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Battle for Mosul could displace 1 million people
01:46 - Source: CNN

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The shooting at a congressional baseball practice reminds us of something we too often forget: We are one country, and we’re all in this together. Here’s what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door. You can also get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.

1. Mosul

It’s Day 2 of the battle for Mosul, and the Pentagon says things are progressing “ahead of schedule.” Already more than 75 square miles of territory and at least nine villages have been taken from ISIS. But suicide bombers, IEDs and elaborate defenses await the coalition. CNN’s Nick Paton Walsh got caught in the crossfire while reporting on the battles.

2. Police chiefs

In the era of Black Lives Matter protests, this is pretty stunning. The head of the International Association of Chiefs of Police apologized to communities of color for past mistreatment. During a meeting in San Diego, Terrence Cunningham acknowledged “the history of policing has had darker periods.”

3. Campaign 2016

Melania Trump’s forgiven her husband for what she called his “boy talk.” Her interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper was her opportunity to “stand by her man” – kind of like Hillary Clinton in 1992. She said Donald Trump apologized; then said Billy Bush “egged” him on. Bush, by the way, no longer has a job.

4. Syria

We think it can’t get any worse – and then it does. Twenty members of the same family were killed in airstrikes in Aleppo. And nine of the dead were children. Russia, which has helped Syria’s regime unleash all this madness, said it will stop airstrikes there – but only for eight hours on Thursday.

5. Weather

It’s the middle of October and you’re still wearing shorts? It’s not just you. Around 40 cities may hit record highs today. But don’t worry; you won’t have to go to the pumpkin patch in a swimsuit. More seasonal temperatures should return by the weekend.

BREAKFAST BROWSE

People are talking about these. Read up. Join in.

RIP

A 600-year-old oak tree in New Jersey may have survived the Revolutionary War, but it can’t make it in its now-urban surroundings and will be cut down.

Cool cat

Before the Internet gave us cat pics, Walter Chandoha did. The photographer has been snapping feline pictures for decades.

No thanks

President Obama’s been handing out commutations like bottles of water lately, but one inmate in Texas just said thanks, but no thanks.

NUMBER OF THE DAY

Here’s what’s coming up later

President Obama’s approval rating in a new CNN/ORC poll, the highest mark of his second term and the best at any time since his first year in office.

AND FINALLY …

Winter wonderland

Comfy cozy