PNUT GALLERY

Happy International Women’s Day! Today we recognize the social, cultural and economic achievements of women across the globe. Learn how you can join the celebration here. 

IN A NUTSHELL: MUST READ

US Claims To Have Killed 150 Militants In Somalia Using a tag team of drones and manned aircrafts, the United States launched an airstrike against Raso Camp, a training site believed to be working with al-Shabaab, a militant group with al-Qaeda ties. Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said that the camp, located 120 miles north of Mogadishu, had been under observation for several weeks and posed an imminent threat. 

So, what does this mean?
Although al-Shabaab had been pushed out of Mogadishu by African Union peacekeeping forces in 2011, they continued to pose a threat in Somalia. Strategists believe that Raso Camp’s end will further limit the group’s mobility in the region, but many are questioning the use of drones in this strike. It’s unclear how precision missiles could effectively target the right people in a camp containing a spread of buildings and civilian personnel. Partially responding to these questions, the White House stated that it will disclose the death toll from US drone strikes for the first time since drone campaigns began. 
EU And Turkey Play Hot Potato With Refugee CrisisThe European Union held an emergency summit yesterday aimed at slowing the flow of migrants entering Europe via Turkey. The EU is expected to push Turkey to prevent migrants from leaving its shores — a tough sell considering Turkey is already hosting 2.7 million registered Syrian refugees. The strategy for limiting refugees includes repatriating “economic migrants” or the migrants that came for a better life and not necessarily out of survival. How government officials intend to fairly discern that difference is anybody’s guess.

NUTS AND BOLTS: SHOULD READ

#pnut4prez: Bloomberg Won’t Run, But Still Gives His Two CentsWell, the rumors were fun while they lasted. Talk of former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg launching a third-party candidacy gave many voters hope of a fresh face in the presidential race. But alas, we’re stuck with the usual clowns for now. Bloomberg spent months laying the groundwork for a presidential bid, but announced yesterday that he feared a three-way race could lead to the election of Donald Trump. Never one to mince words, Bloomberg called Trump’s campaign “divisive” and “demagogic” and said that he’s alarmed with how Trump “preys on people’s prejudices and fears.” Donald has yet to respond, but we’re certain he will. 

GOOD READ: ‘The Risk I Will Not Take’ By Michael Bloomberg

UK’s Equality Minister Pays Women Less SalaryWomen who work for the minister responsible for closing the pay gap actually make about Â£3,000 less than their male counterparts in annual salary. The “deeply embarrassing” figures released by the government show that Nicky Morgan, the Minister who recently said she would start “naming and shaming” companies that did not pay men and women equally, is now among those named and shamed. The department is also failing to meet a government target ensuring at least a third of boardroom positions are held by women. 

Immigration Judge: Immigration Law Is So Easy, A Baby Could Do itAlthough most three-year-olds can barely read, Seattle immigration judge Jack Weil made the assertion in sworn testimony that he has, in fact, taught 3-year-olds immigration law. And better yet, he asserts that they are capable of representing themselves in the absence of a lawyer. Although a talking-toddler-lawyer sounds like a classic comedy from the 1980s, Weil isn’t laughing. His deposition challenges the current ACLU case seeking to get low-income children government appointed counsel. 

Keeping Our Eye On…

• The Eagles: More tragedy for the band as Lana Rae Meisner, the wife of former Eagles bassist Randy Meisner, was found dead in the couple’s home. While no arrests have been made, LAPD had responded to a domestic violence call when they found Meisner fatally shot in the head. 
• Maria Sharapova: The famous tennis player announced that she failed a doping test for the International Tennis Federation. Sharapova tested positive for Meldonium, which was added to the prohibited list this year. 
• Uber: After Buzzfeed reported that over 6,000 complaints of rape and sexual assault were sent to the company, Uber responded by saying only five incidents of rape and 170 incidents of sexual assault were legitimate claims. Their rebuttal? Search results may have pulled up non-sexual harassment related complaints by drivers with “rape” in their names, like “Don Draper.” Uber has since walked back that claim. 

LOOSE NUTS: FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT

Norwegian Police Close To Solving Lost Goldfish CaseImagine living in a country so utopian, this is a headline. While other law enforcement officials may have bigger fish to fry, Bodo police said they were very close to solving the case of the lost goldfish, which had been left abandoned in a shopping bag at a soccer stadium. Bodo Police spokesman Tommy Bech assured reporters that the police were doing a good job looking after the goldfish until the rightful owner was found.