Politics

BREXIT

Does Britain finally have an exit plan from the European Union?

What it means & why it matters.

Breakin' Up Is Hard To Do
Politics

Not Just Britain

We call it “Brexit” but this plan covers the whole UK exiting the EU.

  • UK: Consists of Wales, England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland – not the Republic of Ireland.
  • Great Britain (aka Britain) is a geographic term that refers to the UK minus Northern Ireland.
  • UK gov’t is headed by Prime Minister Theresa May in London.
Politics

TIMELINE

  • 1951 – 2013: EU grows from 6 to 28 countries via numerous treaties
  • 2016: Nearly 52% of the UK voted to exit the EU (most of Wales & England voted to leave; most of Northern Ireland & Scotland voted to stay) citing economic (trade) & immigration (border) concerns.
  • 2017: The UK starts exit process.
Politics

NOW WHAT?

  • The UK is slated to leave the EU in March 2019, but, there are NO significant political or economic changes until late 2020 / 2021.
  • On Wednesday, UK Prime Minister Theresa May said her cabinet approved a draft Brexit deal governing the main aspects (trade, travel, and security).
  • A final deal must be approved by both the British & EU parliaments.
Politics

“We can choose to leave with no deal. We can risk no Brexit at all. Or we can choose to unite and support the best deal that can be negotiated — this deal.”

UK Prime Minister Theresa May after her cabinet approved a draft deal on Wednesday. By Thursday, May was hit with numerous high-level resignations from leaders refusing to support the draft deal approved her cabinet.
Politics

Why It Matters?

“A more unified Europe is a powerful counterbalance to people like Vladimir Putin.”

Brian Klaas, London School of Economics, described Brexit in 2016 as "akin to California and Florida being lopped off the U.S. economy.” Klass said economically and politically a less unified Europe will weaken the continent for foes and friends alike. Unless and until all the fine details are ironed out, the road ahead is uncertain.
Politics

IF no deal is reached between the UK & EU in the next 5 months, deadlines to reach a deal may be extended, but only if all 28 EU member countries agree to do so. Some British officials resigned Thursday over the draft proposal, increasing doubt on the deal.

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Quick Quotes

“… if the Utility’s equipment is determined to be the cause, the Utility could be subject to significant liability in excess of insurance coverage.”

PG&E, owner of Pacific Gas & Electric, statement to the Securities and Exchange Commission disclosing an "electric incident" just before the Camp Fire in Northern California - the most deadly & destructive state history. At least 56 people have died, 130 are still missing, and a record 7,600 homes and structures have been destroyed.
Quick Quotes

“It looks like a big, daunting number.”

Peter Katsingris, Nielsen SVP of audience insights, as younger viewers shut off TV at an accelerated pace. During October's prime sweeps period, the number of those aged 18-34 watching television plunged 15% from 2017 & 36% from 2014. The drop off in teens was even more pronounced at 18% since 2017 and 48% since 2014.
Quick Quotes

“We can confirm that Michael Avenatti (DOB: 02-16-71) was booked this afternoon on a felony domestic violence charge (273.5 PC). His bail is set at $50,000.”

Los Angeles Police Dept. on the arrest of lawyer Michael Avenatti. Avenatti, who represents Stormy Daniels in her case against Pres. Trump, has held himself out as an advocate for women. He told reporters he "never struck a woman. I will never strike a woman" and says the charges were meant harm his reputation.
Quick Quotes

“When you look at what the customer needs, it’s more about fulfillment and convenience. You need less space in order to do that.”

Macy's CEO Jeff Gennette on why the retailer is testing smaller stores to save money. The "neighborhood" locations will debut at 4 of its current stores, replicating similar moves by competitors Nordstrom & Kohl's. Last year, Macy's closed 100 stores all together in an effort to whittle its real estate holdings. Macy's stock is up 35% so far this year.
Quick Quotes

“Turns out they appear to be drunk on crabapples.”

Milton, West Virgina Police Department statement after receiving calls about "rabid" raccoons in the area. The "staggering and disoriented" raccoons could be a threat; police are warning residents to stay away and call for officers to handle it.
Quick Quotes
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Money

KEURIG FOR COCKTAILS

Could THIS gadget be the fix for slumping beer sales?

 

 

Anheuser-Busch hopes so.

 

 

 

 

Cheers!

Money

NEW ON TAP

  • Drinkworks Home Bar creates “bar-quality drinks at home.”
  • For now, makes 15 different drinks like a Moscow Mule, Cosmo, Sangria, White Russian & beer – alcohol included in pod.
  • Drinkmaker costs $299, cocktails $3.99/pod & beers $2.25/pod.
  • Unlike most of Keurig’s coffee pods, all alcohol pods are 100% recyclable.
Money

WHY NOW?

