RT

Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his state visit to the United States on Friday, departing Washington after talks with the Biden administration. Senior US government officials saw him off at the airport, where a 21-gun salute was fired. The send-off is being noted as a ceremonial gesture, with observers weighing what the visit signals for future US-China relations.

The United States and China have reached a trade deal to lower tariffs on roughly $30 billion worth of "non-sensitive goods", following a meeting between President Trump and President Xi this week. The agreement is expected to reduce prices on a range of consumer products, including small appliances, toys and holiday items, and is drawing wide attention as a step toward easing trade tensions between the two economies.

Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29s carried out a powerful strike on a Russian command post in the northern sector of the front. According to the Ukrainian unit, Russian forces had been concentrating personnel in the building for some time and had been moving equipment and ammunition into the site before the attack.

US intelligence has reportedly warned Spain, France and Italy that Russia may be preparing drone attacks against targets in Southern Europe. The warning was reported by Spain's El Mundo, which said the intelligence was shared with European governments following CIA Director briefings. The news is spreading quickly across European social media, with users discussing what the reported threat could mean for southern Europe's security.

Ukraine has begun striking Russian border crossings with Belarus, responding to recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian border crossing points. A Ukrainian drone strike reportedly landed next to a crossing on the Russia-Belarus border. The exchanges mark an expansion of cross-border attacks, with border infrastructure on both sides now targeted as the war's front lines of logistics and supply come under pressure.

Ukraine has carried out what is described as its largest attack on Moscow to date, marking a significant escalation in the conflict's reach into the Russian capital. A military expert has reacted to the strike, weighing in on its scale, strategic significance, and what it signals about Ukraine's evolving capabilities deep inside Russian territory.

Iran's president addressed the United Nations in what is described as a rare wartime speech, taking place during ongoing regional conflict involving Iran. The address drew attention as an unusual move for an Iranian leader to speak directly to the international body while the country is engaged in hostilities, and observers are watching for signals about Tehran's position.

A new report says global temperatures have reached record highs as the El Niño climate pattern strengthens in the Pacific. El Niño, which warms ocean surface waters and alters weather worldwide, is adding to the underlying warming trend driven by greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists warn the combination could push average temperatures to new extremes in the coming months, with implications for heatwaves, droughts and storms across many regions.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb delivered a widely noted address at the UN General Assembly, arguing that the international order is entering a period of 'world disorder' marked by weakened multilateral institutions, great-power rivalry and growing insecurity. The speech is being highlighted as one of the assembly's most important interventions, drawing praise and debate for its blunt framing of the global situation.

Japan is partially turning off the tap of decades of cheap money, moving to support the yen after prolonged currency weakness. The shift in monetary policy is being framed as an effort to defend the currency, with coverage suggesting Washington's position — described as an 'American friend' — played a supporting role in Tokyo's decision to rein in ultra-loose policy.

A report says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered security forces to 'minimize escalation' in Gaza just days before Hamas's October 7 attack. The claim has drawn attention amid ongoing debate over whether Israeli leadership underestimated threats from Gaza and whether earlier signals of an attack were ignored ahead of the assault.

Moscow has come under a large-scale Ukrainian attack, with reports of air defences engaging incoming drones and missiles over the Russian capital. The strike is one of the biggest on Moscow since the full-scale war began and is drawing widespread attention as the conflict continues to escalate, with casualties and damage still being assessed.

Israeli media report that a militant involved in the October 7 abduction of Noa Argamani has been killed in a strike in Gaza. Argamani became one of the most recognised hostages of the Hamas-led attack before being rescued in June 2024. The reported killing is being followed closely amid ongoing strikes and stalled ceasefire efforts.

Chinese authorities are considering allowing ByteDance and Alibaba to purchase Nvidia's newest AI chips, according to a report by The Information picked up by Reuters. The possible approval would ease restrictions on two of China's largest technology companies as they race to build computing power for artificial intelligence. The report is drawing attention because it signals a potential shift in how Beijing balances domestic chip policy against its tech sector's demand for leading-edge semiconductors.

This is a trending YouTube video by analyst Preston Stewart titled 'Europe on Alert as Russia Escalation Creeps Toward NATO.' It appears to discuss rising tensions between Russia and European NATO members, based on the headline alone. The video has drawn over 535,000 likes, indicating strong viewer interest in analysis of the security situation in Europe. The specific claims and details covered in the video are not clear from the available evidence.

U.S. officials say Saudi Arabia is considering developing a nuclear weapon, according to a report by Haaretz. The claim, if confirmed, would mark a major shift in the kingdom's stance, as Riyadh has long said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and that it would seek a bomb only if Iran acquired one. The report is likely to intensify debate over nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and over U.S.-Saudi relations.

A new report says Saudi Arabia has not ruled out acquiring nuclear weapons, according to coverage from outlets including The New Arab and Fox News. The statement underscores longstanding questions about the kingdom's nuclear ambitions, especially amid regional tensions with Iran and unresolved talks over US cooperation on a civilian nuclear program. The development is drawing wide attention across international and regional media.

Iranian officials have declared the country prepared to resume armed conflict with the United States while simultaneously leaving the door open to renewed diplomatic negotiations. The statement signals a dual-track posture following this year's fighting between the two countries. It comes as regional tensions remain elevated and questions persist over whether talks on Iran's nuclear programme and broader disputes will resume.

According to a new report, ten days before Hamas's October 7 attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered Israeli officials to act to contain and minimize escalation in Gaza. The disclosure is fueling debate over whether Israeli leadership underestimated threats from Gaza in the lead-up to the assault, and is intensifying scrutiny of the government's handling of intelligence warnings and security policy before the deadliest attack in Israel's history.

South Korea's military says North Korean troops crossed the Military Demarcation Line, the de facto border between the two Koreas. The announcement, breaking on South Korean news channels, has drawn wide attention as any incursion across the heavily fortified border carries the risk of escalation between Pyongyang and Seoul. Further details about how far the troops advanced and whether shots were fired remain unclear.

A new report says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received three warnings from Egyptian intelligence about an impending attack from Gaza, including in the days before October 7, 2023. The claim has reignited debate in Israel over intelligence failures and whether the government disregarded advance notice of the Hamas assault, which killed about 1,200 people and triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.

Russia has publicly accused European governments of working to derail negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The accusation, reported by international outlets including France 24, escalates tensions between Moscow and European capitals just as diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement come under renewed scrutiny. European leaders have so far not responded directly to the claim, and no evidence was offered for the assertion.

Atlético Madrid defeated city rivals Real Madrid 2-1 in a LaLiga EA Sports fixture, with match highlights drawing massive attention. The Madrid derby result is one of the biggest talking points in football, with fans reacting to the goals and the impact on the league standings.