News Round-Up: January 15, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• Monday Man Crush - bodybuilder Bruno Tarchetti (above) via Instagram shot by photographer Lëo Castro. A little sweat, some fur, a big tire, great lighting - what's not to like?

• A new study at the University of British Columbia suggests smelling your partner's shirt can reduce stress levels. #TotallyBelieveThat

• According to a survey of 200,000 iPhone users, a whopping 77% of Grindr users feel "unhappy" after using the gay dating app.

• Showrunners for the upcoming TV series Rise have changed the sexuality of one of the based-on-real-life lead roles from gay to straight.

• Conservative Christians are suing the University of Iowa for the right to discriminate against LGBTs while using school funds. #NotGonnaHappen

• Newsflash - Donald Trump announces he "is not a racist." That's what we've come to, kids.

• Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci was quickly disarmed by MSNBC host and reporter Katy Tur when she asked Scaramucci about Trump's long list of racially inflammatory statements.

When Scaramucci tried to deny any race-based comments by Trump, Tur began reciting just a short list of the Trumpster's past remarks. "I can keep going," Tur said as Scaramucci tried in vain to change the narrative.

Watch the exchange below.

Scaramucci: Charlottesville comments were the only objectionable thing Trump has said about race pic.twitter.com/Eeyd2N4fvY

— Axios (@axios) January 15, 2018

The sense of smell

All credit goes to my hubby Michael - when we planted the courtyard in the front of our house, he wanted a really green, lush feel to the space, and he came up with a wall of jasmine. 

In the desert.

When you walk by it smells amazing.  Just the right amount of natural gorgeousness.

Thanks, honey...