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1. Police reform
Don McGahn heads for the exits. The departure of the White House counsel was announced by President Trump on Twitter. McGahn will leave this fall after the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh (which start Tuesday). McGahn’s had an interesting ride. He has been a huge part of Trump’s successful conservative reshaping of the federal courts, but he’s also clashed with the President over the Russia investigation. And the disclosure that McGahn had cooperated extensively with special counsel Robert Mueller didn’t help his relationship with Trump, either.
MONDAY
Syria is prepping for a final assault on the last rebel stronghold in the country, and the US is worried that chemical weapons are part of its plans. Syria moved armed helicopters closer to Idlib in the past couple weeks, two defense officials tell CNN. Those could be used to launch chlorine-filled barrel bombs on Idlib. The concern has also sparked a new tussle with Syrian ally Russia. The Russians claim the US and its allies are using the alleged chemical weapons threat as an excuse to launch airstrikes in Syria.
3. Election 2020
A federal investigation has started into the tragic sinking of a duck boat on a Missouri lake that killed 17 people in July. The feds got involved after the US Coast Guard determined that the deaths resulted from “misconduct, negligence or inattention to the duties” by the captain of the duck boat. The probe will also look at the company that operates the tourist ride. It’s one of many investigations into the tragedy. Survivors of those who perished are also suing Ripley Entertainment, which operated the duck boat tour.
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 Maldives is adjusting to a new political reality today after surprising results from a highly anticipated presidential election this weekend. The country’s president, Abdulla Yameen, appears to have been beaten out by his opposition, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. This is critical to the Maldivan people because of Yameen’s controversial rule. Yameen came to power in 2013 in a disputed election that opponents say was rigged. Since then, he has been accused of eroding democracy, cracking down on dissent and jailing opposition leaders. Earlier this year, the country was plunged into a political crisis when Yameen defied a Supreme Court ruling to reinstall opposition members of parliament and release political prisoners.
5. Nigeria
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.
TODAY’S NUMBER
15
That’s the number of years to which a Texas jury sentenced ex-police officer Roy Oliver after he was convicted in the shooting death of Jordan Edwards, an unarmed black 15-year-old, in a Dallas suburb
THIS JUST IN
Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate US Rep. Ron DeSantis, who was accused of using racist language while talking about his black Democratic opponent, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum
THIS JUST IN …
33,000
A spry 35! At least that’s how old soccer legend Clint Dempsey is, now that he’s calling it quits after a “prolific” career in Seattle and on the world stage.
Shirt shrift
US Open organizers apologized for penalizing a female tennis player who briefly took off her shirt on the court after she realized she’d put it on wrong.
Not throwing away his shot
Prince Harry stole the show in London when he burst into song during “Hamilton.” And of course, he picked a number sung by the George III character, his sixth-great-grandfather.
Warm up the toaster
A new study will pay you to eat avocados every day for six months. You don’t have to feel guilty – this is for science.
Plush accommodations
If your travel dreams include spending the night in an old WWII gun tower, you’ll want to head to the Channel Islands.
AND FINALLY
Feels so good
Cuteness alert! You’ll get all the feels watching this seal chase a butterfly. (Click to view.)