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This week in U.S. politics, President Trump is confronting growing defections from within his own Republican Party, while preparing for a summit with China. A separate feud with the press is also drawing attention. Analysts are watching whether intra-party dissent will weaken Trump's position heading into high-stakes diplomacy with Beijing.

Xi Jinping and Donald Trump met officially, and Taiwan was not mentioned in any public statements from the meeting. DW reported the omission, which is notable given Taiwan is typically a central point of tension between Washington and Beijing. Observers are likely debating whether the silence reflects a deliberate diplomatic arrangement or signals a shift in how the two powers are handling the Taiwan issue.

On 19 September, The New Yorker published a long investigation into the Israeli side of the Qatargate scandal, placing Benjamin Netanyahu at the centre of it. The report corroborates earlier revelations by French outlet Blast, accusing several people close to Netanyahu of involvement in the affair.

Republicans are reportedly pressuring Donald Trump to bring the US conflict with Iran to an end ahead of the November elections. According to Opera Mundi, members of the party want the war concluded before voters go to the polls, fearing a prolonged Middle East confrontation could hurt them electorally. The report comes amid the ongoing war involving the US, Israel and Iran.

Yemen's leadership has called on the public to enlist while offering amnesty to defectors from the Houthi movement, in an effort to swell pro-government ranks and encourage defections from the group. The announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions and renewed attention on Yemen's long-running conflict.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing pointed criticism from Democrats and resistance from some Republicans over the US conflict with Iran and his dismissals of senior Pentagon officials. The disputes center on the administration's Iran strategy and concerns about the removals of top defense leadership, making the Pentagon chief a focal point of congressional tension.

Donald Trump is publicly promoting criticism of a fellow Republican who broke with the party line on immigration, signaling renewed pressure on dissenters within his party ahead of upcoming legislative fights. The episode highlights his continued grip on the GOP and the political risks lawmakers face when opposing him on one of his core issues.

Republican candidates and officeholders are publicly distancing themselves from Donald Trump as polling shows weakening support, particularly in competitive districts. Lawmakers are reportedly avoiding joint appearances and softening ties with the former president ahead of upcoming elections. Commentators see the move as an effort to protect vulnerable seats, while Trump allies dismiss the polls and warn that abandoning him could hurt the party with its base.

The Supreme Court has struck down a Republican-drawn congressional map in Missouri, handing Democrats a notable win in the ongoing battle over redistricting. The ruling comes as election watchers track how district lines drawn after the 2020 census could shape control of Congress, with partisan map fights playing out in multiple states.

The US Supreme Court has for the third time declined to let Missouri put in place a new congressional map expected to help Republicans win more House seats. The order leaves the map on hold while litigation continues, and it marks repeated refusals by the justices to intervene on the state's behalf, keeping the redrawn districts out of use for now.

The private credit industry, long a quieter corner of finance where loans are made outside public markets, is confronting increased public scrutiny. Commentators are asking how risks in these lightly regulated, opaque lending arrangements are priced and who bears the losses if defaults rise. With the sector having grown rapidly into roughly a trillion-dollar market, its visibility and the questions around it are growing in step.

Republicans are redirecting campaign funds into dozens of US House districts that had previously been considered safe seats, according to Reuters. The spending shift suggests party strategists see unexpected vulnerability ahead of the elections, and are moving resources to defend districts that were once assumed secure rather than focusing only on competitive races.

CNN reports on the House and Senate districts where Republicans are going on the attack ahead of the US midterm elections, rather than simply defending their current seats. The piece highlights the districts and states the party considers winnable, part of a broader campaign push as both parties compete for control of Congress and voters weigh the economy and other key issues.

The Pope has told French bishops that the Catholic Church carries a prophetic authority and has a legitimate place in the public square. The remarks, reported by Vatican News, affirm the Church's role in public debate on moral and social questions. The message is being read as encouragement to the French hierarchy to speak out publicly despite secular traditions in France.

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.

Donald Trump is publicly promoting criticism of a fellow Republican who broke with the party line on immigration, the New York Times reports. The clash underscores ongoing tension within the Republican Party over immigration policy heading into the 2026 midterm season, with Trump continuing to pressure lawmakers who dissent from his hardline stance.

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists have published new clinical standards for treating high-risk pregnancies in states with abortion bans. The guidelines aim to clarify when doctors can intervene in complicated pregnancies without violating restrictions, addressing legal uncertainty that physicians say has delayed care. The move comes amid ongoing national debate over emergency pregnancy care in ban states.

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has announced he will boycott a fixture against Israel, saying his decision rests on the personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong. The stance has drawn attention and support, with his statement being shared widely as debate continues around football fixtures involving Israel amid the ongoing conflict.

Singapore's national water agency PUB has urged the public to avoid several locations in the city-state because of flash flood risks. The advisory comes as heavy rain raises the danger of sudden flooding in low-lying areas, and residents are being told to steer clear of affected spots until conditions improve.

President Trump is publicly predicting success for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections, but members of his own party are increasingly worried about their prospects. According to the Wall Street Journal, GOP officials are panicking privately even as the president projects confidence, reflecting concern that campaign dynamics may not favor them this cycle.

As early voting gets underway, election officials are making public efforts to reassure voters about the security and integrity of the process. Authorities are emphasizing safeguards in place and urging confidence in the results, as public trust in elections remains a prominent concern heading into the vote.

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, said it is crucial for Britain to have stability in its public finances. The remark came as concerns over borrowing and fiscal policy weigh on UK markets and the political debate, with calls for the government to reassure investors and keep debt under control.

Ukraine's Defense Intelligence maintains a public, searchable database of foreign components recovered from Russian military equipment, allowing lookups by manufacturer. A highlighted entry lists 816 Texas Instruments parts found in Russian weapons, complete with photos. Observers point to the database as evidence that Western-made electronics continue to reach Russian arms systems despite sanctions, fueling debate over export controls and sanctions enforcement.

The US Supreme Court has turned down a Republican bid to redraw Missouri's congressional map, rejecting the push for the third time. The repeated denials leave the state's current district boundaries in place, despite continued efforts by state Republicans to redraw them to their advantage. The decision is drawing attention amid broader national fights over partisan gerrymandering and redistricting.

The US government is beginning to use artificial intelligence to help decide which public records are released to people who request them, according to a Washington Post analysis. The shift raises questions about transparency, since automated systems could influence what information citizens can access under freedom of information laws, and whether such decisions can be adequately reviewed or challenged.