  • Changing tastes: In 15 years, beer fell from 56% to 46% of alcohol sales. Where’d that 10% go? 2% to wine, 8% to spirits.
  • Experimenting: Creative new drink options have wide appeal esp. with younger millennials eager to switch things up.
  • But still drinking: Americans are spending more on alcohol, and not because prices have risen.
Money

Drinkworks system, a venture between Keurig Dr. Pepper & Anheuser-Busch, goes on sale first only in St. Louis (Anheuser-Busch's HQ) next Monday - though there are plans to expand to other markets soon.

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Quote of the Day

 

 

 

“It’s a lifetime journey for us as women … Anywhere we go in the world we find women who are struggling with their own identity, and their sense of purpose, and their value, and I am no exception.”

Michelle Obama

Quote of the Day

Former First Lady Michelle Obama sat down with Jenna Bush Hager to discuss her new memoir "Becoming", finding her voice, her friendship with President George W. Bush (who she calls a "beautiful, funny, kind, sweet man”) & her life since leaving the White House.

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Health

Hands-Off Cold Season?

Kids get 6 to 8 colds a year.

New research now says the best medicine for a child’s common cold?
Nearly nothing at all.

What? Yes. True.

Health

The Basics:

  • British Medical Journal review.
  • Researchers weighed risks and effectiveness of over-the-counter medicines for adults and children.
  • Conclusions: Children showed no clear improvement from ANY medications (or alternative treatments like honey or Vitamin C) except for “saline nasal irrigation.”
Health

“The bottom line is that for all of the over-the-counter cough and cold medications, there is limited to no evidence of efficacy for any cold symptoms, particularly in those under 6 years.”

Dr. Ian Paul, professor of pediatrics at Penn State College of Medicine, reacting to the research. Since 2007 he's studied cold treatments for children and his research showed that a dose of “buckwheat honey" 30 minutes before bed, often had the best results for children (and their parents).
Health

How Do You Know When A Cold Is A Cold?

“A common cold tends to have symptoms from neck up.”

Dr. Darria, MD, Mom & Author of the upcoming book "Mom Hacks" says "If your child has a really high fever, if they're acting lethargic, if they have significant pain in any one spot (sore throat, ear pain), those suggest something more than a common cold."
Health

SmartHER Tips

What Dr. Darria Does:

  • Nasal saline rinse & suction.
  • A teaspoon of honey (for children over a year old) at bedtime.
  • Cold mist humidifier.
  • Breathing cold air (outside or from the freezer) can help reduce swelling & soothe children.
  • Treat fever as needed (Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen).
Health

Adults get on avg. 2 to 4 colds a year & the British Medical Journal review showed adults benefited *somewhat* from antihistamines & decongestants. Check out our source page for a very cool graphic by the British Medical Journal that shows what works and what doesn’t

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Quick Quotes

“At least half of patients don’t recover … unfortunately, we have not been following every AFM patient, it’s a gap in our understanding of AFM that we don’t understand the long-term consequences.

CDC's Dr. Nancy Messonnier on paralysis caused by acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a rare, but serious condition primarily affecting children. 10 new cases in the past week brings the total confirmed AFM patients to 90 in 27 states. CDC still investigating its cause.
Quick Quotes

“I’m not going to make it out of here, there’s flames everywhere. …And he said, ‘don’t die, run. If you’re going to die, die fighting, you have to run.”

Nichole Jolly, a nurse at a hospital in Paradise, California, on the conversation with her husband before jumping out of her car surrounded by flames. She found a firetruck, but they were calling for air support, which was not possible. She credits a bulldozer that cleared a path to safety for saving her life.
Quick Quotes

“This person has been anxious and upset since selection … If I were to ask further questions, it will result in a breakdown and crying.”

Brooklyn federal Judge Brian Cogan on delaying Mexican drug lord El Chapo's trial due to an "anxious and upset" juror. The woman, identified as Juror #1, broke down when she was originally picked, but the Judge refused to let her off the jury. On Tuesday, she brought a doctor's note in hopes of getting removed.
Quick Quotes

“I’d die of shame to use such a luxurious plane in a country with so much poverty.”

Mexican President-elect Andrés Manuel López Abrador on why he's selling the official presidential plane. The Boeing 787-Dreamliner is just 2 years old and boasts an onboard bedroom and restaurant. The President-elect, who takes office in December, warns it costs $25M/year to maintain it.
Quick Quotes

“…did not meet NFL standards for playability and consistency.”

