August 18, 2015

Bombing in Bangkok, China hunts foxes, Amazon's culture and Trump's (anti) immigration policy

PNUT GALLERY

Socialism: you have two cows, you give one to your neighbor. You’ve probably all heard of the two cows analogy. Email us an analogy for your country and we can feature it in tomorrow’s Pnut!

IN A NUTSHELL: MUST READ

Explosion In Downtown Bangkok Claims 12

A motorcycle bomb went off in front of a popular Hindu shrine in downtown Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday killing 21 people. Thai PM Chan-ocha said this was the “worst ever attack on the country.” The attack seemed intended to target tourists and the police are searching for at least one suspect.

Who did it?
No one knows yet, although that hasn’t stopped people from coming up with theories. Everything from separatists in the south to Chinese Uighurs protesting their deportation to Thai anti-government “red-shirts” from the northeast of the country. The “red shirts” oppose the military junta that has been ruling Thailand ever since a military coup last summer.

China’s Hunt For ‘Foxes’ Bothers America

The NYTimes reported that the US was becoming increasingly peeved at China’s improper use of intelligence operatives to pressure fugitives to come back to face arrest in China. Repatriating fugitives is part of “operation fox hunt,” a move by the Chinese government to clamp down on financial crimes and corruption by bringing back everyone who fled. Add in all the hacking China has been doing (like stealing everyone’s SSN’s) and things are going to be pretty awkward when President Xi Jinping comes to visit next month….

Why is “operation fox hunt” important?
Anti-corruption has been a central part of Xi’s domestic agenda. As the economy slows down it becomes more important for him to be “Mr. Tough Guy” with those who have stolen money and run away. And nothing says “you have nowhere to hide” than bringing home a bad guy who thought he was safe in the US.

Good Read: Profile of Xi Jinping via The New Yorker

NUTS AND BOLTS: SHOULD READ

Amazon: Bad Business Practices? What Bad Business Practices?

Amazon, the online bookstore that also delivers uranium ore (not available for prime) was in crisis yesterday following a NYTimes report about life as an Amazonian. Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s CEO, said he “did not recognize this Amazon” and that he would “leave such a company.” Bezos made a personal appeal to employees asking them to contact him directly if anything like what was in the article occurred… (fire up your inbox Jeff).

US To Finally Try Something New In ‘War On Drugs’

Obama continues to show his softer side, as the White House unveils plans to focus on treatment versus punishment for fighting heroin addiction. The move comes on top of an earlier move this year to commute sentences for non-violent drug offenders. After a decades long, unsuccessful war on drugs it’s nice to see the government finally shifting strategies.

China: If They Can’t Report On It, It Never Happened

Residents in Tianjin, whose homes were damaged due to a chemical warehouse explosion last week protested yesterday, demanding compensation from the government. Premier Li Keqiang visited the wounded to allay fears and the government launched an official investigation… oh and they shut down a bunch of websites that were reporting on it for “spreading rumors.”

Shocking Images: Tianjin from the sky

#pnut4prez: Trump on immigration

Donald Trump, every Judge’s dream juror, released his official stance on immigration over the weekend and it’s everything you would expect from The Donald. His proposals include forcing the Mexican government to pay for a wall on the border, “returning” (aka deporting) illegal immigrants and violating the 14th amendment by ending birthright citizenship. Ann Coulter, always the charming one, said it was the “greatest political document since the Magna Carta.” Ya, okay…

Keeping Our Eye On…

Hindu Temples: The UAE announced that Abu Dhabi would open its first Hindu temple after a visit by Indian PM Modi to the country, the first by an Indian head of state in 34 years.
Blame for ISIS: An Iraqi government report blamed the former PM Nour al-Maliki for the fall of Mosul to ISIS last summer… first time the US isn’t entirely blamed for Middle East fiasco.
Spanish Bulls: In a strange Spanish tradition where enraged bulls are allowed to chase humans, a record seven people have been killed this year… no one ever learns.

LOOSE NUTS: FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT

Anthems: You Never Pay Attention Unless It’s The Wrong One

Spanish Badminton Champion Carolina Marin was awarded a rude surprise when receiving her gold medal for winning the World Badminton Championship yesterday in Indonesia. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) accidentally played her Spain’s old Fascist anthem as she was receiving her medal. Luckily Marin had a sense of humor and laughed off the error. This was the most embarrassing snafu to do with anthems since Kuwait played the Borat version of Kazakhstan’s national anthem during a medal ceremony in 2012.

Obama heads to the front-lines of climate change in Alaska to claim it before the Russians do.

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