China, U.S. trade talks in-depth, candid, constructive, says China int'l trade representative

The trade and economic teams of China and the United States held in-depth, candid and constructive exchanges over important topics of mutual interest, a senior Chinese official said here on Tuesday.

Li Chenggang, China's international trade representative with the Ministry of Commerce and vice minister of commerce, made the remarks when briefing the press following the new round of economic and trade talks in Stockholm.

The two sides will continue pushing for the continued extension of the pause on 24 percent of reciprocal tariffs of the U.S. side, as well as countermeasures of the Chinese side, said Li.

UK to recognize State of Palestine in September unless Israel commits to long-term peace

Downing Street on Tuesday urged Israel to take substantive steps to end "the appalling situation in Gaza" and commit to a long-term and sustainable peace, or else the British government will recognize the State of Palestine in September to "protect the viability of the two-state solution."

In a statement, Downing Street called on Israel to immediately allow the United Nations to resume the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza to prevent starvation, agree to a ceasefire, and clearly state that there will be no annexations in the West Bank.

The statement also called on Hamas to immediately release all hostages.

IMF raises global growth forecast to 3 pct in 2025

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday lifted its global growth forecast in 2025 to 3 percent, 0.2 percentage point higher from its projection in April, according to an update to its World Economic Outlook.

Emerging market and developing economies are now expected to grow by 4.1 percent in 2025, 0.4 percentage point higher than the April forecast, according to the latest update.

Meanwhile, the growth projection for advanced economies has been revised upward to 1.5 percent, compared to the earlier estimate of 1.4 percent.

Death toll from Israeli strikes in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023 surpasses 60,000

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has surpassed 60,000, Gaza's health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday.

During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 112 people and wounded 637 others, bringing the total death toll to 60,034 and injuries to 145,870 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, it added.

The health authorities said that a number of victims remain under the rubble, as ambulance and civil defense crews are unable to reach them.

On Tuesday alone, at least 30 Palestinians, mostly women and children, were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting residential homes in the al-Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, said Al-Awda Hospital in the camp.

Shooting in New York office building leaves 5 dead, 6 injured

A gunman killed four people and injured six others on early Monday evening before shooting himself dead inside an office building in Manhattan, New York City.

The 27-year-old gunman named Shane Tamura opened fire around 6 p.m. (2200 GMT) and died from "an apparently self-inflicted injury," CNN reported. The information was later confirmed by Mayor Eric Adams.

Earlier, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said on X, "At this time, the scene has been contained and the lone shooter has been neutralized."

One of the victims was an off-duty New York Police Department officer, while the other three were civilians, local media reported.

Putin, Netanyahu discuss Syria's integrity, Iranian nuclear issue in call

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, the Kremlin said in a statement.

The Russian president "emphasized, among other things, the importance of upholding the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as strengthening its internal political stability through respect for the legitimate rights and interests of all ethnic and religious groups in the population," the statement noted.

According to the Kremlin press service, Putin also underscored Moscow's willingness to engage in efforts to seek a negotiated resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue.