10 Items from the week | 17 Nov 24
News from the past week, and a few other things.
👋 Hello Reader,
Of the items that crossed my desk this week, below are items that stood out.
1. Tracking who Trump has named to serve in his Cabinet, administration
President-elect Donald Trump, ahead of his return to power in January, is announcing who he wants to fill Cabinet positions and other key roles inside his administration, including names like Marco Rubio, Tulsi Gabbard and Matt Gaetz. Trump began to roll out his nominees and appointees just days after his election victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. Among them are some of his staunchest allies on Capitol Hill and key advisers to his 2024 campaign.
2. Why America Chose Trump: Inflation, Immigration, and the Democratic Brand
The top reasons voters gave for not supporting Harris were that inflation was too high (+24), too many immigrants crossed the border (+23), and that Harris was too focused on cultural issues rather than helping the middle class (+17).
Other high-testing reasons were that the debt rose too much under the Biden-Harris Administration (+13), and that Harris would be too similar to Joe Biden (+12).
These concerns were similar across all demographic groups, including among Black and Latino voters, who both selected inflation as their top problem with Harris. For swing voters who eventually chose Trump, cultural issues ranked slightly higher than inflation (+28 and +23, respectively).
The lowest-ranked concerns were that Harris wasn’t similar enough to Biden (-24), was too conservative (-23), and was too pro-Israel (-22).
3. A Graveyard of Bad Election Narratives
Most scholars and journalists are on the blue line of political charts. Consequently, whenever analysts want to explain something they view as “bad,” they tend to focus exclusively on the red line people – and they explain the aforementioned “bad” outcomes in terms of deficits (ignorance, lack of cognitive sophistication, lack of empathy) or pathologies (racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, authoritarianism) that purportedly hold among “those people” who have the “wrong” political lean. Donald Trump’s reelection is a definite case of something most scholars and journalists view as “bad.” And, per usual, narratives attributing the loss to malign opponents of Harris are already being widely circulated. Many of the most popular tales have obvious confounds. However, this has not inhibited their uptake much, because many who circulate these narratives seem less interested in engaging with empirical details than in telling comforting stories to folks hungry to hear them. For others, who are genuinely interested in the facts of what went wrong for Democrats this cycle, this post is designed to rule out what wasn’t the problem.
NOTE: Interesting read that dives into some of the arguments for why Trump won, then dispels them with data.
4. 2.3 Million Jobs: The Federal Workforce, in Charts
There are 2.3 million Americans working for the federal government in civilian jobs, a tally that has steadily climbed as control of the White House has shifted between parties and presidents. They constitute less than 2% of the total U.S. workforce. They work as everything from nurses in Veterans Affairs hospitals and park rangers in Yellowstone to guards in federal prisons and the 19 employees of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. About 80% of them work outside of the Washington, D.C., region. Many of the jobs could become targets of the proposed Department of Government Efficiency, the entity President-elect Donald Trump has said will trim costs under the direction of billionaire industrialist Elon Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Musk has told people—possibly in jest—that more than half of the government’s employees should be fired. Roughly 70% of the civilian roles are in military- or security-related agencies. Veterans Affairs has the most civilian workers, mainly because it operates hundreds of hospitals and clinics. Homeland Security, created in 2002, is now the third largest. The Education Department, with 4,425 workers, is the smallest.
NOTE: The chart below shows civilian employees only and excludes active military personnel or reservists of the Army, Navy and Air Force. It also excludes the Postal Service, which has more than 500,000 workers but whose operations are self-funded, and temporary U.S. Census Bureau jobs, which spike each decade.
5. Bitcoin’s Monster Run to $90,000, in Charts
Bitcoin topped $90,000 for the first time Wednesday, a run to new records that reflects investor euphoria over a potential crypto renaissance during Donald Trump’s second presidential term. The election of a pro-crypto president has sent bitcoin prices up 30% since Election Day. The victories of dozens of congressional candidates backed by crypto super PACs have further fueled bitcoin’s momentum. Traders are wagering that bitcoin will reach $100,000 before the end of the year, with $850 million worth of options contracts betting on the milestone by the Dec. 27 expiration, said Jake Ostrovskis, OTC trader at crypto market maker Wintermute.
6. Literacy Statistics 2024- 2025
Globally, the overall literacy rate stands at a commendable level. For individuals aged 15 and above, the combined literacy rate for both genders is 86.3%. Males in this age group exhibit a literacy rate of 90%, with females closely trailing at 82.7%. Notably, substantial variations exist between countries. Developed nations consistently boast adult literacy rates of 96% or higher, while the least developed countries struggle with an average literacy rate of just 65%. Accurate cross-country comparisons of literacy rates face challenges due to two primary factors: irregular reporting practices among countries, and divergent definitions of what constitutes literacy.
