These are the headlines you Need2Know: * **Manafort Stands Trial:** Jury selection begins Tuesday in the trial of Paul Manafort, President Trump's former campaign chairman. Manafort has been charged with 18 violations of tax and bank fraud, and prosecutors have also alleged that he concealed millions of dollars he earned while lobbying for Ukrainian officials. The trial is expected to last three weeks. For more information on the story, check out [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/31/politics/paul-manafort-trial-begins/index.html). * **Firefighters Get Defensive in Northern California:** Changing weather patterns sparked more fires in Northern California. There are 17 fires burning in what may be the most destructive wildfire season in California history. Fire officials said Monday they were optimistic the fires could be contained. See the latest pictures of the blazes [here](https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/996332/California-fire-locations-Redding-Carr-fire-latest-update-active-wildfire-map-cause). * **Carmelo Anthony Leaves Atlanta:** Melo returned $2.4 million to the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, allowing him to sign with the Houston Rockets. Even after his worst season in his NBA career, Melo is still expected to receive most of his $27.9 million salary from the Rockets. For more, check out [ESPN](http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24233957/carmelo-anthony-finalizes-buyout-atlanta-hawks). * **The Summer of Trump:** President Donald Trump said on Monday he would meet with Iranian officials “whenever they want," more than a week after threatening Iran's leaders in a bellicose tweet. Trump pulled the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal in May. Trump had threatened North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in tweets before sitting down with Kim in Singapore in June to try to curb the North Korean leader's nuclear ambitions. For more, [read here](http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/07/31/iranian-adviser-us-must-return-to-nuclear-deal-for-talks.html). * **Should Americans “Sleep Well Tonight”?:** More than a month after the Singapore summit, the [Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-spy-agencies-north-korea-is-working-on-new-missiles/2018/07/30/b3542696-940d-11e8-a679-b09212fb69c2_story.html) obtained satellite images that show North Korea is developing ballistic missiles in a suburb outside of Pyongyang. The construction does not technically violate the any of the points that the two leaders discussed in June, but it may indicate that North Korea is trying to deceive the United States, according to American intelligence agencies. Cheddar's Jill Wagner gets into the latest. Subscribe to the Need2Know newsletter [here](https://theneed2know.com).

Share:
More In Politics
What’s in the legislation to end the federal government shutdown
A legislative package to end the government shutdown appears on track. A handful of Senate Democrats joined with Republicans to advance the bill after what's become a deepening disruption of federal programs and services. But hurdles remain. Senators are hopeful they can pass the package as soon as Monday and send it to the House. What’s in and out of the bipartisan deal has drawn criticism and leaves few senators fully satisfied. The legislation includes funding for SNAP food aid and other programs while ensuring backpay for furloughed federal workers. But it fails to fund expiring health care subsidies Democrats have been fighting for, pushing that debate off for a vote next month.
Federal Reserve cuts key rate as shutdown clouds economic outlook
The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate Wednesday for a second time this year as it seeks to shore up economic growth and hiring even as inflation stays elevated. The move comes amid a fraught time for the central bank, with hiring sluggish and yet inflation stuck above the Fed’s 2% target. Compounding its challenges, the central bank is navigating without much of the economic data it typically relies on from the government. The Fed has signaled it may reduce its key rate again in December but the data drought raises the uncertainty around its next moves. Fed Chair Jerome Powell told reporters that there were “strongly differing views” at the central bank's policy meeting about to proceed going forward.
Load More