China

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

China has announced a $200,000 humanitarian donation to support the families of students killed in a missile strike on a school in Iran earlier in the war, according to reports by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

In a statement on Friday, China’s foreign ministry said the Chinese Red Cross Society will channel the funds through the Iranian Red Crescent Society to assist the parents of the victims.

Beijing described the incident as an “indiscriminate” missile strike carried out by the United States that resulted in the deaths of several students. The donation, officials said, will serve as emergency humanitarian assistance intended for “condolences and compensations” to the bereaved families.

China also reiterated its call for the protection of civilians, particularly children, during armed conflicts.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Some commercial ships travelling through the Strait of Hormuz and nearby Gulf waters have begun identifying themselves as linked to China in an apparent effort to avoid attacks since the start of the Iran war.

Marine traffic data shows that several vessels in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman altered their destination signals to short messages such as “CHINA OWNER” or “CHINA OWNER&CREW”. The Associated Press reviewed the data from the ship-tracking platform MarineTraffic.

At least eight vessels adopted the practice. Some of them later continued their journey through the strait toward their destinations. Others remained within the surrounding waters.

Security analysts say the move appears intended to lower the chances of being targeted. Ana Subasic, a trade risk analyst at data and analytics firm Kpler, which owns MarineTraffic, explained the reason behind the signals.

“The main goal of vessels publicly identifying themselves as ‘Chinese’ while transiting the Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz is primarily to reduce the risk of being attacked rather than to facilitate passage through the strait itself,” she said.

According to analysts, Iran and groups allied with it have generally avoided striking vessels connected to China. Observers attribute this to Beijing’s relatively neutral position and its strong economic ties with Tehran.

Kun Cao, client director at consulting firm Reddal, said the message carried by such signals is clear. “The message is more like ‘do not mistake me for the kind of ship you said you would hit,’” he said.

Attacks on ships in the Gulf and surrounding waters have raised alarm among global shipping companies. Reports indicate that at least 19 commercial vessels in the region have sustained damage since the conflict began.

MarineTraffic data also shows that most of the ships using the China identification messages do not sail under the Chinese flag. Several of them are registered in countries such as Panama and the Marshall Islands.

Cao explained that the nationality of a ship’s flag often does not reflect the origin of its owner in international shipping.

Experts say the effectiveness of the tactic remains uncertain. Rico Luman, a senior economist at Dutch bank ING who specialises in transport and logistics, said many cargo ships have strong business links with China through ownership, operations or cargo.

Destination signals are short messages that ship crews manually enter into their vessel’s tracking system. The information is broadcast publicly and usually indicates the ship’s next port.

Subasic said the messages help improve navigation safety and allow ports to prepare for arriving vessels. However, the information is not always verified immediately.

Because of that, she said, “some vessels occasionally use it to display additional information or signals, such as references to ownership or nationality.”

A similar tactic appeared earlier during attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group in the Red Sea. At that time, some ships also declared links to China in an attempt to reduce the risk of being targeted.

By Anas Abbas

Russia and China have publicly criticised the ongoing military campaign by the United States and Israel against Iran, warning that it risks destabilising the Middle East and undermining diplomatic efforts.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made direct contact with his Israeli counterpart, urging an immediate halt to the bombardment of Iranian territory. China has framed the strikes as a setback to negotiations that had been making headway in addressing Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security concerns. According to him, military action interrupted progress that was being achieved through talks.

In a statement released by China’s foreign ministry, Wang stressed that continued fighting would deepen instability, increase civilian suffering, and fray international norms governing sovereign relations. He reaffirmed Beijing’s preference for diplomatic engagement over force and called for all parties to resume peaceful negotiations without delay.

On the same day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov echoed similar concerns in Moscow, questioning the justification for the attacks. He pointed out during a press briefing that there is no credible evidence that Tehran was actively pursuing a nuclear weapon, the publicly stated reason for the military action.

Lavrov argued that the strikes could have the opposite effect of what their architects intended, potentially driving Iran and other states to seek nuclear capabilities as a deterrent.

Lavrov warned that the conflict may prompt a broader nuclear arms race in the region if countries feel compelled to arm themselves in response to military threats. He also criticised the US and Israeli approach as “unprovoked aggression,” underscoring that such actions violate international norms and threaten regional peace.

