AP News in Brief at 6:04 a.m. EST
Trump   Xi present united front despite differences BEIJING —  President Donald Trump  sought to present a united front with Chinese President Xi Jinping following two days of meetings Thursday   despite lingering differences over trade and North Korea . On trade    Trump  criticized the “ very one - sided and unfair ” trade relationship between the U . S . and China but stopped short of castigating Xi by saying he doesn ’ t blame the country for having taken advantage of the U . S .  Trump  said China “ must immediately address the unfair trade practices that drive ” what  he  said is a “ shockingly ” large trade deficit   along with barriers to market access   forced technology transfers and intellectual property theft . “ But I don ’ t blame China  ”  he  said . “ After all   who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens ?” To applause    Trump  said : “ I give China great credit .”  His  Secretary of State Rex Tillerson offered a blunter assessment of China ’ s trade surplus with the United States   which in October widened by 12 . 2 percent from a year earlier   to $ 26 . 6 billion . The total surplus with the United States for the first 10 months of the year was $ 223 billion . ___  Trump  cooperates with Chinese effort to control image BEIJING — U . S .  President Donald Trump  was a cooperative partner for Beijing ’ s sweeping efforts to control the message of  his  heavily choreographed visit to China . Trump and  his  Chinese counterpart   Xi Jinping   took no questions at an event Thursday billed as a news briefing   a reduction of already minimal press interaction during previous visits by American leaders . During a 2014 visit by then President Barack Obama   Xi took a symbolic single question from a reporter for a Chinese state newspaper . He brushed off an American reporter ’ s question about whether Beijing might ease restrictions on journalist visas   saying vaguely that media outlets had to obey China ’ s laws . Trump   who has called the media the “ enemy of the American people  ” also took no questions during an event at which Chinese companies signed contracts to buy American jetliners   soybeans and other goods . Trump ’ s visit comes at a time when he faces uncomfortable questions at home about Russia and possible gun controls following deadly mass shootings . ___ North Korea   ever so cautiously   is going online PYONGYANG   North Korea — Ever so cautiously   North Korea is going online . Doctors can consult via live   online video conferencing   and lectures at prestigious Kim Il Sung University are streamed to faraway factories and agricultural communes . People use online dictionaries and text each other on their smart phones . In the wallets of the privileged are “ Jonsong ” or “ Narae ” cards for e - shopping and online banking . Cash registers at major department stores are plugged into the web . It ’ s just not the World Wide Web . This is all done on a tightly sealed intranet of the sort a medium - sized company might use for its employees . The free flow of information is anathema to authoritarian regimes   and with the possible exception of the African dictatorship of Eritrea   North Korea is still the least Internet - friendly country on Earth . Access to the global Internet for most is unimaginable . Hardly anyone has a personal computer or an email address that isn ’ t shared   and the price for trying to get around the government ’ s rules can be severe . But for Kim Jong Un   the country ’ s first leader to come of age with the Internet   the idea of a more wired North Korea is also attractive . It comes with the potential for great benefits to the nation from information technology — and for new forms of social and political control that promise to be more effective than anything his father and grandfather could have dreamed of . It also allows for the possibility of cyber - attacks on the West . ___ Pence   Abbott attend vigil for victims of church shooting SUTHERLAND SPRINGS   Texas — Vice President Mike Pence joined Texas Gov . Greg Abbott at a memorial service for the victims of Sunday ’ s massacre at a small - town Texas church . Pence told the crowd Wednesday evening that the shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs was the worst mass shooting at a church in American history and called the gunman “ deranged .” “ Whatever animated the evil that descended on that small church   of the attacker ’ s desire was to silence their testimony of faith   they failed  ” the vice president added . Abbott began the service by praying “ for healing and for help .” The governor said that Texans come together at times of crisis and tragedy . “ It ’ s what we do  ” Abbott said . People in the crowd responded “ amen .” ___ Las Vegas shooting victims still searching for their heroes LOS ANGELES — As soon as Chris Gilman knew she would survive the gunshot wound she sustained in the Las Vegas massacre   she wanted to find the two strangers who saved her life — a man and woman whose names she didn ’ t even know . She found a Facebook page called “ Find My LV Hero ” and posted a plea . “ Looking for husband and wife who were by the VIP bleachers and helped me get out  ” wrote Gilman   of Bonney Lake   Washington . “ My wife gave the husband her shirt and the wife held it against my side to stop bleeding as they carried me through the VIP area out to the street .” Despite the scant details in Gilman ’ s post   it worked . Three days later   Gilman connected with her rescuers   Alex and Wanda Valiente   off - duty Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies who were at the Oct . 