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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.

President Trump says he expects talks with Iran to begin this week, telling Axios this shortly after his administration turned down an Iranian proposal. The comments point to renewed diplomatic activity between Washington and Tehran despite the rejected offer. Officials and observers will be watching whether the talks materialise and what terms the US is now seeking.

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.

French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly disputed statements made by Donald Trump about Gaza. According to the claim, the French leader rejected the US president's assertions regarding the situation in the Palestinian territory. The exchange adds to ongoing tensions between Western leaders over policy on the Middle East, though further details of the dispute and both sides' exact arguments remain unclear.

Health authorities in Gaza say the Palestinian death toll from the war with Israel has risen above 74,000 since fighting began in October 2023. The milestone is being reported widely across US and international outlets as part of a roundup of Middle East developments, underscoring the continuing human cost of the conflict and ongoing efforts toward a ceasefire.

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.

China said the extension of the trade truce between Washington and Beijing creates space to advance negotiations between the two countries. The remarks signal a willingness to keep dialogue going while both sides work through outstanding trade disputes. Observers are watching closely to see whether the breathing room translates into concrete progress on tariffs and market access.

Iran says it is ready for diplomacy with the United States but is 'fully prepared' for war if the US launches an attack. The statement underscores tensions between the two countries, with Tehran signalling both openness to negotiations and readiness for military confrontation.

French President Emmanuel Macron used his final address to the UN General Assembly to criticise Israel and condemn what he called Donald Trump's 'shameful' diplomacy over Gaza. The speech, delivered amid the ongoing conflict and stalled ceasefire efforts, signals sharp French frustration with US handling of the war.

President Trump spoke before world leaders at the United Nations summit, addressing the General Assembly in remarks carried live by major news outlets. The address drew wide international attention, with viewers following the speech closely as Trump laid out his positions on global issues directly to representatives of member states gathered in New York.

SpaceX has launched its Starship rocket toward orbit, a test flight with major stakes for the company's ambitions in deep space and for NASA's plans to return astronauts to the Moon. The launch is drawing wide attention across the US and UK, with commentators focusing on how much rides on the vehicle's success.

Iran's foreign minister said Tehran is prepared for what he called a 'doomsday' war with the United States, while stressing that diplomacy remains an option. The stark warning comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries, and officials and commentators are weighing whether the remarks signal escalation or an attempt to strengthen Iran's bargaining position in negotiations.

French President Emmanuel Macron publicly pushed back against Donald Trump's proposal for Gaza, saying the peace it promises does not exist and criticising the terms being put forward. The exchange adds to international debate over how the war and postwar governance of Gaza should be handled, with allies openly disagreeing over the US approach.

ASML, the Dutch maker of advanced chipmaking equipment, says it is not selling its machines in Europe and has warned the region risks falling behind the United States, China and India in semiconductors. The remarks are drawing attention in tech and business circles, with debate over what they mean for Europe's industrial strategy and ambitions to build a domestic chip industry.

Regional media are examining why ceasefire agreements in Sudan's civil war, from the US- and Saudi-brokered Jeddah talks to diplomatic efforts raised at the United Nations in New York, have repeatedly collapsed. Commentators point to continued fighting between the army and paramilitary forces, lack of enforcement, and weak international leverage over the warring parties.

Chinese President Xi Jinping missed the dinner for world leaders at the G20 summit in New Delhi because he was unwell, according to people familiar with the matter. The report has fueled fresh speculation about the 70-year-old leader's health, coming just days before he was scheduled to travel to the United States, and has drawn wide attention and debate about his condition and absence from a key diplomatic gathering.

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.

Saudi Arabia has withdrawn from a China-led cross-border currency platform, according to the Financial Times. The move is seen as a setback for Beijing's efforts to build alternatives to the dollar-based global payments system, and observers are weighing what it signals about the Gulf kingdom's financial alignment with Washington versus its deepening economic ties with China.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is prepared for a 'doomsday war' if the United States resumes military attacks, while stressing that Tehran remains open to diplomatic negotiations. The statement underscores Iran's dual posture of military deterrence and willingness to talk as tensions with Washington persist.

US intelligence agencies assess that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons. The finding underscores longstanding concerns in Washington and elsewhere that Riyadh could pursue a nuclear weapons option, particularly amid regional rivalry with Iran and questions about the scope of any future US-Saudi civil nuclear cooperation agreement.

The US dollar strengthened as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran pushed oil prices higher, fuelling expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates elevated for longer. Rising energy costs add to inflation concerns, prompting traders to price in a more hawkish Fed stance, with currency and commodity markets moving together on the geopolitical risk.

President Trump has called off planned military strikes against the Houthis, according to a Fox News report that has drawn large attention. The decision means US forces will hold back from the operation against the Yemeni group. Reaction is split, with some welcoming a step back from escalation and others questioning the reversal of course.

A US diplomat says President Donald Trump turned down Iran's proposed new truce plan, citing a lack of confidence in Tehran's commitments. The reported rejection adds fresh tension to diplomacy between Washington and Iran, and the remarks are drawing attention as observers weigh what the collapse of the proposal means for future negotiations and regional stability.

US intelligence assessments indicate Saudi Arabia retains the option to pursue nuclear weapons, while US senators are moving to challenge a nuclear cooperation deal pursued under the Trump administration. The report raises concerns in Congress about safeguards and the precedent a deal could set for nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, amid ongoing debate over US-Saudi relations.

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.

US intelligence assessment says Saudi Arabia has not ruled out acquiring nuclear weapons, according to a report carried by Gulf News. The finding highlights lingering questions over the kingdom's nuclear ambitions and its response to regional rival Iran's nuclear programme. Observers are weighing what this means for US-Saudi relations and for non-proliferation efforts in the Middle East.

The US Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time in several years, a shift in monetary policy that affects borrowing costs across the economy. Coverage is focused on what the move means for everyday finances, including credit card bills, mortgage rates, savings returns and loan payments.

Dutch chip equipment maker ASML says it is not selling its chipmaking machines in Europe, warning that the region risks falling behind the US, China and India in semiconductors. The remarks are drawing attention to Europe's limited role in advanced chip manufacturing despite hosting ASML itself, and are fueling debate about industrial policy and investment in the region.

Iran says it remains committed to a negotiated, diplomatic resolution after Donald Trump rejected a proposed peace plan. The statement, picked up by Reuters and other international outlets, signals Tehran's effort to keep talks alive despite Washington's dismissal of the proposal. Observers are watching to see whether the rejection hardens positions or pushes both sides toward new negotiation terms.

The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates, marking the first increase in years. The move is expected to push up borrowing costs for consumers on mortgages, loans and credit, while potentially increasing yields on high-interest savings accounts. Markets and households are watching closely for what the change signals about the direction of US monetary policy.

President Trump has rejected a proposal from Iran that included a 7-day timeline, reportedly part of negotiations over Tehran's nuclear programme. The rejection signals continued deadlock between Washington and Tehran, with US officials dismissing the plan as insufficient while Iran has framed its offer as a serious concession. Diplomats warn the standoff raises the risk of renewed escalation in the region.