Trump's California visit, Greta Thunberg appears before Congress: 5 things you need to know Wednesday

Editors, USA TODAY

Day 2: Trump heads to San Diego amid California backlash

After a fundraising luncheon in Palo Alto on Tuesday and a fundraising dinner in Beverly Hills, President Donald Trump is heading to San Diego Wednesday for another fundraising luncheon following a stop in Los Angeles. Trump’s swing through the Golden State comes just a little more than a week after his administration touched off a furor by confirming it had sent officials to California to look for ways to intervene in the state’s growing homeless crisis, which Trump has described as “disgusting” and a “disgrace to our country.” Elected officials and others accused Trump of using the homelessness issue to win over conservative supporters ahead of the 2020 election.

Pompeo to meet with Saudi Crown Prince

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is scheduled to arrive in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah on Wednesday. He will meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, to discuss the recent attacks on the Abqaiq oil processing plant. The State Department said Tuesday the two will also "coordinate efforts to counter Iranian aggression in the region." The attacks, which disrupted more than 5% of the world's daily supply, have renewed fears of a military confrontation between the U.S. and Iran and Pompeo has blamed Iran for those strikes. In recent days, President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have both used aggressive-yet-ambiguous language suggesting the U.S. was prepared to respond to Iran without directly blaming the Islamic Republic.

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Fed looks ready to lower interest rates again

Economists believe the Federal Reserve is likely to lower interest rates for the second time in less than two months on Wednesday in hopes of heading off a recession. The Fed is seen as likely to trim its benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point to a range of 1.75% to 2% – similar to its move in July, which was its first rate cut in more than a decade. Earlier this month, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said the U.S. trade war with China has generated business uncertainty that, along with a slowing global economy, raise the risks of a downturn. Fed policymakers hope a rate cut would give the economy a nudge by pushing down rates for credit cards, adjustable-rate mortgages and auto loans.

Tropical trio in Atlantic threatens Texas, Bermuda

A trio of tropical threats has emerged in the Atlantic basin, forecasters warned. Tropical Storm Imelda threatens to swamp portions of southeastern Texas with more than a foot of rain this week, possibly leading to dangerous, life-threatening flash floods. Meanwhile, tropical storm warnings have been hoisted in Bermuda as strengthening Category 2 Hurricane Humberto approaches the tiny island. "Humberto is likely to track near Bermuda by later Wednesday, potentially bringing strong winds, battering surf and heavy rain," the Weather Channel said. And last, a new tropical depression formed Tuesday far out in the Atlantic, one that should become Tropical Storm Jerry by Wednesday. It poses no immediate threat to land.

Teenage climate activist testifies before Congress

Greta Thunberg, the teenage climate activist who captured global attention when she completed a two-week zero-emissions boat voyage across the Atlantic, is set to appear on Capitol Hill Wednesday to discuss the "global climate crisis." Thunberg, 16,met with former President Barack Obama during her visit to Washington, D.C., as part of an effort to lobby lawmakers on environmental issues and protest outside the White House. She recently said during an interview with NPR that the United States has an “enormous responsibility" to lead climate efforts. "You have a moral responsibility to do that," she added.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Greta Thunberg, Tropical Storm Imelda: 5 things to know Wednesday