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March 18, 2022
Today in history: Early on the morning of March 18 in 1990, the greatest art heist in history transpired — in a matter of 81 minutes. 13 artworks worth hundreds of millions were stolen from a Boston museum in a crime that remains unsolved to this day. And no, George Clooney is not a suspect.
Happy Friday, Roca Riders! Kick off your weekend with the highly anticipated return of 20 Questions. Please send answers to max@rocanews.com.
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Return of the Dodo
Overview
- Scientists at the University of California Santa Cruz have sequenced the full dodo genome (all genetic information), bringing the bird closer to revival
- Dodos, which went extinct 300+ years ago, were flightless, up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) tall, and could weigh 44 pounds (20 kgs). Given the bird had no natural predators, the arrival of humans on their island, Mauritius, is often blamed for their extinction
- Scientists may attempt to create a new dodo using an approach similar to the one used to clone mammals, but face new challenges due to the unique intricacies of birds’ reproductive pathways
DIG DEEPER
Should the dodo be brought back to life? Let us know in today's poll!
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9/11 Mastermind Argues for His Life
Overview
- 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM) and 4 co-defendants are seeking a plea deal that would drop the possibility of the death penalty
- KSM is considered the director of 9/11. Arrested in Pakistan in 2003, he was subjected to torture by the US at Guantanamo Bay
- Despite being arrested 19+ years ago, the US still hasn't scheduled a trial for KSM. That's due in part to the complications of him having been tortured
- Now, he and 4 other 9/11 co-conspirators are in negotiations to strike a deal to ensure none are eligible to be executed
DIG DEEPER
The CIA waterboarded KSM 183 times. Because of that, his lawyers have argued that the US has lost the moral authority to execute him. Many of the 9/11 victims' families have called for the death penalty; many have also come out against it.
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Netflix Introduces Share Fees
Overview
- Netflix is making users pay to share accounts outside of their household
- Beginning in Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru, users will be told to pay to give account access to those outside their home. Netflix says account sharing hurts profits and impedes content investments
- In January, Netflix’s stock fell 25% in a day when the company reported its slowest growth since 2015. Netflix has struggled to maintain user growth as the pandemic recedes
- Also in January, Netflix raised its standard US plan from $14 to $15.49/mo, and basic plan from $9 to $10
DIG DEEPER
"Accounts are being shared between households—impacting our ability to invest in great new TV and films for our members,” the company said. Streaming platforms all face similar problems of users sharing accounts.
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US Releases War Estimates
Overview
- The US estimates 7,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine so far. The war started 3 weeks ago
- 7,000 is more than the total number of US troops who died in Afghanistan (2,401) and Iraq (4,431) combined. Among the dead are 4 Russian generals
- The number falls between Ukraine's estimate (14,000) and Russia's (498). Russia had anticipated the immediate collapse of the Ukrainian military, which did not occur
- It's unclear how many Ukrainian soldiers have died. There have been hundreds of recorded deaths among Ukrainian civilians
DIG DEEPER
In Ukraine right now, things appear most dire in the southeastern port city of Mariupol, 35 miles from the Russian border. Russia needs to take the city to create a land bridge across southern Ukraine. On Thursday, Russian forces bombed a theater there in which 1,000+ people were hiding. It's unclear how many people died.
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 What do you think?
Today's Poll:
Should the dodo be brought back to life?
Yes
No
Today's Question:
Just 20 Questions!
Reply to this email with your answers!
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See yesterday's answers below!
