Australia returns ancient Chinese statue heads stolen from imperial tombs
Australia has returned two ancient stone statue heads to China, more than 30 years after they were taken from imperial tombs in central China....
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to China is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties, particularly through expanded trade and economic cooperation.
Officials say discussions will centre on the current state of Russia-China relations and their future direction, especially in economic sectors where annual trade has consistently exceeded $200 billion. The two leaders are also expected to exchange views on key global and regional issues, including recent developments in China’s relations with the U.S.
Alongside economic and geopolitical matters, the talks are expected to place significant emphasis on humanitarian cooperation. A planned initiative will launch joint “cross-years of education” between Russia and China, aimed at expanding academic and scientific exchange programmes.
Following the meeting, the two sides are expected to sign a joint statement, along with several agreements at both intergovernmental and departmental level.
Putin has travelled to China around 20 times during his presidency, underlining the strategic importance of the relationship. His most recent visit, in late August and early September 2025, resulted in the signing of more than 20 agreements.
Among them was a memorandum concerning the long-discussed Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline project. Originally proposed in 2006, the project has faced repeated delays, largely because of disagreements over commercial terms.
The latest visit comes amid heightened international interest. It follows closely after U.S. President Donald Trump’s trip to China earlier this month, during which he spent three days in the country and announced several major agreements, including a deal for China to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft.
If confirmed, Putin’s visit would mark the first time in recent years that Beijing has hosted the leaders of two major global powers within such a short period outside the framework of international summits or multilateral meetings.
Analysts say the timing underscores China’s central role in global diplomacy and highlights the evolving dynamics between the world’s major powers.
The Middle East conflict remains tense as diplomatic efforts continue alongside renewed Houthi attacks. Iran says it remains open to mediation, while the Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards the kingdom.
Evacuations and the provision of humanitarian aid in the Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian town of Oleshky have begun, a senior Ukrainian official said on Friday. In a statement on Telegram, David Arakhamia said a six-day ceasefire was holding, and that more details would follow.
Rescuers searched the wreckage of two high-speed trains in central Spain on Thursday as the death toll rose to a provisional 74, making it the country's second fatal high-speed rail disaster this year.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia remains willing to rebuild relations with European countries but warned that any wider conflict on the continent would leave no winners, as he commented on recent diplomatic contacts with Nordic leaders and growing security concerns in the Baltic region.
Qatari mediators returned to Tehran on Friday as part of efforts to reach a deal between the U.S. and Iran, according to an official briefed on the talks.
China’s GJ-21 carrier-based stealth reconnaissance and strike drone has completed its first take-off and landing on board the Sichuan, the country’s first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, state media reported on 30 October.
A powerful El Niño is driving extreme weather worldwide, leaving millions facing drought, wildfires and destructive storms as governments scramble to respond to the growing crisis.
A high-speed train involved in Wednesday's deadly collision in Spain was travelling at between 160 and 200 kilometres per hour, far above the 40 km/h safety limit, according to a preliminary investigation published on Friday.
Evacuations and the provision of humanitarian aid in the Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian town of Oleshky have begun, a senior Ukrainian official said on Friday. In a statement on Telegram, David Arakhamia said a six-day ceasefire was holding, and that more details would follow.
Hackers have pulled off a staggering $6.3 billion cryptocurrency heist targeting Binance, shaking confidence in one of the world's biggest digital asset exchanges and sending crypto prices tumbling. U.S. analysts suspect North Korea was behind the attack.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment