10 things you need to know today: September 18, 2018

1. Kavanaugh and his accuser to testify before Senate committee

Christine Blasey Ford, the woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her decades ago when they were in high school, said Monday she would be willing to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Her lawyer, Debra Katz, said Ford was "willing to do whatever it takes to get her story forth." Kavanaugh called the allegation "completely false" and said he would be willing to make another appearance before the committee to "refute" Ford's claim and "defend my integrity." The committee scheduled a Monday hearing where both are expected to appear. The White House defended Kavanaugh and President Trump said the Senate would "go through a process and hear everybody out."

Today The Washington Post

2. Trump hits China with new tariffs on $200 billion in imports

President Trump on Monday hit China with 10 percent tariffs on $200 billion more in Chinese imports, escalating his trade war with the world's second largest economy. The new tariffs take effect next Monday and are scheduled to rise to 25 percent in the new year. Beijing has vowed to retaliate, and Trump said he would step up pressure on China if it does. "If China takes retaliatory action against our farmers or other industries, we will immediately pursue phase three, which is tariffs on approximately $267 billion of additional imports," Trump said in a statement. U.S. officials said last week they had invited China to hold a new round of talks aimed at easing tensions, but David Loevinger, a managing director at TCW Emerging Markets Group, said, "It looks like both sides are digging in."

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Los Angeles Times Business Insider

3. Moon and Kim meet in North Korea for third summit

South Korean President Moon Jae-in met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang on Tuesday for their third summit, aiming to revive talks on denuclearization that have stalled since Kim's meeting with President Trump in June. The Moon-Kim summit is expected to offer insight into the chances for arranging a second round of talks between Trump and Kim. The North Korean leader said Tuesday he hoped for a "big outcome." Trump has asked Moon to be his "chief negotiator" with Kim. "I'd like to have frank dialogue with Chairman Kim on how to find a point of contact between U.S. demands for denuclearization and North Korea's demands for ending hostile relations and security guarantees," Moon said in a Monday meeting with senior secretaries.

Reuters

4. Florence's death toll hits 32 in Carolinas as storm heads north

The death toll from Hurricane Florence rose to at least 32 on Monday as severe flooding continued in the Carolinas after the storm, now a tropical depression, headed north toward New York before pushing back into the Atlantic late Tuesday or Wednesday. Life-threatening flooding is expected to continue through the week, as rivers overflow with runoff from the storm. North Carolina has 17 of the confirmed deaths, and Gov. Roy Cooper said that in many towns "the danger is still immediate." Emergency crews have rescued 2,600 people since Florence, then a Category 1 hurricane, made landfall on Friday. Another 14,000-plus remained in shelters as of Monday. The city of Wilmington, North Carolina, was cut off due to flooded roads. About 413,000 people remained without power across North Carolina.

NPR USA Today

5. Trump orders declassification of some Russia investigation documents

President Trump on Monday ordered the declassification of some documents related to the Russia investigation, citing "reasons of transparency" and requests from congressional committees. Critics called the move inappropriate since the investigation involved sensitive material and had resulted in guilty pleas by five Trump associates. The order covered 20 pages of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrant application on Carter Page, as well as all text messages "relating to the Russia investigation" from senior Department of Justice and FBI officials, including former FBI Director James Comey, former Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, former FBI agent Peter Strzok, and former FBI lawyer Lisa Page. Trump has singled out all of the former FBI officials with harsh criticism on Twitter.

CNN Politico

6. Collins to stay in re-election race despite indictment

Indicted New York Rep. Chris Collins (R) won't step off the ballot this fall, his lawyer revealed Monday. Area Republicans had desperately sought to replace Collins after he was indicted last month on insider trading charges, but Democrats were expected to evoke election laws to slow the ballot shuffle and potentially eradicate the $500,000 bail Collins paid last month for his release. On an attorney's suggestion, Collins opted to stay on the ticket. Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez was at a rally for Collins' Democratic opponent, Nate McMurray, when the news broke Monday, prompting cheers from supporters.

The Buffalo News The New York Times

7. Trump administration slashes cap on refugees

The Trump administration is cutting the number of refugees it will admit into the U.S. to 30,000 next year from the 45,000 cap President Trump set for this year, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Monday. The number marks the lowest ceiling since the refugee program was started in 1980. When Trump took office, the cap was 110,000, but he promptly dropped it to 50,000. Pompeo said the number of people admitted under the program was not the "sole barometer" of the administration's humanitarian efforts. He said the latest decrease was necessary because of the "daunting operational reality" of handling a surge in the number of people claiming asylum at the border — rather than refugees already vetted overseas — which he said had resulted in a "humanitarian crisis."

The New York Times Politico

8. Air Force estimates Space Force would cost $13 billion over 5 years

President Trump's proposed Space Force would cost about $13 billion in its first five years, the Air Force estimated in a memo seen by Reuters. The memo said the proposal would cover start-up costs for "a lethality focused organization that will field space superiority capabilities." The Trump administration said in August it would introduce the new sixth branch of the military by 2020. The Pentagon memo, written by Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, said the Space Force would cost more than $3 billion in its first year alone. The study assumed the new "Department of the Space Force" would have more than 13,000 employees.

Reuters

9. Grizzly bears killed after fatal attack on hunting guide

Wyoming officials trapped and killed two grizzly bears believed to have killed hunting guide Mark Uptain and injured his client, Corey Chubon. "This is a tragic situation. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims' families and friends," said Brad Hovinga, the Jackson regional wildlife supervisor for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, in a statement Monday. Uptain and Chubon reportedly were on horseback trying to recover an elk Chubon had killed when the bears, believed to be a mother and grown cub, charged them. Uptain's body was found Saturday in the Teton Wilderness east of Grand Teton National Park. Chubon, who is from Florida, was knocked off his horse and suffered leg, chest, and arm injuries before escaping. "I'm just blessed and extremely grateful to have made it out of this situation alive," he said.

CBS News USA Today

10. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel leads Emmy winners

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was the big winner at the 70th annual Emmy Awards Monday night. The show's star, Rachel Brosnahan, won lead actress in a comedy series, Alex Borstein won supporting actress in a comedy series, and Amy Sherman-Palladino picked up two awards — writing and directing for a comedy series. Other winners included: Game of Thrones for best drama series; Claire Foy (The Crown) for lead actress in a drama series; Matthew Rhys (The Americans) for lead actor in a drama series; Bill Hader (Barry) for lead actor in a comedy series; Henry Winkler (Barry) for supporting actor in a comedy series; Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) for supporting actor in a drama series; and Thandie Newton (Westworld) for supporting actress in a drama series.

Variety