Good morning. It's Wednesday, Dec. 8, and we're covering a call between Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin, a power handoff in Germany, and much more. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].
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President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a two-hour video call yesterday, a conversation spurred by the reported possibility of a Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine.
US intelligence and satellite images have suggested an estimated 175,000 troops have amassed at, or are en route to, the countries' shared border, suggesting Russia may mount an invasion in the coming months. Russia previously invaded Ukraine, annexing the strategically important Crimean Peninsula in 2014.
Transcripts have not been provided; however, Biden reportedly warned Putin of heavy economic sanctions by the US and allies. Putin was expected to try to extract a guarantee Ukraine would not gain membership to NATO, a military alliance led by the US and western European countries (see overview). It remains unclear whether Russia is using the buildup to extract concessions or intends military action.
See background on the long-running conflict here.
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Merkel Exits, Scholz Enters
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel formally steps down today, ending her 16-year tenure as one of Europe's most prominent leaders of the post-World War II era. Current Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz will be sworn in as Merkel's successor.
Head of the center-right Christian Democratic Union, Merkel announced in 2018 her current term would be her last, having led the country since 2005. Sometimes viewed as the de facto leader of the European Union, Germany's economy grew 34% during her time in office (though it has remained static in recent years). See a review of her tenure here.
The swearing-in comes one day after Scholz and his center-left Social Democrats party finalized a deal with the country's Green and Free Democrats parties. The coalition has vowed to emphasize climate policy, which became a key election issue after devastating July floods killed more than 180 people.
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A six-year project by the Defense Department to assign names to 394 unidentified victims of the sinking of the USS Oklahoma came to an end yesterday, with the final remains reinterred after being analyzed. The closure came during a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Of the 2,403 US personnel killed in the attack, 429 came from the sinking of the Nevada-class battleship.
Using groundbreaking DNA testing techniques, investigators were able to identify 361 of the 394 unidentified remains. Historically, DNA from the maternal line has been used for identification, but new technologies now allow genetic material to be cross-checked from the paternal side. More than 13,000 bones were exhumed from Honolulu's National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in 2015, and more than 5,000 DNA samples were collected to identify the remains.
Efforts to identify crew members killed on the USS California and USS West Virginia are ongoing. Listen to a 101-year-old survivor recount his escape from the USS Oklahoma here.
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As the year slows down and we all start preparing for 2022, the holiday parties and events start speeding up. But what’s your drink of choice? The booze industry has gone unchanged for far too long—it’s overdue for a fresh, new perspective and taste.
Bev brings it with a refreshing, female-first approach and is "breaking the glass" of the industry's status quo. Boasting six delicious varietals—rosé, sauv blanc, pinot gris, pinot noir, and their sparkling Glam and Glitz—their canned wines are causing quite a stir. Crisp, dry, and a lil' fizzy, every can has only three carbs per serving and zero sugar. That's right: zero sugar means no holiday guilt, so you can serve Bev at all your festive parties and events, or gift to the special wine-lovers in your life.
We recommend you try Bev's delicious bestselling "Chicks Pack" variety pack, so you can check out all their fantastic varietals. Even better, receive 20% off your first order with code 1440MEDIA (and shipping is on Bev, always!).
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Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
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