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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.