Wednesday, August 14, 2024

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2024

Good Morning! On this day in 1994, French authorities apprehended international terrorist Illich Ramirez Sanchez, also known as Carlos the Jackal, in Khartoum, Sudan.

Speaking of Carlos, a literary note: author Robert Ludlum based the antagonist of The Bourne Identity on Sanchez. Of course, in the book, the terrorist wasn’t captured by French agents; Jason Bourne got him.

We hope you enjoyed reading today’s Flyover. Let us know how we’re doing by replying to this email.

The sponsors keep the tanks full around here. Be sure to check out today’s SmartAsset.

FBI Probes Hack Attacks on Both Campaigns

The FBI announced that it has opened an investigation into attempted hacks of both presidential campaigns.

The investigation focuses on cyber-attacks against three Biden-Harris campaign staffers and Roger Stone, a former adviser to former President Trump.

The announcement followed a previous statement released by Microsoft stating the tech company discovered Iranian hackers targeted the campaign of an unnamed U.S. presidential candidate in June.

Politico and other media outlets reported on Saturday that they had begun receiving internal Trump campaign documents in July. The attempted hack of the Harris campaign appears to have been unsuccessful.

Starbucks Taps Chipotle Chief as New CEO

Coffeehouse chain Starbucks replaced CEO Laxman Narasimhan with Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol on Tuesday, causing a 24.5% surge in its stock— its best day ever.

Starbucks’ surprise leadership change coincides with declining performance. The company saw its first quarterly revenue drop since 2020, with store traffic falling 3% in the first quarter.

Niccol’s unexpected appointment brings his track record of success, leading Chipotle to a 50%+ stock increase in the past year.

Chipotle stock dropped 7.5% Tuesday on news of Niccol’s leaving, its worst day in the past year.

Titanic Artifacts Hidden in Secret Warehouse

Rarely seen Titanic artifacts, including an alligator-skin handbag and vials of still-fragrant perfume, have been quietly stored in a secret Atlanta warehouse.

RMS Titanic Inc., with exclusive salvage rights, has recovered 5,500 items from the wreck, including intact champagne bottles and ornate china, providing insights into passengers’ lives. See photos here.

One poignant artifact—a medical card—reveals that third-class passenger Marian Meanwell was initially booked on the Majestic but reassigned to the Titanic, where she became one of the 1,500 victims.

Enjoy reading The Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family.

➤ The United Auto Workers filed a lawsuit on Tuesday alleging that former President Trump and Elon Musk violated federal labor laws by striking workers should be fired during their Monday interview. (More)

➤ The State Department vowed a “swift and severe” response if Iran delivers ballistic missiles to Russia amid reports of an impending shipment of hundreds of satellite-guided weapons to Moscow. (More)

➤ A federal judge won’t force Chicago officials to alter a preplanned route for DNC protestors, ruling on Monday that the existing plan complies with the First Amendment, as well as safety and security concerns. (More)

➤ A judge barred independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from New York’s election ballot, ruling he falsely claimed state residency on nominating petitions. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

Many people hope to retire with $1M in savings, but how long will it really last?

The answer can depend on some important factors, such as your retirement age, life expectancy, and the kind of lifestyle you plan to live. One potential challenge is that if inflation remains above the 2% benchmark the Federal Reserve aims for, $1M may not last as long as you’d planned. Learn about additional factors to consider, as well as 3 hypothetical examples of how long $1M could last in retirement. Learn more.

Consulting a fiduciary advisor can be a great first step to helping make sure you’re on track to meet your financial goals, regardless of how much you have saved. This expert can help assess your retirement plan, optimize a tax strategy to help lower your liability, and identify other ways to help you achieve your retirement goals.

But how do you find a vetted financial advisor? Try SmartAsset’s no-cost tool to get matched with up to 3 financial advisors serving your area, each legally bound to work in your best interest. It’s never too late to plan to work toward the path of financial freedom.

Get your financial advisor matches today.

