September 25, 2026: Trump-Xi Summit Reaches Trade Truce Extension

1. US-CHINA SUMMIT REACHES NEW TRADE ARRANGEMENT
Trump hosts Xi at White House. On Sept 24, US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their third in-person meeting since Trump returned to office. They reached a new trade arrangement; US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the trade truce was extended by two months until Jan 10. Xi urged Washington to oppose "Taiwan independence" and handle the issue prudently; they also discussed AI, Korean Peninsula, Middle East, and Russia-Ukraine war. This is seen as a positive signal for global economy, though disagreements remain on Taiwan.

2. UKRAINE-RUSSIA TALKS ON LIMITED CEASEFIRE
Rubio meets Lavrov in New York. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said after meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that both Russia and Ukraine voiced interest in a limited ceasefire covering grain and energy targets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the US is pushing three steps: an energy ceasefire, reopening the Black Sea grain corridor, and a trilateral US-Ukraine-Russia meeting. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow wants peace, not a temporary truce, and dismissed talk of an energy ceasefire as rhetoric. The gap between the parties remains wide.

3. 80 NATIONS DEMAND REOPENING OF STRAIT OF HORMUZ
Coalition issues joint statement at UN. At the UN on Sept 24, 80 countries including South Korea, Gulf and Arab states, and major Western nations demanded the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, condemning Iran's actions and Houthi attacks as threats to international security and global trade. Bahrain's foreign minister read the statement calling for safe passage under UNCLOS. In response, Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei said the strait will not reopen until seven Iranian conditions are met. Iranian President Pezeshkian said Iran is ready for dialogue but will not bow to pressure.

4. PAKISTAN STRIKES TARGETS INSIDE AFGHANISTAN
Aerial strikes hit drone storage sites. Pakistan carried out precision aerial and drone strikes on 10 locations inside Afghanistan reportedly used to launch and store drones, days after shooting down eight drones that entered from Afghanistan. Afghanistan's Taliban government said the strikes on Paktia, Khost, and Kandahar killed at least four civilians and vowed an "appropriate response." Cross-border escalation risks further destabilizing the region.

5. 77 DELEGATIONS WALK OUT DURING NETANYAHU UN SPEECH
Walkout at UN General Assembly. Delegations of 77 countries walked out of the UN General Assembly hall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the podium. Netanyahu used his speech to attack New York City's mayor and Turkish President Erdogan. Reuters reported that Netanyahu's shortened visit reflects strained Israel-Washington relations. Meanwhile, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa said the "New York Declaration" is a practical framework for a two-state solution requiring concrete steps.

6. HAMAS SAYS READY TO IMPLEMENT GAZA PEACE ROADMAP
Hamas blames Israel for obstructing ceasefire. Hamas said it is ready to implement the roadmap agreed with the US-led "Board of Peace" for the Gaza peace plan, blaming the Israeli government and the Board's inability to compel Israel for the obstruction of the ceasefire. Palestinian sources reported a girl killed by Israeli fire in Rafah, casualties from an Israeli strike on a vehicle southwest of Gaza City, and settlers burning a Palestinian vehicle near Hebron. The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate.

7. NAURU ANNOUNCES WITHDRAWAL FROM ICC
Pacific island nation to exit ICC. Naoero (formerly Nauru) President David Adeang announced at the 81st UN General Assembly that the country will withdraw from the International Criminal Court. The move comes amid scrutiny over whether US pressure could prompt other countries to follow, potentially weakening international criminal justice mechanisms.

8. FRANCE CALLS FOR G7 COORDINATED OIL RESERVE RELEASE
Macron proposes G7 action to stabilize oil prices. French President Emmanuel Macron said France plans to convene G7 members to discuss releasing strategic oil reserves in a coordinated way to stabilize international oil prices. The proposal comes as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia disrupt supply. Separately, the European Commission voiced concern over reported US plans to ban diesel exports, warning such disruption could harm both sides.

What to watch today: The Taliban's official response to Pakistan's airstrikes.

*Information compiled from multiple sources for reference at the time of publication.*