Today's Headlines: Saudis’ Image Makers: A Troll Army and a Twitter Insider

Saudi Explanation of Jamal Khashoggi’s Killing Fails to Squelch Skepticism View in [Browser]( | Add nytdirect@nytimes.com to your address book. [The New York Times]( [Most Popular]( | [Video]( | Subscribe: [Digital /]( [Home Delivery]( [My Account]( [The New York Times]( Sunday, October 21, 2018 IN THIS EMAIL: [Top News](#0) | [Editors' Picks](#2) | [World](#4) | [U.S.](#5) | [Politics](#6) | [Business](#7) | [Sports](#8) | [Arts](#9) | [New York](#10) | [Magazine](#11) | [Travel](#12) | [Real Estate](#13) | [Fashion & Style](#14) | [T Magazine](#15) | [Obituaries](#16) | [Editorial](#17) | [Op-Ed](#18) | [CUSTOMIZE »]( [] Top News [Saudis’ Image Makers: A Troll Army and a Twitter Insider]( [Saudis’ Image Makers: A Troll Army and a Twitter Insider]( By KATIE BENNER, MARK MAZZETTI, BEN HUBBARD and MIKE ISAAC The kingdom silences dissent online by sending operatives to swarm critics. It also recruited a Twitter employee suspected of spying on users, interviews show. [Saudi Explanation of Jamal Khashoggi’s Killing Fails to Squelch Skepticism]( [Saudi Explanation of Jamal Khashoggi’s Killing Fails to Squelch Skepticism]( By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK and BEN HUBBARD As doubts swirled about the Saudi account that the dissident journalist was strangled during a fight, an explanation emerged about the presence of a doctor of forensic medicine at the killing. [G.O.P. Candidates Struggling in Key Battlegrounds, With House at Stake]( [G.O.P. Candidates Struggling in Key Battlegrounds, With House at Stake]( By JONATHAN MARTIN Party leaders worry that candidates for governor and Senate are in trouble in Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and possibly Wisconsin, and that difficulties could spill into House races. For more top news, go to [NYTimes.com »]( ADVERTISEMENT [Sign up for The Campaign Reporter]( [Sign up for The Campaign Reporter]( Join our politics correspondent Alex Burns as he travels the country to cover the most important races this election season. [Sign up »]( [] Editors' Picks [This Is the Front Line of Saudi Arabia’s Invisible War]( World [This Is the Front Line of Saudi Arabia’s Invisible War]( By DECLAN WALSH and TYLER HICKS The Khashoggi crisis has called attention to a largely overlooked Saudi-led war in Yemen. On a rare trip to the front line, we found Yemenis fighting and dying in a war that has gone nowhere. [A Saudi Prince’s Fairy Tale]( Opinion [A Saudi Prince’s Fairy Tale]( By THE EDITORIAL BOARD The crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, issues another incredible explanation for the death of Jamal Khashoggi. [] QUOTATION OF THE DAY "In the Gulf, the stakes are so high for those who engage in dissent that the benefits of using social media are outweighed by the negatives, and in Saudi Arabia in particular." [MARC OWEN JONES]( Exeter University lecturer in the history of the Persian Gulf and Arabian Peninsula. [] World [Mount Athos, a Male-Only Holy Retreat, Is Ruffled by Tourists and Russia]( Greece Dispatch [Mount Athos, a Male-Only Holy Retreat, Is Ruffled by Tourists and Russia]( By NEIL MacFARQUHAR The monks on an isolated peninsula in Greece have followed the same way of life for more than 1,000 years, but an Athens vs. Moscow diplomatic spat and a tourism onslaught are unsettling its habits. [Afghanistan Votes for Parliament Under Shadow of Taliban Violence]( [Afghanistan Votes for Parliament Under Shadow of Taliban Violence]( By MUJIB MASHAL, FAHIM ABED and FATIMA FAIZI The parliamentary vote was delayed for three years by political and security troubles. Both continued on Saturday, with logistical problems and many Taliban attacks. [Mexico’s President-Elect Rethinks His Campaign Promises]( [Mexico’s President-Elect Rethinks His Campaign Promises]( By ELISABETH MALKIN and PAULINA VILLEGAS Faced with the reality of a limited budget and soaring crime, Andrés Manuel López Obrador is scaling back campaign commitments — even before