Goodbye to a Prince. Hello to a (general) election. It’s Friday, and here are the 5 things you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door.
1. Prince
The words genius and icon are thrown around way too often. But they’re the only ones you use to describe the decade-defining, label-defying Prince. The Purple One died yesterday, sparking an outpouring of grief felt the world over. Fans gathered at his Paisley Park complex near Minneapolis, celebs tweeted their condolences, landmarks across the nation were bathed in purple, even President Obama noted his passing. It was unclear what caused his death, but an autopsy is scheduled for today. Here’s a recap of his last days.
2. Campaign 2016
More than a month remains in the primary contests, but the two front runners have clearly turned their attention to the general. The Donald’s campaign is making nice with the GOP, telling party insiders yesterday he’s ready to “evolve” as a candidate. Meanwhile, in Hillaryland, the ex-secretary of state has taken a hands-off approach to Bernie Sanders since her New York triumph. Gone are the pokes at Uncle Bernie over issues like guns. That’s been replaced with a message of “love and kindness.”
3. FBI-Apple
So how much did it cost the FBI to break into the iPhone of terrorist Syed Farook? FBI Director James Comey didn’t give an exact figure, but strongly hinted that it was somewhere north of a million dollars. That money secured a “tool” from a private company that was used to access the phone. Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, killed 14 people in December in an ISIS-inspired attack in San Bernandino, California.
4. Rio Olympics
Rio’s Olympic organizers must be numb, as the headlines in advance of the Games are less than ideal: The country’s president has been impeached. The Zika virus is scaring the hell out of everyone. Now part of a new seaside bike path — the result of an effort to spruce up Rio’s image before the Games — has collapsed, killing two people. It raises new fears that Rio won’t be able to successfully put the Games on.
5. Fatal high school fight
Once upon a time, parents actually felt their children were safe in school. Two decades of school shootings have shattered that feeling, but people still expressed shock at the death yesterday of a 16-year-old girl during a fight in a high school bathroom. Authorities in Wilmington, Delaware, said the fight started with two people but others soon joined in. No charges have been filed yet, but two students have been questioned.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
People are talking about these. Read up. Join in.
The spy who loved me
Chinese government workers are being warned not to date foreigners, because that alluring guy or gal just might be James Bond or something.
Can’t touch this
Major League Baseball has its first no-hitter of the season, tossed by Chicago Cubs ace Jake Arrieta.
Bed head
Struggle to fall asleep in a strange place? Blame your brain. New study says parts of it stays awake, cause it’s still assessing if the new place is safe.
Joining forces
Yes “NCIS” fans are bracing themselves for the impending loss of Tony DiNozzo, but they’ll gain Michelle Obama, at least for one episode.
The sky is(n’t) falling
It’s Earth Day, and most of the news on the climate front is bad, but we’re not as doomed as you think.
Number of the day
$20,000
Cost per night for the Royal Suite at the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. Pricey, but at least you get a revolving bed.