10 things you need to know today: April 1, 2019

1. White House says Trump isn't bluffing about closing border

The White House on Sunday repeated President Trump's threat to close the southern border to stem an influx of Central American migrants trying to enter the U.S. through Mexico. "It certainly isn't a bluff," White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said on Fox News Sunday. "You can take the president seriously." Conway said Congress "can fix this" by passing immigration reform to stop the surge of undocumented migrants. Trump said Friday there was "a very good likelihood" he would close the border within days if Mexico doesn't do "something" to address the problem. "I'll just close the border," Trump said. The Trump administration also said it would cut aid to El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala for failing to curb migrant departures.

NBC News

2. Biden tries to defuse crisis over unwanted expressions of affection

Former Vice President Joe Biden on Sunday defended himself against Nevada Democrat Lucy Flores' allegation that he touched and kissed her without consent at a 2014 rally when she was running for lieutenant governor. Biden, a possible 2020 presidential candidate, said in a statement that he had exchanged "countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support, and comfort" in his decades in public life, "and not once — never — did I believe I acted inappropriately." He added: "If it is suggested I did so, I will listen respectfully. But it was never my intention." Some Democrats said Flores' allegations had renewed scrutiny of Biden's history of giving women affectionate hugs at public events. "He has to acknowledge that his behavior made some women uncomfortable," said Maria Cardona, a Democratic strategist.

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The Washington Post

3. Erdogan's party loses key municipal elections in Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's party lost control of several key cities in municipal elections on Sunday. The ruling AK Party lost the capital, Ankara, for the first time since the Islamist-rooted party's 2001 founding, and appeared in danger of a similar setback in Istanbul, the country's business center and Erdoğan's hometown. Erdoğan was not on the ballot, but the election was widely interpreted as a statement of unhappiness with his leadership and the performance of his party and its nationalist partner as Turkey's economy has dipped into a recession. Erdoğan accepted defeat in Ankara but touted victories elsewhere. He said his party would now focus on reforms to boost the economy ahead of national elections in 2023.

Bloomberg Reuters

4. Vietnamese suspect pleads guilty to lesser charge in Kim Jong Nam killing

Doan Thi Huong, one of two women accused in the 2017 assassination of the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge after Malaysian prosecutors dropped a murder charge of causing bodily harm. She was sentenced Monday to 40 months in prison, although she could be released soon after credit for time served. Kim's estranged half-brother, Kim Jong Nam, died shortly after the women smeared VX nerve agent on his face at an airport. Her co-defendant, Siti Aisyah, was freed three weeks ago after Indonesian President Joko Widodo made a personal appeal. Both women said they never meant to hurt Kim, insisting North Korean agents convinced them they were participating in a prank for a reality TV show.

The New York Times Reuters

5. Rapper Nipsey Hussle fatally shot outside his L.A. clothing store

Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle was shot and killed Sunday afternoon in South Los Angeles. The 33-year-old was hit with a burst of gunfire while standing outside of his clothing store, and was pronounced dead at an area hospital. Two other people were wounded, police said. A young man reportedly approached the rapper, born Ermias Asghedom, and opened fire at close range, then ran to a waiting getaway car. Nipsey Hussle was also a community organizer, and spoke openly about his time in a Los Angeles gang when he was a teenager. A source said that initial information suggested the killer was probably associated with a gang, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Los Angeles Times TMZ

6. Japan announces name of new Imperial era

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announced the name of the new Imperial era, "Reiwa." Like his predecessor, he revealed the name by holding up a framed calligraphy parchment with the characters inscribed on it. The two characters in the name mean "order" and "harmony," and replace the current era, "Heisei," which means "achieving peace." The new era will begin on May 1, when Crown Prince Naruhito ascends to the throne, succeeding his father, Emperor Akihito. Akihito was the first abdication in 200 years. Prior to the announcement, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters the goal was to "choose a name that would lead to a new era brimming with hope."

The Japan Times

7. Top universities report record low admission rates

Many of America's most selective universities revealed in the last few days that they received record numbers of applicants this year and had record low admission rates. For example, Yale's admission rate fell to 5.91 percent from 6.31 percent last year. The news amplified concerns about exclusivity at the nation's elite schools following arrests in early March in an admissions cheating scandal. Several parents charged in that case appeared in federal court Friday. "There's a vicious cycle that fuels admission angst and spawns desperation," said Sally Rubenstone, senior contributor to online admissions forum College Confidential. "Each year as elite-college acceptance rates get smaller, students apply to longer and longer lists of colleges to maximize their chances of good news."

The New York Times

8. Ukrainian comedian leads first round of presidential vote

Comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy led Ukraine's presidential election on Sunday, but with 30 percent he fell far short of the majority needed to avoid a runoff, according to early results. Incumbent President Petro Poroshenko was a distant second with just over 16 percent, with ballots from nearly 70 percent of the polling stations counted on Monday. Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko was next with 13 percent in a crowded field. Official results are expected later Monday. The top two candidates will face off in an April 21 runoff. "This is only the first step toward a great victory," said Zelenskiy, who like the teacher-turned-president he portrays on a TV sitcom has made fighting corruption his central issue.

The Associated Press

9. UConn advances to 12th straight Final Four in women's NCAA tournament

UConn, a No. 2 seed, beat No. 1 Louisville 80-73 on Sunday to advance to the Final Four of the women's NCAA basketball tournament. It is the Huskies' 12th straight trip to the Final Four. It was the first time in six years UConn was not seeded No. 1. Katie Lou Samuelson scored 29 points to lead the Huskies (35-2), who have won six national championships and had an 11-game winning streak during their run of Final Four appearances. Fellow No. 2 seed Oregon also advanced, but for the first time, after beating the top seed in their region, Mississippi State, 88-84 on Sunday. Oregon will play the winner of the Elite Eight game between Baylor and Iowa on Monday. Notre Dame faces Stanford in the Chicago Regional final Monday to see which team rounds out the Final Four.

ESPN

10. Michigan State ousts top-seeded Duke to reach men's NCAA Final Four

Michigan State upset overall No. 1 seed Duke in the Elite Eight on Sunday to advance to the Final Four in the men's NCAA basketball tournament. Duke superstar Zion Williamson, a freshman expected to be the top pick in the NBA draft, scored 24 points in the latest in a series of dominant post-season performances. His 17 points in the second half helped Duke recover from a four-point deficit at the half, but the Spartans' Kenny Goins had a clutch three-pointer with 34 seconds left to give his team a 68-66 lead. Duke had a chance to tie with six seconds left when R.J. Barrett went to the free throw line, but he went 1 for 2. With a 68-67 win, Michigan State moves on to play Texas Tech in the Final Four next week. In Sunday's other game, Auburn beat Kentucky 77-71 in overtime to advance to a semifinal game against Virginia.

Yahoo Sports