The Weekly Times

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.

President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran are expected to pick back up this week, after the United States rejected a proposal put forward by Tehran. He gave no details of the rejected offer or the terms for renewed discussions. The comments come as Washington and Tehran remain at odds over Iran's nuclear programme, and officials on both sides have signalled that diplomacy has not collapsed despite the setback.

Eight U.S. Marines were reportedly attacked in the Strait of Hormuz roughly two weeks before the report emerged, according to Military.com. Details about the incident, including who carried it out and whether the Marines were harmed, remain limited, but the timing has drawn attention amid ongoing tensions in the Persian Gulf region involving U.S. forces and Iranian activity.

SpaceX is reportedly targeting three Starship launches within a five-week window, an unusually rapid pace for the large rocket program. The plan is drawing attention from space watchers, who see it as a sign that the company is gaining confidence in faster turnaround times between flights. Observers are debating whether the schedule is realistic given past delays and regulatory review requirements for each launch.

Iran's delegation to the United Nations has no plans to hold another meeting with US officials this week, according to a source cited by the Times of Israel. The report offers no details on the reason for the pause or on what was discussed at any previous contacts between the two sides, which have no formal diplomatic relations.

Bank unions in India have deferred a planned three-day strike that would have disrupted branch services across the country. The Times of India reports that customers were asking whether banks would be open or closed, prompting unions to clarify the postponement and explain what it means for services such as cash withdrawals, cheque clearing and branch visits.

Andy Burnham is expected to announce a new help-to-buy scheme called 'Your First Home' next week. Under the plan, young people would be able to buy their first home with a deposit of just 2.5%. The announcement is drawing attention amid ongoing debate about housing affordability for first-time buyers in Britain.

The New York Times has published an analysis asking which party is winning the race for control of Congress, dated September 28, 2026. The piece arrives weeks before the November midterm elections, when all House seats and about a third of Senate seats are at stake. No further details from the article are available beyond its framing as an assessment of the parties' chances.

President Trump is set to announce a $15 billion steel project in Iowa, according to the Washington Examiner. The announcement comes as the Republican Party faces a difficult midterm election climate, and the timing is being read as an effort to showcase economic investment and manufacturing jobs in a key farming and industrial state ahead of the vote.

Kylian Mbappe has suffered a hyperextension of his left knee during a match against Turkey and will be sidelined for roughly two weeks, according to reports citing Al Jazeera. The forward is expected to be fit in time to face Barcelona when he returns, easing concerns about a longer absence for club and country.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has banned fixed-odds sports betting in Brazil, with the decision landing just a week before the country's elections. The timing has drawn attention, with observers weighing the move against a looming vote. Details of the ban's scope and how it will be enforced have not been widely reported yet, and the political reaction is still unfolding.

The US Supreme Court on Friday again blocked Missouri from using a congressional map redrawn to give Republicans an edge in November's midterm elections. The order came less than two months before the vote, leaving election officials with little time to adjust plans. Commenters welcomed the ruling as unexpected good news from a court that has often backed redistricting efforts favorable to Republicans.

Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand is scheduled to speak at the United Nations General Assembly at around 5 p.m. eastern time. Her address comes during the annual high-level week in New York, where world leaders and foreign ministers deliver set-piece speeches. Expect her remarks to touch on Canada's priorities, with observers flagging the Arctic, Ukraine, Gaza and the wider Middle East as likely themes.

The NFL's third week of the season is underway, with The Athletic and The New York Times providing live coverage of Sunday's slate of games, including scores, highlights, injury updates and analysis. Fans are following the action throughout the day as results come in across the league.

Student protesters interrupted an NVIDIA panel on artificial intelligence and climate held during NYC Climate Week. Footage shared by Al Jazeera shows activists taking over the session, adding to ongoing criticism of the tech industry's energy-hungry AI expansion and its climate commitments. The disruption has drawn attention during a week when companies are showcasing their environmental pledges.

The New York Times' NFL Week 3 'Wake-up Call' roundup highlights desperation, injuries and a series of puzzling results across the league three weeks into the season. The piece frames several teams as already facing must-win pressure while unexpected outcomes have left fans and analysts questioning early season form and playoff outlooks.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb in the team's loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The injury adds to concerns for the Buccaneers after the defeat, and attention now turns to how serious the injury is and whether Mayfield will miss playing time in the coming weeks.

Milan Fashion Week is under way in the Italian fashion capital, with the Financial Times reporting that the industry is hoping the shows will inject some energy and excitement into a difficult period for luxury. Designers, brands and buyers are looking for standout collections that can revive consumer enthusiasm as the global fashion market slows.

