These are the headlines you Need 2 Know. * **Reports Cast Doubt on Kavanaugh Investigation:** Several media outlets reported over the weekend that the White House is limiting the scope of the FBI’s investigation into Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and his alleged sexual misconduct. The New York Times reported on Saturday that the White House told the FBI to interview and question only four witnesses, but President Trump has denied the latest reports and said he wants the FBI “to interview whoever they deem appropriate.” Trump ordered the FBI investigation on Friday at the request of the Senate Judiciary Committee after Republican Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona, a key swing vote, requested a one-week delay on a floor vote for Kavanaugh's confirmation. Read more [here](https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-confusion-surrounding-the-fbis-renewed-investigation-of-brett-kavanaugh). * **Kellyanne Conway Weighs In:** White House advisor Kellyanne Conway told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Sunday, “I’m a victim of sexual assault.” Conway said that she is “empathetic” to victims, and they “should all be heard,” but Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh still has “many people” who believe in him. Read more [here](https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/30/politics/kellyanne-conway-support-kavanaugh-cnntv/index.html). * **Musk Settles:** The Securities and Exchange Commission announced on Saturday that it has reached a deal to settle fraud charges with Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Tesla and Musk will each pay a fine of $20 million and Musk will resign as chairman for three years but can remain as CEO. The SEC alleged that Musk misled investors when he tweeted on Aug. 7 that he had “funding secured” to take the company private. Read more [here](https://www.npr.org/2018/09/29/653014733/elon-musk-settles-with-sec-agrees-to-step-down-as-tesla-chairman). * **Indonesia Earthquake and Tsunami Aftermath:** Officials confirmed that at least 844 people have died as a result of the earthquake and tsunami that struck the Indonesian city of Palu on Friday. Dozens are believed to be trapped alive under rubble, and the death toll is expected to rise as rescuers reach more remote areas. A spokesman for the country's National Disaster Mitigation Agency said, “Communication is limited, heavy machinery is limited…. It’s not enough for the numbers of buildings that collapsed.” A 7.5 magnitude earthquake triggered the massive tsunami with 18-foot waves, but residents reportedly weren’t given enough warning. Read more [here](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45701060). * **New Terms for NAFTA:** The United States and Canada reached a deal late Sunday to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), just hours before a midnight deadline. After more than a year of tense negotiations, President Trump has fulfilled a campaign promise to modify the new three-country deal, now called the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). As part of the deal, Canada will allow the U.S. greater access to its dairy market, and in return, the U.S. will modify its language for dispute settlement. Read more [here](https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/30/politics/trump-nafta-canada/index.html). * **California's Landmark Bill:** Gov. Jerry Brown of California signed a bill into law on Sunday that would require the boards of publicly traded companies to include women by 2021. Under the bill, the companies that fail to comply will be subject to fines. Jessica Levinson, a clinical professor of law, said that this bill may be challenged in court because “it’s a clear gender preference, in that you are saying you need to single out women and get them on boards. The question is can you make that preference and will it hurt men?” Read more [here](http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-governor-women-corporate-boards-20180930-story.html). * **Ryder Cup:** Europe defeated the U.S. 17.5-10.5 on Sunday to win the 2018 Ryder Cup in France in the worst loss for America at the event since 2006. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have lost more matches than anyone in the tournament’s history, with 21 and 22 losses, respectively. Read more [here](https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/tiger-woods-phil-mickelson-now-have-more-losses-than-anyone-else-in-ryder-cup-history/amp/). * **LeBron's Lakers Debut:** LeBron James played his first preseason game with the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, losing 107-124 to the Denver Nuggets. LeBron said of the game, “It was great to get back on the floor and start a new journey for myself.” Read the key takeaways [here](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2018/10/01/lebron-james-lakers-preseason-debut-key-takeaways/1484453002/). * **Gwyneth Gets Married Again:** Gwyneth Paltrow married "Glee" creator Brad Falchuk in the Hamptons on Saturday. The couple first met when Paltrow was a guest on "Glee" in 2010. She has two children from her previous marriage to Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Paltrow confirmed the rumors of her wedding by posting a photo on Instagram of the couple wearing matching gold bands. Read more [here](https://people.com/movies/gwyneth-paltrow-considers-wedding-brad-falchuk-her-first/). * **SNL Season Premiere:** Matt Damon played an angry Brett Kavanaugh during the 44th season premiere of “Saturday Night Live.” Kanye West was the musical guest on Saturday’s show, and made an unexpected politically-charged speech during the closing credits. Kanye wore a “Make America Great Again” hat and defended his support of President Trump. Read more [here](https://people.com/music/kanye-west-trump-speech-saturday-night-live/). * **Elephant Cam:** The San Diego Zoo Safari Park announced that its 28-year old African elephant gave birth to a 218-pound calf on Wednesday. This is the biggest calf ever to be born at the Safari Park. Watch the elephants on a Safari Park [webcam]( https://sdzsafaripark.org/elephant-cam). Cheddar's Jill Wagner gets into the latest. Subscribe to the Need 2 Know newsletter [here](https://theneed2know.com).

