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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The UK Chancellor is facing budget decisions as economic pressures from the Iran conflict mount. A US Treasury official named Burke has reportedly issued an ultimatum to more than 50 countries across the Middle East and Europe, demanding they end trade relationships with Iran or risk having their own ties with Washington severed. The reports have drawn attention to the growing economic and diplomatic fallout of the confrontation.

Elon Musk is locked in a €120 million legal fight with the European Commission, and the US government has reportedly asked to join the case on his side. The dispute concerns EU regulation of Musk's businesses, and Washington's decision to weigh in raises the stakes, turning a corporate complaint into a transatlantic clash over tech regulation and jurisdiction.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

President Donald Trump issued a blunt warning that the US could 'annihilate' Iran, and cameras caught an Iranian delegate's visible reaction to the remark. The moment, circulating widely, underscores the sharp rhetoric between Washington and Tehran as the two nations face off on the international stage. Commentators are weighing the delegate's expression as a sign of how seriously Iran takes the threat amid ongoing nuclear and regional tensions.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has returned from a visit to the United States without reaching any agreements and without announcing a firm date for the country's elections. Reuters reports the trip produced no concrete deals. Observers are watching closely, as the lack of an election timetable deepens uncertainty over Venezuela's political future and its tense relations with Washington.

Venezuela has released dozens of prisoners, according to Newsday. The move follows a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Venezuela's interim leader. The release is being read in the context of ongoing political tensions over Venezuela's leadership and Washington's pressure campaign, though details on the prisoners' identities and the terms of the release have not yet been made clear.

A New York Times analysis examines why China treats American-led calls for A.I. safety cooperation with suspicion, framing them as moves that could slow Chinese progress in the technology race. The piece explores how distrust between Washington and Beijing shapes each side's approach to regulating advanced artificial intelligence, and what that means for global governance efforts.

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.

Indian news coverage is debating whether Washington has softened its position on threatened tariffs against India, with commentary suggesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomacy may have changed the US stance. Anchors and commentators are asking whether the tariff file has been quietly shelved, and what the shift means for India-US trade and strategic ties going forward.

Donald Trump has confirmed that a meeting with an Iranian delegation will take place, as Qatar works to push diplomacy forward between Washington and Tehran. The confirmation signals a potential opening in tensions between the United States and Iran, with Qatar positioning itself as a key mediator. Observers are watching closely to see whether the talks could lead to broader negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme and regional disputes.