1 concert where a gunman opened fire from the 32nd floor of a hotel   killing 58 people and wounding hundreds . The connection is one of about 25 made so far through the Facebook page . Nearly six weeks after the massacre   Ashton Zyer ’ s social media creation continues to generate new searches for heroes who in some cases saved lives and in others simply provided what comfort they could . ___ IS militants evacuate last stronghold in Syria to government BEIRUT — A Syrian war monitor says Islamic State militants have withdrawn from their last stronghold following a government offensive . The Britain - based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says government forces and allied troops   including Iraqi fighters   are combing Boukamal   a strategic town on the border with Iraq   on Thursday after IS militants withdrew . Syrian pro - government media say Syrian troops had clashed with remnants of IS militants in the town after they entered it late Wednesday . On Thursday   they declared the town totally free of the militants . The fall of Boukamal means remaining IS militants are currently holed up in small towns and villages along the border with Iraq and in the Syrian desert . ___ Democrats see wins as momentum for 2018 state elections Sweeping Democratic victories in Virginia and key gains in other 2017 state legislative races have lifted Democratic hopes of even bigger wins in next year ’ s midterm elections   as they seek a greater voice in how political districts will be redrawn for the decade to come . Democrats won the governors ’ offices in Virginia and New Jersey on Tuesday   erased a previously dominant Republican majority in the Virginia House of Delegates and won a special election that gave them control of the Washington state Senate . All told   Democrats flipped about two dozen state legislative seats around the country Tuesday and have now gained at least 30 seats previously held by Republicans since  President Donald Trump  won election last year   reversing several years of Republican momentum . “ In general   this is a rebuke of Republican governance of states  ” said Jessica Post   executive director of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee . She added : “ The other thing it said is we can win all across the country .” The fight for control of legislative chambers matters not only for policies on health care   taxes and education   but also because the legislature in most states determines how future congressional and state legislative districts are drawn . The next round of redistricting will take place after the 2020 Census   and both parties are focused on controlling as many states as possible by then . ___ Pomp and flattery : Asia rolls out the red carpets for Trump BEIJING — Honor guards marching in unison in colorful uniforms . Elaborate state dinners with celebrity guests . Gaggles of children   jumping and screaming along with endless praise . The first half of President Donald Trump ’ s whirlwind tour to Asia has been an exercise in the art of flattery   as world leaders woo the man who was introduced at the South Korean National Assembly as the “ leader of the world .” “ They are not ignorant that this is a president who is particularly responsive to flattery  ” said Lindsey Ford of the Asia Society Policy Institute in Washington   who said the Chinese   in particular   would “ absolutely go over the top ” trying to stroke the president ’ s ego . The pomp and pageantry began in Japan   where  Trump  was welcomed to the grand Akasaka Palace with a welcome ceremony that featured a maze of red carpets   an honor guard and marching band . Prime Minister Shinzo Abe   who has gone out of his way to strike up a personal friendship with  Trump    also treated the president to a round of golf at Japan ’ s premier course   complete with a champion golf partner and a taste of home : a hamburger lunch made with American beef . ___ Christopher Plummer to replace Kevin Spacey in Getty film LOS ANGELES — In a wholly unprecedented move   Kevin Spacey is being cut from Ridley Scott ’ s finished film “ All the Money in the World ” and replaced by Christopher Plummer just over one month before it ’ s supposed to hit theaters . People close to the production who were not authorized to speak publicly said Wednesday that Plummer is commencing reshoots immediately in the role of J . Paul Getty . All of Spacey ’ s scenes will be reshot   the people told The Associated Press . Co - stars Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Williams are expected to participate . Scott   who is known to be an efficient director   is intending to keep the film ’ s Dec . 22 release date . The director ’ s publicist Simon Halls confirmed the switch late Wednesday . The film was originally set to have its world premiere at the AFI Fest in Los Angeles on Nov . 16 but was pulled earlier this week amid the sexual harassment reports surrounding Spacey   who has also been fired from “ House of Cards ” and dropped by his talent agency and publicist . ___ Top moments at CMA Awards : Vegas   unity and the monologue Yes   Garth Brooks won entertainer of the year and Chris Stapleton picked up two honors   including album of the year . But the moments that truly dominated the 2017 Country Music Association Awards had less to do with winning   and more about a community banding together to heal . Here ’ s a look at some of the top moments at the awards show   which aired live Wednesday night from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville   Tennessee . ______ HONORING THE LAS VEGAS VICTIMS The Associated Press .
