8 suicide bids on USS Abraham Lincoln amid Iran deployment scrutiny, Navy confirms
Eight sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during a stretch that overlapped with the group’s combat operations against Iran. Cao said no service members had killed themselves during the deployment. (AFP) A letter obtained by global news agencies such as AFP and CNN from Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao revealed the data in written responses to questions posed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand about the morale and mental health of the USS Abraham Lincoln’s crew. Cao said no service members had killed themselves during the deployment. The USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed in the Middle East for more than 260 days, supporting US combat operations against Iran, and has set a modern US Navy record for the longest uninterrupted time at sea without a port visit, according to the Associated Press. Also Read | Sailors ‘tried to jump off’ US warship: What Homer knew and science now explains about being at sea for long Between 6,000 and 7,000 US Navy sailors were deployed as part of the Lincoln strike group, the CNN reported. However, reports of deteriorating living conditions and poor mental health on board the carrier have made headlines in the US, provoking criticism of President Donald Trump’s war against Iran. “Since the beginning of Lincoln’s deployment, there have been a total of eight suicide attempts across the strike group,” said the letter from the navy secretary. “There have been no suicides onboard during this deployment,” it added. The letter provided additional details on the suicide attempts, saying a sailor assigned to an air wing “went overboard from the ship in early August” and was quickly recovered by a search and rescue helicopter, then taken off ship for follow-up care. Another sailor “attempted to go overboard in March and was stopped by his shipmates” and returned to homeport. Also Read | Sailor’s video showing broken, clogged toilets on USS Abraham Lincoln sparks debate: ‘Try the infantry’ There was no immediate comment from the Navy at the time of filing this report. In a response to CNN earlier, the Navy said: “We have not observed an increase in suicidal ideations or attempts aboard the ship. We take every service member’s well-being seriously and have religious, medical and mental health professionals available to assess and address concerns as they arise.” In August, military families and lawmakers raised the alarm about reported suicide attempts and other serious mental health issues, food shortages and poor hygiene. The US Navy acknowledged supply challenges but denied that a mental health crisis was taking place on the Lincoln. Also Read | Pedicures, burgers: USS Abraham Lincoln’s 5,000 sailors unwind in Thailand after 286-day deployment against Iran President Trump junked claims that family members were concerned about the welfare of their relatives and dismissed the possibility that the deployment had been too long. “Not nearly long enough,” he told reporters. Amid mounting criticisms, the Lincoln made a stopover in Thailand in early September after 286 days at sea. US Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper acknowledged mental health challenges aboard. “Here’s an important fact: Of the US Navy’s 11 active aircraft carriers, the Lincoln currently has among the lowest number of cases related to mental health,” Cooper posted on X after he visited the ship last month. “This doesn’t mean that all is perfect. Find any of the nearly 4 million Navy veterans in America today and they will likely tell you that service at sea for long periods isn’t for everyone.” Source link
Trump slammed for ‘wincing’ during flypast video with China’s Xi: ‘Embarrassment on world stage’
President Donald Trump‘s video next to China’s Xi Jinping went viral on social media as the world leaders for a state visit. The Republican appeared to wince during a flypast he had organized, while Xi stood next to Trump, looking unperturbed. President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping participate in an arrival ceremony at Joint Base Andrews. (AP Photo) The video quickly went viral on social media, with many criticizing Trump’s reaction. In the video, Trump could be seen holding up a salute, but as a plane goes by he looks up appears to bare his teeth and then looks in Xi’s direction. A flypast is a planned flight of a group of aircraft, usually held to honor special events, national holidays, or memorials. This is not the first time Trump has organized a flyby or a flypast. In 2025, when Trump greeted Vladimir Putin, a B-2 stealth bomber and fighter jets flew overhead. While the Russian president took note of the planes, China’s Xi did not seem to have any reaction in the clips shared online. The contrasting way Trump and Xi reacted as the plane flew overhead has been highlighted in some of the comments on social media. Donald Trump faces flak for ‘wincing’ during flypast Trump’s reaction was widely slammed online with many feeling the US President had failed in his show of strength. Given that Trump himself had arranged for the flypast, many questioned why he was surprised by the planes flying overhead in the first place. Also Read | ‘Why is Trump wearing gloves?’ POTUS’s unusual outfit choice at Xi Jinping welcome draws attention “Trump winched and acted startled, over the very event he personally ordered to impress the leader of China, Xi Jinping, who didn’t even flinch during the traditional ceremonial flyover of US B1 bombers. Once again he’s an embarrassment on the world stage,” one wrote. Another added “Xi barely even looks at Trump’s military spectacle. Trump winces as the B-1 flies over. The “show” looks more like a photo-op than strength.” Yet another said “Trump orders a low B-1 flyover as a show of force but it backfires.” However, some of Trump’s supporters backed the show of military strength. “President Trump has an entire SQUADRON of American fighter jets chilling on the tarmac right next to where Xi’s plane will be parking here shortly. Our stealth fighters are MILES better than anything China can produce,” conservative political commentator and independent journalist Nick Sortor wrote. Xi’s visit to the US This is Xi’s first visit to the US in more than a decade. He arrived in Washington on Wednesday and was greeted planeside by President Trump in a rare move. First Lady Melania Trump was also present as Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan arrived in the US. Xi is visiting for three days and much pomp is expected, including a dinner at the White House. Source link
Trump-Xi meeting LIVE: Trumps waited at foot of ladder as Xi, wife got off plane; Chinese President to stay at Waldorf
Chinese President Xi Jinping, First lady of China Peng Liyuan, U.S. President Donald Trump, and First Lady Melania Trump walk on the red carpet during an arrival ceremony on September 23, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Trump-Xi Jinping meeting LIVE: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington on Wednesday for a three-day state visit. He received a rare planeside welcome from US President Donald Trump at Joint Base Andrews. Trump and first lady Melania Trump were at the military base to welcome Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, in an arrival ceremony. Xi is making his first state visit to Washington in over a decade. The visit, which includes a formal state dinner at the White House on Thursday, comes as tensions remain high between the two geopolitical rivals over trade, artificial intelligence, Iran and Taiwan. Trump pulls out all the stops Trump has repeatedly praised Xi as a “great leader” and described their relationship as warm. During Trump’s visit to China in May, Trump was welcomed in Beijing with a red carpet, a military honour guard, a military band and around 300 Chinese youths waving Chinese and American flags. Melania Trump said her husband chose to greet Xi personally because “they have a great relationship.” “He’s coming on our soil, and we need to welcome them with the most respect,” she said in an interview with Fox News. What’s on the agenda Xi and Trump are expected to discuss major bilateral issues behind closed doors. Thursday’s schedule includes a formal White House arrival ceremony, a troop review and a black-tie state dinner attended by business and technology leaders, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. On Friday, Xi and Peng are scheduled to have private tea with Trump and Melania before visiting the National Archives in Washington. …Read More The visit, which includes a formal state dinner at the White House on Thursday, comes as tensions remain high between the two geopolitical rivals over trade, artificial intelligence, Iran and Taiwan. Trump pulls out all the stops Trump has repeatedly praised Xi as a “great leader” and described their relationship as warm. During Trump’s visit to China in May, Trump was welcomed in Beijing with a red carpet, a military honour guard, a military band and around 300 Chinese youths waving Chinese and American flags. Melania Trump said her husband chose to greet Xi personally because “they have a great relationship.” “He’s coming on our soil, and we need to welcome them with the most respect,” she said in an interview with Fox News. What’s on the agenda Xi and Trump are expected to discuss major bilateral issues behind closed doors. Thursday’s schedule includes a formal White House arrival ceremony, a troop review and a black-tie state dinner attended by business and technology leaders, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. On Friday, Xi and Peng are scheduled to have private tea with Trump and Melania before visiting the National Archives in Washington. Follow all the updates here: Sep 24, 2026, 14:35:53 IST Trump-Xi Jinping meeting LIVE: Chinese defence ministry urges ‘extreme caution’ over arms sales to Taiwan ahead of Trump-Xi summit Trump-Xi Jinping meeting LIVE: The United States should take “extreme caution” over any arms sales to Taiwan, a Chinese defence ministry spokesperson said on Thursday ahead of a summit in Washington between President Donald Trump and China’s leader Xi Jinping. (Reuters) Sep 24, 2026, 14:15:00 IST Trump-Xi Jinping meeting LIVE: China stocks post biggest one-day drop in a month on Trump-Xi summit caution Trump-Xi Jinping meeting LIVE: China stocks logged their worst day in a month on Thursday as investors remained sceptical that a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington would produce a broader breakthrough.