Morning Must Reads: September 9

‘High-Energy Objects’ Hit MH17

A preliminary report released by Dutch investigators on Tuesday finds that Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was downed by “high-energy objects” over restive eastern Ukraine while traveling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur with 298 people aboard on July 17

Last-Minute Apple Rumor Roundup

Here’s a rundown of the myriad predictions that paints a general picture of what we might expect to see from the company’s media event on Tuesday

Baltimore Ravens Cut Ray Rice

The NFL team terminated the running back’s contract after a video of the player punching his then fiancée, now wife, was released by TMZ

Babies’ Autism Symptoms Cleared With Behavioral Therapy

Researchers report for the first time that treating early signs of autism in infants as young as 6 months — not with surgery, but rather an intensive, parent-based behavioral therapy program — can essentially help them avoid developmental delays typical of the disorder

Gillibrand Won’t Name Colleague Who Called Her ‘Porky’

New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand still considers herself the “loud mouth” her father teasingly called her as a kid, but won’t say who called her “porky” after the birth of her second child or which senator said not to slim down too much because he likes “my girls chubby”

Iraq Approves New Government, Sets Stage to Combat ISIS

The new cabinet approved by parliament sets the stage for expanded U.S. support to battle Islamist militants. Incoming Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, a Shi‘ite, will be flanked by Sunni and Kurdish deputies; Secretary of State John Kerry called it a “major milestone”

Marin Cilic Wins 1st Slam Title at U.S. Open

The Croatian, who was unable to play in the U.S. Open a year ago because of a doping suspension, won his first Grand Slam title by beating Japan’s Kei Nishikori in straight sets — 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 — on Monday at Flushing Meadows in New York City

Home Depot Confirms Credit-Card Data Hack

The construction-equipment retail giant says anyone who shopped at its outlets since April could be a victim of information theft, perhaps including credit-card numbers, joining the ranks of other major stores like Target that have been the victims of large-scale cyberattacks

WHO Warns of Ebola Spike in Coming Weeks

The World Health Organization says responders to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa must prepare to scale up efforts as the number of cases sees an “exponential increase” over coming weeks; among the concerns are Liberia’s taxis as “hot sources” of transmission

Rhode Island’s Gubernatorial Race Is Wide Open

Rarely has solidly Democratic Rhode Island seen such political drama. To date, the race to be its next governor has already seen party switching, two political dynasties and an Olympic figure skater star in a campaign spot

Michael C. Hall to Play Hedwig on Broadway

The actor, known for playing a funeral director in Six Feet Under and a serial killer in Dexter, will sport heels and a miniskirt starting Oct. 16 after he accepted the role of German transsexual rocker Hedwig in the popular musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch

California Roller Coaster Catches Fire, Partially Collapses

Los Angeles County firefighters were summoned to Six Flags Magic Mountain in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Monday to douse a fire that reportedly broke out while the ride, which was closed for renovation three weeks ago, was being worked on; there were no injuries

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