MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The protracted Middle East conflict has had significant impact on international energy security and the safety of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday. "The US-Israel war against Iran should never have started. The protracted conflic»»»

South Korea recorded a first-quarter record of 4.76 million foreign tourist arrivals, up 23 percent from a year earlier, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Thursday. The figure represents the highest first-quarter total on record, achieved despite geopolitical tensions in the Mid»»»

US President Donald Trump is making “a big move towards controlling the marginal barrel of oil,” attempting to shift the world’s energy focus from the Persian Gulf region to the Gulf of Mexico, “where oil tankers are now lining up,” geopolitical analyst Tom Luongo told RT in an interview on Wednesd»»»

Pakistan stressed on Thursday that Lebanon remains part of the ceasefire agreement in place between the United States and Iran, stressing that stability in Lebanon is essential for the success of peace talks in the region. “Lebanon, in our interpretation, is part of the broader ceasefire,” Foreign »»»

Dubai: The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has declared that it is awaiting the results of a “scientific and technical analysis” into the alleged use of cyanide in waters of Ayungin Shoal or Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed area in the South China Sea, before determining its next st»»»

Abu Dhabi: The UAE has been elected to the Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP) for the 2026–2028 term, at a time of escalating global food security challenges and mounting risks linked to disruptions in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, developments that could push tens of million»»»

Beijing, April 16, 2026 (SANA) Traditional Aleppo laurel soap is seeing rising demand in China, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency, with the product gaining traction on e-commerce platforms and at trade exhibitions. At an authorized store for Syrian products on JD.com, Aleppo soap ranks am»»»

China's foreign minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that Beijing supported maintaining the ceasefire and negotiation momentum between Tehran and Washington during a phone call on April 15, China's foreign ministry said in a readout. »»»

China's foreign minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that Beijing supported maintaining the ceasefire and negotiation momentum between Tehran and Washington during a phone call on April 15, China's foreign ministry said in a readout. »»»

China's foreign minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that Beijing supported maintaining the ceasefire and negotiation momentum between Tehran and Washington during a phone call on April 15, China's foreign ministry said in a readout. »»»

China's foreign minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that Beijing supported maintaining the ceasefire and negotiation momentum between Tehran and Washington during a phone call on April 15, China's foreign ministry said in a readout. »»»

China's foreign minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that Beijing supported maintaining the ceasefire and negotiation momentum between Tehran and Washington during a phone call on April 15, China's foreign ministry said in a readout. »»»

WASHINGTON: Donald Trump has pivoted from military escalation to economic warfare, betting that a sweeping naval blockade of Iran’s ports and shipping can succeed where weeks of US-Israeli strikes have not — forcing Tehran back to the negotiating table. The strategy is stark: Cut off Iran’s ability»»»

US President Donald Trump has said he is “permanently opening” the Strait of Hormuz, presenting the move as benefiting “China and the world” after claiming Beijing agreed “not to send weapons to Iran.” Trump’s remarks come as the US military claims American warships have effectively blocked Iranian»»»

Shanghai: A Chinese automaker has patented a toilet concealed beneath a sliding car seat that can be operated using voice commands, according to a government database. Electric vehicle company Seres received patent approval for its mobile latrine earlier this month, public records show. Get updated»»»

Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his opposition to Taiwanese independence during a meeting with Cheng Li-wun, leader of Taiwan's pro-Beijing opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party. Her official trip to Beijing, the first such visit in a decade, sparked controversy in the self-ruled»»»

Two U.S. nationals were sentenced to federal prison for helping North Korean operatives obtain remote IT jobs, the Justice Department said Wednesday. This photo from the Department shows North Korean IT workers that were allegedly part of a scheme to help Pyongyang fund its weapons programs. Photo »»»

Australia will raise defense spending to 3.0 percent of GDP by 2033 as armed conflicts flare worldwide, Defense Minister Richard Marles said Thursday. The new commitment follows pressure from US President Donald Trump's administration for Canberra to boost military expenditure as a share of total a»»»

