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China’s president Xi Jinping says Trump lied about them having a phone call

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 China’s government flat-out said on Monday that President Xi Jinping has not spoken with President Trump recently, killing any idea once again that the two leaders were secretly chatting to fix their trade war. Beijing made this statement during a regular press conference, slamming Trump’s claim made last week in a Time magazine interview that Xi had picked up the phone and called him. According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there have been no calls, no negotiations, and no backdoor deals to fix the tariff disaster between the two biggest economies on the planet. Guo Jiakun, the spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, stood in front of reporters and said, “As far as I know, there has been no recent phone call between the two heads of state.” He went even further to drive the point home: “I want to reiterate that China and the United States are not engaged in consultations or negotiations on the tariff issue. These are lies.” That was about as clean and cold as it...
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Trump may be slipping off Putin’s hook

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 Is the latest Russian ceasefire announcement another meaningless gesture, an attempt to appease the US president who seems to have ended his bromance with the dictator in the Kremlin – or a genuine attempt to end the bloodshed in Ukraine? We can all hope it is the latter, but we should be very suspicious. One factor is likely to be that Russia says it has now retaken all of Kursk oblast. Zelensky has thus lost one of his key bargaining chips, which might increase Putin’s willingness to bargain. Then, Russia has just seen another top general assassinated, virtually on the steps of the Kremlin. One can see why Putin and his close circle may be somewhat spooked by the ease with which the Ukrainian secret service or its proxies are now operating in the Russian capital.   Virtually up until the Pope’s funeral at the weekend, all the advantage seemed to be with Putin, as Trump and his key lieutenants – most especially Steve Witkoff – seemed to be buttering up the Russian lead...
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Indonesia urges stronger ASEAN role anchoring regional peace, balance

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 Deputy Chairperson of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono emphasized the importance of enhancing ASEAN collaboration as an anchor for regional peace and balance. "We must increase collaboration in ASEAN as an anchor for peace and balance, and maintain these good relations," Yudhoyono stated in a press release received here on Thursday. He conveyed this statement during a meeting with Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore, Suryo Pratomo, at the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore on Wednesday (April 23). He noted that strengthening ASEAN regional collaboration should be more focused on developing a trade and investment ecosystem, as well as supporting food and energy self-sufficiency and environmental sustainability. Yudhoyono affirmed that Indonesia needs to strengthen its diplomacy to address various geopolitical and economic challenges, as well as respond to strategic issues related to cybersecurity, global supply chains, and energy transformation...
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President Prabowo receives Fiji's PM's visit at Merdeka Palace

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 President Prabowo Subianto received the official visit of Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday, marking the first official visit from a leader of the country. The visit of Prime Minister Rabuka and his delegation to Indonesia marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Fiji. The prime minister and his entourage arrived at the Merdeka Palace at around 10:30 a.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB), welcomed by the guard of honor, cavalry troops, and elementary students waving the national flags of Indonesia and Fiji. President Prabowo personally greeted Prime Minister Rabuka upon arrival, with the latter dressed in a black suit and traditional sulu skirt. The leaders then proceeded to participate in a welcoming ceremony featuring the national anthems of Indonesia and Fiji, accompanied by 19 cannon blasts. The leaders then conducted a troop inspection and introduced the delegates from their respective countries. ...
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Arne Slot’s Key Decision Over Liverpool Ace vs Leicester Shows He Has No Anfield Future

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  Arne Slot ’s Liverpool inevitably lifting the Premier League trophy will have to wait another week after this weekend’s set of results – but the Anfield faithful are trying to come to terms with a decision made by the Dutch tactician ahead of their Leicester City clash. The fact that Arsenal, who are expected to finish second for a third season on the trot, beat Ipswich Town 4-0 earlier on Sunday meant that the Reds were unable to be crowned champions, irrespective of the result against the Foxes. GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Arne Slot, should Liverpool win the league, will become the fifth manager in Premier League history to do so in their maiden campaign. At the King Power Stadium, the Premier League table toppers ran out 1–0 victors – but Federico Chiesa’s omission was a point of contention, especially with Trent Alexander-Arnold instantly returning to proceedings after recovering from a recent injury problem. ‘Slot’s treatment of a player with Chiesa’s talent is rather worryin...
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Man Utd put ‘damaged’ star up for sale after Amorim decides enough is enough

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 Alan Shearer declared a “damaged” Manchester United star simply isn’t good enough for the club, and an increasingly frustrated Ruben Amorim has reportedly decided enough is enough and greenlit a sale. After the heroics and drama of the Europa League comeback against Lyon, Man Utd crashed back down to earth when falling to Wolves on Sunday. United did have the better of the chances at Old Trafford, though familiar failures in front of goal saw Amorim’s men draw a blank for the third time in their last four Premier League matches. With Joshua Zirkzee injured it was Rasmus Hojlund who led the line. The Dane has endured a nightmare second season and has scored just one goal in 2025. One man who knows a thing or two about centre-forward play is Alan Shearer. And speaking in his role as a pundit on Match of the Day 2, the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer described Hojlund as a “damaged” player. “I’m looking at a damaged player in Hojlund,” Shearer said. “I think he wasn’t ready...
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Arsenal given go-ahead to complete deal for Nico Williams: report

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  Arsenal have a free run to sign Nico Williams, as manager Mikel Arteta looks to improve his squad this summer. The Gunners are just two matches away from a Champions League final, having seen off Real Madrid at the Bernabeu to set up a semi-final showdown with Paris Saint-Germain – but still, there are key areas of Arteta's squad that need addressing ahead of another Premier League title challenge next term. While Mikel Merino has done admirably in attack for Arsenal, new forwards are expected, as the club address the only area yet to see significant investment since Arteta took over in 2019. Arsenal are looking to trigger Nico Williams' release clause Arsenal began the season with six forwards in the shape of Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and the on-loan Raheem Sterling – though there are now question marks over several of those players going into next season. Sterling is expected to return to Chelsea at the expiration of his ...
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