Protests get emotional in Baltimore. Saudi Arabia restarts airstrikes in Yemen. And the NFL releases its schedule for next season.
The shooting at a congressional baseball practice reminds us of something we too often forget: We are one country, and we’re all in this together. Here’s what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door. You can also get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.
GERMANY ASSAULTS
Protests grow: It was an emotional day yesterday in Baltimore, as the fallout from Freddie Gray’s death continued. Protesters rallied last night, marching to a local police station. Among the crowd were members of Gray’s family, including his mother, who cried and collapsed at the spot where her son was arrested. Earlier in the day, Baltimore police released the names of the six officers involved in Gray’s arrest. They have been suspended with pay. The Justice Department also joined the fray, announcing it would investigate to see if Gray’s civil rights were violated. Gray died Sunday, a week after his arrest and after suffering a severe spinal injury while in police custody.
YEMEN UNREST
Airstrikes resume: The Saudi-led coalition resumed airstrikes in Yemen today, less than 24 hours after stopping the bombing and launching Operation Renewal of Hope, a new initiative focused on the political process in the war-torn country. Saudi Arabia is claiming victory over the Iranian-allied Houthi rebels, saying that the month of airstrikes had degraded Houthi-controlled military infrastructure. A senior Saudi official said that the Houthis agreed to “nearly all demands” of the U.N. Security Council and that former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his family will leave Yemen and never return for a position in politics. With Renewal of Hope, the coalition seeks to bring back Yemen’s “security and stability through establishing a political process.”
CLINTON BOOK
‘Cash’ clash: Explosive exposé or conspiracy theory? That’s the range of reactions to an upcoming book on Hillary Clinton that serves as the first major test of her presidential campaign’s ability to fight off attacks from detractors. “Clinton Cash” by Peter Schweizer alleges that the former secretary of state used her position to benefit foreign donors to the Clinton Foundation who helped it accomplish its philanthropic mission. The book provides fresh fodder for Republicans – especially 2016 GOP hopefuls – looking to attack the Democratic frontrunner on foreign policy. Clinton, her team and other Democrats are already mounting a campaign to discredit the book – and Schweizer.
NFL
Schedules released: Are you ready for some football? If you are, you still have to wait five months before the pigskin starts flying, but at least now you know who’s playing whom. The season kicks off on (what else) a Thursday night in September with the defending champion New England Patriots taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Other notable games include the Philadelphia Eagles (and newly acquired running back DeMarco Murray) playing Murray’s former team, the Dallas Cowboys, on September 20. Pro football’s nastiest current rivalry – the Seattle Seahawks vs. the San Francisco 49ers – resumes on October 22. And the rematch to one of the greatest NFC championship games in history will be played on September 20 when the Green Bay Packers host the Seahawks.
BOMBING ANNIVERSARIES
Oklahoma City and Boston: In the shadow of two gruesome anniversaries, two cities are saying: We are resilient. Yesterday, Oklahoma City commemorated the victims of the country’s worst domestic terror act that killed 168 people 20 years ago, when anti-government extremists set off a bomb. Victims’ names were read aloud, and former President Bill Clinton thanked residents for moving forward without forgetting. “You have inspired us with the power of your renewal,” he said.
In Boston, 30,000 runners will charge down streets two years after terrorists’ bombs killed three people and injured 260 more. More than two dozen of those who were injured will run in the race a day before the sentencing phase begins for convicted bomber Dzhokar Tsarnaev.
Those are your five biggies for the day. Here are a few others that are brewing and have the Internet buzzing.
18-wheeler pile-up: Snow in April, and an interstate full of semis end in a long, behemoth pile-up.
Stripes and beats: Escaped Zebras trot down a Brussels street to the beat of a song on a car radio.
Don’t monkey with the monkey: Or he might break something, like this gorilla that cracked viewing glass at a zoo.