Ines

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. The ceremonial farewell drew attention as a sign of the significance both governments placed on the visit and the state of bilateral relations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said that during the Second World War, Chinese and Americans fought shoulder to shoulder against fascist aggression, adding that neither the Chinese nor the American people have forgotten that part of history. The remark, delivered as US-China relations remain tense, is being widely shared and debated online, with many reading it as a diplomatic overture to Washington.

The United Nations has updated its database of companies involved in business activities linked to illegal Israeli settlements, now listing 214 companies from 11 countries. The latest assessment focuses on the impact on Palestinian people's right to self-determination, and says firms must take appropriate measures over their involvement.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 80th UN General Assembly, outlining Iran's positions on nuclear weapons, Israel and regional security. He is reported to have drawn clear red lines for Tehran, insisting Iran will not pursue nuclear arms while defending its right to respond to Israeli actions and regional pressure. The speech is drawing wide attention as tensions over Iran's nuclear program and the conflict with Israel remain high.

A Wall Street Journal report profiles the business litigator now leading the Justice Department's legal efforts against gender-affirming care for transgender people. The story traces how a lawyer with a commercial litigation background came to head a high-profile and politically charged area of federal policy, drawing attention to the department's shifting priorities and the courtroom battles over transgender healthcare access.

The third Battle of Lyman is effectively over, with Ukrainian forces prevailing again despite frontlines in the area still shifting. Ukrainian units have eliminated most of the Russian northern salient around the city, with reports that around 250 Russian soldiers were killed or captured in the fighting. Lyman, recaptured by Ukraine in autumn 2022, remains a focal point of Russia's push in the Donetsk region.

Nvidia has authorized an additional $150 billion for its stock buyback program, which the New York Times describes as the largest ever. The move underscores the chipmaker's enormous cash generation from the artificial intelligence boom and its decision to return capital to shareholders. Market watchers are weighing what the unprecedented repurchase signals about Nvidia's confidence in future earnings and its valuation.

Ireland's Data Protection Commission has fined Google €403 million for breaching the EU's General Data Protection Regulation, according to the Irish Times. The penalty from Google's lead European regulator ranks among the larger GDPR fines issued to a major technology company, and the ruling is likely to fuel ongoing debate about how EU watchdogs police the data practices of large US platforms.

President Donald Trump is preparing for a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and attention is focused on what it could mean for trade and business. Analysts flag three key issues for companies: tariffs and market access, technology and export controls, and whether the meeting produces any concrete agreements or just rhetoric between the world's two largest economies.

A quote from Chinese President Xi Jinping is circulating widely on X: he said the 'great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation' and Trump's 'Make America Great Again' slogan 'can be mutually inclusive.' Posts describe it as a big moment at the White House, apparently during a high-profile meeting between Xi and Donald Trump. Users are reacting to the striking framing of US-China relations, with many weighing what this apparent warmth between the two leaders could mean for trade and geopolitics.

British authorities are investigating whether a foreign state was involved in an alleged plot targeting a UK airbase. Several people arrested over the suspected scheme have been released without charge as the inquiry continues. Officials have not named the country or the airbase, and no charges have been brought while investigators examine the suspected state link.

Bus passengers in Singapore who play music out loud can now be fined, with penalties ranging from around $400 to $4,000. The rule targets noisy behaviour on public transport and has drawn widespread attention online, with many debating whether the fines are a fair way to keep buses comfortable for everyone or an excessive measure against a minor annoyance.

Oil prices rose as negotiations between the United States and Iran remained uncertain, with markets weighing the risk of supply disruptions tied to the diplomatic standoff. Traders are watching whether talks progress or stall, since tensions over Iran's nuclear program and sanctions can affect crude flows from the region. Energy markets remain sensitive to any signals about the outcome.

British authorities are investigating whether Iran or Russia played a role in a foiled attack near a military base used by US forces in the UK. The probe is examining possible foreign involvement after the plot was disrupted before anyone was harmed. Officials have not confirmed which country, if either, is suspected, and details of the alleged plot remain limited as the investigation continues.

