Monday Minute - September 9th
Market Minute
- Apple product launches
- CPI due this week
- GameStop, Oracle, Adobe earnings
News Briefs
- Good for the Goose: Haitians eating wildlife in Springfield
- Mother of GA gunman called school to warn of shooting
- Hornady's new target marker
- Bushmaster's new 50 BMG
- BlueForce: tourniquet carry methods
- Houthis down a Reaper?
- $250M more to Ukraine
- Dungeons and Dragons: Fun for autists
- Starliner returns (sans crew) to earth
- More...
New Store: En Bloc Press has a new and updated merch store. The site went online this week, so go check it out! As a free subscriber, you get a 10% discount if you enter promo code "EMAILFRENS" at checkout. We'll have more products and designs added in the coming weeks. You can shop [HERE].
Market Minute
Things to be on the lookout for this week:
Market and Earnings Reports
- Apple's Product Launch: September 9, 2024. Apple will unveil new products, including the iPhone 16 series, Apple Watch Series 10, and upgraded AirPods. This is expected to impact Apple's stock and tech markets overall.
- Consumer Price Index (CPI) Data: September 11, 2024. This data release will be crucial for markets, especially in shaping expectations about Federal Reserve policies. A lower-than-expected inflation rate could lead to discussions about potential rate cuts.
- Earnings Reports: Major companies like GameStop (September 10), Oracle (September 9), and Adobe (September 12) will release their earnings reports. These releases are closely watched, especially for insights into consumer spending and AI advancements.
Political Events
- Trump-Harris Presidential Debate (September 10, 2024): The first (and likely only) presidential debate will take place at 9 PM EST on Tuesday, September 10. The debate will be hosted at the National Constitution Center (NCC) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and will last ~90 minutes.
News Briefs
"Can't Take It Anymore": Residents Of Springfield, Ohio Beg For Help After 20,000 Haitians Overwhelm City, Eat Local Wildlife
Summary: Springfield, Ohio, is overwhelmed by 20,000 Haitian migrants, exacerbating a housing crisis and causing complaints about wildlife and pet consumption. Residents report incidents of Haitians hunting local animals, including ducks and cats, and causing disturbances. Tensions have risen following a fatal bus crash involving an undocumented immigrant. City officials are seeking federal assistance to address the impact of this surge in population.
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Mom of Georgia School Gunman Called School to Warn Them Minutes Before Attack Began
Summary: Suspect's mother warned Apalachee High School of her son's behavior before the shooting, but miscommunication led to tragedy. She called 30 minutes prior, expressing concerns about possible violence, yet a school administrator mistakenly confiscated a different student's bag. The shooting resulted in four deaths and nine injuries. Questions arise about threat protocols and mental health resources. The father's role in firearm purchase is of concern.
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New from Hornady: HIT Target Impact Indicator
Summary: Hornady HIT Target Impact Indicator offers ultra-bright visibility (1000+ yards) for bullet impact feedback on steel targets. It is easily attached to target stands, rechargeable via micro-USB, and activates with impact vibrations. It displays impacts using Morse code.
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New For 2024: Bushmaster BA50
Summary: Bushmaster Firearms, now based in Carson City, Nev., has reintroduced its BA50, a .50 BMG bolt-action rifle. The BA50 features a two-part aluminum receiver, a left-hand side-turn bolt, an adjustable trigger, and a 29” barrel with a muzzle brake. It weighs 29.5 lbs, measures 56.75” long, and is compatible with AR-15 stocks and grips. Designed for ease of use, it has an intuitive layout inspired by the AR-15 and upgraded for reliability. Available in FDE or black, MSRP is $6,879.
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Blue Force Gear Presents: Ways to Carry Tourniquets for Military, Law Enforcement, and EDC
Summary: Blue Force Gear shares methods for carrying tourniquets, featuring an article and video with Chuck Pressburg.
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Florida Deputy’s Sig P320 Sold For $40 On Cash App After Being Found In Restroom
Summary: The deputy left a Sig Sauer P320 in the RaceTrac restroom; felons Chance Byron and Damari Dennis found it, didn't report it, and sold it for $40. Both were arrested for theft, with Dennis also charged for possession due to probation. The deputy is facing disciplinary action; the firearm was recovered. Key lessons: When stopping for a duty day deuce, leave only memories.
