News from the note…
A round up of the day’s news that might be of interest to you.
Consider this an OPEN THREAD, folks. Chat about any of the stories listed, share links to stories that caught your eye today, and generally have a good time discussing whatever you want.
Trump’s backslapping diplomacy gives way to sterner talks with Merkel
From CNN
President Donald Trump’s backslapping diplomacy with France’s President Emmanuel Macron gave way to an altogether more businesslike encounter with another European ally, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, at the White House on Friday.
If Macron represented a friendly, if assertive, voice on matters of deep European concern, Merkel arrived at the White House prepared to act as the stern enforcer on issues such as trade and the Iran nuclear deal, even if expectations of swaying Trump remain low.
Meehan resigns with promise to pay back alleged sexual harassment claim
From The Hill
Rep. Patrick Meehan is resigning from Congress effective immediately, the Pennsylvania Republican announced Friday.
Meehan, who has been battling sexual misconduct allegations, had already announced that he planned to retire from Congress.
He said in a statement that he plans to pay back the $39,000 he used from his office account to settle a claim against him.
The Latest: Temple revokes Cosby’s honorary degree
From AP
Bill Cosby’s alma mater says it has revoked an honorary degree given to the comedian more than two decades ago.
Temple University in Philadelphia says the school’s board of trustees accepted a recommendation Friday to rescind the 1991 degree it awarded to Cosby.
A statement released by the school cites Thursday’s jury verdict finding Cosby guilty of drugging and molesting a Temple employee in 2004.
For more from The News Blender on this topic
Bill Cosby Found Guilty on All Counts Updated
House chaplain’s mysterious firing triggers uproar
From Politico
The mysterious firing of the House chaplain morphed into a full-on political firestorm for Republicans Friday as Democrats forced a floor vote on the issue and Catholics on both sides of the aisle said they weren’t satisfied with the reasons given for his ouster.
Tom Brokaw Cancels Commencement Speech Amid Allegations
From Bloomberg
A Connecticut university says former news anchor Tom Brokaw has withdrawn as commencement speaker after facing allegations of sexual harassment.
The Hartford Courant reports Sacred Heart University announced the cancellation Friday.
Judge tosses Manafort lawsuit challenging Mueller’s authority
From The Hill
A federal judge on Friday tossed out former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort‘s lawsuit challenging the scope of special counsel Robert Mueller‘s investigation.
In her decision, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson wrote that a civil suit is not the way for Manafort to challenge actions by the prosecutors who are working for Mueller’s office.
Trump hints at punishing countries if they don’t back World Cup bid
From Politico
President Donald Trump suggested Thursday evening that the U.S. consider removing support for certain nations if they lobbied against a joint bid by the U.S., Canada and Mexico to host the 2026 World Cup.
“The U.S. has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup,” the president wrote on Twitter. “It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)?” He did not single out any countries by name.
A Bonus Note from the “A Republic, if you can keep it” category
Connecticut lawmakers pass measure to give electoral votes to presidential candidate who wins popular vote
From The Hill
The Connecticut state House passed a measure Thursday that would give the state’s electoral votes to the presidential candidate who won the popular vote, if enough states promise to do the same.
The bill would have the state join an interstate compact that grants participating states’ votes to candidates who win the popular vote, the Hartford Courant reported.
and a Friday Bonus Bonus Note from the “Why can’t we all just get along?” category
Chance the Rapper rejects ‘thank you’ from Trump
From CNN
Chance the Rapper rejected a “thank you” from President Donald Trump on Friday and explained that he supported Kanye West, who is under fire for expressing affection for the President, because the Chicago rapper is “family” — not because he agrees with his views.
