This is far from over
Ashley Shaffer writes The Short List newsletter for Paste BN. To subscribe to this snappy news roundup, click here.
A "cover-up." A "spy." And the bombshell whistleblower complaint we've been waiting for. Here's the news you need to know today.
But first, it's apparently not "OK": The 👌hand gesture was just added to a database of hate symbols used by white supremacists and other far-right extremists.
Key takeaways from the Trump whistleblower complaint
An explosive complaint from a whistleblower that has sparked an impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump was released Thursday (read it here), revealing deep concern that the president "used the power of his office" to not only pressure a foreign leader to dig up dirt on political rival Joe Biden but to also try to hide the account of their conversation. *Exhales.* Phew.
Here are a few key takeaways from the unclassified complaint and developments since its release:
- White House officials "deeply disturbed": Multiple officials told the whistleblower that Trump "is using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 U.S. election," according to the complaint.
- A "cover-up"? The complaint details efforts by senior White House officials to "lock down" access to all records of the call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called it a “cover-up.”
- Grilled on the Hill: The complaint's release came as the acting director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, testified about his reasoning for initially blocking the whistleblower complaint's transmission to members of Congress.
- "Almost a spy": Trump lashed out at whoever provided information to the whistleblower, calling the source of the leak “almost a spy” and suggesting the culprit had committed treason.
- What happens next? This could very well lead to the impeachment of a president for just the third time in U.S. history. Democrats could hold an impeachment vote by the end of the year.
They are still good boys, Wally
Ever have those moments when you’re like: “I regret everything.” That’s how the creator of the Labradoodle feels. The original breeder of the popular (and adorable) crossbreed Labradoodle (Labrador + Poodle) says he regrets creating the breed – which he now calls "a Frankenstein monster." Speaking on a podcast released last Friday, Wally Conron described how the hype around the dog has veered far from his original purpose: to provide a guide dog for a blind woman whose husband was allergic to dogs.
What everyone’s talking about
- After losing their firefighter dads on 9/11, 13 men just graduated from the FDNY academy.
- Better than a Porta-Potty, I suppose: A United Airlines passenger got stuck in bathroom midflight.
- Gwyneth Paltrow's honest assessment of teen kids may have been too much for morning TV.
- Like a Hallmark movie: High school sweethearts, now 80, will marry in October.
- Actor Samuel L. Jackson is lending his iconic voice to Amazon's Alexa – profanities and all.
He'll be in jail longer than Felicity Huffman
He paid $400,000 to have his son admitted into Georgetown University as a fake tennis recruit. Now he’s heading to prison. Stephen Semprevivo, a Los Angeles business executive, was sentenced Thursday to four months in prison for paying $400,000 to have his son admitted into Georgetown University as a fake athletic recruit as part of the "Varsity Blues" college admissions scandal. Semprevivo made the largest payment to the scheme's mastermind, college consultant Rick Singer, of all parents charged in the nation's college admissions case. He is the third parent to be sentenced (actress Felicity Huffman was sentenced to 14 days in prison a few weeks ago).
The cause of vaping lung disease remains a mystery
Cases of vaping lung disease: 805. Number of deaths: 12. The cause? A mystery. The number of vaping-related lung injury cases has jumped to 805 and the number of deaths to 12, but the specific causes of the illnesses is undetermined, the CDC reported Thursday. "We do not yet know the specific cause of these lung injuries," the CDC said, noting that the investigation has not identified any specific e-cigarette or vaping product linked to all cases. Still, the CDC recommended that anyone with concerns should consider refraining from using e-cigarettes or vaping products, and that you should not buy any vaping products off the street.
Real quick
- Olympic hopeful Jack Hatton, a member of the U.S. national judo team, died at 24.
- A Tesla squad car almost ran out of battery during a high-speed police pursuit.
- Jennifer Lopez and Shakira are your next Super Bowl halftime show performers.
- Princess Beatrice of York is engaged.
- You know Greta Thunberg. Meet 15 other young climate activists taking on world leaders.
Could generic Zantac cause cancer?
Cancer worries have prompted drugmakers to recall generic versions of the heartburn drug Zantac at Walgreens, Walmart and Rite Aid after testing revealed over concerns the medications contain a probable cancer-causing carcinogen. Drug manufacturer Apotex said Thursday that it's recalling 75 mg and 150 mg ranitidine tablets sold over the counter at the three chain pharmacies because the drugs might contain low levels of the cancer-causing substance NDMA. See a full list of the recalled products here.
This is a compilation of stories from across the Paste BN Network.