Spring is in the air... as are grilled cheese sandwiches. This is THE MORNING EMAIL for Tuesday, May 6, 2014.
The Scuttlebutt
- Spreading polio declared a world health emergency
- A Cold War-era spy plane grounded Southern California’s flights
- Photos from the star-studded Met Gala
WHITE HOUSE TO RELEASE CLIMATE CHANGE REPORT TODAY
“Flooded rail lines. Plagues of pests and herbicide-resistant weeds. A rash of wildfires. Those are some of the alarming predictions in an early draft of a White House climate change report set for release on Tuesday, part of President Barack Obama's broader second-term effort to help the nation prepare for the effects of warmer temperatures, rising sea levels, and more erratic weather.” Some believe this could be a “game changer” in combatting climate change. [CNN]
BOKO HARAM LEADER ON KIDNAPPED GIRLS: ‘I WILL SELL THEM’
“Fears for the fate of more than 200 Nigerian girls turned even more nightmarish Monday when the leader of the Islamist militant group that kidnapped them announced plans to sell them. ‘I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market, by Allah,’ a man claiming to be Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau said in a video first obtained by Agence France-Presse.” Here's why you should care. The FBI is ready to help, but waiting for the official ask from the Nigerian government. [CNN]
POLIO OUTBREAK A WORLD HEALTH EMERGENCY
“Alarmed by the spread of polio to several fragile countries, the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency on Monday for only the second time since regulations permitting it to do so were adopted in 2007.” CNN has photos of Pakistan’s fight against the horrorific disease, and check out this graphic explainer on why this is such an emergency. [NYT]
STATESIDE: A Different Kind Of U2 Comeback
Remember when LAX was shut down last week? Turns out a Cold War-era spy plane scrambled the air traffic signals for Southern California. Elizabeth Warren accused the president of chosing big banks over regular Americans. A pregnant woman allegedly stabbed her boyfriend to death for not buying her a present. This family could go to jail for a long, long time for legally growing medical marijuana. A nine-year-old who reported child abuse through a desperate 911 call earlier this year was found beaten to death by the parents he tried to turn in. Oregon’s governor is officially a hero after resucitating a woman on the side of the road. And the number of bullied children who bring a weapon to school will shock you. [Image via NBC]
In daddy/daughter bond news, here’s a duo belting out Frozen’s “Love is an Open Door” with choreography.
INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE: More Chinese Railroad Attacks
Ukraine’s forces killed 30 pro-Russian fighters in Solvyansk. Obama aides have pressured the heads of some of the U.S.’s top energy and financial institutions to skip a Russian conference this month. Six people were injured in the third Chinese railway attack in two months. And Thailand’s PM is expected to be forced from office.
In dancing the night away news, here’s an elephant loving life.
BUY! SELL! BUY! Parachuting Grilled Cheese
Target’s CEO resigned in the wake of the company's data breach. TV execs aren't happy with Netflix. If you live in NYC, you can soon have a grilled cheese parachuted to you, because regular delivery was getting old. A Paypal exec got himself fired over a Twitter rant. Google’s same-day delivery service just hit Manhattan. And Amazon will now let you add things to your cart by tweeting about them. [Image via Gawker]
In police officer prank news, these cops pulled people over for a great reason.
SCOUTING REPORT: Bear Fights
Deadspin has data on why the NBA's rookies were particularly awful this year. Three star Oregon players are reportedly off the team after being investigated for rape. Grantland’s weekly look at the best and the worst in baseball is back. The president’s brother-in-law just got fired as Oregon State’s basketball coach. And watch this MMA fighter take on a bear, an actual, live bear.
In southpaw news, here are some puppy baseball players.
CULTURE CATCH-UP: The New Detective Gordon 
Because you aren’t Batman’d out, Fox added “Gotham” to its fall lineup -- here's the series’ first trailer. Check to see if your favorite TV show is returning for another season. Vanity Fair's White House Correspondents Dinner portraits show the stars’ comedic side. Katie Couric may return to “Today” while Savannah Guthrie is on maternity leave. And everyone’s favorite jail drama, “Orange is the New Black,” just got renewed for a third season -- our favorite dandelion is gonna be around for awhile.
In layabout news, here’s a panda tumbling from a tree.
LIVIN’: ‘Her’ Inching Closer to Reality
This app tells you how many bottles of wine you need for your next party -- a bottle of Carlo Rossi does not a soiree make. Meet the most influential pizzas of ALL TIME. You need to be eating more magnesium, and here are the super-foods that have a lot of it. See if any of the best restaurants in the U.S. are in your area. Up your spring decorating game with these under $50 purchases. These are a few things only anxious people can truly understand. And while Spike Jonze’s “Her” is still far off, this new phone alarm app comes pretty darn close to Samantha.
In Cinco De Mayo mistake news, here are some drunk purchases that actually hold up.
OTHER PEOPLE’S BUSINESS: Met Gala Photos
The outfits at this year's Met Gala made quite the impression, from Sarah Jessica Parker’s bizarre Oscar del Renta ensemble to Tom and Gisele’s breathtaking getups. Meet Robert Pattinson’s new girlfriend (hint: it’s not Kristen Stewart). If you were picked on as a kid, these celebrities feel your pain. Khloe Kardashian is trying to make a Spanx knockoff cool -- she might as well be marketing nasal spray as the next Axe body spray.
In police officer prank news, these cops pulled people over for a great reason.
TWITTERATI
@taylorswift13: That moment when your cat casually walks up,then abruptly ATTACKS your custom satin Oscar de la Renta gown during your fitting for Met Ball.
@MileyCyrus: big blue cock http://instagram.com/p/nnycmuwzB4/
@johncusack: Reminds me of the argument -"torture doesn't work ". So if it did- open season? Human beings just suck a lot
@AnaGasteyer: I psychologically gain 30 lbs the moment I land in Los Angeles.
@LIFE: Alan Shepard: Classic Photos of the First American in Space | http://ti.me/1iPQNpB pic.twitter.com/4Ayd68o9oL
ONE MORE THING
Gawk at photos of the world's largest monuments that you probably haven't heard of.
Got something to add? Send tips/quips/quotes/stories/photos/events/scoops to Lauren Weber (lauren.weber@huffingtonpost.com). Follow us on Twitter (@LaurenWeberHP). Does somebody keep forwarding you this newsletter? Get your own copy. It's free! Sign up here.