(Reuters) Sep 24, 2026, 13:22:56 IST Trump-Xi Jinping meeting LIVE: What Chinese President said on US arrival China and the US should be “partners, not rivals”, Chinese President Xi Jinping asserted upon arriving in Washington, and he expressed confidence that the two can find a way to get along in the new era. In a rare gesture, US President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, when they landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Wednesday. Trump welcomed Xi at the airport as the US Air Force band marched on the tarmac and the US and Chinese flags flew. In a written speech upon arrival, Xi extended sincere greetings and best wishes to the US people on behalf of the Chinese people, Xinhua reported. China and the US are “both great countries, and their peoples are great as well,” Xi said, adding that the two peoples have maintained friendly exchanges for a long time and that their interests are deeply intertwined. China and the US “should be partners, not rivals,” he said, noting that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand, and that the two countries can help each other succeed and advance the well-being of the whole world. Sep 24, 2026, 12:46:37 IST Trump-Xi Jinping meeting LIVE: US President’s pageantry masks deep tensions US President Donald Trump will host Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the White House on Thursday for a day full of pageantry with one goal — keeping the fragile peace between the rival superpowers. Trump personally greeted Xi on the tarmac after his arrival on Wednesday, the first time in more than six decades that a US president has welcomed a foreign political leader at Joint Base Andrews near Washington. He will lay on more pomp and ceremony for Xi on Thursday, treating him to a formal welcome on the White House South Lawn, a military flyover, talks in the Oval Office and finally a grand state banquet. But the lavish welcome masks deep tensions over thorny topics, including the trade war between the world’s top two economies, artificial intelligence and Beijing’s diplomatic and economic support for
Who is Francisco Ivan Mendiola? Miami International Airport shooting suspect faces multiple charges – 5 things to know
Francisco Ivan Mendiola has been charged after four shots were fired towards a Miami International Airport terminal, striking a trash can and an unoccupied vehicle. Francisco Ivan Mendiola was charged over the shooting incident at the Miami International Airport. Image for representational purposes. (Unsplash) The incident on Wednesday, September 23, prompted large law enforcement response at the the ninth busiest airport in the US (as per 2025 numbers). Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office noted that deputies responded to the airport around 4:05pm after reports of shots fired. Detective Joseph Peguero Rivera said that it was an isolated incident and authorities later clarified that there was no active shooter threat and no injuries that had come from the shooting. MIA further clarified that all passengers and employees were safe. Also Read | Man shot by ICE in Texas back in hospital due to bullet in the back Meanwhile, here’s everything to know about Francisco Ivan Mendiola, the man charged over the MIA shooting incident. Who is Francisco Ivan Mendiola? 5 things to know Francisco Ivan Mendiola is a 31-year-old who faces a felony count of shooting or throwing a deadly missile, one misdemeanor count of unlawfully discharging a firearm in a public place and two misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief. According to the affidavit filed, Mendiola fired four rounds near an airport terminal, CBS News reported. Of these, three were fired toward the terminal and struck a trash can. The fourth hit an unoccupied Dodge Challenger. Mendiola was found on the second floor of the short-term parking garage, and one deputy saw him holding a firearm and loading a magazine into it. Many passengers had frantically directed authorities towards the shooting suspect. He was later taken into custody while seated on a bench in the short-term parking area. They found a firearm in his backpack and four spent shell casings were found near the area where he was present. The firearm Mendiola was carrying had two 16-round-capacity magazines containing 12 rounds each. As per authorities, Mendiola appeared intoxicated and was acting aggressively, making an interview impossible at the time due to his condition and behavior. MIA shooting: Passengers react While the investigation remains underway, people at the Miami International Airport reacted to the shooting incident. When Mendiola opened fire, there were several people nearby and flights were operating normally as well. A Tennessee family at the scene recounted what it was like. “I heard a loud pop, and I look at my father, and we both agree that it’s not a tire. It’s a pistol,” tourist Joshua Miller told WSVN. A travel influencer and blogger added “So we were standing right here waiting on our Uber and we heard three shots go off and the man was in there. God was with us today, and that’s the most important thing I can say.” Source link
Ole Miss deaths update: Coroner shares new details as Gov. Tate Reeves speaks out, ‘Illegal drugs are…’
The Lafayette County coroner has confirmed that the two University of Mississippi students who were found dead on Monday, September 21, were both male, aged 18 and 20. The coroner confirmed that the 18-year-old male student died on campus at Stewart Hall, while the 20-year-old male student died at an off-campus house, per WTVA. Ole Miss deaths update: Coroner shares new details as Gov. Tate Reeves speaks out (The University of Mississippi – Ole Miss/Facebook) The names of the students have not been announced. According to law enforcement, kratom was purchased from a local retailer in both cases and was found on the scene. Also Read | Ole Miss students causes of death: What we know as authorities warn against illicit drug use The Lafayette County coroner also said that a toxicology report will be done. Results could take a few weeks to be announced. Gov. Tate Reeves breaks silence Gov. Tate Reeves spoke out about the deaths, saying in a statement Wednesday, September 23, “Mississippi is praying for the families and friends of the two Ole Miss students during this incredibly difficult time. Illegal drugs are a serious problem at colleges and universities throughout the country.” He added, “The Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics are working closely with local law enforcement. They are assisting in the investigation and working to expedite toxicology reports.” Action News 5 reported that emergency responders were called to Stewart Hall around 1:30 pm Monday for a possible overdose. The Lafayette County dispatch call said, “Stewart Hall 61 Women’s Terrace for a possible OD. They do not believe the subject is breathing. Trying to start CPR over the phone.” Also Read | Ole Miss students express fear after 2 peers tragically die, ‘Can’t even know what you can trust…’ The deaths happened after the campus hosted LSU for a football game over the weekend. The event drew thousands of people to Oxford. Lafayette County Metro Narcotics said on Tuesday that there is “no evidence the deaths are connected.” The agency added that “packaged kratom from a retail store was found during both investigations.” The Oxford Police Department shared a release from Lafayette County Metro Narcotics on X, which warned Ole Miss students to “avoid kratom and any other medication or substance that was not prescribed to you or obtained from a trusted, regulated source.” Kratom is illegal in Arkansas and Tennessee. However, it can be sold in parts of Mississippi to people over the age of 21. While Oxford banned kratom in 2019, Lafayette County banned it in 2021. Source link
Charlie Kirk’s ‘final’ video row intensifies as Candace Owens slams Erika Kirk’s actions: ‘Psychotic’
The dispute surrounding footage of late conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s final days has intensified after podcaster Candace Owens sharply criticized his widow, Erika Kirk, over the release of a private video showing Kirk with his children. Charlie Kirk’s ‘final’ video row: Candace Owens calls Erika Kirk’s actions ‘psychotic’ (@candaceoshow, Getty Images via AFP) Owens, in an X post on Thursday, September 24, accused Erika of allowing footage of what she described as Charlie Kirk’s “final private moments” with his children to be shared with online commentator Andrew Wilson. Owens called the development “deeply disturbing” and described the decision as “psychotic.” Owens’ comments came as her ongoing dispute with Wilson over footage connected to Charlie Kirk’s death entered a new phase. Wilson has shared previously unseen material that he says was recorded before Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University in September 2025. Wilson presented footage showing Kirk spending time at home with his children and attributed the recording to Erika Kirk. Also read: MTV VMAs 2026: All records Taylor Swift could break as singer set to receive unique award and make history Candace Owens questions Erika Kirk footage In her latest post, Owens argued that the release of private family footage raises questions about why such material was made public. She wrote that there was “no sane widow” who would agree to hand over private footage of her late husband with his children for online commentary and fundraising. Owens further alleged that the material was being used to “troll the internet,” while accusing Erika of publicly dishonoring her late husband. Those statements are Owens’ characterization of the dispute and have not been independently established as facts. Owens has also challenged the significance of metadata associated with the video. In earlier comments, she argued that metadata can be altered and said it does not, by itself, establish when or where a video was recorded. She has called for Erika Kirk to directly state who recorded the footage. Andrew Wilson’s role in the dispute Wilson’s release of the footage has become part of a broader public dispute between him and Owens over claims and counterclaims surrounding Charlie Kirk’s final days. Also read: US launches new dedicated portal to report visa fraud and misuse: What students, H-1B and other visa holders should know Wilson used the footage to respond to questions raised by Owens about Erika Kirk’s whereabouts around the time the material was allegedly recorded. Owens, however, has maintained that the footage does not independently establish where Erika was when it was made. What is established about the footage The footage controversy should be separated from the established circumstances of Charlie Kirk’s death. Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, and Tyler Robinson has been charged in connection with the killing. The subsequent investigation and court proceedings have generated extensive public debate over video evidence and the timeline surrounding the shooting. The latest dispute, however, concerns privately recorded family footage and competing interpretations of what it demonstrates. Source link
Anthropic unveils discovery of new enzyme system spotted by Claude model
US artificial intelligence startup Anthropic on Wednesday unveiled the first discovery from its molecular biology lab, a previously unknown enzyme system spotted by its Claude model and touted by the company as proof that AI can speed up basic research. Some 950 Claude-powered software agents combed through a database of DNA sequences for 21 hours. (Unsplash/ Representational) Enzyme systems found in nature have led to some of biology’s biggest breakthroughs, from the tools that launched the biotech industry to the DNA-copying method behind many medical tests. Also Read I You can’t trade your way through the AI apocalypse Claude combs through data According to the company, some 950 Claude-powered software agents combed through a database of DNA sequences for 21 hours. The agents found more than 200,000 genes for one type of enzyme and picked out 20 worth a closer look — work that would take an expert scientist weeks or even months. Anthropic said its researchers’ involvement was limited to the initial instructions and the lab experiments, with the AI agents working autonomously to decide which leads to pursue. One of the agents spotted something in viruses that infect bacteria that scientists appear to have missed: a string of short, repeating pieces of DNA sitting next to two genes, one for a known enzyme and one for a mystery protein. The setup looks like CRISPR, a natural defense system in bacteria that scientists turned into a gene-editing tool now used in medicine. Dario Amodei calls discovery ‘preliminary’ Anthropic chief Dario Amodei, who recently called for slowing AI development because of its risks, cited the discovery on Wednesday in remarks to the UN Security Council, which he addressed by video link. The finding is “preliminary,” he said, but “may constitute a new gene editing mechanism that could have applications in gene therapy.” He predicted “profound progress in the near future on diseases that have plagued humanity for millennia.” The function of the newly identified system, dubbed ART, remains unknown, Anthropic said. The company added that its initial experiments suggest the system could, like CRISPR, be programmable. The results, published as a preprint, have not yet been reviewed by other scientists. Feng Zhang, one of the pioneers of CRISPR and a professor at MIT and the Broad Institute, called the identification of the repeated DNA fragments “genuinely intriguing” and said it “merits further investigation,” in remarks released by Anthropic. Also Read I The two-horse AI talent race | Number Theory Amodei also said on X that a team at Stanford University had independently described a comparable but distinct system. Formed in the spring, Anthropic’s lab team works in the San Francisco Bay Area and does not handle pathogens capable of infecting humans. All experiments are carried out by human scientists, Anthropic said. Amodei did not rule out Claude eventually operating lab equipment itself, with appropriate safeguards. Source link
Who are Danielle Lee-Sharp and Michael Menzie? Missing Ryker Lee’s parents kept him in ‘small, padlocked room’
The mother and stepfather of a 15-year-old Pima County boy who went missing from the Three Points area have been arrested on child abuse charges, sheriff’s officials said, per KGUN 9. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is searching for Ryker Lee, who was last seen in the 9100 Block of South Silver Star Road around 10 am on Tuesday, September 22. Missing Ryker Lee’s parents kept him in ‘small, padlocked room’ (@PimaSheriff/X) Danielle Renae Lee-Sharp, 39, and 43-year-old Michael Aaron Menzie, were arrested and each charged with three counts of child abuse. Ryker reportedly left on foot. He is 5-foot-9 and weighs 120 pounds. He was last seen wearing a neon green shirt and floral-print pants. He has brown hair and hazel eyes. Read More | Who is Ryker Lee? Pima County Sheriff’s Department searching for 15-year-old boy missing from Three Points area According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, Lee has a condition that requires medication. Who are Danielle Renae Lee-Sharp and Michael Aaron Menzie? According to Danielle’s Facebook page, she works at Domino’s Pizza. Michael is a digital creator, musician, and author, per his social media. He is from Chico, California, and went to Chico High. He said he was in a relationship with Lee. Officials told KGUN 9 that the duo were arrested on child abuse charges stemming from further investigations at the family’s home. A news release stated that investigators located evidence of child abuse involving three children at the home. “Ryker Lee had been confined inside a small, padlocked room within a recreational vehicle that lacked running water, restroom facilities, and air conditioning. Two younger siblings, ages 10 and 8, were found living in deplorable and unsanitary conditions inside the main residence,” officials said. The house reportedly smelled of cat urine and had stains of vomit and feces throughout the floor. According to the interim complaints 13 News obtained, the children were sleeping on plastic mattresses with no bedding. Their closest bathroom had no sink, and the home was filled with insects. Read More | Ryker Lee update: 2 arrested on child abuse charges as Pima County teen remains missing The two younger children were taken into Department of Child Services custody. Ryker remains missing. Danielle, before her arrest, took to Facebook to share details about Ryker’s disappearance. She wrote, “This is my boy Ryker. He is 15 yr old and a type 1 diabetic. He ran off today 9/22 about 10am with his diabetic supplies and some food.he is not good with managing his diabetes.if anyone see him please reach out, authorities have been contacted, I’ve been to all the stores….we just want him home safe. You can call or text me 989-278-7146. Please help us find our boy!!” Anyone with any information on Ryker’s whereabouts is urged to call 911. Source link
US judge blocks Trump’s media ban, asks him to restore White House access for CNN, MS NOW, Politico journalists
A US federal judge has ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to restore White House access for journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico. The ban on the three news organisations was unconstitutional, the judge ruled, as per Reuters. US President Donald Trump speaks to the media after stepping off Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House. (AFP) US district judge Timothy Kelly issued the order on Thursday in a lawsuit brought by the three media organisations after the White House revoked their access. The outlets said that the decision violated their First Amendment protections and their right to due process. The ruling comes days after Trump announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be barred from the White House. Trump had accused the organisations of publishing what he described as “FICTION and LIES” about his administration. ALSO READ | ‘UN allowed us in, sir’: CNN reporter rebuts Trump after he confronts her in New York amid media ban Why Trump banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico Trump announced the ban on September 18. He said the three outlets would not be allowed to “constantly write or report FICTION and LIES” while covering his presidency. Their journalists were subsequently denied entry to the White House and their press credentials were deactivated. The three organisations then sued Trump and senior White House officials in federal court, saying that the administration had punished them because of their reporting, as per AP. The Trump administration later justified in court and said that the outlets violated standards of professionalism and decorum and published sensitive or classified information. The US justice department also invoked national security concerns and said that access to the White House was a privilege rather than a constitutional right. ALSO READ | Trump’s speech at White House helipad launch inaudible as CNN, TV networks skip coverage; NYT joins protest CNN, MS NOW and Politico rubbished the reasoning and said that the ban was retaliation over their reporting. They cited the First Amendment, which protected freedom of speech and the press, as well as Fifth Amendment due-process protections. Judge questioned White House process During Wednesday’s hearing, Judge Kelly appeared sceptical of the administration’s position, CBS reported. He questioned whether the White House followed the required process before revoking journalists’ credentials. The judge pointed to previous cases establishing that journalists are entitled to notice and an opportunity to challenge the withdrawal of their White House access. The White House sent letters explaining its objections only after the journalists’ credentials had already been revoked. ALSO READ | White House launches 24/7 ‘Trump TV’ amid media ban, draws just 8,000 viewers Kelly was appointed to the federal bench by Trump during his first term. In 2018, Kelly ordered the White House to restore CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s