Washington

Trump Hails Air Force One 'Gift' after Qatari Luxury Jet Reports

Donald Trump on Sunday defended plans to receive a new Air Force One as a gift, after reports he will accept a luxury Boeing jet from Qatar despite strict rules on presents for US presidents. Calling the plane a "flying palace," ABC News, which first reported the story, said the Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet gifted from the Qatari royal family would ...

US, China Agree to Establish 'Consultation Mechanism' on Trade

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said Sunday that Beijing and Washington had agreed during weekend talks in Geneva to create a "consultation mechanism", as they strive to de-escalate trade tensions. Speaking to reporters in Geneva, He said that the closed-door discussions with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson ...

Stocks Rise as US-UK Unveil Trade Deal

Stock markets mostly rose Thursday as US President Donald Trump unveiled a trade deal with Britain, boosting hopes for other countries' tariff negotiations. After the turbulence sparked by Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs on April 2, markets have settled in recent weeks on optimism that countries will reach agreements with Washington to avoid his ...

Starmer Says UK-US Trade Deal a 'Fantastic, Historic Day'

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Thursday it was a “really fantastic, historic day," after he agreed a US-UK trade deal with President Donald Trump. The agreement lifts tariffs on UK steel and aluminum products and slashes levies on British car exports from 27.5 percent to 10 percent, Downing Street said. "This is a really fantastic, ...

Trade War: China Navigates the Storm with a Steady Compass

Since Washington decided to strike hard with 145% tariffs, trade relations between China and the US have shifted from a negotiation table to a boxing ring. The blow is heavy: in 2024, the US alone accounted for nearly $500 billion in Chinese imports, making it Beijing’s largest commercial partner. In real terms, nearly one in five Chinese ...

New US Sanctions List to Reportedly Target Lebanese Politicians

According to a Lebanese politician quoting an American official, “There is a new list of sanctions set to be announced soon, targeting political figures accused of corruption, others accused of financing Hezbollah, and a third group involved in money laundering and drug trafficking to fund the party.” The official reveals that Hezbollah is in ...

Washington Draws the Line: Iran Must Comply

Washington and Tehran are moving on starkly opposing trajectories in the Middle East. Under President Donald Trump, the United States has prioritized dismantling any armed presence operating outside the framework of state legitimacy and eradicating terrorism from the region. This approach is part of a broader strategy to prepare the ground for a ...

America, Iran, and the Appearance That Deceives

Judging from the statements out of Tehran and Washington, the American-Iranian nuclear talks are going swimmingly. This studied appearance is only natural. Iran's leaders are highly motivated to draw the U.S. into protracted negotiations, during which they can appear perfectly reasonable while avoiding further consequences for their inglorious ...

Iran’s Strategic Port Rocked by Deadly Explosion

A massive explosion ripped through Iran's Shahid Rajaee Port near Bandar Abbas on Saturday, killing at least 25 people and injuring more than 800. The blast triggered smaller explosions in nearby containers and fires that continued into Sunday. Here is what we know: Strategic port  The Shahid Rajaee Port is one of Iran's most ...

Iran, US To Hold New Round of High-Level Nuclear Talks

Iran, US hold new round of high-stakes nuclear talks The United States and Iran were expected to start haggling over details of a potential nuclear deal in Oman on Saturday as they entered their third round of talks in as many weeks. US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are again leading the discussions, ...