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.
1. Congressional shooting
Most forecasts predict Irma could hit Florida this weekend, but exactly when or where is up for debate. A state of emergency has been declared in the Sunshine State and evacuations have started. Some 5,000 military personnel, civilians, contractors and families based at Naval Air Station Key West have been told to get out.
Meantime, Congress wants to put disaster relief for Hurricane Harvey on the fast track, but already politics is getting in the way. To speed things up, some GOP senators want to attach the disaster relief bill to a measure that would raise the debt ceiling. Sen. Rand Paul says he’ll do “anything to try to stop that.”
2. Democratic National Committee
But then President Trump took to Twitter, of course, to say he’ll “revisit” DACA if Congress doesn’t “legalize” it within six months. So, what exactly does that mean? Would the President use executive power to deal with DACA (the same thing Obama got hammered for, BTW)? Does he want these young people to stay in the country, or will he fulfill his campaign promise to push them out? At any rate, this emotional issue probably will linger into 2018 – an election year.
3. The Weinstein effect
5. Fried potatoes study
The nuke deal has been a boon to Iran in one area – tourism. It’s booming there since the deal was enacted because the lifting of sanctions has meant the return of European airlines servicing the country. That’s resulted in a 50% increase in visitors there compared with last year.
5. Trump in Asia
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“We know very well, more than most, what it means to be deprived of human rights and democratic protection”
Myanmar state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who said her government will work to protect the rights of the Rohingya. The Nobel laureate has been criticized for not speaking out about the plight of the Rohingya, a Muslim minority considered some of most persecuted people in the world.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
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The average age for American dads has increased to about 31 years old, which means they’ll be even more out of touch when the kids turn into teens.
Madonna’s moved to Portugal, but just like us mere mortals, even she has trouble getting packages delivered to her new crib.
If you can’t beat ‘em …
Stealing signs is as old as baseball itself, but the Red Sox – always looking for an edge against the Yankees – reportedly brought this theft into the digital era.
Who’s that lady?
That would be former first lady Michelle Obama, who fell into “Formation” to celebrate Beyonce’s 36th birthday.
Wild about Harry
For the first time, actress Meghan Markle opens up about her relationship with Britain’s Prince Harry in a Vanity Fair interview.
Picture perfect
Scientists have created an algorithm for the perfect selfie, because apparently we can’t do anything without an algorithm anymore.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Here’s what’s happening later.
That’s how much newspaper publisher Tronc is spending to buy the New York Daily News
President Trump is due to talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping by phone this morning in their first conversation since North Korea’s latest nuclear test. Need a quick explainer on just what the heck is going on with the North and its nuclear ambitions? This will get you up to speed.
New sanctions on North Korea
AND FINALLY …
The “How to Dad” guy teaches us how to get our kids to eat vegetables. Good luck with that. (Click to view)
A black and white tuxedo cat perfectly mimics the moves of the cat clock on the wall. (Click to view)