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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.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has announced another interest rate increase, with policymakers citing growing concerns that inflation is proving more persistent than expected. The move means higher borrowing costs for Australian households and businesses, and it follows a series of tightening steps aimed at bringing price growth back toward the bank's target.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for de-escalation as fighting intensifies in Ethiopia. The appeal highlights growing concern over the impact of renewed hostilities on civilians, and comes amid reports of worsening conditions on the ground. Observers are watching for whether the parties to the conflict respond to international pressure to step back.

President Trump is reportedly considering a ban on diesel exports from the United States, a move that would keep more fuel domestically and could lower prices at home. Such a step would ripple through global fuel markets, affecting allies that rely on American diesel supplies and raising concerns among refiners and trading partners about supply disruptions.

SpaceX is preparing to launch its Starship rocket to orbit for the first time, a milestone for the company's next-generation heavy-lift vehicle. The flight would mark a major step in Elon Musk's plans for deep-space travel, and the anticipation of the debut orbital test is drawing wide attention across the space and technology communities.

Germany's foreign minister met with her Russian counterpart in a rare face-to-face encounter, urging Moscow to step back from what she called a dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine. The meeting stands out given how few high-level contacts between Berlin and Moscow have taken place since Russia's full-scale invasion, and it signals continued diplomatic channels despite deep tensions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia has effectively already begun an additional mobilization, as the war grinds on. He also cited new information about the involvement of North Korean troops in Russia's war effort, in addition to the roughly 8,000 already reported. The remarks point to Moscow stepping up manpower for the front line.

British authorities have released suspects who were detained over an alleged terror plot targeting a U.K. military base that hosts American forces. The release raises questions about the strength of the evidence against them and whether the investigation is still active. No details have been given on how many suspects were freed or on what conditions, and officials have not commented on the next steps in the case.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde is maintaining a gradual, measured approach to raising rates as the bank works to bring inflation back to its target. The stance signals the ECB will continue adjusting policy in careful steps rather than large moves, balancing persistent price pressures against risks to eurozone growth.

Japan's finance minister has reiterated that Tokyo and Washington remain in close coordination on currency matters, including steps affecting the yen's stability. The statement comes as the yen trades near historically weak levels against the dollar, keeping markets alert to any signs of joint or unilateral intervention to support the currency.

Donald Trump announced that Hamas has agreed to disarm as part of his Gaza peace plan, a major step in US-led efforts to end the war between Israel and Hamas. The announcement was met with intense global attention, with observers weighing whether disarmament will be implemented and what it means for ceasefire arrangements, hostages, and Gaza's future governance.

AI company Anthropic is the subject of reports that it is preparing for an initial public offering filing, a step that would take the Claude maker public. The news is drawing attention from investors and tech watchers, who are weighing what a listing would mean for the fast-growing artificial intelligence sector and its valuations.

The United States is set to begin construction of a permanent embassy complex in Jerusalem, moving beyond the interim facility opened after the embassy's relocation. The announcement is drawing attention given Jerusalem's contested status, with Israelis likely to welcome the step while Palestinians and much of the international community do not recognise the city as Israel's capital.

SpaceX conducted the orbital launch of Starship's 14th test flight, streamed live from its launch site as mission control tracked the vehicle in real time. The event drew large audiences watching the rocket's progress, with viewers following the countdown, liftoff, and flight milestones. Interest centres on Starship's continuing development as SpaceX pushes toward orbital capability and future deep-space missions.

Donald Trump says Iran is prepared to declare it will never develop nuclear weapons, a statement reported by regional outlets and drawing attention amid ongoing tensions over Tehran's nuclear programme. The claim, if confirmed, would mark a significant step in negotiations, though Iran has not been shown to have formally issued such a commitment.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Iran is under pressure to make concessions on its nuclear program in order to revive stalled peace negotiations with the United States. The report suggests Washington and its partners want concrete steps from Tehran before talks can resume, amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear activities and sanctions.

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.

SpaceX has launched its Starship into orbit for the first time, a milestone in the development of the giant rocket designed for deep space missions. The flight was cut short before completion, but the company and observers are treating the launch itself as a major step forward in getting the vehicle off the ground and into space.

US President Donald Trump said the war involving Iran could end soon, with negotiations continuing and Saudi Arabia stepping up its diplomatic efforts. The remarks point to intensified regional diplomacy, with Riyadh playing a mediating role as officials push for a ceasefire or broader settlement. Observers are watching whether the talks produce a concrete de-escalation in the conflict.

President Trump is open to offering Iran sanctions relief in exchange for 'concrete progress' on nuclear issues, according to a White House official. The signal suggests potential flexibility in Washington's approach to diplomacy with Tehran, and observers are watching for what specific steps Iran might need to take for any easing of sanctions to materialise.

Europe and NATO are stepping up preparations for a possible broader confrontation with Russia, moving beyond the assumption that the war will remain confined to Ukraine. The concern driving the discussion is that Moscow's aggression could spill into NATO territory, prompting European governments to expand defence spending, readiness planning and military stockpiles in case the conflict widens.

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.

The United States and China have each released lists of products worth roughly $30 billion that will see tariff cuts, following a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. The reciprocal move is being read as a step toward easing trade tensions between the world's two largest economies, though details on timelines and implementation remain limited.