Vancouver Courier

China, EU should not 'seek confrontation': FM Wang

China's top diplomat warned his EU counterpart against "confrontation", his foreign ministry said Thursday, after she urged Beijing to stop undermining Europe's security.

'Big Comrade': Former defence chief takes reins as Thai PM

Thailand's former defence chief is set to be appointed acting prime minister on Thursday, capping a colourful career for the political heavyweight once nicknamed "Big Comrade".

Ukraine scrambling for clarity as US downplays halt to arms shipments

US officials on Wednesday downplayed a White House announcement that Washington was pausing some weapons shipments to Ukraine, after the war-battered country was caught off-guard and appealed for clarity.

Netanyahu vows to uproot Hamas as ceasefire proposals are discussed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Wednesday to eradicate Hamas, even as the Palestinian militant group said it was discussing new proposals from mediators for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Ukraine left scrambling after US says halting some arms shipments

Ukraine appealed to the United States for clarity on Wednesday after it was caught off-guard by a White House announcement that Washington was halting some arms shipments to the war-battered country.

Hamas mulls truce proposals after Trump Gaza ceasefire push

Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Wednesday it was discussing proposals for a Gaza ceasefire received from mediators, after US President Donald Trump said Israel backed a 60-day ceasefire in the war-ravaged territory.

Hamas says discussing proposals after Trump Gaza ceasefire push

Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Wednesday it was discussing proposals for a Gaza ceasefire received from mediators, after US President Donald Trump said Israel backed a 60-day ceasefire in the war-ravaged territory.

Iran ends cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog after Israel, US strikes

Iran on Wednesday officially suspended its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, a move triggered by the unprecedented Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear facilities.

Iran suspends cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog

Iran on Wednesday formally suspended its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, a measure drawn up in the wake of unprecedented Israeli and US strikes on the Islamic republic's nuclear sites.

Israel's top diplomat urges seizing chance after Trump ceasefire push

Israel's top diplomat on Wednesday said any chance to free hostages held in Gaza "must not be missed", after US President Donald Trump urged Palestinian group Hamas to agree to a 60-day ceasefire that he said had Israel's backing.

Israel FM calls to seize opportunity as Trump pushes for Gaza ceasefire

Israel's top diplomat called on Wednesday not to miss any chance to free hostages held in Gaza, after US President Donald Trump urged Palestinian group Hamas to agree to a 60-day ceasefire that he said had Israel's backing.

Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 14 as Trump teases ceasefire push

Gaza's civil defence agency said that Israeli strikes killed at least 14 people on Wednesday, as US President Donald Trump urged Palestinian group Hamas to agree to a 60-day ceasefire.

Demining Ukraine: from drones to risking it with a rake

There were so many mines on Larisa Sysenko's small farm in Kamyanka in eastern Ukraine after the Russians were pushed out that she and her husband Viktor started demining it themselves -- with rakes.

North Korea opens massive beach resort: state media

North Korea opened a massive resort area on its east coast, state media said Wednesday, with the tourism pet project of leader Kim Jong Un reportedly set to welcome Russian guests later this month.

India exporters cautiously optimistic as US tariff deadline looms

Indian exporters are anxiously eyeing the possible reintroduction of Donald Trump's punishing tariffs next week, though many hold out hope for a last-minute reprieve.

Fate of major trade deal with EU hangs over Mercosur summit

The fate of a landmark trade deal with the European Union, which France is trying to block, looms large over a summit this week of South America's Mercosur bloc.

US halting some shipments of military aid to Ukraine

The White House said Tuesday it is halting some key weapons shipments to Ukraine that were promised under the Biden administration for Kyiv's battle against the Russian invasion.

Deal or no deal: What happens with Trump's July tariff deadline?

A week before US President Donald Trump reimposes steep tariffs on dozens of economies, including the EU and Japan, many are still scrambling to reach a deal that would protect them from the worst.

US, Japan, India, Australia pledge mineral cooperation on China jitters

The United States, Japan, India and Australia pledged Tuesday to work together to ensure a stable supply of critical minerals, as worries grow over China's dominance in resources vital to new technologies.

Trump urges 60-day Gaza ceasefire deal ahead of Netanyahu visit

US President Donald Trump urged Hamas on Tuesday to accept a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, saying that Israel had agreed to finalize such a deal, as its forces also stepped up operations in the Palestinian territory.

Polish supreme court ratifies nationalist's presidential vote win

Poland's Supreme Court on Tuesday said it had validated the result of last month's presidential election won by the nationalist opposition candidate, despite numerous appeals over the conduct of the vote.

Macron, Putin discuss Iran, Ukraine in first talks since 2022

Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin on Tuesday spoke by telephone for the first time in over two-and-a-half years, with the French president urging a ceasefire in Ukraine but the Russian leader hitting back that the West was to blame for the conflict.

Israel expands Gaza campaign ahead of Netanyahu's US visit

Israel's military said Tuesday that it had expanded its operations in Gaza, where residents reported fierce gunfire and shelling days before a planned trip to Washington by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Gaza mourns those killed in Israeli strike on seafront cafe

Once a bustling seafront spot where young people could hope for a rare respite from war, Gaza City's al-Baqa cafe lay in ruins after an Israeli strike killed 24 people including a journalist and an artist.

Rubio hails end of USAID as Bush, Obama deplore cost in lives

The US foreign aid agency formally closed down Tuesday, with President Donald Trump's administration trumpeting the end of the "charity-based model" despite predictions that millions of lives will be lost.

Trump ramps up Musk feud with deportation threat

Donald Trump and Elon Musk reignited their bitter feud Tuesday, with the US president threatening to deport the tech tycoon and strip federal funds from his businesses for criticizing Trump's flagship spending bill.

IMF urges Swiss to strengthen bank resilience

The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday urged Switzerland to strengthen the resilience of its banks and address the flaws exposed by the collapse of Credit Suisse.

Trump hails new 'Alligator Alcatraz' migrant detention center

US President Donald Trump reveled in a new Florida migrant detention center dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" Tuesday, joking that any escapees would be taught to run away from the reptiles to avoid being eaten.

US Senate approves divisive Trump spending bill

The Republican-led US Senate approved President Donald Trump's mammoth domestic policy bill Tuesday by the narrowest of margins, despite misgivings over delivering deep welfare cuts and another $3 trillion in national debt.

Shifting to Asia, Rubio meets Quad and talks minerals

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Tuesday with counterparts from Australia, India and Japan, shifting focus to Asia after a tenure so far marked by crises elsewhere and domestic priorities.

Trump ramps up Musk feud with deportation, DOGE threats