Trump threatens to 'annihilate' Iran if no deal reached
President Donald Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, warning that he would either make a deal with Iran to allow the country to rebuild or "annihilate" the Islamic Republic. During his speech, Trump called Iran "the No. 1 sponsor of terror" and described the country as a regime that has "ruled by bloodshed and mass murder." He also claimed that Iran's nuclear program posed a significant threat, stating that if Iran succeeded in obtaining a nuclear weapon, it would be "free to spread terror and death forever." Trump's remarks were met with a blank stare from Iran's U.N. representative, who walked out of the hall during the speech. The speech was part of a broader discussion on U.S. foreign policy, including tensions with Cuba, where the Cuban delegation also left the room in protest.
Where the accounts differ
BBC reports that Trump called Cuba a "failed state" and that the Cuban delegation walked out of the hall, while UPI and New York Post also mention the Cuban delegation leaving. The Daily Wire adds that Iran's U.N. representative looked on with a blank stare. FOX News and Washington Examiner do not mention the Cuban or Iranian delegations leaving the room. UPI and New York Post both state that Trump threatened to "annihilate" Iran, while the Daily Wire provides more detail on the context of the threat, including Trump's reference to the October 7 attack on Israel. The Washington Examiner notes that Trump distanced himself from the idea that the Iran war was influenced by the upcoming midterm elections, while the New York Post and UPI do not mention this distinction.
Trump-Xi meeting comes amid tensions on Iran, Taiwan and trade: What to know
President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will meet during a high-stakes state visit at the White House. Trump described the relationship as "very good" and emphasized the importance of the meeting. The visit marks the first state visit by a Chinese leader to the U.S. in over a decade. The agenda includes issues such as artificial intelligence safety, Taiwan, trade, the war in Iran, and critical minerals. The visit includes a state dinner with notable tech executives and business leaders invited by the Trumps.
Where the accounts differ
ABC News reports that Taiwan will be a top issue for Xi, who is likely to push Trump to pause a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan. Fox Business mentions an agreement on an AI "hotline" and that Trump will decide on it. The New York Post highlights the U.S. backing Taiwan and mentions the joint statement from Japan and South Korea. The Hill focuses on AI fears and the potential for U.S.-China cooperation on AI safeguards. NPR only mentions the meeting and Iran sanctions. The Daily Wire adds context about Trump's recent accusations of Chinese election interference.
'Kill Donald Trump' Graffiti Sprayed at Scene of Austin ICE Shooting
A Venezuelan man, Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, was shot and wounded by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Austin, Texas, while delivering food for DoorDash. The incident occurred near Anderson Square and Research Boulevard. A masked protester was filmed spray-painting "Kill Donald Trump" on a bridge near the site. The graffiti included other anti-ICE and anti-Trump messages, though no evidence links the references to pedophiles or Jeffrey Epstein to Trump or others at the site. Garces Perez, an asylum seeker who entered the U.S. through a Biden-era program, was taken to a hospital and later transferred to an ICE detention center with a bullet still lodged in his back. His lawyer, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, reported that he was in significant pain and had not received proper medical care. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Garces Perez was an "illegal alien" who had a final order of removal. The shooting is under investigation by federal authorities, including the FBI.
Where the accounts differ
Newsweek and The Guardian report that Garces Perez was shot in the back between his shoulder blades, while UPI and CBS News describe the shooting as occurring during a traffic stop. FOX News claims the protest was organized by socialist and communist groups, a claim not made by other outlets. Newsweek and CBS News mention that Garces Perez was transferred to a detention center without pain medication, while UPI and The Guardian also note this but add that he was placed in a cold room with no bed. The Guardian and CBS News state that DHS denied some of Garces Perez's claims about medical care, while Newsweek and UPI do not mention this denial. FOX News attributes the organization of the protest to socialist and communist groups, a claim not made by other outlets.
