THE REGISTER
one of the most consequential encounters for years — BBC News
Trump and Xi meet in Beijing as the Strait of Hormuz stays closed and a ceasefire collapses.
Two leaders in one room, a strait still shut, and 163 of this morning's 200 articles name no human cost.
Today's stories
More from today's coverage, told in the same calm voice.
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Trump and Xi Meet in Beijing to Reset Relations
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are holding a summit in Beijing that both sides describe as a pivotal moment in superpower relations. Trade terms, Taiwan's status, and Iran policy are among the issues on the table. The outcome is expected to shape the economic and diplomatic environment for global trading partners well beyond the immediate agreement.
"This summit between the world's two most powerful leaders is set to be one of the most consequential encounters for years."
4 outlets · Read more →
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Trump Proposes Temporary Federal Gas Tax Suspension
President Trump has said he wants to suspend the federal gasoline and diesel excise taxes for an unspecified period. The taxes amount to 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents on diesel. Any suspension requires congressional approval and would reduce federal revenue by roughly half a billion dollars per week, raising questions about the impact on highway infrastructure funding.
"Suspending the excise taxes requires an act of Congress, and pausing it would cost the federal government about a half billion dollars a week."
4 outlets · Read more →
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Labour MPs publicly withdraw confidence in Starmer
A growing number of Labour MPs have posted public statements withdrawing confidence in Prime Minister Keir Starmer, creating visible pressure on his leadership. The pace of declarations has made them difficult to track in real time. Starmer has not resigned, but the open nature of the dissent marks a shift from private grumbling to coordinated public pressure. The instability raises questions about the government's ability to pass legislation and maintain a coherent policy agenda.
"A dam now appears to have broken, with Labour MPs posting their public loss of confidence in the prime minister with such frequency it can be hard at times to keep count of them."
3 outlets · Read more →
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Supreme Court allows Alabama to redraw congressional districts
The Supreme Court has cleared Alabama to implement a new congressional map before the 2026 midterm elections. The ruling affects Black voters in the state and eliminates the district currently held by the state's only Black Democratic congressman. The decision comes after years of litigation over whether Alabama's maps adequately represent its Black population under the Voting Rights Act.
3 outlets · Read more →
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Maryland Residents Monitored After Hantavirus Exposure
Maryland health officials are monitoring two residents for potential hantavirus exposure linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak. The World Health Organization has confirmed seven cases and suspects two more, with three people killed. At least one confirmed case involves a US national, and two confirmed cases are among British nationals. Passengers have now disembarked the vessel.
"Seven cases of hantavirus linked to the MV Hondius have been confirmed, with two others suspected, according to the World Health Organization."
2 outlets · Read more →
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Former California Mayor Pleads Guilty to Acting as Chinese Agent
Eileen Wang, a former mayor and city council member in Arcadia, California, has pleaded guilty to acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government. Federal prosecutors say Wang coordinated with Chinese officials and individuals inside the United States to spread pro-Beijing messaging between at least 2020 and 2022. She did not register with the U.S. Attorney General as required under federal law.
"Wang admitted she acted 'at the direction and control' of Chinese government officials while serving in elected office."
2 outlets · Read more →
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Israel enacts death penalty law for October 7 suspects
The Israeli Knesset has passed legislation allowing capital punishment and public trials for individuals linked to the October 7 attacks. The law is expected to apply to roughly 300 to 400 Gazan detainees currently in Israeli custody. Coalition members have stated openly that they anticipate mass executions to follow. Critics and human rights observers have raised concerns about due process and the law's compatibility with international standards.
"Government coalition members have made it clear that they expect mass executions to result from this court that they've established."
2 outlets · Read more →
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Mount Dukono eruption kills three hikers
An eruption on Mount Dukono in Indonesia's North Maluku province killed three hikers, including two Singaporean nationals and one Indonesian, while several others were injured. The group was ascending the volcano when it erupted without warning. Indonesian rescue teams conducted search and retrieval operations on the mountain in the aftermath. The incident has renewed attention to the risks of hiking active volcanoes in the region.
"Timothy turned back, and in only a split second he immediately hugged Shahin — then the rock landed, crushing them instantly."
2 outlets · Read more →
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Ramaphosa Refuses to Resign Amid Impeachment Probe
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said he will not step down following calls for his impeachment over the so-called Farmgate scandal, in which large sums of cash were allegedly concealed at his game farm. Parliament is considering a formal inquiry into whether he violated his oath of office. Ramaphosa maintains he has done nothing wrong and intends to remain in his position.
"The president's refusal to resign sets up a direct confrontation between the executive and parliament over accountability."
2 outlets · Read more →
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Trump Takes Corporate Delegation to China
President Trump is bringing a group of senior US executives, including Elon Musk, Apple's Tim Cook, and Goldman Sachs chief Larry Fink, on his trip to China. The delegation signals an attempt to blend commercial interests with diplomatic engagement at a moment of ongoing trade tension between the two countries. Boeing's chief executive is also among those expected to travel.
2 outlets · Read more →