Thailand has a new king but Europe is still grappling with that thing called Democracy

PNUT GALLERY 

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 IN A NUTSHELL: MUST READ

 Long Live The New King Of Thailand

…And we aren’t just saying that because Thailand’s monarchy is protected from criticism by lese-majeste laws that restrict media discussion – even international press – from discussing the royal family’s political role in detail. But what we can tell is you that 64-year-old Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has become the country’s new king and accepted the throne in a televised broadcast. He is succeeding his father, the late, great King Bhumibol Adulyadej who was much-revered in the Thai press… but then again, there wasn’t much choice. Though Crown Prince Maha’s accession is now formalized, his coronation will not happen until after King Bhumibol’s cremation, expected next year.

 NUTS AND BOLTS: SHOULD READ

 Europe Grapples With This Thing Called Democracy

Europe is bracing for a rough weekend full of elections coming up. In Italy, the young dashing Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is waging his entire political future on a referendum that most Italians don’t really understand. The referendum is to push through a constitutional change to how Italy’s Senate and government function. It would usually be a fairly arcane discussion except for the fact that Italy’s PM, who, by the way, wasn’t elected into this role, has promised to step down if it doesn’t get passed, making the whole referendum about him and the EU/Euro, two not very popular things. Speaking of unpopular premiers, French PM and vespa aficionado Francois Hollande saw the writing on the wall/poll numbers and decided he won’t be running for another term, stepping aside to allow another left-leaning contender to give it a shot. Finally, the Austrians are trying to figure out if they should also elect their own right-wing demagogue to the ceremonial Presidency. This Holocaust survivor is asking them not to do that.

Gambia Kicks Off Its Fun-Filled Election Process

There will be no fear of taking a photo of your ballot in Gambia’s upcoming presidential election as current President Yahya Jammeh has banned the use of the internet, international calls and demonstrations in the days leading up to and during the election. However, were you to try, you would be photographing a small marble dropping into one of several colored metal drums labelled with the names of the candidates. To make matters even stranger, the Gambian campaign cycle is but a brief two weeks – which honestly doesn’t sound bad after the last 18 months in the US. The prevailing sentiment in Gambia is to end the reign of proud dictator Yahya Jammeh who has held office for over 20 years. But then again, he has stated he will rule “for a billion years” which means he is either lying or has learnt to draw energy directly from the sun. Some 900,000 people are eligible to vote at 1,400 polling stations across the country with widespread support being shown for businessman Adama Barrow. Barrow is also back by a coalition of parties all pitted against the incumbent Jammeh.

#trumpdate: Trump Has A Generally Scandal Free Day

Trump had a good, scandal-free, twitter-gaffeless, Thursday scoring a few wins for the President-Elect. He kicked off a “thank you tour” to, you guessed it, thank the American people for voting for him. He started off in Indianapolis where he went to air-conditioning company Carrier who had decided to keep 1,000 jobs in the US after Trump/Pence offered them $7 million in tax benefits and threatened tariffs on anything they produce in Mexico. Meanwhile, Putin used a speech in St. Petersburg to call for “mutually beneficial ties” with the US which probably means bromances and shirtless horseback riding. Earlier in the week Trump had an “amazing” and “terrific” call with the Pakistani PM.

 KEEPING OUR EYE ON

Buzz Aldrin: The retired astronaut and American legend was evacuated from Antarctica yesterday after falling ill. Buzz, who was the second person to walk on the moon, was casually visiting the South Pole with a tourism group at the time. The 86-year-old adventurer is reportedly recovering well and in good spirits.

North Dakota: The oil pipeline protestors got a little extra help yesterday when an organized group of US veterans arrived to act as human shields. The veterans join thousands of protestors who believe the $3.8 billion Dakota Access Pipeline will threaten the water resources for the Standing Rock Sioux reservation, as well as destroy sacred Native American sites.

 LOOSE NUTS: FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT

 All Right, All Right, All Right: Matthew McConaughey Is The Most Popular Guy In College Again

Matthew McConaughey has played a few cool dudes in his lifetime, but now he’s taking that “big man on campus” role to a whole new level by driving University of Texas at Austin students home after dark. A photo went viral on social media this week that shows the actor volunteering at his alma mater to participate in the SURE (Students United for Rape Elimination) Walk program. The initiative offers students a companion for late-night trips home from campus. McConaughey is just here to turn that walk of shame into a walk of game.