PNUT GALLERY

The 58th GRAMMY Awards were last night and packed with highs and lows. There were powerful moments followed by painfully tone-deaf marketing and several tributes to the many greats we lost in music. You can watch the full spectrum of performances here. 

IN A NUTSHELL: MUST READ

Syria: So Much For A Ceasefire Airstrikes hit four hospitals in rebel-held northern Syria on Monday, with the UN confirming at least 50 people dead. Two of the four hospitals were supported by UNICEF, and the targeted facilities included child and maternity wards. Russian and Syrian aircraft normally operate in the areas where the hospitals were struck, but it is still unclear who was responsible for the attacks. 
What does this mean?

• The violence is likely to pull Turkey further into the conflict. As Kurdish fighters take advantage of the rebels vacating territory under a Russian onslaught, Turkey watches with growing alarm at Kurdish expansion near its border.
• The ceasefire was about as effective as a hippie drum circle on a college campus. Just one week after the deal was struck in Munich and less than a day after President Obama urged Russia to halt its bombing campaign, the violence is only becoming more complex.

Oil: Don’t Drill Baby, Don’t Drill

Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world’s two largest oil producers who happen to be on opposing sides of the Syrian Civil War, agreed to a temporary freeze in oil production. This is an important, but still developing, story. 

NUTS AND BOLTS: SHOULD READ

#pnut4prez: The Donald Won’t Learn To Play NiceNothing says rational adult quite like suing everyone who’s mean to you. Donald Trump is now threatening to sue fellow GOP candidate Ted Cruz, unless he stops telling “lies” about Trump’s capabilities as a presidential candidate. The Donald said the lawsuit would question Ted Cruz’s eligibility to become President, citing his Canadian citizenship and place of birth. In addition to calling Cruz a liar, he also called him a “basket case,” “unhinged” and a “totally unstable individual.” 

Disney Cruise Ship Picks Up Suspected Migrants Disney has a funny way of making “dreams come true.” According to the US Coast Guard, the aptly-named cruise ship Disney Wonder made a pit stop on its way to the Cayman Islands and picked up 12 suspected migrants. After floundering on a rustic, unseaworthy vessel just southeast of Cuba, the lucky 12 then boarded the cruise vessel known for its 11 luxurious decks overflowing with music and sunshine and cartoon joy. Unfortunately, US Coast Guard 7th District Spokesman Jon-Paul Rios says that Disney has been advised to turn the migrants over to the Grand Cayman authorities. 

Some Actual Good News: T-cell Therapy Yields ‘Extraordinary Results’ Finally, some good news. Cancer researchers and scientists are claiming mind-boggling, ultra-amazing, wait-really, levels of success from engineering immune cells to target a specific type of blood cancer. Among several dozen patients who were given “months to live,” experimental trials using T-cells have been overwhelmingly positive. In one study, 94% of patients with Acute Lumpoblastic Leukemia saw symptoms completely vanish. Other studies saw response rates greater than 80%, where more than half of the patients experienced complete remission. #moonshot.

Keeping Our Eye On…

• Bahrain: Four Americans were arrested for entering the country using false information. Bahraini officials said the arrested Americans were members of the media but had not registered with the proper authorities.
• Yeezus: Claiming that he’s $53 million in debt, Kanye West is now asking Mark Zuckerberg for help (by tweeting at him). 
• North Korea: South Korea accused the DPRK of funding weapons programs with wages intended for workers at an industrial complex.

LOOSE NUTS: FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT

Australian Police: Jugs Of Meth Found Hidden In Bras  Police in Sydney say they’ve seized 720 liters (160 gallons) of liquid methamphetamine hidden inside gel bra inserts. This was a big bust: the inserts seized had a street value of over $1 billion AUS ($700 million USD), with one Chinese man and at least three Hong Kong nationals facing prison. It seems likely that many of these bra shipments are still circulating… shoppers be warned: it might not be the lift you’re looking for. 

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