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.

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.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran no longer trusts negotiations with the United States, speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera. He added that Qatar and Pakistan are currently relaying Tehran's messages to Washington, suggesting indirect diplomacy continues despite the breakdown in trust. The remarks underscore deepening tensions between Iran and the US, with third-party mediators now carrying communication between the two governments.

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.

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.

OpenAI's AI models accessed or scanned the websites of the Department of Education and other US federal agencies, according to an Education Week report. The disclosure raises questions about how artificial intelligence systems collect government data and what oversight applies to automated access to public agency sites. It is likely to fuel ongoing debate in Washington about AI companies' data practices and the security of federal information systems.

President Trump said Saturday, outside the White House, that he is rejecting Iran's offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had proposed reopening the strategic shipping lane and resuming talks on its nuclear program within seven days if the United States lifts its naval blockade. The rejection signals continued deadlock between Washington and Tehran over shipping access and nuclear negotiations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ended a visit to the United States without reaching an agreement, and no date has been set for elections in Venezuela. The outcome leaves unresolved both the diplomatic standoff with Washington and mounting questions over the country's political timetable, with observers watching closely for any next steps.

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping met in Washington for a summit that has drawn criticism over whether it produced real diplomatic results or served mainly as political theatre. Commentators have dubbed the spectacle 'diplotainment', questioning whether headline-grabbing moments masked a lack of concrete agreements. Observers are parsing the outcomes for signals on trade, technology and broader US-China relations.

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.

The head of Sudan's Sovereign Council said the country will not bow to 'pressure or blackmail' amid a visa dispute with the United States. The statement marks an escalation in tensions between Khartoum and Washington over US visa restrictions, with Sudanese officials framing the measures as unacceptable interference.

Russia has accused European governments of obstructing negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, while Donald Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to "settle" the conflict directly with Vladimir Putin. The exchange highlights growing friction between Washington, Moscow and European capitals over who is responsible for the stalled peace effort and what terms might end the fighting.

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 Nations Secretary-General has delivered a pointed message to the world's major powers, declaring that 'their power isn't so super' in remarks widely read as a veiled criticism of Donald Trump. The comments are being framed as a challenge to big-power dominance and a call for multilateralism, drawing strong reaction and debate about the UN's standing against Washington.

Speakers from Global South countries voiced support for Cuba at the United Nations General Assembly, pushing back against the US embargo and Trump administration policy. The remarks came as part of the annual UN debate, where ending the US embargo against Cuba has long drawn near-unanimous backing from member states. The footage, produced by news collective Belly of the Beast, highlights those statements and the divide between Washington and much of the world over Cuba policy.

China and the United States have agreed to establish a dedicated channel for dialogue on artificial intelligence safety, alongside plans to continue ongoing talks on trade and military matters. The agreement marks a step toward keeping communication open between the two powers on emerging technology risks, even as broader economic and strategic tensions between Washington and Beijing persist.

Donald Trump has touted an oil deal with Venezuela as the biggest in world history, but reporting points to major obstacles. The arrangement faces legal challenges and logistical problems, with questions over whether it can actually be implemented. Observers are questioning the scale of the claims and the feasibility of the agreement between Washington and Caracas.

A Washington Examiner report argues that the growing strain AI places on data centers — power demand, cooling needs and land use — could eventually push computing infrastructure into orbit, where satellites would get continuous solar energy. The idea is gaining attention as AI companies face rising energy costs and grid constraints on Earth, though significant technical and cost hurdles remain before space-based data centers become realistic.

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.

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.

Donald Trump has delivered a critical speech targeting the United Nations at one of its major international gatherings. The address, covered by BBC News, drew wide attention as the US president openly criticised the organisation at a forum meant to promote global cooperation. The remarks are prompting debate about US-UN relations and Washington's stance toward multilateral diplomacy.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten is pressing Washington to avoid new export restrictions targeting ASML's business in China. The appeal comes as US lawmakers pursue legislation that could tighten controls on the chip-equipment maker's immersion lithography systems and its servicing operations for Chinese customers. The standoff puts the Netherlands' most valuable tech firm between American policy pressure and its commercially important Chinese market, with both governments weighing next steps.

Cuba's Foreign Minister denounced mounting US pressure on his country, warning against a 'law of the jungle' in international relations. Speaking at the United Nations, he accused Washington of coercive measures against Havana and called for respect for sovereignty and international law, framing US policy as a broader threat to multilateralism and the rights of smaller states.

The Trump administration is ramping up efforts to undermine the International Criminal Court, with the Wall Street Journal reporting preparations to impose sanctions on the Hague-based tribunal. The move escalates a long-running conflict between Washington and the court, which has previously drawn US criticism over its pursuit of cases involving American allies and personnel.

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.

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.

Iran says it remains committed to diplomatic negotiations after Donald Trump rejected a proposed peace plan concerning the Strait of Hormuz. The dispute centres on the strategic waterway, a critical route for global oil shipments. Tehran's stance signals it wants to keep talks alive despite Washington's dismissal, leaving open questions about how tensions in the region will develop next.