Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington on Friday for a state visit marked by high-profile ceremonies and diplomatic engagements amid ongoing tensions between China and the United States. Xi was greeted by former President Donald Trump at Joint Base Andrews before a formal welcome on the White House South Lawn. The visit also includes private meetings with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, a tour of the National Archives, and a state dinner featuring leading technology industry figures.
The visit coincides with the UN General Assembly in New York, though Xi is not attending the gathering. Key topics expected to dominate discussions include the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, protracted trade disputes, and the sensitive issue of Taiwan. Recent developments include a joint announcement by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirming an extension of the Busan agreement, a temporary trade truce between the two largest global economies.
Separately, the United States has extended an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 summit slated for December in Miami. This would mark Putin’s first appearance at the summit since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope that the Russian leader will accept the invitation.
Meanwhile, at the UN General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a combative speech accusing the United States of being the primary aggressor and “bully” in the Middle East. He condemned Washington for allegedly ordering the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and blamed U.S. actions for civilian casualties, including schoolchildren, in the ongoing conflict with Israel. Despite his strong language, Pezeshkian emphasized Tehran’s willingness to engage in dialogue “without the language of force.”
In Israel, the country is confronting an emerging water crisis caused by an unusual algae bloom that has severely disrupted its desalination infrastructure. Scientists suggest the contamination was triggered by the discharge of untreated sewage following damage to Gaza’s wastewater systems amid Israeli military operations.
In Washington, a federal judge ordered the Biden administration to reinstate press credentials for reporters from CNN, MS Now, and Politico, ruling that the revocation likely violated constitutional protections. The Department of Justice defended its action, but the judge expressed skepticism regarding the timing and rationale behind the move. Additionally, a separate lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against the Des Moines Register, challenging its poll reporting under Iowa’s consumer fraud law, was dismissed by a judge.
The U.S. Navy disclosed that eight sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group have attempted suicide since the deployment began amid heightened tensions with Iran. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao informed Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of the incidents, countering earlier denials from Trump about poor conditions aboard the ship.
Other notable developments include the FBI’s investigation into a possible data breach of its employment website, allegations against Republican Senator Susan Collins regarding bribery that she has denied, and high-profile legal outcomes: Harvey Weinstein received a 15-year sentence for sexual assault, while former NFL player Antonio Brown is set to accept a plea deal on attempted murder charges.
Meta unveiled new virtual reality and smart glasses products, expanding its hardware offerings, and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. disclosed receiving $4 million in book advances from allies of the Make America Healthy Again movement, while asserting compliance with federal ethics rules.