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Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his state visit to the United States on Friday, departing Washington after talks with the Biden administration. Senior US government officials saw him off at the airport, where a 21-gun salute was fired. The send-off is being noted as a ceremonial gesture, with observers weighing what the visit signals for future US-China relations.

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.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran no longer trusts negotiations with Washington, in an interview with Al Jazeera. He said Qatar and Pakistan are acting as intermediaries, relaying Tehran's messages to the United States. The remarks signal a further breakdown in direct US-Iran diplomacy, with third-party countries now carrying communication between the two sides amid heightened regional tensions involving Israel and the US.

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping met in Washington for a summit that has drawn criticism over whether it produced real diplomatic results or served mainly as political theatre. Commentators have dubbed the spectacle 'diplotainment', questioning whether headline-grabbing moments masked a lack of concrete agreements. Observers are parsing the outcomes for signals on trade, technology and broader US-China relations.

The United States and China have reached an agreement to reduce tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods, following a summit in Washington between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The deal marks a step toward easing trade tensions between the world's two largest economies, though details of which products will be affected have not yet been fully outlined.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Chinese artificial intelligence models are rapidly rising in global popularity, prompting concern among officials in Washington. The trend suggests China's AI developers are becoming competitive with leading US systems, intensifying debate in the United States over export controls, national security and how to respond to the country's fast-growing AI industry.

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.

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.

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.

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.

President Trump has put an $800 million target at the center of an intensifying budget fight in Washington, as negotiations over federal spending grow more contentious. The dispute highlights broader tensions over priorities in the appropriations process, with lawmakers and the White House digging in ahead of funding deadlines. Observers see the figure as a flashpoint in the wider standoff.

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.

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.

Scientists at a Colorado cold laboratory are working to better understand hail as the damage it causes continues to grow. Hail already causes billions of dollars in losses each year in the United States, and researchers warn that a warming climate could make severe hailstorms more frequent or more destructive. The reporting by Hannah Covington in High Country News highlights how little is still known about how hailstones form and grow inside storms, and why improved forecasting matters for insurers, farmers and homeowners across hail-prone regions.

Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington led a Mass for Migrants and said the public cannot 'pass by' the plight of immigrants, calling attention to their hardships. The remarks come amid ongoing national debate over immigration policy in the United States, with religious leaders increasingly voicing concern about the treatment of migrant communities.

U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington says the United States should err on the side of innovation when regulating artificial intelligence. His comments add to the ongoing debate in Washington over how heavily to police AI development, with lawmakers weighing competitive and economic concerns against calls for stricter safeguards.

Agri-Pulse reports that farm bill politics will dominate the Washington agenda this week, alongside debates over fuel policy and the agricultural trade outlook. Lawmakers and farm groups are watching how negotiations on the next farm bill progress and what shifts in biofuel rules and export prospects could mean for rural economies and commodity markets.

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 leave the state, and how far the rich will go to undo tax policies they oppose. The repeal effort is drawing attention to broader fights over wealth taxes across the United States.

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.

The fashion choices of the Chinese and US first ladies are drawing attention during a Washington visit, with commentators reading symbolism into what they wore as the two countries engage in soft-power diplomacy. Outfit details and comparisons have become a talking point alongside the official meetings.

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 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.

The Protect College Sports Act is moving forward in Washington, advancing toward formal legislation. Lawmakers behind the push say the bill aims to set new protections for college athletics, though the specific provisions remain unspecified in early coverage. The development signals growing congressional attention to the governance and regulation of college sports at the national level.

Kentucky's governor, speaking during a book tour stop in Washington, suggested he may launch a campaign for president in 2028. The comments fuel speculation that he is positioning himself as a national figure ahead of the next presidential cycle, with the book tour serving as a platform to raise his profile beyond Kentucky.

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.

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.

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 County in New Jersey is part of a new climate change resiliency study, according to local reporting from the Courier-Post and Burlington County Times. The study will examine how the county can prepare for and withstand the effects of climate change, such as flooding and extreme weather. Details on the study's scope and funding have not yet been reported.