ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start Sunday, including the first round of indirect Iranian-US talks; a White House statement on Iranian-US talks and Trump’s comments on Ukraine-Russia negotiations.

1st round of indirect Iranian-US talks in Oman conclude, set to resume next week

The first round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the US, mediated by the Gulf state of Oman, has concluded, with talks due to resume next week, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said the talks, led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Steve Witkoff, US special Mideast envoy, were “held in a constructive atmosphere based on mutual respect.”

The two sides “exchanged their respective governments’ positions on issues related to Iran’s peaceful nuclear program and the lifting of unlawful sanctions against Iran.”

US talks with Iran in Oman 'very positive and constructive': White House

US talks with Iran in Oman were "very positive and constructive,” the White House said in a statement.

The statement came after US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, accompanied by US Ambassador to Oman Ana Escrogima, held talks in Muscat with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, as hosted by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi.

Witkoff told Araghchi that he had instructions from President Donald Trump "to resolve our two nations’ differences through dialogue and diplomacy, if that is possible," according to the White House.

"These issues are very complicated, and Special Envoy Witkoff’s direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome," it said.

Ukraine-Russia talks 'might be going OK,' says Trump

US President Donald Trump said Ukraine-Russia talks "might be going OK."

"I think Ukraine-Russia might be going OK. And you’re going to be finding out pretty soon. There’s a point at which you have to either put up or shut up.

"We’ll see what happens, but I think it’s going fine," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting Friday on Ukraine with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

NEWS IN BRIEF

- The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) sounded the alarm about a rapidly escalating humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.

- Gabonese voters head to the polls to elect a new president, the first since a 2023 bloodless military coup.

- Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip killed at least 21 more Palestinians, bringing the death toll from the genocidal war since October 2023 to 50,933, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

- The Sudanese army confirmed the death toll from an attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the Zamzam refugee camp in El Fasher, the capital of Darfur, rose to 74, up from 25 reported.

- The Israeli army announced it completed the siege of Rafah and finished establishing the Morag Corridor, isolating Rafah from Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

- More than 100 people were arrested when violence broke out in eastern India over changes to legislation governing Islamic charitable endowments, or Waqf, police said.

- Taiwan’s leader said Taipei had a "smooth" first round of negotiations on tariffs with the United States.

– In a break with tradition, the White House relocated former President Barack Obama's official portrait to a different spot in the building's grand foyer, replacing it with a painting of President Donald Trump raising his fist in the air moments after an assassination attempt last year.

- China held its sixth nuclear security drill in the eastern province of Fujian, the country's Atomic Energy Authority said.

- The North African nation of Sudan has officially recognized Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, the Balkan nation’s president, said.

- At least eight people were killed and 11 injured when a bus in Nigeria’s Borno State hit an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists, officials said.

- The Syrian Interior Ministry announced the seizure of nearly 4 million Captagon pills in the coastal province of Latakia, according to a statement by the Anti-Narcotics Department.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Trump excludes computers, phones, other electronics from tariffs

The Trump administration is excluding electronics such as phones, computers and other similar devices from its reciprocal tariffs applied to other countries, including China.

Around 20 products will be exempt from reciprocal tariffs, according to US Customs and Border Protection, which is responsible for collecting import duties, media reports said.

The exemptions include smartphones, computers, routers and semiconductor chips.

The exemptions could offer relief to consumers who were facing the likelihood of higher electronics prices due to hefty tariffs on Chinese goods.

China, Japan hold talks over seafood import ban

Chinese and Japanese officials have held technical talks over Beijing's ban on Japanese seafood imports, according to Kyodo News.

The online talks were held Thursday between China's General Administration of Customs and the Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry.

China's customs administration, however, said the talks do not mean Beijing will soon restart the imports of Japanese seafood products.

The talks were held after China said Monday it detected no abnormalities in seawater and marine life samples following the release of treated radioactive water from Japan's damaged Fukushima power plant.