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White House privately doubts Saudi account of journalist's killing — President Trump and his aides have begun to privately express doubts about Saudi Arabia's explanation for the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi even as the administration stands publicly in support of the oil-rich monarchy, according to U.S. officials.
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ABC News, Politico, POLITICUSUSA, The Week, Raw Story, IJR, France 24, New York Times and Hit & Run, more at Mediagazer »
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Amid skepticism, Saudi official provides another version of Khashoggi death — RIYADH (Reuters) - As Saudi Arabia faced intensifying international scepticism over its story about the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a senior government official laid out a new version of the death inside …
Discussion:
New York Times, Middle East Eye and POLITICUSUSA


Step Away From the Orb — WASHINGTON — I was having dinner here once with a Saudi muck-a-muck. Midway through the interview, he passed an oblong velvet box across the table. Inside I found an expensive piece of jewelry. — I began laughing and explained that I was a reporter and could not take such baubles.
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twitchy.com, Althouse and Lawyers, Guns & Money, more at Mediagazer »


In Post interview, Trump calls Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed a ‘strong person’ who ‘truly loves his country’
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Talking Points Memo, CNN, The Guardian, New York Times, One America News Network, ABC News, Joe.My.God., Breitbart, The Week, Politico and POLITICUSUSA

Corker says Saudi prince likely directed journalist's murder
Discussion:
Politico, The Guardian, CNN and Breitbart

Khashoggi murder exposes Trump administration's dependency on Saudis
Discussion:
Spectator USA and Press Association


A Saudi Prince's Fairy Tale
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Fox News, Amnesty International UK and POLITICUSUSA

Why the Media Couldn't Care Less About Khashoggi
Discussion:
Voice of America and Front Page Magazine


Trump Administration Eyes Defining Transgender Out of Existence — WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is considering narrowly defining gender as a biological, immutable condition determined by genitalia at birth, the most drastic move yet in a governmentwide effort to roll back recognition …
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Trump administration considering narrowing legal definition of gender: report
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Louder With Crowder


Interest in Midterms Surges, Boosting Trump Approval Rating — Democrats' still favored by voters in latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll as the party to lead Congress — Voter interest in the midterm elections has surged to record highs within both parties, helping to drive …
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Political Wire, Booman Tribune and Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion
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NBC/WSJ Poll: Democrats hold nine-point advantage for midterm elections — Two weeks out, Democrats retain an edge but “unprecedented enthusiasm” is fueling both parties. — WASHINGTON — Fueled by increased enthusiasm from women, Latinos and young voters for the upcoming midterm election …
Discussion:
Political Wire


Democrats appear more likely to vote in midterms than GOP: NBC-WSJ poll — As the president's job approval rose to an all-time high of 47 percent, Republicans narrowed their double-digit September deficit for control of Congress to seven percentage points among all registered voters.


2020 vision: Democratic hopefuls warm up for White House race — Biden spars with Trump in Nevada, Booker and Harris are in South Carolina. The field is already crowded — It's a crisp fall weekend and more than a half-dozen prominent Democrats are in states that hold early primaries.
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New York Times
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Count on Hillary Clinton running again in 2020 — This is beyond odd, but here goes. I rise to defend Hillary Clinton. — She is under attack and this time, the long knives are wielded by members of her own clan. Suddenly, after two years of indulging Clinton's blame games and pity parties …

Sanders hints at reckoning with Warren over 2020 ambitions
Discussion:
Political Wire


‘Campaign gold’: McConnell delivers election gift to Manchin and red-state Dems — The majority leader's comments on entitlements allow Democrats to change the conversation from Brett Kavanaugh. — MARTINSBURG, W.Va — Joe Manchin looked like a solid bet for reelection after he voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh.
Discussion:
Daily Kos


Don't believe the attack ads. Here's who Kyrsten Sinema and Martha McSally really are — Opinion: If you're tired of the vitriol on Congress (and all those attack ads on TV), there's something you can do about it. — CONNECT — Kyrsten Sinema and Martha McSally have been in campaign mask.
Discussion:
Political Wire


What Is Harvard Trying to Hide? — For years, reporters have been trying to get elite universities to be more transparent about their admissions process. It might take a court to pry it all open — with unforeseen consequences. — The long war over affirmative action turned hot again last week …


Trump says US will withdraw from nuclear arms treaty with Russia — Experts warn of ‘most severe crisis in nuclear arms control since the 1980s’ as Trump confirms US will leave INF agreement — Donald Trump has confirmed the US will leave an arms control treaty with Russia dating …
Discussion:
The American Conservative, Home Page Rotator, Common Dreams, Daily Kos, Press Association and CNN
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Trump says U.S. will pull out of nuke treaty with Russia that limited number of missiles
Discussion:
Daily Wire, The Daily Caller and Brookings


Williams is by far the better candidate for US House — Not to be too dramatic about it, but Kathleen Williams is the congressional candidate Montana has been waiting for. — Experienced. Knowledgeable. Thoughtful. Measured. Most remarkably, Williams exudes that unique combination …


Fake news: Two case studies — I was asked by our local chapter of the Cardozo Society — an affinity group of Jewish lawyers of which I am a member — to speak over lunch as a counterpart to ABA Foundation Fellow and historian Victoria Saker Woeste on the subject of fake news …


Ron DeSantis is ‘uniquely dislikable candidate,’ says Andrew Gillum — The Democrat uses tough language to criticize his Republican opponent's negative campaign tactics — When Andrew Gillum and Ron DeSantis join one another for an 8 p.m. CNN debate tonight at 8 p.m., it will be their first time meeting.


Migrant caravan swells to 5,000 resumes advance toward US — CIUDAD HIDALGO, Mexico (AP) — Despite Mexican efforts to stop them at the border, a growing throng of Central American migrants resumed their advance toward the U.S. border early Sunday in southern Mexico.
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