Presidents Trump and Xi are meeting for the second time this year, following their May summit in Beijing, at a moment of major global significance for US-China relations. The talks are expected to touch on high-stakes issues including AI competition, cybersecurity, and Taiwan. Outcomes could shape the broader trajectory of great-power rivalry.

Ethiopia and the Tigray region are trading accusations of launching military offensives, raising fears of a return to war just four years after a devastating conflict ended with a fragile peace deal. Local authorities reportedly seized Tigray's airports following reports of recent drone strikes, signaling a serious escalation.

Poland has accused a Russian military helicopter of violating its airspace for 42 seconds, prompting the NATO member to scramble fighter jets in response. The incident adds to a series of recent tensions between Russia and NATO countries along the alliance's eastern flank.

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to temporarily restore White House access for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico after the outlets were banned from covering presidential events. The ruling is a significant check on the administration's efforts to control press access based on coverage it disliked, with broader implications for First Amendment protections for journalists.

President Trump welcomed China's President Xi to the US with a red-carpet ceremony and military flyover as their high-stakes summit began. The US Treasury Secretary announced that Washington and Beijing had reached an agreement to extend their trade truce, a major development given the stakes around cybersecurity, AI, and Taiwan riding on this meeting.

The FBI is investigating an apparent hack in which attackers claim to have stolen sensitive personnel data, including agents' names, roles, badge numbers, and personal details like home addresses and family information. If confirmed, this would be a serious breach of law enforcement security with potential safety implications for agents and their families.

A Washington Post report indicates that the Republican Party's traditionally strong hold on South Carolina's U.S. Senate seat is weakening. This signals a potential shift in the state's political landscape ahead of upcoming elections. The story suggests competitive dynamics that could have broader implications for GOP strength in the South.

Military leaders in South Carolina are calling attention to the need for more affordable housing for service members stationed in the state. The issue was raised as a key concern affecting military families and readiness. This highlights ongoing challenges facing the state's substantial military community.

Harriet Hancock, a longtime and prominent LGBTQ+ advocate in South Carolina, has died. She was known for her decades of activism supporting the LGBTQ+ community in the state. Her passing marks the loss of a significant figure in South Carolina's civil rights history.

Greenland's government and residents have welcomed a new U.S.-Denmark military pact, seeing it as a step toward stronger security ties. However, underlying trust issues remain, reflecting ongoing tension over U.S. interest in the Arctic territory. The deal marks a notable shift in Western military posture in the strategically important region.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is seeking parliamentary approval for a record €140 billion ($160 billion) defense budget for next year. The smooth path expected in parliament signals Germany's continued commitment to boosting military spending amid European security concerns. This underscores a broader trend of European nations ramping up defense investment.

European countries are accelerating efforts to build sovereign defense and space capabilities after being alarmed by U.S. restrictions on satellite data access during recent crises. This shift is reshaping the global defense market as Europe seeks to reduce reliance on American systems. The move reflects deepening concerns about dependability of U.S. security guarantees.