World News
US says China agreed to buy 10 million tonnes of coal in 2027, 2028
Coal production is high on the US president's agenda and his administration has moved to revitalize the industry to consolidate its place as a premium source of energy for the country
 "US says China agreed to buy 10 million tonnes of coal in 2027, 2028")
China, US agree to $30 billion tariff cut, AI dialogue, says Chinese FM
The leaders of the world's two largest economies ended a three-day summit that showcased personal diplomacy rather than big public breakthroughs
 "China, US agree to $30 billion tariff cut, AI dialogue, says Chinese FM")
Nepal flash floods: Death toll rises to 1,453, over 5,200 still missing
A month after floods devastated northern and central Nepal, 13,795 people have been rescued while 1,113 remain in holding centres, according to NDRRMA
 "Nepal flash floods: Death toll rises to 1,453, over 5,200 still missing")
Houthis attack Saudi Arabia again as Trump rejects ceasefire offer
Saudi air defences intercepted two Houthi drones targeting Riyadh and a ballistic missile aimed at Khamis Mushait as hopes fade for a US-Iran ceasefire
 "Houthis attack Saudi Arabia again as Trump rejects ceasefire offer")
Trump approval rating drops to 37% amid approaching US midterm elections
The Wall Street Journal said the rating is the lowest for any president heading into midterm elections in its polls dating to 1990, as Trump prepares to campaign for Republicans
 "Trump approval rating drops to 37% amid approaching US midterm elections")
Bus overturns in Iran killing 11, injuring 24 in central Markazi province
The bus overturned on the Saveh-Hamedan freeway, with traffic police attributing the crash to driver fatigue and drowsiness
 "Bus overturns in Iran killing 11, injuring 24 in central Markazi province")
CNN left off Air Force One as Trump admin signals new media restriction
CNN was replaced by conservative outlet Real America's Voice News for Trump's Saturday trip, as the US network video pool returned to the White House after a week-long dispute
 "CNN left off Air Force One as Trump admin signals new media restriction")
US seeks to expand passport records access for voter citizenship checks
The State Department proposal would expand access to passport records for state and local officials and potentially some nonprofits to verify voter eligibility
 "US seeks to expand passport records access for voter citizenship checks")
Tax fraud could cost US more than $300 billion annually, GAO finds
The Government Accountability Office estimated annual federal tax fraud losses at $116 billion-$304 billion, based on data from 2018 through 2024
 "Tax fraud could cost US more than $300 billion annually, GAO finds")
Trump rejects Iran's 7-day ceasefire plan, prepares for military escalation
The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump told aides he expects US bombing of Iran to resume after November's midterm elections
 "Trump rejects Iran's 7-day ceasefire plan, prepares for military escalation")
Super El Nino report: Co-author explains '451K excess deaths' estimate
Emily Grover-Kopec said the estimate of 15,800 additional heat-related deaths in India used seasonal temperature forecasts and peer-reviewed temperature-mortality relationships
 "Super El Nino report: Co-author explains '451K excess deaths' estimate")
Hormuz reopening to start after US accepts 7-day plan: Iran's Araghchi
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Washington would need to complete required steps within four to five days, with the strait reopening on the sixth day
 "Hormuz reopening to start after US accepts 7-day plan: Iran's Araghchi")
Congo plane crash: 14 people killed, including 2 senior military officials
A military spokesperson said the aircraft developed a technical fault while returning to Kinshasa from Kikwit and crashed in Kenge, killing all those on board
 "Congo plane crash: 14 people killed, including 2 senior military officials")
India reserves third-party rights in Russia-EU CBAM trade dispute in WTO
India has reserved its third-party rights in a WTO dispute filed by Russia against the European Union over its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, allowing New Delhi to follow the proceedings
 "India reserves third-party rights in Russia-EU CBAM trade dispute in WTO")
Datanomics: Love-hate relationship between the two largest economies
Foreign direct investment by China into the US and job creation by their MNEs in each other's economy have also been declining recently
 "Datanomics: Love-hate relationship between the two largest economies")
India, Turkey, Egypt part of talks to unblock Black Sea shipping: Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that in addition to these countries, there were also proposals from other nations to deblock the Black Sea.
 "India, Turkey, Egypt part of talks to unblock Black Sea shipping: Zelenskyy")
US pitches trilateral meeting with Ukraine, Russia in UAE: Zelenskyy
"The American side has proposed... meeting at a technical level in a three-way format," Zelenskyy told reporters.
 "US pitches trilateral meeting with Ukraine, Russia in UAE: Zelenskyy")
France to send troops to secure Saudi oil plant as Houthi attacks mount
Saudi Arabia came under attack from the Houthi militia on Thursday, with the kingdom saying it intercepted missiles fired toward the Red Sea port of Yanbu and the city of Taif.
 "France to send troops to secure Saudi oil plant as Houthi attacks mount")
Trump told Xi that China helping Iran is unacceptable, US ambassador says
Asked separately on Fox News if that meant China would stop assisting Iran, Perdue said Washington received assurances from Beijing on Thursday.
 "Trump told Xi that China helping Iran is unacceptable, US ambassador says")
Donald Trump tells OpenAI, Anthropic to withhold models from UK agency
Trump's government wants to ensure US-made models are secure before they are shared with partners including the UK
 "Donald Trump tells OpenAI, Anthropic to withhold models from UK agency")