International

Chinese Minister of Defense: “The negotiation is the only way out of wars in Gaza and Ukraine”

The Chinese Minister of Defense, Dong Jun, said in Beijing that “negotiation” and “a peaceful solution” are “the only way out” of the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, reiterating that “the end of any conflict is reconciliation.”

“Each country has the right to safeguard its security as well as its interests and development, but a fair international order is needed to solve problems.

China, ready to achieve peace in Gaza and Ukraine

China is willing to build peace together with the armed forces of other countries,” Dong said when inaugurating the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, China’s largest annual military diplomacy event, with the participation of more than 90 countries and international organizations.

Dong held a meeting last night with Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, who is in Beijing to attend the forum, in which the Russian said that relations between Beijing and Moscow “are of great importance for security and global and regional stability,” according to the Chinese Defense portfolio.

He also met separately with the defense ministers of Chile, Madagascar, Mauritania, Maldives, Tajikistan, Belarus and Armenia, meetings in which Dong stated that “in the face of the international and regional situation of chaos and unrest, we need to join closely, discuss global security plans and explore strategies for long-term peace and stability.”

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

In his speech today, Dong emphasized that China seeks to “make new and greater contributions to global security” and stressed that “only countries that make autonomous decisions will be respected by the international community.”

“No one is alien to threats such as climate change and terrorism. Countries, whether large or small, must unite and address them together on equal terms,” he said.

Thus, he called for “consensus” and “mutual respect and trust” to address global challenges since “the deeper the cooperation, the more stable the relations will be and the safer the world will be.”

First appearance of Dong

This is Dong’s first public appearance in a forum of these characteristics since he took office in 2023 replacing former Minister Li Shangfu, who was dismissed without explanation and was later expelled from the Chinese Communist Party after being accused of a crime of corruption.

The forum, which is also marked by the recent tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea and the Taiwane issue, is expected to attend the US Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for China, Taiwan and Mongolia, Michael Chase.

A Ukrainian delegation composed of academics and former officials, including Oleksandr Chalyi, former Deputy Foreign Minister of that country, also participates in the forum.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

International

Security Council to Hold Emergency Meeting on Middle East Crisis

UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday condemned the “military escalation in the Middle East” following attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes, just hours before an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.

“I call for the immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation,” Guterres said in a statement.

The Security Council is scheduled to meet on Saturday at 21:00 GMT (4:00 p.m. in New York) to address “the situation in the Middle East,” the United Nations announced.

The meeting, during which Guterres will deliver remarks, was convened at the request of France, Bahrain, Colombia, Russia and China, according to a diplomatic source.

International

Trump Floats “Friendly Takeover” of Cuba Amid Rising Tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration is considering what he described as a “friendly takeover” of Cuba, as Washington continues to increase pressure on the island’s communist government.

“The Cuban government is talking to us and they have very serious problems, as you know. They have no money, they have nothing at this moment, but they are talking to us and maybe we will see a friendly takeover of Cuba,” Trump told reporters as he departed the White House for a trip to Texas.

Earlier in the week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Cuba needed a “radical change,” shortly after Washington eased restrictions on oil exports to the island for what officials described as “humanitarian reasons,” amid a deep economic crisis.

The United States has imposed an energy blockade on Cuba since January, citing what it calls an “extraordinary threat” posed by the communist-run island, located roughly 150 kilometers (90 miles) off the coast of Florida, to U.S. national security.

International

Argentina’s Senate Reviews Milei-Backed Labor Overhaul

Argentina’s Senate on Friday began reviewing the Labor Modernization Law promoted by the administration of President Javier Milei, a proposal that would significantly reshape labor rules across the country.

The upper chamber opened its final discussion of the contentious initiative, which revises the method used to calculate severance payments — lowering the amounts owed in dismissal cases — and introduces an “hour bank” mechanism that allows overtime to be offset with paid leave rather than extra wages.

The legislation also broadens the classification of essential services, a change that would place new limits on the right to strike in designated sectors.

The bill was initially approved by the Senate on February 11 and then moved to the Chamber of Deputies, where lawmakers passed it with amendments. It has now returned to the Senate for definitive approval.

Outside the Congress building in Buenos Aires, workers, trade unions and left-wing organizations staged demonstrations beginning at midday. The gathering later thinned out amid reports of disturbances and a strong police presence. Security forces had secured the area surrounding the legislature since early morning hours.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

Union leaders contend that the reform weakens labor protections, while many business representatives back the measure but stress that sustainable formal employment will require economic expansion, improved credit conditions, greater investment and a more dynamic domestic market.