President Donald Trump, center right, and first lady Melania Trump, right, greet China's President Xi Jinping, center left, and his wife Peng Liyuan on the South Portico of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo)Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived at White House on Thursday for a bilateral talk with US President Donald Trump. The Republican leader and First Lady Melania greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, on the South Lawn before the two couples headed inside the White House. Jinping, in his address at the White House, said, “Willing to work with Trump to steer the ship of China-US ties.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping is on a high-stakes three-day state visit to the US, calling for both to be partners rather than rivals. After arriving in the US, Xi said both can find the right way to coexist in a new era. Chinese leader said China and US should work towards a stable relationship centred on cooperation, while managing competition and differences.
He said the interests of the two countries were connected and that China’s national rejuvenation and US President Donald Trump’s goal of “making America great again” could complement each other and benefit the world.
Trump and Jinping are set to discuss issues including trade, Iran, Taiwan, and artificial intelligence when they meet today at the White House. Both sides have agreed to extend their trade truce by two months, but major differences remain over tariffs, rare-earth exports, and advanced technology. Trump has also pressed China to use its influence over Iran to help end the nearly seven-month war, while China is seeking an end to US arms sales to Taiwan and fewer restrictions on advanced chip exports, Associated Press reported.
In other news, Pakistan said it carried out airstrikes on 10 sites in Afghanistan that it claimed were being used to launch drone attacks against Pakistan. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the strikes targeted military sites linked to the attacks and were deliberate, precise and proportionate. Kabul has not immediately responded, while Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid denied that Afghan forces had attacked Pakistan, the Associated Press reported.
These strikes come days after Pakistan carried out airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, which Islamabad said targeted militant hideouts and Kabul said killed civilians.
Eight sailors assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during its lengthy deployment in the Middle East, Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao stated. In a letter to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Cao said the sailors were from the carrier crew, air wing, strike group and destroyer squadron staff, as well as escorting ships and aviation squadrons. The disclosure came after concerns raised by sailors’ families over deteriorating mental health and living conditions during the deployment, which began in November and was repeatedly extended, according to BBC reports. Cao said five chaplains and several mental health professionals were on board. The Navy stated temporary problems with plumbing, water desalination and food supplies, but denied reports of a wider mental health crisis on the carrier.
Follow the latest world news and major international developments here. This live blog is a rolling curation of the day’s key global stories, with updates added as events unfold and the news agenda changes. The headline, introduction and Top Developments section will be refreshed throughout the day to reflect the stories that matter most at that moment.
Reporters from three news outlets banned from the White House by US President Donald Trump were back on the grounds Thursday afternoon, hours after a federal judge ordered the administration to reinstate their access.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists were allowed back in, the latest development in an extraordinary showdown between Trump and media outlets whose coverage he dislikes.
The United Arab Emirates' General Civil Aviation Authority said on Thursday it had suspended flights by Iranian airlines to and from the country until further notice.
The authority said in a statement carried by the state news agency that the decision was based on US sanctions imposed on Iranian airlines over the use of airports around the world.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday hailed the "truly great friendship" he has forged with Xi Jinping as the Chinese leader began his highly anticipated state visit.
"President Xi and Madame Peng arrive at an important moment for America — the 250th anniversary of our founding." - President Donald J. Trump https://t.co/dvIvKOojez
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 24, 2026
In his address at the White House, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that he is "willing to work with Trump to steer the ship of China-US ties."
US and Chinese officials have been working to encourage a more balanced trading relationship between the two countries, including new market access for American farmers and ranchers, US President Donald Trump said on Thursday.
President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet Xi Jinping, President of The People’s Republic of China, and Madame Peng Liyuan to the White House for their official state visit. pic.twitter.com/4Nw0NP96Zx
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 24, 2026
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived at White House on Thursday for a bilateral talk with US President Donald Trump.
The Republican leader and First Lady Melania greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, on the South Lawn before the two couples headed inside the White House.
A Politico reporter was barred from the White House on Thursday despite a judge's order calling for access to be restored immediately for journalists from Politico, CNN and MS NOW after President Donald Trump banned the news outlets, Politico said.
Saudi Arabia's civil defence authorities issued alerts on Thursday in the holy city of Mecca, the northwestern area of Tabuk, the Red Sea areas of Jeddah and Yanbu, and the southern area of Taif. The alerts were the first of the day to be issued by Saudi authorities.
However, Riyadh's civil defence authorities later clarified that the danger in the notified areas had passed, Reuters reported.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who delivered his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday, said he defended the legitimacy of the Iranian nation at UN headquarters.
"We had a text prepared to deliver, but upon hearing the US President’s speech, our perspective went beyond that draft. I defended the legitimacy of the Iranian nation at the UN General Assembly,” the Iranian president also said, adding: “The Iranian nation – with its deep roots and rich civilisation – cannot be destroyed," Pezeshkian said.
The Kremlin said on Thursday that no decision had been taken yet on a possible summit in December between Russian and US Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, and that it was too early to talk about the agenda for such a meeting.
The United States invited Putin to a December G20 meeting in Miami, Florida, where he could hold a summit with Trump, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck the eastern Turkey region today, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said. Further details on the depth of the quake and any casualties or damage were not immediately available.
