39 h. ago China’s Wang Yi urges new international deal on Iran after US, Israeli attacks

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi has called for a “new international agreement” on Iran while accusing the United States and Israel of destabilising the Middle East through military actions on Iranian nuclear facilities. Speaking at a joint press conference with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris on Friday, Wang also voiced deep concerns about escalating tensions in the region and warned of the looming spectre of a “nuclear disaster”. His remarks came as Beijing, a key ally of an...

Politics

3 d. ago National security offenders to be disqualified from Hong Kong’s Legco elections

Hong Kong authorities have proposed disqualifying anyone convicted of offences endangering national security from being nominated to run in a Legislative Council election or serving as a lawmaker. The Electoral Affairs Commission said a public consultation for the proposed guidelines, which include several changes related to national security, was launched on Thursday and would wrap up on August 1. The proposals were shared months before the next Legco election on December 7, the second to be...

Politics

3 d. ago Hong Kong plans to update prison rules to better guard national security

Hong Kong’s security and prison agencies plan to update the current prison rules to tighten visiting criteria for specific lawyers, doctors and chaplains to ensure they safeguard national security, prevent crime and maintain order and discipline of those behind bars. In a paper submitted to the Legislative Council on Thursday, the Security Bureau and the Correctional Services Department laid out five “key purposes” that would form the grounds for prison staff to impose additional restrictions,...

Events

1 week ago NSA Doval meets Russian Security Council deputy secretary in Beijing on SCO sidelines

NSA Doval meets Russian Security Council deputy secretary in Beijing on SCO sidelines  Mangalorean.com

Events

1 week ago Trump thanks Iran for ‘early notice’ after attacks US military base in Qatar

The Middle East crisis appeared to widen after Iran struck back against the United States by firing missiles at an American military base in Qatar, a development that built on weeks of rising tensions between arch-rivals Iran and Israel – and now, Israel’s key ally, the US. The scale of Iran’s attacks on Monday were limited, and an earlier report of a missile targeting a US base in Iraq on Monday turned out to be false, sending key stock market indices higher and oil prices lower. And, US...

Events

1 week ago Trump claims Israel, Iran agree to ceasefire to be phased in over 24 hours

US President Donald Trump claimed that Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire that is meant to take effect in 24 hours, a dramatic change in direction just hours after the Middle East crisis appeared to widen. Earlier on Monday, Iran struck back against the United States by firing missiles at an American military base in Qatar, a development that built on weeks of rising tensions between arch-rivals Iran and Israel – and now, Israel’s key ally, the US. The scale of Iran’s attacks on Monday...

Politics

1 week ago Israel’s defence minister orders attacks on Iran after ceasefire ‘violation’

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday he had ordered the army “to respond forcefully to Iran’s violation of the ceasefire” after incoming Iranian missiles were reported by the military. Hours earlier, Israel and Iran accepted a ceasefire plan proposed by US President Donald Trump. Trump announced on Monday that Israel and Iran have agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” that is meant to take effect in 24 hours, a dramatic change in direction just hours after the Middle East...

Politics

1 week ago Iran Israel war: Tehran plans attack against USA forces anywhere, China, Russia send chilling warning

Iran Israel war: Tehran plans attack against USA forces anywhere, China, Russia send chilling warning  The Economic Times

Events

1 week ago Why Strait of Hormuz matters – and what a blockade could mean for China, Asia

Iran’s parliament has approved a measure to close the Strait of Hormuz after the United States launched military strikes on its nuclear facilities over the weekend. The final decision rests with the country’s Supreme National Security Council and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – but the move has already deepened fears for the global energy trade. In this explainer, we examine why this matters and what the implications of a blockade would be. Where is the Strait of Hormuz? Why is it so...

Politics

2 w. ago Russia and China push for a ceasefire as UN Security Council meets on Iran

Russia and China push for a ceasefire as UN Security Council meets on Iran  France 24

Events

2 w. ago UN Security Council meets on Iran as Russia, China push for a ceasefire

UN Security Council meets on Iran as Russia, China push for a ceasefire  Reuters

Events

2 w. ago Pakistan, China and Russia to push for ceasefire as UN Security Council meets on Iran

Pakistan, China and Russia to push for ceasefire as UN Security Council meets on Iran  Arab News

Events

2 w. ago UN Security Council to meet on Iran as Russia, China push for a ceasefire

UN Security Council to meet on Iran as Russia, China push for a ceasefire  Reuters

Events

2 w. ago China, US at loggerheads in emergency UN Security Council meeting on Iran

China and the United States were at loggerheads in an emergency UN Security Council meeting called a day after the United States launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, a move that marked a major escalation in the Israel-Iran air war. “We call for an immediate ceasefire and end to the hostilities in the context of the abrupt escalation of tensions in the Middle East,” said Fu Cong, China’s ambassador to the UN. “We call for effective protection of civilians. The ultimate victims of all...

Events

2 w. ago China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin discuss Middle East situation

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have spoken by phone about the Middle East situation, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The phone conversation on Thursday afternoon came days after Israel initiated a large-scale military attack on Iran, which led to retaliation by Iran. On Tuesday, Xi called for de-escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict to avoid further tensions, while emphasising that Beijing was prepared to “play a constructive role” in restoring...

Politics

2 w. ago Xi urges Iran and ‘especially Israel’ to cease fire during call with Putin

In a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for an end to the fighting between Israel and Iran, urging the countries, “especially Israel”, to cease fire to prevent the situation from escalating and avoid a spillover of the conflict. The phone conversation came days after Israel initiated a large-scale military attack on Iran, which led to retaliation by Iran. “The situation in the Middle East is very critical. It once again proves that the...

Politics

2 w. ago Why a UN Security Council seat is ‘crucial’ to the Philippines

The Philippines has a strong chance of gaining a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), according to observers. Manila has renewed its bid, with its foreign secretary stressing the country’s track record as a “pathfinder and peacemaker”. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo reiterated the Philippines’ UN aspirations in a speech in New York earlier this week to more than 300 diplomats and guests at his country’s Independence Day celebrations. He pointed to the...

Events

2 w. ago What India’s break with SCO reveals about its stance on Israel

In a chorus of condemnation, India’s silence spoke volumes. New Delhi has distanced itself from a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) statement denouncing Israel’s attacks on Iran, revealing the intricate web of interests tying it to both warring states. The SCO – a 10-member bloc focused on economic and security interests, and currently chaired by China – issued a statement on Saturday censuring Israel’s military action. But India’s endorsement was conspicuously absent. Other SCO members,...

Politics

2 w. ago Israel strikes Tehran for sixth day after Trump threatens Iran’s leader

The Middle East finds itself on the precipice as the conflict between arch-foes Iran and Israel, now in its sixth brutal day, intensifies with both sides continuing their attacks and the civilian toll mounting. As Israeli strikes target Iran’s nuclear facilities and other sites, and Iranian missiles light up the skies over Israeli cities, a chilling new dimension has been added to the crisis: a demand from US President Donald Trump to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for an...

Politics

2 w. ago 14 Hongkongers in Israel, Iran and Jordan contact authorities amid conflict

Authorities have received inquiries from 14 Hongkongers in three Middle Eastern countries caught up in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, while a travel sector representative has said there were no tour groups from the city in those areas. The Immigration Department said it had received the inquiries from the Hongkongers in Israel, Iran and Jordan as of Monday 5pm. Two of them had already left. Since late last week, Israel and Iran have launched multiple attacks against each other in various...

Politics