Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin flew to Alaska on Friday for a high-risk summit that promises a stern test of the US president’s promise to end the bloody war in Ukraine.

Unlike the 50 states, Washington operates under a unique relationship with the federal government that limits its autonomy and grants Congress extraordinary control over local matters.

The Taliban government remains largely isolated on the global stage over restrictions imposed under their severe interpretation of Islamic law, targeting women in particular.

“These soldiers and civilians” are said to have obtained “the help of foreign states”, the government said.

Trump insisted to reporters at the White House: “I am president, and he’s not going to mess around with me.”

“We will try to prevent it,” Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said in an interview with state TV.

He then pivoted to a comment about the founding of Israel and the “great mission” of ensuring its continued existence.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump are to discuss ways to settle the Ukraine conflict during their landmark summit in Alaska on Friday, the Kremlin said.

Only Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky can negotiate a land deal with Russia in an effort to end Moscow’s war against his country, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday.

The Israeli military said Wednesday it had approved the “framework” for a new offensive in the Gaza Strip, days after the security cabinet called for the seizure of Gaza City.

“Passwords are often weak and people re-use them” across different online services, said Benoit Grunemwald, a cybersecurity expert with Eset.

Ukraine said Tuesday it was engaged in “difficult” battles with Russian forces after Moscow had made rapid advances in a narrow but important section of the front line in the country’s east.

South Africa will offer a “generous” new trade deal to the United States on Tuesday to avoid 30-percent tariffs, government ministers said.

“We’re going to see what he has in mind and if it’s a fair deal, I’ll reveal it to the European Union leaders and to NATO leaders and also to President Zelensky,” Trump said.

“I have just signed an Executive Order that will extend the Tariff Suspension on China for another 90 days,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. The truce on steeper levies had been due to expire Tuesday.