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1. Police reform
The bromance between President Trump and French President Macron had been in full bloom: hand-holding, compliments, a fancy dinner. Then yesterday, Macron tried to rip Trumpism to shreds. In an address to a joint meeting of Congress, Macron spoke out against Trump’s view of the world, urging the US to engage more in global affairs. That includes the US rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement and staying in the Iran nuclear deal. One CNN observer said Macron – by bringing members of Congress, both houses and both parties, their feet – proved there is common ground in US politics.
Just months ago, it seemed almost inevitable that hostilities would return to the Korean Peninsula. This morning, the world faces a startling new prospect: a peninsula at peace. The leaders of North and South Korea met at the DMZ this morning for their much anticipated, historic summit. They did not disappoint:
MONDAY
Ireland holds a monumental referendum tomorrow. The Catholic-majority country will vote on whether to repeal its abortion laws, which are some of the most restrictive in Europe. Ireland’s abortion laws are drawn from the Eighth Amendment to the country’s constitution, which places the right to life of an unborn child on equal footing with the right to life of the mother. If a majority of people vote yes on the referendum, Ireland is expected to enact legislation that would allow abortions up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. Campaigning, as you might expect, has been intense, and controversial, as some Americans have traveled to the Emerald Isle to influence the vote.
3. Election 2020
Ronny Jackson is out and Mike Pompeo is in – as another remarkable/chaotic week comes to a close at the White House. Jackson, after days of misconduct allegations, threw in the towel and withdrew his nomination for VA chief. A couple hours later, the Senate confirmed Pompeo as secretary of state; he promptly hopped a plane for NATO meetings in Brussels, then the Middle East. All the while, House members grilled EPA chief Scott Pruitt over claims of extravagant spending, with one calling him “unfit” for public office.
THURSDAY
The leaders of two Asian nations will get together tomorrow for a summit that could affect millions of lives. No, we don’t mean the much-anticipated North and South Korean meeting at the DMZ, which is also set for Friday. We’re talking about Chinese President Xi Jinping hosting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this weekend. It’s a clear sign of warming relations between the two estranged nuclear powers, whose countries are home to more than 2.6 billion people and make up 17.6% of the global economy.
5. Nigeria
The hunt for one of the nation’s most elusive serial killers may now be over. Police say ex-cop Joseph James DeAngelo is the Golden State Killer, who allegedly murdered 12 people and raped at least 50 in California during the ’70s and ‘80s. DeAngelo, 72, was arrested near Sacramento, near where many of the crimes happened. A discarded DNA sample from DeAngelo’s home matched evidence in the investigation, detectives said.
NBC News is dealing with yet another one of its big names being accused of sexual harassment: former “Nightly News” anchor Tom Brokaw. Ex-NBC correspondent Linda Vester said Brokaw twice tried to kiss her, groped her and showed up at her hotel room uninvited back in the ’90s. Brokaw, who retired 14 years ago, denied the claims. NBC News is still reeling from former “Today” show anchor Matt Lauer’s ouster over “inappropriate sexual behavior.” It’s not clear what action, if any, NBC News will take on the Brokaw allegations.
THIS JUST IN
Embattled VA chief nominee Ronny Jackson, reacting to new misconduct allegations, including a claim that he got so drunk at a going-away party that he wrecked a government vehicle
THIS JUST IN …
RIP, Roy
Royal bride-to-be Meghan Markle wrapped up her acting career with her character, Rachel Zane, tying the knot on “Suits.”
Apu problems
Actor Hank Azaria says he’ll stop playing Apu if that’ll help resolve the controversy surrounding the longtime “Simpsons” character.
Oh, thanks Canada
There aren’t as many tornadoes blowing through the Midwest this spring. Meteorologists say we can thank our nice neighbor to the north for that one.
Double trouble
TV’s reboot madness continues, with Nickelodeon bringing back the ’90s kid game show “Double Dare.”
TODAY’S NUMBER
Teacher walkouts, protests
Teachers in Arizona start their walkout today, while their counterparts in Colorado protest at the state Capitol. Both want better pay and education funding.
33,000
TODAY’S NUMBER
2
The car options available from Ford in North America. The automaker is dropping every passenger car model except for the Mustang and the upcoming Ford Focus Active. Ford will continue to offer its full line of trucks, SUVs and crossovers.
ANOTHER QUOTE
“The mob can’t make me not love him.”
Rapper Kayne West, pushing back on the backlash from his fans after he called President Trump his “brother” and tweeted a picture of himself wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat. The President just loved that and tweeted out his thanks.
AND FINALLY
Can’t be bothered
OK, so not everybody loved yesterday’s cat sneezing video (we’re looking at YOU, Charmaine). Maybe a video of a cat completely ignoring the dog that’s pulling on its tail will work better for you. (Click to view.)