Good afternoon, it’s Monday! I’m on a “no carbs” diet and I wish someone would throw an alcoholic pizza at my face. Here’s what you need to know today. (PS: You can have this delivered to your inbox by subscribing here.)
1. The growing fallout from the Iran crisis
Tensions are mounting worldwide after the U.S. killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike in Iraq late last week.
In a draft letter, the U.S. military said it will reposition its forces within Iraq in preparation for a possible withdrawal after Iraqi lawmakers yesterday approved a nonbinding resolution to force American troops out of the country, reports The Washington Post.
Meanwhile, France, Germany and Britain have appealed to Iran to remain in the 2015 nuclear deal and refrain from attacking the U.S. Iran announced over the weekend that it would suspend its commitment to the nuclear deal.
In Washington, D.C., White House officials today defended President Donald Trump’s threat to target 52 Iranian sites, including some that are important to “Iranian culture.” Military action against cultural sites is against international law. [Washington Post]
Some Trump administration officials were reportedly skeptical of the rationale for killing Soleimani. [New York Times]
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is calling for a vote this week to limit the president’s military actions in Iran. [NPR]
In Iran, thousands of people flooded the streets today to pay respect to Soleimani. [NPR]
2. John Bolton says he’s willing to testify in Trump impeachment trial
The former White House national security adviser said he is “prepared to testify” in the Senate’s trial if he’s subpoenaed, a move that could potentially be damaging for President Trump.
Top State Department and national security officials have previously testified that Bolton had deep concerns over Trump’s efforts to push Ukraine into investigating former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter.
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., wants to subpoena Bolton and three others, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has resisted. [NPR]
3. Illinois comptroller stops collecting debts for red-light camera tickets
Calling the red-light camera program “broken and morally corrupt,” Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said her office will stop deducting money from state-income tax refunds for motorists with outstanding red-light tickets.
Mendoza also urged communities to reconsider using red-light cameras, saying they are more about making money and less about public safety.
Mendoza’s comments come as federal authorities are investigating red-light contractor SafeSpeed over allegations of pay-to-play. [Chicago Sun-Times]
4. Harvey Weinstein trial begins
The disgraced Hollywood mogul today appeared in a New York City courtroom, where he faces charges of sexual assault. More than 80 women have accused Weinstein of various acts of sexual misconduct, allegations dating back decades.
But jurors will hear a narrow case with charges that come from two women: a former production assistant at the now defunct Weinstein Company who says Weinstein forced oral sex on her, and another woman who says Weinstein raped her.
Jury selection is expected to take place tomorrow, and the trial could last up to eight weeks. If convicted, Weinstein faces a minimum sentence of 10 to 25 years in prison or a maximum of life. [NPR]
5. Anti-Semitic hate crimes are poised to hit 18-year high in three major cities
That’s according to an upcoming report from the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino. The center found that Jews in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles are being targeted as frequently as African Americans and gay men.
“Today anti-Semitism and ignorance about the Holocaust has simply become broadly acceptable, and that is reflected in the increasing number of assaults and a diversity of offenders, who now also tend to be older,” said the lead author of the report. [Chicago Tribune]
Here’s what else is happening
A former Chicago public school principal is accused of having nonconsensual sex with a teacher. [WBEZ]
Some Illinois dispensaries have stopped selling recreational marijuana due to shortages. [Chicago Tribune]
WBEZ’s Jerome McDonnell takes a look at Illinois’ Endangered Species Protection Board. [WBEZ]
A movie that most people can’t currently watch won a top award at the Golden Globes. [NPR]
Oh, and one more thing …
Robot cats, a smart trashcan and vertical TVs are among the gadgets showcased at this year’s CES, the world’s largest consumer technology convention that takes place this week in Las Vegas.
The robotic cat, called MarsCat, can recognize faces and knows 20 commands, from “sit” to “come here.” It also mimics cat-like behavior, like biting its nails and stretching. [CNN]
Also on display at this year’s tech showcase is a temporary tattoo printer, called Prinker, that applies “cosmetic-grade ink to the skin in black or color just by passing it quickly over the chosen body part once.” I’d get one for my nephews, but it’s expected to cost $269, which is in the ballpark of a real tattoo. [Washington Post]
Tell me something good …
So I’m trying to eat more healthy foods, but I’d like to know what’s your favorite guilty pleasure when it comes to food.
Mine is this banana pudding my mom makes around the holidays. It’s so good that I once gave myself a headache from eating too much.
What’s your guilty pleasure? Feel free to email at therundown@wbez.org or tweet to @whuntah.
Have a nice night! I’ll see you tomorrow. And if you like what you just read, you can subscribe to the newsletter here and have it delivered to your inbox.