A Helicopter Crash, An Attempted Coup, & $400 Fruit
May 20, 2024
Hello, readers – happy Monday! Today, we’ll be talking about a helicopter crash, a meeting, an attempted coup, protests, a rally, consumer sentiment, and unbelievably expensive fruit.
Last week, we shared a story about the upcoming presidential debates. We were curious how many of our Daily Pnut readers would be tuning in, so, we thought we’d ask! Please fill out our survey, and feel free to share with your family and friends.
“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” – Buddha
Tragedy In Tehran
Most people will probably never have the opportunity to get on a helicopter in their lifetime. But for those who might, here’s a cautionary tale to keep you away from the choppa. On Sunday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Iran’s foreign minister, and other top officials were involved in a helicopter crash over a mountainous region in northwest Iran.
In a TV interview, Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said, “The esteemed president and company were on their way back aboard some helicopters and one of the helicopters was forced to make a hard landing due to the bad weather and fog.” It took rescue crews 12 hours to access the crash area, which was shrouded in fog. As of writing, the most recent update is that crews had finally arrived at the wreck but found “no sign of life.”
A Sit-Down With The Saudis
It’s been just under six years since Jamal Khashoggi, a U.S.-based Saudi Arabian journalist, was brutally murdered by Saudi agents at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. This weekend, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss a wide-ranging bilateral agreement between the U.S. and the Saudi kingdom. According to one U.S. official, the first part of the deal involves a series of defense guarantees and a cooperation pact on civil nuclear development. A second part of the deal would normalize diplomatic relations between the Saudis and Israel, as long as Israel agrees to the eventual establishment of a Palestinian state.
According to a statement released after the visit, the countries are focusing on “a two-state solution that meets the aspirations and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people” and “the situation in Gaza and the need to stop the war there and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid.” The agreement is a win-win for the Biden administration, which has struggled with its messaging on Palestine during the election year, while also securing another U.S. ally in the Middle East.
A Cruel Clash In Congo
- How was your Sunday morning? Did you sleep in, lounge on the couch, maybe make some pancakes? If so, Congo’s army was way more productive than you. Yesterday morning, the army announced that it had stopped a coup attempt and arrested about 50 people. The coup was linked to Christian Malanga, a self-exiled opposition leader who posted a video of himself leading the attack on the presidential palace in Kinshasa, the nation’s capital.
- Congolese citizens, three Americans, and other foreigners were all involved. The attempted coup occurred during a crisis for President Felix Tshisekedi’s ruling party, which recently postponed an election for Congo’s parliamentary leadership. After the foiled attack, pictures of Malanga’s body were circulated to the press, with the army claiming that he had been shot dead while resisting arrest.
Sending In The Grande Guns
- France was also getting busy over the weekend, as the European country attempted to maintain control of its colony – err, territory – off the coast of Australia. Elite French security forces moved in on New Caledonia over the weekend to “restore the order of the Republic,” as local demonstrators continue to clash with police and set up roadblocks on a major highway linking the island’s capital to its main airport.
- “We are going to win these fights,” said one local police head. “If the rioters resist, they will take a lot of risks for themselves. So, I invite them to stop the clashes, the hostilities with the police.” The recent unrest has been sparked by a French initiative to expand the vote in New Caledonia, which indigenous Kanak claim is an attempt to silence their voices. They say they’ve faced discrimination and underinvestment under French rule.
More Mixed Nuts
- Taiwan’s new president inherits a strong foreign policy position but political gridlock at home (AP)
- Brazil counts cost of worst-ever floods with little hope of waters receding soon (Guardian)
- Afghanistan floods: At least 50 killed as heavy rain returns (BBC)
- Former South Africa leader Zuma promises jobs and free education as he launches party manifesto (AP)
- Houthi missile strikes Greek-owned oil tanker in Red Sea, U.S. says (CBS)
Once, Twice, Three Times A President?
- Former President Trump appeared at the National Rifle Association’s annual conference in Dallas, Texas, this week, and he floated a fun new idea for the crowd – a third presidential term. “You know, FDR 16 years – almost 16 years – he was four terms. I don’t know, are we going to be considered three-term? Or two-term?” Trump asked, to which the crowd enthusiastically yelled “three!”
- As you likely know, a person can only be president for two terms, per the Constitution, though this isn’t Trump’s first time proposing the idea of a third term. Trump already has the NRA’s endorsement, but he still was eager to outline how his presidency would benefit the group – “If the Biden regime gets four more years, they are coming for your guns,” he assured them.
Hot Inflation Summer
- According to an index by the University of Michigan, consumer sentiment is at a six-month low and marked its biggest monthly drop since 2021. It’s just the latest in a series of reports conveying just how fed up with inflation Americans have become. Retail sales were flat in April, with multiple businesses reporting disappointing earnings this month.
- In April, about 36% of Americans said the economy is the country’s top issue, up from 30% in February and March, Gallup polls show. With the election just around the corner, and many voters reporting that they prefer Trump’s economic policies to President Biden’s, it’s not looking good for the incumbent.
More Nuts In America
- Jasmine Crockett backs claim calling Marjorie Taylor Greene ‘racist’ (Politico)
- CNN political commentator Alice Stewart dies (CNN)
- Rudy Giuliani indicted for role in Arizona fake-elector scheme (Guardian)
- Container ship that struck Baltimore bridge will be removed from the site ‘within days,’ Maryland governor says (NBC)
- Police arrest six student protesters at University of Pennsylvania (Guardian)
- Missouri judge allows former ‘honorary’ member of KKK to remain on state’s GOP primary ballot (NBC)
A $400 Pineapple. That’s It. That’s The Joke.
- $400 dollars is nothing to sneeze at, even for a night at a Michelin-starred restaurant. According to one specialty fruit seller, though, that’s the price some (very few) consumers are willing to pay for a single pineapple. Melissa’s Produce, a luxury fruit and vegetable seller, has been selling a special variety of pineapple, named the Rubyglow pineapple, for $395.99 per fruit. The pineapples are prized for their pink color and sweetness and reflect a recent rise in new fruit varieties – in a very extreme way.
- The pineapples are actually grown by Del Monte, a fruit wholesaler that specializes in pineapples. They debuted in China before making their way to the U.S. (at a very California price point). While $400 for a pineapple is outlandish by any measure, more affordable “luxury” fruits have been popping up recently. Take, for example, Japanese Oishii specialty strawberries, which are grown vertically in climate-controlled environments. The strawberries initially cost $50 for a pack of eight perfect fruits when they were first sold in the U.S., though they’re now a more reasonable $10-$14 per package.
- Japanese shine muscat grapes are another example – the fruits can cost $40 per perfect bunch. They taste much fruitier than a normal grape while also having the consistency of an Asian jelly snack (having tried them myself, they were definitely not worth the money, but you could clearly taste why they were so expensive). If you want to try a luxury fruit, we would also recommend you consider the amount of shame you’ll feel while consuming your latest purchase, no matter how tasty it is.
More Loose Nuts
- The other side of Punta Cana: A crackdown on Haitians (WaPo, $)
- Why tech billionaires are trying to create a new California city (CBS)
- Study proves black holes have a ‘plunging region,’ just as Einstein predicted (CNN)
- Despite apology, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs faces peril after video shows him attacking Cassie Ventura (LAT, $)
- 706 people named Kyle got together in Texas, but it wasn’t enough for a world record (NBC)
