killed a top commander.

Blinken discusses Israel normalisation in tented Saudi talks

US top diplomat Antony Blinken said there was "clear interest" in pursuing relations with Israel after talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday, the latest stop in a tour to calm a region inflamed by the Israel-Hamas war.

US election top risk to world no matter who wins: consultancy

The US presidential election will pose the greatest political risk to the world in 2024 no matter who wins, with institutions of the most powerful democracy certain to take a beating, the Eurasia Group said Monday.

French PM resigns as Macron seeks to relaunch presidency

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne resigned on Monday as President Emmanuel Macron prepared to unveil a long-awaited cabinet reshuffle in a bid to give new momentum to the final three years of his presidency.

Macron weighs changing French PM in reshuffle

French President Emmanuel Macron was preparing Monday to unveil a long-awaited cabinet reshuffle with speculation mounting that Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne would be replaced after less than two years in office.

Anger, relief and tears as Gambian ex-minister faces Swiss trial

Alleged victims of Gambia's former interior minister hailed a landmark day for justice on Monday as Ousman Sonko stood trial on charges of crimes against humanity committed under the regime of ex-dictator Yahya Jammeh.

Isolation in Norwegian prison making Breivik 'suicidal': lawyer

Anders Behring Breivik, the right-wing extremist who killed 77 people in 2011, is "suicidal" due to his strict prison conditions, his lawyer said as his trial against the Norwegian state opened Monday.

Blinken meets Saudi crown prince before heading to Israel

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Monday with Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler before heading to Israel as part of efforts to stop the Gaza war spiralling into a regional conflict.

Four dead in Ukraine as Russia evacuates hundreds from border city

A wave of Russian strikes killed four people across Ukraine on Monday, officials said, as authorities in the Russian border city of Belgorod evacuated hundreds due to Ukrainian shelling.

French PM at risk as Macron to unveil reshuffle

French President Emmanuel Macron was on Monday preparing a long-awaited cabinet reshuffle with the prime minister's job on the line but uncertainty remaining to the last minute over the head of state's intentions.

No hard feelings? Macron hails French Golden Globes winner

President Emmanuel Macron on Monday congratulated French director Justine Triet for her Golden Globes victory, breaking his previous silence over the successes of her hit film "Anatomy of a Fall" after she bitterly criticised his government.

Hezbollah commander killed as top US diplomat seeks Gaza de-escalation

Israel killed a top commander of Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, a security source said on Monday, as Washington's top diplomat visits the Middle East seeking to avert a widening of the Israel-Hamas war.

Blinken arrives in Saudi for tent meeting with crown prince

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to meet Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler on Monday before heading to Israel as part of efforts to stop the Gaza war spiralling into a regional conflict.

Breivik's isolation in Norwegian prison causing 'depression': lawyer