The theme of this week: Elections, elections, elections

view in browser update subscription preferences Sunday 04.07.19 Bibliophiles, it's your time. Today is the beginning of National Library Week, so pick up a book and thank a librarian. Here's what else you need to know to Start Your Week Smart. By AJ Willingham and Faith Karimi  A mother drove her adopted kids to their deaths as her wife looked up how much they'd suffer. Joe Biden's controversy over his touchy, intimate style got the "SNL" treatment last night.  President Trump belittled a bunch of people, including asylum seekers and Rep. Ilhan Omar.  Here's news we won't be toasting to: Study says even one alcoholic drink a day raises stroke risk.  In a note from prison, Bill Cosby said he did not OK defamation settlement for seven women.  College hoop kings will be crowned  The NCAA men's basketball championship concludes Monday night in Minneapolis when Texas Tech faces off against the University of Virginia. What, that's not how you had your bracket drawn up? Israel faces a critical election Israelis will head to the polls Tuesday in what could be the toughest campaign of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's long political career. The incumbent is facing multiple corruption investigations, not to mention a tough challenger, Benny Gantz, a former military chief. The outcome will definitely reverberate overseas since Netanyahu shares a mutually beneficial friendship with President Donald Trump.  Barr testifies as Mueller report controversy grows Attorney General William Barr is scheduled to testify Tuesday before the House Appropriations Committee to answer questions about the Justice Department's budget requests for next year. However, he will be doing so under increased scrutiny from Democratic leaders, who want him to do a different kind of testifying -- in front of the House Judiciary Committee, and in regard to his controversial four-page summary of Robert Mueller's report.  India goes to the polls  India's most important election in decades begins Thursday, but be patient -- it's a weeks-long affair. A mammoth undertaking, the country's elections are the largest exercise of democracy in the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be seeking re-election amid rising tensions along the India-Pakistan border. Modi's critics say he uses fear and nationalist sentiments to gain support, and since he is facing some formidable candidates in this election, an incumbent victory is not guaranteed.  Brexit approaches the cliff Does April 12 ring a bell? That's Friday, and it's the official Brexit cutoff date when the UK is set to crash out of the European Union if no other deal is put in place. In all likelihood, an extension will be reached sometime this week. (UK Prime Minister Theresa May wants a June 30 extension, but the EU will likely have ideas of its own.) European leaders will meet Wednesday in Brussels, Belgium, just 48 hours before the Brexit deadline, to discuss options.  The UK is on royal baby watch  Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, are expecting their first child any day now. Let's hope for the baby's sake he or she doesn't arrive on the Brexit cutoff date. That would be a little awkward.  Democratic presidential candidates lay it on the line  Do you like town halls? Great, because CNN is hosting three this week. US Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York will take the mic Tuesday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee will join CNN on Wednesday, and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro will appear Thursday. The town halls will give the candidates a chance to answer questions, discuss their platforms and differentiate themselves in a crowded Democratic field. All three will air at 10 ET on those nights. Advertisement And the ACM Awards go to ... Saddle up! Country's biggest stars will show up for the Academy of Country Music Awards, airing at 8 ET on CBS. Reba McEntire will host, and Jason Aldean will accept the ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade Award. 'Dead corals don't make babies'  The Great Barrier Reef was once thought to be too big to fail, but multiple ocean heat waves have hurt this ecological giant's ability to recover from "bleaching events" -- when corals expel algae and are left completely white. Learn more about the future of this marine wonder as well as other compelling stories in CNN's weekend reads.  'Native Son' comes to the screen If you were moved by Richard Wright's classic 1940 novel, "Native Son," you may want to check out a new film adaptation, which brings the tale into a contemporary setting. CNN's Brian Lowry says the story "proves strikingly resilient" in the switch from page to screen.    'Shazam!' and 'Pet Sematary' do battle at the box office  Funny superhero romp or a spine-tingling reboot of a creepy classic? Either way, there's bound to be something for everyone in this weekend's crop of new movie openings.  Two thumbs up  The 21st annual Roger Ebert Film Festival kicks off in Champaign, Illinois, and runs Wednesday through Saturday. If you want to watch some of the films at home, highlights from this year's lineup include "Almost Famous," "Sideways" and documentaries about Maya Angelou and Fred Rogers.    The queens of the college court face off  The NCAA women's basketball championship concludes tonight when top-seeded Baylor takes on the reigning champions from Notre Dame. Catch the game at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN.  Golfers vie for green jacket   Dust off your blazers, because the Masters Tournament tees off this week in Augusta, Georgia. The first round begins Thursday, but there's plenty of action before then, too. Get a full schedule of events and TV times here.  There's hockey too, if you're into that The first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs begins Wednesday.  That's the night that the lights went out in Georgia! What, you think we would just mention Reba and not pull out one of her classics? Pour yourself a tall glass of sweet tea, put on your best housecoat for telling secrets and enjoy the drama. (Click here to rock out.) Advertisement Share Tweet ALL CNN NEWSLETTERS update preferences or unsubscribe CNN Five Things shows up in your inbox at 6 a.m. ET every weekday and at 9 a.m. ET Sundays. Like what you see? Don't like what you see? Let us know. We're all about self-improvement. Did a friend forward you this newsletter? Sign yourself up! Sign up to get updates on your favorite CNN Original Series, special CNN news coverage and other newsletters. Copyright © 2019 Cable News Network, Inc. A WarnerMedia Company, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to CNN's 5 Things newsletter.