Here are today’s top headlines.
Headlines
China’s XI Heads to Washington for State Visit
Chinese President Xi Jinping opens a state visit to Washington today, his first in more than a decade. President Trump planned to greet him on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews instead of waiting for him at the White House, a rare gesture. See Details
In his U.N. General Assembly address, President Trump said the U.S. will rename artificial intelligence “superintelligence” and rejected any global framework to control the technology. He also vowed there would be no global taxes while he is president, and said the U.S. would build two military bases in Greenland under a new security deal with Denmark and Greenland. Source
President Trump told world leaders at the U.N. that he faces a “big decision” on Iran: make a deal or annihilate the Islamic Republic. He predicted Iran would not reach an agreement until after the midterm elections. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the body Wednesday. Read More
Politics
The Justice Department unsealed an indictment Tuesday against a former U.S. Postal Service worker accused of throwing away roughly 300 mail-in ballots in Utah earlier this year. The case adds to a charged debate over mail voting six weeks before the midterms. Find out More
Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate wedding after-party celebrations for Donald Trump Jr. that were financed by a Russian businessman with Kremlin ties. Sen. Thom Tillis said he would not oppose a probe if Chairman Chuck Grassley backed one. Majority Leader John Thune said the decision rests with Grassley. Find out More
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott took his strongest stance yet against the data center industry as polls tighten in his reelection race. He directed state environmental regulators to halt data center permits while they audit power and water use. Source
U.S. News
A developing nor’easter could become a major weather event along the East Coast, with wind gusts up to 70 mph, heavy rain and coastal flooding. Flash flooding and travel delays are possible from North Carolina to New England, depending on the storm’s track. Source
Texas scheduled Wednesday’s execution of Ker’Sean Ramey, 41, convicted in a 2005 triple killing during an attempted robbery at a rural home. It comes a week after the other man convicted in the case was put to death. Ramey would be the sixth person executed in Texas this year. See Details
Lawyers for Lindsay Clancy, charged in the deaths of her three children, have asked the judge to investigate the lone holdout juror whose refusal to acquit led to a mistrial. The motion seeks the juror’s phone metadata from deliberations and preservation of jury questionnaires and notes. Find out More
Business
U.S. stock futures edged higher early Wednesday as oil prices and bond yields eased on hopes of de-escalation in the Iran war, with Dow futures up about 73 points. On Tuesday the Nasdaq closed at a record for its fourth straight gain, while the Dow fell 0.4%. Find out More
Diesel prices hit a new record of $6.53 a gallon, up 14% in the past month. The national average for regular gasoline is $4.47. September is already the most expensive September on record for fuel as the Iran war pushes crude higher. Source
Microsoft agreed to keep considering shareholder proposals under existing eligibility rules through 2027. The agreement came at the request of a conservative activist, even as the SEC weighs a rule change that critics say would sideline individual and religious investors. See Details
World News
Taiwan’s defense ministry said the island will stay in close contact with Washington to keep U.S. arms sales on schedule ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting. Trump approved an $11 billion package for Taiwan in December but said in May that a second package worth about $14 billion was being held in abeyance. Find out More
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New York late Tuesday. He vowed to firmly defend Tehran’s positions on the war and to describe Iran’s plight to the world body. American and Iranian envoys held indirect talks on the sidelines of the General Assembly. Source
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned after meeting President Trump at the U.N. that the risk of a new Russian offensive against neighboring European countries is very high. He cited possible drone, missile or ground attacks on nations bordering Russia or Belarus. Source
Entertainment
Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” set the all-time record for most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with 23, passing Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” The country smash has charted for 48 weeks and is still gaining radio play. Source
Harvey Weinstein is set to be sentenced in New York for sexual assault, ending a six-year legal saga. He denies the charges and can appeal once sentenced. Source
Peter Berg’s “The Mosquito Bowl” will have its world premiere at AFI Fest on Oct. 22. The film tells the true story of four college football stars who joined the Marines after Pearl Harbor and fought at Okinawa. Source
Sports
Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart could miss the rest of the season after tests showed his knee injury is worse than first believed, and he faces possible season-ending surgery. Coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday that no final decision had been made. Jameis Winston, who went 11-for-27 in relief Monday, is in line to start. Find out More
The Tampa Bay Rays clinched their fifth AL East title with a 6-1 win over the Yankees in the second game of a doubleheader, after dropping the opener 2-0. Drew Rasmussen carried a no-hitter into the seventh and struck out 11. Tampa Bay also secured home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs. See Details
Zack Wheeler struck out 11, including a franchise-record seven straight to open the game, as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-4 to move closer to a wild-card berth. Milwaukee still clinched a first-round bye because the Braves also lost. Read More
Off the Wall
The FBI is investigating an apparent breach after a prolific cybercriminal group claimed Tuesday to have stolen personal data on thousands of FBI agents. The bureau acknowledged unauthorized activity affecting FBIjobs.gov, and it took its Special Agent Applicant Portal offline while it handled the incident. Source