Israeli forces shelled several villages in southern Lebanon’s Nabatieh district, including areas between Mayfadoun, Zawtar al-Sharqiyah and Wadi al-Salouqi, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported. Artillery fire also hit Barachit and Beit Yahoun, while solar panels in Mayfadoun were bombed and caught fire. The town of al-Mansouri in the Tyre district was also struck for a second time after earlier artillery fire, according to NNA and local reporters.
A Sita Airlines aircraft carrying 16 people, including seven foreign nationals, suffered a runway mishap while landing at Juphal Airport in Nepal’s Dolpa district today after its rear right wheel came off. The aircraft, which was flying from Nepalgunj, came to a halt on the runway around 8.25 am. The pilot immediately switched off the engine, preventing further incident, officials said. The plane sustained no major structural damage, but its presence on the runway forced authorities to suspend all flight operations at the airport. A Nepali Army aircraft approaching the airport was also forced to turn back. Repair work is underway, with technicians being flown in by helicopter to remove the stranded aircraft and restore operations.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsSita Air Dornier 228 suffers wheel detachment during landing at Juphal Airport of Nepal.
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) September 24, 2026
A Sita Air Dornier 228, operating from Nepalgunj to Juphal Airport in Dolpa, experienced a wheel attachment failure while landing at around 8:25 a.m. on Thursday, September 24.
The… pic.twitter.com/wVNQQlxd33
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore White House access for journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico, finding that the ban on the three outlets was likely unconstitutional. US District Judge Timothy Kelly issued the order after the news organisations sued over President Donald Trump’s decision to bar them from the White House on September 18. Trump had accused the outlets of reporting “FICTION and LIES”, while Justice Department lawyers defended the restrictions on national security grounds. (Reuters)
Nearly seven months into the war, oil supplies have remained sufficient despite Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Gulf producers have shifted to pipelines, alternative sea routes and a US-protected shipping corridor, keeping prices around $100 a barrel. But the workarounds are costly and vulnerable to further attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia was using citizens of 47 countries, including India, in its war against Ukraine and urged their governments to prevent their nationals from being drawn into the conflict. Addressing the UN General Assembly, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had received prisoners of war from several countries and that foreign nationals were also dying on the battlefield. “Do not let Putin drag you into this war,” he said, naming India, Nepal, Ghana, Tajikistan, Cuba, South Africa, Sudan and others. His remarks come weeks after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India had identified 227 nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces, of whom 139 had been discharged and 51 had died. Zelenskyy also called for continued sanctions and restrictions on trade with Russia, arguing that Moscow’s revenues help sustain the war.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to discuss issues including trade, Iran, Taiwan, and artificial intelligence when they meet at the White House today. The two sides have agreed to extend their trade truce by two months, but major differences remain over tariffs, rare earth exports and advanced technology. Trump has also pressed China to use its influence over Iran to help end the nearly seven-month war, while Beijing is seeking an end to US arms sales to Taiwan and fewer restrictions on advanced chip exports. (AP)
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said he spoke to President Donald Trump after his UN trip and called Trump’s address to the 81st General Assembly one of his strongest. In a post on X, Gor wrote that Trump said “America is back and stronger than ever” and highlighted his administration’s actions on wars, cuts and reforms at the United Nations, and US leadership in artificial intelligence. Trump also issued a choice to Iran, according to Gor, saying Tehran could pursue a deal or face tougher action. Gor said Trump’s next major engagement would be hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsJust got off the phone with President Donald Trump after he wrapped his UN trip. His address to the 81st General Assembly was one of his strongest—America is back and stronger than ever, “while others have talked, I have acted.” He laid out the wars he’s closed, the UN budget…
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) September 24, 2026
Eight sailors assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during its lengthy deployment in the Middle East, Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao stated. In a letter to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Cao said the sailors were from the carrier crew, air wing, strike group and destroyer squadron staff, as well as escorting ships and aviation squadrons. The disclosure came after concerns raised by sailors’ families over deteriorating mental health and living conditions during the deployment, which began in November and was repeatedly extended, according to BBC reports. Cao said five chaplains and several mental health professionals were on board. The Navy stated there were temporary problems with plumbing, water desalination and food supplies, but denied reports of a wider mental health crisis on the carrier.
In other news, Pakistan said it carried out airstrikes on 10 sites in Afghanistan that it claimed were being used to launch drone attacks against Pakistan. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the strikes targeted military sites linked to the attacks and were deliberate, precise and proportionate. Kabul has not immediately responded, while Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid denied that Afghan forces had attacked Pakistan, the Associated Press reported. These strikes come days after Pakistan carried out airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, which Islamabad said targeted militant hideouts and Kabul said killed civilians.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for China and US to be partners rather than rivals, saying the two countries can find the right way to coexist in a new era. Speaking after arriving in Washington, Xi said China and US should work towards a stable relationship centred on cooperation, while managing competition and differences.
He said the interests of the two countries were connected and that China’s national rejuvenation and US President Donald Trump’s goal of “making America great again” could complement each other and benefit the world.
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