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The Nasdaq topped 10,000 for the first time ever, proving that during this period of economic uncertainty, America still has faith in tech stocks like Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Netflix.
1. Police reform
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:
• At least two people are dead, untold numbers of homes and businesses have been destroyed and thousands are without power.
• The small coastal town of Mexico Beach, Florida, has been left in ruins.
• People who rode out the storm in their homes in Panama City saw their roofs fly away.
• Michael has been a monster storm unlike any other. CNN’s Holly Yan explains why.
• Michael’s strength may reflect the effect of climate change on storms. CNN’s John Sutter says it may be time to stop calling hurricanes “natural disasters.”
• You can track the storm here.
• If you have a weak phone connection, you can get text-only versions of top stories.
• And don’t forget to sign up for hurricane alerts.
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 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.
This just in
Emergency landing
Astronauts – including one from NASA – on board a Soyuz rocket heading to the International Space Station this morning survived an emergency landing following a booster failure, a Russian space official said.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
RIP, Roy
Up and away
Who’s up for a 19-hour flight? CNN’s Richard Quest is. He’s flying from Singapore to New York on the world’s longest nonstop flight. Click here for live updates.
The world's longest airline routes
Weighty decision
If you’re headed to Greece, you might want to get on the scales first. It’s banning “overweight” tourists from riding on donkeys there.
Hoping for a miracle
Sad news from Jael Strauss, a former contestant on “America’s Next Top Model.” She told fans on Facebook she has incurable breast cancer.
Snap TV
Seems like everybody has abandoned Snapchat for Instagram. Snapchat hopes to win us all back with new original shows.
AND FINALLY …
Can’t slow me down
When you’re really excited about your morning walk, two legs work just as well as four. (Click to view.)