5 things you need to know Wednesday
Bergdahl faces second day of sentencing hearing
Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's sentencing hearing is set to continue Wednesday after President Trump’s sharp criticism of the soldier as a "traitor" was called into question during Monday's sentencing hearing. Bergdahl's defense team moved to dismiss the case, arguing Trump's comments prevent the soldier from getting a fair sentence, but the judge, Army Col. Jeffery Nance, said that he has no doubt he'll be impartial. Bergdahl faces a maximum sentence of life in prison after pleading guilty last week to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy when he left his post in 2009 and was later held by Taliban-linked militants for five years. Bergdahl’s case has generated controversy since the Obama administration reached a deal in 2014 to release the soldier in exchange for five Taliban militants held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Are vaccines effective? Federal panel meets to discuss
That is the question facing the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices when the group of experts gathers in Atlanta on Wednesday. The meeting, the first of a two-day session, comes amid disappointing performance on some vaccinations that is prompting drugmakers to pursue new vaccines for older patients and using new additives to boost effectiveness. The federal panel of experts recommends what vaccines children and adults should receive and when. The group is expected to discuss vaccines for the flu, shingles, mumps and Hepatitis B.
Kenyan Supreme Court hears petition on potential election postponement
With Kenya's presidential election set for Thursday, the country's Supreme Court plans to hear last-minute arguments Wednesday over concerns that the election should be postponed because a free and fair vote cannot be guaranteed. The original election date, August 8, was annulled by the court over irregularities — setting the stage for this week’s new vote. The court said it will convene Wednesday morning to hear petitioners who allege that Kenya’s electoral commission is in disarray and prone to political interference.
After quick first game, Astros look to even World Series
Clayton Kershaw pitched a gem and Justin Turner came up big again at the plate as the Los Angeles Dodgers, in their first World Series game in 29 years, beat the Houston Astros in Game 1 Tuesday night. The hottest World Series game in history was also the quickest since 1992, which left some fans wanting more. Good news for baseball fans is that they won't have to wait long for Game 2. The Astros will look to Justin Verlander to even up the series Wednesday night before things shift to Houston this weekend.
About time: 75 years after service, Filipino World War II veterans to be honored
Filipino veterans of World War II will be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award, on Wednesday after a lengthy battle for national recognition of their U.S. military service and sacrifices. Filipinos were first approved to fight in 1941 when President Franklin Roosevelt created the U.S. Army Forces of the Far East, offering full veterans’ benefits to those who enlisted. Once the war ended, however, the benefits were quickly rescinded by President Harry Truman in 1946, and the Filipinos who served were stripped of their status as U.S. veterans. Wednesday's ceremony will honor the 260,000 Filipinos who fought alongside American forces during the war and the more than 57,000 Filipino troops who died.
Prefer to listen? Check out the 5 things podcast below and subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts: