The Short List: Artificial sweetener risk; NFL's drug policy; Rob Ford's cancer
Your gut knows what sweeteners are good for you
Sugar or artificial sweetener? Turns out the answer to what you should drop in your morning coffee is in your gut. A new study found that for some people, artificial sweeteners may lead to type 2 diabetes the same way eating sugar does. We thought artificial sweeteners couldn't be digested, so there was no way they could lead to diabetes. But new research shows the type of microbes you have in your gut is what actually affects what happens to your blood sugar after consuming your favorite sugar substitute.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has aggressive cancer
Rob Ford is having a rough year. The mayor, who has been in the news for several drug and alcohol scandals, has a malignant sarcoma tumor that his doctor says is "very rare" and "fairly aggressive." The good news is that the tumor isn't touching any major organs. On Sept. 12, Ford withdrew from the Toronto mayoral race. His brother is running in his place.
Congress agrees ISIL is a danger to us all and votes to help Syrian rebels fight them
They did it — warily. Congress voted Wednesday to authorize President Obama's mission to arm and train Syrian rebel forces to help fight back against the Islamic State. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle had expressed doubts about Obama's mission but ultimately said that ISIL is just too dangerous to ignore.
Anonymous person offers $30M reward to find who shot down MH17
Someone with deep pockets is in the mood to solve a mystery. German private detectives, acting on behalf of a mysterious client, are offering a $30 million reward for evidence showing who shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 that crashed in eastern Ukraine with 298 passengers and crew aboard. But even the German sleuths don't know the identity of their client, who has operated through various intermediaries, including one with a Swiss accent.
Football Wednesday: NFL's new drug policy; Peterson deactivated; Jameis Winston suspended
1) Three NFL players had their suspensions lifted today when the NFL announced it was revising its drug policy. A positive test for a banned amphetamine in the offseason now doesn't automatically mean a four-game suspension. The players immediately allowed to return to their teams are Denver Broncos receiver Wes Welker, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick and St. Louis Rams receiver Stedman Bailey.
2) The Vikings changed their tune today and have deactivated Adrian Peterson indefinitely during his child-abuse case. He can't participate in team activities while he resolves his legal issues. Peterson was indicted last Thursday on a charge that he injured his 4-year-old son by spanking him with a tree branch. He was inactive for the team's Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots but was reinstated Monday.
3) Florida State is suspending quarterback Jameis Winston for the first half of its game Saturday vs. No. 24 Clemson after he yelled an obscene phrase in a public space yesterday. The obscenity is apparently a gag rooted in an Internet meme that has gone viral on college campuses. This isn't Winston's first misstep. Paste BN's Dan Wolken doesn't think the punishment fits the crime and says an intervention is long overdue.
Extra Bites
Did yours make the list? America's best cities to live in.
This squid is 770 pounds. #Colossal.
Scotland is voting tomorrow on whether or not to become its own country and secede from the U.K. If you haven't been paying attention — or if you just have some questions on what you do know — we've got a Q&A to help.
Also take our quiz: How Scottish are you?
ICYMI: Meredith Vieira reveals #WhySheStayed
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This is a compilation of stories from across Paste BN.
Contributing: Susan Davis, Melanie Eversley, Doug Stanglin, Paste BN; Karen Weintraub, Special for Paste BN; Dan Wolken, Lindsay H. Jones, Paste BN Sports