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HEADLINE NEWS WORLD POLITICAL NEWS 👀

France Government Falls

On Wednesday, France’s far-right and left-wing lawmakers united in a historic no-confidence vote, driven by budget disputes, which led to the resignation of Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet. This marks the first such event since 1962.

The National Assembly passed the motion with 331 votes, surpassing the required 288.

President Emmanuel Macron has affirmed his intention to serve out his term until 2027. However, he will need to appoint a new prime minister for the second time following July’s legislative elections, which resulted in a deeply divided parliament.

Barnier, a conservative who was appointed in September, will become the shortest-serving prime minister in the history of France’s modern Republic.

“As this mission may soon come to an end, I can tell you that it will remain an honor for me to have served France and the French with dignity,” Barnier stated in his final speech before the vote.

He remarked, “This no-confidence motion… will undoubtedly make everything more serious and more difficult. That’s what I’m certain of.”

The rebuilding of the French government won’t come without more political strife but the nation has proved itself resilient throughout its history.

South Korea In Chaos

The past 24 hours in South Korea, the nation has faced political upheaval unlike anything the nation has experienced in the last forty years.

It all began with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declaring a state of Marshall law. After a scant six hours Yeol succumbed to political pressure by lawmakers and public outrage and listed the order.

Following Yeol’s unscheduled televised address late on Tuesday issuing the declaration of Marshall law the military stormed the Korean National Assembly. Nearly 300 troops forced their way into the assembly breaking through windows to enter the compound.

The military siege of the National Assembly was condemned by the Secretary General of South Korea’s National Assembly, Kim Min-ki. ki commented on the military action “I strongly condemn the illegal, unconstitutional actions of the military and the destruction it caused ad the National Assembly premises due to President Yoon’s decree of martial law.

BREAKING NEWS: With fury in South Korea over its President declaring martial law the controlling member of the National Assembly, the South Korea opposition to President Yeol, have submitted a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol after the failed order of Marshall law. If political pressure mounts further and Yeol elects to resign South Korea’s Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will step in to perform Presidential duties.

HEADLINE NEWS

Bubbly Water Maker Nears Sale

Spindrift Beverage is in talks to be sold to Gryphon Investors, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Gryphon is a San Francisco based investor in consumer products and services.

According to the WSJ report the fruit juice, low calorie, low sugar drink maker could be valued at $650 million with a deal announcement anticipated before year end. Spindrift is reported to have annual earnings of $25 million before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

Chipotle Raises Prices Offsetting Higher Costs

Chipotle Mexican Grill on Monday said it is raising prices by 2% to offset the rising costs of inflation. Like many other food service companies the chain has seen beef, dairy, and avocado costs rise this year.

Chipotle (NYSE: CMG) shares rose on the news up 4.5% to $63.67 after analysts reports that prices increases had gone into effect.

Analysts predict the increased prices will enhance Chipotle’s future earnings.

UnitedHealthCare CEO Gunned Down In Manhattan

Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthCare was shot and killed outside a Manhattan hotel as he was making way towards the company’s annual investor conference.

A manhunt is active as of Wednesday morning for the shooter. No motive for the shooting is presently known.

Canadian Prime Minister Dinner With Trump

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had an impromptu dinner with President elect Trump last week. Trudeau spoke with the Canadian legislature for the first time about the discussion about the dinner with Trump.

Trudeau said the dinner, described and a convivalry three hour meal discussed steel and aluminum exports, in addition to energy trade and softwood lumber.

Nearly three quarters of all Canadian exports land in the U.S. The total trade between the two nations is nearly $1 trillion, as of 2022. Trump’s Commerce Secretary pick Howard Lutnick was also in attendance at the dinner.

CEO Carrousel

Campbell’s CEO, Mark Clouse is set to retire on January 31, 2025. In retirement Clouse will join the Washington Commanders football team as its President.

Clouse has led Campbell’s Food since January 2019. The company also announced Mick Beekhuizen to succeed Clouse as CEO. Beekhuizen. has help multiple executive positions with the company including heading the meals and beverages division, and serving as Finance chief which included CFO at yogurt company Chobani.

In separate CEO news Prudential Financial’s Executive Chairman and CEO will resign on March 31, 2025 but remain on as Executive Chairman for an additional 18 months.

Prudential named Andrew Sullivan, head of international businesses and global investment management, to succeed Lowrey as CEO.

Intel CEO Exits Under Pressure Of Failure

Intel is undergoing a shakeup with its CEO Pat Gelsinger resigning on Monday after 30 years with the company.

Back before the technology we know as computing existed the Conestoga Wagon Mfg’s controlled the mass movement of goods across a young nation. Though through greed or bliss they miss calculated a new bread of competitors, the railroads. Instead of adopting the new technology Conestoga Wagon Mfg’s passed on shifting their focus away from Wagons and toward trains. Likewise, Intel once enjoyed a majority marketshare and control of chip manufacturing. This was in the early days of the PC, but like history tends to repeat this majority marketshare lead caused Intel to make two enormous blunders.

First, they did not foresee the growth of the iPhone and passed on making chips for Apple’s newest product. Intel elected to instead focus on retaining their lead in chip computing ignoring the new product about to light the computing world on fire. The second error was recognizing the potential AI would have on computing and then falling behind NVIDIA and AMD. This AI miss combined with a changing PC market and geopolitical pressures added to the miss.

