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Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his state visit to the United States on Friday, departing Washington after talks with American officials. Senior US government officials saw him off at the airport, where a 21-gun salute was fired in a ceremonial farewell. The formal send-off is being highlighted as a sign of the diplomatic weight both sides placed on the visit and its outcomes.

Sudan's civil war has left the country with two rival power structures and no internationally endorsed government. The army-backed administration controls much of the formal state apparatus, while the Rapid Support Forces exercises authority over territory it holds. Washington says neither side represents legitimate constitutional governance, raising questions about who can speak for Sudan diplomatically.

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has arrived in Washington for talks with US officials as tensions with the Houthis escalate. The visit comes at a sensitive moment for regional security, with the Kingdom and the United States expected to discuss the Houthi escalation and broader coordination. Details of the meeting agenda and participants have not been announced.

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has arrived in Washington for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The visit comes at a time of intense diplomacy in the region, with Washington engaged on issues including the Gaza ceasefire, Gulf security and broader Middle East policy. Details of the agenda have not been officially announced, but the meeting signals continued close coordination between Riyadh and the Trump administration on regional and bilateral matters.

A divide has emerged between United Nations bodies and Washington policymakers over how artificial intelligence should be governed, with leaders offering competing visions for oversight of the fast-moving technology. The disagreement highlights ongoing international tension over whether AI regulation should be coordinated globally or shaped primarily by national interests and domestic policy priorities.

Pope Leo is taking on an increasingly visible statesman role, using his platform to press for peace amid what the Washington Post describes as an era of renewed war. The Pope's diplomatic tone is drawing attention as global conflicts intensify, positioning the Vatican once again as a voice for mediation and restraint on the world stage.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and the Foreign Minister are due to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington. The discussions are expected to centre on Hezbollah's weapons and the continued Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon, two of the most sensitive issues between Beirut, Washington and Tel Aviv.

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has arrived in the United States for a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington. The talks come at a time of heightened attention to Gulf-US relations, with the two officials expected to discuss regional security and bilateral cooperation. Details of the agenda have not been disclosed.

Donald Trump says the United States and Iran are set to begin indirect talks, even after he rejected Tehran's latest proposal. The announcement points to continued diplomatic engagement between the two countries despite unresolved disagreements over the terms on the table, and it is drawing attention as a sign that negotiations over Iran's nuclear program and broader tensions remain active rather than broken off.

A local official in Palmyra says war damage in the ancient Syrian city is so extensive that archaeological excavation missions could wait years before permits to resume work are granted. The announcement comes as residents and tourists slowly begin returning to the city following the ouster that ended years of conflict there. The fate of the UNESCO World Heritage site, heavily damaged during the war, remains a concern for heritage experts.

Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington led a Mass for Migrants and told worshippers the public cannot 'pass by' the suffering of immigrants. The message, reported by America Magazine, frames immigration as a moral issue demanding public attention and response, as the Catholic Church in the United States continues to speak out on migration policy.

Washington State introduced a tax on high earners, and wealthy residents are now funding a campaign to have it repealed. The effort has reignited debate over whether taxing the rich drives them out of the state and whether such levies can survive political and legal challenges.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten is lobbying Washington against a fresh round of export restrictions that would hit ASML's China business. US lawmakers are pursuing legislation that could tighten controls on the chip-equipment maker's immersion lithography systems and its servicing activities in China. The Dutch intervention highlights tensions between US efforts to curb China's chip ambitions and the interests of Europe's most valuable tech firm.

US lawmakers and agriculture industry watchers are turning their attention to a busy week in Washington, with farm bill politics at the center of debate. Agri-Pulse reports that the fuel outlook, including ethanol and biofuel policy, and the trade outlook for US agricultural exports are also in focus as negotiators weigh next steps on the long-stalled farm bill.

Washington State imposed a tax on high earners, and wealthy residents are now pushing to have it repealed. The debate touches on whether taxing millionaires drives them to relocate, how much revenue the tax actually raises, and whether states can rely on their richest residents to fund public services. Supporters defend the tax as fair; critics call it self-defeating.

