No easy path ahead for China and Europe, even as Western leaders flock to Beijing
The Straits Times
A huge trade deficit with China is among difficulties between the two sides. Read more at straitstimes.com.
BEIJING/LONDON - When German Chancellor Friedrich Merz went to China on Feb 25, Beijing was keen to tout the latest in a succession of visits by European leaders as an overdue recalibration of the continent’s policy towards China.
Beijing has long chafed at the European framing of China as simultaneously a cooperation partner, economic competitor and systemic rival, preferring that they take a more “pragmatic” and business-oriented approach towards working with China.
The ships had been at sea for quite some time due to military operations. Read more at straitstimes.com.
She also spoke on the diversification of crude oil procurement sources. Read more at straitstimes.com.
LONDON, March 25 - Britain should cap how much donors who are living overseas can give to political parties and pause cryptocurrency donations, an independent review said on Wednesday, a move that could hurt Nigel Farage's populist Reform UK party. Read more at straitstimes.com.
March 25 - Libya’s coast guard has begun towing away a damaged liquefied natural gas tanker that several Mediterranean countries warned posed an environmental risk after drifting unmanned for weeks, the Tripoli‑based Government of National Unity (GNU) said. Read more at straitstimes.com.
WASHINGTON, March 25 - The Pentagon said on Wednesday it had reached framework agreements with BAE, Lockheed and Honeywell to boost production of defense systems and munitions as part of its shift to \"wartime footing.\" Read more at straitstimes.com.
Tan Ruisong was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for corruption. Read more at straitstimes.com.
KYIV, March 25 - Ukraine will aim to repel Russia's new springtime offensive along the front line during a breakdown in U.S.-backed peace talks by building on recent tactical successes and battlefield innovations like mid-range strikes. Read more at straitstimes.com.
BERLIN, March 25 - The German army is working to accelerate wartime decision-making through artificial intelligence tools capable of analysing battlefield data more rapidly than humans, drawing lessons from Ukrainian and other forces, its commander told Reuters. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The federal government is accused of allegedly blocking access to evidence in the shootings. Read more at straitstimes.com.
BUDAPEST, March 25 - Hungary will gradually stop sending natural gas to Ukraine until crude oil flows on the Druzhba pipeline resume, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Wednesday, escalating a standoff with Kyiv over energy supplies disrupted by the war. Read more at straitstimes.com.
GENEVA, March 25 - Gulf Arab states told the U.N. Human Rights Council on Wednesday they face an existential threat from Iran as they condemned Iranian attacks on their infrastructure, which the U.N. rights chief said might constitute war crimes. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The shiny balloon first appeared around Valentine’s Day, quickly becoming a social media darling. Read more at straitstimes.com.
ISTANBUL, March 25 - Turkey \"is playing a role passing messages\" between Iran and the U.S. to encourage de-escalation and direct negotiations, Harun Armagan, vice chair of foreign affairs for President Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party, told Reuters on Wednesday. Read more at straitstimes.com.