Skimm'd while drinking coffee and talking midterms with Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA)

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JULY 27, 2018

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Skimm'd while drinking coffee and talking midterms with Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA)


  QUOTE OF THE DAY  

"I had two imaginary friends when I was little. They were both lumberjacks" – Cher.

THINGS HAPPENING OVERSEAS

Pakistan

The Story

Pakistan is getting a new prime minister. His name's Imran Khan and he's made a big career shift from being a cricket star. He can't wait to join the team, rid Pakistan of corruption, and create an Islamic welfare state. Fun fact: he's not a fan of US counterterrorism policy and wants to build ties with China. Don't forget to stop by his desk and introduce yourself.

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Some people are saying 'not so fast.' The incumbent party is calling the election a fraud and rejecting the results. People are saying the military meddled. And Khan will have to cobble together a coalition in order to rule. But this is only the second civilian transfer of power in Pakistan's history. And shows that the country's very large young population (over 60% is under 30) was ready to switch things up.


New Zealand

The Story

New Zealand passed a law giving domestic violence victims 10 days of paid leave so they can take their kids and leave their unsafe living situations. Victims don't need to provide proof that they're victims. And they're entitled to other assists from their workplace, like getting some flexibility over where they work.

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New Zealand has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the world. The Philippines and parts of Canada already have laws like this on the books. New Zealand's law goes into effect next year.


Turkey

The Story

Yesterday, the Trump administration threatened to hit Turkey with sanctions if it doesn't release an American pastor. Turkey's foreign minister said 'don't hold your breath.' This is about a guy named Andrew Brunsona pastor from North Carolina who was arrested in 2016, during the Turkish government's mass arrests after a failed coup. Earlier this week, Brunson – who's lived in Turkey for decades – was moved from prison to house arrest. But is still facing up to 35 years in prison for espionage and terror charges.

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President Trump is threatening to sanction Turkey if Brunson isn't released ASAP. The rise in US-Turkey tensions comes after the recent re-election of prez Recep Tayyip Erdogan – who's been consolidating power left and right. And basically acting like a dictator in a country that happens to be a NATO ally.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What to say when you get called out for something you did...

That was rough. Facebook is saying 'same.' Yesterday the Book lost more value in a day than any company on the US stock market. Ever. The Book's dealing with numerous privacy issues (see: this or this) and they're having a pretty big effect on the company's wallet. Earlier this week, the co announced disappointing Q2 earnings. And said it's not growing users as much as Wall Street would like. Cue investors saying 'run, Forrest, run' and dropping the stock like a secret Beyoncé album. The company lost $119 billion (yes, billion) in value in one day. And dragged Twitter and Snap down with it. Meanwhile, Amazon is saying 'sucks to Zuck' – it had Prime earnings to report yesterday, and brought in profits of more than $2 billion for the first time ever. But it's not all sunshine in the state of 'Zon. The company's facial recognition software wrongly matched 28 members of Congress with...mugshots. What are you trying to say Bezos?


What to say when you hand in a project right on time…

Cutting it close. Just like the Trump administration. Yesterday was the deadline for the admin to reunite migrant children who've been separated from their families at the US-Mexico border. The gov said it had reunited more than 1,400 migrant children. But said there are more than 700 children still left in custody – some whose parents may have been deported already. TBD what happens next.


What to say when you hear the Russia investigation might be in tweet mode...

There are so many. Yesterday, President Trump's campaign team said it will donate to almost 100 Republicans that are up for re-election. Midterms are coming up in November and some House Republicans are hitting the panic button to protect their seats from the Dems. Speaking of midterms, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) – the guy who's being accused of turning a blind eye to alleged sexual abuse at Ohio State University – is putting his hat in the ring to replace Paul Ryan (R-WI) as House speaker. Speaking of Ryan, he's got the deputy attorney general's back against those articles of impeachment.


What people are talking about...

North Korea. Yesterday, the North handed over the remains of some US soldiers from the 1950s Korean War. This didn't come out of nowhere – it fulfilled a promise its leader made to President Trump during last month's nuclear talks in Singapore, something that kept getting pushed off. No, this doesn't mean we can cross off the North as a threat just yet. But the Trump administration is taking this as a sign of goodwill.


What you wish wasn't true…

This investigation that found the US is the most dangerous place to give birth in the developed world. Maternal deaths in the US have been on the rise. Every year, more than 50,000 mothers are severely injured during or after childbirth. And about 700 die. The investigation found that this is because hospitals and medical workers don't always follow proper safety measures.


What to say when you hear about the new "Charlie's Angels" cast...

Will Becky with the good hair be there?