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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thousands of people are heading toward the Gaza border in a march calling for the renewal of Israeli settlement in the northern Gaza Strip. Israel withdrew its settlements from Gaza in 2005, and any effort to re-establish them would be highly contentious, touching on one of the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The march is drawing significant attention and reaction across the region.

Experts say a plan floated by President Trump to license Patriot missile production to Ukraine rather than supply the systems directly could take years to implement. Analysts point to the complexity of setting up licensed manufacturing, training and supply chains, raising doubts the approach could meet Ukraine's urgent air defense needs against ongoing Russian strikes.

Hundreds of Muslims have gathered in the Indian city of Ujjain to protest the partial demolition of a mosque they say is more than 600 years old. The BJP-led state government says the demolition is needed to widen roads ahead of a Hindu pilgrimage expected in 2028. Protesters argue the mosque is a protected heritage site, and the move has drawn criticism from community leaders and rights groups.

A US judge has ruled against President Trump's ban on certain media outlets from White House coverage, overturning the restriction. The decision restores access for the affected news organisations and touches on press freedom and the limits of presidential power over media access. The ruling is drawing wide attention as a significant check on the administration's handling of the press.

Ten-year Treasury yields have climbed to 5.10%, their highest level since July 2007, while 30-year yields reached 5%, levels not seen in roughly two decades. The surge follows a stronger-than-expected US jobs report, which is fueling speculation that the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates again. Investors are weighing what persistent yields at multi-decade highs mean for borrowing costs, equities and the broader economy.

Authorities say they thwarted a suspected terrorist attack near a U.S. air base in the United Kingdom. Details about the suspects, the alleged plot, and the location have not yet been released. The story is developing, and officials are expected to provide more information as the investigation continues. The incident has drawn attention given the presence of U.S. military personnel at the base and ongoing security concerns in the region.

Health authorities report a sharp jump in Ebola cases in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, even as the outbreak slows in neighbouring Ituri. The diverging trends complicate efforts to contain the epidemic, with responders likely to shift focus and resources toward the worsening situation in North Kivu.

Iran is rerouting trade toward the Caspian Sea after war disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway that has long carried the bulk of its commerce. The move highlights how the conflict is reshaping Iranian supply lines, pushing trade toward northern corridors and overland connections with Central Asia as Gulf access becomes increasingly unreliable.

President Trump said on Saturday he rejected Iran's latest cease-fire proposal, which would have reopened the Strait of Hormuz and resumed negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for concessions from the United States. The rejection marks another turn in a cycle of proposals and counteroffers between the two countries, with Washington and Tehran still far apart on terms to end the standoff.

A new report says Iran will not make concessions on its nuclear programme even if the United States accepts a plan concerning the Strait of Hormuz. The claim underscores the gap between Tehran and Washington, with Iran separating shipping-security negotiations from its nuclear file and signalling no softening on enrichment or related demands despite ongoing diplomatic contacts.

Health authorities have confirmed a case of mpox in a northeastern Congolese city that has also been the centre of an Ebola outbreak. The diagnosis raises concerns about overlapping disease outbreaks straining the region's already fragile health system, and officials are monitoring for further spread of the virus in the area.