Zürcher Nachrichten

Final campaign push ahead of poll test for France's Macron

President Emmanuel Macron and his allies made a final push Friday for votes in tense elections for parliament, where the centrist president is at risk of losing his majority in the face of a resurgent left-wing alliance.

China launches third aircraft carrier in major military milestone

China on Friday launched its biggest and most modern aircraft carrier, the first designed and built entirely in the country, marking a major military advance for the Asian superpower.

Danube offers lifeline for Ukrainian grain exports

In the Ukrainian port of Izmail, on the Danube river that marks the border with Romania, rows of trucks filled with grain stand in line.

China launches third aircraft carrier: state media

China on Friday launched its third aircraft carrier, the first designed and built entirely in the country, marking a major military advance for the Asian superpower.

WTO strikes landmark deals package after tense talks

The World Trade Organization concluded hard-won deals Friday on fishing subsidies, food insecurity and Covid-19 vaccines in a landmark bundle of agreements secured through hectic round-the-clock talks.

Control without invasion: Other actions China could take against Taiwan

As Xi Jinping's China increasingly flexes its muscles on the global stage, concerns it may take military action against Taiwan have risen.

'Life goes on' for unfazed Taiwanese on frontline islands

Since moving from Taiwan's capital to the outlying Penghu islands for the peace and the fishing 11 years ago, Lin Chih-cheng has grown accustomed to the roar of Chinese fighter jets puncturing the lull of the surf.

A Chinese invasion of Taiwan: Too costly to countenance?

On Taiwan's tiny Penghu islands, the missile bases that sit next to white-sand beaches and bustling fish markets are a visceral reminder of the constant threat of attack from China.

EU to give fast-tracked opinion on Ukraine membership bid

The European Commission will meet Friday to give its fast-tracked opinion on Ukraine's bid for EU candidacy, a step closer to membership for the country a day after the bloc's most powerful leaders visited Kyiv as it battles Russia's invasion.

Top Australian diplomat visits Solomons to address security concerns

Australia's foreign minister landed Friday in Solomon Islands to address relations frayed by the Pacific nation's cosy ties and recent security pact with China.

French parliamentary election: what's at stake?

France goes to the polls on Sunday for the final round of parliamentary elections which are crucial for centrist President Emmanuel Macron's plans for his second term.

Putin's health: pivotal yet shrouded in uncertainty

Baths in blood extracted from the antlers of Siberian deer. Excrements scooped up by loyal officials to evade analysis. Mysterious absences for emergency medical treatment.

Colombians vote in high stakes presidential runoff

Colombians vote Sunday in a presidential runoff that features promises of radical change in a country saddled with widespread poverty, violence and other woes.

Ex-guerrilla takes on maverick in race to be Colombia's president

A former leftist guerrilla and a millionnaire businessman will go head-to-head on Sunday hoping to become the new president of Colombia following a tense campaign in which no candidates appeared safe.

Trump unleashed mob after VP rejected election plot: probe

Donald Trump pressured his vice president to go along with an illegal plot to overturn the 2020 US election and whipped up a mob that put his deputy's life in danger when he refused, congressional investigators and former administration aides said Thursday.

US urges Russia 'humane treatment' of Americans captured in Ukraine

The United States on Thursday urged Russia to treat any American volunteers captured while fighting alongside Ukrainian troops as prisoners of war guaranteed humane treatment.

Ecuador roads blockaded on fourth day of fuel price protests

Indigenous Ecuadorans used burning tires, tree trunks and stones Thursday to block access to the capital, Quito, on the fourth day of protests against high fuel prices and living costs.

On US border, Mexican trans social worker offers expert advice

Mexican trans social worker Brigitte Baltazar saw her dreams shattered when she was deported from the United States, where she had fought for 20 years for a better life.

Trump election plot would have spurred 'revolution': ex-judge

A retired federal judge testified Thursday that Donald Trump's demand for Mike Pence to reject the results of the 2020 US election would have triggered a "revolution" had the vice president obeyed.

US urges Russia to open Ukrainian ports for grain exports

US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack called on Russia Thursday to rapidly open Ukraine's ports to permit the export of millions of tonnes of stockpiled grain.

US targets Chinese, Indian brokers in new Iran sanctions

The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on Iranian petrochemical producers as well as Chinese and Indian brokers, expanding pressure amid a deadlock in negotiations on restoring a nuclear deal.

