Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have wrapped up their critical talks. They're claiming important progress in stabilizing U.S.-China relations even as deep differences persist between the world’s two biggest powers on Iran, Taiwan and more. Xi welcomed Trump at his official residence, Zhongnanhai, on Friday for the final talks of the summit before the U.S leader’s return to Washington. Over tea and lunch, Trump and Xi — with top aides and translators in tow — huddled for three hours of talks as the U.S. leader completed his three-day visit to China. Trump claimed, “It’s been really a great couple of days." Xi, for his part, described it as a “milestone” visit.

Millions of Palestinians are marking the 78th anniversary of the Nakba. That's Arabic for “catastrophe,” referring to the mass expulsion and flight of some 750,000 Palestinians from what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation. Friday's anniversary is the third commemoration of the Nakba since the war in Gaza began. More than six months after an October ceasefire, Gaza’s more than 2 million people are now crammed into less than half of the 25-mile-long strip along the Mediterranean coast. They are surrounded by an Israeli-controlled zone that encompasses the rest of the territory.

Pope Leo XIV has denounced investments in AI and high-tech weaponry, warning they lead to a “spiral of annihilation.” He called for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine during a visit to Rome’s La Sapienza University on Thursday. This marked the first papal visit to the campus since 2008. The pope was warmly welcomed, including by young Palestinians who arrived in Italy this week to study. Leo criticized increased military spending at the expense of education and healthcare. He emphasized the need for responsible AI development and highlighted the importance of valuing life and peace.

Authorities say a massive Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine has demolished an apartment block in Kyiv, killing nine and wounding dozens. It was a third straight day that Moscow has unleashed such a large-scale barrage. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched over 1,560 drones at Ukraine since Wednesday. The bombardment has affected multiple cities and strained Ukraine’s air defenses. Damage to energy infrastructure has left many without power. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha calls for international pressure on Moscow and noted the attack came as U.S. President Donald Trump met in Beijing with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Sybiha said the two leaders had sufficient leverage to compel Russia to stop the war.

BRICS foreign ministers have started a two-day meeting in New Delhi. Diplomats from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are attending the talks along with newer member states. The meeting beginning Thursday coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump’s talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. Discussions in New Delhi are expected to focus on energy security, the conflict in the Middle East and trade in local currencies. BRICS has sought to increase its global influence, but differences over regional rivalries, global conflicts and ties with the West continue to test the bloc’s unity.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says he quietly visited the United Arab Emirates during the Iran war. The UAE denied any secret visit. His office said Wednesday that Netanyahu met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the visit “resulted in a historic breakthrough in relations." The announcement came a day after U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee revealed that Israel sent Iron Dome air-defense weapons to UAE along with personnel to operate them. The UAE’s official WAM news agency also denied a visit by any Israeli military delegation.

A small corps of remote workers in Gaza has provided coding, graphic design and digital marketing services to international clients through more than two years of war. They have improvised coworking spaces and relied on solar generators to stay online as infrastructure across the enclave has been devastated. They face persistent challenges getting paid through banks and wire transfers. The work has become somewhat steadier seven months into a fragile ceasefire, even as broader recovery and reconstruction efforts are at a standstill.

Russia has launched a massive daytime drone attack on Ukraine, firing at least 800 drones across 20 regions of the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says at least six people were killed and dozens wounded, including children. Wednesday’s targets included the cities of Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa. Zelenskyy is warning of possible cruise and ballistic missile attacks by Moscow following the drone barrage. Despite ongoing attacks, Ukraine remains hopeful for peace. U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have suggested the war could be nearing an end. However, they provided no evidence or details to support those statements.

U.S. President Donald Trump has arrived in Beijing for his highly anticipated summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at a restless moment for a world worried about war, trade and artificial intelligence. The visit occurs at a delicate moment for Trump’s presidency, as his popularity at home has been weighed down by the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran and rising inflation as a consequence of that conflict. The president is seeking a win by signing deals with China to buy more American food and aircraft, saying he’ll be talking with Xi about trade “more than anything else.”