taking office. For more world news, go to [NYTimes.com/World »]( ADVERTISEMENT [] U.S. [Immune-Based Treatment Helps Fight Aggressive Breast Cancer, Study Finds]( [Immune-Based Treatment Helps Fight Aggressive Breast Cancer, Study Finds]( By DENISE GRADY Combining immunotherapy and chemotherapy can help women with an aggressive type of breast cancer and should become their new standard of care. [Stone Mountain: The Largest Confederate Monument Problem in the World]( [Stone Mountain: The Largest Confederate Monument Problem in the World]( By RICHARD FAUSSET Stone Mountain has been called “a blight” upon the state of Georgia. But to others it is a key part of Southern heritage. [For a Change, Democrats Seem Set to Equal or Exceed Republicans in Turnout]( [For a Change, Democrats Seem Set to Equal or Exceed Republicans in Turnout]( By NATE COHN Polls show enthusiasm surging in many mostly white suburban districts, but less so among young and nonwhite voters. For more U.S. news, go to [NYTimes.com/US »]( ADVERTISEMENT [] Politics [Stacey Abrams Hopes Medicaid Expansion Can Be a Winning Issue in Rural Georgia]( [Stacey Abrams Hopes Medicaid Expansion Can Be a Winning Issue in Rural Georgia]( By ABBY GOODNOUGH By framing expansion as a pragmatic business move, Ms. Abrams, the Democratic candidate for governor, is hoping to siphon some traditionally Republican rural votes. [Gillibrand’s (Lack of) Spending in 2018 Offers Hints of 2020]( [Gillibrand’s (Lack of) Spending in 2018 Offers Hints of 2020]( By SHANE GOLDMACHER Senator Kristen Gillibrand, a Democrat from New York, maintains that she is solely focused on her re-election. But her trips and campaign spending suggest otherwise. [Charge of Treason Escalates Tensions in Close Arizona Senate Race]( [Charge of Treason Escalates Tensions in Close Arizona Senate Race]( By JENNIFER STEINHAUER Martha McSally drew national attention this week when she accused her Democratic opponent, Kyrsten Sinema, of treason. For more political news, go to [NYTimes.com/Politics »]( [] Business [This Is the Most Lucrative Moment in History to Catch Bass]( [This Is the Most Lucrative Moment in History to Catch Bass]( By HALEY COHEN GILLILAND A rivalry between two tournament fishing circuits has slapped the industry like a 10-pound largemouth to the face. [Wall Street Loves These Risky Loans. The Rest of Us Should Be Wary. ]( [Wall Street Loves These Risky Loans. The Rest of Us Should Be Wary.]( By MATT PHILLIPS The C.L.O., a cousin of the mortgage-related product that malfunctioned a decade ago, has become one of the hottest investments on Wall Street. [Where Has All the Tab Gone? A Shortage Panics Fans]( [Where Has All the Tab Gone? A Shortage Panics Fans]( By LAURA M. HOLSON Coke is still producing the diet cola, but a major bottler has stopped distribution in its 14-state territory. For more business news, go to [NYTimes.com/Business »]( [] Sports [‘Four Thousand Miles for the W’]( [‘Four Thousand Miles for the W’]( By KEN BELSON Not long ago, the Seattle Seahawks looked like a budding dynasty. With the franchise trying to rebuild on the fly, a trip to London came at the worst possible time. Or was it the best? [Tuning Out Critics, the Red Sox Sing Their Own Praises]( [Tuning Out Critics, the Red Sox Sing Their Own Praises]( By DAVID WALDSTEIN The most criticized and doubted 108-win team in baseball history has gotten it together ahead of the World Series, which begins on Tuesday. [Congratulations, You’re a Certified N.B.A. Agent. Good Luck Finding a Client.]( [Congratulations, You’re a Certified N.B.A. Agent. Good Luck Finding a Client.]( By KEVIN DRAPER Salaries have never been higher and the glamour of the N.B.A. is at a fever pitch, which means representing players is brutally competitive. For more sports news, go to [NYTimes.com/Sports »]( [] Arts [Tiffany Haddish: ‘My Career Is a Delicious Roasted Chicken’]( [Tiffany Haddish: ‘My Career Is a Delicious Roasted Chicken’]( By CARA BUCKLEY Trust us — it makes sense when you hear how doggedly she pursued success. It’s time to find out whether the “Girls Trip” star can make it last. [Can Hasan Minhaj Make Topical Comedy Work on Netflix?]