August 30, 2015

Refugee Crisis, Oliver Sacks, Putin Working Out and Other Stuff

PNUT GALLERY

It’s Monday Pnutters. To get you motivated for the week here’s the best thing on the Internet. A video of Russia’s President and Prime Minister pumping iron together in tight pants. Yes just yes.

IN A NUTSHELL: MUST READ

Europe Decides It Is About Time To Act On Refugee Crisis

With over 300,000 refugees entering Europe illegally this year EU leaders are finally getting around to holding “emergency talks” after returning from their August holidays… The crisis turned particularly gruesome as the decomposing bodies of 71 migrants were found in a truck on an Austrian highway. Hungary has since arrested four people for the deaths, accusing them of human trafficking. What is the refugee crisis? As the Syrian Civil War permanently damages the country, more and more of the four million Syrian refugees are giving up temporary camps in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon for permanent resettlement in the EU. They aren’t the only ones, there are also refugees from Eritrea and Libya making the deadly trip, placing their lives in the hands of human smugglers and an archaic EU refugee system.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Why we use “refugee” instead of “migrant.”

Farewell to Oliver Sacks: Writer, Neurologist and Smoked Salmon Eater

The world renowned neurologist and writer of books such as The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat passed away over the weekend. Sacks achieved a level of fame rare amongst scientists and spent his life documenting brain disorders through patient stories. He announced in an op-ed in February that he was terminally ill with cancer and spent his final days playing the piano, swimming and eating smoked salmon. An amazing figure who had a minor planet named after him and suffered from prosopagnosia, a disorder where you can’t recognize people’s faces. He will be much missed.

GOOD READ: 12 Beautiful quotes from Oliver Sacks via Buzzfeed

NUTS AND BOLTS: SHOULD READ

Federal Reserve: Crisis? What Crisis?

Central bankers from around the world met last week in Jackson Hole, Wyoming to go for leisurely hikes and figure out what to do about the China crisis and low growth around the world. The US Fed’s conclusion? Not our problem. Fearing that inflation will rise and that US fundamentals were strong they are poised to raise interest rates before the end of the year leaving the rest of the world to figure out its own problems…

Malaysia: Clash Of The Prime Ministers

Former Malaysian prime minister Mahatir called for “people power” to sweep out the current PM Najib Razak. Protests have been growing over the past few months after a “discovery” of ~$700 million in Razak’s bank account. Protesters claim the money was taken from the state investment fund while the PM claims it was a “donation” from Middle Eastern friends…when was the last time your friend gave you $700 million?

Lebanon: Politicians Face Ouster For Large Scale Littering

A political crisis in Lebanon has left the capital, Beirut, without trash collectors for most of the summer, leaving the city with a pungent aroma and a viral hashtag (#youstink). Thousands of people, tired of the smell, protested this week, asking for parliament to hold snap elections. The Interior Minister, whose police forces caused protests to turn violent last week, was criticized for partying in Mykonos during the protests…

#pnut4prez: Scott Walker Ready To Face Down Canadian Threat

In an attempt to find a foreign-policy niche within the crowded Republican race, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has decided to focus on the imminent threat to American security that is Canada. Walker kept with the trend of building walls on borders and advocated for a border fence with Canada, calling it a “legitimate issue” worth looking into. One (of many) problems? The wall would need to be over 5,000 miles long…That’s quite a wall eh!

Keeping Our Eye On…

New Names: President Obama is set to change the name of Mt. McKinley to its original name of Denali today. The name change is a sensitive issue for Ohio, a state that lies nowhere near Alaska…
Gas: After a millennia old diet of tahini and fava beans Egypt discovered it had gas, a supergiant gas field in fact. The new find is set to change the energy landscape in the Middle East/Europe.
Kanye West For President: Kanye West announced at the VMAs yesterday that he was running for President in 2020. A great candidate to make Donald Trump a one-term President. Oh and Kim Kardashian would be First Lady…..

LOOSE NUTS: FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT

Brazilian Mayor Wanted For Governing Town Via WhatsApp

A 25-year-old Mayor of a Brazilian town is wanted by police after she was accused of corruption and directing officials through WhatsApp. Immediately after being elected she moved to another town 275km away (get elected and move away, great call) and a federal investigation found that $4 million had gone missing from the education budget. At least you know when officials have read your messages…

Just One Moderate Talking To Another

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