9 AM ET: Weapons for Ukraine, fetal personhood ruling, Gabbard leaves Democrats & more 5 Things - Podcast on CNN Audio

From CNN, I'm Jo Beck with the Five Things you need to know for Wednesday, October 12th. NATO defense ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss the war in Ukraine. The meeting includes US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

So we gather again today to support Ukraine's inalienable right to defend itself. And our resolve and steadiness of purpose has only been strengthened.

It comes after days of Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, that officials say, targeted infrastructure and civilians, and after Ukraine's president asked G7 leaders for more air defense system. CNN's Salma Abdelaziz has more.

The United States has promised two more surface to air missile systems. Germany has also promised four more. But you can expect that these defense ministers are going to be talking about providing even more. Since Monday, 30% of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has been hit by Russian missiles. And you can imagine as you head into the winter months how much civilian suffering there could be.

Also this morning, reports of more Russian artillery attacks. At least seven people are dead after shelling hit a market in the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka, according to a local official. Meanwhile, the Kremlin spokesman warned against the West's nuclear rhetoric. It was in response to a question about U.S. President Joe Biden's interview on CNN, in which Biden warned of potential catastrophic mistakes from Russia.

In the US, the Supreme Court has refused to get involved in a so-called fetal personhood debate. It stems from a case out of Rhode Island over whether fetuses should have constitutional rights. A Catholic group and two pregnant women wanted to sue on behalf of the women's unborn fetuses back in May, but they were turned down by the Rhode Island Supreme Court, who cited Roe v Wade. After Roy was overturned, the petitioners urge the Supreme Court of the United States to step in. But the court says it won't get involved. The issue of fetal personhood raises complicated questions about the rights of fetuses that could impact issues, including IVF and child support.

I can no longer remain in today's Democratic Party.

That was former congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard speaking on her new podcast. Her announcement comes after years of being increasingly at odds with the Democratic Party and its policies. Take a listen to why she says she decided to leave.

It's now under the complete control of an elitist cabal of warmongers driven by cowardly wokeness who divide us by racializing every issue and stoking anti-white racism.

Gabbard made history by becoming the first American Samoan and practicing Hindu in Congress following her election in 2012. She didn't say which party she would be affiliated with moving forward, but called for "independent minded Democrats" to join her in leaving.

The former leader of Myanmar and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi has had her prison sentence increased by three years. That's according to a source familiar with the case who says she'll now serve 26 years in total for corruption charges. Suu Kyi led Myanmar for five years before being forced from power in a military coup in early 2021. She's seen as a figurehead for pro-democracy rule in the country, though she received criticism for her country's campaign against the Rohingya people, which some human rights groups characterize as genocide. CNN's Paula Hancocks says there are more than 20 charges against the 77 year old.

Her supporters say that these are trumped up charges. And human rights groups say the military leadership simply wants to keep her behind bars because they know how popular she still is within her own country.

Coming up, a man in malaysia shows you're never too old to be in politics. Malaysia's former leader is running for parliament at the age of 97. Mahathir Mohamad says he'll try to defend his seat, representing popular tourist destination Langkawi in the country's looming general election. But he's not yet disclosed whether he could be prime minister for a third time. And he was hospitalized earlier this year with a heart condition. His first stint as prime minister ran for 22 years until 2003. But he made a surprise comeback just four years ago. Coming out of retirement to lead his then coalition and winning at age 92. That's all for now. Our next episode drops at noon Eastern.