Russia has offered to assist in diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis but has firmly rejected any justification for the current offensive campaign.

Both Beijing and Moscow are pushing for renewed diplomatic channels to be opened, including through international institutions and direct talks, emphasising that military solutions cannot resolve deeply rooted political disputes. Their positions signal widening international concern over the conflict and mounting pressure for a ceasefire and negotiated settlement.

By Uzair Adam

The Republic of China has firmly opposed and strongly condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, describing the attack as a serious breach of international norms.

A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry made the statement on Sunday while responding to questions about the reported death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was said to have been killed during military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel in Tehran on Saturday.

According to the spokesperson, the attack represents a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, undermining the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter as well as the basic norms guiding international relations.

China called for an immediate halt to the military operations and urged all parties to avoid further escalation of tensions.

The spokesperson also stressed the need for collective efforts to safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East and across the world. (Xinhua)

A Chinese livestreamer has reportedly lost about 140,000 followers after a beauty filter malfunctioned during a live broadcast.

The incident occurred while the content creator was streaming to her audience. A sudden glitch caused the filter to drop. Viewers then saw her natural appearance in real time. Clips from the moment later spread widely across social media platforms.

The development triggered fresh conversations online. Many users debated the role of beauty filters and how they shape digital identity. Others also discussed the pressure on content creators to maintain a flawless appearance during broadcasts.

Some commentators said the incident highlights the gap between online images and reality. Others noted that it shows the human side of creators who often feel the need to meet unrealistic standards.

The situation has also renewed calls for more authenticity in online spaces. Several users argued that audiences may value genuine content more than heavily edited visuals.

China has summoned senior Western diplomats in Hong Kong after their governments criticised the sentencing of media businessman Jimmy Lai.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Office of the Commissioner of China’s Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong confirmed that the heads of the United Kingdom, United States, Australian and European Union missions were called in over remarks made by their officials.
According to the office, Chinese authorities expressed “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition” to the comments. It urged the governments concerned to respect China’s sovereignty as well as Hong Kong’s judicial system. The statement also asked them to halt what it described as “irresponsible” remarks on national security cases and to stop interfering in the internal affairs of Hong Kong and China.


Earlier in the month, a Hong Kong court handed Jimmy Lai a 20-year prison sentence. The ruling followed his conviction in a high-profile foreign collusion case prosecuted under the city’s national security law.


Lai, a well-known critic of Beijing and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, has faced several legal battles since the introduction of the security legislation.


The sentencing has continued to draw reactions from Western governments. Chinese officials insist that the case is purely a matter of law and national security.

Reuters

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on Saturday that Beijing will remove tariffs on imports from nearly all African countries starting May 1, according to state media reports.

Currently, China maintains a zero-tariff policy for imports from 33 African nations. However, last year, the government pledged to extend the policy to all 53 of its diplomatic partners on the continent.

From May, the zero-tariff arrangement will apply to every African country except Eswatini, which continues to maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Xi highlighted the move during the annual African Union summit in Ethiopia, describing it as a significant boost for development across Africa.

“This will undoubtedly provide new opportunities for African development,” he said, underscoring China’s role as Africa’s largest trading partner.

The country has been a major supporter of infrastructure projects across the continent through its expansive “Belt and Road” initiative.

African nations are increasingly turning to China and other international partners for trade, following the imposition of steep tariffs by US President Donald Trump last year.

The zero-tariff policy is expected to strengthen trade ties between China and Africa, giving African exporters greater access to Chinese markets while encouraging economic growth in the region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

China, Iran, and Russia have formalized a wide-ranging strategic agreement, a development experts say could shift global power balances and heighten tensions with the United States.

The pact was announced simultaneously in Tehran, Beijing, and Moscow. Officials from the three countries described it as “a cornerstone for a new multipolar order.”

While the full text is being gradually released, authorities confirmed that the agreement covers collaboration in energy, trade, military coordination, and diplomatic strategy.

Iranian state media cited officials saying the pact reflects a joint commitment to “mutual respect, sovereign independence and a rules-based international system that rejects unilateral coercion.” Beijing and Moscow issued similar statements, highlighting their shared opposition to Western dominance.

This trilateral agreement builds on years of close bilateral ties. In January 2025, Iran and Russia signed a 20-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty to strengthen economic and defense cooperation and counter Western sanctions. That treaty became effective last year.

