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Iran said it would join talks with America in Pakistan on Saturday,

only if its overseas assets are unfrozen and a ceasefire holds in Lebanon.

Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold talks in Washington next week,

a rare meeting between countries with no diplomatic ties.

Disputes over whether Lebanon is covered by the truce risk derailing diplomacy.

Israeli strikes have killed more than 300 people since Wednesday.

America's annual inflation rate reached its highest level since May 24 in March,

rising to 3.3% up from 2.4% in February.

The jump was driven by surging petrol prices caused by the war in Iran.

The core rate which strips out volatile food and energy prices rose only slightly,

suggesting that the impact of the war is yet to spread through the economy.

The SMP 500 dipped on Friday as investors grew cautious ahead of talks between America and Iran.

But the index ended the week up 3.6%, its best performance since November.

Oil prices fell below $97 a barrel on the day.

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