Washington: David Pierson For much of the last two decades, China has maintained a delicate balance in its military relationship with Iran, offering often indirect assistance instead of arms sales. That approach is now drawing renewed attention after US officials said intelligence agencies were ass»»»

Indonesian authorities said Wednesday they have arrested six people allegedly involved in smuggling endangered Komodo dragons native to the archipelago and destined for Thailand. Two suspects were arrested in February in the port city of Surabaya on the east coast of Java island as they got off a s»»»

Dubai: Dubai gold prices rebounded on Thursday morning as renewed caution over the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict pushed investors back toward bullion. This reversed Wednesday’s softer trend when easing ceasefire hopes had briefly cooled safe-haven demand. (Check latest UAE gold prices here, along»»»

China's economy expanded more than expected in the first three months of the year, with official data Thursday indicating resilience in the face of a Middle East crisis that threatens to hit global growth. The figures came despite a surge in world energy prices caused by the US-Israel war on Iran, »»»

Between Tehran and Washington's blockades of the Strait of Hormuz, the number of ships passing through the critical waterway has slowed to a trickle. Here's what marine tracking data tells us about the situation. A trickle of ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday and Wednesday as a US blockade»»»

Iran proving that missiles don't need to travel thousands of kilometres. Across the Gulf is all it takes to force the world’s mightiest army to the bargaining table. Pressure on the choke point for one-fifth of the planet’s oil and gas exposing the vulnerability of Arabian peninsula monarchies. The»»»

Pakistan’s army chief is set to meet with Iranian officials in Tehran on Thursday in a bid to ease tensions in the Middle East and arrange a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran after almost seven weeks of war. The White House said any further talks would likely take plac»»»

US President Donald Trump said China had agreed not to send weapons to Iran in return for Washington's efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, posting on his Truth Social account on April 15. "China is very happy that I am»»»

The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on April 15 in Washington that the US is working with Persian Gulf allies to obtain data on bank accounts linked to members of the Iranian government and is contacting international lenders, including in China, to choke off Iran-related transactions. »»»

For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America's so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President's ego in a vain effort to rescue the fast decaying transatlantic "special relation." They even agreed to more than d»»»

The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»

US President Donald Trump said China had agreed not to send weapons to Iran in return for Washington's efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, posting on his Truth Social account on April 15. "China is very happy that I am»»»

For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America's so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President's ego in a vain effort to rescue the fast decaying transatlantic "special relation." They even agreed to more than d»»»

The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»

For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America's so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President's ego in a vain effort to rescue the fast decaying transatlantic "special relation." They even agreed to more than d»»»

The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»

US President Donald Trump said China had agreed not to send weapons to Iran in return for Washington's efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, posting on his Truth Social account on April 15. "China is very happy that I am»»»

The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»

US President Donald Trump said China had agreed not to send weapons to Iran in return for Washington's efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, posting on his Truth Social account on April 15. "China is very happy that I am»»»

The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»

For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America's so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President's ego in a vain effort to rescue the fast decaying transatlantic "special relation." They even agreed to more than d»»»

For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America's so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President's ego in a vain effort to rescue the fast decaying transatlantic "special relation." They even agreed to more than d»»»

The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»

US President Donald Trump said China had agreed not to send weapons to Iran in return for Washington's efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, posting on his Truth Social account on April 15. "China is very happy that I am»»»

For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America's so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President's ego in a vain effort to rescue the fast decaying transatlantic "special relation." They even agreed to more than d»»»

The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on April 15 in Washington that the US is working with Persian Gulf allies to obtain data on bank accounts linked to members of the Iranian government and is contacting international lenders, including in China, to choke off Iran-related transactions. »»»

For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America's so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President's ego in a vain effort to rescue the fast decaying transatlantic "special relation." They even agreed to more than d»»»

The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»

The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»

The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»