EU leaders back Ukraine membership bid in trip to war-torn Kyiv

The European Union's most powerful leaders on Thursday embraced Ukraine's bid to be accepted as a candidate for EU membership, in a powerful symbol of support in Kyiv's battle against Russia's invasion.

Gazprom defends gas cuts as prices in Europe soar

Russian energy giant Gazprom on Thursday defended gas cuts to Europe as prices soared and tensions raged between Russia and the West over Ukraine.

LGBTQ tolerance billboards spark uproar in Ghana

Large billboards promoting LGBTQ tolerance have been torn down in Ghana's capital and other areas this month after sparking outrage in the West African country.

EU leaders vow to back Ukraine in visit to war-torn Kyiv

The leaders of major EU powers France, Germany and Italy vowed Thursday to help Ukraine defeat Russia and to rebuild its shattered cities, in a visit to a war-torn Kyiv suburb.

US airborne raid captures top IS operative in Syria

US coalition forces said they captured a senior Islamic State group bomb maker in a pre-dawn raid Thursday that, witnesses said, saw troops in helicopters swoop down on an isolated house in rebel-held northwestern Syria.

French left, Macron allies trade barbs ahead of tight polls

France's left-wing forces and allies of centrist President Emmanuel Macron exchanged bitter accusations Thursday ahead of the final round of tightly-contested parliamentary elections, where the French leader risks losing his overall majority.

Europe stocks tank as central banks fail to quell recession fears

European stock markets tumbled Thursday on fears of recession, despite central bank efforts to tame soaring inflation.

DR Congo to combat sectarian 'stigmatisation' amid Rwanda tensions

The Democratic Republic of Congo has pledged to combat stigmatisation and "manhunts," the national broadcaster said Thursday, a day after an anti-Rwanda protest descended into sectarian looting.

US airborne raid nets top IS operative in Syria

US coalition forces said they captured a senior Islamic State group bomb maker in an airborne operation before dawn Thursday in northern Syria.

Markets mostly fall as early Fed rate hike rally fades

Equity markets mostly fell Thursday and the dollar advanced as an early rally fuelled by a "dovish" Federal Reserve interest rate hike gave way to the prospect of an extended period of tight monetary policy.

Asian markets mixed as Fed rate hike rally fades

Asian markets were mixed Thursday as an early rally fuelled by a "dovish" Federal Reserve interest rate hike gave way to the prospect of an extended period of tight monetary policy.

European leaders visit Ukraine in show of support

The leaders of France, Germany and Italy visited Kyiv on Thursday in a show of European support for Ukraine, as Russia presses its brutal offensive in the east of the country.

European leaders head for Kyiv as US pledges more weapons

The leaders of France, Germany and Italy were on a train Thursday bound for Kyiv, a day after the United States announced $1 billion worth of new arms for embattled Ukrainian forces.

Georgian MP says took up arms to fight 'common enemy' in Ukraine

When Russia sent troops into Ukraine in late February, Georgian lawmaker Aleko Elisashvili did not hesitate to rush to the country's defence, and within days was fighting in the battle for Irpin.

European leaders expected in Kyiv as US pledges more weapons

The leaders of France, Germany and Italy are expected to visit Kyiv on Thursday, a day after the United States announced $1 billion worth of new arms for embattled Ukrainian forces.

Watergate: A scandal for the ages that could yet be eclipsed

Fifty years since it ignited Washington, the Watergate affair remains a cautionary tale on the threat of untrammeled presidential power and the yardstick against which all other political scandals are judged.

Asian markets track Wall St rally as traders cheer 'dovish' Fed hike

Asian markets rose Thursday as traders cheered a sharp Federal Reserve interest rate hike that signalled it is intent on driving inflation down from four-decade highs, while its boss Jerome Powell said such big moves would not be commonplace.

Weapons delays cast doubt on Germany's support for Ukraine

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has promised Ukraine world-class weapons -- from self-propelled howitzers to multiple launch rocket systems and an air defence shield capable of protecting a "large city" from Russian strikes.

Zürcher Nachrichten - Politics (English)

Featured

Stocks diverge on fears of Ukraine-Russia escalation

Haiti police, civilians kill 28 gang members: authorities

Last news