NFL statement after moving Monday's scheduled game between the Kansas City Chiefs & Los Angeles Rams from Mexico City to L.A. due to concerns about the safety of players at Estadio Azteca. The NFL has played a regular season game there for the past two seasons, but blames rainy weather and a busy schedule for not having the field ready in time.
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Current Events

Presidents & The Press

The White House suspends a CNN correspondent’s press pass.

CNN sues the White House to regain access.

Here’s a look at the history of presidential press conferences, how the approx. 2,000 White House reporters obtain press passes, and the legality of denying press access.

Current Events

HISTORY

  • Late 1800s: Presidents began holding regular press meetings.
  • 1914: A year after Pres. Wilson held the first formal press conference, a group of accredited reporters was formed to grant access passes for White House.
  • 1930: Pres. Hoover created the press secretary position.
  • 1961: Pres. Kennedy held first live televised press conference.

 

Current Events

WH Press Pass Process

  • Step 1: Approval by the Standing Cmte of Correspondents, which grants Senate & House passes “to bona fide correspondents of repute in their profession” who live in D.C. and are NOT engaged in political advocacy or lobbying.
  • Step 2: Secret Service conducts background check.  Once granted by Secret Service, passes must be renewed yearly.
Current Events

LEGALLY SPEAKING

  • A WH press pass is a privilege – not just anyone can obtain one.
  • A WH press pass can be revoked at the discretion (ex: security reasons) of the White House, BUT there are legal limits.
  • The issue is whether there is a clearly articulated standard for suspending WH passes and an opportunity for reporters to contest the suspension.
Current Events

The White House suspended CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s White House press pass after an incident during a press conference last week, where he refused to give up his microphone. Watch the exchange on our source page.

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Money

And The Winner Is….

After a year-long search, promising a “full equal” to its current Seattle HQ, Amazon splits its second headquarters between *two* cities.

Bait & switch?

Money

Backstory: Amazon’s Hunt

Required: metro area with 1M population, int’l airport, mass transit, quality higher education, an educated workforce, & business-friendly environment.

Promised: a full equal to current Seattle campus, $5B construction investment & 50,000 jobs.

 

But, Er, Um...HQ2 *AND* 3

Money

“… much less radical move than many imagined … rich places getting richer.”

Jed Kolko, Indeed chief economist, on Amazon selecting D.C. & NYC-area home bases - the biggest financial and political hubs in America. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos says the two cities offer the ability to attract "world class talent."
Money

Crystal City, VA

  • Arlington area, 3 miles west of D.C., eager for new economic energy after 24K federal jobs moved out in the early 2000s.
  • Known for its outdated, ’70-80s commercial buildings connected by underground tunnel with shops & restaurants.
  • Concerns over steep housing prices, congested roads, & pricing out of lower-income residents.
Money

Long Island City, NY

  • NYC neighborhood, 3 miles east of Times Square, is an old manufacturing area in Queens.
  • Even before Amazon, it is one of the fastest-developing areas with 9K+ new apartments & homes built in 8 years.
  • Struggling to handle the growth with crowded schools and infrastructure issues like sewage backups with heavy rain.
Money

Bigger Picture:
Why it Matters

  • 238 cities in U.S. & Canada shared taxpayer-funded research trying to woo Amazon.
  • Giving Amazon an invaluable database & insight into what types of incentives communities are willing to offer as the tech giant expands building possible data and logistics centers, etc.
Money

Two, winning cities will split the 50,000 jobs and $5B in investment evenly. Amazon also announced it will open a customer fulfillment center in Nashville, creating 5,000 jobs. The average salary for all 3, new locations? Over $150K, according to Amazon.

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Current Events

WORLD’S MOST WANTED: EL CHAPO

He’s responsible for an est. 25% of illegal drugs that enter the U.S. via Mexico and now he faces his day in an American court.

Current Events

WHO IS HE?

  • Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán (61).
  • Nickname “shorty,” 5′ 6″ tall.
  • Doesn’t speak English.
  • Born poor to farmers, rose through the cartels to become billionaire leader of Sinaloa cartel.
  • #41 Forbes Most Powerful (2009.)
  • Twice escaped from maximum-security prisons in Mexico.
  • After 2 years of requests by the U.S, extradited to America in 2017.
Current Events

“I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world. I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats.”

El Chapo in an interview with actor Sean Penn for Rolling Stone magazine in 2015. Penn traveled to El Chapo's secret hideout to meet him & authorities say that helped lead to his arrest. U.S. prosecutors are expected to use video from the interview in the trial.
Current Events

WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

Guzman has pleaded not guilty to 17 charges of int’l drug trafficking, conspiring to kill rivals, gun charges & money laundering.

Astonishing 40 witnesses & former associates expected to testify, including a one-time lieutenant.