On average, 79% of U.S. adults nationwide are literate in 2024.
21% of adults in the US are illiterate in 2024.
54% of adults have a literacy below a 6th-grade level (20% are below 5th-grade level).
Low levels of literacy costs the US up to 2.2 trillion per year.
34% of adults lacking literacy proficiency were born outside the US.
Massachusetts was the state with the highest rate of child literacy.
New Mexico was the state with the lowest child literacy rate.
New Hampshire was the state with the highest percentage of adults considered literate.
The state with the lowest adult literacy rate was California.
7. A $12,000 Surgery to Change Eye Color Is Surging in Popularity
Keratopigmentation has a long history. Galen, a Greek physician who lived some 2,000 years ago, treated people with cloudy corneas by burning the surface of their eyes before applying a variety of pigments including crushed pomegranate bark. Doctors still use keratopigmentation to treat people with diseased or injured eyes. It can give patients with cloudy corneas caused by infections or trauma the appearance of an iris, the colored part of the eye. It can also help reduce debilitating glare caused by iris or corneal damage, said Dr. Roberto Pineda, an ophthalmologist at Massachusetts Eye and Ear who has performed medical keratopigmentation for almost 30 years. In the 2010s, doctors in Europe began experimenting with the procedure for cosmetic reasons. Many eye specialists say it is irresponsible for doctors to perform keratopigmentation on people with healthy eyes. The benefits might outweigh the risks for patients with diseased corneas, but there isn’t enough evidence to say the same for healthy people, critics say.
9. Empty Tables and Rising Costs Push More Restaurants Into Bankruptcy
Restaurant chains and operators this year are on track to declare the most bankruptcies in decades outside of 2020, when the global pandemic upended the industry’s operations, according to an analysis of BankruptcyData.com records. The firm tracked chapter 11 filings of restaurants that are publicly traded, along with companies holding more than $10 million in liabilities. Restaurants declaring bankruptcy this year include sit-down chains Red Lobster and Hawkers Asian Street Food, along with a string of fast-casual operations such as Tijuana Flats and Roti. More eateries on the edge are likely to file for bankruptcy in the coming year, according to restaurant executives, attorneys and lenders. Nearly five years since the pandemic hit the more than $1 trillion U.S. restaurant industry, the sector’s health has improved on many fronts. Hiring is robust and an average of 3,700 new restaurants are opening monthly this year, according to market-research firm Datassential. But some chains are still struggling because customers have pulled back on dining out, and high interest rates have hurt companies that gave priority to growth over profit.
10. Violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences
The replacement of the female sports category with a mixed-sex category has resulted in an increasing number of female athletes losing opportunities, including medals, when competing against males. According to information received, by 30 March 2024, over 600 female athletes in more than 400 competitions have lost more than 890 medals in 29 different sports.
NOTE: This is a UN report.
And, here are a few other items…
North America
Rare 3.8 Magnitude earthquake rattles San Antonio area town
A shockwave was sent through a Texas town about 40 miles south of San Antonio Thursday afternoon, November 14. Responses are coming into the United States Geological Survey website showing the 3.8 Magnitude earthquake in South Central Texas was felt miles away from its epicenter. Earthquakes near San Antonio are becoming a more common occurrence in the past few years, though they’re still fairly far and few between. However, a decent-sized quake just shook Pleasanton, Texas, Thursday just before 1 p.m. – a small Texas town south of the Alamo City.
Europe
50,000 Russian and North Korean Troops Mass Ahead of Attack, U.S. Says
The Russian military has assembled a force of 50,000 soldiers, including North Korean troops, as it prepares to begin an assault aimed at reclaiming territory seized by Ukraine in the Kursk region of Russia, according to U.S. and Ukrainian officials. A new U.S. assessment concludes that Russia has massed the force without having to pull soldiers out of Ukraine’s east — its main battlefield priority — allowing Moscow to press on multiple fronts simultaneously.
Middle East
Iraq 'to pass law' allowing girls as young as nine to marry while stripping women of other rights
Iraq is set to change its laws to allow men to marry girls as young as nine and strip women of rights around divorce, child custody and inheritance. The country’s ruling conservative Shia Muslim parties are set to vote through amendments to the Law 188 - which was passed by a more progressive government in 1959. A second reading was passed in September, despite thousands protesting it, with the Iraqi government stating it would protect girls from “immoral relationships”. If passed, it means that Iraq will have the youngest age of consent in the world - with neighbouring Iran having the second youngest at 13.
