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Western governments and rights groups condemned Tuesday the jailing of 45 pro-democracy campaigners in Hong Kong in the city’s largest national security trial.Criticism immediately followed the sentencing of dozens of opposition figures including “mastermind” Benny Tai who was given the longest term of 10 years in prison.A US State Department spokesman called the sentences “unjust”, …

Hong Kong court jails 45 democracy campaigners, drawing condemnation Read More »

Western powers and Russia on Tuesday blamed each other for a dramatic escalation in the Ukraine war, which dominated the final day of talks at a G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.The two-day gathering wrapped up with a plea from Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for the world’s most powerful leaders to rescue …

Ukraine war escalation casts pall over G20 summit Read More »

US President-elect Donald Trump nominated Howard Lutnick, the co-chair of his transition team, as his commerce secretary on Tuesday — a choice set to bring a tougher stance on China from the incoming administration.Lutnick will also lead the country’s tariff and trade agenda, with “additional direct responsibility for the Office of the United States Trade …

Trump names China hawk Howard Lutnick as US commerce secretary Read More »

President-elect Donald Trump nominated Howard Lutnick, the co-chair of his transition team, as his commerce secretary on Tuesday — a choice set to bring a tougher stance on China from the incoming administration.Lutnick will also lead the country’s tariff and trade agenda, with “additional direct responsibility for the Office of the United States Trade Representative,” …

Trump names China hawk Howard Lutnick commerce secretary Read More »

US special envoy Amos Hochstein said in Beirut Tuesday that an end to the Israel-Hezbollah war was “now within our grasp” as he met officials to discuss a truce plan largely endorsed by Lebanon.The United States and France have spearheaded efforts for a ceasefire in the war, which escalated in late September after nearly a …

US envoy says end to Israel-Hezbollah war ‘within grasp’ Read More »

Two telecommunications cables cut in the Baltic Sea in 48 hours prompted European officials to say Tuesday that they suspect “sabotage” and “hybrid warfare” linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.The four countries affected by the cuts — Finland, Germany, Lithuania and Sweden — have all launched investigations, with Berlin and Swedish police saying they suspected …

‘Sabotage’ suspected after two Baltic Sea cables cut Read More »

A Hong Kong court on Tuesday jailed all 45 defendants convicted of subversion in the city’s largest national security trial, with “mastermind” Benny Tai receiving the longest term of 10 years.International condemnation was swift, with Western countries and rights groups slamming the sentencing as evidence of the erosion of political freedoms in the city since …

Hong Kong court jails 45 democracy campaigners on subversion charges Read More »

Police and civilian self-defense groups killed 28 gang members in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince in an overnight operation, authorities said Tuesday, as the government seeks to regain some control of the city.Officers stopped a truck carrying gang members in the wealthy suburb of Petion-Ville at about 2:00 am, while a bus ferrying gang members was …

Haiti police, civilians kill 28 gang members: authorities Read More »

Negotiators toiled Tuesday to break a deadlock at UN climate talks after G20 leaders acknowledged the need for trillions of dollars for poorer nations but left key sticking points unresolved.With three days left in the COP29 conference, ministers haggling in Azerbaijan had been waiting for the G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro to issue a …

COP29 negotiators strive for deal after G20 ‘marching orders’ Read More »

The escalating war in Ukraine and stalled UN climate negotiations dominated the final day of a G20 summit in Brazil on Tuesday, held in the shadow of Donald Trump’s looming US presidency.Chinese President Xi Jinping — the most powerful leader at the summit — repeated his warning of turbulent times ahead, warning his French counterpart …

Ukraine war and climate stalemate loom over G20 summit Read More »