PNUT GALLERY
Finding coffee and getting to the office on time is hard enough on a Monday… but if you happen to have time try one of these 10 morning rituals, they will apparently make you successful…TBD
IN A NUTSHELL: MUST READ
Paris: Let’s Cool This Planet Back Down
Celebrations and sighs of relief in Paris this weekend as almost 200 nations agreed to a sweeping climate-change agreement (meanwhile, you can’t get two of your friends to agree on where to go for dinner). You can read the full agreement here or just skip to our summary below:- Every country (rich and poor) will have to take action on climate change. This is a break with previous agreements that only required rich countries to take action (China and India are some of the biggest CO2 emitters).
- Efforts will be made to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees celsius (although some experts warn that won’t come out of this agreement).
- Countries will have to limit and reverse the destruction of forests (which are critical for turning CO2 into Oxygen… remember middle school science?).
- All countries have to sign up to a single system that determines how much carbon they are reducing.
- Money will be raised “creatively” to help countries deal with effects of climate change. Sounds impressively vague.
- Countries should have “five-year plans” as part of a Stalin-esque approach to dealing with the problem.
While some critics argue that the measures didn’t go far enough (a leading climate change scientist called the deal “bullsh*t“), the agreement really does mark a turning point after a series of past failed attempts and drives climate change to the front of countries’ agendas everywhere. Another foreign/domestic policy win for Obama?
GOOD READ: The One Word That Almost Doomed The Deal
NUTS AND BOLTS: SHOULD READ
Saudi Arabia Votes To Join 21st Century (Correction: 20th Century) The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reached an important milestone as women voted and competed for local council positions. Women won 19 of the 2,100 contested seats (you might not know it, but this is huge). The local councils hold very little power but serve as a relief valve for local grievances. The election is an important symbolic victory for women in Saudi Arabia (women unfortunately don’t enjoy the right to even drive themselves to the polls). GOOD BOOK: Inside The Kingdom By Robert Lacey
Russia To Turkey: Let Us Show You Our Big Guns
Tensions between Turkey and Russia threatened to result in another incident yesterday in the Aegean Sea when a Russian warship fired warning shots at a Turkish fishing boat that strayed a bit too close (Putin had earlier told military commanders to act in “the toughest way” to any threats). Turkey recently shot down a Russian fighter jet for an alleged 17-second violation of its airspace, and Russia responded with sanctions. Estimates suggest that Russia’s sanctions will cost Turkey 0.3 – 0.7% of its GDP.
French Elections: That Was A Close One, Pierre
Balance was restored to the French political scene yesterday as the National Front (a far-right party) was defeated in the runoff for regional elections. The party entered the race leading in six of 13 districts but failed to capture a single one in the run off. The socialists withdrew candidates in the most hotly contested regions, giving the Republicans the bump to first. This isn’t the first time the FN challenges the ruling order, in 2002 they made it to the runoff in the Presidential elections.
GOOD READ: Comparing Trump To Le Pen (FN Leader)
South Africa: Who’s Our Finance Minister? South African got its third Finance Minister in a week. Last Thursday, President Jacob Zuma sacked Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene ( reason: unclear), replaced him with an inexperienced MP then replaced him again with Pravin Gordhan after a public outcry. The President decided to play ministerial musical chairs at a time when the country’s economy struggles with high unemployment, a weak currency and a credit rating downgrade.
#pnut4prez: And Then There Were Nine…
In an attempt to infuse some drama into the presidential race (and boost its ratings), CNN announced that there would be nine candidates in their Tuesday debate (instead of the expected eight). After some “massaging” of the poll numbers (and intense lobbying), CNN invited Rand Paul in at the 11th hour. Expect Donald Trump to call him out on that… again.
Keeping Our Eye On…
- China: The People’s Republic is finally going to recognize the millions of rural to urban migrants that have flooded to China’s cities ever since the embracing of “capitalism.” The move gives them access to public services (health and education).
- Burundi: Things heated up in the African nation of Burundi yesterday as the President continues to seek a third term in office (classic dictator move). Almost 100 people died in the weekend violence.
- Brazil: Protests against the rule of Dilma Roussef (Brazil’s President) continued over the weekend. The President, who is widely un-liked and presiding over the worst economic contraction since the Great Depression, currently faces impeachment proceedings.
- Weird Pnut: “Is there Wi-Fi here?” is probably the most inappropriate question to ask at a funeral, but cemeteries in Moscow are saving you the embarrassment by installing free Wi-Fi for all. Always good to keep your priorities straight.
SPONSORED NUTS: MUSEXCARLY’S HOLIDAY PICKS MuseXCarly’s Pick For The Pragmatic: Vianel Andrew Brooks founded his luxury leather accessories label, Vianel, in 2013 after spending years searching for the perfect slim-fit card case. Brooks uses the finest leathers and exotic skins to create Vianel’s card holders, wallets and iPhone protectors. The brand’s accessories capture a downtown aesthetic in their highly functional and sleek unisex designs. They make the ideal gift for this holiday season with the option to personalize any leather accessory with a playful emoji or text. | 
