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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.

Russian forces are urgently redeploying thousands of troops toward the Lyman frontline in eastern Ukraine, as Ukraine's 3rd Corps continues advancing in the area. War monitoring reports describe a degree of panic within the Russian command over the situation there, with Moscow scrambling reinforcements to slow Ukrainian gains around the contested frontline town.

New data indicates the current El Niño is the strongest ever recorded, driving a major shift in global weather patterns. The development is expected to bring hotter temperatures, droughts and flooding to many regions, and scientists are watching closely for knock-on effects on agriculture, storms and global climate over the coming months.

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.

China has issued its official press release on the Xi-Trump meeting held at the White House, ahead of any comparable US statement. Chinese-speaking observers note the readout is short but unusually dense, and are parsing its wording closely for signals on trade and bilateral ties. Attention is now on what the American side's own account will say and whether the two versions diverge.

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.

US intelligence agencies assess that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons, according to a Washington Post report. The finding highlights Riyadh's hedging as regional tensions persist and talks over a potential civil nuclear program and a defense pact with Washington continue. It also raises questions about proliferation risks if Iran's nuclear program advances further.

Australia's central bank is expected to resume lifting its key interest rate, with policymakers losing patience over persistent price pressures. Bloomberg reports the Reserve Bank of Australia is set to return to rate hikes after a pause, as inflation remains above target. Markets and economists are watching for confirmation at the next board meeting and what it signals for borrowing costs.

Health authorities are tracking a growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with new attention on how the virus is spreading across affected areas. The World Health Organization and Congo's health ministry are expected to provide updated case and death figures as contact tracing and containment efforts continue. International observers are watching closely given the region's history of large Ebola epidemics and the risk of spread beyond current outbreak zones.

Russia has launched another wave of strikes across Ukraine, with Russian authorities saying logistics, port and transport infrastructure were targeted. The attacks come amid continued fighting and renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war. The strikes add pressure on Ukrainian infrastructure while international talks on ending the conflict continue.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for de-escalation as fighting intensifies in Ethiopia. The appeal highlights growing concern over the impact of renewed hostilities on civilians, and comes amid reports of worsening conditions on the ground. Observers are watching for whether the parties to the conflict respond to international pressure to step back.

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.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 80th UN General Assembly, outlining Iran's red lines on nuclear weapons, Israel and regional security. His remarks came amid heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear programme and the conflict with Israel, with audiences widely sharing and debating his statements on Tehran's stance toward nuclear armament and confrontation in the region.

US intelligence has reportedly warned Spain, France and Italy that Russia may be preparing drone attacks against targets in Southern Europe. According to El Mundo, the intelligence was shared with European governments following CIA Director briefings. The warning is drawing attention across Europe amid rising concern over Russian hybrid actions on NATO territory.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared ahead of the 81st UN General Assembly that Iran 'will never seek to build a nuclear bomb'. The statement, carried by APT, frames Tehran's position on its nuclear programme just before Iran takes the world stage in New York, and is drawing wide attention as scrutiny of Iran's nuclear intentions remains intense.

Bangkok has declared all 50 of its districts disaster zones following severe flooding across the Thai capital. The declaration allows city authorities to unlock emergency resources and relief measures for residents affected by widespread inundation. The move signals the scale of the flooding crisis, and people are discussing the city's response and conditions on the ground as heavy water disrupts daily life across the metropolis.

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.

Germany's foreign minister met with her Russian counterpart in a rare face-to-face encounter, urging Moscow to step back from what she called a dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine. The meeting stands out given how few high-level contacts between Berlin and Moscow have taken place since Russia's full-scale invasion, and it signals continued diplomatic channels despite deep tensions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has departed Beijing for Washington, in what is described as his first state visit to the US capital since 2015. President Trump is expected to greet him personally on the tarmac rather than at the White House, a gesture some observers read as a sign of warmth ahead of high-stakes US-China trade and diplomatic discussions.

NPR reports on whether the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is finally coming under control. The question of containment is drawing attention as health authorities work to curb the virus's spread, with observers weighing case trends and response efforts to judge whether the outbreak is being brought to heel.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used his address to the 80th UN General Assembly to insist Iran is not pursuing a nuclear bomb, framing the country's posture around regional security and a doctrine of 'peace through strength'. His remarks come as Tehran's nuclear programme and sanctions remain central points of tension with Western powers, drawing wide attention to how he balanced reassurance with defiance.