Trump   Xi present united front despite differences BEIJING —  [TGT]sought to present a united front with Chinese President Xi Jinping following two days of meetings Thursday   despite lingering differences over trade and North Korea . On trade    [TGT]  criticized the “ very one - sided and unfair ” trade relationship between the U . S . and China but stopped short of castigating Xi by saying he doesn ’ t blame the country for having taken advantage of the U . S .  [TGT]said China “ must immediately address the unfair trade practices that drive ” what  [TGT]  said is a “ shockingly ” large trade deficit   along with barriers to market access   forced technology transfers and intellectual property theft . “ But I don ’ t blame China  ”  he  said . “ After all   who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens ?” To applause    [TGT]said : “ I give China great credit .”  [TGT]  Secretary of State Rex Tillerson offered a blunter assessment of China ’ s trade surplus with the United States   which in October widened by 12 . 2 percent from a year earlier   to $ 26 . 6 billion . The total surplus with the United States for the first 10 months of the year was $ 223 billion . ___  [TGT]cooperates with Chinese effort to control image BEIJING — U . S .  [TGT]was a cooperative partner for Beijing ’ s sweeping efforts to control the message of  [TGT]  heavily choreographed visit to China . [TGT] and  [TGT]  Chinese counterpart   Xi Jinping   took no questions at an event Thursday billed as a news briefing   a reduction of already minimal press interaction during previous visits by American leaders . During a 2014 visit by then President Barack Obama   Xi took a symbolic single question from a reporter for a Chinese state newspaper . He brushed off an American reporter ’ s question about whether Beijing might ease restrictions on journalist visas   saying vaguely that media outlets had to obey China ’ s laws . [TGT]who has called the media the “ enemy of the American people  ” also took no questions during an event at which Chinese companies signed contracts to buy American jetliners   soybeans and other goods . [TGT] ’ s visit comes at a time when [TGT] faces uncomfortable questions at home about Russia and possible gun controls following deadly mass shootings . ___ North Korea   ever so cautiously   is going online PYONGYANG   North Korea — Ever so cautiously   North Korea is going online . Doctors can consult via live   online video conferencing   and lectures at prestigious Kim Il Sung University are streamed to faraway factories and agricultural communes . People use online dictionaries and text each other on their smart phones . In the wallets of the privileged are “ Jonsong ” or “ Narae ” cards for e - shopping and online banking . Cash registers at major department stores are plugged into the web . It ’ s just not the World Wide Web . This is all done on a tightly sealed intranet of the sort a medium - sized company might use for its employees . The free flow of information is anathema to authoritarian regimes   and with the possible exception of the African dictatorship of Eritrea   North Korea is still the least Internet - friendly country on Earth . Access to the global Internet for most is unimaginable . Hardly anyone has a personal computer or an email address that isn ’ t shared   and the price for trying to get around the government ’ s rules can be severe . But for Kim Jong Un   the country ’ s first leader to come of age with the Internet   the idea of a more wired North Korea is also attractive . It comes with the potential for great benefits to the nation from information technology — and for new forms of social and political control that promise to be more effective than anything his father and grandfather could have dreamed of . It also allows for the possibility of cyber - attacks on the West . ___ Pence   Abbott attend vigil for victims of church shooting SUTHERLAND SPRINGS   Texas — Vice President Mike Pence joined Texas Gov . Greg Abbott at a memorial service for the victims of Sunday ’ s massacre at a small - town Texas church . Pence told the crowd Wednesday evening that the shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs was the worst mass shooting at a church in American history and called the gunman “ deranged .” “ Whatever animated the evil that descended on that small church   of the attacker ’ s desire was to silence their testimony of faith   they failed  ” the vice president added . Abbott began the service by praying “ for healing and for help .” The governor said that Texans come together at times of crisis and tragedy . “ It ’ s what we do  ” Abbott said . People in the crowd responded “ amen .” ___ Las Vegas shooting victims still searching for their heroes LOS ANGELES — As soon as Chris Gilman knew she would survive the gunshot wound she sustained in the Las Vegas massacre   she wanted to find the two strangers who saved her life — a man and woman whose names she didn ’ t even know . She found a Facebook page called “ Find My LV Hero ” and posted a plea . “ Looking for husband and wife who were by the VIP bleachers and helped me get out  ” wrote Gilman   of Bonney Lake   Washington . “ My wife gave the husband her shirt and the wife held it against my side to stop bleeding as they carried me through the VIP area out to the street .” Despite the scant details in Gilman ’ s post   it worked . Three days later   Gilman connected with her rescuers   Alex and Wanda Valiente   off - duty Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies who were at the Oct . 