| Steve Bannon's controversial run in key national security job comes to an end | | Steve Bannon, the White House political strategist Trump critics love to hate, is out as a member of the National Security Council's principals committee. The appointment of the former executive chairman of Breitbart News to the key national security post was, um, controversial. Some people questioned his qualifications (he was in the Navy Reserve) and others pointed to inflammatory rhetoric, such as, "Islam is the religion of war." It's possible national security adviser H.R. McMaster, picked to replace Michael Flynn , felt the director of national intelligence, the CIA director and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (who were all restored to the committee in the move that dropped Bannon) had more to offer the NSC. For his part, Bannon — not missing the opportunity to take a shot at President Obama's national security adviser Susan Rice, who just happens to be at the center of the "unmasking" controversy — says he had only been on the NSC to undo the damage Rice had done. | | So long, short-lived Kendall Jenner Pepsi ad | | That Kendall Jenner commercial that Pepsi released yesterday? It's been canned. The spot portrayed the supermodel as the bastion of peace and Pepsi as the key to harmony, but it was roundly criticized, with people flocking to social media to say that it mocked protests against police violence. "Pepsi was trying to project a global message of unity, peace and understanding," the company said. "Clearly we missed the mark, and we apologize." Would they like to buy the world a Coke instead? | | That might not mean what you think it means | | The word on Washington's lips Wednesday was "complicit" after Ivanka Trump tackled the term in an interview with CBS' Gayle King . Trump addressed critics who say she and her husband are "complicit" with President Trump. She first tried this: "If being complicit is wanting to ... be a force for good and to make a positive impact then I'm complicit," she said. Hmm. Second attempt: "I don't know what it means to be complicit" but hopes "my father's administration is the success that I know it will be." Merriam-Webster clapped back, defining it as "helping to commit a crime or do wrong in some way." | | Imagine ... a Panera sandwich on a Krispy Kreme doughnut? | | Panera Bread has a new owner: The investment firm JAB. That might not ring any bells, but you'll know some of its other brands: The biggie is Krispy Kreme, and it also has Peet's, Keurig and Caribou coffees. The deal is said to be worth more than $7 billion — that's more than 778 million Chipotle Chicken Avacado Melts. JAB hasn't said what it'll do with Panera or it's 2,000 locations, but it did say it would be keeping current executive leadership, including CEO and founder Ron Shaich. We hope they don't touch our soup and salad combo, either. |  | | Netflix just made it easier to start your next binge | | Let's say you wrapped up the latest season of '13 Reasons Why' or powered through every episode of 'House of Cards.' What's next? Netflix's update to how users rate shows or movies makes that decision a lot easier . The streaming service ditched its five-star rating system in favor of two options: thumbs up or thumbs down. Those choices are important, because they help Netflix decide what shows or movies to recommend. So, the more you rate, the better the recommendations. Plus, you don't have to browse as often, which means more time to binge 'Orange is the New Black.' | | Worried about your favorite show? Chime in | | It's that time of year again, decision time for the upcoming TV season . Plenty of shows — 'The Flash,' 'NCIS,' 'Scandal,' 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine,' 'This Is Us' — are already guaranteed to come back next season. Others, such as 'Scream Queens' and 'The Odd Couple,' have already been killed off. As for the rest of the current TV slate? It's in your hands. USA TODAY's 20th annual Save Our Shows poll is now open, and if you're a fan of on-the-bubble shows such as '24: Legacy,' 'Quantico' and 'Chicago Justice' now is the time to weigh in. | | This is a compilation of stories across USA TODAY. | |
No comments:
Post a Comment