US-China talks end with push to extend tariff truce

US and Chinese officials ended two days of talks in Stockholm agreeing to work toward extending their 90-day tariff truce, due to expire August 12, according to Firstpost.

China’s Li Chenggang called the discussions constructive, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said any extension depends on President Donald Trump.

Talks focused on trade terms, rare earths, and strategic industries. The US also raised concerns over China’s ties with Russia and Iran.

Both sides stressed the importance of stable economic ties, with Bessent saying the goal isn’t to “de-couple,” but to reduce risks in key sectors, Firstpost reported.

 

YouTube added to Australia’s social media ban for under-16s

Australia will now include YouTube in its upcoming social media ban for under-16s, set to begin in December. The move means minors can still watch videos but won’t be allowed to hold accounts, according to BBC.

Originally exempt, YouTube was added after the eSafety Commissioner found it was the platform most linked to harmful content seen by children aged 10 to 15.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the ban is about protecting kids online, while Communications Minister Anika Wells warned tech companies not to challenge the policy, saying it’s a fight for children’s wellbeing.

Platforms that fail to comply face fines of up to A$50 m, BBC reported.

UK to recognise Palestinian state unless Israel meets conditions

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned the UK will recognise a Palestinian state at the UN in September unless Israel takes meaningful steps to end the crisis in Gaza, BBC reported.

He called for a ceasefire, renewed aid access, a halt to West Bank annexations, and commitment to a two-state solution. Starmer said the situation in Gaza is “intolerable” and the chance of peace is fading.

Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move, calling it a reward for terrorism. Trump also voiced concern, warning it could be seen as benefiting Hamas.

The UK faces growing domestic pressure, with over 250 MPs urging immediate recognition. Critics say recognition should not be conditional, while others warn it could backfire, as reported by BBC.

France plans a similar move, but Germany has ruled it out for now. Most countries already recognise Palestine, but sceptics say recognition alone won’t bring peace.

 

Japan and US issue tsunami warnings after magnitude 8.7 quake

Japan and the United States have issued tsunami warnings after a powerful 8.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday.

The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned of potential waves between one and three meters high threatening Hawaii, Alaska, and the US territory of Guam. Honolulu’s emergency officials ordered evacuations in some coastal areas, citing risk of destructive waves, according to BBC.

Japan’s weather agency also warned of tsunami waves up to three meters expected to hit large coastal regions from around 0100 GMT. Authorities have urged immediate evacuation to higher ground, warning that multiple waves could strike.

In Russia’s Far East, wave heights of 3 to 4 meters were recorded along parts of Kamchatka’s coast, BBC reported.