The New York Times' NFL Wake-up Call column says Week 3 of the NFL season delivered desperation, injuries and a series of confusing, hard-to-explain results. It rounds up the week's most notable storylines, framing several teams as under pressure after upsets and lopsided outcomes left standings and expectations scrambled early in the season.

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair wore eye black bearing the name of a slain Palestinian girl during a Week 2 NFL game before removing it, according to a source cited by The New York Times. The gesture, touching on the Israel-Gaza conflict, is drawing attention for blending player expression with a highly charged geopolitical issue.

French player Corentin Jacquet has reached his first ATP Tour semi-final at the tournament in Hangzhou, China, marking a career milestone. Former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev also progressed, fighting through to the last four. The results set up an intriguing end to the week, with the rising Frenchman now facing the biggest test of his career against more established opposition.

Bras worn as outerwear became a defining look at this year's Video Music Awards and across Fashion Week runways, including Prada's shows. The New York Times reports the trend as a deliberate styling choice, with lingerie pieces presented as finished tops rather than underpinnings. Fashion watchers are weighing in on whether the look signals a lasting shift or a fleeting red-carpet moment.

More school districts are adopting four-day school weeks, prompting coverage aimed at helping parents understand the change. The trend typically shortens the school week while extending daily hours, raising questions for families about childcare, schedules and impacts on student learning. Parents are being urged to weigh both the reported cost savings for districts and the potential academic and logistical effects on children.

Another American school district has switched to a four-day school week, and parents are voicing strong opinions on both sides. Supporters point to potential savings and improved family time, while critics worry about childcare burdens, lost learning time, and the impact on working families. The debate reflects a growing trend of districts adopting shortened weeks, often driven by budget pressures and teacher recruitment struggles, with communities divided over whether the trade-offs are worth it.

Bras worn as tops became a defining fashion statement at the MTV Video Music Awards and on Fashion Week runways, according to the New York Times. The trend saw performers and models presenting lingerie pieces as outerwear, a look that blurs the line between underwear and ready-to-wear and signals the continued mainstreaming of boudoir-inspired dressing.

Huawei's Games Summit 2026 brought Chinese game developers together with European industry partners in Düsseldorf, Germany, timed to coincide with Gamescom week. Organized by Huawei GameCenter, the event focused on market entry, publishing and localization, aiming to help Chinese studios expand into European markets and foster cross-border partnerships in the games industry.

Milan Fashion Week is in the spotlight with new collections from Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta and Jil Sander, covered by the New York Times' style desk. The shows are drawing attention as part of the spring-summer season previews, with editors and fashion watchers weighing in on the direction each house is taking.

The New York Times has published its hardcover bestseller list for the week ended September 12, ranking the top-selling hardcover titles across fiction and nonfiction. The list, widely used as a benchmark of book sales in the United States, is drawing attention from readers and publishers tracking this week's leading titles.

Sportsbooks have released their Week 3 NFL point spreads, with the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs all installed as the heaviest favorites of the week. The New York Times reports the latest odds ahead of Sunday's slate, giving fans a read on which matchups bookmakers expect to be lopsided.

The Las Vegas Raiders hold a 16-13 lead over the New Orleans Saints at halftime of their 2026 NFL Week 3 matchup. The close score has kept fans of both teams engaged as the game remains within one possession heading into the third quarter.

Tulsa's football team is set to play Arkansas in a Week 4 college football game, drawing attention from fans looking for TV channel and kickoff time information. Outlets including The Oklahoman have published viewing guides detailing the broadcast schedule, indicating solid regional interest in the matchup between the Golden Hurricane and the Razorbacks.

Week 3 of the NFL season continues Sunday, September 27, with a full slate of games across the league's Sunday afternoon and evening broadcast windows. Fans are looking up kickoff times and which TV channels carry each matchup as the season hits its third week.

Tight end Dallas Goedert will not play in Week 3, according to a Yahoo Sports report. His absence removes a key target from the Philadelphia Eagles' passing game and is likely to shuffle playing time among the remaining tight ends and receivers. Fantasy football managers and Eagles fans are expected to adjust plans ahead of the weekend's slate of games.

Sterling Shepard has been elevated to the active roster for Week 3, the team confirmed ahead of this weekend's games. The veteran receiver's promotion suggests he could see immediate playing time as his club manages its receiving corps early in the season. Fans are weighing what the move means for the depth chart and Shepard's role going forward.