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  • US-Israel strike Iran in joint attack, Khamenei moved to ‘safe place’

    US-Israel strike Iran in joint attack, Khamenei moved to ‘safe place’

    In a significant escalation of Middle Eastern tensions, Israeli forces executed coordinated military strikes against multiple targets in Tehran on Saturday. The operation, confirmed by US security officials to be a joint initiative with Washington, represents a dramatic turning point in regional geopolitics.

    Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz publicly acknowledged the offensive, characterizing it as a ‘preventive strike’ against Iranian assets. Concurrently, air raid sirens activated across Israel, with military authorities issuing urgent directives for civilians to seek immediate shelter in protected spaces. The nation transitioned to ‘Essential Activity’ status, suspending educational institutions, public gatherings, and non-critical commercial operations.

    Reuters agency reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei relocated to a secured facility during the assault. Eyewitnesses described substantial explosions throughout Tehran’s metropolitan area, with visible smoke plumes rising from impact sites.

    US President Donald Trump concurrently advocated for regime transformation in Iran, declaring that ‘Iranian people’s freedom is at hand today.’ He extended offers of immunity to members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, military, and police forces conditional on their disarmament.

    Israeli media outlet Channel 13, citing confidential security sources, revealed the operation underwent months of strategic preparation. The timing appears particularly significant given recent diplomatic engagements – an Iranian informant disclosed to Middle East Eye that negotiations served as camouflage for military planning, evidenced by the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier’s positioning near Haifa preceding the attacks.

    This development follows Israeli Minister Yoav Gallant’s Friday declaration that ‘the coming weeks will shape the coming decades in the Middle East,’ suggesting advanced awareness of impending military actions. The Omani foreign minister had simultaneously claimed breakthrough diplomatic achievements, which now appear overshadowed by armed conflict.

  • Israel says launched ‘preemptive’ strike against Iran

    Israel says launched ‘preemptive’ strike against Iran

    The Israeli Defense Ministry confirmed the execution of a preemptive military strike against Iranian targets early Saturday, characterizing the operation as a necessary defensive measure to neutralize imminent threats to national security.

    In an official statement released following the operation, Israeli authorities justified their actions as a calculated response to credible intelligence indicating preparations for missile attacks against Israeli territory. The precise locations and specific nature of the targets struck within Iran remain undisclosed for operational security reasons.

    Concurrently with the offensive maneuver, Israel’s civil defense network activated emergency sirens nationwide, alerting citizens to prepare for potential retaliatory missile strikes from Iran. The dual development of offensive action and defensive preparedness underscores the heightened state of military tension between the two Middle Eastern powers.

    The escalation occurs against a complex geopolitical backdrop where regional tensions have been steadily intensifying. This military action represents a significant development in the long-standing adversarial relationship between Israel and Iran, which has historically involved proxy conflicts but now appears to be entering a more direct phase of confrontation.

    International observers and diplomatic channels are closely monitoring the situation for potential ripple effects across the region, particularly regarding how Iran’s leadership might respond to what Israel describes as a preemptive defensive action. The operation marks one of the most direct military engagements between the two nations in recent years.

  • New Zealand reaches T20 World Cup semifinals after Pakistan beats Sri Lanka by only 5 runs

    New Zealand reaches T20 World Cup semifinals after Pakistan beats Sri Lanka by only 5 runs

    In a breathtaking conclusion to their Twenty20 World Cup campaign, Pakistan secured a dramatic five-run victory against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Saturday, only to discover the win wasn’t sufficient to advance them to the semifinals. The mathematical elimination handed New Zealand the final semifinal spot despite the Black Caps not playing.

    Pakistan’s path to advancement required restricting Sri Lanka’s chase to under 148 runs to surpass New Zealand’s net run rate. The match appeared to tilt in Pakistan’s favor when they reduced the hosts to 101-5 in the 12th over. However, a spectacular resurgence led by captain Dasun Shanaka and Pavan Rathnayake dramatically shifted momentum.

    The climax arrived during the final over delivered by Shaheen Shah Afridi. Shanaka unleashed a breathtaking sequence of 4-6-6-6, bringing Sri Lanka within six runs of victory with two deliveries remaining. In a stunning twist, Shanaka misjudged the fifth ball attempting an unconventional scoop shot, then let the sixth ball—a precise yorker—pass assuming it would be called wide. The umpire’s decision not to award a wide sealed Pakistan’s narrow win but simultaneously ended their tournament aspirations.

