Windsor Johnston

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston.

President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are preparing to hold their second day of meetings on Friday.

NPR's Emily Fang reports they wrapped up a tour of historic sites in Beijing earlier today.

and talked about controversial issues, including the island of Taiwan.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he traveled to the United Arab Emirates during the war with Iran.

It's the first publicly confirmed visit by the prime minister to the UAE.

But as NPR's Aya Batraoui reports, the UAE denies it.

The Department of Education has announced it will send states millions of dollars to help fund a federal program for educating students served by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

NPR's Janaki Mehta reports it's a historically underfunded program.

That's NPR's Janaki Mehta reporting.

On Wall Street, the Dow was up 388 points.

This is NPR News.

The Senate has unanimously approved a resolution that would withhold lawmakers' pay during government shutdowns.

It's part of an effort to increase pressure on Congress to avoid federal closures.

Supporters say the bipartisan measure comes after a series of lengthy shutdown standoffs that have frustrated lawmakers and disrupted government operations.

They argue Congress should face consequences when it fails to keep the government funded.

A growing number of Americans say religion is gaining influence in the country.

But as NPR's Jason DeRose reports, a new study from Pew Research finds there's a sharp partisan divide over whether people view that influence as good.

Christie says a rare 5.5-carat diamond known as the Ocean Dream has sold for more than $17 million.

The auction house says the triangular-cut gem is believed to be the largest vivid blue-green diamond of its kind ever sold at auction.