PNUT GALLERY

Prove you aren’t a cherophobe (a person afraid of fun) and have a mega weekend. If you’re working in Europe don’t tell anyone your plans as bosses can now read all your WhatsApps and private messages sent during working hours (aarggh…delete!).

IN A NUTSHELL: MUST READ

#pnut4prez: Trump Debates Cruz As Five Other Candidates Watch They’re dropping like flies on the main stage with only seven presidential candidates left this time around in South Carolina for the countdown to the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries next month. The crew gave a memorable (or not, depending on your lens) performance — “an episode of Court TV” as Marco Rubio would call it. Here’s a breakdown by candidate.

• Donald Trump: Acknowledged that Ted Cruz is a viable threat and kindly offered him the VP spot when he wins the nomination. This came after The Donald lambasted Cruz for the recent allegations that he did not report Goldman Sachs loans in his Senate race. Trump also used his familiar “he wasn’t born in America” routine on Cruz. Is it us or is The Donald becoming more orange by the day?
• Ted Cruz turned down the VP offer and kindly also offered Trump the VP spot when he wins the nomination. He attacked Trump for his “New York” values to which the billionaire responded with something that sounded like a coherent answer defending himself and New York. Trump coherent? Weird. 
• Marco Rubio: The Bee Gees-fearing Senator fought against attacks on his “amnesty” immigration proposals and tax policy. He also attacked Obama for wanting to do something about guns (he owns a Magnum…real tough). Rubio might as well have held up a sign saying “I promise I’m a real conservative.”
• Ben Carson: Somehow Mr. Sleepy woke up and became the class clown, cracking jokes left and right. He was pretty much just grateful he got asked a question within the first 30 minutes. 
• Chris Christie: Alert, alert… he was a former federal prosecutor… did anyone catch that? He spent most of the debate trying to interrupt people.
• Jeb! He was awkward, per usual, and focused primarily on Hillary Clinton as the main threat as opposed to any of his fellow Republicans on the stage. He also challenged Trump to “reconsider” his stance on banning Muslims from entering this country “temporarily”… to no avail.
• John Kasich: Apparently the Governor isn’t really feeling the Bern as he assured the crowd that if Senator Sanders is the nominee, the Republicans will have an easy path to the White House. 

The Entertainment Rundown:

• Alan Rickman, who played Severus Snape in Harry Potter (was he good or evil?), died at 69 yesterday after a battle with cancer. You can read his farewell note to Harry Potter fans here.
• Leo Di Caprio’s “The Revenant” swept the Oscar nominations… leaving him with 12 chances to finally take home an Oscar this year.

NUTS AND BOLTS: SHOULD READ

Renault: Trying Really Hard Not To Be France’s Volkswagen French automaker Renault’s shares dropped 21% yesterday after a friendly visit to their testing and certification division by French fraud inspectors. Investors fear that Renault might be caught up in a similar scandal to Volkswagen (remember when the company was found to be cheating on emissions standards last year?). Bonne chance?

Planned Parenthood Strikes Back And Starts Suing PeopleEmbattled female health provider, Planned Parenthood (PP) sued the anti-abortion group the Center for Medical Progress (ironic name). PP alleges “conspiracy and fraud” related to a set of videos allegedly showing PP staff trying to profit off of the sale of aborted fetuses. It later emerged that many of these videos had been heavily doctored.    

Denmark’s Solution To Refugee Crisis? A ShakedownLike a modern day highway man, the Danish government has proposed a new law that would allow the government to seize “surplus” assets of refugees who arrive with more than $1,500 in order to pay for their stay. Thankfully, the government will not count wedding bands and other items of “sentimental value” in its tally when deciding what to seize. Meanwhile, a Bavarian mayor, angry at Merkel’s refugee policy, decided to send her a busload of refugees yesterday… Mature much?  

Keeping Our Eye On…
 

• Indonesia: ISIS claimed responsibility for a terror attack in Jakarta yesterday which left two civilians dead. This was ISIS’ first attack in Indonesia. 
• Exploding Stars: Scientists discovered the brightest supernova (exploding star) yesterday. This should give us more insight into something really really important.
• Hurricane Alex: A rare January hurricane is headed straight for the Azores in the Atlantic. This is the first January hurricane since 1938. Thanks for the head start.

LOOSE NUTS: FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT

If You Don’t Smell, You’ve Got The Job! Competition amongst taxi apps in Indonesia is so fierce that a new app promises “smell-free” drivers. Indonesia, whose former President was given the title of the most corrupt leader of all time, has experienced a surge of ride-hailing apps for its motorcycle taxis (known locally as ojeks). Holding onto a stranger on a bike is terrifying at the best of times, but the company has employed professional smellers to ensure drivers have a musk like roses. Hilarious… kinda.

Weekend Reads: A Few Election Reads And More

• “The great republican revolt” by David Frum.
• “Why America is moving left” by Peter Beinart.
• “Why Bernie Sanders doesn’t want your vote” via Bloomberg.
• Obama’s biggest achievements via Politico.
• The Oscar Nominations in full via The Atlantic.
• Some Secrets To Success in Business by Geoffrey James.
• Why 2015 Was The Best Year Ever In Space by David Brin.
• How Facebook Makes Us Dumber by Cass R. Sunstein.
• “The happiness code” on how Silicon Valley “self-improves.”

H/T Claire Belmont for Loose Nuts
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