10 things you need to know today: September 8, 2016

1. Clinton and Trump defend qualifications in debate preview

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump defended their qualifications to be president in back-to-back appearances at Wednesday's Commander-in-Chief Forum in a preview of their coming debates. Moderator Matt Lauer grilled Clinton on her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state and her vote to authorize the Iraq invasion. Trump defended praise he has exchanged with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying Putin's compliments would have no impact during policy negotiations with Moscow. Trump also blasted the records of Clinton and President Obama, saying the military's generals have been "reduced to rubble" under Obama.

Politico

2. Apple unveils iPhone 7

Apple unveiled the latest updates to its popular iPhone on Wednesday at its annual product launch event. The new versions of the wildly popular smartphone, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, come with 32GB, 128GB, or 256GB of storage, and start at $647 for the iPhone 7 and $769 for the iPhone 7 Plus. Both are water-resistant and have no headphone jack, but come with Lightning-connected earbuds. Apple also will push wireless headphones, sold separately for $159. Apple also boosted the differences between the two versions, giving the larger Plus a new, dual-lens 12MP camera that improves its zooming ability.

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Ars Technica CNET

3. Top aide to Mexico's president resigns under fire over Trump visit

Mexican Finance Secretary Luis Videgaray, one of President Enrique Pena Nieto's closest advisers, resigned Wednesday, apparently due to his role in the decision to invite Donald Trump to visit the country. Pena Nieto has faced broad criticism over the meeting in Mexico for not being forceful enough in rejecting Trump's harsh statements regarding Mexican immigrants, and his plan to build a wall on the border and make Mexico pay for it. Pena Nieto has taken responsibility for inviting the Republican presidential nominee, but Mexican newspapers have reported that Videgaray was the one behind it.

NBC News

4. Democrats release Colin Powell email to Hillary Clinton on avoiding scrutiny

Senate Democrats on Wednesday released an email Colin Powell sent to Hillary Clinton two days after she was sworn in as secretary of state telling her that he had used a personal email account while serving in the position under president George W. Bush. Powell said he did it to keep personal and non-classified work messages from "going through the State Department servers," and "even used it to do business with some foreign leaders." Powell's advice was summarized in an FBI report on its July interview with Clinton about her use of a private email server. Powell has rejected what he said was the Clinton campaign's attempt to "pin" her decision to use a private server on him as she faces heated criticism from Republicans.

CNN The Wall Street Journal

5. Obama nominates first Muslim-American federal judge

President Obama on Wednesday nominated the nation's first Muslim-American federal judge, lawyer Abid Riaz Qureshi. Qureshi graduated from Harvard Law School in 1997 and is now at a Washington, D.C. firm, Latham & Watkins LLP. His focuses are cases of health care fraud and securities violations. "I am pleased to nominate Mr. Qureshi to serve on the United States District Court bench," Obama said in a statement. "I am confident he will serve the American people with integrity and a steadfast commitment to justice."

Politico The Washington Post

6. Russian warplane buzzes U.S. spy plane

A Russian fighter jet came within 10 feet of a U.S. Navy patrol plane in an "unsafe" intercept over the Black Sea, two Pentagon officials said Wednesday. Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis said the dangerous encounter lasted 19 minutes. The incident was the latest in a series of clashes that have heightened tensions between the U.S. and Russia, already jousting over the Syrian civil war and Ukraine.

CNN Reuters

7. Green Party candidate Jill Stein faces misdemeanor charges over North Dakota protest

A North Dakota judge on Wednesday issued a warrant for the arrest of Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein on misdemeanor trespassing and vandalism charges. She allegedly spray-painted "I approve this message" on a bulldozer during a protest over the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other Native Americans have been protesting the pipeline's construction, and a court this week temporarily halted work on parts of the $3.8 billion, four-state pipeline to consider the tribe's claim that construction crews could destroy sacred burial sites and pollute water.

The Associated Press

8. Senate committee investigates EpiPen price hike

The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations announced Wednesday that it is opening an inquiry into the pharmaceutical company Mylan's pricing of the EpiPen. The potentially life-saving auto-injectors for people suffering severe allergic reactions now costs about $600 for a two-pack, up from about $100 when Mylan acquired EpiPen in 2007. The company, responding to a backlash, last month announced that it would offer a cheaper, generic version of the EpiPen.

The Hill

9. Yosemite announces 400-acre addition

Yosemite National Park officials on Wednesday announced a 400-acre expansion to the park, its biggest in 70 years. The addition, known as Ackerson Meadow, was donated to the park by the Trust for Public Land, which bought it for $2.3 million. The area is located on Yosemite's western boundary, and includes wetlands and a grassy meadow surrounded by pine trees. The land historically was used for logging and cattle grazing, but Yosemite will preserve it as habitat for animals such as the great gray owl, which California lists as endangered.

Los Angeles Times

10. Ryan Lochte reportedly suspended over Rio scandal

Olympic authorities have suspended 12-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte for 10 months over his conduct following a party during last month's Rio Olympics, a source informed about the situation told USA Today on Wednesday. The penalty reportedly was imposed by the International Olympic Committee, the United States Olympic Committee, and USA Swimming. His three teammates who were with him during an alcohol-fueled incident at a gas station — after which Lochte falsely claimed he had been robbed at gunpoint — received lighter penalties.

USA Today