These are the headlines you Need 2 Know. * **Trump Changes Stance on Missing Journalist:** President Trump said Thursday it appears that missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi is dead. In a significant reversal, Trump warned of “very severe” consequences if Saudi Arabia is responsible for the dissident's abduction and murder. Trump’s remarks come after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo returned from his trip to Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin became the most high-profile government official to pull out of an upcoming Saudi investment conference. Hours later, Fox Business pulled its sponsorship from the event, becoming the final U.S. media partner to do so. Read more [here](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/turkish-investigators-expand-search-for-missing-journalist-to-forest-farm-outside-istanbul/2018/10/18/55328548-d243-11e8-a4db-184311d27129_story.html?utm_term=.0bf6a238d8b8). * **Church Sex Abuse:** The Justice Department opened an investigation into several Pennsylvania dioceses after a recent report detailed decades of alleged child sex abuse in the Catholic Church. The report, released months ago, charged that bishops and other church leaders had covered up the abuse of over 1,000 people over more than 70 years. This is believed to be the first statewide investigation by the federal government into the church’s sex abuse, and Attorney Mitchell Garabedian (made famous in the movie “Spotlight”) said it’s the first time he’s heard of any federal investigation into child sex abuse in a Catholic diocese or church. Read more [here](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/18/us/church-sex-abuse-investigation-pennsylvania.html). * **Pope to Pyongyang?** Pope Francis is reportedly seriously considering an offer from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to visit Pyongyang. A senior Vatican official said, "The Pope expressed his willingness” but “some conditions will have to be met.” No pope has ever visited North Korea. Read more [here](https://www.yahoo.com/news/pope-trip-north-korea-serious-possibility-under-conditions-104438258.html). * **'Brief Answers to Big Questions':** Stephen Hawking’s final book was published posthumously this week. In the collection of essays, the late physicist wrote that there is no God, and “there is no possibility of a creator because there is no time for a creator to have existed in.” Hawking also said in his work that the possibility of nuclear war and the severity of climate change are putting humans in grave danger. Read more [here](https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/stephen-hawking-claims-no-possibility-god-last-book-ncna921806). * **USA Gymnastics Arrest:** The former head of USA Gymnastics, Steve Penny, was arrested Wednesday and accused of concealing documents linked to the Larry Nassar case. This comes nearly three weeks after he was indicted by a grand jury for tampering with evidence. Read more [here](https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/18/us/usa-gymnastics-former-president-steve-penny-arrest/index.html). * **Another Apple Event:** The tech giant sent out media invitations for a product event that will take place on Oct. 30 in Brooklyn, N.Y. The company is widely expected to unveil new iPads and updated versions of its Mac and MacBook. Watch on [Cheddar](https://www.cheddar.com/videos/new-ipads-macs-expected-at-oct-30-apple-event). * **MLB Playoffs:** The Boston Red Sox secured their tickets to the World Series in a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Thursday. The Red Sox, who have been dominant so far this postseason, will play either the Milwaukee Brewers or the Los Angeles Dodgers at Fenway Park on Tuesday. Read more [here](https://nesn.com/2018/10/red-sox-notes-david-price-silences-all-doubters-by-spinning-game-5-gem/). * **No More 'Mansize':** Kleenex is renaming its “Mansize” tissues, which have been sold for 60 years in the UK, to “Kleenex Extra Large.” Parent company Kimberly-Clark announced the rebrand after mounting criticism and accusations of sexism. Read more [here](https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/nation-now/2018/10/18/kleenex-renaming-mansize-tissues-after-complaints-sexism/1682981002/). * **Royal Baby Bump:** Meghan Markle was photographed revealing a small baby bump in Australia while on a 16-day royal tour with her husband, Prince Harry. See the photos [here](https://www.today.com/style/pregnant-meghan-markle-thrills-baby-bump-watchers-new-pics-t140043). * **Nebraska Is Not For Everyone:** The state of Nebraska’s new tourism marketing campaign has an unusual slogan: “Honestly, it’s not for everyone.” The self-deprecating campaign includes a print ad with the headline, “Lucky for you, there’s nothing to do here.” Another says, “Famous for our flat, boring landscape.” The state’s tourism director says to get people to listen, they had to “shake people up. Read more [here](https://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/nebraska-s-new-tourism-pitch-honestly-it-s-not-for/article_4e7a5320-fe58-544a-b8ac-078e075fb3f8.html). Cheddar's Hena Doba gets into the latest. Subscribe to the Need 2 Know newsletter [here](https://theneed2know.com).

