The China Mail - Politics

A bitter return for Iraqis kicked out of Europe

Iraqi Mohammed Jalal lost 10 years of his life seeking asylum in Germany, without success. Instead of being granted refuge, he was sent back to the land he had fled.

All eyes on Sistine Chapel chimney as conclave enters day two

Anticipation gripped the Catholic world Thursday as the cardinals tasked with choosing a new pope prepared to retreat behind the heavy doors of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel for their second day of voting.

Putin's order for three-day truce with Ukraine enters force

Russian President Vladimir Putin's order for a three-day truce with Ukraine took effect Thursday, a move the Kremlin said would "test" Kyiv's readiness for peace but that Ukraine has slammed as a farce.

US envoy Witkoff briefs UN Security Council on Gaza, other issues

US envoy Steve Witkoff briefed members of the UN Security Council on Wednesday about various topics, including Gaza, participants in the closed-door talks said.

Tens of thousands take part in Istanbul rally for jailed mayor

Tens of thousands of people took part in a rally Wednesday in Istanbul to support the city's jailed mayor Ekrem Imamoglu who has become the figurehead of an opposition campaign against the government.

Pakistan warns will 'avenge' deaths from Indian strikes

Pakistan has warned it will "avenge" those killed by Indian air strikes that New Delhi said were in response to an attack in Kashmir, signalling an imminent escalation in the worst violence in decades between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

US Fed pauses rate cuts again and warns of inflation, unemployment risks

The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced another pause in rate cuts and warned of higher risks to its inflation and unemployment goals in a likely reference to President Donald Trump's tariff rollout.

Merz supports easing EU fiscal rules to boost defence spending

Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday said that Berlin supports relaxing strict EU fiscal rules to let member states ramp up defence spending as he sought to establish his European credentials on his first foreign visits.

Global stocks mixed as markets eye weekend US-China trade talks

Wall Street stocks finished modestly higher Wednesday as the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged while markets cautiously greeted news of weekend US-China trade talks.

US Fed pauses cuts again and flags inflation, unemployment risks

The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced another pause in rate cuts and warned of higher risks to its inflation and unemployment goals in a likely reference to President Donald Trump's tariff rollout.

Russia says shot down Ukrainian drones as world leaders arrived

Russia said Wednesday it shot down several Ukrainian drones headed towards Moscow as world leaders arrived in the capital for World War II commemorations on May 9.

OpenAI offers to help countries build AI systems

OpenAI on Wednesday announced an initiative to help countries build their own artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructures, with the US government a partner in projects.

Germany's new govt orders border police to reject most asylum seekers

Germany's new government said Wednesday it would reject most asylum seekers at its borders as conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz seeks to limit irregular immigration and curb the rise of the far-right.

Pink smoke signals in Rome call for women priests

Excluded from the conclave to elect a new pope Wednesday -- and more broadly from the Church's entire global priesthood -- some Catholic women were determined that their voices will be heard.

South Africa launches reform of derelict municipalities

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled Wednesday a plan to revive South Africa's flagging local governments, weeks after publicly criticising the state of the financial capital Johannesburg as it prepares to host the G20 summit in November.

Serbian leader Vucic defies EU with Russia visit

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic arrived in Moscow Wednesday for the week's celebrations marking 80 years since the victory over Nazi Germany, risking anger in Brussels as he tries to balance Russian ties and European aspirations.

UN experts warn of 'annihilation' in Gaza amid Israeli strikes

UN experts demanded action on Wednesday to avert the "annihilation" of Palestinians in Gaza, as rescuers said Israeli strikes across the territory killed dozens of people.

EU eyes targeting 100 bn euros of US goods with tariffs

The EU is preparing to hit US goods worth nearly 100 billion euros ($113 billion) with tariffs in retaliation for President Donald Trump's sweeping levies if talks fail, European diplomats told AFP Wednesday.

Second plane falls off US aircraft carrier in 10 days

A US warplane plummeted into the Red Sea when trying to land on the Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, a defense official said Wednesday, the second jet lost from the ship in just over a week.

France, Germany say to cooperate more closely on defence

French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed Wednesday to ramp up security cooperation in the face of Russian threats, as the new German leader visited Paris on his first trip abroad.

New German finance minister says 'no time to lose'

Germany's new Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said Wednesday there was "no time to lose" to jump-start Europe's beleaguered top economy, even as hardline US trade policies complicate his task.

Yemen's Huthis to keep attacking Israeli ships despite US deal

Yemen's Huthi rebels will continue targeting Israeli ships in the Red Sea, an official told AFP on Wednesday, despite a ceasefire that ended weeks of intense US strikes on the Iran-backed group.

Hamas insists on 'comprehensive' deal to end Gaza war

Hamas insisted Wednesday on a "comprehensive" agreement to end its war with Israel, as rescuers said Israeli bombardment of Gaza killed at least 26 people amid a growing humanitarian catastrophe.

Nations urge restraint in India-Pakistan clash

Deadly clashes between India and Pakistan sparked alarm and calls for restraint from around the world on Wednesday.

Kremlin says taking 'all measures' to protect May 9 parade

The Kremlin was forced Wednesday to say it was taking "all necessary measures" to ensure the safety of foreign leaders set to attend its flagship May 9 parade after a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks closed airports across the country, disrupting hundreds of flights.

Stocks mixed before Fed decision, China-US trade talks

Stock markets diverged and the dollar rose on Wednesday as investors awaited an upcoming interest rate decision by the US Federal Reserve and looming trade talks between China and the United States.

Explosions and fire on the contested India-Pakistan border

At dawn Wednesday on the contested border between India and Pakistan, in the usually sleepy Indian-run town of Poonch, a thumping explosion ripped the air as an artillery shell smashed into a building.

Israel's Gaza plan 'dangerous moment' for civilians: UN official

The UN's human rights chief told AFP Wednesday that Israel's plan for an expanded offensive in the Gaza Strip represented "a very dangerous moment" for civilians there.

Palestinians in razed West Bank hamlet vow to stay

Standing in the rubble of used to be his home, Palestinian farmer Haitham Dababseh cleared stones to make space for a tent after Israeli army bulldozers destroyed his village in the occupied West Bank.

Cardinals hold last mass before conclave to elect pope

Cardinals from five continents held a final mass in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Wednesday before sealing themselves away to elect a new pope to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.

Ukraine, Russia trade aerial attacks ahead of WWII victory parade

Russia and Ukraine traded a barrage of drone strikes overnight on Wednesday, in attacks that killed two in Kyiv and forced Moscow to shut major airports hours before a swathe of foreign leaders was to arrive.

'Prioritise peace': Nations urge restraint in India-Pakistan clash

Deadly clashes between India and Pakistan have prompted concern and calls for restraint from around the world on Wednesday.

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