Prosecutors recently gave the defense 14K pages of new documents – many in Spanish.

 

Current Events

SECURITY IS TIGHT

  • El Chapo held in a windowless cell nearly 24 hrs/day for 20 months awaiting trial.
  • He will be moved for trial to avoid shutting down the Brooklyn Bridge each day as he’s moved to/from court.
  • Anonymous jury of 5 men & 7 women receive armed escorts.
  • Judge refused his request to hug wife in court due to security.
Current Events

Trial is expected to last for 4 months. If convicted, he faces life in prison with multiple indictments throughout the U.S., including NYC, San Diego, & Chicago. Prosecutors will try and seize an est. $14B in profits. El Chapo's sons are believed to be running the cartel in his absence.

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Quick Quotes

“I’m running for the President of the United States of America.”

Richard Ojeda, a West Virginia democrat and fmr. Army paratrooper, who chose Veterans Day to announce his candidacy for President after losing his bid for Congress a week earlier. Ojeda (O-jed-da) joins Maryland Rep. John Delaney (D), who's announced his candidacy last year - a reminder the race for 2020 has begun.
Quick Quotes

“They feel a sense of pride in doing what they do. You go into a camp, and you would swear that, except for their obvious inmate T-shirts and pants, that it’s just another firefighter.”

Bill Sessa, CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation on the more than 3,500+ prison inmates who serve as volunteer firefighters battling the state's historic wildfires.
Quick Quotes

“The bull market is not over, the economic expansion is not over, but things are starting to wind down. We’re clearly getting into the late innings of the ball game.”

Randy Frederick, VP of trading & derivatives at Charles Schwab as the stock market tumbled Monday; the Dow shed 600 pts. No single factor caused the widespread sell-off across sectors.
Quick Quotes

“It looks as if it is a political charade, and it’s a dangerous one.”

Ret. Gen. Barry McCaffrey reacting to reports North Korea continues developing its ballistic missile program. Ballistic missiles can often deliver nuclear warheads, and North Korea has nuclear technology. Gen. McCaffrey says North Korea threatens U.S. nation security despite the bilateral talks.
Quick Quotes

“The escalation in the past 24hrs is EXTREMELY dangerous & reckless. Rockets must STOP, restraint must b shown by all!”

United Nations Middle East envoy on the deadly rocket fire exchange between Hamas-held Gaza and Israel, following a failed undercover Israeli raid on Sunday. The AP calls it "the most serious escalation since an Israel-Hamas war in 2014.” The U.S. considers Hamas a terrorist organization.
Quick Quotes
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Current Events

IT AIN’T OVER FOLKS!

2018 MIDTERMS

As Congress returns to work one week after Election Day, at least 15 Congressional races & 2 Governorships are without a winner

Races, Recounts & Runoffs

Current Events

FLORIDA RACES

  • Three recounts ordered (per state law when victory less than 0.5%).
  • U.S. Senate: Gov. Rick Scott (R) vs. incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson (D) – Scott says he won.
  • FL Governor: Former Rep. Ron DeSantis (R) vs. Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D) – DeSantis says he won.
  • FL Agriculture Comm’r: Matt Caldwell (R) vs. Nikki Fried (D).
Current Events

RECOUNT REALITY

According to the nonpartisan group FairVote, out of 4,687 statewide elections between 2000 and 2015, 27 went to a recount, but only three races saw changed results.

FYI: Pursuant to FL law, recounts of the 8.5 million votes must be completed by Thursday at 8pm, otherwise, the former counts stand.

Current Events

GEORGIA GOV. RACE

  • GA Secretary of State Brian Kemp (R) declared victory Thursday.
  • On Sunday, Stacey Abrams (D) filed a lawsuit to force a runoff and get the rejected absentee & provisional ballots counted.
  • TBD if a runoff will happen. GA law requires a runoff btwn two top candidates if neither receives more than 50% of the votes. If triggered, it will be held Dec 4th.
Current Events

Late Monday, Democrat Rep. Kyrsten Sinema beat out Republican Rep. Martha McSally to become Arizona's first female senator in a seat previously held by Sen. Jeff Flake. Sinema is the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in Arizona in 30 years.

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Quote of the Day

“You know, my motto is ‘Excelsior.’ That’s an old word that means ‘upward and onward to greater glory.’ …Keep moving forward, and if it’s time to go, it’s time. Nothing lasts forever.”

stan lee

Quote of the Day

The creator of Marvel superheroes Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, Black Panther & the Incredible Hulk died Monday at 95. The prolific writer is credited with reviving the comic book industry in the 1960s creating fallible superheroes that would inspire lucrative movie franchises.

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