What to Know
- The Senate Intelligence Committee expects top presidential adviser Jared Kushner to meet with committee staffers in mid-June, sources say
- Zika had about the same impact on birth defects in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories as it did in other places, a study shows
- Phil Collins was rushed to the hospital after a fall in his London hotel room left him with a gash near his eye that required stitches
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Jared Kushner to Meet With Senate Intel Committee Staffers
The Senate Intelligence Committee expects top presidential adviser Jared Kushner to meet with committee staffers in mid-June, two sources familiar with the planning told NBC News. A third source familiar with the conversations said discussions about timing are still ongoing. Kushner, who is married to Trump's eldest daughter, Ivanka, has come under FBI scrutiny in the Russia investigation, NBC News reported in late May. Investigators believe he has information relevant to their inquiry, U.S. officials said. That does not mean he is suspected of a crime. The meeting is the first step in an agreement made within the committee: Kushner will meet with staff members, provide documents and ultimately take questions from the senators on the committee, the sources said.
Comey Says Trump Admin. Lied; Trump Attorney Fires Back
Former FBI Director James Comey testified that President Trump pressured him to drop an investigation into one of his senior advisers, fired him after he would not do so and lied about the affair. Trump denies pressuring Comey, and is accusing Comey of leaking "privileged information." In dramatic testimony that gripped Washington, D.C., and much of the country, Comey said he began documenting what occurred in their private interactions from the outset because he believed Trump might lie about what took place. Comey revealed to the Senate intelligence committee that after his firing he tried to spur the appointment of a special counsel by giving one of his memos about Trump to a friend to leak to the press. Neither Trump nor any member of the administration sought to directly stop the FBI's investigation into Russian election meddling, Comey said, but his dismissal left him "confused and increasingly concerned" by the "shifting explanations" that were given by the White House. Soon after the hearing, Trump's outside counsel released a statement denying Trump asked for loyalty, as Comey alleges.
Zika Birth Defects in U.S. Territories Similar to Other Places, Report Shows
Local
A report shows Zika had about the same impact on birth defects in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories as it did in other places hit by the epidemic. About 1 in 20 women infected with Zika had babies with birth defects in U.S. territories, according to the report. That's similar to what was seen in the rest of the United States and in Latin America and the Caribbean in the last two years. The island territories — particularly Puerto Rico — are the U.S. locations hardest hit by the Zika epidemic. The tropical mosquitoes that spread Zika are more widespread there. Most people infected with Zika don't get sick. It can cause a mild illness, with fever, rash and joint pain. But infection during pregnancy can lead to severe brain-related birth defects.
FDA Asks Drug Company to Pull Its Opioid Opana Because of Abuse
The Food and Drug Administration has asked Endo Pharmaceuticals to remove Opana ER, an extended release form of the opioid drug oxymorphone made by the drug company, from the market because it has such a high potential for abuse. "This is the first time the agency has taken steps to remove a currently marketed opioid pain medication from sale due to the public health consequences of abuse," the FDA said in a statement. The company is pushing back, saying the drug is safe and effective. The FDA says if Endo doesn’t voluntarily pull the drug from the market, it will withdraw approval. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says opioid overdoses have hit record highs, killing more than 47,000 people in 2014 — more than the 32,000 who died in road accidents.
Phil Collins Cancels Show After London Hotel Room Fall
Singer Phil Collins has been rushed to the hospital after a fall in his London hotel room left him with a severe gash near his eye that required stitches. His management says in a statement that concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall have been postponed until November. The 66-year-old former Genesis star, who suffers from a gait abnormality after a back operation, tripped over a chair in the middle of the night. He was given stitches for the cut on his head and will be kept under observation for 24 hours. Collins is expected to continue his comeback tour in Cologne, Germany, on Sunday before performing at British Summer Time Hyde Park on June 30.
Taylor Swift's Full Song Catalog Returning to Streaming Platforms
Taylor Swift is getting back together with a few of her famous exes, including Spotify and Pandora. The pop star's representative confirmed her full catalog will return to all streaming platforms Friday. Her official Instagram fan account, Taylor Nation, posted the news. Swift's five albums, including "1989," also will be available on Tidal, Amazon and other streaming platforms, her rep said in a statement. "In celebration of 1989 selling over 10 Million Albums Worldwide and the RIAA's 100 Million Song Certification announcement, Taylor wants to thank her fans by making her entire back catalog available to all streaming services tonight at midnight," the statement said. Swift removed her music from Spotify in 2014 around the release of "1989," a Grammy-winning multi-hit pop album. No streaming service besides Apple Music was able to stream it. Swift allowed Apple to stream it after the music platform decided to pay artists royalties during its free three-month trial.