( [Can Hasan Minhaj Make Topical Comedy Work on Netflix?]( By DAVE ITZKOFF With “Patriot Act,” the former “Daily Show” correspondent plans to cover news most late-night hosts ignore, and looks to defy Netflix’s spotty talk show track record. [Tom Stoppard, Always Tackling ‘The Hard Problem’]( [Tom Stoppard, Always Tackling ‘The Hard Problem’]( By ALEXIS SOLOSKI Can a drama about the nature of consciousness be emotional, too? For its latest production, he’s tinkered with the script to firmly answer yes. For more arts news, go to [NYTimes.com/Arts »]( [] New York [A New Chapter in the Police Department’s Crackdown on the Left]( Big City [A New Chapter in the Police Department’s Crackdown on the Left]( By GINIA BELLAFANTE The Proud Boys, listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, showed up in Manhattan last week. Were the police too accommodating? [The House Springsteen Built: An Oral History of the Stone Pony]( [The House Springsteen Built: An Oral History of the Stone Pony]( How the iconic rock club — where Bruce Springsteen found a home and others got their start — weathered the tumultuous history of one of New Jersey’s most storied shore towns. [Ladies and Gentlemen, Give It Up for, er ... Ben Stiller’s Sister!]( [Ladies and Gentlemen, Give It Up for, er ... Ben Stiller’s Sister!]( By COREY KILGANNON Amy Stiller, who is also the daughter of Stiller and Meara, is ‘the only non-famous person in a very famous family.’ Her one-woman show about her family may change that. For more New York news, go to [NYTimes.com/NewYork »]( [] Magazine [This Melissa McCarthy Story Just Might (Maybe? Possibly?) Cheer You Up]( Feature [This Melissa McCarthy Story Just Might (Maybe? Possibly?) Cheer You Up]( By TAFFY BRODESSER-AKNER The dynamic star is trying to keep comedy alive at a moment when Hollywood — and its audience — can’t seem to crack a smile. [Struggling to Bring the ‘Blue Wave’ to Deep-Red Alabama]( Feature [Struggling to Bring the ‘Blue Wave’ to Deep-Red Alabama]( By RUTH GRAHAM Tabitha Isner has been trying to make a nearly impossible sales pitch to voters — and to the national donor class. [Could an Ex-Convict Become an Attorney? I Intended to Find Out]( [Could an Ex-Convict Become an Attorney? I Intended to Find Out]( By REGINALD DWAYNE BETTS After serving time for a crime I committed at 16, I discovered how hard it is for a felon to get a second chance. For more magazine news, go to [NYTimes.com/Magazine »]( [] Travel [Biking the Open Road in Colorado, With a Few Bumps Along the Way]( [Biking the Open Road in Colorado, With a Few Bumps Along the Way]( By ALEX SCHECHTER The newly opened Grand Junction-Moab trail, a 155-mile route linked by a network of backcountry huts, and accessible only two months a year, offers an almost irresistible challenge for bikers. [Looking Beyond Tel Aviv for Israel’s New Restaurant Scene]( [Looking Beyond Tel Aviv for Israel’s New Restaurant Scene]( By DEBRA KAMIN In the coastal lowlands outside the country’s bustling, second-largest city, a quiet dining hub is blossoming, with food rooted in the land. [In Tuscany, Farms Embrace Nature — and Visitors]( Heads Up [In Tuscany, Farms Embrace Nature — and Visitors]( By LAURA RYSMAN With enthusiasm for natural wines gaining momentum, Tuscany’s growing cluster of biodynamic farms offers tastings and a place to stay. For more travel news, go to [NYTimes.com/Travel »]( [] Real Estate [There Goes the Sun]( [There Goes the Sun]( By JOANNE KAUFMAN For some New York City apartment hunters, the amount of light a place gets is the deciding factor. Now there’s a way to tell without even visiting. [A Glimpse Behind Closed Doors ]( [A Glimpse Behind Closed Doors]( By JULIE LASKY Some of New York City’s most sumptuous and meticulously designed homes are celebrated in a new book. For more real estate news, go to [NYTimes.com/RealEstate »]( [] Fashion & Style [A ‘Sugar Date’ Gone Sour]( New York