Far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is seeking a new trial after a jury ordered him earlier this month to pay the families of Sandy Hook school shooting victims $965 million in damages for falsely claiming the massacre was a hoax.
Driving the news: In a motion filed Friday, Jones asked a Connecticut judge to throw out the verdict against him and his company, and to order a new trial.
Russian authorities ordered residents of the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson to leave “immediately” Saturday ahead of a potential Ukrainian advance to reclaim the area, the Associated Press reports.
Why it matters: Kherson has been occupied by Russia since the early days of its invasion of Ukraine in February and is a part of a region that was annexed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in September.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on Friday that he will visit China with a business delegation next month. He will be the first G7 leader to travel there since the start of COVID-19 pandemic.
Why it matters: As President Xi Jinping moves tosecure a third term in office, Scholz's trip could signal how the largest economy in the EU plans to deal with Beijing, which the 27-country bloc has labeled a "partner," an "economic competitor," and a "systemic rival" at the same time.
Saudi Arabia's energy minister held on Friday a virtual meeting with his Chinese counterpart to discuss cooperation in the global oil market and on nuclear energy, the Saudi state news agency said.
Why it matters: The meeting comes amid a deep crisis between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia over the Saudi-led OPEC+ decision earlier this month to cut oil production by 2 million barrels per day starting in November, despite Biden administration requests not to cut output.