➤ Georgia secured 46 of 62 first-place votes in the AP’s preseason Top 25 college football poll, which was released on Monday. The top five was rounded out by Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, and Alabama. (See Preseason Poll)

➤ The San Diego Padres star rookie outfielder Jackson Merrill ran down a fly ball on Monday, making an incredible catch for the final out of a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. (See Catch)

➤ The Boston Red Sox have suspended 2024 all-star game MVP Jarren Duran for two games after a microphone picked up the outfielder, directing an inappropriate insult towards a fan. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Take control of your weight loss journey. Reduce cravings and achieve lasting results with Semaglutide or Tirzepatide. GetThin USA is trusted by U.S. Physicians and Pharmacies and is available nationwide. (See It Here)

Daily Market Report 08/13/2024

▲	NASDAQ Natl. Assoc. of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations	17,187.61	+2.43%
▲	SPX S&P 500	5,428.76	+1.58%
▲	DJI Dow Jones Industrial Average	39,765.64	+1.04%
▲	BTC Bitcoin	$60,910.17	+2.62%
▲	GOLD Per Ounce	$2,506.80	+1.80%
▲	LOAR Loar Holdings Inc.	$74.09	+18.91%

➤ Big Stock Move: Loar Holdings Inc. stock rose 19% Tuesday after reporting a $7 million increase in second-quarter net income over last year. (More)

➤ Paramount Global will cut about 15% of its U.S.-based workforce this week, amounting to hundreds of jobs, citing the need to strengthen its business. (More)

➤ Tesla halted online sales of its cheapest Cybertruck model, priced at $61,000. The least expensive model now available starts at $100,000, excluding EV tax credits. (More)

➤ Adult fiction titles are booming, driven by BookTok, a book-focused community on TikTok. Author Colleen Hoover’s works lead this trend, with her novel “It Ends With Us” recently debuting as a $50 million movie. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? Yes, it sounds crazy. But it’s true. The secret: Find a card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. Then, transfer your debt balance and pay it down as much as possible during the intro period. No interest means you could pay off the debt faster. Check out FinanceBuzz’s full list of cards you can use to do this here.

Flying together with our sponsor

Capital Gains Exemptions for Seniors

Planning for retirement taxes can be crucial to effectively manage your finances once you’ve left the workforce, especially if you’re still investing to grow your wealth.

For example, if you’re 73 and have taxable investment accounts, a 401(k) or IRA, and Social Security benefits, the combination of capital gains tax, RMD tax, and any taxable Social Security benefits could potentially push you into a higher tax bracket. That’s why minimizing capital gains tax can be an important step to maximizing your retirement income. So, how can seniors avoid them? Learn more.

Looking for help optimizing a tax strategy and potentially lowering your tax bracket? Consulting a financial advisor is a great first step. This expert can also help you make smart investments and refine your plan for retirement. Try SmartAsset’s no-cost tool to get matched with up to 3 vetted financial advisors serving your area. Take the quiz.

➤ SpaceX announced that a cryptocurrency speculator had purchased a four-person multi-day flight to lead the first crewed space mission in polar orbit by the end of this year. (More)

➤ A deciphered set of 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablets revealed ancient Babylonian predictions about the death of kings and the destruction of civilizations, researchers say. (More)

➤ Variations in fossilized mandibles led scientists to discover a new species of extinct walrus with similar feeding adaptations to its modern counterpart, according to a new study. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Struggling with bloating, gas, or constipation? Try this incredible scrambled egg hack for instant relief! Over 147,600 people have already improved their digestion without meds, diets, or enemas. Discover how to make your scrambled eggs for better bowel movements today. Check out the details on this page!

➤ A Stanford neuroscientist shared three phrases he says can help overcome the effects of a difficult childhood. (See Phrases)

➤ Greek islanders from Ikaria, known for longevity, swear by a common kitchen ingredient for health and flavor. (See Ingredient)

➤ A psychologist points to six daily habits he says can transform you into a calmer person who can navigate life’s challenges with a zen-like composure. (See Habits)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Simply by holding it in your hand, The Chill Pill quickly relieves anxiety and insomnia. This revolutionary new drug-free method is safe, has zero side effects, and is proven to be effective for people of all ages. (See It Here)

➤ Tropical Storm Ernesto is expected to become a hurricane near the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean by Thursday. Puerto Rico activated the National Guard and canceled the start of classes in public schools. (More)

➤ An Illinois school food service director pleaded guilty to stealing $1.5 million worth of food, mainly chicken wings, from the school district. (See Details)

➤ A fish, likely dropped by a bird, fell from the sky and smashed into a New Jersey couple’s Tesla, with the incident captured on the vehicle’s dashcam. (Watch Video)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Ready to transform your home? Invest in beautiful, energy-efficient windows from Renewal by Andersen®. For a limited time, you’ll receive Buy One, Get One 40% Off + $200 off your order¹, and enjoy the benefits of increased comfort, lower energy bills, and enhanced curb appeal. Get your free quote!