As ceasefire looms, China’s UN peace talk highlights limits of Beijing’s influence

News Snapshot:

China's bold words on the Israel-Iran war mask a deeper truth: it's defending itself, not Tehran — and its influence is weaker than it looks. US President Donald Trump has said a ceasefire is imminent, declaring an end to what he called "the 12-day war" — but Iran has pushed back, saying no agreement has been reached. Tehran's message was conditional: It would hold fire only if Israel ended what it described as "illegal aggression", leaving the diplomatic picture murky. Amid that uncertainty, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a high-profile move on the global stage, with Beijing submitting a draft...