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(SeaPRwire) - Concerns are rising in Syria that President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration seeks to curtail the rights and freedoms of civilians by advancing a stricter interpretation of Islamic principles.Recently, local authorities in Damascus, the capital, prohibited restaurants and bars from serving alcohol across most areas of the city. Only establishments located in predominantly Christian neighborhoods were permitted to continue selling alcohol, but exclusively for off-premises consumption. The decision prompted small-scale protests throughout Damascus, leading to deployment of security forces to maintain order."What we're observing is pressure exerted by certain segments of Syrian society—namely religious clerics and more hardline Islamists who advocate for an Islamist vision of how Syrian society should be structured," stated Robert Ford, former U.S. ambassador to Syria, in an interview with Digital. Syria’s provisional constitution is based on Islamic law.Hind Kabawat, Syria’s social affairs minister—a Christian and the sole female member in al-Sharaa’s cabinet—denied claims that alcohol consumption should be restricted solely to Christian districts."Our neighborhoods are not spaces for alcohol, but the heart of Damascus remains inclusive," she wrote in a Facebook post."The strength of our nation lies in its diversity, and any radical or extremist viewpoint will only weaken our country," she added.In reaction to public backlash, Damascus officials revised their stance, announcing that alcohol could still be sold at venues significant to tourism, such as hotels and select restaurants.The shift marks a major change for residents of Damascus, where alcohol had been widely accessible in bars and eateries for decades—even during the authoritarian rule of former President Bashar al-Assad."Policies like this, which erode personal freedoms in Syria, are deeply troubling. When such measures occur outside Damascus, the central government can justify them by citing limited control. However, seeing these actions implemented in Damascus itself carries special significance since President al-Sharaa holds strong influence there," remarked Mara Karlin, a former official at the Department of Defense and professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), in an interview with Digital."If he is indeed steering Syria toward an Islamist model, it raises serious questions about how much progress he has made beyond his past affiliations," Karlin continued.Al-Sharaa, who led the Islamist rebel group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to victory over Assad, has undertaken an international outreach campaign since assuming power, visiting multiple foreign capitals and working to reintegrate Syria into the global community.Former President Donald Trump even publicly endorsed al-Sharaa, whom he first met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in May 2025 and subsequently hosted at the White House in November 2025—the first time a Syrian leader visited the White House since the country's independence in 1946.Karlin, who testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee in February regarding challenges facing post-Assad Syria, acknowledged that while the current government includes former jihadists, they have largely governed with pragmatism and minimal ideological rigidity.She also noted, however, that their authority extends weakly beyond Damascus."There have been troubling cases involving restrictions on women’s rights, and developments such as these warrant careful monitoring to assess both the government’s reach and underlying ideology."Ford, who served as the last U.S. ambassador in Damascus in 2011, emphasized that al-Sharaa is not a proponent of democracy and likely intends to impose elements of an Islamist agenda on Syria. Nonetheless, he has refrained from doing so since toppling the Assad regime in 2024.While the ordinances enforced in Damascus and other regions are issued by local officials, those individuals remain directly accountable to the central government and are loyal to al-Sharaa—and likely endorse an Islamist vision for Syria’s future.Some fear the alcohol ban may hinder Syria’s fragile post-war recovery, especially as al-Sharaa strives to reintegrate the country into the global economy and revive its tourism sector.The World Bank estimates Syria’s reconstruction needs amount to approximately $216 billion following nearly 14 years of civil war. Previously, Syria’s tourism minister indicated that rebuilding the industry would require at least $100 million over the next seven years.Alcohol is not the only target of local enforcement efforts. In February, officials in the port city of Latakia banned women from wearing makeup at work. Another town near Damascus outlawed men from working in women’s clothing stores to uphold public decency standards.Ford acknowledged that some local regulations do raise concerns, but stressed that ultimately, it is a domestic matter requiring Syrians themselves to determine the role of religion in shaping the country’s post-Assad identity.This article includes contributions from THE Associated Press. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stated on Tuesday that Iran's government has significantly ramped up its suppression of dissent following the February conflict. He cautioned that Tehran has utilized national security as a pretext to conduct executions, mass arrests, torture, and enforce one of the longest internet blackouts globally.In a stern statement issued from Geneva, Türk reported that since February 28, at least 21 individuals have been put to death and over 4,000 have been detained for national security offenses. This comes as the regime encounters increasing international examination regarding what Türk termed a comprehensive attack on basic human rights."I am horrified that, in addition to the conflict's devastating consequences, the authorities are continuing to strip the Iranian people of their rights through cruel and brutal means," Türk stated.According to the U.N., since the conflict began two months ago, nine individuals have been executed for their involvement in the January 2026 protests, ten for purported ties to opposition groups, and two for espionage. Estimates suggest that regime forces killed approximately 40,000 people during the January uprising.Türk cautioned that Iran's extensive application of ambiguous national security legislation has allowed officials to expedite trials, refuse access to legal representation, and depend on forced confessions."Even when national security is cited, restrictions on human rights must be strictly necessary and proportionate," he remarked. He urged Tehran to stop executions, implement a ban on the death penalty, and free those being held without just cause.For numerous Iranian opposition figures, these findings mirror a grim reality they already know."It is terrible," Banafsheh Zand, an Iranian-American journalist who edits the Iran So Far Away Substack, told Digital. "They are effectively destroying the country."Reports on Saturday indicated that Iran had executed another athlete, a 21-year-old karate champion. According to Euronews, Sassan Azadvar Joonqani was arrested in January during the protests against the government and was put to death by the regime on Thursday.Digital reported that in March, Iran executed 19-year-old wrestling champion Saleh Mohammadi for participating in the demonstrations against the government.Türk's office noted that detainees have reportedly experienced enforced disappearances, torture, simulated executions, and forced confessions on television. Ethnic and religious minorities, such as Bahá’ís, Zoroastrians, Kurds, and Baluch Iranians, are said to be at especially high risk.The U.N. highlighted the case of imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi. Her health deteriorated drastically on Friday after her family described a critical medical emergency that followed months without specialized medical treatment.A statement released Friday by the Narges Foundation said Mohammadi was rushed by ambulance from Zanjan Prison to a hospital. This occurred after she suffered two total losses of consciousness in one day, along with severe heart distress. The foundation noted that prison doctors decided her condition could not be handled at the prison, following a transfer her family described as "last-minute" and potentially dangerously delayed.Her husband, Taghi Rahmani, informed Digital earlier this week that her physical state had grown increasingly critical due to a violent arrest and worsening treatment in prison. "She has suffered severe trauma and needs immediate medical care," he said.Rahmani had previously stated that Mohammadi's doctors and external experts had advocated for her treatment in Tehran, given her history of multiple heart surgeries. However, authorities allegedly obstructed these recommendations until her life was in danger. Despite her physical deterioration, Rahmani noted, "Spiritually and mentally, Narges remains resolute."The U.N. declaration, along with Mohammadi's emergency hospitalization, has increased the focus on Iran's prison conditions. Türk characterized these conditions as suffering from overcrowding, lack of medical care, and grave human rights violations.Türk also pointed to the harsh prison environment, mentioning overcrowding, a lack of food, water, and medication, and the refusal of medical treatment.The U.N. also drew attention to reports of deadly violence within detention centers. This includes allegations that security personnel killed at least five inmates at Chabahar Prison following protests regarding the suspension of food distribution.Although dissidents appreciated the U.N.'s unusually strong wording, some doubted whether condemnation alone can effectively change the situation. This skepticism is heightened by Iran's appointment this week to a vice-chair position on a U.N. committee focused on nuclear nonproliferation."The reason Iranians do not trust, do not like, and do not want to hear from the U.N.," Zand explained, is what she sees as its consistent inability "to step up and respond to the regime effectively, holding them accountable at the right moment... with sufficient pressure."While Zand acknowledged the significance of the recent statement, she argued that many perceive such condemnations as empty when they coincide with the granting of institutional legitimacy to Tehran."They are issuing a statement... that's fine," she remarked. "But what actions will they take?" This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - Friday's May Day protests in Europe and Asia highlighted a shift in International Workers' Day, as the traditional focus on labor rights is increasingly becoming a wider political arena. Demands concerning wages, inflation, and worker protections are now commonly merged with anti-war activism, criticism of Israel, and broader ideological conflicts over global influence.In cities from Paris to Istanbul, Madrid, Manila, and Seoul, the demonstrations frequently went well beyond workplace issues. Protesters connected escalating living expenses and social inequity to the Middle East conflict, the foreign policy of the United States, and more extensive anti-capitalist themes.According to Nile Gardiner, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, the protests exemplified what he called a 'troubling moral inversion'."These May Day protesters should be demonstrating against the brutal tyranny in Tehran instead of protesting against U.S. military action, and this is an illustration of the complete moral vacuum that exists in Europe today," Gardiner said.In Paris, May Day events reportedly turned violent, with police deploying tear gas and making forceful arrests in response to projectiles thrown by demonstrators, as seen in widely shared social media videos.While French union leaders initially emphasized inflation, wages, and social safety nets, segments of the protest also displayed anti-war messages, symbols supporting