Trump Leaves China With Big Claims, Few Details And No Confirmation

US President Donald Trump wrapped up his two-day visit to Beijing on Friday by declaring that his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping had produced major economic gains for Washington, including large-scale purchases of American aircraft, agricultural goods and energy and medical products.

Speaking before departing China, Trump said the meetings had resulted in "fantastic trade deals" and settled "a lot of different problems" in his meetings with China's Xi Jinping this week. However, the details of the deals and problems Trump has spoken about have not come to light yet.

"We've made some fantastic trade deals, great for both countries," Trump said after taking a walk with Xi through the gardens of Zhongnanhai, the leadership compound adjacent to the Forbidden City.

"We've settled a lot of different problems that other people wouldn't have been able to solve," he added, though he did not specify which issues had been resolved.

According to Trump and senior US officials, Beijing agreed to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft, with the possibility of hundreds more in the future, along with billions of dollars worth of American soybeans, oil, medical equipment and agricultural exports.

However, despite the sweeping claims from the US side, Chinese officials offered little public confirmation. Beijing refrained from formally announcing any of the agreements, and the foreign ministry did not confirm or deny Trump's statements when questioned by reporters.

Trump Says Xi Offered Help On Hormuz Crisis

Beyond trade, Trump also claimed progress had been made on one of the most sensitive geopolitical flashpoints - the Strait of Hormuz.

After the summit's opening day, the US president said Xi had indicated a willingness to help keep the crucial shipping route open amid growing tensions linked to Iran.

"He'd like to see the Hormuz Strait open, and said 'if I can be of any help whatsoever, I would like to help'," Trump said during an interview with Fox News.

Read | Trump-Xi Have Made 'Fantastic Trade Deals, Great For Both Countries'

The remarks came as Iran's confrontation with the West continues to threaten maritime traffic through the strategic waterway, a vital route for global oil shipments.

While China's foreign ministry later issued a statement saying "shipping lanes should be reopened as soon as possible", a ministry spokesperson did not confirm whether Xi had directly offered assistance to Washington on the issue.

Trump said that Xi had reassured him China was not preparing to provide military assistance to Tehran, though Beijing again made no public reference to such assurances.

Beijing Stays Quiet As Trump Touts 'Victories'

The contrast between Trump's enthusiastic messaging and China's restrained response became one of the defining features of the summit.

Throughout the visit, Trump repeatedly praised Xi, referring to him as a "great leader" and a "friend", while projecting the meetings as a diplomatic and economic success for the United States.

In another interview following the summit, Trump said Xi had agreed to several items on Washington's economic wishlist, including purchases of Boeing aircraft and American farm goods.

"One business deal struck involved Xi agreeing to purchase '200 big' Boeing jets," Trump said.

Read | Trump's 'Great Leader' Praise For Xi, Calls For 'Fantastic' US-China Ties

Later, while travelling back aboard Air Force One, he expanded on the claim, saying the agreement could eventually involve "a promise of 750 planes... if they do a good job with the 200".

Trump further stated that China had "agreed it wanted to buy" US oil and would also be "buying billions of dollars of soybeans".

Yet Chinese authorities continued to maintain silence on the specifics, neither confirming nor denying the reported deals.

Stephen Olson, a former US trade negotiator, told The New York Times that the summit was less about dramatic breakthroughs and more about stabilising ties between the world's two largest economies.

"No major breakthroughs were expected and none were achieved, but both countries got what they needed from this summit, a bit of additional stability," Olson said.

According to Olson, both leaders walked away with political advantages. Trump gained economic announcements he could present as victories at home, while Xi used the meeting to reinforce China's standing on the global stage.

Mr Xi presented China "as a full peer competitor to the United States, a country that does not need to bend the knee to US demands", Olson said.
 

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Iran, Trade, Taiwan On Cards As Trump Set To Meet Xi Jinping In Beijing

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are set to tackle thorny issues dividing the two superpowers when they meet in Beijing on Thursday, with Iran, trade and Taiwan on the cards.

Xi will greet Trump with pomp and ceremony as they meet at 10:00 am (0200 GMT) in the opulent Great Hall of the People, a lavish welcome that belies the deep tensions between the world's biggest economies.

The two leaders will also enjoy a state banquet at the hall in the evening, and Trump will visit the historic Temple of Heaven, a World Heritage site where China's emperors once prayed for good harvest.

The US president arrived for the two-day summit on Air Force One late Wednesday accompanied by top CEOs, including Nvidia's Jensen Huang and Tesla's Elon Musk -- symbols of business deals Trump hopes to reach.

He was given a red carpet welcome, with 300 Chinese youth in white uniforms chanting "welcome" and waving small Chinese and US flags in unison as he descended the steps of the presidential plane pumping his fist.

On Friday, Trump and Xi are set to have tea and a working lunch before the US president heads home to Washington.

The trip to Beijing marks the first by a US president in nearly a decade, after Trump visited in 2017, accompanied -- unlike this time -- by his wife Melania.

