US states

Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his state visit to the United States on Friday, departing Washington after talks with the Biden administration. Senior US government officials saw him off at the airport, where a 21-gun salute was fired. The send-off is being noted as a ceremonial gesture, with observers weighing what the visit signals for future US-China relations.

The United States and China have reached a trade deal to lower tariffs on roughly $30 billion worth of "non-sensitive goods", following a meeting between President Trump and President Xi this week. The agreement is expected to reduce prices on a range of consumer products, including small appliances, toys and holiday items, and is drawing wide attention as a step toward easing trade tensions between the two economies.

Chinese President Xi Jinping missed the dinner for world leaders at the G20 summit in New Delhi because he was unwell, according to people familiar with the matter. The report has fueled fresh speculation about the 70-year-old leader's health, coming just days before he was scheduled to travel to the United States, and has drawn wide attention and debate about his condition and absence from a key diplomatic gathering.

Iranian officials have signalled openness to diplomatic talks while warning the country is 'fully prepared' for war should the United States launch an attack. The dual message underscores rising tensions between Tehran and Washington, with Iran framing diplomacy as its preferred path but stressing military readiness as a deterrent.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has departed Beijing for Washington, in what is described as his first state visit to the US capital since 2015. President Trump is expected to greet him personally on the tarmac rather than at the White House, a gesture some observers read as a sign of warmth ahead of high-stakes US-China trade and diplomatic discussions.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran no longer trusts negotiations with Washington, in an interview with Al Jazeera. He said Qatar and Pakistan are acting as intermediaries, relaying Tehran's messages to the United States. The remarks signal a further breakdown in direct US-Iran diplomacy, with third-party countries now carrying communication between the two sides amid heightened regional tensions involving Israel and the US.

Oil prices rose sharply following renewed attacks by Yemen's Houthi movement and growing fears of escalation between the United States and Iran. Traders are pricing in the risk that the confrontations could disrupt shipping and supply through the Middle East. Analysts warn that any direct US-Iran confrontation could push prices higher still, keeping energy markets on edge.

Chinese state announcements say Beijing and Washington agreed to a $30 billion tariff reduction and to open a dialogue on artificial intelligence during Xi Jinping's visit. The news, reported by Reuters, suggests a tentative easing of tensions between the two economic rivals on trade and technology. Details are sparse so far, and readers should note the figures come from the Chinese side; US confirmation and the fine print of the deal are not yet clear.

Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at a White House state dinner, an event marked by elaborate formalities and heavy media coverage. The meeting between the two leaders is drawing attention as a symbolic moment in US-China relations, with commentators weighing the significance of the lavish reception and what it signals for trade and diplomatic tensions.

The leaders of the United States, Denmark and Greenland have signed a new security agreement covering Greenland, according to a breaking announcement. The deal would touch on the Arctic island's defence arrangements, an issue of renewed attention given Washington's strategic interest in Greenland and Denmark's sovereignty over the autonomous territory.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is prepared for a 'doomsday war' if the United States resumes military attacks, while stressing that Tehran remains open to diplomatic negotiations. The statement underscores Iran's dual posture of military deterrence and willingness to talk as tensions with Washington persist.

Posts discuss a state dinner at the White House where President Trump hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping, with technology executives reportedly among the guests. Users are sharing clips and reactions to the meeting, with commentary focused on the symbolism of the two leaders dining together and the presence of tech industry figures at the table. The discussion appears to centre on US-China relations and what the gathering signals.

Iranian officials say the country is prepared to resume military conflict with the United States, while leaving the door open to renewed diplomatic talks. The statement signals a dual posture of military readiness and willingness to negotiate. It comes amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear program and regional confrontations, and has been picked up widely across international news outlets.

A intense week of international diplomacy has raised the question of whether negotiations made real progress toward ending the war between the United States and Iran. Commentators and analysts are weighing what the round of high-level talks actually achieved, with observers divided on whether the diplomacy brought the two sides closer to a ceasefire or a lasting settlement.

Iran says a draft agreement with the United States would include a waiver on oil sanctions, limits on its nuclear programme and the release of frozen assets. The outline, if confirmed, would mark a significant step toward easing tensions and restoring Iranian oil exports. Details of the draft have not been independently verified, and it remains unclear whether Washington has accepted the terms as described by Tehran.

United States forces are preparing to withdraw from Iraq, ending a military presence of more than two decades that began with the 2003 invasion. The move marks a major shift in the American footprint in the Middle East and closes a long chapter of US involvement in Iraqi security affairs.

Counter-terror police have arrested five men on suspicion of explosives offences near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, the UK airbase used by the United States to strike Iranian targets. Around 85 homes in the nearby village of Whelford have been evacuated as an investigation led by counter-terrorism officers continues.

The US dollar has firmed against major currencies as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran lifted oil prices and strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for longer. Rising energy costs add to inflation concerns, boosting bets on a hawkish Fed stance and supporting the greenback. Markets are watching closely for further developments in the standoff.

The United States and China have reached an agreement to reduce tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods, following a summit in Washington between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The deal marks a step toward easing trade tensions between the world's two largest economies, though details of which products will be affected have not yet been fully outlined.

The United States has threatened to ground Iranian airlines from operating worldwide starting Wednesday, according to an Al Jazeera report. The warning escalates pressure on Iran's civil aviation sector, and the news is drawing attention as observers assess the legal basis for such a global grounding and how Iranian carriers and other governments might respond.

Iran has put forward a new proposal aimed at reaching an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway at the centre of rising regional tensions. The pitch suggests Tehran may be seeking a negotiated off-ramp, and observers are weighing what concessions Iran wants and how the US and Gulf states might respond to the offer.

President Trump said on Saturday he rejected Iran's latest cease-fire proposal, which would have reopened the Strait of Hormuz and resumed negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for concessions from the United States. The rejection marks another turn in a cycle of proposals and counteroffers between the two countries, with Washington and Tehran still far apart on terms to end the standoff.

Donald Trump said negotiations between the United States and Iran will resume next week, adding that Tehran had 'overplayed their hand'. The remark suggests he believes Iran is negotiating from a weakened position as the two sides return to the table.

Donald Trump said he has turned down an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the critical oil shipping waterway between Iran and the Gulf states. The announcement has drawn attention because the strait carries a large share of the world's oil, and any closure or reopening carries major implications for energy prices and regional security.

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has arrived in Washington for talks with US officials as tensions with the Houthis escalate. The visit comes at a sensitive moment for regional security, with the Kingdom and the United States expected to discuss the Houthi escalation and broader coordination. Details of the meeting agenda and participants have not been announced.

President Donald Trump said the United States and Iran are slated to hold indirect talks, after he rejected Tehran's latest proposal. The announcement points to continuing diplomacy between the two countries even as disagreements persist over the terms being discussed. Observers are watching whether the talks can ease tensions or whether the rejection signals a harder US line going forward.

The United States and China have agreed to establish a dedicated communication channel on artificial intelligence, according to the White House, following a summit between the two countries. The channel is intended to allow the two governments to exchange views and manage risks related to advanced AI. It marks a further step in stabilising relations between Washington and Beijing amid ongoing rivalry over technology.

President Trump has again stated that Iran cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon, while rejecting a ceasefire proposal from Tehran's leadership that would have paused hostilities for seven days. The refusal signals continued hardline US positioning toward Iran, with Washington prioritizing the elimination of Iran's nuclear ambitions over a short-term truce in the ongoing standoff.