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 Popcorn
Culture & Sports
- Let the madness begin! 15-seed St. Peter's bounced 2-seed Kentucky in an OT thriller. The Jersey City school was an 18.5-point underdog
- Skete stays home: SNL star Pete Davidson will no longer be heading to space. Blue Origin pushed the flight back to March 29
- Davante gets the bag: Pro Bowl receiver Davante Adams signed a 5-year, $141M deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, shunning Aaron Rodgers
Business
- Amazon closed its $8.5B acquisition of MGM, giving Prime Video 4,000 films, including the James Bond series, and 17,000 TV shows
- Jab me baby one more time: Moderna asked the FDA to authorize a 4th shot of its Covid vax as a booster dose for all US adults
- Intel is investing $100M over the next decade to build a talent pipeline and support research and workforce development across the US
Wildcard
- Theft brothers: UK brothers, 12 and 13, have been accused of committing a 10-month burglary spree at top London hotels
- Bull market for love? Signet Jewelers, the owner of Kay and Zales, predicts that weddings will hit a 40-year high in 2022
- American Airlines announced it will start selling alcoholic drinks again on domestic and some international flights next month
- Sister Jean, the 102-year-old nun from Loyola-Chicago, is traveling with the team and will attend Loyola-Chicago's game today
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And, just like that, we're back. We did Roca pet-apalooza. We did Roca story time. We did a couple more games of "This or That." But, in the words of Thanos, "Where did that bring you? Back to me." Me is referring to 20 Questions, of course.
Send your answers to Max@RocaNews.com. We absolutely cannot wait to hear from you. So we leave you with two final words: Let's ride.
1. Most unfortunate name you've come across?
2. Best breakfast pastry?
3. Which chain has the worst coffee?
4. Biggest sports disappointment in your life?
5. Your favorite sports moment?
6. Country we should send Frost to on next roadtrip?
7. Your most-played song this week?
8. Favorite YouTube channel?
9. Type of content you'd like Roca to expand into?
10. When's the last time you took a mirror selfie?
11. Favorite video game of all time?
12. Animal you'd most want to encounter in nature?
13. Animal you'd least want to encounter in nature?
14. Go-to omelet ingredients?
15. Chocolate covered pretzels or strawberries?
16. Best aisle in the grocery store?
17. Who would you want to play you in a movie?
18. A true story that needs to become a movie?
19. Favorite Taylor Swift song?
20. Best part about Fridays?
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 Games
Bruce Springsteen lyric or Nicolas Cage movie line? Each of the below quotes is either a Bruce Springsteen lyric or Nicolas Cage movie line.
- "Sorry boss, but there's only two men I trust. One of them's me. The other's not you."
- "Tell him this is last chance to get his daughter in a fine romance. Because a record company, Rosie, just gave me a big advance."
- "Cause I was made for this sewer baby and I am the king."
- "Well, Baby-O, it's not exactly mai-thais and yatzee out here but... let's do it!"
Find out the answer(s) at the bottom of Roca Clubhouse.
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 Roca Clubhouse
Yesterday's Poll:
The Federal Reserve (US Central Bank) raised interest rates for the first time in 3+ years. Do you care?
Yes: 75.5%
No: 24.5%
Yesterday's Question:
We know labs are America's favorite, but what is your favorite dog breed? Why?
Chris from Edinburgh: "Welsh Terriers (or any breed of terrier)"
Maria from Queens: "Boxers, they are so silly, loyal, smart and loving"
Diana from Miami: "I realize “rescue” is not a breed of dog but having once been an owner of pure breeds (two Dalmatians and one Boston Terrier), I can honestly say that when you adopt a dog no one wants (mainly because they are not any breed), you realize looks never mattered - and you wonder why people are so superficial."
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General Feedback:
John: "Daylight savings time. Seems like a no brainer but why not move it 30 minutes? Compromise isn’t that what the whole country needs"
Shelbie: "Please do a Wrap on the Fed! I think in general people don't understand it's impact and the last update I heard was that 80% of currency in circulation has been printed since 2020."
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Games Answer(s):
1. Nicolas Cage 2. Bruce Springsteen 3. Nicolas Cage 4. Nicolas Cage
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― Final Thoughts
Friday is finally here, Riders – it's time to celebrate. Do your 20 Qs, read today's IG Wrap, and listen to this all-time classic good vibes song. Have a great weekend!
-Max and Max
Thanks for reading! Enjoy the weekend!
As always, send thoughts and feedback to Max@Rocanews.com |
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