Following that first visit, Trump unleashed a barrage of tariffs and restrictions on Chinese goods. He did so again after returning to the White House last year, triggering a trade war before Xi and Trump agreed to a truce in October.

'Big Hug'

Trump has said he expects a "great big hug" from Xi as he banks on what he believes is a strong personal relationship with the Chinese leader who he has admiringly said rules China with an "iron fist".

Top of his wish list will be business deals on agriculture, aircraft and other topics, with a host of top businessmen in the US leader's delegation.

Aboard Air Force One en route to Beijing, Trump vowed on social media to push Xi to "open up" China to US firms "so that these brilliant people can work their magic".

The Chinese foreign ministry said Wednesday it "welcomes" Trump's visit and that "China stands ready to work with the United States...to expand cooperation and manage differences".

But Trump is dealing with a different and more emboldened China to the one he visited nine years ago, with a host of unresolved trade and geopolitical tensions between the two countries.

The Iran war in particular has threatened to weaken Trump's position in talks with Xi, having already forced him to postpone it from March.

The US president said he expected a "long talk" with Xi about Iran, which sells most of its US-sanctioned oil to China, but insisted that "I don't think we need any help with Iran" from Beijing.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a somewhat different tone.

"We hope to convince them to play a more active role in getting Iran to walk away from what they are doing now, and trying to do now in the Persian Gulf," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told broadcaster Fox News in an interview aired Wednesday.

Tariff Truce?

The long-simmering trade war between the two countries will also be top of the agenda, after Trump's sweeping tariffs last year triggered tit-for-tat levies that exceeded 100 per cent.

Trump and Xi are set to discuss extending a one-year tariff truce, which the two leaders reached during their last meeting in South Korea in October, although a deal is far from certain.

On Taiwan, another issue that has bedevilled ties, Trump said Monday he would speak to Xi about US arms sales to the self-governing democracy claimed by China.

That would be a departure from historic US insistence that it will not consult Beijing on its support for the island, and one which will be closely watched by Taipei and US allies in the region.

China's controls on rare earth exports, AI rivalry and the countries' raucous trade relationship are also among the topics expected to be taken up by the two heads of state.

Both sides will be looking to come out of the summit with whatever wins they can, while also stabilising an often tense relationship between Beijing and Washington that has global implications.

Trump will also be hoping to leave with a firm date for a reciprocal visit by Xi to the United States later in 2026, to prove his rapport with his Chinese counterpart.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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MI React On Hardik Pandya's Absence For Two Straight Matches In IPL 2026

It has been a challenging period for five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians without regular skipper Hardik Pandya, but the game moves on, all-rounder Corbin Bosch said on Wednesday. A narrow loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur on Sunday knocked Mumbai Indians out of playoff contention this season, with Pandya missing the match due to a back spasm. The clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru was the third group-stage game Pandya missed this season, having also sat out the away fixture against Delhi Capitals and the home game against Lucknow Super Giants.

"It's obviously been tough. Hardik is not only a leader but a fantastic cricketer as well. We've missed his presence when it comes to the on-field stuff," Bosch told reporters on the eve of MI's contest against Punjab Kings.

"I'm sure the people who are making decisions and the people who are looking after him are trying to do the best for him and for the team itself.

"It has been tricky but at the same time the game does move forward and we still need to play cricket, so it's one of those things," Bosch added.

Suryakumar Yadav has stepped in on all three occasions when Pandya was unavailable, and the India T20I skipper could lead the side for a fourth time this season here on Thursday.

Mumbai Indians are languishing in the second-last spot in the 10-team points table, and all-rounder Bosch said the team's struggles this season stem from their inability to put together a complete performance.

"We just have not put together a complete game. One day it's been the bowlers who would do well and the batters struggle a little bit, or the next day the batters do well and the bowlers struggle," he said.

"The key moments in the game, which this team is known for winning, we just haven't done that this year. Maybe dropping crucial chances at crucial stages of the game that have swung the game in the opposite direction. It's a multitude of things, but at the same time, going into each game, we make sure that we leave no stone unturned," Bosch added.

Meanwhile, Punjab Kings assistant bowling coach Trevor Gonsalves said the side remains focused on cricketing matters and is not distracted by the noise around the team.

Punjab Kings, last year's finalists, have attracted attention on social media because of the off-field conduct of some of their players.

"Yes, today social media plays a big role, and the news in the media plays a big role. How the big players handle themselves against all these things is absolutely important," Gonsalves said when asked how the team is handling the talk on social media and criticism of the squad.

Gonsalves said such matters cannot be taught to players.

"You don't need anyone to teach them, first of all. They are big enough. They know how to control themselves. As far as we are concerned, we are more concerned about the cricketing part," he said.

"Any blogger or any person can go and put up anything on social media, and there are lakhs of people agreeing to it and saying yes or no. But, frankly speaking, we are not too concerned about what social media says. At present, we are only concerned and worried about tomorrow's game and how we are moving forward in the cricketing part," he added.

