Tuesday, October 1
How Health Data Saves Lives: Bloomberg Philanthropies to Devote Additional $120 Million to Expand Health Data Initiatives in Developing Countries (Associated Press)
Today, Bloomberg Philanthropies — a major funder of international health data initiatives — announced it will devote another $120 million over the next four years to continue health data projects in 20 previously funded countries, and add five more.
The work is badly needed, experts say.
An estimated 60 million people in the world will die this year, and half will have no death certificates or other record describing what killed them. Most of these will be in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa and parts of Asia.
“Incredibly, over half the world’s deaths still go unrecorded every year—but with more and better data on causes of death, more countries can save more lives,” said Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and World Health Organization (WHO) Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases.
“Our Data for Health program has had a lot of success, collecting over three million death records so far and helping countries better understand the public health challenges they face. Now we’re answering the call to expand our efforts,” Bloomberg said.
This is good news for public health: Read or retweet the official press release here.
Impeachment Probe Gathers Steam.
A lot of news has broken over the last 24 hours and there’s plenty of noise. Here’s what you need to know:
President Trump Pressed Australian Leader to Help Attorney General William Barr Investigate the Mueller Inquiry’s Origins (New York Times)
Trump’s discussion with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison shows the extent to which he views his Attorney General, William Barr, as a crucial partner. The president is using federal law enforcement powers to aid his political prospects, settle scores with his perceived “deep state” enemies and show that the Mueller investigation had corrupt, partisan origins.
F.B.I. investigators began examining Trump ties to Russia’s 2016 election interference after Australian officials reported that Russian intermediaries had made overtures to Trump advisers about releasing information that would damage Hillary Clinton’s campaign.
President Trump’s Attorney General Personally Asked Foreign Officials to Aid inquiry into CIA, FBI Activities in 2016 (Washington Post)
Current and former intelligence and law enforcement officials expressed frustration and alarm Monday that the head of the Justice Department was taking such a direct role in reexamining what they view as conspiracy theories and baseless allegations of misconduct.
Poll Watch: Nearly Half (47%) of Americans Support Impeaching Trump, Up 10 Points in One Week (Washington Post)
Rudy Giuliani Subpoenaed as Impeachment Inquiry Accelerates (Associated Press)
Quote of the Day: “The Rudy Giuliani of 30 years ago, the federal prosecutor, would have prosecuted the Rudy Giuliani of today.”
— Dave Aronberg, State Attorney for Palm Beach County, Florida on MSNBC Morning Joe today.
President Nancy Pelosi? How It Could Happen (Washington Post)
What happens when a Democratic speaker of the House — third in line to the presidency (after the president and vice president), according to the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 — is suddenly thrust into the Oval Office, succeeding a Republican president and vice president who resign, embroiled in scandal?
The scenario is attracting attention — #PresidentPelosi was trending on social media after last week’s announcement of an impeachment inquiry — even though it may seem far-fetched.
Brexit Update.
Boris Johnson’s Plan for EU Divorce Deal Hits Trouble (Bloomberg)
The British Prime Minister will present a new plan for a Brexit deal to the European Union within days, but there are already signs it may fail.
The Irish government responded to a leak of an earlier version of the proposals to say it was a “non-starter.”
If Johnson fails to come up with something workable this week, then Britain could be on course to crash out of the bloc without a deal, setting up another showdown in the courts and Parliament.
Explainer: Why the Irish Border Is Brexit’s Intractable Puzzle (Bloomberg QuickTake)
China Marks National Day.
Xi Jinping Says China’s Rise Is Unstoppable (Bloomberg)
Speaking at the start of a massive parade marking 70 years since the founding of the People’s Republic, Xi called for stability in Hong Kong, unity among Chinese ethnic groups, and the “complete unification” of the country.
Xi delivered the remarks at the site where late Communist Party patriarch Mao Zedong proclaimed the nation’s founding on Oct. 1, 1949.
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, protests got heated: Hong Kong’s police force confirmed in a video posted to Facebook that an 18-year-old man was shot during a protest Tuesday and was conscious when sent to local Princess Margaret Hospital. News reports say he is currently listed in critical condition.
Economic and Financial News.
Breaking Today: U.S. Factory Gauge Sinks to 10-Year Low as Global Slowdown Spreads (Bloomberg)
It was the weakest reading since the end of the last recession as a global slowdown and the U.S.-China trade war increasingly weigh on the manufacturing sector.
In Context: As Manufacturing Crisis Hits U.S., World Economy Sends Up Flares (Bloomberg)
Opening India: Indian Bonds Could Well be the Toast of Global Investors (Mint Oped by Steve Berkley, global head of Bloomberg Indices)
For global investors, a more internationalized debt capital market would deliver greater pricing transparency, stronger governance in assessment of opportunities and more efficient capital allocation.
Future of Direct Listings: Airbnb Planning for Direct Listing Instead of Traditional IPO (Bloomberg)
Today, hundreds of venture capitalists and executives from private companies will meet in Silicon Valley to discuss the benefits of direct listings after hot IPOs of this year,, like Uber and Lyft, have had a chilly debut.
Climate News.
The Greta Thunberg Effect? Europe’s $13 Trillion Climate Plan Might Be About to Get Serious (Bloomberg)
2020 Senate Watch: Democrats Hint at 2021 Climate Change Bill If They Win Senate (Axios)
Fast Fashion Reacts: H&M Wants More Customers to Recycle Their Clothes (Bloomberg)
Best of Late Night.
On the New York Times report that President Trump asked the Australian Prime Minister to help investigate the origins of the Robert Mueller inquiry. From the New York Times best of late night:
“At this point it might be easier just to list the names of foreign leaders he hasn’t tried to extort, because what could Trump threaten to withhold from Australia — the Hemsworths? I’m sorry, but we’re keeping Liam until we figure out what the hell’s going on.”
— Jimmy Kimmel
“Let’s not pull Australia into this. They’re our cool, laid back friends. You don’t ask them to get involved in your politics; you ask them to D.J. your pool party.”
— James Corden
“A new coffee shop has opened in Seattle called ‘Dreamboyz’ which claims to be the only coffee stand in Washington State operated by shirtless men. But it’s got nothing on ‘Starbutts’.”
— Seth Meyers
“Every customer is like ‘I’ll take 1 cup of Joey!’”
— Jimmy Fallon
“The Wifi password is: Bow chica wow wow.”
— Jimmy Fallon