53 migrants killed in truck crash
December 6 - December 10, 2021
GetSmart: the mobile phone museum
NewsBites
Breaking: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 6.8% in November, the largest jump since 1982. Economists were expecting a 6.7% increase. November’s number accelerated from October, when the CPI rose 6.2% year-over-year.
Russia threatens Ukraine: President Biden met with Vladimir Putin over video on Tuesday to discuss the escalating tension between Russia and Ukraine, warning of “severe consequences” if Russia invades (video). Over the past months, Russia has amassed some 100,000 troops near the border of Ukraine. Western leaders are warning that Mr. Putin could lead an invasion and go to war with Ukraine in early 2022. In ratcheting up the pressure, Russia is demanding assurances that Ukraine is never admitted to NATO, along with a commitment that NATO will not expand military infrastructure in Ukraine.
Context: Ukraine (map) was part of the Soviet Union until 1991, and Russia has maintained a desire to reassume control of the country. In 2014, Russia annexed (took possession of) Crimea, a peninsula of Ukraine.
More: In recent comments, U.S. Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, said, “We’re deeply concerned by evidence that Russia has made plans…to destabilize Ukraine from within, as well as large scale military operations.”
New York City vaccine mandate: Mayor Bill DeBlasio of New York says all private employees who work in-person will be required to receive the vaccine. The requirements are expected to begin on December 27, just days before DeBlasio will be replaced by newly-elected mayor, Eric Adams. The measure has received pushback from NYC businesses, and is expected to face legal challenges.
More: Biden’s federal vaccine mandate for employers with more than 100 employees is currently being challenged in courts across the country.
Afghan girls banned from secondary school: Following a new Taliban order and just three months after the U.S.’ exit from Afghanistan, girls are being barred from attending secondary school in the country. One teacher, who continues to chat with students over WhatsApp, told the BBC, "The students are really upset, they're suffering mentally. I try to give them hope but it's hard because they are exposed to so much sadness and disappointment."
More: Afghanistan has made immense strides in female education over the last 20 years.
Countries withdraw diplomats from 2022 Olympics: The U.S., Canada, UK, and Australia have all announced they will not be sending diplomats to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, although athletes will still participate from these countries. The decisions are in response to human rights violations in China, including the mass detention of Muslim Uyghurs in the northwest region of Xinjiang. Further, calls to boycott the games have amplified since Chinese tennis star, Peng Shuai, disappeared from public view in Nov. after accusing a former top-ranking government official of sexual assault.
Ghislaine Maxwell: A third accuser, under the pseudonym Carolyne, testified this week, detailing her encounters and claims of sexual abuse at the hands of Jeffrey and Ghislaine, beginning when she was 14. Additionally, a trove of hard drives, files, and photos, recovered by the FBI during raids of Epstein’s homes, were submitted as evidence of the intimate relationship between Ghislaine and Epstein, attempting to portray Ghislaine as a co-conspirator.
More: The prosecution team informed the judge that they expect to rest their case at the end of this week, a week earlier than previously planned.
Voter attitudes: A new poll from the WSJ captured voter attitudes across the U.S. on a range of issues. The survey of ~1,500 people showed an approval rating of 41% for Biden, in line with polls from fivethirtyeight, and an all-time low. It found voters have more confidence in Republican leadership to rebuild the economy, manage inflation, and secure the border. Conversely, respondents said they had more confidence in Democratic leadership to handle the pandemic, improve education, and make healthcare more affordable. Finally, the poll suggested the historically Democratic Hispanic voter bloc is shifting toward Republicans.
WORLD
More than 53 Migrants Killed in Mexico Truck Crash
What happened?
On Thursday, a truck carrying 107 migrants from Central America crashed into a pedestrian bridge, flipping the vehicle and leading to the death of at least 53 people and injuring 58 others (photo). Bodies lay scattered across the road as Red Cross personnel attended to the victims.
The accident happened on a major highway leading to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico, a major hub for undocumented immigrants seeking to immigrate to the U.S.
Many migrants pay smugglers to transport them in large trucks to their next stop, while others elect to make the journey on foot.
Migration numbers
In 2021 through October, Mexican authorities apprehended more than 193,000 migrants, a sharp increase from 76,000 during all of 2020.
At the U.S. southern border, apprehensions remain at record highs. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection data)
U.S. News
California to Help Women Recieve Abortions if Roe v. Wade is Overturned
Context
Last week the Supreme Court (SC) heard oral arguments on the Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks. The state of Mississippi is arguing the law be upheld and Roe v. Wade overturned. The high court’s ruling is expected in June of 2022.
There are currently 6 Republican-appointed justices on the SC.
California making preparations if Roe is overturned
The state of California is looking for options to become a ‘sanctuary’ state for women seeking abortion if the Supreme Court were to overturn or curtail Roe. 45 recomendations from abortion providers and advocates in the state are being reviewed by the Democratic legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom. Some of them include:
Covering the costs of abortion for low-income women that come from out of state.
Providing logistical and accommodations support, such as gas money and a hotel to women from out of state.
Toni Atkins, the Democratic state senate leader, said she wants to “ensure Californians and people from every state can get the reproductive health services they need in a safe and timely way.” Governor Gavin Newsom said, “we’ll be a sanctuary,” when asked about abortion access in his state.
What would happen if Roe v. Wade is overturned?
Abortion wouldn’t be banned outright. Instead, it would be left up to each individual state to craft its own abortion policy. California, for example, is one of the least restrictive states on abortion, while Alabama is one of the most restrictive and could pass a total ban.
Economy
Companies Prepare For Wage Increases in 2022
Workers will likely see their wages increase in 2022 at the fastest pace since 2008. According to a survey from the Conference Board, which has been running a similar survey since the 1990s, businesses are expecting a ~4% increase in payroll expenses for 2022. The last time an increase that large occurred was 2008, before the financial crisis.
Among survey respondents, 39% said inflation factored into their decision to set aside more funds for wages next year.
While wages are going up, inflation is rising even faster, reducing the purchasing power of the dollar. Over the 12-month period ending October 2021, average weekly earnings for U.S. workers, when adjusted for inflation decreased by 1.6%:
One factor pushing wages higher is a tight labor market, in which companies are increasingly competing to hire employees and offering incentives to get workers to stay. According to government data, there are some 11M job openings in the economy, still at all-time highs. For perspective, before the pandemic there were around 6-7M job openings.
There are nearly 3M more job openings than the number of unemployed individuals in the U.S.
GetSmart
📱The Online Mobile Phone Museum
What did the first cell phones released in 1980 look like? Let’s just say you wouldn’t feel cool walking around with one today. Or maybe you would…In 2004, Ben Wood had the idea of a mobile phone museum. The purpose? To collect all kinds of cell phones throughout history to preserve and display them. To date, they have roughly 2,000 unique models. (video ad of first mobile phone)
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