Thursday morning news: September 14, 2023

Impeach inquiry latest » House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says new information about Joe Biden’s actions as vice president drove the launch of an impeachment inquiry into Biden. Including…

MCCARTHY: That vice president used pseudo name for emails, that 5,400 of those are in the archives.

Republican-led House committees have been investigating Biden family business dealings for months. They say the Biden administration has routinely stonewalled their requests and subpoenas for records. McCarthy says the inquiry will help to rectify that.

The top Democrat in the House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, again blasted the inquiry. He called it a “kangaroo court” that will not uncover any wrongdoing by President Biden.

AI regulation » Meantime, inside a Senate hearing room at the Capitol, lawmakers discussed the threats of artificial intelligence with—quote—“some of the smartest people in the world”

That’s how Elon Musk described the gathering of nearly two-dozen top tech executives.

MUSK: The reason I’ve been such an advocate for AI safety in advance of anything sort of terrible happening is that I think the consequences of AI going wrong are severe. So we have to be proactive rather than reactive.

The Tesla CEO said Majority Leader Chuck Schumer asked for a show of hands when asking, "Should government have a role in overseeing artificial intelligence?"

MUSK: Judging by the fact that they put their hands up, I think it’s clear that there’s a strong consensus that there should be some AI regulation.

But there is no consensus at all at this point as to what that regulation should look like.

The tech leaders also discussed how the United States can stay ahead of China and other countries in developing AI.

UAW strike » At this time tomorrow, thousands of auto workers may be marching with picket signs in hand outside the factories of Ford, GM and Stellantis.

United Auto Workers Union President Shawn Fain:

FAIN: September 14th is the deadline. We expect to have agreements with all three companies by that date. The workers deserve that.

And if the clock strikes midnight without a new labor deal, Fain says they’re ready to strike.

It would be the first time in the union's 80-plus-year history that it struck all of America’s big-three automakers at the same time.

GM, Ford and Stellantis have raised their initial wage offers, but Fain said they’ve rejected some of the union's other demands.

KIM: [Speaking Korean]

Kim Jong UN vows support of Russia » North Korea’s Kim Jong Un vowed “unconditional support” for Moscow while seated next to Vladimir Putin in Russia Wednesday.

He said “Russia is waging a sacred fight to defend its sovereignty.” His remarks came as the two authoritarian leaders huddled in southern Russia.

U.S. State Dept. spokesman Matthew Miller responded:

MILLER: When you see what looks to be increased cooperation and probably military transfers, that is quite troubling and would potentially be in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

That could involve Russia sharing high-tech military technology with North Korea, including help in building satellites.

Miller said that would violate UN Security Council resolutions that Russia itself voted for.

Libya flood latest » Libyan authorities say at least 5,000 are dead after Mediterranean storm Daniel swept across the country’s northeastern coastline on Sunday.

Thousands are still missing and tens of thousands are left homeless…with the death toll expected to keep rising.

Emergency officials say the coastal city of Derna was one of the hardest hit estimating a quarter of the city washed away

Two dams outside Derna collapsed in the storm causing more devastation during the storm.

Local emergency responders, military troops, and local residents are searching for survivors under collapsed buildings and in the water.

LOCAL [SPEAKING ARABIC]: International bodies like the United Nations, relief agencies, and the World Health Organization need to step in with aid for our city. I must admit, our government and leaders did their part. Even regular civilians gave whatever they could. But the magnitude of this disaster is enormous.

A local man begs the United Nation s and the World Health Organization for disaster relief aid saying Libyan officials have done all they can.

A UN spokesman said Tuesday they are actively working with local and international partners to get humanitarian aid to Libyans in need.

Romney to retire » Senator from Utah Mitt Romney of Utah says he will not seek reelection in 2024.

Romney is wrapping up a decades-long career in politics. He was the Republican nominee for president in 2012 and served one term as Massachusetts governor before that.

ROMNEY: It really is a profound honor to serve Utah and the country. And I thank you for giving me the opportunity to do so.

In his video statement, Romney called out Presidents Biden and Trump for not sufficiently addressing issues like national debt, climate change, and relations with Russia and China.

Romney said he will serve out the rest of his term as senator until it finishes in January of 2025.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: A battle over gender and parental rights in California. Plus, the Iran prisoner swap.

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