Recognizing the opportunity had passed it by Intel’s Gelsinger leaned into finding government support for its foundry business to compete with Samsung and TSMC in manufacturing.

Gelsinger actively lobbied Congress and the Whitehouse to pass the $280 billion Chips Act to subsidize U.S. chips plant expension. Last week the Biden Administration awarded Intel $7.9 billioin for chip projects in New Mexico, Oregon, Ohio, and Arizona.

Even with these new subsidies it was to little to late for Gelsinger. The board had lost confidence in him after the 15,000 employee layoffs this summer did not improve operations.

ECONOMY

China Tariffs

On China, the President elect accused China of not doing enough to stop drugs flowing into the U.S. through the Mexican boarders. “Until such time as they stop, we will be charging China an additional 10% tariff, above any additional tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America,” Trump said.

The Chinese embassy hit back.

“China believes that China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial in nature. No one will win a trade war or a tariff war.”

Economists say Trump’s overall tariff plans, likely his most consequential economic policy, would push U.S. import duty rates back up to 1930-era levels, stoke inflation, collapse U.S.-China trade, draw retaliation and drastically reorder supply chains.

They say tariff’s are typically paid by the importing company, and they either pass the tariff on to the consumer or absorb the tariff accepting lower profits.

Protecting Against Inflation

Protecting the economy against inflation is a known commodity. Limit supply shocks, and buy commodities. But with a new Administration entering the Whitehouse and threatening to cut taxes and issue widespread tariffs on imported goods it might be difficult to default to the known inflation fighters to keep inflation at bay.

Problems are already appearing post election as commodity prices are depressed leaving a looming question if the old tried and true inflation fighters have lost their edge?

FINANCE

Scotts Miracle Gro Management Shakeup

Scotts Miracle Grow CFO, Matt Garth, will exit the world largest producer of branded lawn and garden products at the end of 2024 in an abrupt ending as the company looks towards the next phase of its growth strategy.

The company also announced the two executive advancements to help fill the void until a permanent replacement is found for the CFO role.

POLITICS

President Biden Pardons Son Hunter Biden

President Joe Biden in an official Whitehouse release pardoned his son Hunter Biden. In what amounts to a reversal of opinion the full pardon spares Hunter Biden from a possible prison sentence for Federal felony gun and tax convictions.

Kash Patel tapped as FBI Director

President elect Trump selected Kash Patel, a Trump loyalist, to head the FBI. The move is seen as an attempt to move out the current FBI Director Christopher Wray before the end of his 10 year term in favor of Patel who has vowed to upend the nations premier law enforcement agency.

Patel’s confirmation by the Senate could prove problematic for Trump who would be firing Wray whom he appointed as FBI Director during his first term. The confirmation of Patel would be what Trump hopes is an upheaval of an agency he has consistently spared.

Trump Selects Trade Representative

The President elect selected Jamieson Greer to serve as his trade representative. The position is of increasing importance with Trump planning to reset trade worldwide.

Greer, a former Air Force attorney, and veteran who served in Iraq, subsequently served as chief of staff for the trade representative during Trump’s first administration. During that stint he was instrumental in negotiating with China.

The position of trade representative has traditionally been low profile but took on greater significance during Trump’s first term in the Whitehouse.

THE GRIND FACTORY ⚙️

UNIQUELY INTERESTING

💡 Epiphany Moments

Target 🎯opened the first Target store, a discount retailer offering high quality goods in 1962. Target was the predecessor of Dayton Hudson a retailer started by George Dayton in 1902 a full 70 years before the first Target. Expanding rapidly during the 60’s and 70’s opening new Target stores from coast to coast. In 2000 Dayton Hudson Corporation rebranded to Target Corporation. Target continued to grow afterwards. Target is known for its trendy products and its commitment to sustainability and community.

 🍎 One Smart Apple

Sam Walton built the largest retail company in the United States in less than 30 years. A feet unbelievable for any entrepreneur in any industry. After growing up during the depression Walton had a sense of frugality which he honed while learning the retail business. First having a stint at JC Penney in their retail training program followed by opening his first Ben Franklin variety store in 1945. Sam opened his first Walmart store in 1962. Through a variety of expansion and acquisitions Walton grew Walmart quickly. In 1983 Walton opened his first Sam’s Club. And by 1990 Walmart was the largest retail company in the United States 🍏 

 HEALTH & LONGEVITY

Blue Fin Tuna High Protein

Between 2014 and 2022 the population of Pacific Blue Tuna has soared 1,000% according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The fish was not expected to return to a sustainable level of this magnitude until 2034 and came as a surprise to scientists who track sea life.

In response to these findings the aquarium upgraded the Pacific blue fin tuna from red to yellow which means it went from avoid to a good alternative.

Eating fish as a source of protein intake is an important part of a balanced diet to remain lean and adds to personal efforts in diets designed to capture longevity benefits. The blue fin tuna is especially coveted because of its rich nutritional profile:

• Omega 3’s (EPA and DHA) - reduces blood pressure, lowers tryglycerides, prevents plaque buildup. Supports cognitive function. Anti-inflammatory which helps to reduces disease and is joint and immune system friendly.

• Vitamin B - supports energy production, cognitive function and red blood cell production.

• Vitamin D - Supports immune health and bone health.

• Selenium - Antioxidant that protects cells from damage and supports thyroid health.

Now you can now conscientiously eat a healthy fish protein meal to meet dietary longevity goals.

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