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Donald Trump is facing growing defections from members of his own Republican Party, even as a U.S.-China summit draws attention on the international stage. A separate feud between the administration and the press is also making headlines. Analysts suggest internal party dissent combined with high-stakes diplomacy is keeping political tensions high this week.

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.

Donald Trump has publicly turned against Maria Elvira Salazar, a Florida Republican congresswoman, after she challenged his hardline immigration crackdown. The clash highlights growing tension within the Republican Party over immigration policy, with Trump criticising a member of his own party for breaking ranks on one of his signature issues.

Donald Trump is publicly amplifying criticism of a fellow Republican who broke with the party line on immigration. The move highlights his continued grip on the GOP and the risks facing lawmakers who cross him on one of the party's defining issues. It comes as immigration remains a central fight heading into the next election cycle.

The Pope has told French bishops that the Catholic Church carries a prophetic authority and must make its voice heard in the public square. The message, relayed by Vatican News, underscores the Church's role in public debate in France, where debates over secularism and religion's place in society remain contentious. The remarks affirm the bishops' mandate to engage on moral and social questions rather than confine the faith to private life.

The fast-growing private credit industry is coming under increased public scrutiny. Observers are raising questions about transparency, valuations and risk in a market that has expanded largely away from public view, and debate is mounting over whether the sector's growth has outpaced oversight.

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.

President Emmanuel Macron was absent from the Pope's mass in Paris, but reacted on X by posting a video of the popemobile circling the Arc de Triomphe through a jubilant crowd. "Concord and Fraternity. France is proud to welcome Pope Leo XIV," the president wrote, saluting the pontiff's visit despite his own no-show at the service, a choice drawing comment and debate.

Republicans are redirecting campaign funds into dozens of US House districts that had previously been considered safe seats, according to Reuters. The spending shift suggests party strategists see unexpected vulnerability ahead of the elections, and are moving resources to defend districts that were once assumed secure rather than focusing only on competitive races.

Donald Trump is publicly promoting criticism of a fellow Republican who broke with him on immigration, drawing attention to a fresh rift inside the party. The dispute highlights continuing tensions over immigration policy within the GOP heading into the midterm election season, with Trump signaling he is willing to target members of his own party who diverge from his hardline stance.

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has announced he will boycott a fixture against Israel, saying his decision rests on the personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong. The stance has drawn attention and support, with his statement being shared widely as debate continues around football fixtures involving Israel amid the ongoing conflict.

Singapore's national water agency PUB has urged the public to avoid several areas across the island because of flash flood risks, following heavy rain. The advisory names specific low-lying locations prone to rapid water build-up and asks motorists and pedestrians to steer clear until conditions improve.

Ahead of the US midterm elections, Republicans are shifting onto the offensive in key races, targeting districts where Democrats are seen as vulnerable. Coverage focuses on which states and House seats the party believes it can flip, and how issues like the economy and immigration are shaping campaign strategy. Analysts are watching whether the momentum holds through election day.

The Supreme Court has thrown out a Republican-drawn congressional map in Missouri, handing Democrats a win in the ongoing battle over redistricting. The ruling means Missouri's district boundaries will have to be redrawn, potentially improving Democratic chances in future House races. The decision lands amid heightened national attention on gerrymandering fights, with both parties waging map-drawing battles across multiple states ahead of upcoming midterm elections.

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, said it is crucial for Britain to have stability in its public finances. The remark came as concerns over borrowing and fiscal policy weigh on UK markets and the political debate, with calls for the government to reassure investors and keep debt under control.

Around 4,600 Service Employees International Union staff across Oregon's seven public universities are poised to begin a strike on Monday. The potential walkout threatens operations at campuses statewide, including the University of Oregon and Oregon State University, as union workers press for a new contract. It comes amid a wave of labor actions in the state and nationwide.

A sitting US senator from Texas has taken a pointed jab at a fellow Republican who is running to succeed him. The remark adds friction to what was already expected to be a competitive GOP primary, underscoring tensions within the Texas Republican Party over who should carry the seat forward. Details of the exchange remain limited, but the intra-party spat is drawing attention in political circles.

Singapore is cracking down on people who play music and videos loudly on public transportation. Offenders now face fines of up to 500 Singapore dollars. The measure targets inconsiderate behaviour on buses and trains, where noise complaints have long been a common gripe among commuters in the city-state.

Researchers have published a draft proposal describing how Bitcoin could support shielded, Zcash-style private transactions without altering Bitcoin's existing consensus rules. The draft outlines a way to add optional privacy features while keeping the base protocol unchanged, a long-standing challenge given Bitcoin's conservative approach to protocol changes. Discussion is focused on whether such privacy could be layered on without triggering opposition from regulators or node operators.

Texas Republicans have survived past Democratic surges, but analysts are asking whether the 2026 midterm cycle could finally break that pattern. Attention is turning to whether shifting demographics, national political headwinds and competitive races could put longtime Republican strongholds in Texas at genuine risk next year.

The US Supreme Court has refused, for the third time, to take up a Republican effort to redraw Missouri's congressional district maps. The decision leaves the state's current district boundaries in place and marks the latest setback for Republicans seeking to reshape congressional representation in Missouri ahead of upcoming elections.

President Trump is publicly predicting success for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections, but members of his own party are increasingly worried about their prospects. According to the Wall Street Journal, GOP officials are panicking privately even as the president projects confidence, reflecting concern that campaign dynamics may not favor them this cycle.