WorldPope in Paris, Xi in Washington, AI at a Crossroads

A week of walkouts, power plays and diplomatic theatre saw a press-freedom dispute in Washington and protests and departures at the UN General Assembly, where leaders clashed over Iran, Cuba and Venezuela. Donald Trump and Xi Jinping held a rare red-carpet meeting as the US and China extended their trade truce and focused on the race for AI dominance. Pope Leo added a spiritual dimension.