China Tells Iran ‘All Parties’ Must Adhere to Deal to End War

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks with the media at the UN headquarters in New York City, US, May 26, 2026. (Reuters)
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks with the media at the UN headquarters in New York City, US, May 26, 2026. (Reuters)
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China Tells Iran ‘All Parties’ Must Adhere to Deal to End War

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks with the media at the UN headquarters in New York City, US, May 26, 2026. (Reuters)
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks with the media at the UN headquarters in New York City, US, May 26, 2026. (Reuters)

China's top diplomat told his Iranian counterpart on Wednesday it was "key" for all sides to "genuinely implement" their commitments after Tehran and Washington reached a memorandum of understanding to end their war, Beijing's foreign ministry said.

"The dawn of peace has already emerged, the key part of the next step is for all parties to genuinely implement their commitments and eliminate interference from various sides," Wang Yi told Abbas Araghchi in a phone call.

"China has consistently supported Iran's reasonable and legitimate claims and Iran's efforts in safeguarding its own sovereignty and security," Wang added.

The Chinese foreign minister also called for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz to be "properly handled, responding prudently to the widespread concerns of the international community".

China is a net importer of oil and one of several major Asian economies that depend on the key waterway for energy, with Beijing repeatedly calling for safe passage there since the war began in late February.

In a phone call on Tuesday with his counterpart from Pakistan -- a key mediator between the United States and Iran -- Wang warned the following stage of negotiations would be "more difficult".

Pakistani officials have previously said China, Islamabad's close ally and Iran's top trading partner, played a key role in supporting its mediation efforts.



World Bank Says it Disbursed $200 Million to Colombia for Quake Response

Volunteers participate with rescue teams in search and rescue operations after the earthquake that struck Colombia (Reuters)
Volunteers participate with rescue teams in search and rescue operations after the earthquake that struck Colombia (Reuters)
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World Bank Says it Disbursed $200 Million to Colombia for Quake Response

Volunteers participate with rescue teams in search and rescue operations after the earthquake that struck Colombia (Reuters)
Volunteers participate with rescue teams in search and rescue operations after the earthquake that struck Colombia (Reuters)

The World Bank on Friday said it had disbursed $200 million to Colombia for its emergency response to a deadly August 10 earthquake that left hundreds dead.

The multilateral development bank said it was working with the Colombian government and development partners, financial institutions and the private sector to address immediate needs, while laying the foundations for recovery, Reuters reported.

The bank said it had also launched a Global Rapid Assessment of Damages from Earthquakes (GRADE) to provide the Colombian government with an early assessment of damages and economic losses to help Bogota prioritize aid and reconstruction efforts.

Efforts were underway to channel financing to affected communities and businesses, including support for public health, housing, and small and medium-sized enterprises, the bank said.

The 7.4-magnitude quake struck shortly after 7:30 a.m. on Monday, toppling apartment blocks and damaging homes, schools and hospitals across western Colombia.

Authorities on Friday said that 285 people had been killed and nearly 4,000 injured. Nearly 400 others were still missing.

 

 

 


Pentagon Signs Deals with Boeing, RTX to Boost Missile Interceptor Component Production

Pete Hegseth, Pentagon'da düzenlediği basın toplantısı sırasında (Reuters)
Pete Hegseth, Pentagon'da düzenlediği basın toplantısı sırasında (Reuters)
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Pentagon Signs Deals with Boeing, RTX to Boost Missile Interceptor Component Production

Pete Hegseth, Pentagon'da düzenlediği basın toplantısı sırasında (Reuters)
Pete Hegseth, Pentagon'da düzenlediği basın toplantısı sırasında (Reuters)

The Pentagon on Friday announced framework agreements with Boeing and RTX to increase production of components of SM-3 Block IIA and SM-3 Block IB munitions, Reuters reported.

Both agreements will strengthen production of a series of critical ship-fired surface-to-air interceptors that underpin the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, the Pentagon said in a statement.


China Calls Taiwan's Annual Military Drills a 'Wasteful Charade'

A Taiwanese military member fires ammunition aboard an armoured vehicle during a drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, August 13, 2026. REUTERS/Ann Wang
A Taiwanese military member fires ammunition aboard an armoured vehicle during a drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, August 13, 2026. REUTERS/Ann Wang
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China Calls Taiwan's Annual Military Drills a 'Wasteful Charade'

A Taiwanese military member fires ammunition aboard an armoured vehicle during a drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, August 13, 2026. REUTERS/Ann Wang
A Taiwanese military member fires ammunition aboard an armoured vehicle during a drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, August 13, 2026. REUTERS/Ann Wang

China's defense ministry on Friday dismissed Taiwan's annual Han Kuang military drills as a "wasteful charade" that "stoked war panic", in the Chinese government's first official comment on the 10 days of war games since they began last week.

Taiwan, a democratically governed island that rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims, began the exercise last week, as China ramps up its military presence around the island. The exercises rehearsed various scenarios should China ever make good on threats to try to seize the island by force, including how to break a maritime blockade and, for the first time, slowing mobile internet.

"The so-called 'Han Kuang exercise' has always been a posturing, wasteful charade," Chinese defense ministry spokesperson Chen Xi said in a statement, Reuters reported.

"The Democratic Progressive Party authorities have also recklessly stoked war panic, accelerating efforts to turn cities into battlefields and push ordinary people to the front lines," he added, referring to Taiwan's ruling party.

The People's Liberation Army remains on high alert and is fully prepared, continuously enhancing its real-combat capabilities to "counter separatism and external interference", Chen said.

"This remains the solid trump card for safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

Writing on his Facebook page, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said while the drills has come to a close, government efforts to strengthen defense and enhance the resilience of society as a whole will not cease.

"The government, together with the national military and all citizens, will make every necessary preparation to safeguard our democratic and free way of life through our strength, and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," he added. While China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, it says it would prefer "peaceful reunification".

Taiwan's government says only the island's people can decide their future, and regularly criticises China's pressure campaign.

The Chinese military operates almost daily in the skies and waters around Taiwan.