Good morning! The weekend edition is 767 words, a 3-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• President Trump/Xi meeting

• Government shutdown looms

• Human bones at baggage check

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Today’s Big Story

Russia Revives Eurovision Rival

• Russia launches its Intervision song contest today as an alternative to Eurovision, featuring 23 countries, including BRICS nations China, India, Brazil, and South Africa. The Moscow event is the first edition since the Soviet collapse.

• Russia will be represented by 'Shaman,' a pro-war singer known for patriotic anthems, including 'I Am Russian,' who performs at state rallies draped in the Russian flag. The lineup was weakened when American singer Brandon Howard unexpectedly pulled out, dealing a blow to organizers seeking international legitimacy.

• Eurovision is Europe's annual song competition featuring extravagant performances that draws hundreds of millions of viewers. Countries can be banned for political reasons, with Russia excluded in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine. The Intervision revival appears to have limited appeal, and organizers are reportedly using paid extras to fill seats.

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Saturday’s Quick Hits

• President Trump said Friday he made progress with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on a TikTok deal during their morning call. Trump posted that he appreciates "the TikTok approval," but no final agreement was announced. They also discussed trade, fentanyl, and ending the Russia-Ukraine war. The two leaders plan to meet at November's APEC summit in South Korea, and Trump will visit China early next year. (More)

• Brett James, the Grammy-winning songwriter behind "Jesus Take the Wheel" and "When The Sun Goes Down," died Thursday when his small plane crashed in North Carolina woods. He was 57. The crash in Franklin killed all three people aboard. James wrote over 500 songs recorded by major country stars like Carrie Underwood and Kenny Chesney. He joined Nashville's Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020. (More)

• French President Macron climbed Notre Dame's belfry steps to officially reopen the cathedral's north and south towers. The towers open to the public today, nearly six years after a 2019 fire destroyed parts of the Gothic cathedral. Notre Dame itself reopened last December with world leaders attending, including Trump and Prince William. Rebuilding the Paris landmark required 1,200 oak trees and 1,000 construction workers. (More)

• The Senate rejected both parties' plans on Friday to avoid a government shutdown, leaving Congress without a path forward before October 1st. The Republican bill from the House failed 44-48, needing 60 votes to pass. A Democratic alternative also failed 47-45. Republicans want funding through November, while Democrats proposed October funding with healthcare extensions. Both chambers are off next week, which tightens the deadline. (More)

• President Trump signed an order Friday, hiking visa fees for skilled foreign workers from $215 to $100,000 annually. He also created a $1 million "gold card" visa for wealthy citizenship seekers and a $5 million "platinum card" for extended US stays. The changes target H-1B visas that tech companies use to hire overseas workers, often at lower wages than Americans. (More)

• Texas A&M President Mark Welsh resigned Thursday after facing heat for firing a professor who taught about gender in children's literature. A classroom video showed a student objecting to the lesson, which led to political pressure from Governor Abbott and other Republicans. Welsh also removed two department leaders and ordered a system-wide course audit. (More)

• Trump's administration asked the Supreme Court on Friday to let it enforce a passport policy requiring male or female sex markers based on birth certificates. The Justice Department appealed after a judge blocked the policy in June following lawsuits from transgender and nonbinary people. The policy reversed 2021 rules that allowed gender identity markers and "X" options. Plaintiffs say it violates their rights. (More)

Weekly Dose of Positive

• Kent Broussard fulfilled a dream born at age 9 by making LSU's marching band at 66 after relearning tuba. The retired accountant became the oldest member by 41 years through intense training and practice. (More)

• A Pittsburgh food rescue nonprofit expanded nationwide over seven years, using volunteer drivers and an app to save 250 million pounds of food from waste. (More)

• Nine-year-old Branson Baker ran a mile through darkness to save his parents after a tornado crushed their truck in Oklahoma. (More)

• A 97-year-old Wisconsin landlord donated his 20-unit rental portfolio to housing nonprofit Pillars, the organization's largest gift ever. The donation helps prevent homelessness in Appleton. (More)

Extra Credit

Delta partnered with Maeve Aerospace to create a hybrid jet w/o side engines.

The word each US state has the most trouble pronouncing.

CBP found human bones during baggage check at Tampa International Airport.

The rise of adult pacifiers.