Washington

Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his state visit to the United States on Friday. As he departed Washington, senior U.S. government officials saw him off at the airport, and a 21-gun salute was fired in his honor. The ceremonial send-off drew attention as a sign of the diplomatic weight both sides placed on the visit and its outcomes.

This week in U.S. politics, President Trump is facing growing defections from members of his own Republican Party, while Washington prepares for a summit with China. A running feud with the press is also drawing attention. Commentators are weighing the impact of intra-party dissent on Trump's agenda and what the U.S.-China meeting means for trade and foreign policy heading into the coming weeks.

U.S. intelligence has assessed that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons, according to a Washington Post report. The assessment underscores lingering questions about Riyadh's nuclear intentions amid regional tensions and ongoing discussions over a potential civil nuclear programme and security arrangements with Washington.

US President Donald Trump has turned down a proposal from Iran that would have set out a seven-day timeline, keeping tensions between Washington and Tehran in the headlines. Critics and supporters are debating what the refusal means for diplomacy and the risk of further confrontation between the two countries.

Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has concluded a visit to the United States without reaching any agreement and without announcing a date for the country's long-delayed elections. The lack of tangible outcomes leaves unresolved questions over Venezuela's political future and its relations with Washington, with observers weighing what the fruitless talks mean for sanctions relief and the opposition's prospects.

Chinese state announcements say Beijing and Washington agreed to a $30 billion tariff reduction and to open a dialogue on artificial intelligence during Xi Jinping's visit. The news, reported by Reuters, suggests a tentative easing of tensions between the two economic rivals on trade and technology. Details are sparse so far, and readers should note the figures come from the Chinese side; US confirmation and the fine print of the deal are not yet clear.

Saudi Arabia has withdrawn from a China-led cross-border currency platform, according to the Financial Times. The move signals a pullback from Beijing's efforts to build alternatives to dollar-based international payments, and is being read as Riyadh keeping its options open with Washington amid ongoing economic and security ties. Observers see it as a setback for de-dollarisation efforts.

Donald Trump has signed a security agreement concerning Greenland, escalating US engagement with the Arctic island. The move draws renewed attention to Washington's strategic interest in Greenland, whose location and resources have made it a focus of American defense planning amid growing competition with Russia and China in the Arctic region.

President Donald Trump has dismissed an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, calling it not 'acceptable'. The strait is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, and any dispute over its status raises concerns about energy prices and regional stability. The rejection signals continued friction between Washington and Tehran over shipping and security in the Persian Gulf.

Developing nations rallied behind Cuba at the United Nations General Assembly, pushing back against the United States' continued stance toward Havana. Footage from the assembly shows delegates from Global South countries voicing solidarity with Cuba and opposing the long-running US embargo, in a recurring annual confrontation over Washington's Cuba policy.

Saudi Arabia has signalled it would be open to developing nuclear weapons, according to reports carried by major US outlets including The New York Times and The Seattle Times. The remarks raise fresh questions about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and about Riyadh's nuclear ambitions at a time of ongoing regional tensions and talks over normalisation and security guarantees with Washington.

Sudan's Sovereign Council chief said the country will not give in to 'pressure or blackmail' from Washington amid an ongoing dispute with the United States over visa restrictions. The remarks mark a sharp escalation in rhetoric between Khartoum and the US, which has imposed or threatened visa measures against Sudanese officials amid strained relations and the ongoing conflict in the country.

A Washington Examiner piece argues that the growing energy and cooling demands of AI data centers could eventually push this infrastructure into orbit. The idea is that space-based data centers could draw on continuous solar power and easier heat dissipation. It adds to a live debate over whether terrestrial power grids can keep up with AI's expansion, and follows growing interest among tech firms in orbital computing concepts.

Russia is accusing European governments of obstructing negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, while Donald Trump has publicly urged Volodymyr Zelenskyy to 'settle' with Vladimir Putin. The remarks heap pressure on Kyiv and its European allies at a time when Washington is pushing for a negotiated end to the conflict, deepening tensions over who is responsible for the lack of progress in peace efforts.

Iranian leaders are delivering strong anti-American statements while in New York, drawing attention to the state of Iran-US diplomacy. The comments, made during a visit to the United States, have sparked widespread discussion about worsening tensions between Tehran and Washington and what they mean for future diplomatic engagement.

Iran has presented new demands to the United States following a sharply critical speech at the United Nations. The development, reported by Fox News, signals continued friction between Tehran and Washington, though the specific contents of the demands and any US response have not yet been detailed in available reporting.

Cuba's Foreign Minister has denounced escalating United States pressure against Havana, warning that international relations risk descending into a 'law of the jungle' where the strongest dictate terms. Speaking at the United Nations, he condemned Washington's coercive measures and called for respect for sovereignty and international law, framing the dispute as a broader challenge to the multilateral order.

