Trump lowers China's tariffs. And, what to know for Casey Means' confirmation hearing

"Today, President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met and reached an agreement on several points in trade negotiations. Trump announced the U.S. would lower the 20% tariffs to 10% because China has committed to doing more to curb exports of ingredients for fentanyl. China will defer export controls on rare earths and resume buying U.S. soybeans. U.S. and Chinese economic officials ironed out the trade details in Malaysia last weekend."

"On social media, Trump posted that the U.S. would resume testing nuclear weapons "on an equal basis" with Russia and China. NPR's Anthony Kuhn clarifies to Up First that while Russia and China are upgrading and expanding their nuclear arsenals, neither country has tested atomic bombs since the 1990s. Kuhn adds that Xi has not responded to Trump's statement, but "couldn't have liked it much.""

"More than 65,000 infants, toddlers and preschoolers could lose access to their local Head Start centers across the U.S. beginning Nov. 1 because of the government shutdown. The federal program provides childcare and early learning for low-income families. Without federal dollars, 134 Head Start programs are rushing to find alternative funding, NPR's Cory Turner says. If the programs close, many working families may have to choose between going to work and taking care of their children."

President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping reached agreements that include lowering U.S. tariffs from 20% to 10% after China committed to curb exports of fentanyl precursor ingredients. China agreed to defer export controls on rare earths and to resume purchasing U.S. soybeans. U.S. and Chinese economic officials finalized trade details in Malaysia ahead of a sideline meeting at the APEC summit in South Korea. President Trump posted that the U.S. would resume nuclear testing "on an equal basis" with Russia and China, prompting cautions that such rhetoric could provoke an arms race. More than 65,000 young children could lose Head Start access beginning Nov. 1 due to the government shutdown, with 134 programs seeking emergency funding and many families facing childcare-versus-work dilemmas.

Read at www.npr.org