Morning Must Reads: August 8

Why Obama Intervened in Iraq

President Barack Obama’s decision on Thursday to authorize targeted air strikes in Iraq to protect thousands of refugees highlights the evolution of his policy on when intervention is necessary, TIME’s Michael Crowley writes, but that doesn’t make for a tidy doctrine

Israel, Gaza Militants Resume Fire

The Israeli military says it has begun new strikes on targets “across Gaza,” after a nearly three-day truce, in response to rockets fired from the coastal territory

Tropical Storm Pummels Hawaii

Iselle makes landfall with thrusting rain and massive waves — felling trees, ripping roofs off buildings and leaving at least 18,000 people without power

Ebola Is a Global Public Health Threat, WHO Declares

The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has been labeled a public health emergency of international concern, following at least 932 deaths in four countries, but the World Health Organization did not recommend any restrictions on general trade or travel

Man Charged With Starting Huge California Fire

A grand jury returned a four-count indictment against Keith Matthew Emerald, for allegedly starting the third largest fire in the state’s history on Aug. 17, 2013. The burning went on for two months and cost $125 million to combat

Facebook Buys Tech-Security Startup PrivateCore

Facebook has acquired cybersecurity firm PrivateCore in the hope of thwarting off security threats against its users. Terms of the deal were not announced, but media reports say the Palo Alto, Calif.–based startup received an investment boost of $2.3 million

This Tick’s Bite Could Make You Allergic to Red Meat

As the so-called Lone Star ticks have spread from the Southwest to the East Coast, more people are getting bitten and then going into anaphylactic shock when they try to eat red meat — or experiencing symptoms like hives, itching, burning, and the throat swelling shut

These Are the First Edible Pot Products Sold in Washington

Stringent rules after the first legal marijuana sales took place in Washington state last month meant that no kitchens had been approved for churning out legal pot brownies or TCH-infused oils or other green goodies, but that changed this wee

Detroit-Area Porch Shooter Convicted of Murder

A Michigan man was convicted of second-degree murder on Thursday and could face life in prison for killing an unarmed woman on his porch last year, in a case that has frequently been compared to the shooting death of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin

True Detective Creator Denies Plagiarism Allegations

Both HBO and creator Nic Pizzolatto responded to accusations of lifting dialogue from horror novelist Thomas Ligotti for the philosophical musings of character Rust Cohle, played by Matthew McConaughey. “Philosophical concepts are free for anyone to use,” said the network

Judd Apatow to Produce a Lonely Island Movie

The comedy team behind “I’m On a Boat,” “D**k in a Box” and “Jizz in My Pants”—Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone—is getting its own movie, teaming up with the production company of the 40-Year-Old Virgin director

Sen. Lamar Alexander Fends Off Tea Party in Tenn.

Republican Lamar Alexander became the latest U.S. senator to fend off a tea party challenge in a primary race Thursday, defeating a state senator who had used a familiar tactic in trying to cast him as an out of touch insider. Alexander’s win dealt another blow to the tea party

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