Philippines says acts in national interest in South China Sea
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
6 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Germany summons China's ambassador after military aircraft lasered in Red Sea
BERLIN — Germany's Foreign Office said on Tuesday that it has summoned the Chinese ambassador to protest after a Chinese warship used a laser against a German military aircraft in the Red Sea. "The endangerment of German personnel" and the "disruption of the operation" are "completely unacceptable," the ministry said in a statement on social media platform X on Tuesday. The maritime surveillance aircraft was part of the EU mission Aspides, which is intended to better defend civilian ships against attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels. It was lasered earlier this month "without any reason or prior contact" by a Chinese warship that had been encountered several times in the area, the German Defence Ministry said. It landed safely at a base in Djibouti, and the crew is in good health, it said. The aircraft has since resumed its operations with the EU mission in the Red Sea. China's spokespeople have not immediately commented. The EU mission only defends civilian vessels and does not take part in any military strikes. The southern part of the Red Sea is deemed a high-risk zone. On Tuesday, Yemen's Houthi rebels continued an attack targeting a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea, authorities said, after the group claimed to have sunk another vessel in an assault that threatens to renew combat across the vital waterway. — Euronews
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Saudi Gazette
BRICS leaders slam tariffs and Iran conflict at summit in Brazil
RIO DE JANEIRO — The BRICS group of nations condemned the increase in tariffs and the recent Iran conflict, but refrained from pointing a finger at US President Donald Trump at their summit in Brazil on Sunday The group's declaration, which also took aim at Israeli military actions in the Middle East, spared its founding member Russia from criticism and mentioned Ukraine — against which Moscow continues to wage its all-out war since early 2022 — only once. The bloc issued a declaration in which they raised 'serious concerns' about the rise of tariffs, saying they were 'inconsistent with WTO (World Trade Organisation) rules.' In an indirect swipe at the US, they said those restrictions 'threaten to reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains and introduce uncertainty.' Brazilian President Lula also criticised NATO's decision to hike defence spending up to 5% of member states' GDP. He said it was 'always easier to invest in war than peace.' The declaration also criticised the strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities without mentioning the US or Israel, the two nations that conducted them. BRICS leaders expressed 'grave concern' for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, called for the release of all hostages held by Hamas, a return to the negotiating table and reaffirmed their commitment to the two-state solution. The group's 31-page declaration mentions Ukraine just once, while condemning 'in the strongest terms' recent Ukrainian attacks on Russia. Despite Lula's push to spotlight issues such as artificial intelligence and climate change at the summit, it has been marked by the absence of several key leaders. This includes two of its most powerful members: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin continues to avoid foreign travel after an international arrest warrant was issued following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Egypt's Abdel Fattah al-Sisi are also not attending the summit in Rio de Janeiro. The bloc doubled in size last year, and analysts say the consequent lack of unity may challenge its stated goal to become another pillar in world affairs. They also see the summit's moderate agenda as an attempt by member countries to stay off of Trump's radar. Founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the BRICS bloc last year added Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates as full members. It also created a new category of 'strategic partners,' which includes Belarus, Cuba and Vietnam. — Euronews
Saudi Gazette
2 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
China blocks EU medical device firms from government tenders in response to Brussels restrictions
BEIJING — China announced on Sunday that it will restrict European Union medical device companies from selling to the Chinese government, in a retaliatory move against recent EU procurement restrictions targeting Chinese firms. According to a statement from China's Ministry of Finance, European companies will be barred from participating in public procurement tenders valued over 45 million yuan ($6.28 million). The measure came into effect the same day and will apply only to companies that do not manufacture their products within China. European firms with production facilities inside China will be exempt. The move marks the latest escalation in trade tensions between Beijing and Brussels. On Friday, China also imposed anti-dumping duties on European brandy imports — with French cognac producers most affected — though some major brands received limited exemptions. China and the EU have been locked in a series of trade disputes across various sectors. Tensions intensified after the EU announced in June that Chinese suppliers would be excluded from government contracts exceeding €5 million ($5.89 million), citing China's 'recurring legal and administrative barriers' to EU firms. The European Commission said the restrictions aim to incentivize China to open its public procurement market and end discriminatory practices. China's Ministry of Commerce responded by accusing the EU of protectionism. 'China has repeatedly expressed its willingness to resolve differences through dialogue and bilateral consultation,' a ministry spokesperson said. 'Unfortunately, the EU has ignored this goodwill and imposed new restrictive measures.' The tit-for-tat measures have added strain to an already complex economic relationship, with additional investigations ongoing into European pork and dairy exports to China, and EU tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles still under review. — Agencies
