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.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has departed Beijing for Washington, in what is described as his first state visit to the US capital since 2015. President Trump is expected to greet him personally on the tarmac rather than at the White House, a gesture some observers read as a sign of warmth ahead of high-stakes US-China trade and diplomatic discussions.

US intelligence agencies assess that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons, according to a Washington Post report. The finding highlights Riyadh's hedging as regional tensions persist and talks over a potential civil nuclear program and a defense pact with Washington continue. It also raises questions about proliferation risks if Iran's nuclear program advances further.

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.

The United States is threatening to ban Iranian airlines from operating internationally starting Wednesday, according to Al Jazeera. The move would effectively ground Iranian carriers worldwide, and it is drawing attention amid already heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran over sanctions and regional security.

China pushed back against the United States in a speech at the United Nations, defending Iran and Cuba against American pressure. Beijing's remarks signal continued friction with Washington over sanctions and unilateral measures, with Chinese officials framing US policy toward both countries as interference. The exchange highlights ongoing geopolitical rivalry between the two powers playing out on the UN stage.

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.

Donald Trump says he has turned down an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the critical shipping waterway linking the Persian Gulf to global oil markets. The claim, reported by NBC News, suggests ongoing back-channel negotiations between Washington and Tehran, and raises fresh questions about the security of a route that carries roughly a fifth of the world's oil supplies.

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.

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.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has returned from a visit to the United States without reaching any agreements and without announcing a firm date for the country's elections. Reuters reports the trip produced no concrete deals. Observers are watching closely, as the lack of an election timetable deepens uncertainty over Venezuela's political future and its tense relations with Washington.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Discussion is centring on the European Union's push for strategic autonomy — the ambition to act independently in defence, technology and supply chains without relying on the United States or other powers. Supporters see it as essential for Europe's security and economic resilience, while critics, particularly among conservative and Eurosceptic voices, argue it risks protectionism, divides NATO, and is unrealistic given Europe's defence dependence on 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.

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 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.

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.

China and the United States have agreed to establish a dedicated channel for communication on artificial intelligence safety, while also committing to continue discussions on trade and military matters. The agreement marks a step toward sustained dialogue between the two powers on emerging technology risks, even as broader economic and security tensions between Washington and Beijing persist.

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.

Donald Trump has cancelled nearly $1bn in funding that had been approved by Congress, according to The Guardian. The move cuts money lawmakers had already allocated, raising questions over presidential authority over spending and likely prompting disputes in Washington. Lawmakers and watchdogs are expected to challenge the cancellations, while the affected programmes and agencies face immediate uncertainty over whether the promised federal money will actually arrive.

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.

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.

Iran says it remains committed to a diplomatic resolution following Donald Trump's rejection of a proposed peace plan. The statement signals Tehran's effort to keep negotiations alive despite the setback, and it is drawing attention as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to shape regional and global diplomacy.

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.

President Trump has rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the key shipping chokepoint for global oil traffic. The move keeps tensions high between Washington and Tehran, with markets and allied governments watching closely for any disruption to energy supplies through the Gulf.