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Trump heralds 'fantastic future' for US-China as talks with Xi begin

US President Donald Trump on Thursday told China's Xi Jinping their countries would have "a fantastic future together", as they began a superpower summit in Beijing on thorny issues including Iran, trade and Taiwan. Heaping praise on his host, Trump told Xi it was "an honour to be your friend", as the Chinese leader, in less effusive tones, said the two sides "should be partners and not rivals". Xi warned his US counterpart that the issue of Taiwan could push their two countries into "conflict" if mishandled, a stark opening salvo as a superpower summit set to tackle numerous thorny issues began in Beijing Thursday. Temple of Heaven Trump had arrived in China with accolades for his host, calling Xi a "great leader" and "friend", as he predicted that their countries would have "a fantastic future together". Trump visited the Temple of Heaven. Xi greeted Trump outside the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests....
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Fearing return to war, Iran conservationists shore up damaged heritage sites

As fears of renewed conflict hang over Iran, conservationists are shoring up battered historic sites and taking stock of the damage caused by the war with the United States and Israel, though experts warn some repairs could take years. At Golestan Palace, a defining cultural landmark in central Tehran, shattered mirrors, broken doors and debris from ornate ceilings now lie scattered across parts of the site after shockwaves from strikes on the capital following the outbreak of war on February 28. The former royal residence, known for its sprawling gardens, pools and royal halls, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2013. The fragile truce in place since April 8 has allowed experts to begin gauging the scale of the damage, though the complex remains closed to the public. "The damage has been assessed at several levels, but a more detailed specialised evaluation is still underway," Ali Omid Ali, a restoration specialist and head of the technical engineering department at Golestan Palace, told AFP. For now, he said, teams are focused on stabilising damaged structures and preventing further collapse before broader repair work can begin. "We need a more stable situation to start the restoration process," he said. Initial estimates suggest work at the site could cost around $1.7 million, though the figure could rise following a full assessment, he added, noting that repairs could take "two or more years". The palace, known for blending 19th-century Persian arts and architecture with European styles and motifs, is among at least five UNESCO-listed sites damaged during the conflict. Read More: Tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz as US waits for Iran's response to peace proposal "Fifty to 60 percent of its doors and windows are broken," Jabbar Avaj, director of the Golestan Palace museums, told the official IRNA news agency. The palace's famed Mirror Hall -- known for shimmering mosaics covering its ceilings and walls -- and the Marble Throne, a ceremonial platform supported by statues representing mythical and royal symbols, were "seriously damaged", he said. Other affected UNESCO-listed sites include Chehel Sotoun Palace and the Masjed-e Jame mosque in Isfahan, as well as the prehistoric sites of the Khorramabad Valley. Beyond the listed sites, the war affected at least 140 culturally and historically significant locations across Iran, according to Hassan Fartousi, head of Iran's National Commission for UNESCO. Among them are Tehran's Marble Palace, the Teymourtash house and the sprawling Saadabad Palace complex in northern Tehran, a former royal residence set within a vast park and home to several museums. "The shadow of war still lingers over Iran's sky, and in this situation, we cannot plan very well for restoration," Fartousi said. While the ceasefire since April 8 has largely halted fighting in major urban centres housing cultural sites, sporadic clashes have occurred in coastal areas and Gulf waters, and talks have so far failed to produce a lasting settlement. Iranian conservationists have been assessing the damage from US-Israeli strikes on historic sites like Tehran's Golestan Palace. PHOTO: AFP Fartousi also worries that even after repairs, damaged heritage sites may never recover their original character, noting the entire idea of cultural heritage rests on "the concept of originality". "Even if we do the restoration with our great artists and specialists in restoration, where will the originality be?" he said. Funding remains a major challenge, with the Iranian government yet to announce a restoration budget as it struggles to offset the impact of the war and a US blockade that has severely disrupted exports. "Unfortunately, UNESCO and other international organisations have limited budget," he said, adding that negotiations were ongoing to secure support. Asked about the overall cost of restoring the damaged sites, Fartousi simply said: "All of them are priceless."  

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