1 concert where a gunman opened fire from the 32nd floor of a hotel   killing 58 people and wounding hundreds . The connection is one of about 25 made so far through the Facebook page . Nearly six weeks after the massacre   Ashton Zyer ’ s social media creation continues to generate new searches for heroes who in some cases saved lives and in others simply provided what comfort they could . ___ IS militants evacuate last stronghold in Syria to government BEIRUT — A Syrian war monitor says Islamic State militants have withdrawn from their last stronghold following a government offensive . The Britain - based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says government forces and allied troops   including Iraqi fighters   are combing Boukamal   a strategic town on the border with Iraq   on Thursday after IS militants withdrew . Syrian pro - government media say Syrian troops had clashed with remnants of IS militants in the town after they entered it late Wednesday . On Thursday   they declared the town totally free of the militants . The fall of Boukamal means remaining IS militants are currently holed up in small towns and villages along the border with Iraq and in the Syrian desert . ___ Democrats see wins as momentum for 2018 state elections Sweeping Democratic victories in Virginia and key gains in other 2017 state legislative races have lifted Democratic hopes of even bigger wins in next year ’ s midterm elections   as they seek a greater voice in how political districts will be redrawn for the decade to come . Democrats won the governors ’ offices in Virginia and New Jersey on Tuesday   erased a previously dominant Republican majority in the Virginia House of Delegates and won a special election that gave them control of the Washington state Senate . All told   Democrats flipped about two dozen state legislative seats around the country Tuesday and have now gained at least 30 seats previously held by Republicans since  [TGT]won election last year   reversing several years of Republican momentum . “ In general   this is a rebuke of Republican governance of states  ” said Jessica Post   executive director of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee . She added : “ The other thing it said is we can win all across the country .” The fight for control of legislative chambers matters not only for policies on health care   taxes and education   but also because the legislature in most states determines how future congressional and state legislative districts are drawn . The next round of redistricting will take place after the 2020 Census   and both parties are focused on controlling as many states as possible by then . ___ Pomp and flattery : Asia rolls out the red carpets for Trump BEIJING — Honor guards marching in unison in colorful uniforms . Elaborate state dinners with celebrity guests . Gaggles of children   jumping and screaming along with endless praise . The first half of [TGT] ’ s whirlwind tour to Asia has been an exercise in the art of flattery   as world leaders woo the man who was introduced at the South Korean National Assembly as the “ leader of the world .” “ They are not ignorant that this is a president who is particularly responsive to flattery  ” said Lindsey Ford of the Asia Society Policy Institute in Washington   who said the Chinese   in particular   would “ absolutely go over the top ” trying to stroke the president ’ s ego . The pomp and pageantry began in Japan   where  [TGT]was welcomed to the grand Akasaka Palace with a welcome ceremony that featured a maze of red carpets   an honor guard and marching band . Prime Minister Shinzo Abe   who has gone out of his way to strike up a personal friendship with  [TGT]    also treated the president to a round of golf at Japan ’ s premier course   complete with a champion golf partner and a taste of home : a hamburger lunch made with American beef . ___ Christopher Plummer to replace Kevin Spacey in Getty film LOS ANGELES — In a wholly unprecedented move   Kevin Spacey is being cut from Ridley Scott ’ s finished film “ All the Money in the World ” and replaced by Christopher Plummer just over one month before it ’ s supposed to hit theaters . People close to the production who were not authorized to speak publicly said Wednesday that Plummer is commencing reshoots immediately in the role of J . Paul Getty . All of Spacey ’ s scenes will be reshot   the people told The Associated Press . Co - stars Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Williams are expected to participate . Scott   who is known to be an efficient director   is intending to keep the film ’ s Dec . 22 release date . The director ’ s publicist Simon Halls confirmed the switch late Wednesday . The film was originally set to have its world premiere at the AFI Fest in Los Angeles on Nov . 16 but was pulled earlier this week amid the sexual harassment reports surrounding Spacey   who has also been fired from “ House of Cards ” and dropped by his talent agency and publicist . ___ Top moments at CMA Awards : Vegas   unity and the monologue Yes   Garth Brooks won entertainer of the year and Chris Stapleton picked up two honors   including album of the year . But the moments that truly dominated the 2017 Country Music Association Awards had less to do with winning   and more about a community banding together to heal . Here ’ s a look at some of the top moments at the awards show   which aired live Wednesday night from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville   Tennessee . ______ HONORING THE LAS VEGAS VICTIMS The Associated Press .