CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The regional bureau of The Associated Press shares 10 things you need to know Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items and much more in West Virginia newspapers.
1. TRUMP DEFENDS DECISION TO ABANDON KURDISH ALLIES IN SYRIA
The president casts his decision as fulfilling a campaign promise, but critics say he is sacrificing a U.S. ally and undermining American credibility. Turkey, meanwhile, says it won’t bow to Trump’s threats on its military intentions.
2. TRUMP ENVOY TO TESTIFY IN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY
A whistleblower’s complaint and text messages released by another envoy portray Gordon Sondland as a potentially important witness to allegations that the president sought to dig up dirt on a rival in the name of foreign policy.
3. ‘WE FEEL IT WAS A TRAP, A TRICK’
Six couples say federal immigration authorities in Baltimore have “cruelly twisted” regulations by detaining immigrants seeking legal status based on their marriages.
4. WHERE THERE’S AN EFFORT TO SAVE LIONS
Tanzanians are trying to head off retaliatory killings on the endangered species by helping to safeguard the domesticated animals on which the big cats prey.
5. NETANYAHU’S LIKUD LEADERSHIP FACING RARE CHALLENGE
With a simple tweet, Gideon Saar openly challenges the Israeli prime minister, who is facing corruption allegations and postelection political paralysis.
6. SUPREME COURT TAKES UP LGBT EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS
The cases are the court’s first on the issue since the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, a voice for gay rights, and his replacement by the more conservative Brett Kavanaugh.
7. HONG KONG LEADER ISSUES STARK WARNING
Carrie Lam says the Chinese military could step in if an uprising for democratic reforms that has rocked the city for months “becomes so bad,” but reiterates the government still hopes to resolve the crisis itself.
8. FEDS BLOCK GOODS FLAGGED FOR FORCED Labour
These include a Chinese company making Costco baby blanket sleepers, a Malaysian company that sells surgical gloves and a Brazilian charcoal maker selling to leading water filter firms.
9. WHO WON NOBEL IN PHYSICS
Three scientists are acknowledged for their contribution to the understanding of the evolution of the universe.
10. HOW SWEEP IT IS
Gleyber Torres slugs the Yankees to an ALDS sweep of the Twins, Minnesota’s 16th straight post-season loss, tying a North America major sports record.
The Associated Press