Nolan Wells Grand Jury Declines Charges After Teen's Death: Read Report
A Mississippi grand jury has unanimously determined there is insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges in the death of Nolan Wells, a 18-year-old found dead off the Mississippi coast in early July. The grand jury found that the position, condition, time of discovery, and location of Wells' body were "consistent with drowning." An independent autopsy previously found the cause and manner of death undetermined, though authorities had previously believed he drowned. The grand jury also found no evidence of fatal injuries or organic disease in his body, and that he did not have cocaine in his system at the time of death. The report noted bruising on the back of his head, which was not fatal. The family's attorney, Ben Crump, criticized the outcome, stating the state is attempting to close the case without reaching the truth.
Where the accounts differ
Newsweek and ABC News both state that the grand jury found no evidence of any fatal injuries or organic disease in Wells' body, while CBS News mentions that the grand jury noted a disagreement between the state medical examiner and the independent autopsy regarding bruising on the buttocks and shoulder. New York Post and ABC News both mention that the grand jury found no evidence of cocaine in Wells' system, while CBS News adds that the independent autopsy found alcohol in his system, though the exact amount and timing could not be determined. NPR and BBC both state that the grand jury found no evidence of racial motivation in Wells' death, while Newsweek and ABC News include statements from District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath affirming this. New York Post and CBS News both mention that Wells purchased alcohol with a fake ID, while ABC News adds that no adults provided alcohol to him on the island.
Patrick Clancy interview on 60 Minutes fails to provide big ratings boost for CBS
The 59th season of 60 Minutes debuted on 13 September with an audience down sharply from the 58th season debut, drawing 7.94 million viewers compared with 10 million for last season’s first episode. That episode was the show’s lowest-rated season debut in the 21st century, though CBS News touted it as the most-watched non-sports program of the week. The 20 September episode of the show barely edged last season’s second episode (6.45 million viewers), and it was likely hurt by not having NFL football as a lead-in program in all markets. The episode featured an interview with Patrick Clancy, the ex-husband of Lindsay Clancy, who described the killings of his children and the aftermath. The show also included a segment on pushback against datacenters and a whodunnit piece about Shergar, an Irish racehorse kidnapped in the 1980s. The episode attracted 179.2 million social views, surpassing last week’s record of 116.7 million views.
Lindsay Clancy’s defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, filed motions asking a judge to investigate the conduct of the holdout juror, Michael Desronvil, and to dismiss the criminal case on double jeopardy grounds. The jury deadlocked 11-1, with Desronvil siding with prosecutors. Reddington argued that the judge should have replaced the holdout juror with an alternate during deliberations. Desronvil, represented by attorney Edward Paltzik, denied allegations of misconduct and stated he had no doubts about Clancy’s guilt. The judge declared a mistrial on 4 September after the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict.
Where the accounts differ
The Guardian reports that the 20 September episode drew 6.77 million viewers, the third-smallest audience in the past 25 years for the second episode of a season, and that the show’s debut episode had also featured a blockbuster interview with an American fighter pilot shot down over Iran. CBS News and The Daily Wire do not mention this interview, and The Guardian is the only source to note the 6.77 million viewers figure. The Daily Wire and BBC report that Reddington asked the court to examine the truthfulness of the juror’s questionnaire and surveillance video, while The Guardian and CBS News do not mention these specific requests. The Guardian and Slate both mention the 60 Minutes interview with Patrick Clancy, but only Slate discusses the public reaction to the interview and the polarization it caused.
US Supreme Court rejects surrogate McKenna West’s bid for custody intervention
The US Supreme Court declined to intervene in a custody dispute between surrogate McKenna West and the biological parents of a baby born with a severe heart condition. West, an Alaska-based surrogate, sought to block a California court order that recognized the couple, Omar Ahmed and Nausheen Gilkar, as the child’s legal parents. The baby, named Rumi by the couple, was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome at 20 weeks of pregnancy. The couple had requested West to terminate the pregnancy under their surrogacy contract, which allowed for abortions in cases of fetal abnormalities. West refused and traveled to Texas, where she gave birth to the child in August. The Texas court ordered the baby to receive lifesaving medical care, and the child underwent surgery shortly after birth.
