About this episode
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes. On today's podcast:1) Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remained at a standstill on Tuesday, with oil rising after President Trump rejected Iran’s latest offer. Trump called Iran’s response to his proposal a “piece of garbage” and said the ceasefire was on “life support” as he prepares to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The US sanctioned a dozen entities and individuals over the sale of Iranian oil to China, stepping up economic pressure ahead of Trump's visit to meet Xi.2) President Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will meet Thursday morning in Beijing for a high-stakes summit dominated by discussions on trade and the war in Iran. Trump is expected to press Xi on China's approach to Iran, including revenue for Tehran and potential weapons exports, and will also discuss US arms sales to Taiwan.3) A defiant Keir Starmer pushed back against widespread calls for him to quit as Britain’s prime minister, telling his Cabinet that he plans to stay on. More than 80 of Labour’s 403 MPs have called on the prime minister to step aside in the wake of last week’s local elections, in which the party lost control of the Welsh parliament and almost three of every five English council seats it was defending. Starmer said the past 48 hours had been “destabilizing” for the UK. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.