The Prague Post - Politics

US, Colombia recall top diplomats as rift deepens

The United States and Colombia called home their respective envoys on Thursday in an apparent acceleration of worsening ties, against the backdrop of an alleged plot against Colombia's leftist leader.

Russia becomes first country to recognise Taliban govt

Afghanistan's government said on Thursday that Russia had become the first country to officially recognise its rule, calling it a "brave decision".

Not tired of winning: Trump on a roll, for now

Even for a man who once boasted that his supporters would get "tired of winning," US President Donald Trump is on a roll.

Geerlings-Simons set to be Suriname's first woman president

Opposition leader Jennifer Geerlings-Simons is set to become Suriname's first woman president after her rivals decided Thursday against nominating their own candidate to lead the small South American country.

Trump wins major victory as Congress passes flagship bill

US President Donald Trump on Thursday secured a major political victory when Congress narrowly passed his signature tax and spending bill, cementing his radical second-term agenda and boosting funds for his anti-immigration drive.

UN expert says firms 'profiting' from 'genocide' of Palestinians

UN rights expert Francesca Albanese on Thursday denounced companies she said "profited from the Israeli economy of illegal occupation, apartheid, and now genocide", in a report that provoked a furious response from Israel.

Netanyahu vows to bring all Gaza hostages home

Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to bring home all the hostages still held by militants in war-stricken Gaza, where the civil defence agency said 73 people were killed Thursday in his country's ongoing offensive.

Footballers play with Franco head at Spain art festival

Spain's fierce passion for football took an unexpected turn on Thursday as two teams faced off playing with an unusual ball: an artistic reproduction of former dictator Francisco Franco's head.

Putin told Trump will not 'give up' aims in Ukraine: Kremlin

Russian leader Vladimir Putin told US President Donald Trump by telephone on Thursday that Moscow will not "give up" on its aims in Ukraine, the Kremlin said.

Gaza civil defence says Israeli forces kill 69 people

Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli forces killed at least 69 people on Thursday, including 15 in a strike on a school sheltering Palestinians displaced by the war nearing its 22nd month.

Refuge at risk: Mexican drug rehab centers in cartels' crosshairs

Mexican rehabilitation centers were supposed to provide sanctuary to drug users trying to kick their addictions. Instead, they became targets for the same ultra-violent cartels that traffic illegal narcotics.

'Doubts' over US support boost need for EU cooperation, Zelensky says

Doubts over US military aid to Ukraine reinforce the need for increased cooperation with the EU and NATO, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday as he met European Union leaders in Denmark.

Joy riders give Paris bike share system a flat

Paris's public bike sharing system, Velib, is losing more than 600 bicycles per week to joy riders, threatening to overwhelm the scheme and leaving users frustrated, its operator said Thursday.

Mali junta chief granted renewable presidential mandate

Mali's military authorities on Thursday granted the junta chief a five-year presidential mandate, renewable "as many times as necessary" and without election.

Europe must 'step up' as US halts some arms to Ukraine, EU chief says

Europe must beef up aid to Ukraine following Washington's decision to pause some weapons shipments, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday, as Denmark vowed to use its EU presidency to push for Ukraine's EU accession.

US House close to final vote on Trump tax bill

US lawmakers teed up a final vote on Donald Trump's marquee tax and spending bill for Thursday morning after bruising Republican infighting nearly derailed the centerpiece of the president's domestic agenda.

Thailand gets third leader this week as new cabinet sworn in

Thailand saw its third person helming the prime minister's office in a week on Thursday, as the king swore in a new cabinet after a court decision plunged the nation's top office into turmoil.

US House sets make-or-break final vote on Trump tax bill

US lawmakers teed up a final vote on Donald Trump's marquee tax and spending bill for early Thursday after a bruising day of Republican infighting that threatened to derail the centerpiece of the president's domestic agenda.

Top China official says US defence chief 'inciting conflict'

A senior Chinese official accused the United States defence chief on Thursday of "inciting confrontation and conflict" after he urged American allies to bolster their militaries to counter Beijing.

Chinese carrier Shandong moors in Hong Kong on 'great power' visit

China's first domestically built aircraft carrier sailed into Hong Kong on Thursday, just days after the city marked 28 years under Chinese rule.

Japan PM sweats for majority in upper house election

Campaigning for Japan's upper house election started Thursday, with unpopular Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba fighting to maintain the ruling coalition's majority.

India Hindu pilgrimage begins in contested Kashmir

Hindus began a vast month-long pilgrimage in contested Indian Kashmir on Thursday, with many of the faithful starting from near the site where a deadly April attack triggered conflict with Pakistan.

Indonesia free meal plan stunted by delays, protests, poisonings

When an Indonesian mother dropped off her daughter at school in May, she did not expect her to become violently sick after eating lunch from the government's new billion-dollar free meal programme.

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