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Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his state visit to the United States on Friday, wrapping up his trip in Washington. As he departed, senior U.S. government officials saw him off at the airport, where a 21-gun salute was fired in honor of the occasion. The ceremonial farewell was noted as a sign of the formal regard accorded to the visit.

Forest fires in Indonesia are sending smoke and haze toward Singapore just as the city prepares to host its Formula One Grand Prix. Race organisers are drawing up contingency plans in case air quality deteriorates further, with the regional haze posing a threat to one of the country's biggest sporting events, according to Al Jazeera reporting from the region.

The United States and China have reached a trade agreement to lower tariffs on $30 billion worth of non-sensitive goods, following a meeting between President Trump and President Xi this week. The deal is expected to reduce prices on a range of consumer products, including small appliances, toys and holiday items, easing costs for shoppers in both countries.

New polling related to the Texas Senate race is drawing attention, with people discussing what the numbers could mean for the contest. Specific figures and candidates named in the polls are not yet clear, but political watchers are weighing whether the results signal a shift in a race that has drawn national attention.

The European Union has announced 710 million euros in new humanitarian aid for people affected by natural disasters and conflicts worldwide. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said a large share of the funding is earmarked for Africa. The package responds to growing humanitarian needs driven by climate-related catastrophes and ongoing wars.

The US Senate has voted down a war powers resolution intended to rebuke President Trump over military action against Iran. The measure would have sought to limit or block further hostilities without congressional approval, but it failed to advance. The rejection keeps Trump's Iran policy intact and underscores the ongoing divide in Congress over presidential war authority and US involvement in the conflict.

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said that people warning of an AI apocalypse 'have ulterior reasons', pushing back against prominent voices predicting catastrophic outcomes from artificial intelligence. Huang's remarks add to an ongoing debate between AI industry leaders who see the technology as an economic opportunity and critics who argue its risks are being downplayed for commercial gain.

The Supreme Court has allowed the Department of Homeland Security to proceed with an overhaul of its immigration database ahead of the midterm elections, over the dissents of the Court's liberal justices. The ruling clears the way for DHS to implement changes to the system during the election period, a move the dissenting justices opposed but whose specific practical effects have not yet been detailed in coverage.

US intelligence assessments indicate Saudi Arabia has not ruled out pursuing nuclear weapons, even as American senators move to block a proposed deal with Riyadh backed by President Trump. The combination of intelligence findings and congressional pushback has reignited debate in Washington over nuclear proliferation risks in the Gulf and the terms of any US-Saudi cooperation agreement.

DARPA is developing a robotic spacecraft designed to service and repair satellites in geosynchronous orbit, roughly 36,000 kilometers above Earth. The program, detailed by IEEE Spectrum, would extend the lives of expensive communications and military satellites that currently cannot be fixed once deployed. Interest is focused on the engineering challenges of robotic repair at such extreme distances and its implications for space operations.

Brighton hosted Arsenal in a Premier League fixture, with extended match highlights released through the club's official channels and drawing a large audience. Fans are discussing the key moments, goals and talking points from the match as Arsenal continue their league campaign and Brighton look to upset one of the division's top sides.

At Vogue World: Milano, robots were sent down the runway alongside models, a choice made by the event's creative director Juan Costa Paz. Washington Post columnist Shane O'Neill examines the spectacle, raising the question of why machines featured in a fashion showcase and what it says about fashion's growing embrace of technology and spectacle.

A sitting US senator from Texas has publicly taken aim at a fellow Republican who is running to succeed him, delivering a pointed jab in the intraparty contest for his seat. The exchange highlights growing friction in the Texas Republican primary, as party figures jockey over the senator's political legacy and the direction of the seat once he steps aside.

A US Senate committee has voted to hold Anthony Fauci, the former top US infectious disease official, in contempt of Congress. The vote escalates a standoff with Republican lawmakers who have investigated his role in the federal response to Covid-19 and related research funding. Fauci, who led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for decades before retiring in 2022, has denied wrongdoing.

A new report says the Charlotte Hornets are trading guard Buddy Hield to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Rob Dillingham. The news, carried by NBA coverage on nba.com, points to a deal swapping a proven veteran shooter for a young guard. Further details on picks, salary matching or a timeline were not included in the initial report.

A senior Presidential Envoy has voiced support for strengthening emergency preparedness in South Sudan following Ebola outbreaks in neighbouring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The backing, highlighted by the WHO Regional Office for Africa, signals concern that South Sudan's health system could be tested if the outbreaks spread, and puts focus on readiness measures, surveillance and cross-border coordination in the region.

The US Senate has approved legislation addressing mental health support for pilots and air traffic controllers. The measure is aimed at making it easier for aviation professionals to seek mental health care without automatically risking their medical certification or careers. Coverage from aviation and regional news outlets highlights growing attention to mental health barriers in the aviation industry, though details of the bill's provisions and next steps in the House remain limited.

Former staffers have leveled allegations of hostile workplace behavior against Mary Peltola, and the claims could shape Alaska's competitive US Senate race. The Anchorage Daily News examined how the accusations might land with voters in a contest where character questions can prove decisive. It remains to be seen whether the allegations alter the race's dynamics or fade as campaigns intensify.

China has sent two giant pandas to a zoo in the United States in a renewed instance of what is widely known as panda diplomacy, Beijing's long-standing practice of lending pandas abroad as a gesture of goodwill. The arrival of the bears marks a fresh chapter in US-China cultural exchange at a time when bilateral relations remain strained, and the pandas are expected to draw large crowds.

A survey reported by Plant Based News suggests most health professionals believe key plant foods are underrepresented in official dietary guidelines. The finding adds to ongoing debate among nutrition experts about whether national recommendations reflect current evidence on legumes, nuts, whole grains and other plant-based staples. Advocates for plant-forward diets are citing the result to push for updated guidance.

Munich has been selected as Germany’s candidate city to host a future Summer Olympic Games, targeting 2036, 2040 or 2044. The city previously hosted the 1972 Summer Olympics. The decision positions Germany for a return to the Games on the 100th anniversary of the Berlin 1936 edition or later, and is drawing attention across international sports media as Olympic hosting plans take shape.