Xi meets Trump amid Middle East tensions on Sept 24, 2026

1. XI-TRUMP SUMMIT, CALLS TO MANAGE DIFFERENCES
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan landed at Joint Base Andrews on the afternoon of Sept 23 and were greeted by US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania with a gun salute and national anthems. Xi called on both countries to move “in the same direction,” maintain moderate competition and properly manage differences. The same day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the UN General Assembly sidelines to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war; Lavrov said bilateral ties should be repaired “as soon as possible,” while UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo called for an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine.

2. IRAN REJECTS PRESSURE, REGIONAL TENSIONS RISE
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told the UN General Assembly that Iran rejects “the language of bullying,” is ready for talks but will not bow to force; he also criticized nuclear inspections in Iran while claiming Israel has an atomic bomb. Iran’s foreign ministry said its position was conveyed to the US through Qatar’s mediation. Meanwhile, the US is deploying about 1,200 National Guard soldiers to the Middle East; Houthi forces accused Saudi Arabia of 52 air and missile strikes across five provinces in 24 hours, though this remains unconfirmed. Iran also warned it would paralyze neighboring countries’ airports if they stop receiving Iranian flights.

3. ISRAEL KILLS HAMAS FINANCE CHIEF, BARS ARAB PARTIES
Israel’s military said it killed Mohammed Abu Alwan, head of Hamas’s finance department, in Khan Younis; Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz said Israel will keep targeting Hamas commanders and financing. The Central Elections Committee voted to bar Arab-majority parties including the Joint List and Ra’am from the Oct 27 election unless the Supreme Court intervenes; Palestinian and human rights groups criticized the move. The IDF also sent the headquarters of the elite 98th Division to the West Bank, described as exceptional; UN humanitarians warned that 550,000 liters of fuel allowed into Gaza is far below the minimum needed for basic services. France criticized Israeli actions in the West Bank and Gaza, while Israel called President Macron’s remarks “absurd.”

4. ITALY REVIVES NUCLEAR POWER, EU UNLOCKS HUNGARY FUNDS
Italy’s Senate passed a bill to return to nuclear power with 81 votes in favor and 51 against, reversing a roughly 40-year ban; the energy minister said generation could begin as early as 2033-2034. The European Commission proposed releasing 4.2 billion euros in cohesion funding for Hungary previously suspended over rule-of-law concerns. Portugal’s ban on concealing the face in public spaces took effect, with fines up to 3,000 euros.

5. US WEIGHS DIESEL EXPORT BAN, OECD FLAGS INFLATION
Politico reported the Trump administration is preparing a 90-day diesel export ban to cool record fuel prices; AAA data showed diesel at about $6.52 per gallon compared with $2.83 a year ago. A White House official called the report “fake news,” while industry sources said Trump may announce the ban before the weekend. The OECD projected global growth of 2.9% in 2026 and 3.0% in 2027, with G20 headline inflation possibly rising to 4.1%. In South Asia, Pakistan said it carried out precision strikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan in self-defense, while Afghan authorities reported no casualties; North Korea tested an upgraded 240mm guided rocket launcher; at least two people were killed in a Russian missile attack on Kyiv early Sept 24, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. South Africa raised its policy rate to 7.25%; Australia’s unemployment rose to 4.6% in August.

What to watch today: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the UN General Assembly on Sept 24 and reactions from regional parties.

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