travelers

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.

SpaceX is preparing to launch its Starship rocket to orbit for the first time, a milestone for the company's next-generation heavy-lift vehicle. The flight would mark a major step in Elon Musk's plans for deep-space travel, and the anticipation of the debut orbital test is drawing wide attention across the space and technology communities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to Abu Dhabi over the weekend for a previously undisclosed meeting with the Emirati leadership, according to a report from the region. The visit marks another sign of deepening ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, and comes alongside a series of other notable developments across the Middle East. Details about what was discussed during the trip have not been made public.

Pope Francis, speaking to journalists aboard the papal plane en route to France, said he travels to the country to proclaim Christ's peace. The remark came as the pontiff began his visit to France, framing the trip as a message of peace. Further details about his itinerary and reception were not provided.

SpaceX is aiming to conduct the first orbital test flight of its Starship spacecraft, the largest and most powerful rocket ever developed. The launch, planned from the company's Starbase facility in Texas, marks a major step toward Elon Musk's goal of deep-space travel and future Moon and Mars missions, drawing wide attention from space watchers worldwide.

SpaceX's Starship, the most powerful spacecraft ever built, is preparing for a launch that would attempt to reach Earth orbit for the first time. A successful flight would mark a major milestone for the rocket program, which is central to SpaceX's ambitions for deep space travel and NASA's plans to return astronauts to the Moon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to Abu Dhabi on Sunday, according to an Israeli official. The visit, if confirmed, would mark a significant moment in relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, which normalised ties under the Abraham Accords in 2020. Details of the trip and any meetings have not yet been made public.

US aviation authorities stopped flights at several busy East Coast airports after a cut fiber optic line caused communication problems, grounding and delaying traffic at major hubs including the New York area. The FAA says it is working to restore the affected lines as travelers report widespread delays. Commentators online are debating how a single cut cable could disrupt operations at some of the country's busiest airports.

SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on a crucial orbital test flight. The mission is widely described as make-or-break for the vehicle's development, with its outcome seen as pivotal for SpaceX's plans for deep-space travel and future lunar and Mars missions.

SpaceX is preparing to send its Starship spacecraft into orbit around Earth for the first time, with the launch available to watch live. The mission marks a major milestone for the company's next-generation heavy-lift rocket, which is central to its plans for deep-space travel. Coverage and live viewing are drawing widespread attention from space enthusiasts and media worldwide.

Hurricane Polo has intensified into a major Category 3 storm while swirling off Mexico's Pacific coast. Forecasters are tracking its projected path, with residents along the coastline watching for possible impacts such as heavy rain, high surf and strong winds. The storm's rapid strengthening has drawn attention as the Pacific hurricane season continues.

Global diplomacy dominated the past week, with the UN General Assembly in session in New York and Chinese President Xi Jinping travelling to the United States for high-stakes talks with American leaders. The meetings put relations between Washington and Beijing, along with multilateral cooperation at the UN, at the centre of international attention and commentary.

The Namibian government is urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo as an Ebola outbreak continues there. The advisory aims to protect travellers from exposure to the virus while health authorities monitor the situation across borders in the region.

India's National Investigation Agency alleges that VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals illegally crossed from Mizoram into Myanmar, reached Victoria Camp and trained ethnic armed groups in drone warfare. The agency had opposed their release, but after default bail, a Delhi court has now permitted them to travel home. The case has sparked debate in India over border security, foreign nationals in conflict zones, and whether authorities can stop them from leaving.

A powerful nor'easter is driving coastal flooding along the northeastern United States, prompting New York and New Jersey to declare states of emergency. Officials are urging residents in low-lying and coastal areas to stay clear of floodwaters as high winds and heavy rain persist. The storm is disrupting travel and raising concerns about erosion and damage along the shoreline, with conditions expected to deteriorate further before easing.

SpaceX is counting down to what is being described as a monumental launch of its Starship rocket. The flight is drawing wide attention as the latest step in the company's program to develop the largest and most powerful launch vehicle ever built, a system central to plans for deep-space missions and future lunar and Mars travel.

Indian applicants for US visitor visas are facing long interview waits, with Hyderabad at around 12 months, Mumbai 11.5 months, New Delhi 10 months, Chennai 7.5 months and Kolkata 6.5 months. The figures are drawing attention as families planning travel for tourism, business or family visits face delays stretching close to a year before they can secure an interview appointment.

A powerful storm has hit the US Northeast, knocking out power for many residents and disrupting travel across the region. Utilities are working to restore electricity while airlines and transit services face cancellations and delays. The severe weather is drawing wide news coverage as conditions continue to affect millions of people.

A powerful nor'easter storm is battering the United States, knocking out travel along the Eastern Seaboard. Hundreds of flights have been canceled as airlines scramble to rebook passengers, with coastal flooding and strong winds expected in affected states. Authorities are urging residents to stay off roads as conditions deteriorate through the storm's peak.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is expected to travel to Damascus as the EU moves to normalise relations with Syria's new authorities. The visit signals a shift in European policy after years of isolation under the Assad government, with Brussels weighing engagement, sanctions relief and support for Syria's political transition.

The US Embassy in London says it is aware of arrests in Gloucestershire on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act near the Royal Air Force base at Fairford. It is urging American citizens in the UK to exercise caution, stay alert to their personal security, and follow guidance from local authorities as the investigation continues.

New York and New Jersey have declared states of emergency as a powerful Nor'easter storm moves through the region, forcing the cancellation of events and disrupting travel. Officials are urging residents to stay off the roads as heavy snow, strong winds and coastal flooding batter the area. Emergency crews remain on standby as conditions worsen.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to the United Arab Emirates on a secret visit on Sunday, according to a source cited by news outlets. Details of the trip, including who he met and what was discussed, have not been officially confirmed, and neither government has publicly commented on the reported visit.

A powerful storm has swept across the north-eastern United States, leaving around 100,000 customers without electricity and flooding roads across the region. Emergency crews are working to restore power and clear waterlogged streets as officials urge residents to avoid travel in affected areas.