 | | Impeachment inquiry
Remember when House Democrats said they hoped the impeachment process would be wrapped up by the end of the year? Yeah, that may not happen. The ongoing probe into President Trump's relationship with Ukraine has ballooned in size and scope, with each witness so far providing more leads for investigators to chase down and new names to potentially interview or seek documents from. Up today is arguably the most important witness so far: the US Embassy in Ukraine's top official, Bill Taylor. Democratic leaders say they want to conduct a thorough investigation, but prolonging the probe will continue to consume Washington and could push the whole thing into the presidential election year. That could create serious complications and risks for everyone involved. The public patience for Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other top Dems could run dry, or, on the Republican side, more attention to Trump's alleged dealings with Ukraine could turn public favor against him. | |  | | Facebook
Facebook's leadership is trying to shore up the platform's integrity before the 2020 election. Yesterday, the company announced it is taking new steps to clearly identify state-run media for users and to better protect the accounts of political candidates to prevent the platform from being used for future election meddling. However, it appears the meddling attempts have already started. Facebook also revealed that a host of Russian troll profiles have been building a network of accounts on Instagram designed to look like groups in swing states (Instagram is owned by Facebook). Facebook has made several attempts to crack down on foreign disinformation on its platforms since the 2016 election, including hiring former intelligence officials to root out campaigns like those run from Russia. | |  | | Canada and Israel
Here is a tale of two minority governments trying to get their executive ducks in a row. Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party won Canada's general election, assuring him a second term. However, the party didn't secure a majority, which will present challenges as it comes back to power. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tried and failed, for the second time this year, to form a government. The country's general elections in April and September failed to produce a clear path to victory for Netanyahu or his main political rival, Benny Gantz. Now that the second try has failed, Netanyahu is politically vulnerable, and Gantz could step in and form a government. There's also a growing possibility of a third general election within a year. | |  | Lebanon protests Lebanon's government has made a series of concessions after hundreds of thousands of people gathered over the weekend to protest the country's deteriorating economy. Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced the reforms, which include slashing officials' salaries and scrapping austerity measures. A 2020 budget was passed as well, which means billions of dollars in pledged international donations could be freed up. Oh, and the country's banks are going to get slapped with larger taxes. "To the protesters I say these may not satisfy your demands, but they satisfy mine," Hariri said in a speech. "I'm not asking you to stop protesting. It's a decision for you to make."
| |  | Opioid lawsuit
Four pharmaceutical companies reached a $260 million settlement yesterday, just hours before the first federal trial of the opioid epidemic was set to begin. McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health Inc., AmerisourceBergen Corp. and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. settled with the two plaintiffs, Summit and Cuyahoga counties in Ohio. The case was supposed to be the first federal multidistrict litigation trial (kind of like a class-action lawsuit) covering pharmaceutical companies' role in the ongoing opioid crisis. But the legal battle is far from over: Thousands more communities are lined up awaiting trials similar to this one. Both Ohio counties have said the settlement awards will go toward treatment programs and first responder support. | |  |  People are talking about these. Read up. Join in. | | 50,000 to 70,000
The number of smokers who successfully used vaping to quit smoking in the UK in 2017, according to a study. However, the authors noted different policies and cultures around e-cigarettes mean those results might not be replicated elsewhere. | | |  C'est moi. | | |  | Where did they even get those masks?!
The World Series starts tonight! Neither the Chicago Cubs nor the Arizona Diamondbacks are in it, but this classic video of their competing bullpen antics will make you laugh even if you can't tell a tater from a can of corn. (Click here to view.) | | | | |
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