What in the World Wednesdays #9: Summits, Oscar’s, and Pesticide

By: burgundy bug

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Mount Jefferson over Lake Billy Chinook, OR

Source: Mountain over Lake Billy Chinook | Penelope Peru Photography P3

As this article is being published, President Donald Trump is having dinner with the Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong Un in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Meanwhile, the president’s former lawyer Michael Cohen is hours away from testifying against Trump in court, Green Book scored a controversial win at the Oscar Awards’ on Sunday, and a study found traces of weed killer in 19 out of 20 beers and wines they sampled.

What in the World of Politics

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives agreed to terminate the National Emergency declared by President Trump on Feb 15.

Of the 245-182 representatives who voted to end the State of Emergency, only 13 Republicans sided with the majority vote, according to National Public Radio (NPR).

Although the vote had no trouble getting approved by Democratic-led House of Representatives, the same may not be true for our Republican-majority Senate.

So far, only three Republican Senators – Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) – have announced they would be vote to terminate the National Emergency.

Although Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said he had not decided whether President Trump’s declaration was completely legal, he is firm on supporting the the president and his declaration of a National Emergency.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s conference on Feb 26, 2019

Source: Senator McConnell Declines National Emergency Declaration Legal | C-SPAN

“One thing that’s not in debate at our conference,” McConnell began at his conference on Tuesday. “We really do think there’s a crisis at the border [of the United States and Mexico].”

What Else is Going on in the World of Politics?

Today – as this article is being published – President Donald Trump is meeting with the Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong Un over dinner in Hanoi, Vietnam.

At their second summit, President Trump is aiming to wean Kim Jong Un off of his nuclear program – “denuclearizing” North Korea, if you will.

According to CNN, President Trump is attending the summit alongside:

• Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
• Assistant to the President and acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney
• Lee Yun-hyang, an interpreter
• Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Kim Jong Un
• Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea Kim Yong Chol
• Minister of Foreign Affairs Ri Yong Ho
• Sin Hye Yong, an interpreter

More about the results of their summit will be released later today. In the meantime, you can keep up with LIVE coverage over on CNN.

…Anything Else Going on in the World of Politics?

Today President Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, will testify that Trump engaged in criminal activity during his time in office, according to The Wall Street Journal.

“I am ashamed that I chose to take part in concealing Mr. Trump’s illicit acts
rather than listening to my own conscience,” Cohen says on the second page of his opening statement. “I am ashamed because I know what Mr. Trump is. He is a racist. He is a conman. He is a cheat.”

Read: Cohen’s opening statement to congress

Source: Read: Michael Cohen’s opening statement to Congress | CNN

Cohen will disclose the president’s private financial documents and direct his focus towards what goes on behind the closed doors of the oval office when he appears before the House Oversight Committee today. He is also expected to discuss racist remarks that President Trump had allegedly made.

“I hope my appearance here today, my guilty plea, and my work with law enforcement agencies are steps along a path of redemption that will restore faith in me,” Cohen wrote. “And help this country understand our president better.”

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What in the World of Arts and Entertainment

On Sunday, Green Book baffled viewers and critics across the nation as it secured a spot as Best Picture at the hostless 91st Annual Oscar Awards.

Critics with The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, among others, are referring to Green Book as “the worst best picture winner in over a decade,” according to Indie Wire.

Rami Malek won Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in Bohemian Rhapsody; Olivia Colman won Best Actress in a Leading Role for The Favourite; Mahershala Ali won Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Green Book; and Regina King won Best Actress in a Supporting Role for If Beale Street Could Talk.

A full list of winners is available on the Oscar Awards’ website.

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What Else is Going on in the World

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7 Moons Red Blend

Source: Moon Wine | Penelope Peru Photography P³

The United States Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) recently reported 19 out of 20 wine and beers they sampled contained traces of Roundup Weed Killer, glyphosate.

Glyphosate, the highest-produced herbicide globally, was deemed carcinogenic by research published in The Lancet Oncology.

“No matter the efforts of brewers and vintners, we found that it is incredibly difficult to avoid the troubling reality that consumers will likely drink glyphosate at every happy hour and backyard barbecue around the country,” said the author of the study and director of the U.S. PIRG, Kara Cook-Schultz, according to USA Today.

USA Today reached out to the companies whose products were tested, including the organic winery Frey Vineyards.

Frey Vineyards affirmed they have never used herbicides. However, they stated glyphosate is now commonly found in our rainwater, affecting food and beverages across the United States – not just wine and beer.

Does that mean you should hold off from that glass of wine at dinner or turn your nose at your next whiff of beer? Are we unknowingly creeping closer to our demise with every lick of our plate? Not necessarily.

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute was unable to find a link between glyphosate and cancerous tumors or lymphoid malignancies.

The European Food and Safety Administration (EFSA) also report glyphosate is “unlikely” to pose a carcinogenic threat to humans.

“[Glyphosate] is less toxic than common chemicals like aspirin,” wrote Dr. Guy-André Pelouze, a surgeon who researches cancer. “It is therefore surprising that media coverage has been irrational and even hysterical.”

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In Conclusion

• On Tuesday, the House of Representatives agreed to terminate the State of Emergency with a vote of 245-182. Your move, Senate.
• As this article is being published, President Trump is having dinner with Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un at their second summit in Hanoi, Vietnam.
• Today the president’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, will present his testimony against Trump before the House Oversight Committee.
• On Sunday, Green Book won Best Picture at the 91st Annual Oscar Awards.
• The U.S. PIRG recently found 19 out of 20 wines and beers sampled contained trace amounts of Roundup Weed Killer, glyphosate.

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