Trump and Xi begin talks in a push to finalize a TikTok deal
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump is talking with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in a push to finalize a deal to allow the popular social media app TikTok to keep operating in the U.S. The call Friday also may offer clues about whether the two leaders might meet in person to hash out a final agreement to end a trade war and provide clarity on where relations between the superpowers may be headed. The TikTok deal follows a framework agreement Trump’s Republican administration says was reached earlier this week. Trade tensions between the U.S. and China have eased, but issues including tariffs and tech export controls are unresolved.
British spy chief says he sees no evidence Putin wants to negotiate peace in Ukraine
ISTANBUL (AP) — The head of Britain’s MI6, Richard Moore, says there is “absolutely no evidence” that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin wants to negotiate peace in Ukraine. Speaking Friday, Moore accused Putin of “stringing us along” and said the Russian leader underestimated Ukraine. Moore, who steps down in September, highlighted the ongoing war’s impact, including strengthening Ukrainian identity and pushing Sweden and Finland to join NATO. He also introduced a dark web portal for potential intelligence providers to contact MI6. Moore emphasized MI6’s focus on China, Iran, and counter-terrorism, urging China to adhere to established rules and warning Iran against destabilizing strategies.
As controversy swirls around late-night TV, here’s what a new poll shows about who still watches
WASHINGTON (AP) — As late-night talk shows undergo major changes and controversy, a new poll finds most Americans don’t watch them regularly and the ones who do are more likely to be Democrats. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll shows only about a quarter of Americans say they have watched a late-night show at least once a month in the past year. But about one-third of Democrats say they’ve done this monthly over the last year, compared with about 2 in 10 Republicans or independents. The poll was conducted after the announcement of Stephen Colbert’s show being canceled but before Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension.
Pakistan says its nuclear program can be made available to Saudi Arabia under defense pact
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Pakistan’s defense minister says that his nation’s nuclear program “will be made available” to Saudi Arabia if needed under the countries’ new defense pact. Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif’s comments to Geo TV late Thursday night were the first specific acknowledgment that Pakistan was placing Saudi Arabia under the umbrella of its nuclear arms. The two countries signed a defense deal Wednesday declaring that an attack on one nation would be an attack on both. The move is seen by some as a signal to Israel, long believed to be the Middle East’s only nuclear-armed nation.
What a new poll shows about where Americans think the country is heading
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A new poll shows Republicans’ outlook on the direction of the country has soured dramatically. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll was conducted shortly after last week’s assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah. The poll shows the share of Republicans who see the country headed in the right direction has fallen sharply in recent months. Today, only about half in the GOP see the nation on the right course, down from 70% in June. Overall, about one-quarter of Americans say things in the country are headed in the right direction, down from about 4 in 10 in June. Democrats and independents didn’t shift meaningfully.
House voting on funding patch as parties trade blame for potential shutdown
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans and Democratic lawmakers show no signs of budging as the House takes up a bill to avert a partial government shutdown in less than two weeks. The bill to be voted on Friday would generally continue existing funding levels through Nov. 21. Democratic leaders are adamantly opposed. They say Republicans did not allow them to have a say on the measure, even though some Democratic support will be needed to get a bill signed into law. House Speaker Mike Johnson sounded confident leading up to the vote. Still, President Donald Trump, in a sign it will be close, said on his social media site that “Every House Republican should UNIFY, and VOTE YES!”
Taliban release British couple held for months in Afghanistan on undisclosed charges
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Taliban have released a British couple held in Afghanistan for over seven months on undisclosed charges. Analysts say this move is part of a broader effort to gain international recognition. Peter and Barbie Reynolds, aged 80 and 76, lived in Afghanistan for 18 years and ran an education organization. They chose to stay after the Taliban took power in 2021. Qatar helped mediate their release. The Taliban have not explained why they detained the couple. In July, United Nations experts warned about their deteriorating health. Earlier this month, the Taliban reached a prisoner exchange agreement with U.S. envoys.
A brutal beating by deputies was caught on tape. They were cleared by state police anyway
MANSFIELD, La. (AP) — Never-before-seen footage shows two Louisiana deputies punching an inmate more than 50 times during a jailhouse strip-search in 2019. An Associated Press investigation found the Louisiana State Police initially justified the attack, which left Jarius Brown with a broken nose and fractured eye socket. But federal prosecutors later charged the deputies with excessive force, leading to their guilty pleas and prison sentences. The case highlights the safety net the U.S. Justice Department has long provided in local communities, a role advocates say is diminishing as the department scales back civil rights enforcement. Brown’s attorneys argued he deserves damages for the unprovoked attack.
Prosecutor says stalking suspect ambushed Pennsylvania police officers, killing 3
NORTH CODORUS, Pa. (AP) — A prosecutor says a suspected stalker armed with a rifle hid inside his ex-girlfriend’s home in Pennsylvania and ambushed police officers who came to arrest him, killing three of them. Police arriving at the scene at about 2:10 p.m. Wednesday noticed the door to the home was unlocked even though the ex-girlfriend and her mother had locked it before leaving the property. York County District Attorney Tim Barker said during a news conference Thursday that the officers opened the door and the suspect immediately opened fire on them using an AR-style rifle with a suppressor. He says the suspect fired multiple rounds at the four officers at the door, killing three of them.
A robot programmed to act like a 7-year-old girl works to combat fear and loneliness in hospitals
Robin is a therapeutic robot programmed to act like a 7-year-old girl as it travels around nursing homes and hospitals’ pediatric units providing emotional support while helping to combat staffing shortages. With a large screen displaying cartoonlike features and a sleek white frame designed for hugging, Robin has become a familiar face in 30 health care facilities across four states. Robin is about 30% autonomous, while a team of operators working remotely controls the rest under the watchful eyes of clinical staff. With each interaction, they collect more data and get closer to it being able to function independently.
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