    Pakistan’s formidable total of 212-8, their highest ever in T20 World Cup history, was built upon a record-shattering opening partnership. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman combined for 176 runs—the highest partnership in men’s T20 World Cup history—surpassing the previous record set by New Zealand’s Tim Seifert and Finn Allen.

    Farhan’s blistering century (100 off 60 balls) propelled him past Virat Kohli’s single-tournament runs record of 319 set in 2014. The Pakistani opener now stands at 383 runs with two centuries and two half-centuries in the competition. Zaman, promoted to opener for the first time in the tournament, contributed a powerful 84 from 42 deliveries.

    Despite the elimination, Pakistan exits the tournament having demonstrated exceptional batting prowess, while Sri Lanka concluded their campaign with four consecutive defeats despite a spirited final performance that earned applause from their home crowd.

    The semifinal picture now shows England, New Zealand, and South Africa securing their places, with defending champion India—the sole remaining Asian team—facing the West Indies on Sunday to determine the final semifinalist. With Pakistan’s elimination, tournament co-host India will stage both semifinals and the final on March 8.

  • China’s carbon dioxide emissions per 10,000 yuan of GDP down 5% in 2025

    China’s carbon dioxide emissions per 10,000 yuan of GDP down 5% in 2025

    China has demonstrated substantial progress in its decarbonization efforts, with official statistics revealing a notable 5% year-on-year reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per 10,000 yuan of GDP during 2025. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released comprehensive data on Saturday indicating the nation’s accelerated transition toward sustainable economic development.

    The statistical report further detailed a 5.1% decline in energy consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP, calculated after excluding raw material usage and non-fossil energy consumption. This parallel improvement underscores China’s effective implementation of energy efficiency measures across industrial and economic sectors.

    Clean energy generation achieved remarkable momentum, with hydropower, nuclear, wind, and solar power collectively producing nearly 4.25 trillion kilowatt-hours – representing a robust 14.4% increase compared to 2024. This surge in renewable energy output has been instrumental in displacing fossil fuel-based electricity generation.

    The transportation sector exhibited particularly impressive transformation, with new energy vehicle manufacturing reaching 16.52 million units, marking a 25.1% production increase. By December 2025, China’s NEV fleet had expanded to 43.97 million vehicles, adding 12.57 million zero-emission vehicles to its roads within a single year.

    Environmental monitoring data corroborated these advancements, showing improved air quality across China’s urban centers. Among 339 cities at prefecture level and above, 72.6% met national air quality standards, reflecting the tangible benefits of reduced emissions and cleaner energy infrastructure.

  • Vatican removes salty white film coating Michelangelo’s ‘The Last Judgment’

    Vatican removes salty white film coating Michelangelo’s ‘The Last Judgment’

    VATICAN CITY — Michelangelo’s iconic Renaissance masterpiece ‘The Last Judgment’ is undergoing a meticulous restoration to eliminate a persistent salt film that has accumulated on the fresco surface. The Vatican Museums provided media access to the ongoing conservation work, revealing the dramatic transformation taking place on the Sistine Chapel’s altar wall.

    The restoration project, scheduled for completion by Easter in early April, addresses a chalky white salt deposit formed primarily from visitor perspiration. Nearly 25,000 daily museum guests emit lactic acid that reacts with the fresco’s calcium carbonate, creating the problematic salt layer. Climate change has exacerbated the issue by increasing visitor sweating and humidity levels within the chapel.

    Restoration specialists employ an elegant solution using Japanese rice paper saturated with distilled water. This delicate technique effectively dissolves and removes the salt veil without damaging the underlying artwork. The contrast between treated and untreated sections is striking: cleaned areas reveal Michelangelo’s vibrant original pigments and intricate details, while obscured portions appear dust-coated.

    The current scaffolding installation represents a necessary logistical challenge, as the fresco’s position behind the raised altar prevents access by standard cleaning equipment. This marks the first comprehensive cleaning since the landmark 1979-1999 restoration that removed centuries of accumulated grime. Small preserved sections of pre-restored fresco demonstrate the dramatic improvement achieved through conservation.

    Rather than implementing visitor restrictions, Vatican officials are developing advanced climate control systems to manage humidity levels and prevent future salt accumulation. The preservation effort ensures that one of art history’s most significant works remains accessible to future generations while maintaining its structural integrity.

  • Overview: Tangible gains during China’s 14th Five-Year Plan period

    Overview: Tangible gains during China’s 14th Five-Year Plan period

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  • Russian Foreign Ministry condemns US-Israel strikes on Iran as ‘unprovoked act of armed aggression’

    Russian Foreign Ministry condemns US-Israel strikes on Iran as ‘unprovoked act of armed aggression’

    The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a forceful condemnation on Saturday of the joint U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, characterizing the strikes as a premeditated and unjustified assault on a sovereign United Nations member state. In an official statement disseminated via Telegram, Moscow demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged a return to diplomatic channels.

