NEWS

5 things you need to know Thursday

Editors
USA TODAY
Melinda Hershkowitz sits in her apartment in, Lod, Israel.

Horrors of the Holocaust remembered

Holocaust Remembrance Day, which commemorates the 6 million Jews and 5 million other victims who perished during World War II in Nazi death camps, began Wednesday night around the world and continues Thursday. Israel will mark the day with ceremonies that include a moment of silence and a two-minute air siren. This year's remembrance comes as thousands of Israeli Holocaust survivors are struggling, some with flashbacks from their painful past, others with financial and health problems.

Johnny Manziel back in court

Johnny Manziel is scheduled to stand before a judge Thursday for the first time since the former Cleveland Browns quarterback was indicted on a single misdemeanor domestic violence charge last week. In his arraignment in Dallas County criminal court, Manziel will be read the charges and will have an opportunity to enter a plea, which Jim Darnell, one of Manziel’s lawyers, said last week would be “not guilty.” Manziel allegedly struck his ex-girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, several times after the two left a Dallas bar on Jan. 30.

Look up! It's a meteor shower!

Though clouds may spoil the view in some areas, the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, also known as the Aquarids, will be visible early Thursday and early Friday before dawn. Eta Aquarid meteors are known for their speed, according to NASA, and they often leave glowing "trains" (bits of debris) in their trail. Early Thursday will likely bring the best viewing. The Eta Aquarid is one of Earth's two meteor showers that come from the debris trail of the famed Halley's Comet. (The other is the Orionid meteor shower in October.)

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is the first of two showers that occur each year as a result of Earth passing through dust released by Halley’s Comet.

Will London elect Muslim mayor?

Londoners will elect a successor to flamboyant Mayor Boris Johnson on Thursday as polls suggest the high-profile job of running the British capital will be filled for the first time by a Muslim. The Labour Party’s Sadiq Khan, the son of a bus driver from Pakistan and a Muslim, has held a consistent lead over Conservative Party rival Zac Goldsmith in polls. Local elections are taking place across England, and lawmakers will be elected in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

A combination of pictures shows British Conservative Party London mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith, left, and Labour Party candidate for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Corrections & clarifications: An earlier version of this item misstated the year of the Mexican army's victory over France at the Battle of Puebla.

Cinco de Mayo is Thursday, and for many Americans, that means enjoying Mexican food — and probably a few margaritas. The day is often referred to as Mexico's Independence Day; however, it's not. (That's in September.) The holiday commemorates the Mexican army's 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War, though in recent years it really has become more of an American holiday. Cinco de Mayo, which translates to May 5, has been big in the United States since Mexican Americans raised awareness for it in the 1960s. Now, it represents pride for the culture and heritage.

And the essentials:

Weather: Rain and clouds will continue to bring dreary weather Thursday to both East and West coasts while the central U.S. enjoys mostly clear skies and mild temperatures.

Stocks: U.S. stock futures were higher Thursday.

TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at MarseilleThe Big Bang Theory and Mom.

Be inspired: These kids are learning life lessons through cookie-making class.

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