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1. Police reform
Democratic hopes for retaking the US House rely in huge part on the Dems winning several seats in California. But it’s still not clear where things stand after last night’s primaries. Many votes remain uncounted in the most competitive races because of large numbers of mail-in and provisional ballots. And a printing error in Los Angeles County left 118,000 voters off the roster, including The Fonz (kids, Google “Happy Days”). Democrats need 23 seats to take back the House. But California’s “top-two” primary system – where the top two vote-getters advance to the November ballot, regardless of party – could hurt Dems in key districts where many candidates split the blue vote.
In other primary races, an Alabama congresswoman who disavowed President Trump was forced into a runoff, while New Mexico likely elected the first Native American congresswoman. People also voted in Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is cutting back the Senate’s August recess so the body can vote on key appropriations bills and fill judicial vacancies. But CNN’s Z. Bryon Wolf says it’s a Jedi-like move by McConnell to keep Senate Dems off the campaign trail, which could help save the GOP Senate majority this fall.
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
Same-sex couples got a big win in Europe after the European Union’s top court ruled that they are entitled to the same residency rights as other married couples, even in EU countries that don’t recognize same-sex marriage. Essentially, the EU’s Court of Justice ruled that the word “spouse” is gender-neutral and includes same-sex couples. So, all EU countries must give married couples, regardless of sexual orientation, the right to move freely and live where they wish in the European Union.
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
Forgive us for repeating ourselves, but Facebook is in trouble again over its data-sharing practices. The social media giant says it gave Chinese smartphone maker Huawei access to its users’ data. That’s troubling to a lot of folks because US intelligence agencies have described Huawei as a security threat. Huawei is one of four Chinese device makers that Facebook has data-sharing partnerships with so the companies can recreate Facebook-like experiences for their users. US officials worry China can use Huawei smartphones for spying, something Huawei denies. The partnership with Huawei ends this week, Facebook said.
5. Nigeria
“I remember my first Kate Spade.” That was the beginning of a lot of social media posts yesterday as word got out that the iconic designer, known for her line of sleek, colorful handbags, had died. Spade, 55, hanged herself in an apparent suicide in her Manhattan apartment. Her death sparked an outpouring of grief online, with many women noting that buying their first Kate Spade handbag was a sign of professional achievement.
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
That’s the number to the national suicide hotline. While the suicide rate in the United States has seen sharp increases in recent years, studies show that the risk of suicide declines sharply when people call the hotline.
THIS JUST IN …
RIP, Roy
Costume change
The Miss America pageant spikes swimsuits, evening gowns and the whole concept of judging women by their physical appearance.
Wonder woman
Meet the female cop in India who breastfed an abandoned baby found dumped in construction-site rubble.
Feed the meter
Parking’s at a premium wherever you go, but $760,000 for one parking spot? That’s pricey even for Hong Kong.
Magical meeting
Two Gerber babies – 90 years apart – meet in the most adorable photo you’ve ever seen.
Another one bites the dust
Lord & Taylor’s iconic Fifth Avenue store in New York is closing, yet another sign that it’s just plain tough to be in the retail biz these days.
TODAY’S QUOTES
“Be more vigilant, more aware of the responsibility that each of us has towards others.”
Liliana Segre, an 88-year-old Italian senator and a survivor of Auschwitz, warning Italy’s newly formed right-wing government about its anti-immigrant rhetoric
“It wasn’t my finest hour.”
Bill Clinton, trying to clean up his tone-deaf comments from earlier this week about #MeToo and Monica Lewinsky
HAPPENING LATER
Breaking bread
President Trump will host the first iftar – the sundown meal that breaks fasts during the holy month of Ramadan – of his administration at the White House today. But Trump’s rhetoric and actions towards Muslims means many are skeptical about sharing a meal with him.
TODAY’S NUMBER
12,000
The number of earthquakes – related to eruptions from the Kilauea volcano – that have hit Hawaii’s Big Island in the last 30 days
AND FINALLY
Taste the rainbow
Who’s hungry? A pastry chef tries to make some “gourmet” Skittles. (Click to view.)