China ready to deepen political mutual trust with S. Africa -- Premier Li

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Johannesburg on Friday that China stands ready to work with South Africa to deepen political mutual trust, and firmly support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns.

Li made the remarks when meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of the 20th Group of 20 (G20) Summit scheduled here for Saturday and Sunday.

If Japan to follow old path of militarism, it will ultimately end in failure: Chinese spokesperson

If Japan wants to follow the old path of militarism, abandon its commitment to peaceful development and undermine the post-war international order, it will ultimately end in failure, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said in Beijing Friday.

Russia ready to discuss new Ukraine peace plan in detail: Putin

Russia is ready for a substantive discussion of the details of a new U.S.-proposed 28-point peace plan on Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday.

Putin said Russia has received the plan through existing channels of communication with the U.S. administration. It could form the basis of a final peace settlement, but the text has not been discussed with Russia in detail, he added.

Lebanese health ministry blames Israel for 331 deaths since ceasefire

Israeli strikes and violations have killed 331 people and injured 945 in Lebanon since a cessation of hostilities agreement took effect a year ago, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said on Friday.

The figures cover the period from Nov. 28, 2024, shortly after the U.S. and French-brokered truce began, through Nov. 20, 2025.

In a statement, the ministry's Public Health Emergency Operations Center attributed the casualties to Israeli raids, attacks, and breaches of the agreement intended to end the fighting triggered by the war in Gaza.

Powerful earthquake in Bangladesh leaves 10 dead, hundreds injured

At least 10 people were killed and hundreds of others injured on Friday after one of the biggest earthquakes in Bangladesh's recent history struck near the capital city Dhaka.

Millions of capital dwellers were completely panicked because of the 5.7-magnitude earthquake which hit other parts of the country as well.

China launches new communication technology test satellite

China sent a new communication technology test satellite into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in its southwest Sichuan Province on Friday.

The Shiyan-21 satellite was launched at 6:55 p.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket and entered the preset orbit successfully.

The satellite will be mainly used for satellite communication, radio and television, data transmission and other services -- as well as for conducting related technical tests and verifications.