What to Know
- Sessions didn't answer a number of questions from senators during his testimony but he didn't invoke executive privilege to avoid doing so
- The global obesity problem now affects 1 in 10 people in the world, and in many countries it is increasing faster in children, a study shows
- Oprah has zero political ambitions as she denied any speculation during an interview on The Hollywood Reporter's "Awards Chatter" podcast
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Democrats Fuming Over Sessions' Refusal to Answer Questions
Attorney General Jeff Sessions didn't answer a number of questions from senators during his testimony— but he didn't invoke executive privilege to avoid doing so. Sessions told the Senate Intelligence Committee he had a different reason for not answering certain questions: It's how such matters have been handled in the Justice Department for years. That led to a series of frustrated and sometimes tense exchanges with critics of President Trump on the panel, NBC News reported. Sen. Mark Warner, D., Va., asked the attorney general if he had confidence in former FBI Director Robert Mueller's appointment as special counsel to probe whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia. Warner cited reports that a friend of Trump's suggested that he was considering removing Mueller from the investigation. Sessions responded that he had confidence in Mueller. But he refused to discuss the reports "because I know nothing about the investigation."
Cosby Imitates 'Fat Albert' on Second Night of No Verdict
The jury has wrapped up a second day of deliberations without reaching a verdict in the Bill Cosby sexual assault trial. As Cosby left the courtroom, he yelled out, "Hey, Hey, Heyyyy!" mimicking his signature cartoon character "Fat Albert." Cosby is accused of drugging and violating a woman at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004. He says their encounter was consensual. The jury has deliberated a total of about 16 hours over two days. During the day, the jury asked for the testimony of the police officer who took Cosby's accuser Andrea Constand's initial report. Jurors wanted the testimony of Detective Dave Mason read back to them.
Almost 200 Congressional Democrats Sue Trump Over Foreign Payments
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Democratic lawmakers are suing President Trump over foreign money flowing into his global business empire. Almost 200 senators and representatives are plaintiffs in a lawsuit alleging Trump is violating the so-called emoluments clause of the Constitution. It's being filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the lawmakers said. The plaintiffs argue they have standing to sue because the clause says only Congress may approve foreign gifts and payments. Although Trump turned over control of his real estate development, management and marketing company to his adult sons and a senior executive, he did not divest from it. That means he stands to benefit financially from the Trump Organization's profits, including from foreign governments.
Obesity Rising in Nations Rich and Poor, Especially in Kids, Study Shows
The global obesity problem now affects 1 in 10 people in the world, it is rising in countries rich and poor, and in many countries it is increasing faster in children than adults, according to a new study. The researchers estimated more than 107 million children and 603 million adults are obese. The research found obesity has tripled in children and young adults in countries like China, Brazil and Indonesia. Those numbers are particularly troubling because it means more young people are on track to become obese adults and develop problems like diabetes, heart disease and a range of cancers, some experts said. The study was led by a team at the University of Washington in Seattle. It was published online by the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at a food science and policy meeting in Stockholm.
Oprah Winfrey Talks Politics: "I Will Never Run for Public Office"
Oprah Winfrey has zero political ambitions. The TV titan host denied any speculation during an interview on The Hollywood Reporter's "Awards Chatter" podcast. "I will never run for public office," said Winfrey, who was promoting HBO's drama "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks." "That's a pretty definitive thing," she said. Theoretically, does Winfrey think she could defeat President Trump if he sought a second term in 2020? "I don't know. I don't know the answer to that," the 63-year-old talk show host said. "But, I'll never have to know the answer to that, because I will never run for public office." Trump said in 2009 that Winfrey would be his ideal running mate, predicting that the hypothetical ticket would "win easily." Winfrey supported Trump's opponent, Hillary Clinton.
Kim Kardashian Discusses Fame, Missteps at Forbes Summit
Kim Kardashian West takes her status as a role model seriously, and says part of that is owning up to her past mistakes and not letting online hatred distract her from her goals. The reality show star spoke to The Associated Press before taking the stage as one of the keynote speakers at the annual Forbes Women's Summit. Her wide-ranging conversations touched on how hurtful comments affect her, her still-growing brand, how the robbery in Paris has changed her life and husband Kanye West's photographic ability, or lack thereof. Kardashian West told the AP she is aware of her detractors, but said she has a bigger message of positivity to share. "I obviously have made my fair share of mistakes like everyone else, but I hope to never repeat those mistakes, and just learn from what I've done," she said.
