The China Mail - Politics

Wilders gets until Feb to convince others to form Dutch govt

Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders has less than two months to win over potential coalition partners uneasy about his hardline anti-Islam and anti-European views, according to a much-anticipated report published Monday.

Gaza deaths pass 18,200 as battles rage

Heavy urban battles raged Monday in the bloodiest-ever war in Gaza, with more than 18,200 Palestinians and 104 Israeli soldiers reported dead amid a spiralling humanitarian crisis.

Menstrual periods an ordeal, health risk for Gaza women and girls

Women and girls getting their periods in Gaza face humiliating conditions and infections, forced to use diapers or scraps of cloth after more than two months of war.

Stocks struggle at key week for rate calls

Stock markets diverged on Monday ahead of a busy week for interest rate decisions from major central banks.

Polish parliament ousts right-wing populists in pro-EU turn

A proposed conservative government failed to win a majority in the Polish parliament, a widely expected outcome that paves the way for Donald Tusk's rival pro-EU alliance to form the next administration after eight years of right-wing populist rule.

Not all Arab states backing Saudi Arabia in COP28 talks

Saudi Arabia, the staunchest opponent of phasing out fossil fuels at COP28, may dominate the Arab bloc at the UN climate talks in Dubai. But it is far from the only voice.

Zelensky arrives in US to plead for continued Ukraine war aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was set Monday to make a last-ditch plea for US aid before it runs out this year, with Republicans arguing that the United States should no longer provide open-ended backing to Ukraine's battle against Russian invasion.

France says downing of drones in Red Sea 'legitimate defence'

A French frigate that shot down two drones in the Red Sea was acting in self-defence after coming under attack from the unmanned aerial vehicles, the foreign ministry in Paris said on Monday.

UK's Sunak faces key test over Rwanda migrant policy vote

UK leader Rishi Sunak faces the riskiest week of his premiership, with lawmakers gathering Monday to decide whether to back his flagship policy to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Stocks diverge at start of key week for rate calls

Stock markets diverged Monday ahead of a busy week for interest-rate decisions from major central banks.

Children of Nobel winner Mohammadi 'worried' about her health

The children of imprisoned Iranian human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi said Monday they were "extremely worried" about her health after she undertook a hunger strike in a Tehran prison.

Paris Olympics organisers sail into choppy waters

With less than eight months to go before the Paris Olympics, the organisers and the French government are entering an awkward period in which cracks in the preparations are straining relationships.

'Stumbling blocks' for Wilders to form Dutch govt

Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders appeared Monday to have persuaded his preferred coalition partners to keep negotiating but reportedly major "stumbling blocks" remain over his hardline anti-Islam, anti-European views.

Polish parliament set to oust right-wing populists in pro-EU turn

Polish lawmakers gathered on Monday for a session during which former European Council president Donald Tusk is expected to be tapped to form a new government in the country ruled for the last eight years by right-wing populists.

French interior minister drops presidential ambition, backs ex-PM

France's powerful Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has indicated he is no longer interested in running for the presidency in 2027, saying that former prime minister Edouard Philippe is best placed to succeed Emmanuel Macron.

Hong Kong election sees lowest-ever turnout with dissent banned

Hong Kong's first district elections for "patriots" saw a turnout of 27.5 percent, the government said Monday, a record-low share for a race that had shut out all opposition candidates.

Philippines summons Chinese envoy over maritime confrontations

The Philippines said it had summoned China's envoy on Monday and flagged the possibility of expelling him following the most tense confrontations between the countries' vessels in years at flashpoint reefs in the disputed South China Sea.

Asian markets mixed ahead of US inflation data, Fed decision

Asian markets diverged Monday as investors awaited key US data and a Federal Reserve policy decision after labour figures last week suggested the US central bank was on course to deliver a soft landing for the economy while reining in inflation.

UK Covid-19 inquiry to grill PM Sunak over Eat Out scheme

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces questions Monday over whether his "Eat Out to Help Out" scheme to help the struggling hospitality sector during the pandemic spurred the spread of Covid-19.

Swiss village set to vote to keep cowbells ringing

Cows grazing on lush pastures with ornate metal bells gently tinkling around their necks may be one of the ultimate symbols of Switzerland, but not everyone is enchanted by such traditional scenes.

Polish parliament set to usher in new pro-EU government

The Polish parliament on Monday is expected to vote out a populist cabinet and approve a pro-EU government led by former European Council president Donald Tusk, ushering in a new era for the country.

Philippines summons Chinese envoy over sea confrontations

The Philippines said it had summoned China's envoy on Monday and flagged the possibility of expelling him following the most tense confrontations between the countries' vessels in years at flashpoint reefs in the disputed South China Sea.

Hong Kong "patriots" elections see lowest-ever turnout

Hong Kong's first district elections for "patriots" saw a turnout of 27.5 percent, the government said Monday, a record-low share for a race that had shut out all opposition candidates.

Papua New Guinea will not be 'reckless' with China loans: PM

Papua New Guinea's prime minister has promised to tread carefully with Belt and Road funding from China, telling AFP on Monday he would not be "reckless" with foreign loans.

Israel bombs south Gaza after Hamas hostage threat

Israel bombed southern Gaza's main city on Monday after Hamas warned no Israeli hostages would leave the territory alive unless its demands for prisoner releases were met.

'Invisible': Ethnic Albanians complain of erasure in Serbia

On paper, Alimja B. no longer exists in Serbia.

'Nothing more to say': Trump cancels plan to testify in NY fraud trial

Donald Trump changed his mind about testifying in his own defense in his New York fraud case on Monday, he said, announcing that he will not take the stand as expected because he has "nothing more to say."

Hong Kong 'patriots only' elections see lowest-ever turnout

Hong Kong's first "patriots only" district council elections saw a turnout of 27.5 percent, the government said Monday, a record-low number for a race that had shut out all opposition candidates.

Zelensky to meet with Biden, Republicans as war funding dries up

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Washington Tuesday to meet President Joe Biden and plead his case before Republicans balking at sending more money for his fight against Russia, amid warnings aid will run out in weeks.

Biden invites Zelensky to White House Tuesday as war funding dries up

President Joe Biden has invited his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House on Tuesday, a spokeswoman said, after the administration warned it will run out of money for Ukraine aid in weeks unless feuding US lawmakers act.

War-torn Sudan faces 'catastrophe' as UN funds run short

The United Nations has only been able to reach a fraction of the nearly 25 million people needing aid in war-devastated Sudan, the head of the UN's humanitarian response in the country says.

'Living hell' in the ruins of Gaza's largest hospital

Hundreds of makeshift tents stand in a desolate landscape at the foot of Gaza City's ruined Al-Shifa hospital.

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