EPA

Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his state visit to the United States on Friday. As he departed Washington, senior U.S. government officials saw him off at the airport, where a 21-gun salute was fired in a formal farewell gesture. The visit and its ceremonial send-off are drawing wide attention, with observers weighing what the trip signals for the state of U.S.-China relations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is fully prepared for fighting to resume, while stressing that diplomatic efforts are not yet exhausted. The comments underscore Tehran's dual posture of military readiness and continued engagement over its nuclear program and regional tensions. Officials and observers are watching whether negotiations can prevent a renewed confrontation between Iran and its adversaries.

Iran's foreign minister says the country is 'fully prepared' for war, while stressing that diplomatic efforts are not over. The statement pairs a warning of readiness for confrontation with an insistence that a negotiated path remains open. It comes amid heightened international attention to Iran's standoff with the West, and observers are weighing whether the remarks signal a genuine willingness to keep talking or a defensive posture.

Iran has declared it remains open to diplomatic negotiations with the United States while stressing it is 'fully prepared' for war should the US launch an attack. The statement underscores Tehran's dual posture of offering talks alongside military readiness, amid ongoing tensions between the two countries over Iran's nuclear programme and regional influence.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an evening video address that Russia is not currently preparing to end the war against Ukraine. His remarks underscore Kyiv's view that Moscow retains no intention of halting hostilities despite ongoing international discussion of possible peace efforts. The statement is drawing attention amid continued fighting and diplomatic uncertainty over how, or when, the conflict might be brought to a close.

Forest fires in Indonesia are sending smoke and haze toward Singapore ahead of the city-state's Formula One Grand Prix. Race organisers are drawing up contingency plans as the annual regional haze risks disrupting the major sporting event. Al Jazeera's Patrick Fok reports on the situation and the preparations being made.

The United Nations General Assembly convened its second High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, bringing member states together to strengthen global defences against future health emergencies. The World Health Organization is highlighting the meeting as a key moment for international coordination, three years after the first such session and amid ongoing negotiations over a global pandemic agreement.

European nations and NATO are preparing for the possibility that the war in Ukraine could widen into a broader conflict with Russia. Discussions centre on military readiness, defence spending and deterrence, as officials warn the fighting could spill beyond Ukraine's borders.

Election preparations are underway in Gaza, where around 1.25 million people are registered to vote. Officials are working amid widespread destruction from Israeli attacks and serious security concerns. Observers are watching how logistics, safety and access to polling will be managed in conditions described as among the most difficult for any election.

The United States has rejected a United Nations declaration on preparing for future pandemics, according to The New York Times. The decision puts Washington at odds with international efforts to strengthen global coordination on outbreak preparedness, and it is likely to draw criticism from public health advocates and questions about the U.S. role in future global health emergencies.

Saudi Arabia has warned that the security of the Gulf region cannot be separated from global stability, pointing to ongoing regional tensions. The message, delivered at the United Nations, frames Gulf security as a matter of international concern rather than a purely local issue, underscoring Riyadh's push for broader international engagement in de-escalating the region's conflicts.

Iran's foreign minister declared that the country is prepared for both diplomacy and war, saying it has been tested twice through acts of aggression and welcoming any further test. He added that Iran has also been tested in the diplomatic arena, framing the country as ready on both fronts at a time of heightened regional tension.

Five men have been arrested near an air base used by the United States in its war against Iran, on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. Authorities have not disclosed the men's identities or further details of the alleged plot. The arrests come amid heightened security concerns around US military facilities involved in the conflict, and the story is drawing wide international attention.

The United States has rejected a United Nations declaration on pandemic preparedness, preventing its adoption by consensus. The move blocks a unified international statement on coordinating responses to future global health emergencies. Details on the US objections and possible next steps at the UN remain limited as outlets pick up the story.

TBN Israel has released an exclusive report from an area known as 'Little Gaza', showing Israeli Defence Forces troops training and preparing for a potential next round of conflict with Hamas. The footage offers a close look at military readiness along the Gaza frontier, where tensions remain high after previous rounds of fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants.

British authorities have arrested five men close to a military base in the United Kingdom on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack. The detentions, reported as breaking news, have drawn widespread attention as details of the alleged plot and the identities of those held have yet to be disclosed.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has resigned as Serbia prepares to hold both parliamentary and presidential elections. The resignation comes ahead of a dual vote that will shape the country's political leadership, and regional media are closely watching how the announcement will affect his party's position and the wider electoral landscape in Belgrade.

Flash floods have struck Nepal, and an expert says climate change is to blame. Rising temperatures are believed to intensify monsoon rainfall, making sudden floods more frequent and severe in the Himalayan region. The comments add to a wider debate about how a warming climate is driving extreme weather disasters across South Asia.

A New York Times opinion piece argues that the emerging super El Niño, while expected to bring severe weather impacts worldwide, gives governments and communities valuable lead time to prepare. The author urges using the advance warning to strengthen defenses against likely heatwaves, droughts, floods and other disruptions linked to the climate pattern.

British police have arrested five men near an air base used by the United States on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. The arrests follow counter-terrorism operations near the facility, which hosts US personnel. Details about the men, the specific base and the alleged plot have not been released, and authorities have not said whether any target was identified.

British police have arrested several men suspected of preparing a terrorist attack on a UK military base used by US Air Force bombers. The arrests were carried out by counter-terrorism officers, and the alleged target was a base hosting American strategic aircraft. Details about the suspects, the timing of the plot, and the specific base involved have not been disclosed.

British police have arrested five men near an airbase in the United Kingdom on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack. The arrests come amid heightened security concerns around military sites in the UK, and details about the suspects' identities or the alleged target have not been made public. The story is drawing wide international attention as counterterrorism investigators continue their inquiries.

OpenAI's artificial intelligence models reportedly accessed or probed the websites of the US Department of Education and other federal agencies. The report raises questions about how AI companies collect data from government sites and what safeguards exist. The story is drawing attention from education and technology watchers concerned about oversight of AI systems interacting with public institutions.