International
China Slams Killing of Iran’s Ali Larijani, Urges Immediate Ceasefire
China Slams Killing of Iran’s Ali Larijani, Urges Immediate Ceasefire
China has strongly condemned the killing of Iranian National Security Chief Ali Larijani, describing the strike as “unacceptable” and warning that escalating violence could push the Middle East into deeper instability.
Speaking on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing opposes the use of force in international relations, particularly the targeting of senior government officials and civilians.
According to Lin, the killing of the former Iranian national security chief in a reported Israeli airstrike marks a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.
He stressed that such actions are “unacceptable” and urged all parties to immediately halt military operations to prevent the crisis from spiralling out of control.
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The death of Larijani is one of the most high-profile casualties since the war began on February 28, following a wave of coordinated strikes that reportedly killed several top Iranian officials. The development has heightened global concerns over a broader regional confrontation.
While maintaining close ties with Tehran, China has also criticised Iran’s retaliatory attacks, particularly those targeting Gulf countries hosting US military bases. Beijing’s position reflects a broader call for restraint from all sides involved in the conflict.
As part of its diplomatic response, China has intensified mediation efforts led by its Middle East envoy, Zhai Jun. The envoy has held high-level talks across key regional powers, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Egypt.
During the meetings, Zhai emphasised the need to avoid attacks on civilian infrastructure and safeguard critical shipping routes, warning that disruptions to maritime trade could have far-reaching global consequences.
Chinese officials described the envoy’s tour as part of “intensive diplomatic mediation efforts”, adding that Beijing will continue engaging all parties until the conflict subsides.
Beyond diplomacy, China has also pledged humanitarian assistance to countries affected by the war, including Iran, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.
Analysts say China’s response underscores its strategic interest in maintaining stability in the Middle East, a region vital to global energy supplies and trade routes.
With tensions continuing to rise, fears are mounting that further targeted killings and retaliatory strikes could trigger a wider regional crisis with significant geopolitical and economic implications.
China Slams Killing of Iran’s Ali Larijani, Urges Immediate Ceasefire
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International
Trump Declares “I’m the Boss” as G7 Summit Ends in France
Trump Declares “I’m the Boss” as G7 Summit Ends in France
United States President Donald Trump sparked global attention at the closing stage of the G7 summit in France, after declaring “I’m the boss” as he arrived for a morning session attended by fellow world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron.
The remark was made as Trump entered the meeting room in Evian, a resort town on the shores of Lake Geneva, where leaders of the world’s major advanced economies gathered for three days of talks on global security, economic stability, and geopolitical tensions.
According to accounts from officials present, Trump made the comment while other leaders were already seated. The statement reportedly triggered laughter in the room, with Macron responding in a relaxed and conversational tone as the session continued.
“I’m the boss,” Trump said before taking his seat, after which proceedings moved on to scheduled discussions.
The G7 summit brought together leaders of the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Japan, with key talks centered on trade relations, international conflicts, and energy security.
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Diplomatic sources said Trump remained a dominant presence throughout the summit, actively participating in discussions and supporting a joint communique at the conclusion of the meeting. His full attendance until the end was also noted as significant, contrasting with previous summits where he had departed early.
The gathering came at a politically sensitive moment, following heightened global tensions and recent international negotiations involving the United States. Trump’s presence added increased global attention to the summit’s outcome and policy direction.
At the close of the meeting, Macron extended a private invitation to Trump for a dinner at the Palace of Versailles outside Paris. French officials clarified that the dinner was intended as a working engagement rather than a ceremonial gala, amid domestic political scrutiny over the optics of hosting the US president in such a setting.
Observers say the “I’m the boss” remark has become one of the most talked-about moments of the summit, reflecting Trump’s assertive communication style and continued influence on the global diplomatic stage.
The incident has since circulated widely across international media and social platforms, adding a viral moment to an otherwise formal gathering of world leaders.
Trump Declares “I’m the Boss” as G7 Summit Ends in France
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International
TRUMP SAYS IRAN DEAL ‘ALL SIGNED’ AS STRAIT OF HORMUZ PARTIALLY REOPENS
TRUMP SAYS IRAN DEAL ‘ALL SIGNED’ AS STRAIT OF HORMUZ PARTIALLY REOPENS
President Donald Trump on Monday announced that a landmark agreement between the United States and Iran has been finalized, declaring that the deal is “all signed” and that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz has already been partially reopened to maritime traffic.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, Trump said the agreement would pave the way for the full reopening of the vital shipping route by the end of the week.
