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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 across the sea toward Singapore, just as the city-state prepares to host its Formula One Grand Prix. Race organisers are drawing up contingency plans in case air quality deteriorates further. The regional haze is an annual problem linked to seasonal burning in Indonesia, and its arrival ahead of the major sporting event is drawing wide attention and concern.

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.

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.

President Trump is planning to roll back fuel economy requirements for vehicles in the United States that were introduced under the Biden administration. The move would ease emissions and efficiency standards imposed on automakers, and it is drawing attention from the auto industry, environmental groups and policymakers amid ongoing debates over US climate policy.

South Sudan's Senior Presidential Envoy has voiced support for strengthening the country's emergency preparedness as Ebola outbreaks continue in neighbouring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The endorsement, highlighted by the World Health Organization's regional office for Africa, underscores concerns that South Sudan could be exposed if the outbreaks spread across borders, and reinforces calls for vigilance, surveillance and readiness of health systems.

A military commander has confirmed that September 30 is the final date for all foreign military presence in Iraq, according to regional reporting. The announcement sets a firm deadline for the withdrawal of foreign forces from the country and is drawing attention across the region, with observers weighing its implications for Iraq's security arrangements.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the surgical strikes stand as a bold example of India's counter-terrorism policy, reaffirming the government's willingness to act across the border against militant threats. The remarks underscore New Delhi's position that decisive military action remains central to its national security doctrine.

Leading artificial intelligence executives have been called to appear before an Australian Senate inquiry examining the technology's risks and regulation. The probe is expected to question industry bosses over safety, misinformation and cybersecurity concerns as governments worldwide move to tighten oversight of rapidly advancing AI systems. Outlets including The Australian and News.com.au are covering the summons, which signals growing political scrutiny of the sector.

DARPA is developing a robotic spacecraft designed to service and repair satellites in geosynchronous orbit, roughly 36,000 kilometers above Earth. The program, profiled by IEEE Spectrum, would allow aging or malfunctioning satellites to be fixed or refueled in place, extending their working lives. Interest centers on the technical challenge of robotic operations at that altitude and what orbital servicing could mean for the satellite industry and space security.

Gharibabadi, an Iranian judiciary official, said Israel's nuclear arsenal cannot be ignored, according to the Mehr News Agency. The statement forms part of Iran's ongoing criticism of Israel's undeclared nuclear capability and calls for international scrutiny of weapons programs in the region.

President Emmanuel Macron was absent from the Pope's mass in Paris, but reacted on X by posting a video of the popemobile circling the Arc de Triomphe through a jubilant crowd. "Concord and Fraternity. France is proud to welcome Pope Leo XIV," the president wrote, saluting the pontiff's visit despite his own no-show at the service, a choice drawing comment and debate.

Vogue World: Milano featured humanoid robots walking the runway alongside models, in a show blending fashion and technology. Washington Post columnist Shane O'Neill highlights that the robots were included because the event's creative director, Juan Costa Paz, chose to put them there, making the machines a deliberate artistic statement rather than a stunt.

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.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said that people warning about an AI apocalypse "have ulterior reasons", dismissing prominent doomsday narratives about artificial intelligence. His comments put him at odds with safety advocates and critics who argue rapid AI development poses existential risks, and are likely to fuel ongoing debate between AI industry leaders and those calling for stricter controls on the technology.

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.

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.

Senator Jim Banks is calling for Grissom, in Indiana, to be selected as the home of a new U.S. Space Academy. The proposal puts the Indiana site forward in what is likely a competition among states seeking the federal facility, and is drawing attention from local media in the Fort Wayne area.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge report that sex differences in attention can be detected in newborns, based on a new study. The finding is drawing discussion about what it suggests regarding innate cognitive differences between males and females, and how early such differences emerge. Commenters are debating the methodology, the size of the observed effect, and the broader social implications of the research.

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.

Senator John Fetterman, Democrat of Pennsylvania, gave remarks about his political journey and his views on the direction of the Democratic Party. The appearance aired on C-SPAN, giving viewers a direct look at his perspective as the party debates its future and messaging. Fetterman, known for breaking with parts of his party on issues like immigration and Israel, remains a frequent subject of discussion among political observers.

Northrop Grumman is moving to increase production of missile components as part of what is being described as an 'Arsenal of Freedom' push. Retail investors are discussing the defense contractor's outlook, with commentary suggesting steady execution will be the key driver of growth going forward. The expansion reflects broader pressure on US defense suppliers to scale up weapons output.