Protesters gather in Beirut after Lebanon-Israel framework agreement
Protesters gathered in Beirut’s southern suburbs after Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement in Washington aimed at ending fighting betwee...
China has renewed its call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and demanded that Israel cease its military operations in Lebanon and Syria, warning of escalating instability across the Middle East.
Speaking at the 9907th meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday, China’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Fu Cong, highlighted the urgent need for peace as the Gaza conflict continues to devastate the region.
Fu condemned Israel’s actions, citing ongoing attacks, a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the continued expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank. “The Middle East is now deeply mired in turmoil,” he said, adding that Israel had “reignited the war in Gaza” with devastating consequences for civilians.
"Despite the international community's unanimous and strong call for a ceasefire and the end of the war in Gaza, peace remains elusive. Nineteen months have passed, over 52,000 people have lost their lives, and another 2 million in Gaza are at immediate risk of displacement," Fu stated.
The Chinese envoy accused Israel of violating basic norms of international law and humanitarian obligations, stressing that adherence to these principles is not negotiable. “We urge Israel to fulfill its international legal obligations in earnest and to observe the basic norms governing international relations,” he said, calling for a sustained ceasefire.
Fu also criticized Israel’s repeated strikes on Lebanon and Syria, describing them as violations of national sovereignty and territorial integrity. In addition, he condemned ongoing US airstrikes in Yemen, which, according to Houthi sources, have killed more than 225 civilians and injured over 430 since mid-March.
“The United States has been ramping up airstrikes against Yemen, in violation of Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Fu said, urging Washington to cease its military actions in the region.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the Israeli military renewing its offensive on March 18, breaking a previously agreed ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal with Hamas. Since the start of the conflict in October 2023, more than 52,300 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have been killed in Gaza.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza conflict. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its military operations in the enclave.
An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck Japan's northeast coast on Thursday, but no tsunami warning was issued, no injuries were immediately reported and no irregularities were found at nuclear facilities, the authorities said.
As Western Europe battles a deadly heatwave that has shattered temperature records, disrupted transport and power supplies, and forced the closure of schools and cultural landmarks, attention is turning to whether El Niño is playing a role in the extreme conditions.
The U.S. Senate rejected a resolution on Wednesday that would have directed President Donald Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress formally authorised military action.
The Kremlin has denied a Wall Street Journal report claiming Moscow is pressuring Belarus to support an expanded Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
Tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. At least 589 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds are believed to be trapped under rubble, as emergency crews and international rescue teams race to respond.
Protesters gathered in Beirut’s southern suburbs after Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement in Washington aimed at ending fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.
The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near Oman, with two U.S. officials accusing Iran of the attack.
Kazakhstan has not received an official request from Russia for petrol supplies, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said, as fuel shortages and sales restrictions in Russia raise concerns over fuel supplies across Central Asia.
Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday (26 June) condemned as "interventionist, irresponsible and provocative" a statement issued following a joint meeting of foreign ministers from the U.S. and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Manama, Bahrain.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321neo, marking another milestone in the carrier's long-term fleet modernisation programme aimed at improving efficiency, expanding capacity and enhancing the passenger experience.
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