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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.

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.

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.

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.

Washington State imposed a tax on high earners, and wealthy residents are now pushing to have it repealed.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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.