Trump puts out fire with gasoline

USA TODAY

Trump’s week straight out of Helsinki continues

President Donald Trump is not making things easy for himself when it comes to damage control after his controversial meeting Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin (he says it was a success). His explanation that he meant to say he didn’t see why it “wouldn’t” have been Russia that meddled in the 2016 election did little to calm his critics (he actually said, “'I don't see any reason why it would be”). Their concerns only grew when Trump told reporters Wednesday that Russia is no longer targeting U.S. elections, directly contradicting the conclusion of U.S. intelligence agencies (spokeswoman Sarah Sanders says he was saying "no" about something else). And he gave NATO members more reason to be nervous when he expressed doubt going to war to defend the alliance’s newest member, Montenegro, in an interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

In other Trump news:

Trump: Never a president 'as tough on Russia' President Donald Trump is claiming that no American president has been as "tough" on Russia as he has been, amid ongoing criticism of his Helsinki summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. (July 18)

The doctor will see you now. In court.

More doctors, hospitals and other medical professionals are fighting back against negative reviews online, some have even taken patients to court. In one case, a Cleveland physician sued a former patient for defamation over negative reviews posted on Yelp. Winning in court is a different matter for the doctors because of patient confidentiality rules. An attorney representing doctors who filed one such defamation suit suggests patients should address any concerns about their care directly with their doctor before taking to social media.

Surgeon: Online posts were part of patient’s 'obsession over 10 years' Surgeon says a former patient posted hundreds of negative reviews about him for a span of 10 years.

That's a lotta karats: 'Quadrillion tons of diamond' buried out of our reach

Diamonds on Earth are actually as common as dirt – we just can't get at them. A new study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and other universities that measured sound waves in rock concluded there might be a quadrillion tons of diamond hiding deep underneath Earth's surface – more than 1,000 times more than previously thought. But the lavish gems are located more than 100 miles below Earth's tectonic plates, in ancient "cratonic roots" where no drill can touch them. These diamonds will likely only sparkle in the light of day if a volcano erupts and carries them to the surface in its magma, the study found. Well, a girl can dream, right?

They called police on people ‘simply for being black.’ Now they’re internet infamous

Ever hear of BBQ Becky or Permit Patty? They’re really popular on the internet, but for all the wrong reasons. Two women earned the nicknames after they were filmed calling police on black people for hosting a barbecue at a public park in one case and selling bottled water in the other. The names are a form of shaming on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter and part of an effort to expose the racism faced by black Americans every day.

'Permit Patty' stepping down as CEO of cannabis company "Permit Patty" has reportedly resigned from her job at the cannabis company she founded amid outcry for calling police on a girl selling water. Nathan Rousseau Smith has the story.

Nelson Mandela was born one century ago

Nelson Mandela, a resistance fighter who rose to become president of South Africa and win the Nobel Peace Prize, inspired countless individuals during his long life. On Wednesday, the historic peacemaker would have turned 100 years old. Here are 100 facts about his legendary life and 15 quotes that personify his spirit.

Wait, that's not enough news? Here are more headlines

The quest to get rid of plastic straws started with a suspect statistic from a 9-year-old.

The founder of Papa John's said he regrets resigning over his use of a racial slur.

Since 2014, calls to suicide crisis centers have doubled.

The Short List is a compilation of stories from across USA TODAY.