Chinese-developed artificial intelligence models, offered at low cost and with open access, now account for the majority of traffic from developers worldwide building on large language models. The trend is drawing concern in Washington, where officials worry that widespread reliance on Chinese AI infrastructure could give Beijing strategic and technological leverage over the global software ecosystem.

A University of Washington study indicates that coyote populations in urban areas are growing, with more of the animals living in cities than previously understood. The findings, reported by Oregon Public Broadcasting, add to ongoing discussion about how wildlife adapts to urban environments and how cities should manage encounters between coyotes and residents.

The Seattle Seahawks faced the Washington Commanders in Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season, with the league releasing full game highlights of the matchup. Fans are watching the condensed footage to catch the key plays, touchdowns and turning points from the game, and reaction to the contest is spreading widely across sports communities.

Huntington National Bank has hired Ameesh Vakharia, a former USAA executive, to lead an effort combining its marketing and digital functions. He will be responsible for aligning the regional bank's brand experience with its digital product delivery as part of a broader push for growth. The move reflects a wider trend among banks of merging customer-facing brand work with digital channel strategy to stay competitive.

Brendan Farrington, who covered Florida politics for the Associated Press for decades, has died at the age of 60. Farrington was a familiar byline on the state's political coverage, reporting on governors, legislatures and elections in one of the country's most closely watched political battlegrounds. Colleagues and Florida political figures are paying tribute to his long career.

The Washington Commanders faced the Dallas Cowboys in a Week 2 matchup of the 2026 NFL season, with the league publishing official game highlights. The rivalry game is drawing heavy attention from fans, with highlights racking up over two million likes as viewers catch up on key plays from the NFC East contest.

Burlington County in New Jersey is part of a newly launched climate change resiliency study, according to local reports from the Courier-Post and Burlington County Times. The study will examine how the region can better prepare for climate-related impacts such as flooding and severe weather, and residents and local officials are taking note of the county's inclusion.

Commentary in Washington state urges stronger protections for elections workers, who have faced rising threats and harassment since the 2020 election. The piece argues that safeguards for staff are needed to keep election administration running smoothly and to retain experienced officials ahead of upcoming voting cycles.

A newly launched group called the Partnership for a Competitive Puget Sound is calling on Washington State to overhaul its tax system, arguing that economic competitiveness depends on tax structures that are simple, fair and generate sustainable revenue. The coalition's launch has drawn attention to long-running concerns about the state's reliance on sales taxes and the regressive burden on lower-income residents.

Burlington County in New Jersey has been chosen to take part in a new climate change study. County officials announced the selection on their website, and local outlet The Trentonian reported the news. Details of the study's scope, funding and timeline have not been widely reported yet, leaving residents with little information beyond the county's confirmation of its involvement.

The Seattle Seahawks faced the Washington Commanders in a Week 3 NFL game, with highlight reels of the matchup now drawing attention from fans. Highlights show the key plays and scoring moments from the contest as the season moves into its early weeks, with supporters of both teams reacting to the performances on the field.

The Seattle Seahawks meet the Washington Commanders in an NFL matchup Sunday, with Washington shorthanded. The Commanders ruled out right guard Sam Cosmi, tight end Colson Okonkwo and linebacker Frankie Luvu, per ESPN. The absences weaken both Washington's offensive line protection and its linebacking corps heading into the game.

Burlington's mayor has announced progress on the city's people-first housing strategy, according to Vermont Business Magazine. The update signals continued efforts by city officials to address housing needs in Vermont's largest city. No further details about specific programs, numbers of units, or timelines were included in the report, leaving the scope of the announced progress unclear.

Mary Ellen Stone and Tiffany Attrill are vying for a seat on the Washington State Supreme Court, a contest the Spokesman-Review argues carries real significance for the state. Court races typically get little notice, but the editorial makes the case that the outcome will shape how the bench rules on key legal questions facing Washingtonians.