syria missile strike
US warships launch cruise missiles at Syria
00:33 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

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1. China

The US launched a military strike against Syria, just a few days after a deadly chemical attack on civilians. It’s the first direct military action the US has taken against Syria during its six-year civil war. Here’s what we know right now:

What happened: President Trump ordered the strike. US warships launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at the Syrian airbase where the planes that carried out the chemical attack were based. Six people were killed in the airstrike, Syria’s military said.

US Syrian Strike Map 4-6-2017 Share

Why: Trump said it was vital that the US stop the spread and use of chemical weapons. He said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had “choked out the lives” of innocent men, women and children.

The reaction: Russia, a key Syrian ally, is not happy. Vladimir Putin blasted the strike as “aggression against a sovereign state” and said it deals a big blow to US-Russian relations. There were Russians on the air base that was hit, but the US gave Russia a heads-up before launching missiles. Russia said it was also suspending an agreement between coalition and Russian air forces to avoid midair incidents. Stateside, most US lawmakers were supportive of Trump’s action but warned him to consult with Congress if further action is planned.

What’s next: So was this a one-off, or the start of a larger US campaign against the Syrian regime? We just don’t know yet. In his speech, Trump offered little clarity on the future. Just a few days ago, the President said he’d be comfortable leaving the Assad regime alone. Now the world waits to see just how involved the US will get in this deadly conflict.

2. Supreme Court nomination

This photo provided by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals shows Judge Neil Gorsuch.
The man who could replace Justice Scalia
00:48 - Source: CNN

This is the week to put up or shut up. Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation vote is planned for Friday. Senate Democrats say they’ve got enough votes to filibuster his nomination. Senate Republicans swear Gorsuch will be confirmed. It will probably all hinge on whether the GOP decides to use the so-called nuclear option. Under that scenario, the Senate would change the rules and Gorsuch could be confirmed with a simple majority, or at least 51 votes, instead of the 60 votes needed to overcome a Democratic filibuster (for reference, the GOP has a 52-48 majority in the chamber).

3. Colombia mudslides

It’s nothing but misery in southern Colombia. More than 200 people are dead and over 100 are missing after mudslides wiped out entire communities over the weekend. Three rivers swelled and overflowed after torrential rains Friday night, pushing mud through the rugged, remote area and forcing people to run for their lives. Homes, bridges and highways were flattened. Many of the dead and missing are children.

4. Ecuador elections

One candidate declared himself the winner in Ecuador’s presidential election, but sometimes things aren’t that simple. Leftist and ruling party candidate Lenin Moreno says he won the national vote, but his opponent, conservative opposition candidate Guillermo Lasso, said things are too close to call, so he wants a recount. Moreno and Lasso are within three percentage points of each other with more than 96% of the vote counted. A recount will take weeks. Meanwhile, people took to the streets to protest the muddled outcome.

5. Oklahoma police shooting

ACA obamacare repeal plus T1

It was his fault. So says Betty Shelby, the white police officer charged in the shooting death of an unarmed black motorist last year in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In her first public comments since the shooting, Shelby says the man, Terence Crutcher, “caused” his own death when he wouldn’t follow her commands during a traffic stop. She thought he was reaching into his vehicle to get a gun when she shot him; video shows him walking away with his arms in the air before he was shot. Shelby also said race wasn’t a factor. She goes on trial for manslaughter next month.

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AND FINALLY …

News you can use?

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