US state governments

Sudan has two rival power structures but no recognised government. The army-backed administration controls much of the formal state apparatus, while the Rapid Support Forces exercise authority over territory they hold. Washington says neither side represents legitimate constitutional governance, leaving the country's international representation and sovereignty questions unresolved.

The United States Senate has approved a wide-ranging bill concerning college sports, passing the measure by a large, bipartisan margin. The legislation is the most significant federal intervention into college athletics in years, touching on issues such as athlete compensation and the governance of collegiate programs. Observers say the overwhelming vote reflects rare bipartisan agreement on reforming college sports.

US Ambassador Mike Waltz says the United States rejected Iran's proposal to end the war, citing sanctions-related demands. According to Waltz, the US offered to supply uranium for Iran's civilian nuclear program, but Iran refused to agree to the arrangement. The standoff leaves negotiations deadlocked as the conflict continues, with the uranium supply offer now at the center of the dispute between the two governments.

The US Supreme Court is set to take up a lawsuit brought by Boulder, Colorado, seeking to hold energy companies liable for damages tied to wildfire risks linked to climate change. The case could determine whether local governments can pursue such claims in state courts, with broad implications for similar climate lawsuits nationwide.

Denmark told the United Nations that its agreement with the United States regarding Greenland benefits all parties involved. The statement comes amid ongoing international attention to Greenland's status and US interest in the Arctic territory. Further details about the terms of the pact or reactions from Greenland and other governments were not provided.

The US Senate has passed a bill that would create national rules for college sports, an area currently governed by the NCAA and a patchwork of state laws. The legislation aims to standardize issues such as athlete compensation and eligibility across the country. The measure now moves to the House, and debate is expected over how far Congress should go in regulating college athletics.

The Smithsonian is highlighting Indian Peace Medals, the engraved medallions handed out by European colonial powers and later the United States government to Native American leaders as tokens of alliance and diplomacy. The feature examines what these objects meant as symbols of diplomatic relations, and how their legacy reflects the complex and often broken promises made to Indigenous nations.

Several US states are legally challenging the Federal Aviation Administration's environmental review underpinning its rules for commercial drone package delivery. The dispute centers on whether the FAA adequately assessed the environmental impact of expanded drone operations. The challenge could delay or reshape federal regulations governing the growing drone delivery industry in the United States.

The US government has taken equity stakes in four quantum computing startups, extending Washington's recent pattern of direct investments in strategic technology companies. The move signals federal interest in securing a foothold in quantum computing, a field seen as critical to national security and economic competitiveness, and is drawing attention to how far the government will go in backing private tech firms.

Iran's worsening economic pressures, marked by rising costs of living, are fuelling speculation that Tehran may turn to greater diplomacy with Washington. Observers suggest economic strain could motivate Iranian leaders to seek relief through negotiations with the United States, potentially reshaping relations between the two governments at a sensitive moment.

America.gov, the US government's public-facing website about American policy and society, is drawing fresh attention this week. The site explains US government institutions, foreign policy, and American culture to international audiences, and is trending in Google searches in the United States.

Iran's parliament has reportedly seen an explosive debate over a bill pushing for the development of nuclear weapons, prompting alarm in Israel and the United States. The reported nuclear demand marks a sharp escalation in rhetoric around Iran's nuclear programme, with observers watching closely for any official response from Tehran or Western governments.

NASCIO's annual survey of state chief information officers finds that technology leaders across US state governments expect a more turbulent landscape ahead. The report, covered by StateScoop, suggests growing concern over pressures such as cyber threats, legacy modernization and shifting priorities shaping state IT agendas in the coming years.

The United States says it has reached a nuclear power cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia, according to an EnergyNow.com report. The agreement would open the way for American involvement in building nuclear energy capacity in the kingdom, a long-sought goal for both governments. Details of the terms, including any safeguards on uranium enrichment, were not disclosed in the report.

The US Senate has passed a college sports bill, prompting a Reuters explainer laying out five things to know about the legislation. Attention is focused on what the measure changes for college athletics, including its implications for athletes, universities and the governing bodies that oversee college sports in the United States.

President Donald Trump said again that he will not 'stifle' the growth of artificial intelligence, speaking ahead of a meeting with AI industry leaders. The remarks signal a light-touch regulatory stance toward the rapidly expanding technology, and come as the administration engages directly with the companies driving AI development in the United States.

The United States and China need to reach a common understanding of artificial intelligence risks in order to manage shared threats, according to a South China Morning Post report. The appeal underscores growing concern that the two powers are developing AI governance separately, leaving gaps in safety oversight that could affect the rest of the world.

President Trump has rejected calls for the United States to work with China on artificial intelligence safety, even as a summit with President Xi Jinping produced progress on other issues. The decision signals Washington intends to treat AI development as a competitive domain rather than an area for bilateral cooperation, despite appeals from experts for joint safety frameworks.

The United States has pulled out of a European anti-corruption body, in what is described as the latest step in a broader shift away from international groups and agreements. The move adds to a pattern of American disengagement from multilateral institutions, drawing criticism from advocates of international cooperation on governance and accountability.

Hertha Metals has secured $133.65 million in new funding, with an equity investment from the United States government included in the round. The metals startup's ability to attract direct federal investment is drawing attention, as it signals government interest in strengthening domestic critical materials supply chains. Details on how the funds will be used and the government's stake have not been fully disclosed.

The US Senate has passed a bill creating a federal framework to regulate college sports, a step with major implications for the NCAA, athlete compensation, name-image-likeness rules and conference governance. The Athletic lays out what comes next, including how the bill moves through the House and what it would mean for universities and athletes if signed into law.

A Wall Street Journal opinion piece argues that AI regulation cannot be shaped by the United States alone, and must account for global perspectives and international coordination. The commentary adds to an ongoing debate over how governments worldwide should govern artificial intelligence, as different regions pursue divergent regulatory approaches and companies operate across borders.

The United States government has introduced an official AI chatbot, according to Engadget. The launch marks a step toward federal use of conversational AI for public-facing services, though details on its capabilities, the agency behind it, and which technology powers it were not included in the available reporting. The news is circulating among technology and policy observers tracking how governments adopt artificial intelligence tools.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr has laid out an expansive vision for collecting health data across the United States at an event tied to the Make America Healthy Again movement. The proposals point to broader government gathering of Americans' health information, a move likely to renew debate over privacy and public health policy.

A letter published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel urges readers and policymakers to sound the alarm on the United States' growing budget deficit and national debt. The writer argues the fiscal situation demands urgent attention, adding to ongoing public debate in the US over federal spending, borrowing and the long-term sustainability of government finances.

US forces have withdrawn from Iraq after 12 years, as the government in Baghdad pushes back the deadline for disarming Iran-backed militias to June 2027. The withdrawal marks the end of an American military presence shaped by the campaign against the Islamic State. Critics say the delay leaves armed groups close to Iran with a freer hand, while Baghdad frames it as a matter of national sovereignty.