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Trump, Putin jab each other on eve of meeting
02:24 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

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

North Korea gave the US an unwelcome Independence Day present when it announced Tuesday it had successfully launched a long-range missile capable of reaching “anywhere in the world.” Obviously, world powers were spurred to action, but some of the biggest players were split on how to respond to the rogue state. China and Russia want concessions, while the US joined South Korea for a show of military might. The countries held drills Wednesday to display their own missile strength. Whatever solution the US and its fellow powers choose, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has made things clear. “We will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea,” he said after the launch. 

Meanwhile, protesters and police have been mixing it up on the streets of Hamburg. Police this morning used water cannons to push out a group of protesters staging a sit-in on a city street. Protesters say they want to make it difficult for world leaders to move about the city.

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Police deploy water cannons on G20 protesters
01:20 - Source: CNN

2. White House

President Trump is just days away from crucial meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at this year’s G20 Summit in Germany. But first, he stops today in Poland, where a conservative populace and strong pro-American sentiments are sure to make him feel welcome. He’s due to address a regional summit of Eastern European leaders and deliver a speech outlining his vision for trans-Atlantic ties. 

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Sources: Russia steps up spying efforts
04:23 - Source: CNN

3. The Weinstein effect

Forty-four states have refused to provide certain types of voter information to the Trump administration’s election integrity commission, a CNN inquiry to all 50 states found. State leaders and voting boards across the country have responded to the letter with varying degrees of cooperation, from dramatic rejections (Mississippi told the White House inquirers to “go jump in the Gulf of Mexico”) to eager willingness to supply information (that is already public). Remember, the Trump administration put together this panel after Trump claimed voter fraud diminished his victory in the 2016 election

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Government ethics watchdog Walter Shaub quits
01:27 - Source: CNN

5. Fried potatoes study

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4 children stabbed to death in Georgia
01:24 - Source: HLN

5. Trump in Asia

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How bugs become superbugs
00:58 - Source: CNN

BREAKFAST BROWSE

18

The number of states suing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos over her delay in implementing an Obama-era rule on student loans.

2040

That’s the year France wants to end sales of gas and diesel-powered vehicles as it fights global warming.

BREAKFAST BROWSE

People are talking about these. Read up. Join in.

(Not) colorblind

Tupac broke up with Madonna partly because she’s white, according to a newly discovered letter written by the late rapper.

Bros forever

Forget about Obama-Trudeau. There’s a new political bromance brewing, and Benjamin Netanyahu and Narendra Modi took it to the beach to celebrate.

Modi Netanyahu beach

Power trip

Elon Musk promises to end blackouts in south Australia by building the biggest lithium ion battery the world’s ever seen.

Outrage with a purpose

A mom’s Photoshopped picture of her baby’s “diamond-pierced cheek” sparked exactly the conversation she wanted about piercing and circumcising kids.

Eneis Vance

Traffic jam

Jakarta dumped its HOV lanes, then watched as its rush-hour traffic went to hell.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“We will put American boots on the face of Mars”

Vice President Mike Pence, channeling his best JFK, to NASA employees in Florida. Pence said we’re going back to the moon, too.

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Pence congratulates new NASA astronaut class
01:07 - Source: CNN

AND FINALLY …

Take your morning to a more chill place with a mesmerizing dance routine. (Click to view)

A drum and bugle corps plays for a beluga whale, and it definitely likes what it hears. (Click to view)