Good morning readers and happy Monday. Boy do we have a story for you this morning. It’s about a man, his thing for silver, and a "miracle cure" for COVID-19. Meet Gordon Hunter Pedersen, a Utah man who wore a white lab coat and stethoscope to play doctor on YouTube all while prescribing a "structural alkaline silver" that he claimed vibrates at a frequency capable of annihilating the COVID-19 virus. I swear we’re not making this up.

After a three-year manhunt, Pedersen was arrested on August 9^th , facing seven felony charges, including mail fraud, wire fraud, and the introduction of misbranded drugs. The silver lining? There isn't one, except for Pedersen's bank account. The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges that Pedersen made at least $2 million (about C$2.7 million) selling this fraudulent cure.

Give me a moment while I take a long hard look in the mirror.

Let’s jump into today’s storylines.

In today’s digest:

• Tropical storm Hilary brings the rain

• Headline Hustle: Spain’s Women’s National team wins gold at WC, Starbucks pays out more to ex-manager in lawsuit

• Making things in space

• Pulse Points: What’s Trending

• The Week Ahead: What to Expect

CLIMATE

Hilary drowns Mexico and parts of California

Tropical Storm Hilary, not to be confused with any political figure, made its historic arrival in California on August 20th, 2023, after barreling through Mexico's Baja California peninsula with deadly force. The storm was felt both east and west of Los Angeles, unleashing furious flash floods that claimed one life in Mexico and caused significant damage all over the west coast.

A year’s worth of rain in one day

Forecasters predicted 5 to 10 inches of rain in mountain and desert areas, equivalent to what the deserts typically see in a year. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, and flash flood warnings were in effect until at least 3 a.m. (1000 GMT) on Monday. The storm's impact was so significant that it became the first tropical storm to pelt Los Angeles County since 1939.

San Bernardino County ordered evacuations in several towns, social media images showed a downpour of water, mud, rock, and trees while firefighters conducted swift water rescues to those stuck in dangerous conditions. The National Weather Service warned of life-threatening flooding in Ventura County, hundreds of flights were canceled and school districts in Los Angeles and San Diego cancelled classes for Monday and what seems like the foreseeable future.

A warning from the governor. Governor Newsom, emphasizing the storm's rapid movement, warned, "That's how quickly this system is moving. Take nothing for granted." President Joe Biden ordered federal agencies to move personnel and supplies into the region.

A storm to remember. In the words of a local resident, "We've had storms before, but never anything quite this windy and rainy at the same time." In the end, Hilary is a reminder to us all…always respect the power of Mother Nature. After all, she has a way of making headlines when we least expect it.

Headline Hustle

⚽ Spain’s Women’s National team wins World Cup. Spain’s Women’s National team bagged it’s first World Cup title in history with a 1-0 win over England this weekend. Just a year ago, Spain's team was on the brink of a player rebellion, and now they're the reigning queens of the football world. They've even achieved the football trifecta, holding the under-17, under-20, and senior world titles all at once. But the president of the Royal Spanish Football club, Luis Rubiales, may have stolen the spotlight, after planting a surprise kiss on the lips of Spain's midfielder, Jennifer Hermoso. Hermoso's reaction? She took to Instagram live, where she expressed her discomfort, saying, "Hey, I didn’t like it, eh." Luis in an interview later that day brushed it off saying, “We were enjoying the moment.” I’m sure you were Luis…I’m sure you were.

🤑 Starbucks million dollar drama. Starbucks, the coffee giant we all know and love, has been ordered to cough up an additional $2.7 million to Shannon Phillips, a former regional manager. Why? Phillips had already been awarded a whopping $25 million after claiming that she, along with other white employees, faced unfair treatment following the 2018 incident where two Black men were arrested at a Philadelphia Starbucks for, well, just sitting there. This incident led to a national uproar, with Starbucks settling with the two men for an undisclosed amount and offering them free college education. The duo also struck a deal with Philadelphia, receiving a symbolic $1 each and a commitment to establish a $200,000 program for budding entrepreneurs.

TECH

Space, the final frontier for…Pharma and Semiconductors?

Space isn't just for astronauts and satellites anymore. Startups are now looking to the stars, not for exploration, but for manufacturing. Yes, you read that right. The vast expanse of space might just be the next big thing in producing drugs and semiconductors.

Why space?

Space offers a unique environment that Earth just can't replicate. With its high radiation levels, microgravity, and near-vacuum state, it's a playground for researchers and developers. These conditions also allow for the creation of new manufacturing methods and materials that are impossible to achieve on our home planet.

Been there, done that. This isn't a brand-new concept. The International Space Station (ISS) has been the host to numerous experiments, from growing human tissue to developing new drugs. Even President Joe Biden has recognized the potential, allocating $5 million for NASA to conduct cancer-related research on the International Space Station (ISS).

Enter the startups. With the growing interest in space manufacturing and limited access to the ISS, startups see a golden opportunity. Varda Space Industries, based in Southern California, aims to assist pharmaceutical companies in enhancing their drugs by leveraging the unique properties of space. Their focus? Protein crystallization. This process can help scientists understand disease mechanisms better and design more effective drugs.

On the other side of the pond, in Cardiff, Wales, Space Forge is on a mission to produce next-gen semiconductors in space. Their goal is to create more efficient, high-performing chips that could revolutionize industries like 5G and electric vehicles.

The bottom line…Space manufacturing is more than just a sci-fi dream. It's a budding industry with the potential to revolutionize how we produce some of our most essential products. So, the next time you pop a pill or use your smartphone, remember: space might have played a part in it. And who knows? Maybe in the future, "Made in Space" will be the new gold standard. 🚀👨🏻‍🚀

Pulse Points

Lionel Messi’s effect on ticket prices. Lionel Messi's transition to Major League Soccer has significantly boosted ticket sales. Late-season game prices in the U.S. have skyrocketed by more than 1,700% on the resale market compared to the previous year.

iPhone 15 getting a big upgrade. The upcoming iPhones, set to release in September, might introduce a never-before-seen feature: a universal charging port. Analysts and media suggest that the new iPhone versions may sport a USB Type-C charging port.

You can no longer block unwanted followers on X. According to a recent announcement by Elon Musk, users will no longer have the capability to block comments from specific followers on X. This change removes a feature that has historically been considered a crucial safety measure. However, users will retain the ability to block direct messages.

The Week Ahead: What to Expect

Earnings calls for the week. Monday, Zoom is set to report on it’s earnings. Wednesday, the kings of AI, Nvidia are set to report and Thursday, RBC and TD will also give us a glimpse into how the banks have been performing during these shaky times. Stay tuned for more.

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