press credentials after the administration revoked them following a confrontation with Trump. The 1977 precedent The current case also draws on Sherrill v. Knight (1977), a landmark case involving White House press access, as per the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. The legal principle from that case is that while the White House does not have to make every facility or event available to every journalist, once press access is opened to journalists, the government cannot selectively exclude reporters based simply on their viewpoint or without appropriate procedures. Trump-media standoff Earlier this week, major television networks suspended coverage of the US President in solidarity with CNN after it was removed from the White House television pool. ALSO READ | Who is Betsy Klein? Melania Trump approves CNN reporter for major event amid Trump’s ban on outlet The five networks normally rotate responsibility for producing footage of presidential events and distribute that feed to other broadcasters and news organisations. With no replacement pool in place, some presidential events were left without the usual shared television coverage. The disruption was particularly visible during Trump’s launch of a new White House helipad on Monday. With the regular television pool absent, the White House livestream showed Trump speaking while helicopter noise repeatedly drowned out his remarks. The White House also launched ‘Trump TV’, a 24-hour online streaming service carrying the US President’s administration videos, speeches and other material. Source link
Who will attend the Trump-Xi Jinping state dinner? Check full guest list
US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will sit down for talks at the White House on Thursday. The meeting will be followed by a high-profile state dinner attended by some of the biggest names in American technology and business. Messages for China’s President Xi Jinping calling for the release of political prisoners from the Human Rights Foundation are displayed in trucks near the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. (AFP) The dinner, hosted by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in the White House’s East Room, will be part of Xi’s three-day US visit. Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, would be the guests of honour, the White House said. Track live updates of the Trump-Xi meet here Who is attending the Trump-Xi state dinner? Among the prominent technology and business figures reported to be attending are: Jeff Bezos — founder of Amazon Elon Musk — CEO of Tesla and SpaceX Sundar Pichai — CEO of Alphabet Sam Altman — CEO of OpenAI Jensen Huang — CEO of Nvidia Michael Dell — founder and CEO of Dell Technologies Tim Cook — executive chairman of Apple Mark Zuckerberg — CEO of Meta Satya Nadella — CEO of Microsoft Cristiano Amon — CEO of Qualcomm Jane Fraser — CEO of Citigroup Jamie Dimon — CEO of JPMorgan Chase Albert Bourla — CEO of Pfizer The White House has not released a complete official guest roster. ALSO READ | Stability or hostility? Why India is keeping a close eye on the Trump-Xi Summit Why so many tech leaders are attending AI, advanced chips and computing infrastructure have become a major part of the US-China competition. Nvidia is caught up in US restrictions on the export of advanced chips to China, while companies such as Apple, Tesla and Microsoft have significant business interests connected to the Chinese market, as per Reuters. AI is also expected to feature prominently in Trump’s discussions with Xi. US officials have indicated that the two sides could discuss AI-related issues, including the possibility of mechanisms for notifying each other about AI incidents with national-security implications. Trump-Xi talks: What’s on the agenda? Trump and Xi are expected to discuss several contentious issues during their White House meeting. Trade is a major focus. The two countries have been operating under a temporary trade truce, and US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said the two sides agreed to extend the arrangement for another two months. The dispute has involved tariffs, Chinese rare-earth exports and Chinese purchases of US products. ALSO READ | Trump slammed for ‘wincing’ during flypast video with China’s Xi: ‘Embarrassment on world stage’ Taiwan is another major issue. Beijing wants Washington to halt arms sales to Taiwan, while US policy requires Washington to provide Taiwan with defensive capabilities. Trump previously described Taiwan arms sales as a negotiating issue in dealings with China. Technology and AI are also major focal points. Washington has imposed restrictions on China’s access to advanced semiconductor technology, while Beijing has sought greater access to cutting-edge chips. The two governments are also competing for leadership in artificial intelligence. Rare-earth minerals are another important issue because China remains a major player in the global supply chain, while the US is seeking alternative sources. Xi arrived in the US on Wednesday, and Trump welcomed him and Peng Liyuan at the airbase at Joint Base Andrews. Source link