The US government has moved to intervene in Elon Musk's €120 million legal dispute with the European Commission in Brussels. The case centres on EU penalties tied to Musk's business dealings in Europe, and Washington's entry escalates what was a corporate fight into a transatlantic regulatory clash. Commenters are watching closely, as the intervention could strain already tense US-EU relations over tech regulation.

U.S. officials say Saudi Arabia is considering developing a nuclear weapon, according to a Haaretz report. The claim, if confirmed, would mark a major shift in Riyadh's posture and sharpen concerns about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, especially amid tensions with Iran and questions over future security guarantees from Washington.

French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Paris, with the meeting framed as taking place against a backdrop of strained relations with the United States. The talks are being read as a sign of Canada and France seeking closer ties as both navigate friction with Washington on trade and security.

The United States has rejected a United Nations declaration aimed at preparing for future pandemics, according to The New York Times. The move puts Washington at odds with international efforts to strengthen global health defenses after the COVID-19 crisis, and is likely to draw criticism from public health advocates and allied governments backing the accord.

Cuban officials have denounced United States sanctions as 'collective punishment', while Donald Trump predicted a deal could be reached between the two countries. The remarks highlight the ongoing tension over US restrictions on Cuba, which Havana says harm ordinary Cubans, even as signals from Washington suggest a possible negotiated settlement.

US President Donald Trump has rejected an Iranian proposal under which the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened within seven days. The vital shipping route, through which much of the world's oil passes, has been at the centre of tensions between Washington and Tehran. The rejection signals that the US is not prepared to accept a timeline offered by Iran, and the standoff over the strategic waterway is expected to continue.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten is lobbying the US administration to hold off on a new round of export restrictions that would hit ASML's China business. US lawmakers are pushing legislation that could tighten controls on the Dutch chip-equipment maker's immersion lithography systems and its servicing activities for Chinese customers, putting The Hague and Washington at odds over the scope of semiconductor curbs.

Humanoid robots joined human models on the catwalk at Vogue World: Milano, in a fashion show staging that has drawn attention for its unusual blend of technology and couture. Washington Post columnist Shane O'Neill reports that the robots were included at the direction of the event's creative director, Juan Costa Paz, who chose to make machines part of the show's visual statement.

An Iranian delegate's visibly stark reaction is drawing attention after President Donald Trump warned the US could 'annihilate' Iran. The moment, reported by the New York Post, was captured during proceedings at the United Nations, where Trump delivered his warning. Commenters are highlighting the delegate's face as a symbol of the rising tension between Washington and Tehran over nuclear and military threats.

President Trump has again declared that Iran cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon, while rejecting a proposed seven-day ceasefire put forward by Iran's regime. The refusal signals a hardening US position as tensions over Iran's nuclear program continue, with no indication of an imminent diplomatic breakthrough between Washington and Tehran.

Indian news commentary is asking whether the US tariff file on India has stalled, suggesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomacy has changed Washington's stance. The programme, anchored by Sushant Sinha on News18 India, frames the debate around whether India's outreach has softened the Trump administration's trade pressure and what that means for bilateral ties.

Beijing says the United States and China will work toward a military crisis-communication agreement, according to a report by the South China Morning Post. The announcement signals an effort by the two powers to keep military-to-military channels open and reduce the risk of accidents or misunderstandings escalating into conflict, a long-standing point of friction in the bilateral relationship.

Some members of Congress are expressing doubts that the institution is technically capable of writing meaningful rules for artificial intelligence, with one quip describing a body 'barely capable of email.' The comments reflect growing frustration over slow, expertise-thin lawmaking as AI tools spread rapidly through the economy and daily life, raising questions about whether existing legislative processes can keep pace with the technology.

This is a news headline from Bloomberg reporting that US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are keeping great-power diplomacy on track, suggesting continued engagement between Washington and Beijing. The evidence available is limited to the headline itself, so details of what was discussed or agreed are not clear from the posts. Readers appear to be following developments in US-China relations, a topic of ongoing global interest.

US intelligence agencies have assessed that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out acquiring nuclear weapons, according to a report flagged by Ynetnews. The warning underscores lingering concerns in Washington about Riyadh's nuclear ambitions, particularly as regional tensions persist and Iran's nuclear program remains a central security issue for Gulf states.

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will meet with an Iranian delegation, amid diplomatic efforts reportedly championed by Qatar. The news, reported by Al Jazeera English, is drawing significant attention online with over 200,000 likes. Commenters appear focused on the possibility of renewed talks between Washington and Tehran and the role Gulf states are playing in facilitating dialogue. Details about the meeting's agenda or outcome are not clear from the available posts.

The United States and China have reached an agreement to lower tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods, following a summit in Washington between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The deal marks a step toward easing trade tensions between the world's two largest economies, with further details on the affected goods and timeline expected as implementation begins.