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A nationwide public sector strike is planned for Tuesday, September 29, in France, involving teachers, healthcare workers, firefighters, and public transport staff. In Paris, a demonstration is set to march from Place de la République to Place de la Nation via Bastille. Travelers should expect disruptions, with RATP services likely affected, and check updated schedules before setting out.

This week in U.S. politics, President Trump is confronting growing defections from within his own Republican Party, while preparing for a summit with China. A separate feud with the press is also drawing attention. Analysts are watching whether intra-party dissent will weaken Trump's position heading into high-stakes diplomacy with Beijing.

ProPublica has published reporting it says reveals for the first time the extent of the White House's role in trying to dictate how mail-in ballots are processed. According to the outlet, the effort sparked behind-the-scenes drama that played out over nearly a year. The report has drawn attention on social media, where users are sharing it amid ongoing debate over election administration and political interference in voting procedures.

Republican lawmakers and candidates are publicly distancing themselves from Donald Trump as polling shows weakening support for the party ahead of elections. Several incumbents in competitive races are avoiding joint appearances with the former president and downplaying their ties to him, a sign of concern that Trump could drag down down-ballot candidates, according to political observers.

Xi Jinping and Donald Trump met officially, and Taiwan was not mentioned in any public statements from the meeting. DW reported the omission, which is notable given Taiwan is typically a central point of tension between Washington and Beijing. Observers are likely debating whether the silence reflects a deliberate diplomatic arrangement or signals a shift in how the two powers are handling the Taiwan issue.

On 19 September, The New Yorker published a long investigation into the Israeli side of the Qatargate scandal, placing Benjamin Netanyahu at the centre of it. The report corroborates earlier revelations by French outlet Blast, accusing several people close to Netanyahu of involvement in the affair.

A group of Republicans has publicly called on President Trump to bring the conflict with Iran to an end, breaking with members of their party who back continued military action. The intervention highlights growing unease within the GOP over the war's costs and direction, and raises pressure on the White House to define an exit strategy.

Republicans are reportedly pressuring Donald Trump to bring the US conflict with Iran to an end ahead of the November elections. According to Opera Mundi, members of the party want the war concluded before voters go to the polls, fearing a prolonged Middle East confrontation could hurt them electorally. The report comes amid the ongoing war involving the US, Israel and Iran.

Yemen's leadership has called on the public to enlist while offering amnesty to defectors from the Houthi movement, in an effort to swell pro-government ranks and encourage defections from the group. The announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions and renewed attention on Yemen's long-running conflict.

ACAPS has published a thematic report examining the current and expected indirect humanitarian impacts of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The analysis looks beyond case numbers to effects on health services, livelihoods, movement and access to aid. Humanitarian agencies typically use such assessments to guide funding appeals and response planning in the affected region.

Donald Trump is publicly boosting criticism of a Republican lawmaker who split with him on immigration, underlining his continued grip on the party and his willingness to punish dissent within its ranks. The move signals that immigration remains a defining loyalty test for Republicans heading into the next election cycle.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing pointed criticism from Democrats and resistance from some Republicans over the US conflict with Iran and his dismissals of senior Pentagon officials. The disputes center on the administration's Iran strategy and concerns about the removals of top defense leadership, making the Pentagon chief a focal point of congressional tension.

The US Supreme Court has for the third time declined to let Missouri put in place a new congressional map expected to help Republicans win more House seats. The order leaves the map on hold while litigation continues, and it marks repeated refusals by the justices to intervene on the state's behalf, keeping the redrawn districts out of use for now.

New York has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging its new public charge rule, which makes it easier to deny green cards or visas to immigrants who use public benefits such as Medicaid or food assistance. Critics argue the rule discourages immigrant families from seeking essential services, while supporters say it ensures newcomers are self-sufficient. The case adds to a series of legal battles between Democratic-led states and the federal government over immigration policy.

The Supreme Court has rejected a Republican-drawn congressional map in Missouri, handing Democrats a win in the ongoing battle over redistricting. The ruling could force new district lines ahead of upcoming elections and affects the balance of a state where Republicans currently dominate the congressional delegation. Observers are weighing what the decision means for Democratic prospects in Missouri and for the broader national fight over gerrymandering.

A New York Times piece examines how scientists can influence public opinion on the risks of artificial intelligence, reportedly through protests and public engagement. It suggests researchers are becoming active voices in the debate over AI safety, rather than leaving the conversation to companies and regulators.

Pubs across Ireland are refusing to broadcast Israel's Nations League football matches against Ireland, citing Israel's conduct in Gaza. The decision has thrust the country into the global spotlight, with the controversial fixtures drawing debate over whether sporting ties with Israel should continue while the war goes on. Ireland has long been vocal on Palestinian issues, and the pub boycotts reflect wider public pressure on sporting and political institutions.

Lawmakers from both parties are converging on pharmacy benefit managers as a rare point of bipartisan agreement, with the middlemen drug companies facing criticism over high prescription prices. The push reflects growing frustration in Congress with the role PBMs play in drug pricing, and momentum for reforms could shape upcoming health care legislation.

Publicans across Ireland are refusing to broadcast an upcoming match involving Israel, citing the war in Gaza as grounds for protest. The boycott has drawn attention to Ireland's long-standing stance on Palestinian issues and is generating debate at home and abroad over whether sport should be separated from politics amid the ongoing conflict.

Cities across the United States are increasingly deploying unarmed civilian response teams to handle 911 calls, particularly those involving mental health crises, homelessness, and nonviolent disturbances. NPR reports the model is now operating in nearly 100 cities, reducing the role of armed police in situations where de-escalation and social services may be more appropriate than law enforcement.

Republicans are centering immigration in their outreach to young conservative male voters, according to U.S. News & World Report. The strategy treats immigration as a defining issue for this demographic, which has drifted toward the party in recent election cycles. Commentators are weighing how effectively the messaging converts turnout among younger men and how it plays against other campaign priorities.

The Pope told French bishops that the Catholic Church carries a prophetic authority to speak in the public square, addressing them on the Church's role in public life. The remarks were carried by Vatican News. The message underscores ongoing Vatican engagement with the French Church at a time of debate over secularism and religion's place in French society.