Palestine, and objections to military expenditure.Thousands marched in Madrid behind banners stating "Capitalism should pay the cost of their war," voicing opposition to frozen wages, a lack of affordable housing, and militarism. Signs criticizing President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underscored how international disputes were featured alongside domestic labor issues.Unrest also occurred in Munich, Germany, where footage from reporters showed riot police using batons to break up radical left-wing protesters after pyrotechnics were set off multiple times during a revolutionary May Day gathering.Emma Schubart, a Research Fellow at the London-based think tank the Henry Jackson Society, cautioned that May Day protests are more and more acting as stages for ideological campaigns that go beyond workers' rights."The May Day demonstrations across Europe increasingly feature Islamist elements. Militant anti-war, anti-capitalist rhetoric is now routinely accompanied by Palestinian flags and explicit anti-Israel slogans," Schubart said, noting that far-left groups and networks associated with Islamism are increasingly uniting around overarching anti-Western narratives.In Istanbul, authorities prevented leftist groups from proceeding to the prohibited Taksim Square, a historic focal point for Turkey's labor movement where protests hold significant symbolic meaning. Protesters tried to overcome barriers and fought with police, leading to several arrests.Parallel motifs appeared in Asia outside of Europe.In Manila, workers confronted police close to the U.S. Embassy while demonstrating against rising fuel and goods prices, calling for higher pay and an end to the Middle East war.A left-leaning labor organization displayed a large effigy portraying Trump, Netanyahu, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as a three-headed monster, symbolically linking local economic struggles to national and international leaders.In South Korea, thousands assembled near Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square for large rallies focused on collective bargaining and workers' rights, yet the speeches also included wider geopolitical themes.Yang Kyung-soo, Chairman of the Korea Confederation of Trade Unions, urged the crowd to "unite with the Iranian and Palestinian workers and people suffering from American imperialist aggression," directly aligning labor unity with political narratives opposing America and related to the Middle East.Although local emphasis differed—from wage issues in France to labor rights in Seoul—the 2026 May Day events illustrated an expanding worldwide trend: workers' protests are more frequently turning into venues for wider ideological and geopolitical clashes."The United States is fighting to defend the free world against tyranny, and yet across Europe and beyond we are seeing protesters direct their outrage at America and its allies instead of the brutal regimes driving so much of this global instability," Gardiner said. "That should deeply concern anyone who cares about the future of Western civilization."Reuters and This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has openly commended troops who chose suicide over capture during clashes with Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. This statement provides the most explicit confirmation to date of what officials and intelligence bodies have consistently identified as one of Pyongyang's most radical combat doctrines.According to comments released Monday by North Korean state media KCNA, and initially reported by Reuters, Kim paid tribute to soldiers who "unhesitatingly chose the path of self-destruction and suicide" instead of surrendering. He made these remarks while speaking to Russian officials and grieving families at a memorial event for North Korean service members who died in battle."It is not only the heroes who unhesitatingly chose the path of self-destruction and suicide to defend great honor, but also those who fell while charging at the forefront of assault battles," Kim said.These statements represent the first instance where Kim has explicitly recognized the extreme measures North Korean soldiers, deployed with Russian forces, have taken to evade capture by Ukrainian troops.An estimated 14,000 North Korean troops were deployed to Russia's western Kursk region to bolster Moscow's military campaign, as reported by South Korean, Ukrainian, and Western officials cited by Reuters. These same officials indicate that the forces sustained immense casualties, with over 6,000 North Korean soldiers thought to have died in some of the conflict's fiercest engagements.For several months, intelligence reports, evidence from the battlefield, and accounts from defectors have consistently indicated a severe directive: North Korean soldiers were instructed to detonate grenades or commit suicide rather than face capture.This policy seemingly applied even to the small number of survivors. The Guardian reported that two North Korean soldiers, captured by Ukrainian forces and currently held as prisoners of war in Kyiv, both allegedly tried to detonate themselves but were prevented by severe injuries. One of these captured soldiers has reportedly voiced remorse for not fulfilling those commands.Kim's recent address seemingly elevates these battlefield allegations into an officially lauded state doctrine."Those who writhed in frustration at failing to fulfill their duty as soldiers rather than suffering the agony of their bodies being torn apart by bullets and shells — these too can be called the party’s loyal warriors and patriots," Kim added.This declaration highlights the profound ideological pressure exerted on North Korean forces, whose allegiance to the regime seemingly encompasses self-destruction in addition to combat.The disclosure also emphasizes the increasingly close military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow.South Korean intelligence assessments indicate that North Korea has supplied Russia with both troops and munitions, in exchange for economic assistance and military technology.Reuters contributed to this report. