Trump gets red-carpet welcome in China, but past Beijing trip shows pageantry only goes so far
President Trump received a red-carpet welcome when he landed in Beijing Wednesday with a military honor guard, band and children waving American and Chinese flags ahead of high-stakes talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The ceremony also highlighted the bigger question around Trump’s return to China about whether this visit can yield more lasting progress than his 2017 trip, which featured major business announcements but was followed by a sharp deterioration in U.S.-China trade relations. The meeting comes as trade tensions, the Iran war and disputes over Taiwan place new pressure on Washington and Beijing to stabilize relations between the world’s two largest economies. TRUMP HEADS TO BEIJING FOR HIGH-STAKES XI TALKS AS TAIWAN TENSIONS, TRADE DISPUTES TEST US STRENGTH The red carpet was rolled out with a welcome ceremony consisting of a military honor guard and a military band with Chinese children waving American and Chinese flags. “Welcome, welcome! Warm welcome!” the children chanted in Chinese. Trump exited Air Force One and was greeted by United States Ambassador to China David Perdue, Chinese Vice President H.E. Han Zheng, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the United States H.E. Xie Feng and Executive Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Ma Zhaoxu. First lady Melania Trump accompanied Trump nearly nine years ago for his first state visit. The 2017 trip emphasized pomp, personal diplomacy and commercial announcements and included excursions such as a Forbidden City tour, a Peking opera performance and a formal welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People. The 2017 trip produced more than $250 billion in announced commercial deals and cooperation pledges, but it did not prevent trade relations from deteriorating in 2018. Most notably, Trump announced a $12 billion deal for cellphone chips from Qualcomm and $37 billion for Boeing commercial jets, AP reported at the time. DONALD TRUMP DETAILS ‘MOST EXCITING PART’ OF CHINA TRADE AGREEMENT “These deals will create jobs for American workers, farmers and ranchers by increasing United States exports to China and stimulating investment in American communities,” the White House said at the time. A strategic focus of his first visit was North Korea’s nuclear program. Trump and Xi agreed at the time that North Korea should not become a nuclear weapons state, declaring the two countries would apply “maximum pressure.” China had already tightened enforcement earlier that year, including suspending North Korean coal imports, while Trump later said Chinese banks were scaling back business with North Korean entities. But U.S.-China cooperation weakened as broader trade tensions escalated, and North Korea continued advancing its missile and nuclear programs. The summit did not prevent a sharp deterioration in trade relations the following year, after Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese imports, triggering a prolonged trade standoff. Trump’s latest visit comes after a broader tariff escalation in which his administration imposed sweeping duties on imports from dozens of countries, with China emerging as the central flashpoint after Beijing retaliated and later tightened export controls on rare earth minerals, prompting Trump to threaten an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods. Trump is expected to press Xi on trade once again, suggesting that American entrepreneurs and executives could help drive growth inside China if Beijing lowers barriers and allows U.S. firms more room to operate. TRUMP WARNS CHINA OF ‘STAGGERING’ 50% TARIFF IF CAUGHT SUPPLYING MILITARY AID TO IRAN Accompanying Trump on the trip are top U.S. executives, including Elon Musk, Apple CEO Tim Cook, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, Cargill CEO Brian Sikes, Citi CEO Jane Fraser, GE Aerospace CEO Larry Culp, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, and Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon. Iran is expected to be among the issues during the talks, though Trump has downplayed differences with Xi over the war. Trump and Xi will hold talks and a formal banquet Thursday. Fox News Digital’s Eric Mack and Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
Senate confirms Kevin Warsh as Fed chair as Trump’s economic vision comes into focus
The Senate cleared Kevin Warsh on Wednesday to lead the Federal Reserve, ushering in a new era at the central bank under President Donald Trump’s nominee. The Senate confirmed Warsh, 54–45, concluding a monthslong search that began last summer for a successor to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell as his term neared its end. The vote was largely along party lines, with only Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. John Fetterman crossing over in support. Earlier in the week, Warsh was confirmed to the Fed’s Board of Governors, a 14-year appointment and a required step before serving as chair. He previously served on the board as its youngest member at age 35 and now returns to lead the central bank at a pivotal moment. FROM MORTGAGES TO CAR LOANS: HOW AFFORDABILITY RISES AND FALLS WITH THE FED Though the Federal Reserve operates largely out of public view, its decisions shape borrowing costs, job growth and interest rates for millions of Americans, making Warsh’s confirmation a pivotal moment for how that influence will be wielded. Warsh, a lawyer and financier, steps into the role at a particularly volatile time. The central bank is grappling with persistent inflation, the economic fallout from the war in Iran and a looming Supreme Court decision involving Fed Governor Lisa Cook, all while political pressure builds ahead of the midterm elections in November. The 56-year-old