Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Wednesday 19 August 2015

The Presidential Daily Brief
AUGUST 19, 2015
 
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IMPORTANT
 
 
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A woman lights incense before offering prayers at the reopened Erawan shrine in Bangkok. Source: Getty
BACK TO BUSINESS
Shrine Reopens, Thailand Offers Reward for Arrest
They’re praying for answers … and normalcy. Authorities have offered 1 million Thai baht — roughly $28,000 — for information leading to an arrest in Monday’s bombing at Bangkok’s Erawan Shrine, which killed 20 and injured scores. The site, with a now slightly damaged statue of the Hindu god Brahma, reopened today without much visible security, allowing worshippers to offer flowers and condolences. Police believe a “network” was behind the attack, and they’re working to identify a man from video footage who was pictured leaving a backpack at the scene. CNNBBC 
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ULTIMATE PRICE
ISIS Beheads Archeologist in Palmyra
His crime? Loving art and history. Professor Khaled Asaad, the former general manager for antiquities and museums in Palmyra, was beheaded yesterday by ISIS militants in the central Syrian city. The jihadists wrestled control of Palmyra from government troops back in May, but are not believed to have destroyed its famous Roman-era ruins. Syria’s antiquities director, Maamoun Abdulkarim, mourned the loss of his 82-year-old colleague and called the militants’ presence both “a curse and bad omen.” He, like many, fears this may bode ill for the city’s 2,000-year-old ruins. BBCCNNAl Jazeera 
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ON THE PILL
FDA Greenlights Bottled Libido for Women
Not feeling the love, ladies? The FDA’s just approved Addyi, aka flibanserin or “female viagra,” to help treat women’s lack of sexual desire. Having rejected it twice before, federal authorities did an about-face yesterday following a June advisory panel vote in favor of the pill produced by Sprout Pharmaceuticals. The drug targets neurotransmitters believed to impact arousal. Some say the benefits aren’t worth the side effects, including nausea and sleepiness, and complain that the medicine — due to hit shelves on Oct. 17 — must be taken every day. TimeNYT 
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COUNTING VOTES
Bundestag Debates Approval of Third Greek Bailout
It’s gonna be a long day for Angela Merkel. The chancellor is facing down a rebellion among her fellow conservatives as the German parliament prepares to vote on the $95 billion funding package for Athens. Finance Minister  Wolfgang Schäuble launched today’s debate, with some estimating that as many as 80 of the 311 majority party MPs could vote against the measure. It’s still expected to pass, thanks to support from the social democrats, Merkel’s coalition partners. But substantial opposition from her party would set the tone for future fights over Greece, making Merkel politically vulnerable.  DWFT (sub) 
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BRIEFLY
 
 
Europe’s July migrant numbers have tripled since last year. (DW)
Chelsea Manning convicted of breaking prison rules, spared solitary. (Reuters)
Sebastian Coe named president of world sports governing body. (BBC)
U.S. dollar dips ahead of release of Fed’s July meeting minutes. (Economic Times)
China says thousands are being detained for online ’crime.’ (Al Jazeera) 
 
 
INTRIGUING
 
 
PLAIN LOUSY
Head Lice Are Resisting Treatment
This will make your skin crawl. New research shows that lice in at least 25 U.S. states are growing immune to over-the-counter treatments. More than 100 samples from 30 states showed that a majority of lice carry genes — thanks to a trio of mutations — that help them resist readily available insecticides called pyrethroids. Lice aren’t known to transmit diseases, but victims are usually itching to banish them. And experts say those plagued by the most headstrong of these lousy pests should turn to prescription-based solutions.  Time 
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DOWNHILL SKID
American Apparel on Brink of Collapse
The spandex can only stretch so far. It’s been a rough year for the iconic retailer, which fired former CEO Dov Charney last December amid scandal. The firm recentlyannounced preliminary second-quarter results reflecting a net loss of about $19.4 million, with revenue dropping by 17 percent. Shares in the company fell 1.7 percent yesterday to about 15 cents — already down 85 percent since the beginning of the year — and the brand’s execs are warning that they may not be in business 12 months from now.  Fast CompanyBloomberg 
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IN WRITING
Beatles' First Recording Contract to be Auctioned
What’s German for Beatlemania? Deutschland bet on the Fab Four before they broke big, and next month, the band’s first-ever recording contract — for the release of “My Bonnie” with German label Polydor  — is being sold by Heritage Auctions in New York as part of a Beatles memorabilia collection. Ringo’s not in the six-page document, because the group was still rolling with original drummer Pete Best. But one lucky Beatlemaniac is expected, to the tune of around $150,000, to snag this piece of history. EWTIME 
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DUMBING DOWN
Doctors Play With Sweaty, Slimy Dolls
Can dummies make the best teachers? Medical students are increasingly being trained on high-fidelity mannequins that bleed, sweat … and even give birth. Their “bodies” offer simulations that help trainees practice high-stress medical crises in low-stakes environments. The hope is that these “patients” will help reduce medical errors — reportedly the third-leading cause of death in America. Studies show they help boost confidence, but with price tags hovering around six figures and murky findings on whether they reduce mistakes, some wonder whether dummies are the smartest choice. OZY 
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OUT TO WIN
College Athletes Enjoy Millions in New Perks
It pays to study. NCAA athletes are cashing in big on new benefits made available by recent changes. As of Aug. 1, athletic scholarships can cover costs like transportation and unlimited snacks, as well as traditional tuition, room, board and books. The shift, brought in by recent votes allowing Division I schools to cover attendance costs and food, mean college stars will get nearly $160 million a year more in benefits. But some fear that the resulting funding pressure will impact other students’ debt levels — and non-revenue sports. USA Today 
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DAILY DOSE
 
 
GOOD SH*T
From Email to Picture Frame
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FAST FORWARD
Why Doctors Are Playing With Life-Size Dolls
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