Central Asia
Its Birthrate Falling, Russia Targets Child-Free Lifestyles
Russian lawmakers on Tuesday voted to ban the advocacy of child-free lifestyles, in a move that is part of a broader effort by the Kremlin to reverse a falling birthrate and promote the country as a bastion of traditional values that is battling a decadent West. The State Duma, or lower house of Parliament, unanimously approved a bill that would ban any form of “propaganda” promoting the “refusal to have children.” That would include material on the internet, in media outlets, in movies and in advertising that portrays child-free lifestyles as attractive. Violators would be subjected to fines of up to about $4,000 for individuals and $50,000 for legal entities.
East Asia
The treaty between Russia and North Korea signals a new era on 2 continents
This week saw North Korea and Russia sign a major treaty, as their forces joined in battle against Ukrainian troops. The developments are seen by analysts and government officials as widening the [Russo-Ukrainian] war, strengthening the link between conflicts on two continents, and setting a possible precedent for deeper North Korean involvement in this and other conflicts. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed the treaty in June in Pyongyang. They ratified it into law within two days of each other [Nov. 9 and 11]. The Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership says that if either country is invaded, the other one must provide military and other assistance.
Government
Republicans win 218 US House seats, giving Donald Trump and the party control of government
Republicans have won enough seats to control the U.S. House, completing the party’s sweep into power and securing their hold on U.S. government alongside President-elect Donald Trump. A House Republican victory in Arizona, alongside a win in slow-counting California earlier Wednesday, gave the GOP the 218 House victories that make up the majority. Republicans earlier gained control of the Senate from Democrats. With hard-fought yet thin majorities, Republican leaders are envisioning a mandate to upend the federal government and swiftly implement Trump’s vision for the country. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who with Trump’s endorsement won the Republican Conference’s nomination to stay on as speaker next year, has talked of taking a “blowtorch” to the federal government and its programs, eyeing ways to overhaul even popular programs championed by Democrats in recent years.
Republicans Choose John Thune as New Senate Leader for Second Trump Era
Republican senators chose John Thune of South Dakota as their first new leader in nearly two decades, opting for continuity over calls for radical change heading into populist President-elect Donald Trump’s second term in the White House. The new majority leader will guide the Senate as Republicans work to pass tax cuts, consider Trump-nominated judges and cabinet officials, and navigate battles over government spending, foreign aid and the debt ceiling. Thune will need to hold together the dueling wings of the Republican Party—particularly given its narrow 53-47 majority—when differences between lawmakers or with Trump rise to the surface.
US government employee charged with leaking apparent Israeli plans to retaliate against Iran
A man employed by the U.S. government abroad was charged with leaking what appears to be Israel’s plans to retaliate against Iran, according to sources familiar with the matter and charging documents unsealed Wednesday. Asif William Rahman is charged with willful transmission of national defense information, according to a court documents. The documents are vague about what exactly he allegedly shared, but sources have confirmed that the charges are related to the leak reported widely last month -- although it’s not immediately clear whether Rahman is believed to be the primary source of the leak.
Defense
As Military Suicide Deaths Rise, DOD Hopes For ‘Unprecedented Investment’ In Prevention
The Department of Defense hopes an “unprecedented investment” of about $261 million in the fiscal year 2025 budget will boost suicide prevention efforts as the number of Active-duty military suicide deaths continues to rise. On Nov. 14, the department released its latest Annual Report on Suicide in the Military, which found that 523 total force service members died by suicide in calendar year 2023, compared to 493 in 2022. That’s a five percent increase, but the Active-duty component saw a 12 percent increase from 331 deaths by suicide in 2022 to 363 in 2023. The rates are similar to that of the U.S. population when adjusted for age and sex differences, officials said, but they cautioned the year-to-year increase is not statistically significant, meaning it may just reflect normal variation. The report comes amid a yearslong effort from the highest level of the Pentagon to curb the rising number of suicide deaths. Last year, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin started a prevention campaign guided by recommendations from the Suicide Prevention Response and Independent Review Committee (SPRIRC). Suicide prevention overlaps with other military quality of life issues: some of the steps on the to-do list include improving child care programs and spouse employment, and reviewing military pay tables. Others include making it easier to hire behavioral health professionals, making it easier to schedule tele-behavioral appointments across state and international boundaries, and creating tools for leaders to facilitate difficult discussions.
