The Presidential Daily Brief

Brett Kavanaugh Addresses Senate Judicary Committee

The Supreme Court nominee has begun his testimony on Capitol Hill, denying he assaulted Christine Blasey Ford or any woman, calling his confirmation process a “national disgrace.” Earlier in the chamber, Ford said she was 100 percent certain it was Kavanaugh who assaulted her. A third woman, Julie Swetnick, came forward Wednesday claiming she observed Kavanaugh in the 1980s spiking girls’ drinks at parties, and says she was raped at one such party. President Donald Trump characterized all of the allegations as “false” but said he would listen to the accusers.

Trump Accuses China of Election Interference

“They do not want me or us to win.” So said President Trump during remarks at the U.N. Security Council meeting yesterday, alleging that China plans to influence November’s midterm elections. He did not provide evidence for the claim, and a Chinese representative at the U.N. denied the “unwarranted accusation.” Trump later tweeted photos of a China-backed anti-tariff insert in Iowa’s Des Moines Register, calling it “propaganda … made to look like news.” U.S. tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods took effect this week.

Adultery No Longer a Crime in India

Today India’s Supreme Court unanimously struck down a 158-year-old law that made it a crime for a man to have sex with a married woman without the consent of her husband. It’s unclear how many people had been charged under the colonial-era rule, which was challenged for discriminating against women and assuming they were the property of men. Chief Justice Dipak Misra said adultery could still be used as grounds for divorce. This month the Indian court also ended the criminalization of homosexual sex between consenting adults.

US Federal Reserve Raises Interest Rates Again

The Fed raised its benchmark rate by a quarter of a point to 2-2.25 percent in the third increase this year and eighth since late 2015. Chairman Jerome Powell said the rate hike was appropriate due to a strong economy — a “particularly bright moment” — ending the era of “accommodative” monetary policy, although he also noted business concerns over the widening trade war with China. The central bank plans for another hike in December and three next year while forecasting at least three more years of growth for the American economy.

Maldives, Thai Murders and Big Loans

Know This: Security forces in the Maldives said they would uphold the results of Sunday’s presidential election after reports that ousted President Abdulla Yameen would challenge the poll. The murder of a wealthy Scottish businessman and his Thai wife found buried in their garden has been blamed on a family dispute. And Argentina will receive a loan of $57 billion from the International Monetary Fund — an increase of $7 billion from previously promised support. 

Remember This Number: 383,000. That’s how many people are estimated to have died during five years of fighting in South Sudan’s civil war, according to a new report.

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