Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.
On today's podcast:
1) President Trump said his officials had “very good” talks with Iranian envoys in New York, reviving hopes for a diplomatic off-ramp. Iran laid down “firm positions” for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, including the US immediately lifting a naval blockade, unfreezing Iranian assets and ending the war “on all fronts." Trump said the three-hour session was “very productive” and another was being planned for the near future, but it’s not clear what, if any, progress was made in New York.
2) President Trump is welcoming Xi Jinping to Washington for a state visit focused more on pageantry than policy, with low expectations for breakthroughs on long-standing feuds between the world’s biggest economies. The trip will include meetings on thorny issues such as trade and Taiwan, as well as a state dinner, with both sides having lowered expectations for either breakthroughs or bust-ups. Fault lines remain beneath the diplomatic efforts, including US concerns over China's grip on rare earths and Chinese opposition to a proposed US weapons package for Taiwan.
3) Several Senate Republicans are breaking from President Trump on issues such as the Iran war and fuel prices ahead of the Midterm elections. Republican lawmakers are calling for measures to reduce fuel costs, including a ban on diesel exports and releasing supply from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve. Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker is one such name, saying he wouldn't have scheduled such a lavish welcome for Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Wicker says he hopes President Trump asks about China's military buildup and support for Iran during tomorrow night's state dinner.