5 things you need to know Wednesday
1. Pope Francis meets with Obama, holds first canonization mass in U.S.
The pontiff is still here! Pope Francis continues his six-day tour of the U.S. on Wednesday with some face-to-face time with President Obama. The two will meet at the White House at 9:15 a.m. ET before Francis joins a parade around parts of the National Mall. Later in the afternoon, the pope will lead a prayer with U.S. bishops and make history by naming controversial Spanish missionary Junipero Serra a saint. Facing a crowd of 25,000 ticket-holders, Francis will preside over the first canonization Mass on U.S. soil in Spanish. His visit continues Thursday in an address to Congress.
2. China's president talks tech, then politics
Chinese President Xi Jinping's first stop on his United States tour isn't the White House — it's Seattle, where he will meet with U.S. technology companies eager to expand in China but concerned about Beijing increasing its already tight grip on electronic communication. Xi and a host of tech leaders from both nations are expected to attend the U.S-China Internet Industry Forum on Microsoft's campus in Redmond, Wash., on Wednesday. This is Xi's first official state visit to the United States since he became China's president in 2013. It comes at a challenging time for the two nations, with technology and cybersecurity high on the list of concerns. Xi will meet Thursday with President Obama, followed Friday by a state dinner.
3. EU leaders hold summit on migrant crisis
Leaders of the European Union nations will meet Wednesday in search of solutions to the continent's worst refugee crisis since World War II. Nearly 500,000 people, most fleeing wars in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere, have arrived in Europe by sea this year, according to U.N. figures. In a meeting Tuesday, EU interior ministers approved plans to relocate 120,000 migrants according to national quotas. But Europe's efforts to resettle the refugees have been uncoordinated, and not all nations have been welcoming. (Follow USA TODAY's Kim Hjelmgaard as he travels with migrants on their way from the Mediterranean to northern Europe.)
4. A holy day for Muslims; a holy day for Jews
For two religions, separately, Wednesday is a big day. Jews are celebrating the holiest day of their year, Yom Kippur, from sundown Tuesday to Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, Muslims are marking Eid al-Adha, one of their two most important festivals, from Wednesday evening to sundown Thursday.
5. Autumn is here, astronomically speaking
Where did summer go? Wednesday marks the autumnal equinox, the astronomical start of autumn (or fall if you prefer). On the equinox, which occurs at 4:21 a.m., day and night are both roughly 12 hours long all over the world. Weather forecasters are calling for a warmer-than-average start to the season of falling leaves, pumpkins and football. Of course, if you are among the 12% of the world's population that lives in the Southern Hemisphere, then happy first day of spring to you!
And, the essentials:
Weather: The first day of fall will see some rather quiet weather for most of the country, other than some showers in the Southeast and the Plains.
Stocks: U.S. stock futures were higher Wednesday, while European stocks rose, with Volkswagen shares stabilizing after its emissions rigging scandal triggered a dramatic slide.
TV tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at The Mysteries of Laura, Survivor and Modern Family.
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