Israel launches attack on Iran

Explosions resounded in Iran's capital Tehran on Saturday as Israel launched what it called a "preemptive" strike on the country.

Air raid sirens sounded off in Tehran moments after Israel announced the strike against Iran. Blasts occurred in several locations including areas near Tehran University and the city center, which houses a concentration of government institutions, including the residence of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Panic arose on Tehran streets following the explosions, with severe traffic congestion, a China Central Television (CCTV) reporter observed.

Iran closed its airspace while the attack was ongoing. Outside of Tehran, explosions also took place in several provinces.

China's fast development over the past decades has significantly transformed the society, said Patrick Herminie, president of the Republic of Seychelles, as he recalled his first visit to the country about 35 years ago.

Herminie made the comments in an interview with China Media Group (CMG) in Seychelles' capital Victoria, which was aired on Friday.

He spoke highly of the development China has achieved over the past three decades, especially in emerging industries such as artificial intelligence.

"I was surprised, I was impressed by the level of development, technological development and the use of artificial intelligence for better public service, smart services. I think China is leading the world. That's my personal opinion. You know, when I first visited China some 35 years ago, there were only bicycles. But today, China is just incredible -- the roads, the cars. It's a revolution, it's not even a revolution, it's a transformation of a society. And I think, yes, you have done very well, and I was very impressed with what I saw," said Herminie.

China has remained the world's second-largest economy for more than a decade and developed the largest middle-income group, while overall living standards have continued to rise.

The country is also driving continuous breakthroughs in frontier technologies, fostering the development of future industries as part of efforts to cultivate new growth engines.