promoearn: 'Weekend dad' Paul Ryan is out. How will this shake up the House?

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

'Weekend dad' Paul Ryan is out. How will this shake up the House?

Paul Ryan prepares to speak to the media about President

Not-so-great news for Republicans

House Speaker Paul Ryan announced Wednesday that he won't seek re-election in November. While his departure was rumored for months, it's still a major blow to Republicans who are trying to keep their majority in the House. Why he's out: Ryan said he's done some "big things," and now he wants to focus on his kids ( doesn't want to be a "weekend dad.") Who will replace him: The leadership race won't be decided until after the November elections, but possible replacements include Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., now Ryan's second-in-command, and Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., now the third-ranking House member.

All eyes on Syria

The world waited Wednesday for President Trump's response to the alleged chemical weapons attack by Syrian President Bashar Assad on civilians in a rebel-held suburb of Damascus. Rebels claim more than 40 people were killed and entire families were gassed to death. Trump has blasted Assad and blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran for supporting the Syrian leader. What we know so far: The Pentagon is likely planning a larger strike than what U.S. warships launched on April 7, 2017, in response to a previous chemical attack. British and French forces can be expected to take part in the response. The U.S. has asked the United Nations Security Council to authorize an independent inquiry.

Mariah Carey's brave revelation

Mariah Carey is letting the world know she has bipolar disorder. The singer revealed her 2001 diagnosis to People magazine in an article published Wednesday. "Until recently I lived in denial and isolation and in constant fear someone would expose me," she told editor in chief Jess Cagle. "It was too heavy a burden to carry and I simply couldn't do that anymore. I sought and received treatment, I put positive people around me and I got back to doing what I love — writing songs and making music." Many on social media praised Carey for her honesty and expressed hope her revelation would help further destigmatize mental illness.

Travel sites aren't alerting tourists to these disturbing attacks

Blackouts. Robberies. Sexual assaults. Deaths. Even though more than 170 tourists are reporting violence at all-inclusive Mexico resorts, travel companies aren't disclosing risks. Booking websites aren't posting feedback and governments have done little to inform. After a State Department warning against visiting Playa del Carmen in Mexico, the Mexico Tourism Board said it was safe, other than a recent ferry explosion. Only following a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation exposing how tourists who visited luxury resorts blacked out from drinking just a few drinks, Mexican authorities shut down a black market tequila distillery. It's a mother's nightmare. A romantic getaway ending in sexual assault. It's not a vacation.