promoearn: 'Do us a favor'

Wednesday, September 25

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speak during a meeting in New York on September 25, 2019, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Trump's phone call with Ukraine, released. A whistleblower complaint, delivered. It's Wednesday's news.

Ashley Shaffer writes The Short List newsletter for USA TODAY. To subscribe to this snappy news roundup, click here.

Humanity is reportedly doomed, but at least we got to read a transcript of the Trump-Ukraine phone call before climate change ends it all.

Here's what you need to know. And here's a gallery of adorable dogs of The Short List to help you through it.

But first, breaking: The anonymous whistleblower complaint that sparked the scandal involving President Donald Trump's interactions with Ukraine has been released to Congress. We haven't read it yet, so follow this developing story here.

Transcript, transcript. Read all about it.

On the heels of an impeachment inquiry being launched against the president, we've got the goods on the Trump-Ukraine phone call we've all been dying to read. The Department of Justice on Wednesday released the summary of the conversation between Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky that was reported to include talks of investigating Joe Biden – and it sure did. Trump repeatedly pressed Zelensky to reopen an investigation into Biden and his son Hunter, according to the transcript. Along with Trump saying, "I would like you to do us a favor," here's another quote from the transcript worth noting: "There's a lot of talk about Biden's son – that Biden stopped the prosecution and a lot of people want to find out about that so whatever you can do with the attorney general would be great," Trump said. Important to note: The document is not a "verbatim transcript," meaning the accuracy of the document is subject to human error and may include gaps.

•	Read it for yourself: Here's the summary of Trump's call with Ukraine president about Biden.
•	"Nobody pushed me": Ukraine's president said he didn't feel pressure from Trump to look into Biden and called the phone call "normal."
•	In case you were wondering (as I was): A majority of Americans are against impeachment and removal of Trump, according to a new poll.

Oceans are in big trouble – and so are we

The world's oceans and mountains are in peril, and so is humanity, according to a major new report from United Nations climate scientists released Wednesday. The report is bleak. It warns that the world's oceans have reached or are nearing critical tipping points: Oceans have gotten warmer, more acidic and are losing oxygen, resulting in a cascade of negative effects that are wreaking havoc on coral and other marine ecosystems, threatening the collapse of the world's fisheries and turbocharging deadly hurricanes and tropical storms. "The consequences for nature and humanity are sweeping and severe," said Ko Barrett of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Ocean waters cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface. Ocean waters cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface. The oceans play a vital role in regulating temperature, and they provide food for animals and people alike. Yet the oceans face several major challenges in the 21st century, and one of the most dire […]

Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

What everyone's talking about

•	Why is everyone discussing Jon Cryer's virginity? A new book by Demi Moore.
•	17 states filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration to block a significant rollback of the Endangered Species Act.
•	Could Tropical Storm Karen's "loopy track" hit the U.S. like Hurricane Jeanne in 2004?
•	"Brady Bunch" at 50: The stars recall their favorite moments on the show.
•	How "Empire" addressed writing off Jussie Smollett's character.

Reason #7381 not to vape

The CEO of Juul Labs, who has apologized for the nation's teen vaping epidemic, was booted from the e-cigarette company Wednesday as scrutiny intensifies over deaths linked to its products. At least 530 people have had cases of vaping-related lung illnesses, according to the CDC – and nine have died. What's more, Juul announced it is suspending all advertising in the U.S. and committed to refrain from lobbying the Trump administration on new vaping laws.

•	How Juul's reputation went from high-tech cool to hazardous.
•	Crisis at school: Educators are struggling to stop teens from the dangerous – and deadly – habit.
•	"In desperate need of facts": FDA launches criminal probe as vaping illnesses jump to 530.

The Juul vaporizer is the best-selling e-cigarette in the U.S.

Lexington Herald-Leader/TNS via Getty

Real quick

•	The untold story: What really happened the day a child drowned in a Tim Hortons grease trap.
•	A student was reportedly was dead in his dorm for 8 weeks before being found.
•	"Shark Tank" star Kevin O'Leary's wife faces up to 18 months in jail for fatal boat crash.
•	Paula Deen was slammed for a tasteless joke about celebrity chef Carl Ruiz's death.
•	It's a hippo! People of the internet deemed this gender reveal "the worst."

Just the face we needed to see this week

Baby Archie. Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry's royal tour of southern Africa on Wednesday featured a special – and rarely seen – guest: Their royal baby, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The little dude came along for his first royal engagement as Harry and Meghan paid a visit to retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and his wife, Nomalizo Leah Shenxane, at their legacy foundation. Archie appeared to be in good spirits during the visit, as you can see for yourself.