🌞 Fire Brain – December 08 2021

*Stock data as of market close, cryptocurrency data as of 5:00am ET. 

• Markets: The Nasdaq had it's best day since March as investors hope for a Santa Rally. Stocks and oil prices continued to roar back from their post-Thanksgiving lows, with tech shares leading the way. Iron ore prices sky rocket as China imports hit a record high. Bitcoin remained flat as it consoldates around the $50,000 mark leaving crypto investors to wonder if they'll also see a Santa Rally. 

The Lead: Putin On The Ritz

credit: reuters

Will Putin or won’t he?

That’s what the U.S., France, Italy, the U.K., and Germany want to know. U.S. intelligence shows that Russia could have enough troops at the Ukraine border to attack in a few months. But they also think Russia’s president isn’t totally sure what he wants to do. He seems to be getting everything ready to go just in case he decides to invade.

Presidents Biden and Putin video-called for two hours Tuesday, where they talked Iran, ransomware, and–oh yeah–Russia’s possible invasion of Ukraine, which the U.S. and European allies want very much not to happen.

A White House statement about the call said that Biden “voiced the deep concerns of the United States and our European Allies about Russia's escalation of forces surrounding Ukraine and made clear that the US and our Allies would respond with strong economic and other measures in the event of military escalation.”

Tough talk. But the U.S. is looking at pulling citizens from Ukraine if Russia’s just in case turns into a full-blown attack. 

It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere

credit: bloomberg

TGIF will soon mean something for state employees in the United Arab Emirates.

The country announced it is shifting its weekend for the public sector and schools. The weekend will move from Friday and Saturday to Saturday and Sunday as part of the country’s effort to become a global hub. 

Friday is an Islamic holy day, which is why the Friday-Saturday weekend is the norm for Gulf nations. The holiness of Friday is why the UAE is also implementing a 4 1/2-day workweek, making Friday half-days a thing we’re all jealous of.

The rest of the Gulf followed the UAE when it shifted its weekends from Thursday-Friday to Friday-Saturday in 2006, so it seems likely that other Gulf nations will make the move.

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This Is Your Brain On Wildfires

credit: giphy

What used to be a four-month wildfire season in the Western United States now lasts six to eight months in our climate-crisis reality. The massive wildfires burn across the region indiscriminately. 

People are attempting to adapt and protect themselves from all of the obvious risks, but new evidence shows there could be a hidden danger. Smoke from the fires is obviously bad for the lungs, but it could also be bad for the brain.

Research shows that tiny particles from wildfire smoke can ride a person’s bloodstream all the way to their brain. This can lead to:

• Premature aging
• Dementia
• Depression
• Psychosis

Which makes sense when there’s a FIRE IN YOUR BRAIN.

What's Trending?

Hawaii weather is trending because Hawaii’s governor declared a state of emergency Tuesday after flash floods and heavy rain rocked the state.

Kellogg is trending because U.S. workers voted to reject a new contract from the company, extending the strike.

“Nathan Bedford Forrest” is trending because the private statue of the early KKK leader that stood beside I-65 in Nashville is being taken down after over two decades. 

Del Taco is trending because Jack in the Box bought the fellow fast food chain for $575 million.

News By The Numbers

10. That is how many future astronauts NASA chose to begin training in January 2022. There were 12,000 applicants.

627,000. That is the number of malaria deaths that occurred in 2020, up from 558,000 in 2019. 

154. That is the number of bicycle fatalities in Florida so far this year. The state is on track to once again be the deadliest U.S. state for bicycles. So be careful, Florida Man.

69%. That is how much a study shows taking Viagra could reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Brings new meaning to the phrase ‘thinking with your…’ well, you know.

Apple's Airtags Work A Little Too Well?

credit: apple

Apple AirTags are the gift that keeps on giving for the carjacker in your life. The York Regional Police in Canada have identified at least five cases of AirTags being used to steal fancy cars. 

It’s a plant-now-steal-later situation. AirTags are small, round, and apparently perfect for sneaking onto someone’s car in a crowded place. The person who planted the device can then track the car to a quieter place that’s better for stealing luxury vehicles.

Apple has implemented some provisions to help prevent this, including an alarm on the device that goes off between eight and 24 hours after the device is away from its owner. 

AirTags are meant to help people locate stuff they lose, so they’re working. Just maybe too well.

Today's Live Show

JOIN US FOR MORNING INVEST LIVE AT 9AM EASTERN

Join us on today's live morning show. We'll be analyzing how Congress managed to pass the largest defense budget in U.S. history while failing to pass a stimulus for the American people. We're also looking at the cozy relationship that CNN had with Jussie Smollett as some startling details emerge from the trial. And should we move to a 4 day work week? All that and more on today's show. Click here to RSVP and I'll see you at 9 AM Eastern. 

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