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Stranger Than Fiction
A brief daily note on things you might find interesting or useful
You can support the newsletter that you’re reading right now using PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, or purchase a subscription on Substack.Don’t forget to join us in the Stranger Slack for access to source documents and a running feed of news throughout the day. (this link was broken for awhile and has now been fixed)TOP NEWS
Venezuela’s Food Chain Is Breaking, and Millions Go Hungry “Venezuela is facing one of the world’s worst food crises as a gasoline shortage makes it harder for farmers to produce and deliver their goods. A recent U.N.-sponsored report found that about one-third of Venezuela’s population lacks sufficient food.”
Justice Department Opens Ventilator Antitrust Probe Focused on Medtronic “Investigators are reviewing whether the device maker’s acquisitions limited competition in ventilator manufacturing, according to people familiar with the matter, following complaints about machine shortages during the pandemic.”
American, United to Cut 32,000 Jobs as Washington Debates Relief “The airlines will go forward for now with a total of more than 32,000 job cuts after lawmakers were unable to agree on a broad coronavirus-relief package, the airlines told employees.”
Belligerent Trump debate performance stokes fears among Republicans about November”The president’s refusal during the debate to clearly condemn the Proud Boys extremist group prompted condemnations from Democrats and a muted response from Republicans.”
As Kim wooed Trump with ‘love letters,’ he kept building his nuclear capability, intelligence shows”The two-year relationship between President Trump and Kim Jong Un bought a freeze in testing, but all along the North Korean leader was expanding his arsenal and digging new bunkers.”
WHAT I’M READING + WATCHING + LISTENING TO
🎧 LISTEN: A TikTok Star Wrestles With the App's Possible BanMichael Le is one of TikTok's biggest stars. Now, he's contending with the potential ban of the app that supports his livelihood.
Why Hospitals Can’t Handle Covid Surges: They’re Flying Blind “During a pandemic, officials need real-time data to make sure resources go where they’re needed; attempts to build a system this year have failed”
Right-wing voices are dominating Facebook after the first presidential debate”Conservative media outlets heavily used Facebook to connect with voters in 2016, helping propel Donald Trump to the presidency. Since then, the right’s command of the platform has only intensified.”
THE COMMENT
“The president sends a collaborative signal to a violent hate group in a nationally televised debate — and they are silent? Perhaps they’re joining Roger Stone, Sean Hannity and now the president in extending a welcome mat to the Proud Boys. Trump has been retweeting, hosting and otherwise promoting figures, themes and imagery from the alt-right for years. His partial retreat on Wednesday, to an audience far smaller than the one that heard his grotesque statements on Tuesday, won’t dull the victory he gave them. On their alternative platforms, Proud Boys members continued Wednesday basking in Trump’s embrace and celebrating his new slogan for them, “Stand back and stand by,” as a merchandising and recruiting opportunity. Wrote one of the group’s leaders: “That’s my President!” I can’t argue.” - Dana Milbank
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