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Happening Today: May Day, Biden, Leukemia, John Legend, Shannen Doherty

What to Know

  • Former Vice President Joe Biden spoke to a crowd in New Hampshire and insisted he is not making a presidential bid in 2020
  • The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first targeted drug for certain patients with an aggressive form of leukemia
  • John Legend is expected on a Massachusetts college campus to become the first recipient of the Salem Advocate for Social Justice award

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Immigrants, Unions Marching in US for Rights, Against Trump

Immigrant and union groups will march in cities across the United States to mark May Day and protest against President Trump's efforts to boost deportations. Tens of thousands of immigrants and their allies are expected to rally in cities such as New York, Chicago, Seattle and Los Angeles. Demonstrations also are planned for dozens of smaller cities from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to Portland, Oregon. In many places, activists are urging people to skip work, school and shopping to show the importance of immigrants in American communities. While union members traditionally march on May 1 for workers' rights in countries around the world, the day has become a rallying point for immigrants in the U.S. since massive demonstrations were held on the date in 2006 against a proposed immigration enforcement bill. In recent years, immigrant rights protests shrank as groups diverged and shifted their focus on voter registration and lobbying. Larger crowds are expected to return this year as immigrant groups have joined with Muslim organizations, women's advocates and others in their united opposition to Trump administration policies.

North Korea's Missiles Will Get Better, Trump Warns

President Trump said after North Korea's latest failed rocket launch that communist leader Kim Jong-Un will eventually develop better missiles, and "we can't allow it to happen." In a taped interview broadcast on CBS' "Face the Nation," the president would not discuss the possibility of military action, saying: "It is a chess game. I just don't want people to know what my thinking is." Separately, Trump's national security adviser, Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, said North Korea's most recent missile test represents "open defiance of the international community." He said North Korea poses "a grave threat," not just to the U.S. and its Asian allies, but also to China. On Saturday, a North Korean mid-range ballistic missile broke up a few minutes after launch, the third test-fire flop this month. The program's repeated failures over the past few years have given rise to suspicions of U.S. sabotage.

U.S. Service Member Killed in Mosul, Pentagon Says

An Army platoon leader was killed by an improvised explosive device outside Mosul, according to military officials, NBC New reported. The soldier, 1st Lt. Weston Lee, 25, of Bluffton, Georgia, was on patrol when the device detonated, the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, said in a statement. "Lee was an extraordinary young man and officer," said Col. Pat Work, of the division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team. "He was exactly the type of leader that our Paratroopers deserve." The Pentagon has acknowledged that more than 100 U.S. Special Operations forces are operating with Iraqi units in and around Mosul, with hundreds more playing support roles in staging bases farther from the front lines.

1 Dead, 7 Injured in San Diego Pool Shooting, Police Say

One woman was killed and seven other people were injured in a shooting at the pool area of the La Jolla Crossroads apartment complex in California, the San Diego Police Department confirmed. The woman died of her injuries at the hospital. SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman said three officers shot and killed the suspect after he pointed a gun at them. Police identified the suspect as 49-year-old Peter Selis. Zimmerman said no motive for the shooting has been established. She also could not confirm all victims were adults nor if the suspect was a resident of the complex. Police said the shooting took place shortly after 6 p.m. at the apartment complex, located on Judicial Drive, north of Nobel Drive and south of Miramar Road, west of Interstate 805.

'Guys, I'm Not Running,' Biden Says

Former Vice President Joe Biden insists he is not making another presidential bid in 2020, despite giving a rousing speech to New Hampshire Democrats about restoring dignity to politics and winning back working-class voters. Biden returned to the state to honor the nation's first all-female, all-Democratic congressional delegation at an annual state Democratic Party dinner. He was joined by U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, as well as U.S. Reps. Annie Kuster and Carol Shea-Porter. Such an early post-election visit to New Hampshire fueled speculation about Biden's presidential ambitions in the days leading up to the event. He quickly put those rumors to rest. He said that he was ready to start raising money and campaigning to help get Democrats elected at every level of government. He also touted some of his post-White House policy work including heading up the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware. He said politicians need to get to know each other and not be afraid to work together. 

FDA Approves 1st Targeted Drug for Certain Leukemia Patients

U.S. regulators have approved the first targeted drug for certain patients with an aggressive form of leukemia. The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug for adults with acute myeloid leukemia who have a genetic mutation called FLT3. Also OK'd was a test to identify those patients. The drug, Rydapt, known chemically as midostaurin, is used along with chemotherapy. The drug's maker, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., said it is the first new medicine for the blood cancer in 25 years. It was also approved for three very rare blood disorders. In patient testing, Rydapt with chemotherapy extended the time before the leukemia worsened or the patient died, compared to chemotherapy alone. Novartis said the list price will be $14,990 for four weeks of treatment.

John Legend Named 1st Recipient of New Social Justice Award

John Legend is expected on a Massachusetts college campus this week to receive a social justice award. The singer-songwriter becomes the first recipient of the Salem Advocate for Social Justice award when he accepts the honor at Salem State University. Legend is to perform and also discuss his work on criminal justice, education and other issues. The Salem Award Foundation for Human Rights and Social Justice bestows the award to recognize those who champion social justice issues and advocate for people who are underrepresented. This is the first year the award will be given.

Shannen Doherty Announces She's in Remission After Cancer Diagnosis

Shannen Doherty is starting off the weekend with great news. The "Charmed" and "Beverly Hills, 90210" star took to Instagram to update fans on her breast cancer diagnosis. As it turns out, the actress got news that she is in remission. Back in August of 2015, E! News confirmed that Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer. Since then, the actress has documented many of the highs and lows of her journey on social media. Doherty said she is feeling grateful for being a "cancer slayer." At the same time, she knows that she'll need to keep working to improve her health.

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