🦅 U.S. NEWS

Hearings and whistles: this week in Washington
Despite a congressional recess, this week the House Intelligence Committee plans to summon at least four State Department officials in its impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump over his dealings with Ukraine. They include a former ambassador to Ukraine whom Mr Trump called “bad news”, Gordon Sondland, America’s ambassador to the European Union, T. Ulrich Brechbuhl, a State Department counselor named in the whistleblower’s complaint that began the inquiry and George Kent, a deputy assistant secretary. Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state, accused Democrats of trying to “intimidate [and] bully” officials; he is also in a standoff with them over documents that they have subpoenaed. Meanwhile, on Sunday lawyers for the whistleblower confirmed that they are representing another, with first-hand knowledge supporting the claims of the first. – The Economist

UAW says GM labor talks ‘have taken a turn for the worse’
The United Auto Workers’ strike against General Motors could continue for the foreseeable future, as the union on Sunday said talks between the sides have “taken a turn for the worse.” Background: About 48,000 UAW members with GM have been on strike and picketing outside the automaker’s U.S. facilities since Sept. 16. Why it matters: The work stoppage has caused a ripple effect throughout the automaker’s North American operations, causing thousands of additional layoffs. It also has contributed to a double-digit decline in GM shares during the past three weeks. Big picture: Wall Street analysts estimate GM is losing roughly $50 million to $100 million per day and J.P. Morgan estimated the UAW’s strike cost GM more than $1 billion during the third quarter. – CNBC

Arrests for Low-Level Crimes Are Plummeting, and the Experts Have No Idea Why
Major police departments around the country are arresting fewer people for minor crimes. More specifically, there’s been a yearslong decline in misdemeanor cases, with arrests of young black men falling dramatically. Potential Drivers: Some say the falling arrest rates signal a fundamental shift in crime prevention. Others say the decline could also be driven by technologies like the internet and mobile phones that help to keep social interaction off the streets and inside homes. Why it matters: Researchers saw misdemeanors as another unchecked, racially unbalanced police power creating barriers to housing, employment, and education. – WSJ (subscription)

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🤝 SUMMER 2019 SURVEY RESULTS

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🌎 WORLD NEWS

Nuclear talks between US and North Korea end in confusion
Anxiously anticipated talks between the United States and North Korea ended in confusion this weekend as American diplomats spoke of “good discussions” that were denounced by their North Korean counterparts as a waste of time. Saturday’s talks were the first between the U.S. and North Korea since the February breakdown of the second summit between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un in Vietnam. Why it matters: North Korea has since resumed missile tests, including an underwater-launched missile that fell inside Japan’s exclusive economic zone Wednesday. Here is a video that outlines how the talks broke down. – Sunday Times / Politico

Iraq protests: Death toll nears 100 as unrest enters fifth day
At least eight people were killed in new clashes between Iraqi security forces and anti-government protesters on Sunday, the sixth day of unrest in which the death toll has now passed 100 and more than 6,000 have been wounded. What’s happening: Demonstrators say they are taking a stand against unemployment, poor public services and corruption. Why it matters: It is the deadliest unrest since so-called Islamic State was declared defeated in Iraq in 2017. Big picture: It is seen as the first major challenge to Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi’s fragile government, nearly a year since he came to power. – BBC

Hong Kong Rallies Turn Violent After Thousands Defy Face Mask Ban
Anti-government protests in Hong Kong continued on Sunday as tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to defy the ban on face masks that went into effect just days earlier. Background: Hong Kong’s chief executive Carrie Lam announced Friday that she would use colonial-era emergency powers to enforce the ban that targets those wearing face masks at public gatherings. Lam is the first to invoke those powers in more than 50 years. Fallout: Sunday’s protests started out peacefully, but things changed once police fired tear gas into the crowds. Among the protesters’ demands are pro-democracy reforms, an investigation into police officers’ use of violent force, and less interference from mainland China. – NPR

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+ Catholic Church to debate married men becoming priests