US

US envoy meets Putin for talks – as Trump urges Russia to ‘get moving’ on Ukraine

Despite Russia playing down expectations of a breakthrough at the talks, Sky's Ivor Bennett believes the meeting – Mr Witkoff's third with Vladimir Putin this year – is significant as a sign of the Trump administration's “increasing frustration at the lack of progress”.
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Mr Trump, pictured at a cabinet meeting at the White House earlier this week, has called for Russia to 'get moving'. Pic: AP

Smartphones and laptops among items excluded from reciprocal tariffs, US says

The exemption on laptops and smartphones could help keep prices down as they are mainly produced in countries like Taiwan and China – among the hardest hit by Donald Trump's tariffs.
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Twenty product categories are exempt. File pic: Reuters

Analysis
Analysis
US-Iran talks exceeded expectations – but the first round was the easy bit

Iranian and American delegations met on Saturday in Oman for indirect talks at a new nuclear programme agreement. Sources tell Sky News the meeting exceeded expectations, and another meeting could come within a week.
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Sources told Sky News the talks exceeded expectations. Pic: Iranian Foreign Ministry/AP

Iran says ‘indirect talks’ have taken place with US over nuclear programme – with more to follow

The talks come after US President Donald Trump warned Iran it would be in “great danger” if a deal wasn't reached between the two countries.
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Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi (left) meets his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi. Pic: Iranian foreign ministry/AP

Meghan reveals ‘rare’ and ‘scary’ medical condition after childbirth

In the first episode of her new podcast, Confessions Of A Female Founder, the Duchess of Sussex spoke about being diagnosed with postpartum pre-eclampsia.

Analysis
Analysis
Trump has been told he can use an archaic law to deport people, but they have the right to a fair hearing

Donald Trump argues he was elected to enact policies as he sees fit. Opponents say he's driving a coach and horses through the constitution.

US Supreme Court delays deadline to return man mistakenly deported to El Salvador

A US district judge had ordered the administration to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia by the end of Monday, after he and his family filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of his deportation.
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Mr Garcia's wife Jennifer Vasquez Sura (R) filed a legal complaint over the deportation of her husband. Pic: AP

‘The heartbeat of Blondie’: Drummer Clem Burke dies aged 70

The musician was hailed as a “beloved friend and bandmate” whose talent and energy were “unmatched” and as “a source of inspiration both on and off the stage”. His final live appearance was with Blondie last year.
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Drummer Burke.
Pic: Reuters

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Burke in his performance at Festival Estereo Picnic 2023.
Pic: AP

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Blondie performing during Glastonbury Festival in 2023.
Pic: Invision/AP

News conference between Trump and Netanyahu in Washington DC cancelled

The US president and Israeli prime minister, who are expected to hold talks on tariffs and the conflict in Gaza, will still take questions from a smaller number of reporters.
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Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands outside the White House. Pic: AP

Explainer
Explainer
Who is Pete Hegseth? Trump’s defence secretary and former Fox News host who accused Europe of ‘pathetic free-loading’

The 44-year-old scraped the US military's top job, only getting in on the vice president's 51-50 tie-breaking vote in Senate. But why is he considered so controversial?
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Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth at Kane'ohe Bay, Hawaii. Pic: Reuters

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Hegseth meets military personnel at the US border in New Mexico. Pic: Reuters