🌞 Alien Radio – October 13 2021

*Stock data as of market close, cryptocurrency data as of 5:00pm AM.

• Markets: There's a lot of red as market sentiment has deteriorated since earlier this year thanks to mounting concerns about risks of inflation.

Lead: Global Outlook Is Diving

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The International Monetary Fund released a pretty depressing World Economic Outlook Tuesday, cutting its global growth outlook to 5.9% from the 6.0% growth it forecasted in July.

0.1% might not seem like much, but there’s a lot of darkness in that percentage point. The pandemic has seriously infected our global supply chain, with shortages on important elements like semiconductors and labor. And those shortages are leading to elevated inflation.

The IMF projects the US will be the shrinkiest dink, with the IMF cutting its US growth estimate by a full percentage point, from 7.0% in July to 6.0%. 

On top of that, according to the report, "about 65 million to 75 million additional people are estimated to be in extreme poverty in 2021 compared to pre-pandemic projections.”

China's Breaking News

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The news in China is about to get even more monotone as the country heads toward a full ban on private capital in news and media.

China's National Development and Reform Commission released its annual list of private capital access-restricted industry areas–the “Market Access Negative List”–on Friday. The list has two categories: “prohibited” and “permitted.” The former is a full ban while the latter includes industries where investors have to apply to the state for market access. 

Newly “prohibited” for 2021: “unlawful news media-related businesses.” So non-state capital (private money) can’t invest in news organizations or run news published by anyone whose name isn’t China.

There were limits on private investments in media in last year’s list, but the latest document moves fully into ban territory. Some are worried President Xi Jinping is pulling the country back into Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution.

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Something's Fishy With Southwest

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What is going on with Southwest? The airline has canceled over 2,000 flights since Friday, plus delays out the wazoo. Southwest is the only US airline experiencing these numbers.

The airline is placing most of the blame on weather and air traffic control issues in Florida. That’s right, Florida Man is at it again.

There is speculation that the disruption is due to a union fight. On Friday, the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association went to federal court to block the airline’s vaccine mandate. But the group denied any connection. The pilots blame Southwest for the disruptions.

But it’s probably Florida’s fault. It’s always Florida’s fault.

Cancellations and delays seemed to be slowing on Tuesday, and Southwest expected "exponential improvement by the hour." 

An Asprin A Day

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When it comes to taking low-dose aspirin every day for heart health, the bad might outweigh the good, especially for adults 60 and over.

The US Preventive Services Task Force is floating updated recommendations for daily aspirin intake for cardiovascular disease, or CVD, as the kids call it. The Task Force is taking public comments on the update until November 8.

The bulletin reads: “People ages 40 to 59 who are at higher risk for CVD and do not have a history of CVD should decide with their clinician whether to start taking aspirin. This is a C grade. People age 60 or older should not start taking aspirin for heart disease and stroke prevention. This is a D grade.”

Those grades are pretty much in line with what you remember from school. A C grade “depends on the patient’s situation” and a D grade is “not recommended.”

News By The Numbers

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3. That is the number of employees Netflix suspended for going to a meeting they weren’t invited to for senior leaders. One of those suspended is a trans employee who recently criticized Dave Chappelle’s new Netflix comedy special on Twitter. Netflix denies any connection.

85%. That is about how much of the world’s population could be seeing climate impacts, according to a new study in Nature Climate Change Journal. That likely means both me and you.

300. That is the estimated number of voter registration applications two elections workers in Fulton County, Georgia allegedly shredded. The applications did not include political party affiliation.

36%. That is how many people returned to the office in the week ending October 8, a new pandemic high.

4.3 million. That is how many people quit their jobs in August, a record for the year. 

Today's Live Show

BIDEN APPROVAL HITS NEW LOW AS 4.3 MILLION PEOLE QUIT THEIR JOBS

Join us on today's live show as we look at the latest stimulus news, Biden's sinking approval rating, why millions just quit their jobs on August and so much. Click here to RSVP and we'll see you at 9 AM Eastern. 

The Missing Memorabilia

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The State Department is investigating the whereabouts of some White House swag. They believe Trump administration officials may have taken gift bags home from the office.

This isn’t like pocketing a few extra paper clips or a pack of Post-it Notes. The bags were reportedly stuffed with Trump-signed marble boxes and pewter trays.

The State Department "takes seriously its role in reporting the disposition of certain gifts received by U.S. government employees,” said a State official. “These gifts are the property of the American people and must be accounted for accurately."

This probably makes you feel better about that pen you accidentally took home from the office.

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