10 things you need to know today: May 21, 2016
1.
The National Rifle Association endorsed Donald Trump for president Friday at the NRA-ILA leadership forum in Louisville, Kentucky. Chris Cox, the executive director of the NRA-ILA, offered the endorsement before Trump took the stage for an address. The NRA's announcement comes much earlier than the organization's endorsements typically do; GOP nominee Mitt Romney was not supported by the NRA until October 2012.
2.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) vetoed a bill Friday that would've effectively banned abortions in the state by making it a felony for doctors to perform them. There was an exception only for doctors performing abortions on women whose lives are at risk. "The bill is so ambiguous and so vague that doctors cannot be certain what medical circumstances would be considered 'necessary to preserve the life of the mother,'" Fallin said in a statement.
3.
There are 157 U.S. cases of pregnant women who have the Zika virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. That's more than triple the previous number, due to both new cases and a change in how cases are reported. So far, fewer than a dozen fetuses and babies have been affected, but most of the pregnancies reported are ongoing. All U.S. patients with the mosquito-borne virus linked to birth defects have contracted it either abroad or sexually.
4.
New information about the last moments of EgyptAir Flight 804 suggests the plane experienced a "fast-moving catastrophe on board," The New York Times reports, such as a fire or explosion. Seven messages transmitted to the ground from a communication system aboard the plane apparently indicated smoke coming from a lavatory, as well as problems with several windows. While these messages do not unequivocally state there was a fire on board, U.S. officials have been theorizing a bomb took down the plane.
5.
President Obama signed a bill into law Friday that strikes derogatory terms for minorities, including "Oriental" and "Negro," from federal law. "The term 'Oriental' has no place in federal law, and at long last this insulting and outdated term will be gone for good," bill author Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) said in a statement. The House of Representatives and the Senate both unanimously passed the measure.
6.
A Secret Service officer shot a man reportedly brandishing a gun near the White House on Friday, prompting a brief lockdown. The man, who repeatedly denied Secret Service officers' requests to drop his weapon, was critically injured. He was immediately taken into custody and rushed to a hospital. President Obama was playing golf in Maryland at the time of the incident. The Secret Service confirmed that all individuals under its protection are safe.
7.
First Lady Michelle Obama announced Friday the first update to food nutrition labels in over 20 years. New labels will list calories in bigger and bolder type, include a new line for added sugars, and tweak serving sizes so they're more realistic. "This is going to make a real difference in providing families across the country the information that they need to make healthy choices," the first lady said. Many food companies oppose the new regulations, which they'll have two years to meet.
8.
Mexico approved the extradition of drug kingpin Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán to the U.S. on Friday. The U.S. guaranteed he would not face the death penalty, which is not used in Mexico. The two-time prison escapee has 30 days to appeal the decision made by the Mexican foreign ministry. Should he do so, it could be months before El Chapo is transferred to the U.S. from a jail in northern Mexico.
9.
A rare Blue Moon should be visible in the southeastern part of the sky Saturday night. The rare astrological phenomenon shines a bright white that can change based on weather conditions. It's considered an extra full moon in the season. Since Mars is in retrograde, the red planet will be positioned directly opposite Earth, and its face will be fully illuminated by the sun, allowing it to shine its brightest since 2003.
10.
Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist is the 3-5 favorite to win Saturday's Preakness Stakes in Baltimore. The undefeated bay colt will likely see a rainy track, which could give competitors skilled at running through mud, like Exaggerator and Cherry Wine, a huge advantage. "With a horse like Nyquist, I'm not overly concerned about the weather," said Nyquist's trainer, Doug O'Neill. Catch the race at 6:45 p.m. ET on NBC.