PNUT GALLERY Developing story: Turkey shot down a Russian jet in Northern Syria. Turkey claims to have warned the pilot several times, Russia denies it entered Turkish airspace… Follow us on Facebook as we provide updates throughout the day.
IN A NUTSHELL: MUST READ
Belgium: That Place That Produces Terrorists For Some Reason
Brussels, the capital of the EU (and Belgium), has become the focal point in a continent-wide search for the missing suspects of the Paris attacks. Police arrested a total of 21 people over two days, charging one for playing a role in the Paris attack. The city will continue to be on high alert until next week with schools and the metro not opening until Wednesday.
Why Belgium?
The internet is not without an abundance of theories on why Belgium lies at the center of this. Everything from lax gun controls, austerity, a common language with France, lax immigration, bureaucratic nightmare and routinely going on without a government are being blamed for Brussel’s central role. Earlier this year Belgium charged 45 members of “Sharia4Belgium” (quite a name) for terrorism related offenses.
France, Russia And The US Walk Into A Bar…
…And try to agree on a common strategy to fight ISIS. One would think that the despised terror group can bring everyone together to fight a common enemy, but alas, not so much. While France began launching attacks from its aircraft carrier and French President Hollande plans his trip to Moscow later this week to coordinate with Vladimir Putin (a man who enjoys bombing things in Syria), Obama remains reticent.
The Obama administration fears that a Franco-Russian alliance against ISIS (or ISIL as he likes to call them) could weaken sanctions against Russia (which, btw, is still occupying Crimea in Ukraine). The hope is that the US and France can sanction Russia for Ukraine while simultaneously working with Russia on Syria. Sounds simple enough? Meanwhile, Putin offered France a puppy as a gesture of goodwill.
NUTS AND BOLTS: SHOULD READ
Colombia: Peace At Last?
It’s not all wars and bombings as Colombia comes one step closer to ending the last war in the Western Hemisphere (aside from the war against drugs). The Colombian government pardoned 30 FARC (communist) rebels as part of a “confidence building” process with the rebels. FARC has already had its own goodwill gestures when it promised not to recruit child soldiers…
Pfizer Buys Allergan To Make Pharma Bigger And Taxes Smaller
Pfizer bought Allergan (botox maker) for $160 billion as part of a long, storied tradition of US companies buying other companies so they could all pay less taxes (e.g. Burger King and Tim Hortons). The new company will be headquartered in Ireland. President Obama considers these deals unpatriotic, others consider them the natural result of a complex tax system that has nothing to do with national allegiances. Where do you stand?
#pnut4prez: The Battle To Save The Republicans
Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio are squaring off in Iowa and New Hampshire hoping to position themselves for when (if) Ben Carson and Donald Trump burn out. Rubio, the establishment favorite, is playing from behind against Cruz, who currently has a 10% lead over Rubio. Cruz benefits from being a Tea Party darling who routinely threatens to shut down the government. Rubio, however, has quietly risen in the polls.
Keeping Our Eye On…
- Worldwide Travel Alert: The US State Department has given up and just decided to issue a worldwide travel alert Monday evening for all American travelers. Stay updated here.
- Chinese Flamethrowers: China’s Army used flamethrowers against suspected Muslim separatists (Uighurs) who were hiding in caves during an operation in Xinjiang province (Western China). The separatists are supposedly behind an attack on a mining operation that left 50 people dead.
- Solar Power: It’s about time desert nations started using the sun to generate power. Morocco will build one of the world’s biggest solar power plants to help it get 42% of its energy from renewables by 2020.
- Refugees in Latin America: Central American governments (Honduras, Costa Rica and St. Maarten) have detained a number of Syrian refugees trying to make it to the US. The findings combine Trump’s two favorite things: fear of Latinos and fear of refugees.
LOOSE NUTS: FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT
ISIS Vs. Mafia: A Fight We Kinda Want To See
ISIS may have an international military coalition fighting against it, but now the Mafia’s involved. The son of famed Cosa Nostra mob boss, John Gambino, has said that the rise of terrorism gives the Mafia a chance to show its “ good side” and that the Mafia offers better protection against terrorism than the NYPD. Want to join the Mafia fight? You may need to brush up on your slang. |
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