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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Jan 22, 2016
January 22, 2016
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Those @$#%* Foreigners:
New findings released yesterday by the British government claim ALEXANDER LITVINENKO --a former KGB agent turned by British intelligence and working for them-- was assassinated under orders approved by Russian President VLADIMIR PUTIN.
The former spy was poisoned with a cup of green tea laced with a massive dose of the radioactive substance polonium 210 at a London hotel.
The assassination --which was carried out nearly ten years ago, in 2006-- was reportedly done by two Soviet agents, ANDREI LUGOVOI and DIMITRY KOVTUN, and traces of the radioactive isotope were later found in several of the places they'd visited: the hotel's bathroom, their hotel room, and the plane they traveled aboard.
British authorities said however, that the pair will almost certainly not be extradited, since Russia does not extradite its citizens, and Lugovoi was rewarded in the years since the Litvinenko killing with a seat in the Russian parliament.One on One:
New research from NPD Group finds that children still spend a surprising amount of time with traditional (non-tech) toys.
Parents say 87 percent of kids between the ages of 0 and 14 engage in some kind of traditional play each week, like dolls, board games and arts and crafts; 85 percent take part in technology play.
But kids increasingly migrate to electronics as they grow. While 88 percent of preschoolers (those between 2 and 5) play with traditional toys during a typical week, only 52 percent of tweens (ages 9 to 12) do.
NPD's U.S. toys industry analyst JULI LENNETT was taken aback by just how soon very little kids are getting digital. "I was surprised that about 15 percent of babies (ages 0-1) are on mobile devices in an average week," she tells Marketing Daily. "That's about 600-thousand babies!" And about 33 percent of preschoolers play games on a mobile device at least once a week.
PS: A note from Marketing Daily: The American Academy of Pediatrics, in what may well be the most ignored bit of medical advice ever, currently recommends that children under two not be exposed to any electronic device --even TV-- and that screen time for older kids be limited to two hours per day. (Kaye)Idle gossip & unconfirmed rumors:
HUGH HEFNER's ego is bigger than his bank account. The NY Daily News reports that "Hustler" head honcho LARRY FLYNT really wants to buy the Playboy Mansion, but only if Hef moves out! As we told 'ya last week, (RBR 1.13.16) the love nest is up for sale to the right buyer if the mogul can reside there until his death.
Meanwhile, the Playboy bigwig has to approve the new owner and sources say there's no way he'd let Mr. Flynt take over his pleasure palace. (Lee)Pilot news:
LeBRON JAMES is behind a new TV show about two former pro football quarterbacks who are bitter rivals --but wind up hosting a TV show as sportscasters together.
"Now We're Talking" will star TOMMY DEWEY and TUG COKER as the players-turned talk-show hosts, along with professional athletes who make cameo appearances in the seven shows of the first (and so far, only) season.
The shows will only be available on the mobile video platform, go90, which is currently only available in the US and some content is exclusive to Verizon Wireless customers. The mobile app is available at iTunes and Google Play.Stupid people, stupid places:
A group of nudists in Orange County, California, have been told to put their clothes back on.
The Naturists have been renting out the Huntington Beach City Gym and Pool for private gatherings. The events include basketball, swimming, volleyball, and other activities --all done naked. But, City Manager FRED WILSON has signed a new regulation banning nudity in all local area gymnasiums. Wilson says it was simply too difficult for gym workers --all city employees-- to get their work done surrounded by naked people.
The nudists have requested the City Council rescind Wilson's order. (Still) -
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