West’s legal team argued that the couple was not providing the necessary medical care for the child and that she should have custody or conservatorship. The couple’s attorney, Adam Wolf, stated that West’s legal filings had been rejected by every court, including the U.S. Supreme Court, and that the couple was committed to providing the child with lifelong medical care.
Where the accounts differ
The New York Post and The Guardian both mention that West’s legal team included Alliance Defending Freedom, while The Hill and Washington Examiner do not. The New York Post and The Guardian attribute the claim that West’s legal filings were rejected by every court to the couple’s attorney Adam Wolf, whereas CBS News and Just The News attribute this statement to Wolf as well. The Guardian and The New York Post mention that Republican attorney general Ken Paxton intervened in Texas to secure medical care for the baby, while CBS News and The Hill do not explicitly name Paxton. The Guardian and The New York Post state that the Texas supreme court ruled the child could leave Texas for treatment, which is not mentioned in CBS News or The Hill.
Houthis battle for strategic heights in Yemen as thousands more flee homes
The Houthi rebels are engaged in fierce fighting with Saudi-backed government forces for control of the Kahboub Mountains in Yemen’s Taiz and Lahj provinces. Control of these strategic heights, which overlook the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and Mayyun Island in the Red Sea, would allow the Houthis to sever the coast from the remaining government-held south. The fighting has resulted in at least 674 deaths and displaced over 158,000 people, according to officials. The Houthis have also launched attacks on Saudi Arabia, including a missile toward Riyadh, marking the first such attack on the capital in years. The conflict has intensified as the Houthis continue to push into key areas, including the port of Mocha and Mayyun Island, which are vital for regional shipping and energy exports.
The situation has drawn international attention, with the UK agreeing to provide defensive air support to Saudi Arabia, including refueling Saudi jets, to help protect energy infrastructure. The UK’s Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, also called on the US to de-escalate the conflict in Iran, which he said is contributing to global economic instability. Meanwhile, the G7 nations have condemned the Houthis’ attacks on Saudi Arabia and called on Iran to stop arming the group, which they claim is threatening regional and global energy security.
Where the accounts differ
Al Jazeera reports that the Houthis have been trying to advance into the Kahboub Mountains to secure their rear since seizing Mocha and Mayyun Island. Axios states that Trump considered ordering strikes against the Houthis before deciding to hold off, citing pressure from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Guardian notes that the UK has agreed to provide defensive air support to Saudi Arabia, including refueling jets, while BBC reports that the G7 has condemned the Houthis’ attacks and called on Iran to stop arming them. Washington Examiner and NPR focus on the Houthis’ offensive into the Kahboub Mountains and the displacement of civilians, respectively, with NPR noting that the U.N. World Food Programme estimates 125,000 people have been displaced.
California Gov. Newsom declares state of emergency to prepare for El Nino
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Monday to prepare for an expected historic El Nino season. The declaration allows state agencies to begin planning for potential winter storms, including preparing roads and infrastructure, readying emergency supplies, and taking measures to reduce flooding and landslide risks. Newsom cited increasing severe storms, flooding, landslides, and climate change as factors contributing to the decision.
El Nino, a natural climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean, is associated with wetter weather and increased flooding in certain areas, including California. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration noted that El Nino events can occur every two to seven years. The declaration also includes staging flood-fighting supplies such as sandbags and pumps, and preparing the California National Guard for potential response missions.
The National Weather Service meteorologist Jared Maples told Straight Arrow News that temperatures in the Niño 3.4 region have now edged above 2 degrees above normal, crossing the threshold for a very strong El Nino. Maples said the current outlook shows greater than 90% probability of strong or very strong conditions persisting into January.
Where the accounts differ
UPI reports that Newsom cited climate change as a factor in the decision, while Straight Arrow News does not mention climate change in the context of the declaration. BBC notes that the El Nino is now the strongest on record, with sea surface temperatures 3.05C above average, which UPI and Straight Arrow News do not specify. The Guardian and NPR describe Hurricane Polo as a Category 5 storm, which UPI and Straight Arrow News do not mention. Newsweek and The Guardian attribute the rapid intensification of Hurricane Polo to El Nino, while UPI and Straight Arrow News do not mention Hurricane Polo at all.