multimillionaire has already signaled a clear break from the central bank’s current approach. In testimony before lawmakers on April 21, Warsh pledged to keep monetary policy “strictly independent” and said he intended to keep the central bank “in its lane,” warning that the Fed had become too involved in social policy. He has also taken aim at what he sees as a complacent central bank, warning that large institutions are prone to inertia and that clinging to the “status quo” in a fast-moving economy is not just outdated but dangerous. WATCH: SEN WARREN UNLOADS ON TRUMP’S FED NOMINEE KEVIN WARSH IN EXPLOSIVE HEARING SHOWDOWN At the same time, he has signaled openness to closer coordination with elected leaders and to work with the White House and Congress on non-monetary matters, an approach that could reshape how the Fed operates in Washington. How that balance is struck could define not only Warsh’s tenure, but the future direction of the institution that plays a major role in the financial lives of millions of Americans. Warsh will take the reins from Powell, whose eight-year tenure as Fed chair concludes Friday. Powell, widely considered the most crisis-tested Fed chair, is not leaving the central bank entirely. Powell’s term on the Fed board runs through 2028, and he has indicated he plans to remain in place until all investigations into a renovation project at the Fed’s headquarters are complete. POWELL WILL REMAIN AT THE FED FOR NOW, SETTING UP POTENTIAL CLASH WITH TRUMP If Powell stepped aside entirely, it would have opened a seat for Trump to fill, giving him another opportunity to shape the Fed’s leadership. By staying on, Powell retains influence over U.S. monetary policy, potentially intensifying tensions with the president. “I plan to keep a low profile as a governor. There is only ever one chair of the Federal Reserve Board. When Kevin Warsh is confirmed and sworn in, he will be that chair,” Powell told reporters at a news conference at the Federal Reserve on April 29. Powell said that decision ultimately depends on the outcome of the investigation. “I will not leave the board until this investigation is fully resolved with transparency and finality,” Powell said. “I’m encouraged by recent developments, and I am watching the remaining steps in this process carefully. My decisions on these matters will continue to be guided entirely by what I believe is in the best interest of the institution and the people we serve.” Powell’s tenure at the central bank dates back to 2017, when he was selected by Trump to succeed Janet Yellen. He was reappointed to a second four-year term by President Joe Biden in 2022, which expires on May 15. The White House and Federal Reserve did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
LIVE: Manchester City vs Crystal Palace – Premier League
blinking-dotLive MatchLive Match, Follow our live build-up with full team news coverage ahead of our text commentary stream. Published On 13 May 202613 May 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)
France confines over 1,700 passengers on cruise ship over gastroenteritis
The British ship docked in the southwestern French city of Bordeaux reports 49 suspected cases. Published On 13 May 202613 May 2026 French authorities have temporarily prevented 1,233 passengers and 514 crew from leaving a British cruise ship docked in the southwestern city of Bordeaux after nearly 50 suspected gastroenteritis cases were reported on board. The vessel, the Ambition, was carrying mostly British or Irish nationals and one French person and had travelled from Belfast and Liverpool before arriving in southwestern France on Tuesday evening. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list In a statement on Wednesday, the regional health authority said there was no indication the apparent stomach flu outbreak was linked to a hantavirus cluster reported on the luxury ship MV Hondius, which had travelled between Argentina and the Canary Islands. Officials said the restriction on disembarkation was a precautionary measure while medical tests were carried out. Cruise operator Ambassador Cruise Line said enhanced sanitation and prevention measures had been introduced immediately on the vessel. The company said 48 passengers and one crew member were displaying gastrointestinal symptoms as of Wednesday morning. Ambassador said its data showed cases had risen after passengers boarded in Liverpool on Saturday. All shore excursions at Bordeaux were cancelled and affected passengers offered full refunds, the company said. “Once clearance is granted, guests will be permitted to disembark,” the company said in a Facebook post. Ambassador Cruise Line, a no-fly British operator targeting passengers above the age of 50, was founded in 2021 by Christian Verhounig, the former chief executive of Cruise & Maritime Voyages, which went into administration in 2020. Advertisement One 92-year-old British passenger had died on board of cardiac arrest on Monday during a stop in Brest, Brittany, in northwestern France. That death did not appear to be associated with the gastrointestinal outbreak at this stage, the Gironde prefecture said. Gastrointestinal illnesses are relatively common on cruise ships because viruses can spread quickly in enclosed spaces. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported four outbreaks on cruise ships so far this year, including cases linked to E coli and the norovirus. Gastroenteritis, often referred to as stomach flu, commonly causes vomiting and diarrhoea. While highly contagious, it is usually not serious although it can sometimes lead to complications such as dehydration. Health officials stressed that the illness differs significantly from the hantavirus, which has a much higher fatality rate but rarely spreads between people and generally requires close contact for transmission. Adblock test (Why?)