    The ministry asserted that Washington and Tel Aviv were utilizing concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a pretext while actually pursuing objectives of regime change. Russian officials warned that the offensive risks triggering a multifaceted catastrophe encompassing humanitarian, economic, and potential radiological dimensions throughout the Middle East.

    Moscow particularly emphasized the unacceptability of targeting nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, describing such actions as dangerously destabilizing. The statement placed complete responsibility for escalating tensions on the United States and Israel, warning that they would bear accountability for any negative consequences arising from what Russia termed a ‘manmade crisis’ with potential for unpredictable chain reactions and spiraling violence.

    Additionally, Russia criticized what it characterized as a pattern of destabilizing attacks orchestrated by the U.S. administration, accusing Washington of undermining the foundational principles of international law. Despite maintaining decades of careful diplomatic balancing between Middle Eastern powers, Moscow has cultivated significant economic and military cooperation with Tehran, recently demonstrated through joint naval exercises between Iranian forces and Russian sailors in the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean.

    Some Moscow analysts suggest that the intensified focus on Iran-Israel hostilities could potentially benefit Russia by diverting global attention from the conflict in Ukraine and possibly weakening Western support for Kyiv.

  • Foreigners entering China visa-free up 49.5% in 2025

    Foreigners entering China visa-free up 49.5% in 2025

    China has witnessed a remarkable surge in visa-free foreign arrivals, with official statistics revealing a substantial 49.5% year-on-year increase for 2025. According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Saturday, February 28, 2026, the country welcomed 30.08 million international visitors under its visa exemption policies last year.

    The dramatic growth in inbound tourism follows China’s strategic expansion of its visa-waiver programs, which now include numerous European and Asian countries. This policy shift represents a significant reversal from the strict border controls maintained during the pandemic years, signaling China’s renewed commitment to global connectivity and international exchange.

    Tourism analysts attribute the impressive numbers to multiple factors, including streamlined entry procedures, enhanced promotional efforts showcasing China’s cultural heritage and modern attractions, and improved tourism infrastructure across major cities and historical sites. The hospitality sector has reported corresponding increases in hotel occupancy rates and tourism-related spending, providing a substantial boost to local economies.

    This opening initiative aligns with China’s broader economic strategy to stimulate domestic consumption through international tourism while fostering people-to-people diplomacy. The successful implementation of these policies demonstrates China’s evolving approach to global engagement and its recognition of tourism’s role in economic development and cross-cultural understanding.

  • Europeans cautious as they scramble to digest major US and Israeli attack on Iran

    Europeans cautious as they scramble to digest major US and Israeli attack on Iran

    European governments activated emergency protocols and initiated citizen protection measures across the Middle East on Saturday following coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets. The escalation prompted immediate security responses from multiple European capitals as the region braced for potential retaliation.

    Germany convened an emergency session of its crisis management team after receiving notification of the attacks Saturday morning. Chancellor Friedrich Merz engaged in urgent consultations with security ministers and European counterparts to coordinate a unified response. The German government issued advisories urging citizens in Iran, Israel, and neighboring regions to register with official tracking systems and follow local authority instructions.

    France’s junior defense minister Alice Rufo characterized the situation as an active military escalation, stating, ‘It’s not the time for negotiations, we are in a situation of war.’ French authorities alerted citizens to exercise extreme caution while military spokespersons confirmed protective measures for French forces stationed in the region without elaborating on potential involvement in operations.

    The European Union implemented partial staff evacuations while maintaining its Red Sea maritime mission. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the Middle East conflict as ‘perilous’ and emphasized coordination with Arab partners to pursue diplomatic solutions. The 27-nation bloc recently imposed fresh sanctions on Iran, prompting retaliatory measures from Tehran.

    Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni committed to supporting de-escalation initiatives through diplomatic channels while expressing support for Iranian civilians demanding political rights. Switzerland issued calls for full compliance with international law and maximum restraint from all parties involved in the conflict.

    The developments followed extraordinary statements from U.S. President Donald Trump urging Iranian citizens to ‘take over your government,’ suggesting potential regime change objectives after decades of regional tensions. The lack of advance warning to European allies about the strikes raised questions about intelligence sharing and coordination among Western nations.

  • Various forms of job fairs held across China

    Various forms of job fairs held across China

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