Mysterious Plane Crash And Nigerian Reunions

PNUT GALLERY

Journalism suffered a great loss yesterday with the passing of Morley Safer. The longtime CBS News anchor became famous for his coverage of the Vietnam War and later became a household name as the longest serving 60 Minutes correspondent.

IN A NUTSHELL: MUST READ

EgyptAir’s Mysterious Plane Crash 

Confusion and heartbreak gripped friends and families of the 66 victims of an EgyptAir flight that disappeared from radar yesterday en route to Cairo from Paris. EgyptAir thought they found debris from a crash only to later state that it wasn’t from the plane in question. Although Egyptian officials said terrorism was the most likely cause of MS804’s disappearance, US intelligence said their satellite imagery has so far not shown evidence of an explosion. No group has claimed responsibility for downing the plane, and neither terrorism nor technical difficulties could be ruled out. 

What does this mean?

Egypt’s tourism industry was already struggling following political turmoil in the wake of the Arab Spring and the downing of a Russian passenger jet last year over the Sinai. Regardless of the cause of the crash, Egypt’s tourism sector will suffer further, putting more pressure on the country’s economy which relied on tourists for a steady flow of dollars (and euros and roubles). 

Nigerian President Meets Boko Haram Escapee

While Nigeria was celebrating the recovery of Amina Ali Darsha Nkeki, the first victim of the 219 abducted Nigerian schoolgirls to be found, another abducted schoolgirl was discovered. Although there is reason to celebrate, it’s unlikely Nkeki will be able to relax anytime soon. After being briefly allowed home so that her family could identify her, she was airlifted to Maiduguri to receive medical checks. Once Nkeki and her four month old baby were examined, they were immediately flown to Abuja to meet President Muhammadu Buhari. Nkeki was pregnant when she was discovered with her baby and a man she claims is her husband. The man is under investigation and is a suspected Boko Haram fighter, so we have a feeling he won’t be a hit with the in-laws. 

Pnut Read: Our Summary on the History of ISIS

NUTS AND BOLTS: SHOULD READ

Oklahoma Passed A Bill To Outlaw Abortion

In an unprecedented move, Oklahoma lawmakers approved a bill that would make performing abortions a felony. The bill also aims to revoke the medical licenses of any physician who assists in such a procedure, punishing them with one to three years in the state penitentiary. While states have sought to ban abortion before, this is the first measure of its kind to heavily punish practitioners. The bill now heads to Republican Governor Mary Fallin, who will have five days to decide whether to sign it.  

Erdogan Ally Set To Take Over As Prime Minister

Surprising a grand total of no one, Turkish President Erdogan’s close friend will be the sole candidate to lead Erdogan’s AKP party and therefore become the next Prime Minister. Moving current Transport Minister Binali Yildirim up the ranks will only tighten Erdogan’s grip on a government already caving to his extended powers. As Prime Minister, Yildirim is expected to champion Erdogan’s aim of changing the constitution to create a presidential system, a move opponents say is a green light for authoritarianism. He’s also a keen supporter of Erdogan’s military aims against the largely Kurdish southeast.  

Scores Of People Still Missing After Sri Lankan Landslide

Sri Lanka’s search teams are still looking for at least 134 people after torrential flooding and landslides this week have already displaced nearly 350,000 people. So far, troops have been able to rescue 150 residents, but the 134 still unaccounted for are feared dead. The continuous bad weather is thwarting the army’s efforts to reach possible survivors and is also increasing the risk of more landslides. 

KEEPING OUR EYE ON…

Bangladesh: The government has reinstated Shyamal Kanti Bhakta, a school headmaster, after he was fired and publicly humiliated due to allegations that he insulted Islam. The MP who was present for Bhakta’s ritual humiliation and punishment has yet to apologize.

LOOSE NUTS: FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT

Naked Man Discovered In A Chimney

After a game of hide-and-seek went horribly wrong, 29-year-old Jordan Kajewski of Iowa found himself stuck in the best hiding spot ever. After shimmying down the chimney of a local redemption center, his first attempt to escape spooked the late-shift employees who may have thought he was a ghost. Jordan wasn’t discovered until the next morning, when the naked bandit was rescued by dozens of firefighters. No word yet on who won the game of hide-and-seek. 

Weekend Reads:

• Ever wanted to go to Montreal Jazz Fest? We want to send you! Enter to win a trip for two to the largest jazz festival in the world. (If you do enter, you’ll also be receiving emails from our partners.) While you’re at it, let us catch you up on Montreal’s Jazz history.
• Our latest Nutshell: Everything you need to know about the UK’s European Union referendum.
• A surprising counterpoint: Glenn Beck on his meeting with Facebook and why he was disturbed.
• The five books Bill Gates thinks everyone should read this summer.
• A photo essay on nightlife in present-day Damascus.
• Confessions of a Donald Trump tabloid scribe: how gossip turned him into a celebrity.
• Mesmerizing glimpse of every top song from 1958-2016.
• Powerful essay: Until I was a man, I had no idea how good men had it at work.
• Does public domain mean consent? The perils of big-data science.
• Voices from China’s cultural revolution.
• Sheryl Sandberg breaks her silence on her husband’s death.
• Book: Read Phil Knight’s memoir about how he founded Nike: Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike.
• Book: The hilarious Lindy West makes her literary debut with Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman, a coming of age field guide for any woman who doesn’t want to be quiet.
• Event: Come watch us (and 13 other amazing tech companies) pitch at Techstars Boston’s Demo Day this Wednesday. Get your tickets here.