The weekend’s headlines were dominated by high-profile political developments in the United States and the United Kingdom, with remarks on Middle East negotiations, a provocative White House social-media post, a sudden change in New York’s mayoral race, and a looming US government funding showdown.
Trump: Gaza negotiations “in their final stages”
President Donald Trump said in a Sunday telephone interview with Barak Ravid of Axios that negotiations to end the conflict in Gaza are in “their final stages,” adding that it could represent “the first chance for real peace in the Middle East.”
Trump emphasised that “everybody has come together to get a deal, but we still have to get it done.”
He praised Arab countries for their role, noting, “The Arab countries were fantastic to work with on this. Hamas is coming with them. They have great respect for the Arab world. The Arab world wants peace, Israel wants peace, and Bibi [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] wants peace.”
Netanyahu previously confirmed that his government has been coordinating with Trump’s administration on a 21-point peace plan for Gaza.
Both leaders are scheduled to meet at the White House on Monday to continue discussions.
Trump posts cartoon depicting the firing of Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Trump also used his Truth Social account on Saturday to post an image depicting himself firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
The cartoon showed the president pointing and shouting “YOU’RE FIRED!” at Powell, who was carrying a box of belongings, with the seal of the Federal Reserve in the background.
The image appeared to be digitally created or AI-generated.
Trump has long criticised Powell for what he considers a slow pace in cutting interest rates, referring to him as “Too Late Powell.”
Despite the central bank lowering rates earlier this month for the first time this year, Trump escalated his attacks through the post.
Powell’s current term as chair runs until May 2026.
Eric Adams ends reelection campaign in New York City
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Sunday that he is dropping his bid for a second term, ending a campaign that had been dogged by low approval ratings and a federal bribery indictment.
His decision, delivered in a nearly nine-minute video, came just over a month before Election Day.
The video showed Adams walking downstairs to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” while holding a photo of his late mother, mirroring a gesture he made when first elected.
In his remarks, Adams said, “Despite all we’ve achieved, I cannot continue my reelection campaign.”
His exit clears the path for Democrat Zohran Mamdani, who currently leads polls, and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, the former New York governor.
Adams said he would not endorse another candidate and confirmed he will serve out his term, which ends on January 1, 2026.
Congress faces shutdown deadline as leaders trade blame
On Sunday, Republican leaders in Congress placed blame on Democrats for the ongoing budget stalemate, urging them to support a short-term spending bill to prevent a government shutdown.
Without the passage of legislation, parts of the federal government would close beginning Wednesday.
Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress, but any stopgap bill must secure at least 60 votes in the Senate, requiring some Democratic support.
Senate Democrats have so far rejected a short-term bill, demanding that recent Republican cuts to healthcare programs be reversed as part of any agreement.
President Trump has summoned congressional leaders from both parties to a White House meeting on Monday to try to resolve the impasse.
UK: Ed Miliband says government “possible” to leave X; criticises Elon Musk
At the Labour conference, UK Energy Minister Ed Miliband said it is “possible” the government should leave X, formerly Twitter, because owner Elon Musk is a “dangerous man.”
He described Musk as part of a “global network of the far right” alongside Nigel Farage.
Miliband argued that Musk and his allies “want to take away people’s rights, take away people’s freedoms, and we need to have that argument.”
Musk has faced criticism for spreading misinformation on the platform and recently appeared via video at a rally organized by far-right figure Tommy Robinson, where he said violence was inevitable and urged political change.
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