Sunday 9.2.18 If you're still nursing a butterbeer hangover, you're not alone. The whole wizarding world is over the moon as it celebrates 20 years since Harry Potter landed his Nimbus 2000 in the United States. Here's what else you need to know to Start Your Week Smart. By Michelle Krupa | |  |  His loved ones bid a final farewell today to US Sen. John McCain, who will be laid to rest at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The private interment follows an emotional ceremony yesterday in which McCain's daughter, Meghan, highlighted her dad's character and, in doing so, condemned the politics of Donald Trump. For his part, John McCain wrote in a statement released after his death what we all might hope to say in our last hours: "I would not trade a day of my life, in good or bad times, for the best day of anyone else's." From a national hero to a national tradition: Monday is Labor Day. It's the unofficial end of summer and the day we set aside to honor hard-working people across the United States. In Chicago, anti-violence protesters plan to use the day to block a major thoroughfare: the Kennedy Expressway, the interstate that links downtown to O'Hare International Airport. In the meantime, your 5 Things newsletter takes a hiatus on Monday, but we'll be back Tuesday to make sure you're up to speed for the short workweek. | | The holiday weekend also comes to an abrupt halt for the US Senate, where confirmation hearings start Tuesday for President Donald Trump's Supreme Court pick. Brett Kavanaugh will be introduced by GOP Sen. Rob Portman, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and liberal lawyer Lisa Blatt, a former clerk to Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who wrote an op-ed supporting Kavanaugh. The hearings follow a partisan fight that's raged over access to the conservative judge's records. Tuesday marks nine weeks until the midterm elections, and primary voters head to the polls in Massachusetts, where Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren is trying to quiet Trump's slam of her as "Pocahontas" (a nod to family accounts of her Native American heritage) as she works to retain her seat -- and, perhaps, campaign for president in 2020. Top state jobs also are up for grabs. On Thursday, longtime Democratic US Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware faces a primary challenge from community activist Kerri Evelyn Harris, who's backed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the progressive newcomer running for a US House seat in New York. Carper reportedly has ex-Vice President Joe Biden's endorsement. | | Some of tech's biggest names head to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to testify about their companies' responses to foreign attempts to influence US political campaigns. Due before the Senate Intelligence Committee are Jack Dorsey of Twitter and Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook. Google CEO Larry Page was invited, but his firm (which turns 20 on Tuesday) offered a senior VP instead, so senators are threatening to leave a witness chair empty. Dorsey then heads to the House for a panel hearing on accountability.
The war in Yemen is the world's worst humanitarian crisis. On Thursday, representatives of Saudi-backed forces and Houthi rebels reportedly will meet in Geneva, Switzerland, for talks sponsored by the United Nations. The meeting comes just weeks after a Saudi-led airstrike killed dozens of Yemeni schoolchildren. The United States, which backs Saudi Arabia, warned last week that American support for its coalition is "not unconditional." It's been two years since the sides tried to talk their way to peace.
Turkey's President reportedly travels Friday to Iran for a three-way meeting with leaders of that nation and Russia. Topping the agenda would be the conflict in Syria, where the regime has been planning for a final assault on rebels' last stronghold. The United States has been worried that chemical weapons are part of its plans after Syria in recent weeks moved armed helicopters closer to Idlib. Turkey, Iran and Russia are key players in Syria's civil war, which has claimed some 400,000 lives over seven years.
And on Saturday, the Mother of all Rallies is planned in Washington. Organizers call it a moment to "come together to send a direct message to Congress, the media, and the world, that we stand united to preserve and protect American culture." The event was first held last year and, while not billed as conservative or liberal, featured familiar pro-Trump talking points. | |  | Welcome to the world, little one! This dwarf crocodile is among the newest residents of the Planet Exotica zoo in Royan, France. Check out the rest of the week's top images, care of our colleagues at CNN Photos.
| |  | "I'm a kid that plays the game, that loves the game, that cares about people, cares about what's going on in the world, and I just want the world to be a better place." Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, who took social activism to the ball field with a pair of custom cleats adorned with hashtags, including #NoMoreShootings, #EndBullying and "#PuertoRicoStrong. | |  | Being who you are She was fired when she told her boss who she really was. Now, her case could become a test for federal employment discrimination. Her saga is one of CNN's weekend reads. Witness to history John Kerry hasn't been shy about defending his Obama-era foreign policy achievements since Trump took office. But has he been holding back? We'll see Tuesday, when his memoir publishes. | |  | Notorious She overcame rejection to become a Supreme Court superstar. CNN Films' "RBG" (that's what the kids are callin' Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg these days) premieres at 9 p.m. ET/PT Monday on CNN. Delivering justice If you're heading to the cinema -- and in the mood for a somber but powerful tale -- check out " Operation Finale," story of Israeli agents who track down an architect of Hitler's "Final Solution." It just hit theaters. Autoplay all day And a new month means fresh bingeing options. Here's what's streaming in September, including a restyled "Jack Ryan" series. | |  | Back to school ...
The end of this long weekend means the unofficial start of school. Let's let Chuck Berry get us in the mood. (Click here to rock out). | | | | |
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