The United States has confirmed the death of a high-ranking al-Qaida official in Afghanistan, describing it as a major setback for the group despite some initial confusion in reporting about his seniority.

The relationship between the world’s two largest democracies is among the most consequential of the 21st century, administration officials said in a phone call before the “two-plus-two” meeting between U.S. and Indian officials in New Delhi.

China announced two reciprocal sanctions on the US over its latest arms sales to the island of Taiwan and its crackdown on Chinese media on Monday a week ahead of the US presidential election.