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Chapter 1: What are the key issues in the U.S.-China trade talks?
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Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. Representatives from the U.S. and China are meeting to talk about trade again, this time they're gathering in Malaysia. As NPR's Emily Fang reports, China's newest restrictions on rare earth exports are at the top of the agenda.
Beijing said Chinese Premier He Lifeng will be meeting U.S. Trade Representative Jameson Greer and the Treasury Secretary Scott Besant. Besant said before he headed to Malaysia that he was optimistic about the talks, but a potential stumbling block is rare earths. China controls up to 90% of the refining of these key minerals and metals used in all sorts of electronics.
And Beijing recently widened its controls on the export of rare earth products.
Chapter 2: How is the federal government shutdown affecting employees?
That prompted President Trump this month to impose an additional 100% tariff on all Chinese imports. The trade meeting will also help set the tone for a meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Trump that the White House says will be next week in South Korea. Emily Fang, NPR News.
The federal government shutdown is now in day 25, and party officials are not even talking about how it might be ended. One of the biggest casualties of the shutdown is government employees. Most of them have been furloughed without pay. NPR's Andrea Hsu says many workers are getting help with basic living expenses and more from some unlikely allies.
Food banks have been distributing boxes of provisions to government employees. Those events have drawn hundreds of people with lines stretching around the block. A lot of federal workers do their banking at credit unions, and now these credit unions all over the country are offering short-term interest-free loans to help with things like house payments or car payments.
Chapter 3: What sanctions is the U.S. imposing on Colombia and why?
That's NPR's Andrea Hsu. The U.S. is sanctioning Colombia's presidents and several other people. They're being accused of being involved in the drug trade. And as Julia Carneiro reports, tensions are escalating as the U.S. military ramps up operations in the Caribbean.
The sanctions were imposed against Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his wife, his son, and one of his ministers. In a statement, Treasury Secretary Scott Besson said Petro has, quote, Petro replied on social media, saying it was a paradox to face this measure after years of fighting drug trafficking and helping to curb cocaine consumption in the U.S., Colombia is a major U.S.
ally, but the U.S.
Chapter 4: What happened in Game 1 of the World Series?
strikes destroying vessels in South American waters have led to growing tension between the countries. For NPR News, I'm Julia Carneiro.
In Game 1 of the World Series, standout rookie starter Trey Yusavage limited the L.A. Dodgers to two runs over four innings Friday night as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Dodgers 11-4. It was the 22-year-old's seventh Major League appearance, and Yusavage became the second youngest pitcher to start in a World Series opening game, just behind Brooklyn's Ralph Branca in 1947.
The next game is tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern in Toronto. This is NPR News. A federal appeals court has declined to review a panel ruling that weakens federal voting rights protections in seven states. As NPR's Hansilo Wong reports, the ruling affects voters with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency.
Chapter 5: How are recent court rulings impacting voting rights?
The immigrant advocacy group Arkansas United sued over a state law that bans a person from helping more than six voters cast ballots. A part of the Voting Rights Act known as Section 208 generally allows voters who need help because of a disability or inability to read or write to get help from a person of their choice. A judge ruled the Arkansas law violated the Voting Rights Act.
But after Republican state officials appealed, a panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled private groups like Arkansas United and individuals did not have the right to sue. Only the U.S. Attorney General does. The full 8th Circuit now has rejected a request to review that ruling.
Two similar cases are before the Supreme Court, which is also reviewing the constitutionality of another key part of the Voting Rights Act. Anzi Luang, NPR News.
Chapter 6: What military changes did Japan's new prime minister announce?
Japan's new prime minister pledged Friday to accelerate that country's military buildup in spending. In her first major policy speech since taking office on Tuesday, Sanae Takeuchi also said she would complete an early upgrade to the country's security strategy as tensions rise with China, North Korea and Russia. She's Japan's first female leader.
Delegations from Pakistan and Afghanistan are heading to Turkey for a second round of crisis talks. The meeting follows fighting between the two nations that has killed dozens of people and injured hundreds more. The security dispute was becoming increasingly violent. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.