Trump and Xi Jinping head into Washington summit with both leaders thinking time is on their side
WASHINGTON (AP) — Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have a packed agenda for their talks at the White House. The leaders on Thursday are tackling issues like trade irritants, artificial intelligence safeguards, and the war in Iran. Trump wants China to use its influence with Iran, while Xi seeks a halt to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. A fragile trade truce had been set to expire in November, but the two countries agreed Wednesday to extend it for two months. Trump faces midterm elections, and Xi is dealing with a sluggish economy. Despite tensions, both leaders aim to avoid conflict. Any big breakthroughs in the relationship seem unlikely, but both sides are keen to maintain stability.
Judge hears arguments without immediately ruling in lawsuit over White House ban on 3 news outlets
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge weighing President Donald Trump’s ban of three news outlets from White House grounds expressed some skepticism Wednesday in response to the government’s defense of the move. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly didn’t rule from the bench after hearing arguments in the extraordinary showdown. But the judge questioned whether the administration met its legal responsibilities and provided the news outlets with adequate due process before banning them. Trump has assailed what he calls “fake news” and has said negative coverage is dangerous for the country. The news outlets called the ban a “blatant violation” of the First Amendment. Kelly says he will rule on the case as soon as possible.
Tech leaders to UN: For the sake of humanity, please control the AI technology we created
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The heads of major artificial intelligence firms pleaded with the United Nations to set controls over the burgeoning technology they are designing in order to save the world — or at least its people. Dario Amodei, chief executive officer of Anthropic, said AI could be of risk to humanity. His competitor, Sam Altman of OpenAI, said we could, as he put it, “lose control of the future to AI." Both said the countries of the world, through the U.N. Security Council, where they testified Wednesday, have to set safeguards of some kind, which would be actual controls to prevent the technology from getting too powerful to rein in.
In defiant speech, Pezeshkian calls out Trump and says Iran will fight 'until our last breath'
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Iran’s president said Wednesday that his people have been ‘victims of terrorism’ by the United States. He is delivering a rare wartime speech at U.N. General Assembly a day after President Donald Trump said he could “annihilate” the Islamic republic. President Masoud Pezeshkian held up photos of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the more than 150 school children killed on the first days of the war. He said that Iran's people “have only defended themselves.” Iran’s president delivers wartime address at UN: We have been ‘victims of terrorism’
Zelenskyy, at UN, urges leaders to keep choking Russia's revenues and impede its war efforts
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Ukrainian President President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging world’s leaders to keep choking Russia’s revenues and impede its war efforts. He's telling the U.N. General Assembly that “Russia’s revenues must remain a target.” He says that trade, and the money it brings in, gives more time to the war. That, he says, is "why we insist on limiting trade with the aggressor. Russia gets its turn Saturday to address the assembly. President Vladimir Putin hasn’t traveled to the gathering in years, sending Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov instead.
Venezuela's acting leader, at UN for first address, promises elections at the 'right moment'
Venezuela’s acting president has delivered her first address to the U.N. General Assembly since coming to power. She's promising elections and says the nation’s people will determine the “right moment.” Delcy Rodriguez says her government has started a “political dialogue with opposition sectors” to secure a “process based on equal conditions for all.” Rodríguez said that when the time comes, the country’s institutions “will be prepared to guarantee an inclusive and transparent process.” Rodríguez took over in Venezuela after a surprise U.S. military raid in January that captured then-leader Nicolás Maduro and brought him to the United States to face drug trafficking charges.
New lawsuits allege Six Flags Magic Mountain's X2 roller coaster caused traumatic brain injuries
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Three people have filed lawsuits against Six Flags Magic Mountain, claiming they suffered traumatic brain injuries from the park's famous X2 roller coaster. The lawsuits, filed Monday, follow a recent settlement over a wrongful death case involving the same ride. The plaintiffs' attorney, Gary Dordick, says more than 100 clients have reported brain injuries from the ride in the past two years. One of his clients remains in the hospital in a vegetative state. Six Flags has not commented on the pending litigation but said the ride has been closed since July 12.
Hurricane Polo fuels fears of landslides in Mexico's southwest as Nolo closes in on Hawaii
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Southwestern Mexico is bracing for heavy rain and mudslides after Polo became a major hurricane in the Pacific. Forecasters also warned Wednesday that another system heading toward Hawaii could cause catastrophic flooding later in the week. Hurricane Polo is expected to skirt Mexico’s Guerrero state, submerging coastal areas with up to 6 inches of rain through Thursday. Guerrero has been repeatedly pummeled by hurricanes in recent years. Tropical Storm Nolo was expected to approach the Big Island as early as Friday. Nolo is projected to drop up to 20 inches of rain, raising the possibility of flooding and mudslides.
Mississippi police make 2nd arrest in death of Black woman found hanging from tree, seek 3rd suspect
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Police in Mississippi have arrested a second man in the death of a Black woman found hanging from a tree and have issued an arrest warrant for a third suspect. Jackson police said in a statement late Tuesday that they arrested 25-year-old Earnest Lloyd Jr. in the death of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune, whose body was found hanging behind an abandoned home on Aug. 3. Like Fortune and the first man arrested, 51-year-old Jarques Ratliff, Lloyd is Black. Lloyd appeared at a court hearing Wednesday and was denied bond. Ratliff was arrested this month on murder charges and pleaded not guilty. Police say they issued an arrest warrant for a third suspect, but gave no details about that person.
Dolly Parton's estate granted temporary restraining order against singer's nephew
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee judge has granted Dolly Parton’s estate a temporary restraining order against the late singer’s nephew Bryan Seaver and his private security company. She’s Alive, the entity founded to manage Parton’s estate, had filed the complaint against Seaver and Squadron Augmented Protection Services. The estate accused Seaver of threatening to commit violence and destroy his aunt’s legacy and business empire in court filings. As part of the order, Seaver and SAPS must refrain from talking with or being within 1,000 feet of She’s Alive employees. The order is also meant to keep him from interfering with its business relationships. Seaver and SAPS representatives did not respond to an email Wednesday seeking comment.
