Xi Warns Trump on Taiwan as Beijing Summit Concludes Without Breakthrough
What happened
Why it matters
What comes next
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing on Thursday for a high-stakes two-hour summit that produced no major agreements, with Xi delivering a stark warning that mishandling the Taiwan question could put U.S.-China relations “in great jeopardy.” The leaders discussed trade, artificial intelligence, Iran’s nuclear programme, and rare earths exports, areas where the two sides have sharply conflicting interests. Rubio separately warned Beijing of consequences should it attempt to invade Taiwan, as a package of $25 billion in U.S. arms sales to the island moves through Congress. Trump extended an invitation for Xi to visit the White House in September, a gesture analysts called symbolic given the entrenched disagreements.
Israel Escalates Gaza Strikes as Iran Truce Takes Effect
Israel has intensified its military campaign in Gaza since halting strikes against Iran, with the Iris Times reporting more than 120 Palestinians killed in the weeks following the ceasefire. The Israeli military says Hamas has begun rearming in the northern part of the territory, a claim aid groups say has been used to justify expanded no-go zones for civilians. Pope Leo XIV waded into the debate on European security self-reliance, a position that has increasingly intersected with calls for humanitarian protection in Gaza as the conflict enters a new phase. The escalation has drawn renewed criticism from rights organisations and put further pressure on ceasefire mediators.
NATO Concludes Major Exercise as European Defence Spending Surges
NATO concluded its Steadfast Deterrence 2026 exercise this week, a large-scale demonstration of allied readiness across eastern Europe that came as the alliance reports a 20 percent jump in collective defence spending. The spending increase marks a structural shift in European security policy, with Germany, Poland, and the Nordic countries leading the acceleration. NATO Secretary Mark Rutte said the alliance was adapting to a more contested security environment, pointing to Russian activities along the eastern flank and instability in the Middle East as drivers of the sustained investment.
Russia Pounds Ukraine for Third Day as Ceasefire Talks Stall
Russian forces pressed attacks on Kyiv and western Ukraine for a third consecutive day this week, killing at least seven people in a strike on an apartment block in the capital. U.S.-mediated ceasefire talks over the Black Sea grain corridor remain deadlocked, with each side accusing the other of violations. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reiterated calls for an immediate 30-day ceasefire, a proposal the Kremlin has rejected, insisting any suspension of hostilities must be part of a broader political settlement. The renewed bombardment has complicated diplomatic efforts that had shown marginal signs of progress earlier in the week.
UK Health Secretary Quits in Escalating Political Crisis
British Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned from the Starmer cabinet this week, saying he had lost confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership and could no longer serve in government. The resignation triggered aMakerfield by-election that is expected to bring former Labour mayor Andy Burnham into Parliament and potentially force a formal Labour Party leadership contest. Streeting’s departure is the third cabinet resignation in six weeks and has intensified pressure on Starmer ahead of a scheduled parliamentary recess. Opposition parties have capitalised on the turmoil, with the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats both gaining ground in recent polling.