September 02, 2015

Europe’s refugee crisis, American crime, Bangkok bomber, Clinton emails take two, dictator pastimes

PNUT GALLERY


Google changing its logo is exciting, McDonalds announcing that it will serve its breakfast menu all day for the first time is exciting. You know what’s also exciting, the Pnut’s Facebook page (give it a like).
 


IN A NUTSHELL: MUST READ

 

Europe’s Refugee Crisis – Iceland to the Rescue!


First, the chaos:
Hundreds of refugees were stranded outside the Budapest train station in Hungary after authorities banned them from boarding trains to the rest of Europe. Hungary falls within the visa-free Schengen zone which allows people to move within it without visas or passports. This explains why so many refugees are so desperate to get into the country. 

But wait, there is hope:
A number of private citizens have been disappointed by the lackluster response to the crisis and have taken matters into their own hands:
  • Some 13,000 Icelanders joined a Facebook page and offered their homes to refugees. 
  • Incubator Startup Boat is seeking solutions to help refugees on Greek islands. 
  • German startup Refugees Welcome is matching refugees to host families. 
  • Thousands of citizens in Vienna welcomed refugees.
     

EDITOR’S NOTE: Why we use “refugee,” not “migrant”

  


America’s Murder Rate Rises – Everyone Confused


America, a place which has more guns per capita than any other country, saw its murder rate tick up this year and no one really knows why. Thirty major cities across the country experience an increase in the number of homicide rates, the largest of which was in Milwaukee with a rise of 76%. The increase comes in the midst of a particularly tense year for law enforcement as a number of high-profile killings of unarmed black Americans have gained national attention. 

Not knowing why something is happening hasn’t stopped people from making “educated” guesses. From gun laws (too weak or too strong), to vigilante justice and less aggressive police tactics, everyone has a theory. Some have even given up and just call it an “anomaly.”
  

NUTS AND BOLTS: SHOULD READ


Thailand Still Searching For Bombing Answers 


Police arrested a second suspect as Thailand tries to figure out who/what/why bombed a famous shrine in downtown Bangkok last month killing twenty people. Rumors circulated that the bomber was a Chinese Uighur, a persecuted Muslim minority in Western China. Police are searching for more foreigners, including Turks who expressed sympathy with the Uighur cause. A Thai mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a mystery.
 


Uber Might Have To Treat Employees As Employees


Uber, the taxi company that doesn’t own taxis, might be in trouble. A California judge allowed a “class-action” lawsuit by Uber drivers to go forward Tuesday. This can be very expensive for Uber (think tobacco and asbestos) and could challenge a key component of its business model — its drivers are not considered “employees.” The lawsuit is important as it will define worker relations in the era of the modern sharing economy.  



Markets Continue To Cause Heartburn 


Those hoping that September would be more stable than August were sorely disappointed yesterday when the Dow Jones and S&P 500 both closed down almost 3%. Oil reversed course, losing 7.7% in a single day. Everyone is concerned that China’s growth is actually going to be much slower than expected despite reports that things are “just fine” and that reporters caused the market crash… wink wink. 
 


#pnut4prez: Clinton Emails: ‘The Pnut, Where Do We Stand On It?’


CUT! Take two, andddd we’re back. The Clinton email saga continues. The State Department released 7,000 pages of the former Secretary of State’s emails Monday night. While nothing new was really revealed, we did get an even further glimpse into Clinton’s daily life… gefilte fish being front and center. She was also intrigued by Parks and Recreation and the Good Wife. And Sidney Blumenthal, her long-time friend and “informal” advisor, clearly played an important advisory role as we learned during the last email reveal. For more tidbits, check this out



Keeping Our Eye On…

  • Netflix: You may lose some binge-worthy flicks. In an effort to distinguish itself from the rest of the pack, the streaming service will not renew its contract with Epix, a partnership compared to “McDonald’s cutting a deal to sell [Burger King] Whoppers.” 
     
  • Ebola: One week after the last Ebola-infected patient was discharged from the hospital in Sierra Leone, a 67-year-old woman recently died of the virus. As Ebola persists in neighboring countries, there is a push to spread the vaccine trial and to quarantine the woman’s village.
     
  • Gay Marriage: A small Kentucky county clerk has made international headlines by defying a court order to issue marriage licenses to gay couples, stating her “religious beliefs.” Unsure if religion can save her from a potential 365-day jail sentence for misconduct…


LOOSE NUTS: FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT
 

Bashar Finds A Friend… In North Korea


Ever wonder what a dictator does for fun? Vladimir Putin enjoys weightlifting with his buddy Dimitri, Saddam Hussein wrote bad romance novels and Bashar al-Assad enjoys North Korean themed amusement parks. Syria opened the park as a “show of friendship” between Assad and Kim Jong-Un (possibly the two worst people to go to a park with). The Syrian government said that North Korea was a model for Syria and that they wished to expand bilateral ties between the two states. This is almost too absurd to write about. 
 

Okay Google, how many more hours until the weekend?
Today’s Pnut is sponsored by Ivy!

IVY is a collaborative community of 15,000+ next generation innovators who are redefining entrepreneurship, arts, policy and philanthropy. Our mission is to spark great new ideas, advance important causes, and provide unparalleled opportunities for learning and growth.
IVY is a collaborative community of 15,000+ next generation innovators who are redefining entrepreneurship, arts, policy and philanthropy. Our mission is to spark great new ideas, advance important causes, and provide unparalleled opportunities for learning and growth.
Receive this email from a friend? 
Get The Daily Pnut every day – subscribe here


Got Feedback? Drop a line to Tewfik at tewfik@opedspace.com

Keep in touch with us outside of your inbox:
Facebook
Facebook
Twitter
Twitter
Copyright © , All rights reserved.


Mailing address:
950 Mass Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139
USA

 

Yes, I want to sound marginally more intelligent: