live Hormuz shipping slows as Iran's Araghchi sets conditions for resumption
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slowed to a near standstill over the weekend, with five commodity vessels transiting Saturday and none on Sun...
Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and Russia must deepen trust and expand cooperation, reaffirming Beijing’s close ties with Moscow during talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Beijing.
Meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Xi said the “stability” and “certainty” of China-Russia relations were increasingly valuable amid global uncertainty, according to state news agency Xinhua.
He asked Lavrov to convey his “sincere regards” to Vladimir Putin, signalling continued political alignment between the two countries.
Xi said Beijing and Moscow should “trust and support each other” and strengthen strategic coordination to defend their shared interests.
“In the face of a once-in-a-century change, China and Russia must, through closer and more robust strategic cooperation, resolutely defend the legitimate interests of both countries,” he said.
He also called for both countries to uphold the unity of the so-called Global South and demonstrate responsibility as major powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council.
The meeting comes as China expands diplomatic engagement with a range of countries, including Western nations, even as it reinforces ties with Russia.
Leaders from Spain, Britain and Canada have visited Beijing this year in efforts to strengthen relations, while Vietnam’s top leader, Tô Lâm, also met Xi on Wednesday to deepen bilateral cooperation.
Analysts say Beijing is seeking to balance its strategic partnership with Moscow while maintaining economic and political ties with other global players.
Xi and Putin are expected to hold a summit later this year to reaffirm their partnership, with both sides marking key anniversaries in bilateral relations, including the 2001 Sino-Russian Treaty of Friendship.
China has in recent years promoted the idea of a “multipolar world”, positioning itself and its partners as an alternative to what it describes as U.S. dominance in global affairs.
At least 11 people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, among the deadliest since a June ceasefire. Meanwhile, Qatar denied holding Iranian pilots. It said it had found the remains of one pilot after an airspace violation and had contacted Iran to coordinate a handover.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slowed to a near standstill over the weekend, with five commodity vessels transiting Saturday and none on Sunday. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Washington must meet Tehran's conditions for shipping to resume.
A wildfire in Croatia driven by strong winds descended on the tourist town of Omis overnight, engulfing houses, forcing about 1,000 people to evacuate to safety and injuring dozens, fire brigade and health officials said on Friday.
U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to make the Strait of Hormuz part of U.S. territory have been mocked by Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, who said the sea passage "cannot be seized by tweet."
Residents of villages in eastern Indonesia hit by a deadly earthquake that killed at least 54 people were awaiting aid on Monday as rescuers prepared to comb through collapsed buildings in search of people trapped beneath the rubble.
Nearly a week after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, hopes of finding more survivors are fading as rescue teams search collapsed buildings and communities confront widespread destruction.
Central Asia has become a major focus for Eurasian transport investment, with $71.7 billion committed to 114 projects, according to the Eurasian Development Bank’s 2026 Transport Observatory.
The European Union is preparing what foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has described as its most far-reaching sanctions package against Russia since the war in Ukraine began.
Weeks after thousands of students protested in New Delhi over alleged failures in India’s examination system, the so-called Cockroach movement is taking its campaign to the grassroots, launching audits of state-run schools.
UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany visited Ukraine for the first time since taking office, meeting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv on 15 August to discuss protecting the country’s cultural heritage amid continued Russian attacks.
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