| |  | Venezuelan opposition protesters clash with government troops in Caracas on Tuesday. Source: Getty |
| | IMPORTANT | | 01 |
More turmoil awaits the crisis-stricken Latin American nation after clashes erupted yesterday between government troops and forces loyal to opposition leader Juan Guaidó. Embattled President Nicolás Maduro described Guaidó’s “Operation Freedom” — an ultimately failed gamble to spark a broader uprising — as a coup attempt, while Venezuela’s intelligence chief appeared to break ranks from the president. Guaidó has called for a massive march today.
Who won this standoff? While enough of the military remains loyal to Maduro to keep him in power for now, analysts say yesterday’s events indicate neither side is as strong as they thought.
| |
| | 02 |
Special counsel Robert Mueller sent Attorney General William Barr a letter in late March saying he disagreed with Barr’s four-page public summary of Mueller’s 448-page report, saying it did not “capture the context, nature, and substance” of his work. Mueller wrote, “There is now public confusion about critical aspects of the results of our investigation,” and warned that it could undermine public confidence in the results. The two reportedly debated the matter in a phone call the following day.
What’s next for Barr? He’ll testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee today, where he’ll likely face fire from Democrats and questions from Republicans about government officials allegedly spying on the Trump campaign.
Don’t miss the latest installment of OZY’s Donald Dossier.
| |
| | 03 |
Campus authorities at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte are planning a vigil today to honor two students killed by a gunman yesterday. Four others were injured when a 22-year-old, who’s been arrested, opened fire with a pistol inside a campus building. Police haven’t yet established a motive. “This is not in his DNA,” the suspect’s grandfather told the Associated Press.
What’s the latest on gun control? Although the first gun restriction bill since 1994 is now in Congress, it’s unlikely to make it through the GOP-controlled Senate — and even if it does, President Donald Trump has promised a veto.
Read OZY’s feature on the unexpected lingering effect of school shootings.
| |
| | 04 |
Although iPhone sales dropped 17 percent in the first three months of 2019 — while profits slid 16 percent to $11.56 billion and revenue dipped 5 percent to $58 billion — those results still beat analysts’ expectations. CEO Tim Cook said his company expects to “pick up the pace” after a disappointing several months, which included an underwhelming holiday season, projecting revenue of up to $54.5 billion for the current quarter. Shares jumped 5 percent in after-hours trading yesterday.
What should Apple be doing? Besides ensuring iPhone sales don’t continue sliding, experts say the company should prepare to shift away from its traditional strength and focus on more global needs.
| |
| | 05 |
Japanese Emperor Naruhito has ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne and marked the beginning of the Reiwa era. President Trump and congressional Democrats have agreed to spend $2 trillion on U.S. infrastructure, but have yet to iron out the details. And NASA experts are investigating a partial power outage on the International Space Station that delayed the launch of a SpaceX cargo capsule.
#OZYfact: The U.S. sports gambling market is worth some $60 billion — which is why sports mutual funds and day trading platforms want in. Read more on OZY.
We’re listening! OZY has launched a series about love stories — and we want to hear yours. If you’ve found yourself in an unconventional or intriguing romantic situation, send an email to lovecuriously@ozy.com and tell us all about it!
|
|
|
| |
|
| INTRIGUING | | 01 |
Israel announced that it will reduce the Gaza Strip’s fishing zone from 15 to 6 nautical miles after it said a rocket was fired from the Palestinian territory. Israel blames the Islamic Jihad group for the attack, but the Gaza-based organization denied responsibility. Either way, the livelihoods of some 4,000 fishermen and 1,500 merchants will likely be affected as the holy month of Ramadan begins Sunday.
Could the conflict get worse? Some Israeli rights groups argue that reducing the fishing zone amounts to collective punishment, which risks making residents more desperate and spurring more conflict.
Don’t miss OZY’s roundup of Israel’s recent elections.
|
|
| | 02 |
Wall Street banks and other financial firms are spending more money to influence Washington policymaking than before the 2008 financial crisis, according to a new report by Americans for Financial Reform. The nonprofit coalition found the financial industry spent nearly $2 billion on lobbying during the 2017-2018 election cycle — 35 percent more than in the last non-presidential election. The National Association of Realtors and Bloomberg LP topped the list.
How was the money divided? Neither major party can claim the moral high ground, since Republicans received 53 percent and Democrats 47 percent of party-specific contributions.
|
|
| | 03 |
Due to bureaucratic hurdles and a low Jewish population in the Nordic nation, Judaism is not formally recognized by the Icelandic government — but 27-year-old Avi Feldman is campaigning to change that, OZY reports. The young rabbi is a long way from home: Born and raised in Crown Heights, New York, Feldman and his family migrated to Iceland and set up near Reykjavík Harbor, making him the first rabbi in the island nation since World War II.
What challenges does he face? His efforts might be complicated by Iceland’s open criticism of Israel, which has prompted some local Jews to keep a low profile.
|
|
| | 04 |
Launched last year by ex-President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle, Higher Ground Productions announced a lineup of new Netflix projects yesterday. They include a Frederick Douglass biopic, a documentary about the early days of the disability rights movement and an adaptation of Michael Lewis’ The Fifth Risk. Another four productions, ranging from scripted dramas to family programming, are also in the works. The company aims to focus on stories that reflect a range of “interests and experiences,” according to Michelle.
What’s the timeline? All in various stages of development, the projects will be rolled out over the next several years.
|
|
| | 05 |
Edward Nyman spent just one day as USA Gymnastics’ inaugural director of sports medicine and science. In a cryptic statement announcing his dismissal yesterday, the federation cited a “conflict of interest.” Nyman is the third top-tier management hire since August to have lasted less than a week, a pattern critics say reflects the organization’s struggle to bounce back after the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal.
How long will that scandal hamper USA Gymnastics? Athletes and advocates say the organization hasn’t fully grasped the gravity of the Nassar case — pointing to its pick of a male medical chief as evidence.
Read OZY’s profile of the #MeToo hero American sports needed.
|
|
|
|
| | Caught Up? Now Vault Ahead ... | | To get more fresh stories and bold ideas in your inbox, check out The Daily Dose.
| | |
Rising Stars
Brooklyn native Avi Feldman is hoping to revive a population that, in official terms, does not legally exist.
| |
|  |
|
| |
|
|