Share:
More In Politics
Factorial Energy Raises $200 Million to Accelerate Commercialization of Its Solid-State Batteries for Electric Vehicles
Solid-state battery maker Factorial Energy recently raised $200 million in a Series D round led by Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis. Factorial says the funding will be used to accelerate commercial production and deployment of its solid-state battery technology, which the company says is safer, and offers up to 50% more driving range than current lithium-ion technology. Factorial also has joint development agreements (announced in late 2021) with Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Hyundai, three of the top 10 global automotive manufacturers, to commercialize its batteries. Factorial CEO Siyu Huang joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
China's Crackdown on Free Rress
A new report by the Foreign Correspondents Club of China warns that press freedom in the most populous country in the world is declining at an alarming speed. Cheddar News speaks with Steven Butler, Asia Program Coordinator at the Committee to Protect Journalists, about the hardships journalists face in China.
Rep. Nancy Mace Wants Dem Support for Amazon-Backed GOP Cannabis Reform Bill
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C. 1st District) joined Cheddar to discuss her cannabis legalization bill, the States Reform Act, and the prospects for gaining bipartisan support for a bill that has garnered the endorsement of e-commerce giant Amazon. This legislation is supported by businesses large and small, Amazon obviously being the most recent and largest business to support it," Mace said. "They don't want to sell pot. But what it does do is it affects their working employment pool." She stated that 10 percent of eligible new hires for Amazon are affected by restrictive marijuana laws. The representative also explained that the bill leaves equity provisions up to the states rather than mandating them on a federal level.
Lawmakers Call On MTA To Install Doors On Subway Platforms
After a number of tragic subway incidents, the MTA is facing increased pressure to install subway platform screens to help prevent injury or death. However, according to an earlier report from the MTA, installing these prevented measures isn't feasible. New York City Council Member Keith Powers, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
2020 Census Data Shows New Gerrymandering Battle
Across the country, states are working to redraw their congressional lines in what is often known as gerrymandering. These news lines are expected to determine the balance of power between Democrats and Republicans within the next decade. Senior Counsel for the Brennan Center's Democracy Program, Michael Li, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
California To Dismantle Death Row
The state of California is officially planning to close its death row in the next two years. That state's governor Democrat Gavin Newsom says the plan is now to move all condemned inmates to other prisons and turn it into, as he calls it, a positive healing environment. Former U. S. Assistant Attorney and Legal Analyst, David Katz, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Stocks Close Near Session Highs to Begin February
Anthony Saccaro, Founder and President of Providence Financial, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where he elaborates on why he is excited that the market is beginning to rebound and believes February has the potential to be a good month after a turbulent January.
Congressional Democrats Demand Answers From Crypto Miners Over Environmental Impact
Cryptocurrency is expected to become a part of our daily lives — but what sort of environmental impact does it have? As the U.S. becomes the crypto mining capital of the world, climate advocates are worried about mining companies reopening old coal plants, using massive amounts of energy, wasteful hardware, and more. Congressional Democrats led by Senator Elizabeth Warren are demanding answers from mining firms about their electricity use and waste levels. John Belizaire, CEO of Soluna Computing, joins Cheddar Climate to discuss the congressional letters, how crypto mining can become a green industry, and more.
Load More