Japan's finance minister Katayama said, apart from the prime minister's remarks yesterday, she cannot comment on the funding sources for food tax cuts.

TRUMP said talks with Iran are going well and there is a strong chance something will happen.

SPA reported Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud held phone calls with the Qatari prime minister and foreign minister and with Kuwait’s foreign minister to discuss recent regional developments and ways to strengthen joint efforts to maintain regional security and stability. SPA said the calls included condemnation and strong opposition to Iran and its affiliated militias in Yemen and Iraq over attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and other regional states; SPA also reported UK foreign secretary Miliband phoned to condemn Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, his first call with Saudi officials since becoming foreign secretary.