“The deal’s all signed. And the strait is already partially opened. On Friday, it’ll be completely open,” Trump stated.
The development marks a significant breakthrough in efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East following months of heightened security concerns and disruptions to international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints.
According to U.S. officials, the agreement, described as a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, was digitally signed on Sunday. Vice President JD Vance confirmed that both parties had completed the signing process ahead of a formal ceremony expected to take place in Geneva later this week.
While details of the accord have not yet been made public, reports indicate that the agreement includes measures to restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, reduce military tensions in the region, and establish a framework for renewed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Trump said the full text of the agreement would be released following the formal signing ceremony.
The announcement was welcomed by global energy markets, with crude oil prices falling amid expectations that shipping activities through the Strait of Hormuz would gradually return to normal levels.
However, security experts cautioned that a complete restoration of maritime operations could take time. Officials familiar with the situation noted that demining operations and security assessments remain ongoing, meaning full commercial traffic may not resume immediately despite the political agreement.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the narrow channel, making its stability crucial to global energy security.
The agreement is expected to be closely scrutinized by lawmakers, regional allies, and international observers as further details emerge in the coming days.
TRUMP SAYS IRAN DEAL ‘ALL SIGNED’ AS STRAIT OF HORMUZ PARTIALLY REOPENS
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International
UK Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under 16
UK Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under 16
The United Kingdom has announced plans to introduce one of the world’s toughest online safety measures, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirming that children under the age of 16 will be banned from accessing major social media platforms.
The proposed legislation, expected to be presented to Parliament later this year, will prohibit under-16s from using platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube, and X. The government says the move is aimed at protecting children from harmful content, online predators, cyberbullying, and addictive digital features that negatively impact mental health.
Announcing the policy on Monday, Starmer said social media platforms are increasingly “making children unhappy” and exposing them to content that is both dangerous and deliberately designed to keep young users engaged for extended periods.
According to the British government, the ban is expected to take effect in spring 2027 if approved by lawmakers. Officials say technology companies will be required to implement robust age-verification systems to prevent underage users from accessing restricted platforms.
While the restrictions will apply to most major social networking services, messaging applications such as WhatsApp and Signal will remain exempt from the ban. Authorities argue that these services primarily facilitate direct communication rather than content-driven engagement.
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In addition to social media restrictions, the UK government plans to introduce tougher regulations for gaming services and livestreaming platforms that allow children to interact with strangers online. Starmer emphasized that children should not be exposed to unknown adults through digital platforms without adequate safeguards, indicating that further measures are being developed to limit such interactions. Officials have described the planned reforms as “world-leading,” with additional details expected to be unveiled in July.
The government is also considering a range of extra protections for young internet users. These include overnight social media curfews for minors, mandatory breaks from infinite scrolling features, and stricter default privacy settings for teenagers. Officials say the proposals are intended to reduce excessive screen time and minimize exposure to potentially harmful online content. The reforms follow a government-led consultation in which British teenagers tested social media bans and app time limits, helping shape the final policy framework.
Starmer acknowledged that the UK’s approach was partly inspired by Australia, which became the first country to implement a nationwide social media ban for under-16s. However, British officials insist that the UK’s proposals go further by extending restrictions to gaming platforms, livestreaming services, and potentially certain AI-powered companion chatbots that may pose risks to children.
The announcement has generated debate within the technology industry. A spokesperson for YouTube warned that a blanket ban could push children toward less-regulated online services, potentially creating new safety concerns. Other industry stakeholders have questioned how age-verification requirements will be enforced and whether teenagers will find ways to circumvent the restrictions.
Despite the criticism, the government remains committed to the policy, arguing that stronger intervention is necessary to protect children in an increasingly digital world. Supporters of the proposal say the ban could help tackle growing concerns about mental health issues, online addiction, cyberbullying, and harmful content exposure among young people.
If approved, the legislation would position the UK among the global leaders in regulating children’s online activity and could influence similar policy discussions in other countries.
UK Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under 16
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