US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Switzerland to discuss trade matters and de-escalate tensions following a trade war sparked by President Donald Trump's tariff rollout. The talks aim to lay the groundwork for future negotiations, which Bessent described as focused on de-escalation rather than a large trade deal.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/us-chinese-officials-to-hold-trade-talks-in-switzerland/article_a6360e20-86e4-57b6-80c9-b7b245c59af0.htmlUS Commerce Minister Freeman emphasized that the US remains Pakistan's largest export destination, with a recent 90-day tariff suspension creating an opportunity for constructive dialogue on trade deficits and market access barriers. He assured Pakistan of a commitment to creating a predictable trade environment for US businesses and investors, while highlighting positive economic trends in Pakistan, including stabilized macroeconomic indicators and focused reforms to improve the ease of doing business. Freeman expressed hope for continued dialogue and technical cooperation to support economic growth and job creation in both countries.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1308992-us-pushes-for-stronger-cotton-trade-ties-with-pakistanThe US stock indexes rose on Wednesday as hopes for de-escalation in trade tensions with China strengthened, following a weekend meeting between US and Chinese representatives in Switzerland. The Federal Reserve is set to announce its interest-rate decision later in the day amidst uncertainty over global economic growth. President Trump's administration claims potential deals are underway, but tangible results have yet to materialize. Analyst Kim Forrest expects both parties to want a swift resolution, saying "sooner rather than later" is likely.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40361496/wall-st-edges-up-on-china-trade-de-escalation-hopes-fed-verdict-awaitedThe US State Department is urging Pakistan and India to work towards a peaceful resolution in South Asia, with spokesperson Tammy Bruce calling for long-term stability. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has threatened to stop water from flowing across borders if the situation doesn't improve after a recent Kashmir attack.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/trump-hopes-india-pakistan-clashes-end-very-quickly/article_fee481a2-24b8-52e7-b588-3a269e264382.htmlChinese President Xi Jinping is set to address a gathering of leaders from the Global South, where he plans to emphasize China's commitment to promoting global governance and opposing unilateralism. The event comes as Beijing seeks to expand its influence in the region and counterbalance the growing presence of the US.
https://channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/china-russia-resilient-ties-xi-jinping-visit-vladimir-putin-5114036China's Xi Jinping has launched his state visit to Russia, thanking Moscow for its support on Taiwan's reunification with mainland China. The Chinese president stated that the historical trend of China being reunified is unstoppable and a part of the post-war international order. He celebrated the "enduring friendship" between China and Russia, which have supported each other since World War II. Xi's visit comes as tensions rise between Beijing and Washington ahead of their first face-to-face trade talks since US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on China in April.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3309443/chinas-xi-jinping-launches-russia-trip-thanks-moscow-over-taiwan?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionAt least 2,545 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel resumed its campaign, bringing the total death toll to 52,653. France's President Emmanuel Macron described the situation as "the most critical we have ever seen". The UN rights chief, Volker Turk, warned that expanding Israel's military strategy will lead to further mass displacement, deaths and injuries of innocent civilians, and destruction of Gaza's infrastructure. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa called for an end to what he described as a "deliberate humanitarian crime" of famine in Gaza.
https://www.jordantimes.com/news/region/hamas-insists-comprehensive-deal-end-gaza-warPakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha to discuss Pakistan-Qatar relations and tensions with India. Naqvi emphasized Pakistan's firm stance against Indian aggression, calling it a threat to regional peace. He reiterated Pakistan's offer for an impartial international investigation into the Pahalgam false flag operation, stating that the world needs to know who was behind the attack and who benefited from it.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1309107-naqvi-discusses-indo-pak-tensions-with-qatari-pmDefence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that India's aggression is pushing the region towards a dangerous tipping point, with the real threat of nuclear war looming if tensions escalate further. Pakistan launched retaliatory strikes against Indian targets in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, killing 31 civilians and wounding 57 others. The strikes were described as a "blatant act of war" by Islamabad, which also reported that six Pakistani locations were targeted. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appealed for solidarity after the attack, saying Pakistan's military had hit back hard against Indian aggression.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1309278-war-mongering-india-courting-a-potential-nuclear-clash-warns-asif