Dutch semiconductor equipment giant ASML, one of Europe's most valuable technology companies, currently sells no chipmaking machines within Europe itself, according to a company executive. The remark highlights how chip manufacturing has shifted to Asia and the United States, with Europe hosting ASML's headquarters but little of the fabrication capacity that buys its lithography systems. Observers see it as a pointed illustration of Europe's weak position in chip production despite EU ambitions to expand domestic semiconductor manufacturing.

A combined flu and Covid vaccine has been approved for people aged 50 and over, marking the first authorization of a single shot targeting both viruses. A large effectiveness trial is beginning in Denmark and Spain. New results have also emerged from a phase 2 trial of a so-called variant-proof Covid vaccine, as next-generation vaccine development continues.

Reuters reports that congressional Democrats are preparing investigations into Donald Trump's family business dealings should they win control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections. Party figures have signalled they would use committee powers to examine foreign and domestic ties involving the Trump Organization. The story is drawing attention as the elections approach and control of the House and Senate remains in play.

The Philippine Coast Guard says the Chinese research vessel Jia Hai Ke 7 has entered the Philippine exclusive economic zone. A Filipino aircraft spotted the ship 38 nautical miles off Itbayat and repeatedly challenged it by radio, demanding it explain its presence. The incident adds to a string of maritime encounters between the two countries in the disputed South China Sea.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi has delivered a high-level warning to a visiting Japanese business delegation, according to the South China Morning Post. The exact content of the warning has not been detailed in the available report. The meeting comes amid ongoing tensions between Beijing and Tokyo, and Chinese officials frequently use such encounters with Japanese business leaders to press political demands alongside economic ties.

Dutch chip-equipment maker ASML has said it is not selling its chipmaking machines in Europe, warning that the region risks falling behind the United States, China and India in the semiconductor industry. The remarks have drawn attention in India and China, where ASML's role in global chip supply chains is a sensitive topic amid ongoing export-control tensions and competition to build domestic chip manufacturing capacity.

The United States is threatening to ground Iranian airlines from operating worldwide starting Wednesday. The warning, reported by Al Jazeera, would bar Iranian carriers such as Iran Air from international airspace and airports. The move signals a further escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran, and observers are watching how Iranian authorities and international aviation bodies will respond before the deadline.

Middle Eastern oil exports are rebounding even as prices stay high, according to a New York Times report focused on the Strait of Hormuz shipping route. The recovery in flows through the key chokepoint suggests supply disruptions have eased, and the story is drawing attention among readers tracking energy markets and global trade.

Democrats say they will open investigations into lucrative business deals involving Donald Trump and his family if they win control of Congress in the November midterm elections. The pledge, reported by Reuters, signals that oversight of the former president's finances would become a priority should the party take committee power, setting up potential confrontations over conflicts of interest and foreign payments.

South Korea's military says explosions in the Demilitarized Zone that wounded three soldiers were likely caused by North Korean landmines. The injuries add to concerns over fortified defenses Pyongyang has installed along the border, which pose risks to troops patrolling the heavily armed frontier. Further details about the soldiers' conditions or a possible response have not been announced.

Elon Musk has praised Chinese artificial intelligence, saying Chinese AI models are 'generally outstanding' and that China is 'by far the best in terms of performance per unit of compute.' The remarks, reported by the South China Morning Post alongside comments on Xi Jinping's leadership, are drawing attention as debate intensifies over how China's AI capabilities compare with those of the United States.

France has proposed that fines imposed by the European Union on Google be used to reduce the contributions member states pay into the EU budget. The suggestion, reported by Reuters, links competition enforcement revenue to the bloc's finances. The proposal is likely to spark debate over how the EU should use the large antitrust penalties it regularly levies on major US technology companies.

OpenAI has scrapped the planned release of its latest AI model, citing safety concerns. The decision means the model will be held back rather than made available to users, a notable move for a company competing to ship new AI technology quickly. The news was carried by France 24 under its business coverage.