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Good Friday, April 7, 2023
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Good morning! Today we’re covering the Biden administration’s blame-shifting report on Afghanistan, a tragic death in San Francisco, and a wild first day at The Masters.
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White House Blames Trump for Afghanistan Debacle
The Biden administration is blaming bad intelligence, the Afghans, and Donald Trump for the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan.
A twelve page report released by the White House was created by the National Security Council—instead of an independent agency—and was intended to provide a full review of the much-maligned troop withdrawal in 2021.
“President Biden’s choices for how to execute a withdrawal from Afghanistan were severely constrained by conditions created by his predecessor,” the White House summary stated.
NSC spokesman John Kirby denied that the pullout was “chaotic” in his press conference. “For all this talk of chaos, I just didn’t see it, not from my perch.”
The report does acknowledge that the evacuations of allies and Americans should have begun sooner, but it places most of that blame on the Afghani government.
Senator Tom Cotton summed up the GOP response by calling the withdrawal “an unmitigated fiasco” and saying that “Passing the buck in a blame-shifting report won’t change that.”
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Job Cuts Soared in March
American companies cut 89,703 jobs in March. That’s a 15% increase over February, and it’s 319% higher than the March 2022 mark.
The cuts come amid rising interest rates meant to curb inflation (although the Fed came very close to stopping rate increases this time around).
As interest rates rise, layoffs are expected to follow suit. If the projections from the central bank’s March meeting hold true, over 1 million Americans will lose their jobs by the end of the year.
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CashApp Founder Slain in San Francisco
Bob Lee died in a hospital after suffering stab wounds on the streets of San Francisco. The attack happened early Tuesday morning, and it appears to have been a random act of violence.
Lee was in town for a conference and spent Tuesday evening with friends. As he walked back to his hotel in the Rincon Hill neighborhood, he was attacked by an unknown assailant. Police responded to his 911 call at 2:35 AM.
Grim details emerged from 911 audio and surveillance footage: Lee stumbled toward a running car and asked for help, but he didn’t receive it.
Lee founded CashApp and was the Chief Technology Officer at Square. He was highly regarded in Silicon Valley and the wider business community.
His father, whom Lee lived with, posted this statement:
”Life has been an adventure with two bachelors living together, and I'm so happy that we were able to become so close these last years. Bob would give you the shirt off his back. He would never look down on anyone and adhered to a strict no-judgment philosophy. Bobby worked harder than anyone and was the smartest person I have ever known. He will be missed by all those that knew him.”
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➤ Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will run for President as a Democrat. He’s a notable skeptic of vaccines and an occasional critic of the Biden administration, and now he’s attempting to primary a sitting President from his own party—a feat never accomplished under the modern primary election system. (Read More)
➤ Mike Pence will not appeal his order to testify in the Justice Department’s investigation of January 6th. His lawyers argued that his previous status of President of the Senate exempts him from testifying, but a federal judge disagreed. (More)
➤ China is upset that Speaker Kevin McCarthy met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. As the two spoke inside the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA, a plane circled above with a sign reading “Taiwan is a part of China.” (More)
➤ A new report outlines a long list of CNN anchor Don Lemon’s inappropriate behavior at the workplace. A few highlights: tearing up notes and pictures on a co-worker’s desk, sending threatening text messages, and general unfamiliarity with the news he comments on. (Long-form)
➤ Twitter has labeled NPR as “state-affiliated media.” It’s the same designation given to Russia Today. (More)
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➤ It was a busy opening day at The Masters. Koepka, Rahm, and Hovland all shot 65, Tiger Woods struggled with pain, an amateur shot a bogey-free round, and a caddy caused a stir by sharing a club choice with an opponent. (Coverage)
➤ Former MVP Cam Newton is willing to be a backup QB, but not for just any team. He’s got a list of nine and he’s sticking to it. (Check it Out)
➤ Tyreek Hill is 29 years old and possibly the best WR in the NFL, but he plans on retiring after the 2026 season. (More)
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Market Report 4/6/23
▲ |
Nasdaq Natl. Assoc. of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations |
12,087.96 |
+ 0.76% |
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S&P S&P Global Rating |
4,105.02 |
+ 0.36% |
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DOW J Dow Jones Industrial Average |
33,485.35 |
+ 0.01% |
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BTC Bitcoin |
$27,950.1 |
– 0.31% |
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CHWRF China Tower Corporation Limited |
$0.15 |
+ 33.57% |
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➤ Facebook parent company Meta has released AI technology that identifies objects in images (and allows users to delete them). (More)
➤ Sean “Diddy” Combs says he pays artist Sting $5,000 per day for his unauthorized sample of “I’ll Be Missing You.” (More)
➤ The IRS will use its additional $80 billion in funding to audit more wealthy Americans and corporations. (Read More)
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➤ Tesla cars use cameras to make driving safer, but employees have been using the footage for more dubious purposes. A report says that employees have been sharing (and meming) embarrassing footage taken in garages and on the road. (Read More)
➤ 3,000 year-old hair found in a Mediterranean cave has tested positive for hallucinogenics. (Details)
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➤ A German Shepherd was in trouble on a Michigan interstate, but a kind woman saved the day. (Read More)
➤ A YouTube prankster got shot in the abdomen while playing a trick in Virginia. The shooter is facing felony charges, and the YouTuber is recovering well and says he’ll keep filming pranks. (More)
➤ The Masters has a long list of rules for fans. No running, no cameras, and definitely no periscopes. (See More)
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Daily Quote
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“Now you’ve crossed the line, and you’re going to pay for it.”
-Don Lemon, in a then anonymous text to co-anchor Kyra Phillips
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Today’s Trivia
Who was the first U.S. President to decide not to seek a second term?
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Show me the
answer
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