It’s Monday, Oct. 28, 2019. Let’s start here.
1. al-Baghdadi dead
ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in a U.S. military operation over the weekend, President Donald Trump announced on Sunday, describing in detail what happened during the raid.
“He died after running into a dead-end tunnel, whimpering and crying and screaming all the way,” the president told reporters at the White House.
Pres. Trump: “Baghdadi’s demise demonstrates America’s relentless pursuit of terrorist leaders and our commitment to the enduring and total defeat of ISIS and other terrorist organizations.” https://t.co/Kz60vph0Kk pic.twitter.com/hakqfTlZmb
On today’s “Start Here,” ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz talks about what impact al-Baghdadi’s death could have on the terrorist group.
“ISIS is not defeated and his death will not end it,” she says. “You think of [Osama] bin Laden, his death did not end terrorism…so this is not over and you could see a resurgence.”
2. Bolton to speak?
Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton is a “very important witness” in the impeachment inquiry, according to House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff.
“He has very relevant information and we do want him to come in and testify,” Schiff said on ABC’s “This Week.”
“John Bolton is a very important witness…and we do want him to come in and testify,” Rep. Adam Schiff tells @ThisWeekABC, adding that he predicts the White House may to try to block any possible testimony by Bolton. https://t.co/M5slGg72vA pic.twitter.com/0oqoXE1meA
ABC News Senior Editorial Producer John Santucci tells the podcast that testimony from Bolton, who was reportedly against the White House’s efforts to pressure Ukraine into investigating former Vice President Joe Biden, could be very significant for the inquiry.
“John Bolton is one of the few in the administration that did not go quietly into the night and many have been waiting to hear him actually come out and say something critical of the administration,” he says.
3. Wind and wildfires
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a statewide emergency as firefighters up and down the state battle massive wind-driven wildfires.
ABC News’ Alex Stone joins “Start Here” from Sonoma County where the Kincade Fire has ravaged Wine Country, “There is, well was a home in front of me right now. All that remains is the chimney, nothing else.”
“Start Here,” ABC News’ flagship podcast, offers a straightforward look at the day’s top stories in 20 minutes. Listen for free every weekday on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn or the ABC News app. Follow @StartHereABC on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for exclusive content and show updates.
Elsewhere:
‘Lock him up!’: President Donald Trump was showered with a chorus of boos followed by chants of “Lock him up!” at Game 5 of the World Series between the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros when he was shown on the in-stadium video screen at Nationals Park.
‘Our forever Congressman’: Former Rep. John Conyers Jr., D-Mich., died at home while he was asleep, a family spokesperson confirmed. He was 90 years old.
‘Hardest thing I have ever had to do’: Following allegations of inappropriate sexual relations with a congressional staffer, Rep. Katie Hill, D-Calif., announced her resignation from Congress Sunday night.
‘Look what just fell out of the sky’: A Samsung pseudo space satellite parachuted from the sky and fell to the ground on a farm in Merrill, Michigan, on Saturday morning.
From our friends at FiveThirtyEight:
‘Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups come out huge here’: The social contract of Halloween is simple: Provide adequate treats to costumed masses, or be prepared for late-night tricks from those dissatisfied with your offer. To help you avoid that type of vengeance, and to help you make good decisions at the supermarket this weekend, we wanted to figure out what Halloween candy people most prefer. So we devised an experiment.
Doff your cap:
A woman who underwent cancer treatment during pregnancy is celebrating the birth of her healthy baby boy. Jade Devis of Rancho Cucamonga, California, welcomed a son, Bradley, after two months of chemotherapy to fight Stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer–one of the rarest forms of breast cancer.
In January, Devis found a lump in her left breast. She said the pain was unbearable, but doctors at the time blamed the symptoms on her pregnancy. Devis had a biopsy in March and underwent surgery on April 9 to remove the lump. On April 29, she received a grade 3 breast cancer diagnosis.
“She received three cycles of chemo during the second and third trimesters of her pregnancy,” Nagaraj said of Devis. “We took a full week break so she could safely deliver baby Bradley. Now she’s completing the remainder of her chemo.”
Bradley arrived on July 25 at 6 pounds,11 ounces. There were no complications with his birth.
“I love him so much. He’s my focus now,” Devis told “Good Morning America.”
