Trump offers Xi state dinner guests first-ever tour of ballroom construction site: ‘Special treat’

The Independent - Sep 25, 2026

The 90,000-square-foot golden ballroom being built in the White House’s East Wing is expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars

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Starbucks to shutter 250 stores in North America this week in 2nd wave of closings
Sep 25, 2026
Starbucks to shutter 250 stores in North America this week in 2nd wave of closings

Starbucks plans to close 250 North American stores later this week. It is the second big round of store closures under Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol , who joined the company in 2024. Last September, Starbucks closed 627 stores in North America and Europe. In a letter to employees, Starbucks Chief Operating Officer Mike Grams said the locations targeted either aren't delivering acceptable financial results or can't provide the kind of experience that Starbucks wants for customers and employees. The company didn't say Thursday which coffeehouses will close or how many are located in the U.S. Starbucks Workers United, which represents workers at the 700 company-owned U.S. Starbucks stores that have voted to unionize , said 20 unionized stores are among the 250 that are closing, or 8% of the total. Starbucks stores have been voting to unionize since late 2021, but the union and the company have yet to reach a labor agreement. Grams said Starbucks is continuing to retrofit its North American coffeehouses to make them cozier and more inviting. The company expects 1,500 stores will be

Xi says US, China reach new trade arrangement during summit with Trump: report
Sep 25, 2026
Xi says US, China reach new trade arrangement during summit with Trump: report

WASHINGTON —Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday the United States and China reached a new trade arrangement, according to a report, as he and U.S. President Donald Trump held a summit in Washington to discuss artificial intelligence (AI), trade, security and other key issues. Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi made the remarks during the White House summit, calling the arrangement "good news for industries and people of both countries, as well as the global economy," while noting that a stable economic relationship requires "expanding the list of cooperation and shortening the list of problems." It did not elaborate on the arrangement, but U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has told Fox News that Washington and Beijing agreed to extend their trade truce by two months until Jan. 10. During the summit, Trump and Xi also exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula, the situation in the Middle East and the war between Russia and Ukraine, according to the news outlet. Ahead of the summit, Trump and Xi were expected to touch on North Korea-related issues, as Trump hopes to have a meet

‘Friendship Forged In Blood And Fire’: Xi Recalls US-China Ties At White House Dinner As Trump Gifts Him Bald Eagle
Sep 25, 2026
‘Friendship Forged In Blood And Fire’: Xi Recalls US-China Ties At White House Dinner As Trump Gifts Him Bald Eagle

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged stronger US ties at a White House dinner, citing historic cooperation like Nixon's 1972 visit and WWII alliance.

Netanyahu calls Mamdani ‘antisemitic mayor’ in UN speech, accuses him of spreading lies
Sep 25, 2026
Netanyahu calls Mamdani ‘antisemitic mayor’ in UN speech, accuses him of spreading lies

The Israeli prime minister used his UN address to directly confront New York’s mayor over his criticism of Israel’s Gaza actions

US-China Bilateral: Trump And Xi Jinping Meet In Washington Amid Calls For Co-operation
Sep 25, 2026
US-China Bilateral: Trump And Xi Jinping Meet In Washington Amid Calls For Co-operation

US-China Bilateral: Trump And Xi Jinping Meet In Washington Amid Calls For Co-operation

Live: Pope heads to France on first state visit in 18 years
Sep 25, 2026
Live: Pope heads to France on first state visit in 18 years

Pope Leo XIV flies to France on Friday for the Vatican's first state visit to the European nation in 18 years, with artificial intelligence and young believers near the top of his agenda. President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte will be on the tarmac to greet the 71-year-old pope.

Netanyahu at UN: ‘Gaza genocide allegations are the biggest lie of the century’
Sep 25, 2026
Netanyahu at UN: ‘Gaza genocide allegations are the biggest lie of the century’

The Israeli prime minister addressed world leaders amid international criticism of Israel’s military actions and growing focus on the Gaza war

US, China Must Keep AI Under Human Control, Manage It For Good: Xi Jinping At White House
Sep 25, 2026
US, China Must Keep AI Under Human Control, Manage It For Good: Xi Jinping At White House

"We have both the capability and responsibility to develop and manage AI for good and ensure that the development of AI is always under human control," Xi said.

So ugly, it sells: China’s growing appetite for the weird and imperfect
Sep 25, 2026
So ugly, it sells: China’s growing appetite for the weird and imperfect

Ugly is having its moment in China. Behold the bizarre objects taking Chinese consumers by storm – and surprise.

From George Washington To Nixon: Xi Jinping Invokes US-China History At White House Dinner
Sep 25, 2026
From George Washington To Nixon: Xi Jinping Invokes US-China History At White House Dinner

Xi Jinping drew on nearly 250 years of American history to highlight periods of exchange and cooperation between the two countries.

Xi to invite 100,000 young Americans to China for study, exchanges over five years
Sep 25, 2026
Xi to invite 100,000 young Americans to China for study, exchanges over five years

The announcement came after an earlier five-year initiative inviting 50,000 young Americans achieved its target ahead of schedule

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