Xi says dialogue, cooperation only correct choice for China, U.S.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that dialogue and cooperation are the only correct choice for China and the United States.

In the phone talks initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, Xi said that recalibrating the direction of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations requires the two sides to take the helm and set the right course, adding that it is particularly important to steer clear of the various disturbances and disruptions.

Noting that at the suggestion of the U.S. side, the two countries' lead officials recently held an economic and trade meeting in Geneva, Xi said it marked an important step forward in resolving the relevant issues through dialogue and consultation, and was welcomed by both societies and the international community.

Trump signs proclamation banning travel from 12 countries

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation to ban travel from certain countries on Wednesday evening, citing national security risks.

According to a release by the White House, the proclamation will fully ban the entry of nationals from 12 countries, namely Afghanistan, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

These countries were found "to be deficient with regards to screening and vetting and determined to pose a very high risk to the United States," the release read.

Portugal's new government sworn in

Luis Montenegro, leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and head of the Democratic Alliance (AD), was officially sworn in as Portugal's new prime minister on Thursday. The 16 ministers of the new cabinet also took their oaths of office.

At the inauguration ceremony, Montenegro pledged to "continue serving the country," vowed to "declare war on bureaucracy," and committed to advancing state reforms, maintaining political stability, and boosting social productivity. He also emphasized the government's intention to engage with the opposition and promote dialogue and cooperation.

U.S. vetoes UN Security Council draft resolution demanding immediate Gaza ceasefire

The United States on Wednesday vetoed a Security Council draft resolution that would have demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid.

The draft resolution, tabled by the 10 elected members of the Security Council, won the support of 14 out of the 15 members of the council. The United States, which holds veto power, voted against it.

Harvard files lawsuit against Trump's ban on U.S. entry for foreign students

Harvard University filed a legal challenge in federal court on Thursday against Trump administration's ban on international students from entering the United States on visas to attend Harvard.

The filing came less than 24 hours after President Donald Trump issued a proclamation suspending entry for foreign nationals intending to study at Harvard. The university alleged the administration's action was designed to circumvent an earlier court order that had blocked the Department of Homeland Security from banning international enrollment at Harvard.

Trump, Musk clash over economic policy, spending bill

U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk traded barbs over the Trump administration's sweeping tax-cut and spending bill on Thursday, a week after Musk left the administration.

The tax-cut and spending bill, also known as the "Big and Beautiful Bill," is part of Trump's core agenda and includes a series of economic measures such as eliminating tax credits for electric vehicle consumers, increasing investment in border security, and lowering corporate and personal tax rates.

Musk has been fiercely criticizing the bill in recent days. On Thursday, he called the bill a "mountain of disgusting pork" on social media.