Tuesday, August 6th, 2019
Mass Shootings Updates, “Currency Manipulator” & JUUL App
All the news you need in less than 10 min:
Today's episode is brought to you by MM LaFleur.
Story Summaries
All the news stories mentioned in today's episode are listed with links below, so you can spend as much -- or as little -- time as you want perusing the latest happenings...
Mass Shootings Update: The death toll from the mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas has reached 31 people. President Trump called them crimes “against all humanity” and asked the country to condemn racism, bigotry and white supremacy. Trump called for strong background checks for anyone trying to buy a gun, but also cited mental illness and hatred as motivating factors. His critics say it's Trump's own words over the last 2.5 years that have encouraged violence and hate. Remember: the alleged shooter in El Paso has been linked to a manifesto posted on an online message board called '8chan' that talks about a “Hispanic invasion.” There will be vigils and community events throughout the week to remember the many lives lost, and charities like the Red Cross are accepting donations.
Read more: Washington Post, AP, ABC News, NBC News, CNN, The Hill
Read more (8chan Offline): Reuters, NYT
Read more (How to Help): CBS News
Dow Drops: The Dow, S&P 500 and the Nasdaq all fell about three percent yesterday, the worst one-day percentage drop for all three so far this year. The drop started when Trump threatened to put tariffs on more Chinese goods, but it got worse yesterday when China let its currency drop to its lowest level against the dollar in more than a decade. A weaker currency can make goods cheaper to sell abroad. The U.S. Treasury labeled China a 'currency manipulator.'
Read more: CNBC, WSJ, NYT
Kashmir Unrest: Millions of people in Kashmir (a region that borders Pakistan and India) were pretty much put on lockdown in preparation for possible riots and protests this week. Thousands of Indian troops were also been sent to the area, and the government shut off internet connection and phone lines to prevent people from staying informed. Why? Kashmir is a small territory that both Pakistan and India claim as theirs. It's been governing itself, but leaders in India decided to scrap laws that allow it to operate independently. Now, they're bracing for the backlash.
Read more: Vox, BBC, NYT
July Hottest Month: July 2019 was Earth’s hottest month on record. July 2016 previously held the record due to a strong El Niño event. Scientists say more extreme heat waves are on the way, and many experts blame climate change.
Read more: CNN, Weather Channel
Google's Recycled Hardware: Google is making a new promise to cut back its carbon footprint by using more recycled materials for its tech. Google plans to have all of its Made By Google hardware include recycled materials by 2022. Google says 100 percent of its shipments going to or from customers will be carbon neutral by next year. If you want to take part, you can request a shipping label to send back google devices you no longer need.
Read more: The Verge, Engadget, CNET
JUUL App: Juul is rolling out a 'smart' e-cigarette that tracks how often its owner uses it and can also automatically lock if it gets lost. The Juul C1 pairs with an Android app to make this possible. The tech is meant to help keep it out of kids' hands. Remember: federal officials have cracked down on Juul’s marketing practices. For now, the C1 is only available in the U.K. but is expected to come to the U.S. soon.
Read more: Engadget, BBC
CVS 'CarePass': CVS is now offering a subscription program to get free delivery on drugstore products and prescriptions. CarePass users will pay about $50 per year for the service. CVS has been testing the program and found it’s a good way to get more millennials as customers.
Read more: CNBC, FOX Business
Audi Scooter: Audi is releasing an e-scooter. Rather than riding it facing forward, riders stand sideways and hold on to the front handlebar with one hand, like riding a skateboard with a handle. The Audi e-tron scooter will likely come out next year.
Read more: The Verge, Forbes
The Little Mermaid Live: The Little Mermaid is coming to the small screen. The televised version will be re-imagined for a live studio audience. It will air on ABC in November. Auli'i Cravalho will play Ariel, Queen Latifah will play Ursula, and Shaggy will play Sebastian. The live concert version in November is different from the live-action movie Disney is also working on.
Read more: Deadline, LA Times, THR