Pained to see flames of war, China's Xi calls for 'maximum restraint' in Ukraine
India Today
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for "maximum restraint" in Ukraine and said China is "pained to see the flames of war reignited in Europe".
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for "maximum restraint" in Ukraine and said China is "pained to see the flames of war reignited in Europe," state media reported, in his strongest statement to date on the conflict.
Xi, speaking at a virtual meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, said the three countries should jointly support peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported.
Xi described the situation in Ukraine as "worrying" and said the priority should be preventing it from escalating or "spinning out of control", CCTV cited him as saying.
He also said France and Germany should make efforts to reduce negative impacts of the crisis, and expressed concern about the impact of sanctions on the stability of global finance, energy supplies, transportation and supply chains.
China, which has refused to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine or to call them an invasion, has repeatedly expressed its opposition to what it describes as illegal sanctions on Russia.
READ | China to provide Ukraine humanitarian aid, praises Russia ties
China's friendship with Russia, strengthened last month when President Vladimir Putin attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics on the same day that the countries declared a "no limits" strategic partnership, has become awkward for China as the war in Ukraine escalates.
From shutting US bases to controlling a key global oil route, Iran's demands in response to Trump's proposal set a steep stage for talks, but hints of flexibility quietly emerge behind the scenes.
Shantanu Deshpande recorded the moment from inside the workplace, spotlighting Akash Sharma, a supply chain intern, who casually broke into a set of pull-ups in the middle of a regular workday.
Oil and gas refineries and hubs are up in flames not just in the Middle East, but also in Russia and the US. Crude oil prices have surged over $100 a barrel. With the energy infrastructure in the Middle East likely to take years to be rebuilt, the world could be set for the biggest oil disruption in history.
The US has sent a 15-point proposal to Iran aimed at ending the Middle East conflict, including strict restrictions on its nuclear programme, halting support for proxy groups and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump says the war is already "won", but then points to his own defence chief as the man who did not want peace. Behind the victory claim lies a growing split inside Washington's war room.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said the United States was in contact with "the right people" in Iran and suggested that Tehran was eager to reach an agreement to halt hostilities. "We're in negotiations right now," he told reporters, without offering further details on the scope or format of the talks.
Casting doubt on the prospects of any immediate resolution, Jeffrey Sachs dismissed the idea of a near-term endgame.
Iran has issued a blunt warning to the US, threatening to sink US ships and paralyse the country if attacked. A senior official said any strike would trigger a "head for an eye" response, if US strikes on Iranian infrastructure.
The young aviator, Rishi, is seen confidently guiding the aircraft during a practice session at California's Oxnard Airport.
Lebanon's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision was formally conveyed after Secretary-General Abdul Sattar Issa summoned Iran's chargé d'affaires in Beirut, Tawfiq Samadi Khoshkho. The ministry confirmed that Sheibani must leave Lebanese territory no later than March 29.
A US county judge, who made history as the first Indian-origin judge in Fort Bend, Texas, has been convicted of financial crimes. KP George, who traces his roots to Kerala, was found guilty of money laundering with prosecutors arguing he had misused funds intended for his election campaign.
A rare moment of peace between humans and wildlife was captured on IIT Madras campus by a research scholar and the wholesome video has over 10 million views.