Sex, Lies, and Venmo

Good morning, curious minds!

Today's headlines read more like a Netflix drama than real life. With our signature flair, we dive into the chaos, from bombshell allegations to Wall Street's most infamous fraudster. Ready? Let’s unravel it all together.

Here's everything you need to know today:

Matt Gaetz wants to be your Attorney General. But first, he needs to explain why two women claimed that over $10,000 was paid for... let's say, extracurricular activities. The receipts? A pile of Venmo payments, selfies, nudes, and texts allegedly featuring some Gaetz-specific requests.

Oh, and remember his buddy Joel Greenberg? In prison for sex trafficking, claims Gaetz was more than a bystander at infamous "parties." The House Ethics Committee has plenty to say about federal prosecutors not pursuing charges. Or not. Republicans block its release, arguing he resigned last week. Convenient timing, no?

Meanwhile, Trump is backing Gaetz to head the Justice Department, and Gaetz is smiling his way through Senate confirmation attempts. Will the Senate buy his innocence, or will this circus end? Either way, grab the popcorn.

Swept Away

They call it a bomb cyclone, and with good reason—it knocked out power for half a million homes, upended lives across the Pacific Northwest, and tragically claimed two lives. Trees are torn from the ground, streets are littered with debris, and once-bustling neighborhoods become impassable.

The worst of this storm hit Washington: a tree fell on a Bellevue home, killing one woman and injuring two others. Winds exceeded 100 mph, floods surged in Northern California, and blizzard conditions gripped the Cascades.

And let's not forget the numbers—over 16 inches of rain in some areas, winds over 120 kph, and blinding snowfall. Whether you live in Seattle or travel in the mountains, you can't ignore the storm. Nature isn't just flexing its muscles; extreme weather has become our new normal.

Archegos to Ashes

Bill Hwang had it all—a fortune, a sleek Wall Street operation, and a trading playbook that could make Gordon Gekko blush. House of Cards collapsed in 2021, wiping out $36 billion of Archegos Capital's value and leaving major banks scrambling to pick up the pieces. Hwang learned his fate this week: 18 years behind bars for fraud and market manipulation.

Here’s the twist: it wasn’t just his portfolio that imploded. His hubris did, too. Hwang’s high-stakes gamble on derivatives decimated Credit Suisse and made "Archegos" an enduring cautionary tale. Wall Street loves a redemption arc, but this one? It ends behind bars.

Me, Myself & I

We've all done it—muttering under our breath, praising ourselves, or discussing a tough decision out loud. Self-talk has been dismissed for years as strange, even embarrassing. How about talking to yourself as a sign of clarity, creativity, and emotional strength?

Research shows that external self-talk improves focus, boosts motivation, and helps manage anxiety. Need to find your keys? Saying "keys, keys, keys" could speed up your search. Stuck on a problem? Your brain might unlock a solution faster if you verbalize it. Experts also say that self-talk creates a sense of self-connection. Think of it as a personal cheerleader.

Next time someone catches you talking to...well, yourself, smile. It's not just chatting; you're unlocking your mental power.

💡 Core Wisdom

📸 Lens to Life

National Geographic's Pictures of the Year.

🧮 Core Count: 50

Acorn production begins at this age in oak trees.

🗓️ Flashback:

1906 - Opium trade is prohibited in China.

1970 - Following a coup, General Hafez al-Assad becomes Prime Minister of Syria.

1976 - "Rocky," starring Sylvester Stallone, premieres in New York (Best Picture 1977).

I'm glad we could get together here. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Fatih Taskiran