Morning Must Reads: August 27

Ferguson’s New Chapter

The St. Louis suburb faces uncertainty as it figures out how to turn a tragic moment into a lasting movement in the days after Michael Brown’s funeral. “We are required to leave here today and change things,” the Reverend Al Sharpton said in his eulogy

Why Waiting Makes You Happy

Several studies published in the journal Psychological Science suggest that people are more excited when they wait to buy an experience

Gaza Cease-Fire Deal Reached

The truce ends the seven-week war between Israel and Hamas, but it’s an open question whether longer-term political talks will continue

How 10 Seconds Could Save Lives During Earthquakes

California is looking to develop an early warning system for earthquakes, and the one that rocked the Napa area last weekend has brought new urgency to the project; experts say even 10 seconds would be enough to mobilize precautionary measures

Apple Appears Slated to Launch Larger iPad in Early 2015

Apple is reported to have been developing larger touch-screen devices in order to turn around sluggish sales; the new 12.9-in. iPad will apparently be launched in the spring, following the company’s release of a larger 4-in. iPhone next month

Ebola Forces Closure of WHO Lab in Sierra Leone

The World Health Organization shut down a lab in Sierra Leone and pulled its staff after a health worker contracted the virus; the closure is likely to impede efforts to contain a massive outbreak that has killed at least 1,427 people

American Writer Freed From Syrian Captivity Arrives in U.S.

Peter Theo Curtis returned home to the U.S. on Tuesday, two days after being released by al-Nusra Front, the Syrian extremist group that held him hostage for 22 months. Curtis said he was “deeply indebted” to the U.S. officials who worked to get him released

Landon Donovan to Join U.S. Soccer Team One Last Time

Donovan will make his final appearance for the U.S. men’s national team in an international friendly match against Ecuador in October. The game will allow fans to thank him for “all the memories he’s provided over the years,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati

Doug Ducey Wins GOP Primary for Arizona Governor

The state treasurer and former CEO won the Republican primary for Arizona’s governorship on Tuesday, riding to victory with a campaign that focused on his experience in serving as a state official and building an ice cream company into a national brand

Snapchat Is Valued at Roughly $10 Billion, Reports Say

A number of reports say the startup, an ad-less disappearing-messaging service, is raising funds from investors based on a $10 billion valuation; if true, this represents an enormous valuation for a company that has effectively no revenue source

Doll Play Predicts Couples’ Parenting Style, Study Finds

Researchers at Ohio State University videotaped almost 200 dual-earner couples playing with a “doll” — actually pajamas filled with 7 lb. of rice and a green fabric head attached — that they were told represented the child they were about to have

Report: Lake Bell to Direct The Emperor’s Children Film

The actress and promising auteur is reportedly booked to direct the film adaptation of Claire Messud’s 2006 novel The Emperor’s Children, with the screenplay penned by indie-film stalwart Noah Baumbach, but there is no word yet on when the movie will hit theaters

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