EPA

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.

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 Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is 'fully prepared' for the resumption of war, while stressing that diplomacy is not yet over. The remarks signal Tehran is bracing for renewed conflict even as it leaves the door open to continued negotiations, keeping tensions high in the region.

Iranian officials have signalled openness to diplomatic talks while warning the country is 'fully prepared' for war should the United States launch an attack. The dual message underscores rising tensions between Tehran and Washington, with Iran framing diplomacy as its preferred path but stressing military readiness as a deterrent.

SpaceX is preparing its Starship rocket for its first flight to orbit. The launch would mark a major milestone for the company's next-generation, fully reusable heavy-lift rocket, developed in Texas to carry cargo and crews to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Interest is high given the scale of the vehicle and the significance of a successful debut orbital attempt for future deep-space missions.

Iran's foreign minister said the country is 'fully prepared' for war while insisting that diplomatic efforts are not over. The statement signals Tehran is balancing military readiness with an openness to continued negotiations, amid heightened tensions over its nuclear programme and regional confrontation. The comments have drawn attention as observers weigh whether talks can still prevent a wider conflict.

Russia may be preparing an attack on European targets dubbed "Operation Spiderweb." According to El Mundo, the CIA warned Spain, France and Italy that Russia could hide drones inside ordinary shipping containers aboard merchant vessels and launch them from the sea against European territory. The report is drawing wide attention across Spain, France and Italy as officials and commentators weigh the threat and what response it may require.

United States forces are preparing to withdraw from Iraq, ending a military presence of more than two decades that began with the 2003 invasion. The move marks a major shift in the American footprint in the Middle East and closes a long chapter of US involvement in Iraqi security affairs.

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 just as the city prepares to host its Formula One Grand Prix. Race organisers are drawing up contingency plans as the seasonal haze, a recurring regional problem tied to land clearing fires in Indonesia, threatens the major sporting event. The possibility that air quality could disrupt the race weekend is drawing wide attention.

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.

CNN reports that Europe and NATO are preparing for the possibility of a wider conflict with Russia that extends beyond Ukraine. The analysis examines how European countries are rearming, reassessing defense postures, and planning for scenarios in which the war escalates. It has drawn attention for its sober assessment of how close to the brink the continent may be.

British police have arrested five men near a military base in the UK on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack. The arrests were made as part of a counter-terrorism operation, and details about the suspects or any specific target have not yet been released. The story is drawing heavy attention as breaking news across international outlets.

The United States has rejected a United Nations declaration aimed at strengthening global preparedness for future pandemics. The move, reported by The New York Times, marks a break with international consensus on pandemic planning. Details of Washington's stated reasons and the international reaction have not yet been made fully clear, but the decision is drawing attention to tensions over global health cooperation.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran is 'fully prepared' for a resumption of war with the United States, while insisting Tehran continues to pursue a diplomatic path. The statement signals Iran's dual posture of military readiness and openness to negotiations amid ongoing tensions. His remarks underline the fragility of efforts to de-escalate between the two countries.

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 European Union is preparing accession roadmaps for Ukraine and three other candidate countries, according to Politico Europe. The plans would set out the steps each country must take to join the bloc, covering reforms, rule-of-law requirements and alignment with EU law. Enlargement has gained urgency since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the roadmaps signal Brussels is moving from promises toward concrete timetables, though actual membership will still require unanimous approval from all member states.

Iran's foreign minister declared that the country is prepared for both diplomacy and war, saying Iran has been tested twice through what he called acts of aggression and would welcome any further test. He added that Iran has also been tested in the diplomatic arena and has proven itself there, framing the country as ready on both fronts amid ongoing tensions.

Saudi Arabia has warned that the security of the Gulf region cannot be separated from global stability, issuing the statement amid heightened regional tensions. The warning, delivered in remarks reported by UN News, positions the kingdom as framing Gulf stability as an international concern rather than a purely local one. The message underscores Riyadh's push for broader international engagement as conflicts and political friction across the Middle East continue to raise concerns about wider spillover effects.