Iran and China had also signed a 25-year cooperation deal in 2021, aimed at expanding trade, infrastructure, and energy cooperation.

What sets this new pact apart is that it explicitly unites all three countries under a coordinated framework. Unlike previous bilateral agreements, the pact aligns them on issues such as nuclear sovereignty, economic resilience, and military coordination.

No Formal Defence Commitment

Officials emphasized that the agreement is not a mutual defense treaty like NATO’s Article 5, which obligates members to defend one another militarily.

Past agreements between Iran and Russia did not include such guarantees, and this pact follows the same cautious approach. Analysts say it signals a political and strategic alignment intended to counterbalance US influence, resist sanctions, reduce dependence on Western financial systems, and expand regional influence.

The signing comes as tensions rise between Iran and the United States. Washington has accused Tehran of enriching uranium beyond the limits of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The Trump administration withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and reimposed sanctions that have severely impacted Iran’s economy.

Attempts to revive the deal have repeatedly stalled. Talks in Oman and Rome in 2025 ended without an agreement, deepening mistrust. US military deployments in the Gulf, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, have also raised fears of escalation.

Inside Iran, protests that began in December 2025 over economic hardship have added domestic pressure. Iranian authorities accused foreign actors of fueling unrest, citing statements by US President Donald Trump in support of demonstrators as interference in domestic affairs.

Strategic Implications

For Tehran, the pact offers economic relief and strengthens deterrence against military threats by deepening ties with Russia and China.

For Moscow and Beijing, the agreement provides access to Iran’s energy resources and strengthens their capacity to challenge US alliances in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific. Both countries have expanded military cooperation with Iran, including joint naval exercises in the Gulf.

For the United States and its allies, the pact complicates efforts to isolate Iran. Gulf states, wary of Tehran’s ambitions, fear the agreement could embolden Iran and destabilize the region further.

Experts caution, however, that the pact has limits. Russia and China remain cautious about overcommitting, mindful of possible US retaliation. Iran’s ongoing economic challenges and domestic unrest could also hinder its ability to meet obligations. Without a formal defense guarantee, Tehran remains vulnerable to confrontation with the US or Israel.

Much will depend on whether Moscow and Beijing risk deeper involvement in Iran’s disputes with the West. For now, the agreement strengthens Tehran’s diplomatic position, even as tensions with Washington persist.

US President Donald J. Trump has renewed his long-standing claim that he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize, arguing that his actions strengthened NATO and prevented wider war in Europe.

In a social media post, Trump said Norway—a NATO member and host country of the Nobel Peace Prize committee—“foolishly” failed to award him the prize, despite what he described as ending multiple wars and forcing NATO allies to increase defence spending. He claimed his leadership deterred Russia and elevated U.S. global standing.

Trump concluded by asserting that NATO depends primarily on American military strength, crediting his presidency for rebuilding U.S. power and saving millions of lives.

By Uzair Adam

The Republic of China has declared firm support for the Nigerian government as it “leads its people on the development path suited to its national conditions.”

Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday in Beijing, Spokesperson of China’s Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, said that “as Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs or threatening them with sanctions and force.”

Ning made the remarks while responding to a question on US President Donald Trump’s threat of military action in Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.

She also reacted to reports that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is seeking military equipment from China, Russia, and Iran to prepare for possible US attacks.

“China has a clear-cut stance on the US cracking down on so-called ‘drug cartels’ by force in the Caribbean Sea,” Mao said, stressing that China supports combating cross-border crimes through stronger international cooperation, not through threats or use of force.

She stated that, “We stand against moves that undermine peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean region, and oppose unilateral and excessive enforcement operations against other countries’ vessels.”

“We hope the US will engage in normal law enforcement and judicial cooperation through bilateral and multilateral legal frameworks,” she added.

On Saturday, Trump ordered the US Department of War to prepare for “possible action” in Nigeria, warning the Nigerian government to act swiftly to end what he described as the “killing of Christians.”

He labelled Nigeria a “disgraced country,” threatening to halt US aid and possibly take military action to “wipe out the Islamic terrorists” allegedly responsible for the violence.

Responding, President Bola Tinubu dismissed the claims, insisting that Nigeria remains committed to religious freedom.

“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality. Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so.”