Reform UK leader Farage faces parliamentary probe over nearly $7m gift
If found guilty, the right-wing populist could be suspended from the House of Commons for a period of time. Published On 13 May 202613 May 2026 Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is facing an investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over a $6.7m (5 million pound) gift from a party donor, days after the anti-immigrant party emerged as the biggest winner in local and regional elections. A spokesperson for Reform UK denied any wrongdoing on Wednesday, telling the Reuters news agency that “[Farage] has always been clear that this was a personal, unconditional gift and no rules were broken.” Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list “We look forward to this being put to bed once and for all,” the spokesperson added. Farage said he accepted the donation from Thailand-based billionaire and crypto investor Christopher Harborne to pay for his personal security before he announced his candidacy in the 2024 national election that brought him into Parliament. He said it was not a political donation, but rival political parties in April accused him of breaking rules, which require members of parliament to declare donations received in the year preceding an election within one month of taking office. The party has topped every national opinion poll since early last year, prompting increased scrutiny of the party’s sources of funding. Last week, elections for about 5,000 seats on 136 local councils in England, as well as in the devolved parliaments in Scotland and Wales, marked significant progress for Reform UK, including in areas considered Labour heartlands. If the investigation finds Farage committed a serious breach of parliamentary declaration rules, he could be suspended from the House of Commons for a period of time. A suspension of 10 days or more could trigger a recall petition, potentially forcing him to stand in a special election for his seat. Advertisement About two-thirds of Reform’s funding last year came from Harborne, according to Electoral Commission data. Opponents say the funding from an overseas billionaire demonstrates a gulf between the image Farage cultivates as a man of the people willing to take on the establishment and his dependence on wealthy donors. Reform’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, said at the weekend that voters already knew about the gift and had still chosen to vote in large numbers for the party in last week’s elections. Earlier this year, Farage apologised after he was found by the parliamentary authorities to have inadvertently committed 17 breaches of rules on declaring financial interests, including payments from Google and Elon Musk’s X Corp. Parliament’s Standards Commissioner concluded the failures were unintentional and caused by staffing and other administrative issues. Adblock test (Why?)
TVK Clears Floor Test: Who are AIADMK rebels who defied EPS whip?
The DMK staged a walkout, reducing the total strength of the House during the voting. The number of MLAs supporting Vijay shows that a block of AIADMK rebels disobeyed the party whip and voted against it.
From UP CM Yogi to Delhi CM Rekha Gupta: BJP states cut convoys, push WFH on PM Modi’s appeal amid West Asia crisis; check statewise austerity measures
Amid West Asia crisis, PM Modi has appealed to Indians to revive working from home, buy less gold and limit foreign travel to conserve fuel due to surge in global energy ?prices. He also asked citizens to reduce edible oil consumption and limit destination weddings abroad. In an event in Telangana, PM Modi said, “During the Corona period, we adopted work from home, online meetings, video conferences and developed many such systems. We had also become accustomed to them,” Modi said. “Today, the need of the hour is that we restart those practices, as it would be in the national interest, and we must once again give them priority,” he said.
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari retains Bhabanipur seat, to vacate Nandigram constituency
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari announced he will retain the Bhabanipur Assembly seat and vacate Nandigram after taking oath as MLA.
Bihar Horror: 23-year-old bride found dead days after marriage, body burnt, probe underway
Sanju Kumari, a 23-year-old bride from Bihar, allegedly died just four days after her wedding following dowry-related harassment over a gold chain.
Prateek Yadav’s death: Post-mortem reveals lung infection, cardiac arrest, doctor says he had multiple health issues
Prateek Yadav’s death: Prateek Yadav’s postmortem report has come out which reveals that he died due to cardiac arrest which was triggered by lung infection and blood clot. His doctor also said that he had been battling multiples issues for a long time.