STAT

North Korea has told the United Nations that its status as a nuclear-armed state is irreversible and rejected outside pressure to abandon its weapons programme. The declaration signals Pyongyang's refusal to negotiate denuclearization, drawing renewed attention to diplomatic deadlocks and regional security concerns involving the US, South Korea, and other parties.

Google has released updated satellite imagery on Google Earth showing the scale of destruction in Gaza, with news outlets including The Independent highlighting how the new images expose devastated neighbourhoods. The refreshed views allow the public to see, street by street, the extent of damage from more than two years of conflict in the territory.

A North Korean vice minister declared the country's nuclear weapons status to be 'irreversible', according to reports carried by South Korean outlet SBS. The statement reaffirms Pyongyang's long-standing position that it will not give up its nuclear arsenal, and it has drawn attention amid ongoing tensions on the Korean peninsula and stalled denuclearisation talks.

The Dutch government is preparing for possible US sanctions against the International Criminal Court, which is headquartered in The Hague. The measures, threatened under the Trump administration over the court's actions involving Israel, could hit the ICC's finances and operations hard. The prospect has prompted concern in the Netherlands and the wider European Union about protecting the court's independence.

Sudan remains governed by two rival authorities, with Washington recognising neither as legitimate. The army-backed administration controls much of the formal state machinery, while the Rapid Support Forces exercise power across territory they hold. US officials say neither side represents constitutional governance, leaving Sudan effectively run by competing authorities without international recognition. Observers warn the standoff complicates diplomacy and aid delivery in a country already devastated by war.

North Korea has stated that its status as a nuclear weapons state is irreversible, reinforcing its long-standing position that it will not give up its arsenal. The declaration draws attention amid ongoing tensions with the United States and South Korea over Pyongyang's weapons programme and stalled denuclearisation talks.

The Muslim World League has issued a call for the establishment of a Palestinian state and urgent international action to end the humanitarian suffering in Gaza. The announcement, reported by Arab News, adds a prominent religious body's voice to ongoing diplomatic appeals over the conflict, urging an immediate resolution to the crisis.

The UAE president held a discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu covering relations between the two countries, according to the Emirati state news agency. The talks were reported by major international outlets including Reuters. Details of the conversation have not been made public, and no specific agreements or outcomes were announced in the initial reports.

Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his state visit to the United States on Friday, departing Washington after talks with American officials. Senior US government officials saw him off at the airport, where a 21-gun salute was fired in a ceremonial farewell. The formal send-off is being highlighted as a sign of the diplomatic weight both sides placed on the visit and its outcomes.

British authorities are investigating whether a foreign state was involved in an alleged plot targeting a UK airbase. The suspects detained in the case have been released without charge, though the inquiry into possible foreign state involvement continues. Officials have not publicly named any country, and details about the suspects or the specific base remain limited as the investigation proceeds.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that states may use the federal SAVE database to verify the citizenship status of people registering to vote. The decision allows states conducting voter roll checks to access the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements records. Supporters frame it as a tool for election integrity, while voting rights groups warn it could discourage eligible voters from registering and raise privacy concerns.

Pope Leo is taking on an increasingly prominent statesman role, using his platform to call for peace amid a period of renewed armed conflict around the world. According to The Washington Post, the pontiff has framed his appeals for diplomacy and reconciliation as a central theme of his leadership, drawing attention to the Vatican's moral voice at a time of escalating wars.

UK officials say it is too early to attribute a plot involving an airbase to a foreign state, despite speculation about possible foreign involvement. Authorities are continuing their investigation and have not named any country or confirmed details about those behind the alleged plot.

A North Korean vice foreign minister declared that the country's status as a nuclear weapon state 'cannot be reversed by anything', reaffirming Pyongyang's refusal to abandon its nuclear arsenal. The statement signals North Korea's continued rejection of denuclearisation talks and is drawing attention amid ongoing tensions over its weapons programme.

The large robotic arm on the International Space Station has stopped working, and NASA says it is currently unable to move it. The Canada-arm2 manipulator is a critical tool for capturing cargo vehicles and supporting spacewalks, so any outage draws close attention. Engineers are assessing the fault, and officials stress the problem is described as temporary while troubleshooting continues.

Counter Terrorism Police have released five men arrested over the incident at RAF Fairford on bail while the investigation continues. Officers say the suspects remain under investigation and that the activity may have been carried out by proxies for a foreign state, often for financial gain. The foreign-involvement angle has fuelled widespread public speculation about the nature of the incident.

Manchester City has issued a public statement responding to reports that the club breached the majority of the Premier League's financial rules. The club denies wrongdoing and the claims renew attention on its long-running dispute with the Premier League over alleged financial regulation breaches, a case that has hovered over English football for years.

Results of Russia's State Duma elections are being examined, with analysts and commentators weighing what the outcome reveals about the standing of United Russia and the broader political landscape. The vote, held across Russia, has prompted discussion over turnout figures, the ruling party's share of seats, and the credibility of the electoral process, with opposition voices questioning the results.

Azerbaijan's state oil company Socar has announced it will lower fuel prices at its service stations across Italy, following a similar cut by Eni. The price reductions ease pressure on Premier Giorgia Meloni's coalition, which faces calls to impose a windfall tax on energy companies ahead of the next election.

Israel's Foreign Ministry has summoned Spain's ambassador in response to remarks by Spain's Minister of Youth backing the establishment of a Palestinian state stretching from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean. The diplomatic protest highlights growing friction between Israel and Spain, whose government has taken an increasingly critical stance toward Israel's conduct in Gaza and voiced support for Palestinian statehood.

US Ambassador Mike Waltz said Washington rejected a proposal from Iran intended to end the war, because it came with sanctions-related demands. He stated that the US had offered to supply uranium for Iran's civilian nuclear program, but Iran refused to accept that arrangement. The remarks add detail to ongoing negotiations over Iran's nuclear activities and the terms for a ceasefire.

Florida health officials have declared a state of emergency in response to what they describe as a 'wildly unusual' disease outbreak in the state. The emergency declaration allows authorities to mobilise additional resources and coordinate a response. Details about the disease, the number of cases, and the affected areas have not been specified in the initial reports.

Russia's Central Election Commission has not published final State Duma election results for four occupied Ukrainian territories or 21 federal subjects, according to the Moscow Times. Significant data gaps are also reported in the Kursk region and Yakutia, raising questions about the completeness and transparency of the official vote count.

The Greater Manchester Mayor is set to use his Labour conference speech to signal support for ending the state pension triple lock, according to the Telegraph. The guarantee, which raises the state pension by the highest of inflation, earnings growth or 2.5%, has become increasingly costly. Any move against it by a senior Labour figure is likely to spark a row over pensioner protections within the party.