Xi says ready to work with Trump to steer giant ship of China-U.S. ties steadily forward

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that he hopes to work with U.S. President Donald Trump in the new year to steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relations steadily forward through wind and storms, and accomplish more big things and good things.

During his talks with Trump over phone, Xi noted that he attaches great importance to China-U.S. relations, saying that over the past year, he and Trump have enjoyed sound communication, and had a successful meeting in Busan, charting the direction and course for China-U.S. relations. This has been welcomed by the people of both countries and the broader international community.

For his part, Trump said that both the United States and China are great countries, and the U.S.-China relationship is by far the most important in the world.

Trump also said he has a great relationship with Xi and a lot of respect for him. Under their leadership, the United States and China are doing well in such fields as economy and trade, he added.

U.S.-Iran nuclear talks reconfirmed to be held in Oman: report

The Trump administration has changed its mind and agreed on Wednesday afternoon to hold nuclear talks with Iran in Oman on Friday, according to the latest report from U.S. media outlet Axios.

Earlier on Wednesday, Axios, citing two U.S. officials, reported that the Friday talks appeared to have been cancelled since the White House has rejected Tehran's demands to change the location and format of talks planned for Friday.

The talks will be held in Oman, as Iran insisted, after several Middle Eastern leaders urgently lobbied the Trump administration not to walk away, two U.S. officials told Axios.

Israel claims killing of Islamic Jihad commander in Gaza

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Wednesday killed the commander of the Islamic Jihad's northern Gaza brigade, Israeli security authorities said.

In a joint statement, the Israeli military and the Shin Bet security agency said Ali Raziana was killed in an airstrike conducted in retaliation for earlier gunfire in Gaza that seriously wounded an Israeli officer.

Gaza health officials said at least 24 people, including children, were killed and at least 38 others wounded in a broader wave of retaliatory airstrikes.

European Parliament resumes legislative work on EU-U.S. trade deal

The European Parliament decided on Wednesday to resume legislative work related to proposals approving the European Union - U.S. trade deal.

The legislative process had been suspended on Jan. 21 after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose additional tariffs on eight European countries while pressing for the acquisition of Greenland. Trump later canceled the tariff threat.