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Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his state visit to the United States on Friday, wrapping up his trip in Washington. As he departed, senior U.S. government officials saw him off at the airport, where a 21-gun salute was fired in honor of the occasion. The ceremonial farewell was noted as a sign of the formal regard accorded to the visit.

Russian forces are urgently redeploying thousands of troops to the Lyman frontline in eastern Ukraine, according to war monitoring reports. The movement comes as Ukraine's 3rd Corps continues making large advances in the area, and the reports say there is panic within the Russian command over the situation there.

According to American intelligence cited in reports spreading across Europe, the CIA has warned several European governments that Russia may be preparing a drone attack on Spain, France, or Italy. The information was reportedly shared with allied capitals, prompting concern about security across the Mediterranean region. The claim is circulating widely on social media in multiple countries, including France, Italy, Spain and Russia, with users debating its credibility and what response NATO and EU governments might take.

Ukraine's defence forces say they struck six strategic oil refineries in a single week, with targets located up to 1,600 km behind the front line. Kyiv describes the campaign as a response to Russian attacks and says every refinery hit is a key facility supplying fuel to Russia's defence industry and occupation forces. The claims highlight Ukraine's growing long-range drone reach deep into Russian territory.

US intelligence agencies assess that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons, according to a Washington Post report. The finding highlights Riyadh's hedging as regional tensions persist and talks over a potential civil nuclear program and a defense pact with Washington continue. It also raises questions about proliferation risks if Iran's nuclear program advances further.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia has broadened its strikes beyond energy infrastructure to target Ukraine's data centres, a shift that could disrupt communications, banking and government services. The claim underscores the growing impact of the war on Ukraine's civilian digital infrastructure and its critical systems.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for de-escalation as fighting intensifies in Ethiopia. The appeal highlights growing concern over the impact of the conflict on civilians and the need for all parties to protect human rights. The office did not immediately detail casualties, but the statement underscores international alarm at the worsening situation.

Iran's president has stated that all Iranian money held in China has been frozen, according to an emerging report circulating on prediction and news platforms. The claim, if confirmed, would have significant implications for Iran's economy, which has relied on Chinese purchases of its oil and credit lines as sanctions limit access to Western financial systems. Details about the amount involved, the reason for the freeze, and Beijing's response remain unclear.

Questions are being raised about whether the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is finally being brought under control. The topic is drawing attention amid ongoing efforts by health authorities and international organisations to contain the virus, and observers are watching for confirmation that new cases are declining.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has departed Beijing for Washington, in what is described as his first state visit to the US capital since 2015. President Trump is expected to greet him personally on the tarmac rather than at the White House, a gesture some observers read as a sign of warmth ahead of high-stakes US-China trade and diplomatic discussions.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran no longer trusts negotiations with Washington, in an interview with Al Jazeera. He said Qatar and Pakistan are acting as intermediaries, relaying Tehran's messages to the United States. The remarks signal a further breakdown in direct US-Iran diplomacy, with third-party countries now carrying communication between the two sides amid heightened regional tensions involving Israel and the US.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has given an exclusive interview addressing the ongoing protests in Iran and the future of the country's military actions. The interview, conducted by Fox News, covers domestic unrest and Tehran's stance on further military operations, drawing wide attention as tensions around Iran's political situation and regional security continue to make headlines worldwide.

A US intelligence assessment warns that Saudi Arabia may still be considering the pursuit of nuclear weapons, despite ongoing discussions about civil nuclear cooperation and possible normalisation with Israel. The warning highlights concerns in Washington about proliferation risks in the Gulf, particularly if Iran's nuclear programme advances. Analysts say Riyadh has previously signalled it would seek a bomb if Tehran acquired one.

Italy's parliament has approved a plan to bring back nuclear power, more than three decades after the country abandoned it following the 1987 referendum held in the wake of Chernobyl. The move marks a major shift in Italian energy policy, as lawmakers back nuclear as part of the transition toward low-carbon energy sources. Debate is expected over timelines, safety and where reactors would be built.

US intelligence has reportedly warned Spain, France and Italy that Russia may be preparing drone attacks against targets in Southern Europe. The warning was passed to European governments following recent intelligence sharing by the CIA Director, according to Spain's El Mundo. The report, circulating across European social media, has raised alarm about escalating Russian activity on NATO's southern flank and prompted calls for a coordinated European response.

Russian state media have announced a new "special military operation". RIA Novosti published a piece by author Alexander Nosovich titled "Russia faces another special military operation. It will be very short.", circulating through Kremlin-aligned propagandists. The claim of a short operation is drawing attention and scepticism, echoing the initial framing of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow also predicted would be brief.

The US Federal Reserve has decided to keep interest rates unchanged, even as new figures show inflation climbing to its highest level in three years. The decision leaves borrowing costs in place while policymakers weigh persistent price pressures against signs of a slowing economy. Markets and analysts are watching closely for hints about when the Fed might resume cutting rates.

Following the Supreme Court's sweeping ruling on presidential immunity, Donald Trump is invoking it broadly as he seeks to expand executive power. The decision, which shielded official presidential acts from prosecution, is being used by Trump to justify a wide range of actions, drawing concern from critics who warn it undermines checks and balances and fuels debate over the limits of presidential authority.

Finland's President delivered a full address at the United Nations General Assembly, framing his remarks around what he called a defining moment of global disorder. The speech has drawn wide attention online, with viewers sharing the complete recording and discussing his warnings about the state of international order and multilateral cooperation.

US President Donald Trump described his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as a 'great meeting' after the two leaders sat down at the White House. Speaking to reporters before boarding Marine One with Xi for a brief tour, Trump offered a positive assessment of the talks. The leaders' discussions are being closely watched for signals on trade and the broader US-China relationship.

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping met in Washington for a summit that has drawn criticism over whether it produced real diplomatic results or served mainly as political theatre. Commentators have dubbed the spectacle 'diplotainment', questioning whether headline-grabbing moments masked a lack of concrete agreements. Observers are parsing the outcomes for signals on trade, technology and broader US-China relations.

The United Nations has added 61 companies to its blacklist of firms operating in Israeli settlements, citing alleged human rights violations against Palestinians. The updated list, published by the UN human rights office, names businesses across sectors including construction and technology. Rights groups welcomed the move while it is expected to draw sharp criticism from Israel and its allies.

China and the United States have agreed to establish a dedicated channel for dialogue on artificial intelligence safety, while also pledging to continue ongoing talks on trade and military matters. The agreement marks a rare area of cooperation between the two powers amid broader tensions, and observers are watching whether the AI dialogue and other negotiations can stabilize the relationship.

A new NBC News poll shows President Donald Trump's approval rating falling to 41% among registered voters, the lowest of his second term, with 55% disapproving. More voters also criticized his handling of the economy, a concern landing as the closely watched midterm elections approach.