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - Experts caution that concerns about worldwide famine are increasing due to escalating food costs and stressed supply chains amidst the Hormuz Strait crisis, which elevates the possibility of a long-term disruption similar to the eight-year Suez incident.On the 62nd day of the conflict, the United States upheld its naval blockade preventing access to and from Iranian ports, whereas Iran persisted in effectively shutting down the Strait."In the best scenario, the U.S. and Iran reach an accord in the coming weeks, leading to the reopening of the Strait," stated Lars Jensen, CEO and partner at Vespucci Maritime, in an interview with Digital."Furthermore, this must be an agreement built on trust, ensuring Iran is content enough not to abruptly shut the waterway again."Even under those circumstances, it would require months for supply chains to return to normal."On April 21, President Donald Trump declared he would postpone fresh military strikes against Iran pending a proposal for enduring peace, thereby indefinitely extending a 14-day ceasefire. Trump stated that Washington's blockade of Iranian ports has succeeded and called on Tehran to "just give up" as tensions regarding the waterway intensify."In the worst-case scenario, we could see a repeat of the Suez Canal's eight-year closure between 1967 and 1975," Jensen remarked."Even though it was vital to the global economy, reopening the canal during that eight-year period proved impossible," he noted.The Suez Canal, which was closed from 1967 to 1975 following the Arab-Israeli war, has encountered persistent interruptions, such as attacks in the Red Sea since 2023. These incidents have boosted insurance premiums, established a "shadow blockade," and reduced traffic volume.Regarding Hormuz, Jensen identifies fertilizer—a key component of agriculture—as the most critical issue. He notes that any extended interruption could swiftly impact global food systems."Fertilizer is the crucial factor. The Persian Gulf supplies 30% of the world's fertilizer transported by sea," Jensen stated. "Fertilizer costs are already escalating rapidly," he cautioned."In affluent nations, this translates to pricier food at harvest time, whereas in impoverished nations, it means farmers currently cannot purchase fertilizer," Jensen added."This will result in diminished harvests later in the season, causing food prices to soar in the poorest countries. Such conditions heighten the danger of famine and warfare."As of Thursday, diplomatic initiatives between the U.S. and Iran remained tenuous, showing few indications of advancement.Reports indicate that a massive banner displayed on a building in Tehran's Enqelab Square proclaims, "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed; the entire Persian Gulf is our hunting ground.""Cargo ships are not traversing the area simply because commercial entities do not want to risk the lives of their crew members," Jensen concluded. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - On Thursday, Britain elevated its national terrorism threat level to "severe" in the aftermath of the antisemitic stabbing incident in Golders Green, cautioning that a subsequent terrorist attack is now deemed "highly likely" within the next six months.A day after two individuals were stabbed in north London—an event police have officially classified as a terrorist incident—the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) raised the U.K. National Threat Level from "substantial" to "severe."Authorities stated that this decision was not based solely on the Golders Green attack but reflects a broader surge in extreme right-wing terrorism across Britain.Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood called Wednesday’s violence an "abhorrent, antisemitic attack" and noted that the elevated threat level would be a source of concern for many, "particularly amongst our Jewish community, who have suffered so much."Police reported that officers were dispatched to Highfield Avenue in the Barnet borough around 11:16 a.m. on Wednesday following reports of multiple stabbings.Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said two men, aged 76 and 34, were treated for stab wounds at the scene before being taken to a hospital, where they remain and are "being looked after."On Thursday, police identified the suspect as 45-year-old Essa Suleiman. According to police, Suleiman is a British national born in Somalia with a "history of serious violence and mental health issues."The Home Office noted that the threat-level increase comes against a backdrop of rising terrorism in the U.K.On Thursday, protesters gathered on Downing Street to voice concerns that insufficient action has been taken to protect the Jewish community.In response to the attack and a recent rise in antisemitic arson attacks in London, the government announced an additional £25 million in funding to safeguard Jewish communities, bringing this year’s total support to £58 million. Officials said the funds will be used to boost police patrols and enhance protective security at synagogues, schools, and community centers.The funding will also support the expansion of Project Servator, which deploys specialist and plainclothes officers trained to spot suspicious behavior and identify individuals preparing to commit serious crimes.Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the British government cannot credibly claim to be combating antisemitism unless it also confronts what he described as "explicit incitement against the Jewish state.""Hate slogans and anti-Semitic marches in the streets of London aren’t 'free speech'. They are incitement," he wrote on X. "They bring terror directed against Jews.They must be banned. The phrase 'Globalise the Intifada', means killing Jews everywhere. It must be banned.""This is what the British government must immediately do to fight antisemitism. Otherwise, it’s just more empty words."Taylor said the attack has now been formally classified as terrorism, and counterterrorism officers are working with security services to establish the full circumstances and develop a complete intelligence picture."Whilst I must stress this investigation is at an early stage, we are working quickly to understand exactly what happened," Taylor said.A statement posted on X by Shomrim, a volunteer neighborhood watch group in Orthodox Jewish communities, said the suspect was seen "armed with a knife" on Golders Green Road and was detained by members before police arrived.Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said officers "swiftly Tasered and arrested the suspect before he could cause further harm," adding that investigators are "considering all possible motives" and will maintain a visible police presence in the area.The U.K. was last at the "severe" threat level in November 2021, following the Liverpool Women’s Hospital bombing and the killing of lawmaker Sir David Amess, before it was lowered to "substantial" in February 2022.British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the violence, calling attacks on Jewish residents "an attack on Britain," while London Mayor Sadiq Khan said there is "no place for antisemitism" in the city.' Bradford Betz and This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.

(SeaPRwire) - Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a warning to China stating that "the sovereignty of our hemisphere is non-negotiable" following accusations by the U.S. and its regional allies that Beijing had detained Panama-flagged vessels amid a dispute related to control over canal ports.In a joint declaration alongside Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago, the U.S. asserted that China’s measures targeting Panama-flagged ships constituted a "blatant effort to politicize maritime commerce" and violate regional sovereignty, casting the disagreement as a wider strategic showdown over dominance of one of the globe’s most vital commercial routes.Although the Panama conflict focuses on the detention of ships rather than a physical blockage, critics are more and more likely to group it with struggles over other key strategic bottlenecks—like the Strait of Hormuz—as part of an expanding competition to determine whether Beijing or Washington will set the rules for global trade and energy pathways.This standoff comes after Panama’s Supreme Court ruled earlier in 2026 to nullify the legal structure supporting Hong Kong-headquartered CK Hutchison’s long-standing oversight of the Balboa and Cristobal terminals that border the Panama Canal—a bottleneck responsible for moving approximately 5% of the world’s maritime trade.Per Reuters, U.S. regulators have tracked close to 70 Panama-flagged ships held by Chinese authorities since March 8—a spike that U.S. officials claim seems intended to retaliate against Panama and put pressure on the global shipping industry."China has utilized Iran to destabilize the Middle East. In fact, Iran has served as China’s proxy," China specialist Gordon Chang told Digital, contending that Beijing’s moves in Panama align with a wider global trend where China employs economic clout, trade coercion, and regional allies to grow its influence while criticizing comparable strategies from Washington.Chang noted that Beijing is currently encountering mounting pushback as the U.S. more frequently takes action not just against China directly, but also against governments and geopolitical hotspots that he asserts have bolstered Beijing’s position."Trump seemingly made the decision to counter this cunning strategy by neutralizing China’s proxies—Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran," Chang stated.He also characterized pressure on Iran and threats to the Strait of Hormuz as components of a larger strategic initiative targeting both Tehran and Beijing."Shutting down the Strait of Hormuz is a win-win for two goals: starving Iran’s regime and destabilizing China’s already vulnerable economy," Chang remarked. "Trump is leveraging energy to reshape the global order."Chang further accused Beijing of being hypocritical regarding trade."China’s Communists created hypocrisy. No one practices hypocrisy more effectively than the Chinese Communists," he stated, asserting that China has long reaped benefits from a global trading system which it has increasingly turned into a weapon for geopolitical ends."The fundamental truth is that China initiated this cycle of action and retaliation," Chang said. "If China had not posed a threat to America, the U.S. would not have pressured Panama. If the U.S. had not pressured Panama, China would not have held Panamanian ships."China has dismissed claims that it is politicizing trade, with its foreign ministry contending that U.S. criticism mirrors Washington’s own strategic aspirations regarding the canal.Per Reuters, China’s Foreign Ministry labeled Wednesday’s statement "completely unfounded and deceptive," announced it would take measures to protect China’s interests in Panama, and accused the U.S. of politicizing port operations."China also urges the relevant nations not to be misled or taken advantage of by malicious forces," added Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry. Digital contacted the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., to request comment but did not get a reply before the article went to press.Reuters provided input for this article. This article is provided by a third-party content provider. SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/) makes no warranties or representations regarding its content. Category: Top News, Daily News SeaPRwire provides global press release distribution services for companies and organizations, covering more than 6,500 media outlets, 86,000 editors and journalists, and over 3.5 million end-user desktop and mobile apps. SeaPRwire supports multilingual press release distribution in English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Russian, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, and more.