Auto
The $20,000 Reason to Buy a Used Car
Prices for used cars shifted into reverse this year, and the price gap between used and new cars has never been larger. This improves the case for buying used instead of new. It doesn’t help anyone hoping to trade up for a new model, however, since older cars’ value are depreciating faster than usual. Surging prices for both new and used cars helped drive up inflation in 2022. Even though inflation has cooled since then, as Wednesday’s consumer-price index shows, used-car prices fell much more than new ones. (They did tick up slightly in October.) The average transaction price of a new car has hovered around $47,000 for the past two years, according to Edmunds. Used-car prices, meanwhile, dropped 6.2% in the first three quarters of this year to an average of about $27,000. Buyers could save a record $20,000, on average, by choosing used over new, according to Edmunds’s analysis of third-quarter sales. The gap was closer to $15,000 a few years ago. That doesn’t mean used cars are any cheaper to own. Insurance, maintenance and repairs have all grown more expensive.
Personal Finance
The 2025 Tax Brackets Are Here. See Where You Land.
The brackets that determine how much Americans pay in taxes each year are moving up by their smallest amount in a few years. It will take more income to reach each higher tax bracket after the roughly 2.8% inflation adjustment for 2025, the Internal Revenue Service said Tuesday. The annual adjustments are based on formulas tied to inflation. This year’s adjustments slightly outpace the current inflation rate, which has been cooling. Still, average hourly earnings rose 4% from a year earlier in September, the Labor Department said. The higher standard deduction and new income ranges for each tax bracket mean that someone who earned the same income would likely owe slightly less in taxes, though the difference may be a few hundred dollars in many cases. Inflation adjustments to estate- and gift-tax thresholds, meanwhile, can save some taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Cyber
T-Mobile Hacked in Massive Chinese Breach of Telecom Networks
T-Mobile’s network was among the systems hacked in a damaging Chinese cyber-espionage operation that successfully gained entry into multiple U.S. and international telecommunications companies, according to people familiar with the matter. Hackers linked to a Chinese intelligence agency were able to breach T-Mobile as part of monthslong campaign to spy on the cellphone communications of high-value intelligence targets. It is unclear what information, if any, was taken about T-Mobile customers’ calls and communications records. The compromise of T-Mobile expands the list of known victims of a cyber-espionage campaign by Chinese hackers—dubbed Salt Typhoon—that some U.S. officials consider to be historic and catastrophic in scope and severity. The Journal previously reported in October that AT&T, Verizon and Lumen Technologies were among the telecom companies that suffered an intrusion.
China Hack Enabled Vast Spying on U.S. Officials, Likely Ensnaring Thousands of Contacts
Hackers linked to Chinese intelligence used precision strikes to quietly compromise cellphone lines used by an array of senior national security and policy officials across the U.S. government in addition to politicians, according to people familiar with the matter. This access allowed them to scoop up call logs, unencrypted texts and some audio from potentially thousands of Americans and others with whom they interacted. The emerging picture of the intrusion’s reach helps confirm the intelligence community’s concerns about the potentially dire national security consequences of the attack, the people said. Hackers burrowed deep into U.S. telecommunications infrastructure over eight months or more. With each layer of network infrastructure they unlocked, the Beijing-linked group studied how America’s communications wiring works without detection, carrying out targeted thefts, people familiar with the breach said.
Entertainment
Nintendo has launched a music app, seizing on the appeal of video game playlists
A new music streaming app has entered the market. It's called Nintendo Music — and on it, you can listen to dozens of hours of music from games like Mario, Zelda and Donkey Kong. The app has had more than a million downloads since it launched on Oct. 30. The early success, and the enthusiasm it's received from fans, speaks to the unique history and appeal of Nintendo's music. The Nintendo Music app owes its early success to more than just Nintendo music itself. For years, people have been listening to video game music on other platforms, like YouTube. Playlists are all over the site, often organized around different tasks or feelings, like sleeping or studying.
Food & Drink
FDA Recalls 80,000 Pounds of Costco Butter Over Missing Milk Allergy Warning
Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled almost 80,000 pounds of Costco's popular store-brand butter due to a crucial labeling error. While the butter listed "cream" as an ingredient, the packaging lacked a critical allergen warning alerting consumers that butter contains milk. That's right, Costco had to waste 40 tons of perfectly good butter because shoppers apparently don't know that butter contains milk.
NOTE: Who knew butter contains milk?
Have a great weekend!
The Curator
Two resources to help you be a more discerning reader:
AllSides - https://www.allsides.com/unbiased-balanced-news
Media Bias Chart - https://www.adfontesmedia.com/
Caveat: Even these resources/charts are biased. Who says that the system they use to describe news sources is accurate? Still, hopefully you find them useful as a basic guide or for comparison.