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Bomb With 7-Hour Timer Found Near Pune Hospital, Removed By Disposal Squad

A bomb equipped with a seven-hour timer was found outside a hospital in the Kamdhenu Estate area of Pune's Hadapsar on Wednesday, causing panic in the vicinity.

The suspicious object was discovered near the hospital premises. Police immediately alerted the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and the fire brigade. Teams, including a dog squad, reached the spot and cordoned off the area.

BDDS personnel examined the object and shifted it to an open, secure location away from the hospital for further checks. Senior officers also visited the site as investigations began.

Preliminary findings indicate the device was a live bomb containing explosive material and a functional timer. 

"A low-grade explosive IED was found in the city; investigation is underway on a war footing. The bomb was defused in an open field," said Pune City Police Commissioner Nitesh Kumar.

Crime Branch and local police are now working to determine how the bomb was placed there and who was responsible.

No casualties or injuries have been reported. Authorities said the situation is under control, and operations are ongoing to trace the origin of the device.
 

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IPL Playoffs Scenario, Points Table: What GT's Massive Win vs SRH Means

Gujarat Titans destroyed Sunrisers Hyderabad in an absolute dominant display in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. Batting first, GT scored 168/5 in 20 overs, with half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar. In reply, Sunrisers Hyderabad were bowled out for 86 - their lowest-ever score in the IPL. Kagiso Rabada and Jason Holder took two wickets each, while Mohammed Siraj also produced a disciplined effort. The win took GT to 16 points in 12 matches. It has all but assured them a playoffs spot.

It also means that the seven teams in contention are now effectively fighting for the remaining three spots. After a five straight win, their joint-longest winning streak, GT are two points ahead of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (14 points in 11 matches) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (14 points in 12 matches). Following them are - Punjab Kings (13 points in 11 matches), Chennai Super Kings (12 in 11 matches), and Rajasthan Royals (12 in 11 matches). Even Kolkata Knight Riders (9 points in 10 matches) and Delhi Capitals (10 points in 12 matches)

Since 2022, teams with 16 points have qualified as the fourth-best team. In 2022 (Royal Challengers Bengaluru), 2023 (Mumbai Indians), and 2025 (Mumbai Indians), teams qualified for the playoffs in fourth place with 16 points. So that is the minimum that teams generally require to advance. Only in 2024 did four teams finish on 14 points - Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants - with RCB progressing due to a superior net run rate as the fourth-best team.

More updates to follow...

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Google Unveils New Googlebook Laptops With Gemini Intelligence, Magic Pointer and Glowbar Design

Google has unveiled Googlebook, a new category of AI-focused laptops designed around Gemini Intelligence. The launch of new laptops comes more than 15 years after the launch of Chromebooks. The new laptops feature Google Chrome and Google Play Store. It will come with a modern OS that’s designed for Gemini Intelligence. The new laptops are claimed to be the first laptops designed from the ground up for Gemini Intelligence.

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Kevin Hart Roast Takes Wild Turn As Shane Gillis Drops Explosive Epstein Reference

Kevin Hart was meant to be the main focus at Netflix's Roast of the comedian-actor, but the attention quickly shifted to Shane Gillis and Chelsea Handler, who ended up trading sharp barbs on stage. Gillis, who hosted the event, spoke about a dinner Handler reportedly attended in 2010 that included Jeffrey Epstein, two years after his prison sentence for a solicitation of prostitution from a minor.

He also mentioned that the gathering was small, saying only a few people were present, including Prince Andrew and Woody Allen. Gillis even told the audience that he considered all of this part of a roast performance and suggested that people can find information about the dinner in public reports online.

Before welcoming Chelsea Handler on stage, Shane Gillis said, “Chelsea is a Zionist. I'm not saying that's good or bad. Speaking of dead kids, she's big fan of abortions. Chelsea has been scraped more times than the grill at Benihana. Speaking of tossing tiny shrimp into a child's mouth, Chelsea Handler went to dinner at Jeffrey Epstein's house in 2010. Look it up, there are articles. It wasn't like a big party, there were like seven guests. Prince Andrew and Woody Allen was there.”

Handler then responded directly to Gillis' remarks during the roast, while clearing that being Jewish and supporting Zionism are not the same thing. She also added a comparison, saying that different cultural areas like Chinatown and Koreatown are not the same either.

Handler then shifted the focus to Gillis' past controversy with Saturday Night Live, where he was removed before officially joining the show after old clips of him using offensive language about Asian surfaced online.

After making jokes about Shane Gillis and some other guests, Chelsea Handler also returned to the topic involving Jeffrey Epstein. She said, “Welcome to tonight's episode of To Catch a Predator. This is a real who's who of statutory rapists. We're all just lucky none of you could afford an island.”

Chelsea Handler has often said that she only went to one dinner at Epstein's home. She has made it clear that she never visited his controversial private island and never had a close relationship with him. She has also tried to separate herself from Epstein, saying that the meeting was limited to a single event and nothing more.
 

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