Share:
More In Politics
US tariffs are having an uneven effect on holiday prices and purchases
Many U.S. consumers say they’ve noticed higher than usual prices for holiday gifts in recent months, according to a a December poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. A contributing factor is the unusually high import taxes the Trump administration put on foreign goods. While the worst-case consumer impact that many economists foresaw from the administration’s trade policies hasn’t materialized, some popular gift items have been affected more than others. Most toys and electronics sold in the U.S. come from China. So do most holiday decorations. Jewelry prices have risen due to the cost of gold.
Serbia organized crime prosecutors charge minister, others in connection with Kushner-linked project
Serbia’s prosecutor for organized crime has charged a government minister and three others with abuse of position and falsifying of documents related to a luxury real estate project linked to U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. The charges came on Monday. The investigation centers on a controversy over a a bombed-out military complex in central Belgrade that was a protected cultural heritage zone but that is facing redevelopment as a luxury compound by a company linked to Kushner. The $500 million proposal to build a high-rise hotel, offices and shops at the site has met fierce opposition from experts at home and abroad. Selakovic and others allegedly illegally lifted the protection status for the site by falsifying documentation.
Trump signs executive order to block state AI regulations
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to block states from regulating artificial intelligence. He argues that heavy regulations could stifle the industry, especially given competition from China. Trump says the U.S. needs a unified approach to AI regulation to avoid complications from state-by-state rules. The order directs the administration to draw up a list of problematic regulations for the Attorney General to challenge. States with laws could lose access to broadband funding, according to the text of the order. Some states have already passed AI laws focusing on transparency and limiting data collection.
New York Times, after Trump post, says it won’t be deterred from writing about his health
The New York Times and President Donald Trump are fighting again. The news outlet said Wednesday it won't be deterred by Trump's “false and inflammatory language” from writing about the 79-year-old president's health. The Times has done a handful of stories on that topic recently, including an opinion column that said Trump is “starting to give President Joe Biden vibes.” In a Truth Social post, Trump said it might be treasonous for outlets like the Times to do “FAKE” reports about his health and "we should do something about it.” The Republican president already has a pending lawsuit against the newspaper for its past reports on his finances.
Trump approves sale of more advanced Nvidia computer chips used in AI to China
President Donald Trump says he will allow Nvidia to sell its H200 computer chip used in the development of artificial intelligence to “approved customers” in China. Trump said Monday on his social media site that he had informed China’s leader Xi Jinping and “President Xi responded positively!” There had been concerns about allowing advanced computer chips into China as it could help them to compete against the U.S. in building out AI capabilities. But there has also been a desire to develop the AI ecosystem with American companies such as chipmaker Nvidia.
Swing district Republicans brace for political fallout if health care subsidies expire
House Republicans in key battleground districts are working to contain the political fallout expected when thousands of their constituents face higher bills for health insurance coverage obtained through the Affordable Care Act. For a critical sliver of the GOP majority, the impending expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits after Dec. 31 could be a major political liability as they potentially face midterm headwinds in a 2026 election critical to President Donald Trump’s agenda. For Democrats, the party’s strategy for capturing the House majority revolves around pinning higher bills for groceries, health insurance and utilities on Republicans.
Load More