CNN  — 

Here’s what you need to know to Start Your Week Smart. (You can also get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.)

1. Police reform

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 19:  Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh leaves his home September 19, 2018, in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
SE Cupp: This will be a defining week for all
01:32 - Source: CNN

Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination just got more complicated. After days of uncertainty, lawyers for Christine Blasey Ford confirmed yesterday that she will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee in an open hearing on Thursday regarding her allegation of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh. Ford’s camp has not been pleased with how the committee has handled the possibility of Ford’s appearance – they say the committee put undue pressure on the timing of her appearance, and “important procedural and logistical issues remain unresolved.” Ford also asked that the FBI investigate the matter, which will not happen, and no additional witnesses will currently be called before the committee

MONDAY

Several were killed and injured when an unknown gunman opened fire on a military parade in the southern Iranian city of Ahvaz, Irans state television Press TV reported Saturday.
Video shows aftermath of Iran parade attack
01:35 - Source: CNN

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

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

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

Maldivian voters living in Sri Lanka line up to cast their votes at the Maldivian High Commission in Colombo on September 23, 2018.

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

australia strawberry needle scare lon orig gb_00000802.jpg

The bizarre series of cases involving needles in strawberries has now spread from Australia to New Zealand. A major New Zealand supermarket chain is removing Australian-brand Choice strawberries from shelves across the country after needles were found in a container from Western Australia purchased in Auckland. The Countdown supermarket chain said the move is a “precautionary measure,” and the chain is working with Australian authorities.

If you think it all sounds a little ridiculous, the Prime Minister of Australia has some STRONG words for whoever’s behind the needling. “It’s not a joke. It’s not funny. You’re putting the livelihoods of hardworking Australians at risk and you’re scaring children,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said last week. “You’re a coward and you’re a grub, and if you do that sort of thing in this country, we will come after you.”

TODAY’S NUMBER

Lake Victoria ferry sinking.
Hundreds feared dead after ferry capsizes
01:13 - Source: CNN

224

The latest death toll in last week’s ferry disaster in Tanzania. We may never know how many people actually died in the capsizing, since there was no record of the total number of passengers. 

THIS JUST IN …

RIP, Roy

“Wow, Tiger Woods is still playing?!” – Everyone who doesn’t follow golf

Two-headed copperhead found in Virginia 

Which means you gotta run twice as fast and say “nope!’ twice as much. 

two headed copperhead snake

Meghan Markle hid something meaningful in her wedding veil

And it wasn’t a granola bar, which seems like a wasted opportunity

A congressional candidate got six of his opponent’s siblings to be in a political ad against their brother 

The word “awkward” was made for moments like these

Amazon wants its Alexa voice assistant to be everywhere

Just remember to be polite to it. When the robot uprisings come, you’ll be the last to go

TODAY’S QUOTE

bananas cocaine 0921

“Sometimes, life gives you lemons. Sometimes, it gives you bananas. And sometimes, it gives you something you’d never expect!”

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, after discovering $18 million in cocaine hidden in a shipment of bananas. 

AND FINALLY

Wooo pretty…

Not quite ready for the week yet? Just hypnotize yourself with this painting technique and you’ll be all good to go. (Click here to view)