Syria truce expiration, impeachment inquiry testimony, 2019 World Series: 5 things you need to know Tuesday

Editors, USA TODAY

Diplomat who questioned Trump's Ukraine scheme in texts set to testify

The U.S. diplomat who called President Donald Trump's demand for Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden in exchange for military aid "crazy" is set to testify Tuesday in the House impeachment inquiry. William Taylor, the top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine, said in a Sept. 9 text to Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union: "As I said on the phone, I think it's crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign," Taylor said. Sondland later replied: "The President has been crystal clear no quid pro quo's of any kind." Other budget and defense officials are scheduled for closed-door depositions this week with the three House committees conducting the impeachment inquiry.

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Truce between Turkey, Kurds in Syria set to expire

A five-day truce between Turkey and Kurdish fighters in Syria is set to expire Tuesday amid harsh criticism over President Donald Trump's earlier decision to withdraw American forces from the region. Under the truce deal, the Kurds were supposed to withdraw from a "safe zone" on the Syrian side of the Turkey-Syria border, ceding territory they had gained in battle against ISIS, with assistance from U.S. troops. With the end of the truce, Kurdish civilians fear Turkish forces will resume their attacks on them. Angry Kurdish civilians in the northeastern city of Qamishli on Monday hurled potatoes and insults at departing U.S. troops.

World Series begins in Houston

The Fall Classic gets underway Tuesday night, as the Houston Astros, the American League champions, and the Washington Nationals, the National League winners, square off in the best-of-seven series. The Astros, who won the World Series in 2017, are looking for the franchise's second-ever title. Meanwhile, the Nationals are in the World Series for the first time in franchise history. Pitching is going to be the name of the game as the two teams feature some of the game's best starters. Three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer and Gerrit Cole, who is the favorite to win the AL award in 2019, take the mound in Game 1.

Montana's temporary ban on the sale of flavored e-cigarettes take effect

A 120-day ban on the sale of flavored vaping products in Montana goes into effect Tuesday, with Gov. Steve Bullock saying, at the time he announced the ban, that e-cigarettes are a growing epidemic causing harm among today's teens. Bullock said nearly 48,000 Montanans between 12 and 18 have tried vaping products. Between 2017 and 2019, the percentage of Montana high school students using the products daily has increased 263 percent. The ban includes the sale of all flavored e-cigarette products, including flavored nicotine, THC and CBD vaping products, in-store and online. The ban does not require retailers to destroy their existing inventory.

Duchess Meghan to make public appearance in London

Duchess Meghan is scheduled to attend the One Young World Summit Opening Ceremony in London on Tuesday. According to its website, One Young World "identifies, promotes and connects the world's most impactful young leaders." The duchess has been involved with the organization since 2014, when she was still an actress working on the drama "Suits." The appearance at the summit comes on the heels of a new film of Meghan and her husband Prince Harry's tour of Africa where Meghan, 38, talked for the first time in public about what it's been like coping with a fierce and often critical media spotlight. The film, titled "Harry & Meghan: An African Journey," aired in the U.K. Sunday and will air in the U.S. Wednesday night (ABC, 10 ET/PT). There also are reports coming out of the U.K. and from CNN that Meghan and Harry may take a family-time break from royal duties by the end of the year and spend more time in the U.S.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2019 World Series, Syria truce expiration: 5 things to know Tuesday