Hours before America’s government was due to shut down, enough Senate Democrats joined Republicans to pass a spending bill that extends funding until the end of September. On Thursday Chuck Schumer, the Democrats’ leader in the upper chamber, surprised many in his party by announcing that he would vote for the bill, arguing that a government shutdown would cede more control to Donald Trump.
Mr Trump called talks between Vladimir Putin and Steve Witkoff, America’s envoy to the Middle East, “good and productive”. Mr Witkoff met Russia’s president in Moscow on Thursday to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine. Mr Putin later issued a long list of conditions for Russia to agree to the 30-day truce. Sir Keir Starmer, Britain’s prime minister, accused Mr Putin of “delaying tactics”.
In a joint statement, G7 countries, including America, offered “unwavering support” to Ukraine, and threatened Russia with more sanctions if “a ceasefire is not agreed”. After a meeting in Quebec, Canada’s foreign minister said that all G7 foreign ministers “agree” with the American proposal for a ceasefire. But the group emphasised the need for assurances that would guard against Russian aggression.
American and Iraqi forces killed an Islamic State commander in an air strike in western Iraq. Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, known as Abu Khadijah, led the terrorist organisation’s most senior decision-making group, according to America’s Central Command. He was also responsible for much of the organisation’s global finances. Another member of IS was also killed in the strike.
America declared South Africa’s ambassador in Washington to be persona non grata, in effect expelling him. Marco Rubio, America’s secretary of state, accused Ebrahim Rasool of “race baiting” and hating Donald Trump and America. Mr Rasool recently attributed MAGA’s popularity to the prospect of whites becoming a minority in America, and criticised Elon Musk’s support for hard-right parties in Europe.
Fitch maintained France’s credit rating as AA- and affirmed a negative outlook for the country’s public finances. The ratings agency also forecast that France’s sovereign debt would grow to more than 120% of GDP by the end of 2028. Fitch lowered France’s credit rating from AA in 2023 when political opposition stymied the government’s efforts to reduce the country’s deficit.
America’s justice department is investigating whether last year’s pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University violated “terrorism crimes”, said Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney-general. An investigation was under way into allegations that the university had been “harbouring and concealing” illegal immigrants on its campus, he added. Immigration officials arrested two protesters this week; a third voluntarily left America after her visa was revoked.
Word of the week: Fulul, a term used by Syrians to refer to the remnants of the Assad regime. Read the full story.
Donald Trump’s return to the presidency has brought exceptional changes to American politics—with consequences for the rest of the world, too. Read The US in brief, a daily update of the domestic political stories that matter. Sign up here to receive it as a newsletter, each weekday, in your inbox.