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Happening Today: New Zealand Gun Ban, Powerball Jackpot, John McCain, Kale, Breast Implants, Jessica Simpson, ‘Stranger Things'

What to Know

  • New Zealand Prime Minister announced an immediate ban on sales of 'military-style' semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines
  • Often touted for being highly nutritious, kale joined a list of 11 other fruits and vegetables known to be 'dirty,' according to an analysis
  • 38-year-old fashion designer Jessica Simpson has given birth to her and husband Eric Johnson's third child

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After Mosque Attacks, New Zealand Bans 'Military-Style' Guns

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced an immediate ban on sales of "military-style" semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines in the wake of a terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch that killed 50 worshippers. Ardern said the sales ban was effective immediately to prevent stockpiling and would be followed by a complete ban on the weapons after new laws were rushed through. She said people could hand over their guns under an amnesty while officials develop a formal buyback scheme, which could cost up to 200 million New Zealand dollars, which is $140 million. The man charged in the mosque attacks had purchased his weapons legally using a standard firearms license and enhanced their capacity by using 30-round magazines "done easily through a simple online purchase," Ardern said. The ban includes any semi-automatic guns or shotguns that are capable of being used with a detachable magazine that holds more than five rounds. It also extends to accessories used to convert guns into what the government called "military-style" weapons.

Winning Numbers Drawn for $562 Million Powerball Jackpot

The winning numbers were drawn for the $562 Powerball jackpot. The winning numbers are: 10, 14, 50, 53, 63 and the Powerball is 21. The Powerball jackpot was last hit in New York in the Dec. 26 drawing. Since then, there have been 23 drawings in a row without a jackpot winner. Powerball is played in 44 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, all of which collectively oversee the game. Drawings are held twice a week. Five white balls are drawn from a drum containing 69 balls and one red ball is selected from a drum with 26 balls. Players can choose their numbers or let a computer make a random choice. The odds of winning are one in 292.2 million.

Trump Aims New Blasts at John McCain, Claims Credit for Funeral

Casting aside rare censure from Republican lawmakers, President Trump aimed new blasts of invective at the late John McCain, even claiming credit for the senator's moving Washington funeral and complaining he was never properly thanked. By the time the president began his anti-McCain tirade in Ohio, several leading Republicans had signaled a new willingness to defy Trump by defending the Vietnam War veteran as a hero seven months after he died of brain cancer. One GOP senator called Trump's remarks "deplorable." Trump then launched a lengthy rant in which he claimed without citing evidence that McCain had pushed for a war and failed America's veterans. In fact, McCain's family made clear that Trump was not welcome during the week-long, cross-country ceremonies that the senator had planned himself.

Kale Now One of the Most Pesticide-Contaminated Vegetables

Often touted for being highly nutritious, kale has joined the list of 11 other fruits and vegetables known to be “dirty,” according to an analysis by the Environmental Working Group. The watchdog group publishes its “Dirty Dozen” list annually, in which it ranks the 12 produce items that contain the highest amount of pesticide residues. The group analyzes data from the Department of Agriculture’s regular produce testing to determine the list. Ranked alongside kale on the list are strawberries, spinach, nectarines, apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, pears, tomatoes, celery and potatoes. The last time kale was included in the USDA’s produce tests was 2009 and it ranked eighth on the Dirty Dozen list. More than 92 percent of kale had residue from at least two pesticides after washing and peeling the appropriate vegetables, according to the report.

FDA Issues Warning to Two Breast Implant Makers

Less than a week before a major hearing on breast implant safety, the FDA issued two warning letters to implant manufacturers, citing their failure to do proper safety studies. The letters sent to Mentor and Sientra warned certain implants could be pulled off the market if the companies didn’t fulfill the agency’s requirements, which ask that manufacturers continue safety studies even after the devices are approved. "Post-approval requirements are critical to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the medical products we regulate and we'll continue to hold manufacturers accountable when they fail to fulfill these obligations," FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said in a statement. According to the letters, Mentor failed to enroll enough people in these studies. Sientra had poor follow-up rates.

Jessica Simpson Gives Birth to Baby No. 3

Jessica Simpson is a mother of three. The 38-year-old fashion designer has given birth to her and husband Eric Johnson's third child. "Birdie Mae Johnson," the proud mom shared on Instagram shortly after news of the baby's arrival broke. "3.19.19 10 Pounds 13 Ounces." The couple's new arrival joins their daughter Maxwell Drew, 6, and son Ace Knute, 5. In late December, a source told E! News, that Simpson was "so excited about having a third baby and expanding the family." "Several of her closest girlfriends also just had babies and she's thrilled to join the club and raise all of them together," the source said. "This was such an amazing surprise and shock but truly feels right and meant to be for the family."

See It: 'Stranger Things' Season 3 Trailer Revealed

"One summer can change everything," the new season three "Stranger Things" trailer teases. The mullets. The fashion. The teen angst. The Eggos. The aerobics classes. The monsters. It's all in the trailer. "We're not kids anymore. I mean, what did you think? We were just going to sit in my basement all day and play games for the rest of our lives?" Mike (Finn Wolfhard) says. Something that hasn't changed? The friendship between Steve (Joe Keery) and Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), even if Steve does seem to have a new friend in coworker Robin, played by newcomer Maya Hawke, who's a little confused at how many child friends Steve has. Not a whole lot is officially known about season three, but the cast and Netflix have spilled a few little details, intriguing episode titles included. "Stranger Things" season three premieres on July 4 on Netflix.

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