Stories [A ‘Sugar Date’ Gone Sour]( By KATHERINE ROSMAN In the fuzzy space between jobs and relationships, there’s a lot that can go wrong. [The Sound of ‘Housewives’ Everywhere]( [The Sound of ‘Housewives’ Everywhere]( By CAITY WEAVER Behind the scenes with the men who make America’s favorite “ladies” into drama queens. [Remembering the Marvelous, Maddening Mario Buatta]( postscript [Remembering the Marvelous, Maddening Mario Buatta]( By CHRISTOPHER MASON Under all that colorful chintz there were some serious dust bunnies, but also a lot of laughs. For more fashion news, go to [NYTimes.com/Fashion »]( [] T Magazine [Solange, the Polymathic Cultural Force]( [Solange, the Polymathic Cultural Force]( By AYANA MATHIS On the eve of her next album, the singer has hybridized her many talents — music, dance, activism, aesthetics — to inspire a new model for the modern pop artist. [George R. R. Martin, Fantasy’s Reigning King]( [George R. R. Martin, Fantasy’s Reigning King]( By CHARLES YU The author of “A Game of Thrones” has expanded the realms of genre fiction and prestige television — and forever changed how we engage with an imagined universe. [Viggo Mortensen, the Unlikely Leading Man]( [Viggo Mortensen, the Unlikely Leading Man]( By THESSALY LA FORCE The accomplished actor has made his career by defining himself as everything a movie star isn’t. For more on T Magazine, go to [NYTimes.com/TMagazine »]( [] Obituaries [Sue Hubbell, Who Wrote of Bees and Self-Reliance, Dies at 83]( [Sue Hubbell, Who Wrote of Bees and Self-Reliance, Dies at 83]( By NEIL GENZLINGER In well-reviewed books like “A Country Year” and “A Book of Bees,” she described adjusting to a midlife divorce and keeping 300 hives in the Ozarks. [Lisbeth Palme, Witness to an Assassination, Dies at 87]( [Lisbeth Palme, Witness to an Assassination, Dies at 87]( By NEIL GENZLINGER A noted advocate for children, she was also a key part of long-running efforts to find the killer of her husband, Sweden’s prime minister. For more Obituaries, go to [NYTimes.com/Obituaries »]( [] Editorial [Candidates Who Can Help Take Back the House]( [Candidates Who Can Help Take Back the House]( By THE EDITORIAL BOARD Democrats in six races in New York and New Jersey can see their party restore good sense in Congress. For more opinion, go to [NYTimes.com/Opinion »]( [] Op-Ed [‘Don’t Get Too Excited’ About Medicare for All]( news analysis [‘Don’t Get Too Excited’ About Medicare for All]( By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL and SHEFALI LUTHRA More and more politicians are calling for single-payer health care. Is it just talk? [What if the Republicans Win Everything Again?]( [What if the Republicans Win Everything Again?]( By DAVID LEONHARDT Total victory for the G.O.P. would mean Trump unleashed. [Step Away From the Orb]( Op-Ed Columnist [Step Away From the Orb]( By MAUREEN DOWD Our most cynical bargain: American greed trumps Saudi brutality. [My Year as a Trump Ambassador]( [My Year as a Trump Ambassador]( By ROBERTA S. JACOBSON Some disorder is normal at the start of an administration. But it was extreme under Mr. Trump. [Doctors Should Tell Their Patients to Vote ]( [Doctors Should Tell Their Patients to Vote]( By DANIELLE OFRI This may sound like a radical extension of our mandate. But sometimes civic engagement is the best medicine. For more opinion, go to [NYTimes.com/Opinion »]( Follow NYTimes [Facebook] [FACEBOOK]( [Twitter] [@NYTimes]( [Pinterest] [Pinterest]( [Instagram] [Instagram]( Get more [NYTimes.com newsletters »]( | Get unlimited access to NYTimes.com and our NYTimes apps. [Subscribe »]( ABOUT THIS EMAIL This is an automated email. Please do not reply directly to this email from NYTimes.com. You received this message because you signed up for NYTimes.com's Today's Headlines newsletter. [Unsubscribe]( | [Manage Subscriptions]( | [Change Your Email]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Contact]( | [Advertise]( Copyright 2018 The New York Times Company 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018