
Trump, Xi might meet ahead of or during October APEC summit in South Korea, SCMP reports
The two countries have been trying to negotiate an end to an escalating tit-for-tat tariff war that has upended global trade and supply chains.
Trump has sought to impose tariffs on U.S. importers for virtually all foreign goods, which he says will stimulate domestic manufacturing and which critics say will instead make many consumer goods more expensive for Americans.
He has called for a universal base tariff rate of 10% on goods imported from all countries, with higher rates for imports from the most "problematic" ones, including China: imports from there now have the highest tariff rate of 55%.
Trump has set a deadline of August 12 for the U.S. and China to reach a durable tariffs agreement.
A spokesperson for Trump did not respond to a request for comment about the reported plans for a meeting with Xi in the fall.
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Geeky Gadgets
18 minutes ago
- Geeky Gadgets
How to Build a Custom AI Assistants with Microsoft Copilot 365
Have you ever wished for an assistant that not only understands your unique workflow but also executes tasks exactly the way you would? Imagine automating your most time-consuming responsibilities—drafting polished emails, generating detailed reports, or even crafting professional social media posts—all with a tool that feels like an extension of yourself. With Microsoft Copilot 365, this isn't just a futuristic dream; it's a tangible reality. By building your own custom AI agent, you can unlock a level of productivity and personalization that goes far beyond the default Copilot experience. Whether you're a small business owner, a project manager, or simply someone looking to streamline their daily grind, this hands-on breakdown will show you how to turn Microsoft's AI-powered tools into your ultimate productivity ally. In this guide, the Piggy Bank Accountant walks you through the step-by-step process of creating your first Microsoft Copilot 365 agent, from defining its purpose to training it with precision. You'll discover how to tailor your agent's tone, behavior, and functionality to meet your exact needs—whether it's responding to customer inquiries with empathy, generating visually engaging content, or automating technical documentation. Along the way, you'll learn how to use advanced features like code interpretation and image generation to push your agent's capabilities even further. By the end of this journey, you won't just have a tool—you'll have a custom-built partner designed to help you work smarter, not harder. So, what could this agent free you up to focus on? Let's explore the possibilities. 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Leader Live
18 minutes ago
- Leader Live
At least 20 dead following latest Israel strikes on Gaza
The expansion of Israel's ground invasion comes as Israel and Hamas have been considering terms for a ceasefire for Gaza that would pause the fighting and free at least some hostages. The latest round of talks has dragged on for weeks with no signs of breakthrough, though negotiators have expressed optimism. With Israel expanding its control over large chunks of Gaza, an expected pullback of troops is a major point of contention in the talks. The Trump administration has been pushing Israel to wrap up the war and has shown signs of impatience. On Monday, President Donald Trump's press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said Mr Trump was 'caught off guard' by a recent Israeli strike on a Catholic church in Gaza. Top Christian clergy visited that church last week and in a press conference Tuesday in Jerusalem called for the war to end. In the latest round of strikes, at least 12 people died when tents sheltering displaced people in the built-up, seaside Shati refugee camp on the western side of Gaza City, were hit, according to the city's Shifa Hospital, which received the casualties. The dead included three women and three children, Dr Mohamed Abu Selmiyah, director of the hospital told the Associated Press. Thirty-eight other Palestinians were wounded, he said. The strike tore apart tents, and left some of the dead lying on the ground, according to footage shared by the health ministry's ambulance and emergency service. An overnight strike that hit crowds of Palestinians waiting for aid trucks in Gaza City killed eight, hospitals said. At least 118 were wounded, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the strikes. Israel blames the deaths of Palestinian civilians on Hamas because the militants operate in densely populated areas. It accuses the group of prolonging the war because Hamas has not accepted Israel's terms for a ceasefire – including calls to give up power and disarm.


The Independent
18 minutes ago
- The Independent
AOC gets death threats and has HQ vandalized by anti-Israel supporters
New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has received multiple death threats and her head office was vandalized by anti-Israel supporters over the weekend. Ocasio-Cortez 's Bronx office was smeared in red paint Sunday and activists placed a placard on the building that read: 'AOC FUNDS GENOCIDE IN GAZA,' her campaign office said. 'Last night, our campaign office in the Bronx was vandalized and we are in the process of cleaning it up,' said campaign manager Oliver Hidalgo-Wohlleben in a post on X. 'In the past few days, we also have received multiple threats on the Congresswoman's life and we are treating this seriously with our security partners to make sure she, our staff, and volunteers are safe.' The New York Police Department said the incident was under investigation and no arrests have been made. The vandalism came days after Ocasio-Cortez voted against an amendment put forward by Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Friday that would have stripped $500 million in funding for Israel's missile defense systems. Ocasio-Cortez has been a consistent voice against Israel's military offensive in Gaza and criticized Greene's amendment for doing 'nothing to cut off offensive aid to Israel nor end the flow of U.S. munitions' in the war-torn region. 'What it does do is cut off defensive Iron Dome capacities while allowing the actual bombs killing Palestinians to continue,' Ocasio-Cortez added. The Democratic Socialists of America condemned the congresswoman's vote in a statement released Friday. 'The fact that Representative Ocasio-Cortez acknowledges that Israel is carrying out this genocide makes her support for military aid all the more disappointing and incongruous,' the group said. 'We urge the representative to continue voting against the Iron Dome, whether it is part of a larger defense spending bill or as a stand-alone bill.' Democratic strategist Waleed Shahid was among those who came to Ocasio-Cortez's defense. 'She has one of the strongest pro-Palestinian voting records in Congress. It's fair to debate strategy and disagreement over specific choices–but vandalizing her office and saying @AOC 'funds genocide' isn't just wrong,' Shahid wrote in a post on X. 'It's reckless, dishonest, misleading, and deeply unserious.'