James Woolcock

Leaders are expected to discuss a framework for demining the waterway, which would require agreement from Iran and other parties involved.

European leaders hope to secure Trump's backing for the mission, but the US president is already downplaying both Europe's role and the challenges involved.

Here he is speaking alongside France's President Emmanuel Macron.

Trump was speaking during a bilateral meeting with Macron, who, along with the UK's Keir Starmer, has been leading efforts to develop a plan to reopen the strait.

While Washington and Tehran both say they have reached an interim agreement to reopen the key shipping lane, they have offered differing accounts of what that agreement contains.

Officials are due to sign the accord in Switzerland this Friday, with the full text expected to be released later.

China's consumer spending and investment has slumped to levels last seen during the pandemic.

Retail sales declined by 0.6% last month from a year ago, a worse than forecast drop.

UPS's chief China economist Yu Song warns the country's domestic economy appears to be at risk of a deep slowdown.

The housing market downturn Song points to comes in spite of China's continuing export boom.

The UK is imposing fresh sanctions on Moscow while expanding its energy support for Ukraine.

The new measures target Russia's intelligence network, which has been procuring Western technology for use by its military in Ukraine.

Additional sanctions are aimed at suppliers of critical military equipment, as well as 20 oil tankers linked to Russia's energy exports.

The move comes as the UK and its G7 allies seek to increase pressure on the US to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.

Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Olga Stepanitskaya, says the time is ripe following Russia's attack on a historic cathedral in Kyiv.

That was Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Olga Stefanitskaya.

The UK's latest sanctions push comes as the BBC reported that a series of arson attacks targeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer last year had been linked to an extensive campaign of Russian sabotage.

And eight people have died after a B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff from a U.S.

Air Force base in Southern California.

According to a statement, the aircraft was on a routine test mission when the incident occurred.