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Houthis Claim To Have Downed Another US MQ-9 Reaper Drone Over Yemen
Summary: Houthis claim to have shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen, their eighth such drone downed since the Gaza war began. The group has disrupted shipping via the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, attacking vessels linked to Israel in support of Palestinians. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree stated the drone was engaged in "hostile activities" in Marib. Following this claim, reports of US-led air strikes near Ibb emerged, but the US military has not confirmed these incidents. The Houthis have conducted multiple attacks, including targeting oil tankers, asserting such actions will continue until violence against Palestinians ceases.
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U.S. OKs New $250 Million Weapons Aid Package For Ukraine
Summary: The U.S. approved $250M weapons aid for Ukraine, including combat vehicles, missiles, and ammo, announced by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin after the 24th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting.
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Could An Easy Radio Fix Have Prevented the Trump Assassination Attempt?
Summary: Better communication technology among agencies could have prevented the Trump shooting. A congressional report highlighted missed radio pickups, leading to poor coordination and communication gaps. Local law enforcement spotted the attacker but failed to convey urgent details to the Secret Service. Challenges arose from incompatible radios and a lack of resources for training and exercises. Improved interoperability, possibly via mobile mesh networks, could enhance real-time information sharing. Lawmakers are now recognizing these vulnerabilities following the assassination attempt.
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Study: Playing Dungeons & Dragons helps autistic players in social interactions
Summary: Dungeons & Dragons helps autistic players engage socially through structured interactions, boosting confidence and a sense of belonging. Research shows TRPGs provide a low-risk environment for socialization, counteracting feelings of loneliness and anxiety. A study with eight autistic participants highlighted benefits like emotional investment in characters and altering self-perception through gameplay. This suggests that games like D&D can challenge autism stigmas and foster positive skills and experiences.
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Leaving Behind its Crew, the Starliner Departs the Space Station and Returns to Earth
Summary: Boeing's Starliner spacecraft successfully landed in New Mexico after a test flight that left its two-person crew aboard the ISS until next year due to safety concerns. The capsule's landing was smooth, but NASA officials felt disappointed as the mission did not meet all objectives, and the astronauts remained onboard SpaceX's Dragon for their return. Starliner faced thruster issues earlier in the flight, with some control jet failures and a helium leak. NASA and Boeing are reviewing data and addressing technical problems to proceed toward certifying Starliner for operational crew missions. Despite setbacks, the extended mission duration provided valuable data for future flights.
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Google Says Replacing C/C++ in Firmware With Rust Is Easy
Summary: Google is transitioning Android Virtualization Framework firmware from legacy C/C++ to Rust for enhanced security. Engineers emphasize Rust’s memory safety, and its efficiency matches C/C++. Despite challenges in persuading developers to adopt Rust, Google supports its broader use to mitigate vulnerabilities. The U.S. government and tech firms back this shift for critical software. Google notes its Rust developers' superior productivity and aims to integrate Rust across various platforms to improve security. I don't have an opinion on Rust vs C/C++, but it does seem iffy to claim that making sweeping code changes to firmware used by millions of people will be "easy" before doing it. Might want to screenshot this...
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What Was Happening in Rhodesia Before the Outbreak of the Bush War?
Summary: The Rhodesian Bush War is underexplored, often misunderstood, and misrepresented in 1970s-80s media as a mercenary hotspot. While 800-2,000 foreign volunteers joined the Rhodesian Army, few completed service, facing screening for motives. The war saw significant Black military participation. Historical context includes Rhodesia's shifting political landscape following colonial independence, with military forces evolving pre-and post-World War II. Indigenous troops, like the Rhodesian African Rifles, played crucial roles. Conflicts pitted local forces against Soviet-backed rivals, with coercive tactics from both sides. The narrative surrounding Rhodesia highlights a unique counterinsurgency story amid global indifference.
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Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer dies at 58
Summary: This is off-topic, but as a Waffle House aficionado, I feel compelled to share it anyway. Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer, 58, passed away after a long illness. He joined Waffle House in 1992, became president in 2002, and served on the Atlanta Police Foundation board. His leadership was praised for positively impacting many lives. He is survived by three children.
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-Lee