What to know now:
1. Quake in Italy: The town of Amatrice, Italy, was leveled by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake Wednesday, that killed at least 37 and injured scores more. The search for survivors continues as crews dig for those buried under the debris of collapsed buildings. The mayor of the town in the Umbria region of the country told reporters, "the town isn't here anymore."
2. Clinton Foundation access: The Associated Press is reporting that more than half of the people outside of the government who met with Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton while she was secretary of state had given money to the Clinton Foundation prior to the meetings. Eighty-five of 154 people who requested meetings and had donated to Clinton's family foundation were able to meet with or speak on the phone with Clinton while she ran the department, the AP has so far found. Together, the 85 donated as much as $156 million. At least 40 donated more than $100,000 each, and 20 gave more than $1 million, the AP is reporting.
3. Missile launched: North Korea has launched a ballistic missile from a submarine in the waters 300 miles off its coast, according to South Korea officials. The missile was tracked to the Sea of Japan. This is the first North Korean missile to be fired into Japan's air defense zone. "This is a threat to Japan's security and an unforgivable reckless act that significantly damages the peace and stability of the region," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Wednesday morning.
4. NYT hack: U.S. officials say they believe that email accounts for reporters for The New York Times and other news organizations were hacked by Russian intelligence agencies. FBI investigators say they think the same people who hacked Democratic Party organizations and Hillary Clinton's campaign are responsible for the hacks of the news groups.
5. A shift in policy: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that he may be open to "softening" laws dealing with undocumented immigrants. "There certainly can be a softening because we're not looking to hurt people," Trump said. "We want people — we have some great people in this country." Trump was speaking in Austin, Texas, when asked about changing laws in favor of helping law-abiding or longtime immigrants become citizens.
And one more
Ok, who among us hasn't stood in front of the mirror, grabbed up the imaginary Fender and launched into the meanest air guitar version of Areosmith's "Walk this Way." Today in Oulu, Finland, the 21st World Air Guitar Championship get underway with people from all over the world performing their perfect version of imaginary guitar playing. Yes, it is a thing. If you go, careful of the air drummers – you know how those bad boys of pretend bands get.
In case you missed it
Taking the hot wings challenge.
About the Author
