World Echo

Swiss voters will decide on Sunday whether to approve a more restrictive form of neutrality that would block their ​country from imposing economic sanctions or cooperating with NATO. The country is holding a referendum on whether a strictly defined version of neutrality should be written into its constitution. While Swiss neutrality has been internationally recognised since the end of the Napoleonic wars in 1815, how the government implements it is not spelled out. The right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) has said that Switzerland's traditional position has been eroded after Bern imposed sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Read: Is NATO ready to fight? The Ukraine war is raising doubts among military analysts The campaign has funded posters across the country urging people to vote "No war, yes to neutrality", featuring white peace doves ahead of the vote. Stil...

China said on Saturday it had agreed with the United States on a $30 billion reciprocal tariff-reduction arrangement and on launching a ​dialogue on AI, under an eight-point consensus reached during President ‌Xi Jinping's visit to Washington. The two sides have also agreed to set up a trade council and extend the outcomes of earlier talks in Kuala Lumpur, the Chinese ​Foreign Ministry said. The agreement follows an earlier move by ​the world's two largest economies to extend by two months ⁠a trade truce that had been due to expire on November 10, ​allowing more time to work on a potentially bigger trade deal, US ​Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday. Read: US, China buy time with trade truce as pressure builds The three-day summit between Xi and President Donald Trump, which ended on Friday, showcased personal diplomacy rather than big public breakthroughs. ​Xi has since landed in Beijing, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported ​on Saturday. On a...

Israeli forces used phosphorus munitions while shelling several towns in southern Lebanon on Friday, state news agency NNA reported. Artillery struck the outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Mayfadoun and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in the Nabatieh district. Phosphorus shells were used in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, while Israel later renewed attacks on Zawtar al-Sharqiyah with similar munitions. Read: Pakistan, Lebanon agree to enhance intelligence sharing, security cooperation In the Tyre district, artillery fire also targeted Wadi Zibqin and the outskirts of Haris and Haddatha. Lebanese army specialists dismantled two unexploded Israeli aerial bombs in Majdal Selm and Al-Ghandouriyah in the Marjayoun and Bint Jbeil districts and moved them to a safe location. The Israeli offensive in Lebanon has killed at least 4,386 victims, wounded 12,407 and displaced more than 1 million others since early March, according to Lebanese authorities. The attacks continue despite a June framework deal that pro...

Washington and Beijing may have bought themselves breathing space with an extended trade truce, but analysts warn that time is running out for the world's two biggest economies to resolve their strategic rivalry. President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping concluded a pomp-filled summit Friday, with the US leader confirming they would meet twice more this year. But even as Trump and Xi "are making nice," their countries "remain locked in a bitter competition over trade, tech, Taiwan, defence, rare earths and industrial policy," said Daniel Russel of the Asia Society Policy Institute. Daniel Kritenbrink, a former US official now with The Asia Group consultancy, said there's "no doubt that both leaders would like to see stability in the relationship, at least through the end of the year." However, "you'd have to see further tangible outcomes for this truce to extend in the long run." Read: Xi calls for new cha...

Multiple pro-Palestinian users, based on their past posts, across social media platforms have been sharing a video since September 23, 2026, allegedly showing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticising Israel at the ongoing 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. However, the clip is old, from her speech during the 80th UNGA session in 2025. The 81st UNGA Session opened in New York on September 8, 2026. The high-level General Debate, considered the highlight of the annual gathering, commenced on September 22. More than 150 heads of state and government addressed the UNGA over the week, outlining their positions on pressing global issues ranging from peace and security to climate change and sustainable development. While traditionally a close ally of Israel, Italy recently suspended the renewal of a defence agreement, reflecting growing unease over the escalation. At the same time, Italy has supported efforts to secure global energy routes and protect maritime tr...

Delegations from nearly 70 countries walked out of the United Nations General Assembly hall or left their seats vacant Thursday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address, staging a mass protest over Israel’s genocide in Gaza and its attacks across the region. An Anadolu review of footage from the 81st UN General Assembly showed dozens of delegations leaving the chamber together after Netanyahu approached the podium. Some countries left a single representative or junior diplomat behind, while others did not attend the address. Turkiye, Palestine, Tunisia, Syria, Algeria, Yemen, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iran, Qatar, Lebanon, Malaysia, Indonesia and Kuwait were among the countries whose representatives joined the protest. Delegations from Spain, Brazil, Peru, Cuba, Nigeria, Ghana, Libya, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Oman, Niger, Madagascar, Botswana, the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Cabo Verde and several other countries also walked out or remaine...