promoearn: 'All of Nashville can breathe a sigh of relief'

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

'All of Nashville can breathe a sigh of relief'

Trump shows closeness with Macron, not so much with Ronny Jackson

President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel

Oui oui, mon ami?

French President Emmanuel Macron is in Washington, urging President Trump not to pollute, impose tariffs on Europe or end the Iran nuclear deal. Despite policy differences, Macron has emerged as Trump's most trusted European ally. Trump even brushed "dandruff" off Macron's suit, and Macron has said each of them is a "maverick." On the softer side, Macron and his wife visited the Lincoln Memorial and Mount Vernon on Monday, and first lady Melania Trump's all-white outfit drew Olivia Pope comparisons. Tuesday night marks Trump's first state dinner (rack of lamb is on the menu). On Wednesday, Macron will give a joint address to Congress.

A key confirmation is put on hold

The Senate delayed the confirmation hearing for Ronny Jackson , the White House physician tapped to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, in order to investigate "serious allegations." Although lawmakers would not detail the allegations, multiple news reports allege he oversaw a hostile work environment and drank on the job. President Trump said Tuesday that it's up to Jackson whether he stays in the running. "What does he need it for? I don't think personally he should do it," Trump said, calling the confirmation process "too disgusting." Earlier the White House defended Jackson, saying: "He's served as the physician to three presidents — Republican and Democrat — and been praised by them all." Recently fired VA secretary David Shulkin called Jackson "honorable."

'This doesn't happen in Canada'

Ten pedestrians were killed in Toronto on Monday when a van plowed onto a sidewalk —deliberately, according to eyewitnesses. "This is the type of thing you see on news, but in the States," said Christopher Thorne, who paid his respects at the site Tuesday. Toronto, roughly the same size as Chicago, had 61 murders in 2017 to Chicago's 650. One way it differed from the U.S. was the police response, many said. The suspect, Alek Minassian, 25, told an officer "kill me" and "I have a gun in my pocket," yet the police officer talked him down and was able to arrest him without shots fired. Officers are trained to use as little force as possible, the Toronto police chief said. A motive is unknown, but the attack was similar to vehicle attacks carried out by Islamic State followers in other parts of the world.

Uranus smells like farts. Yeah, we laughed at this, too

We found 2018's greatest headline: Clouds above Uranus smell like farts and rotten eggs, Oxford researchers declare. Have you stopped giggling yet? Researchers said they examined the planet's infrared light and found clouds of hydrogen sulfide spreading into the upper atmosphere.

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