The distressing tale of how young girls are turned into suicide bombers. It’s Wednesday, and here are the 5 things you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door.
1. Boko Haram
Boko Haram’s many crimes against young girls don’t end with kidnapping and rape. It’s abundantly clear that the world’s deadliest terror group is also using them as suicide bombers. CNN’s Brent Swails and David McKenzie visit a refugee camp in Cameroon and talk to a 16-year-old who somehow survived the nightmare. She describes how the terrorists turn girls into weapons.
2. Zika virus
Zika is worse than we thought. That was the message from the CDC, as experts now link the virus to premature birth, eye problems and other neurological conditions in babies born to mothers who were infected while pregnant. Zika’s only a problem during the first trimester? No, it’s a concern during the entire pregnancy. Zika’s only a problem in some parts of the country? Revised maps show the mosquitoes that carry Zika reach as far north as San Francisco and New York. Is there any good news? A clinical trial for a vaccine is still on track to start later this year.
3. Campaign 2016
Members of the #NeverTrump crowd waiting on Paul Ryan to save them need to start looking for another savior. The Speaker of the House made it clear yesterday — he’s not interested in being the GOP’s prez nominee this year. He has a novel idea for who should be the nominee though: “Choose from a person who has actually participated in the primary.” What a concept. Speaking of someone who has been in a primary, The Donald is coming to grips with the possibility that he might narrowly lose the nomination at a contested convention, despite having the most delegates. He’s telling anyone who’ll listen — that stinks.
4. Espionage case
Was a Navy officer charged with espionage spying for China? A U.S. defense official says that’s a strong possibility, since Lt. Cmdr. Edward Lin was arrested as he boarded a flight headed there. Lin was arrested months ago, but info on the case only surfaced last week after a hearing. Lin faces other charges too, including prostitution and adultery, but details on all that are still redacted. What is known about Lin? He was born in Taiwan, enlisted in 1999 and became a U.S. citizen in 2008. He’s currently being held in a brig in Virginia.
5. Space exploration
If Stephen Hawking and Mark Zuckerberg have their way, mankind will be exploring Alpha Centauri and other far-flung sectors of the cosmos in no time. That’s if the Breakthrough Starshoot project ever comes to fruition. The $100 million project — using hundreds of spacecraft the size of a butterfly and traveling much faster than ships currently can — would be the most ambitious space exploration plan in history and probably won’t be completed in our lifetimes. But it would allow us to get to the nearest-star-system neighbor Alpha Centauri — a 30,000-year-trip — in just 20 years.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
People are talking about these. Read up. Join in.
Just something to consider
Note to the next Vatican ambassador to the U.S. — don’t set up any meetings between the Pope and Kim Davis. It could come back to bite you.
I’ll let you finish, but …
After all these years, Kayne West still thinks interrupting Taylor Swift at that awards ceremony was a good idea.
Escape artist
It’s the boldest escape since El Chapo: Inky the octopus slipped through a gap in his tank at a New Zealand aquarium and slithered his way to freedom.
Say cheese
A U.K. power plant that runs on cheese? It’s either a really late April Fool’s joke or those Brits are really on to something.
May the trilogy be with you
If you can’t get enough of “Star Wars” rejoice: the original trilogy is back on the big screen this summer. Had enough? Is there a rock you can hide under?
WHAT’S FOR LUNCH
Here’s what’s happening today.
Once, twice, thrice
The third and final CNN town hall this week features Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and his family. It airs tonight at 9 ET on CNN and CNNgo.
Number of the day
40%
Percentage of recently retired NFL veterans who show signs of brain injury, according to a new study.
