Happy Friday. Let's kick it off with 2 mind-boggling coincidences from the life of Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of Abraham Lincoln.1) Robert was present at, or nearby, the assassinations of 3 different presidents, including his father's. He was an eyewitness to President Garfield's. 2) John Wilkes Booth's brother Edwin saved Robert's life a year or two before President Lincoln's assassination. Edwin pulled Robert from the tracks as a train was rolling through.

Wow. Guess I know who I won't be inviting to my birthday party this year...

In today's edition:

• Do not come... to Canada

• Emergency landing on Route 66

• 20 Questions

 🔑 Key Stories

Canada Bans Foreign Home Buyers

As of January 1, most foreigners can’t buy homes in Canada

• The new law, which bans most non-Canadians from buying homes as investments for 2 years, intends to make housing more affordable for Canadians after housing prices spiked during the pandemic

• Many politicians blamed foreigners for the spike, claiming they perceived the Canadian housing market as a place to make money, not build a home

• Critics say the ban will have little impact because foreign buyers account for <5% of Canada's home ownership. They want Canada to invest in more housing options, instead

Dig Deeper

• In 2021, the national average cost of buying a home in Canada reached a record $524k — a 31.6% increase from 2020. Home prices have since been falling, but Canada's government wants to bring them down more. The law includes exceptions for permanent residents, international students, refugees and some others

Russia Calls for 36-Hour Ceasefire

On Thursday, Russia called for a 36-hr ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war to mark Orthodox Christmas

• ~70% of Russians and ~80% of Ukrainians identify as Orthodox Christians, whose Christmas is celebrated on January 7

• Russian President Putin ordered a ceasefire between noon on January 6 and midnight on January 7 following an appeal by the head of Russia’s Orthodox Church, who supports Russia’s actions in Ukraine

• Russia asked Ukraine’s forces to declare a ceasefire in return. Ukraine rejected the request, calling it propaganda and "cover" to regroup troops. They said they won’t observe a truce until Russia withdraws forces from Ukraine territory

Dig Deeper

• The head of Russia's Orthodox Church was the spiritual leader of both countries' Orthodox churches, but in May, Ukraine's church declared independence from Russia's over its support for Russia's actions in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials called Russia's church leadership hypocritical since they did not support a proposed truce over Orthodox Easter last April

World's First Honeybee Vaccine

The US Department of Agriculture approved the world’s first vaccine for honeybees 

• Developed by biotech firm Dalan, the vaccine protects honeybees from foulbrood, a bacterial disease that can weaken or kill hives. Foulbrood is a leading cause of honeybee fatalities and has no cure

• The vaccine is dispensed by adding some bacteria in jelly that’s eaten by worker bees, who feed the queen bee, who then passes immunity to offspring

• Honeybees are vital to agriculture, but populations are declining. Dalan hopes the vaccine, exclusive to commercial beekeepers at first, will offset the trends

Dig Deeper

• It's unclear how long the vaccinated honeybees will maintain immunity, but the initial studies are promising. Dalan says they want to develop more vaccines to prevent additional honeybee diseases or diseases that affect other invertebrates, such as shrimp or mealworms

Hamlin Appears Neurologically Intact

On Thursday the Buffalo Bills said that Damar Hamlin appears neurologically intact

• Hamlin is a Buffalo Bills player who collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he’s remained in critical conditio

• Doctors say Hamlin woke up for the first time on Wednesday night and wrote on a piece of paper: “Did we win?”

• He’s able to communicate by writing or small head movements, and doctors say they are hopeful for his recovery after fears of serious brain damage. He remains critically ill, however, and on a ventilator

Dig Deeper

• Last night the NFL announced they will not resume the Bills-Bengals game that was postponed on Monday night. The decision will not impact which teams make the playoffs, but it may impact seedings, and officials are meeting today to discuss next steps. This morning, the Buffalo Bills tweeted that Damar Hamlin's breathing tube was removed overnight and he's been able to talk

Big News Ruining Your Sleep?

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• Created in a neuroscience lab and backed by clinical trials, this band uses touch therapy to send soothing vibrations that strengthen and rebalance the nervous system

• It's intended to support your circadian rhythm, helping build resilience to stress

• Apollo wearers report fewer sleepless nights and deeper sleep; better focus; and improvements to overall mood and energy. They reported experiencing an average 40% less stress, 25% more concentration, and 19% more time in deep sleep 

Dig Deeper

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🍿 Popcorn

ICYMI

• Groundhog Day in DC: Kevin McCarthy lost the 11th vote to become Speaker of the House, shattering a 100-year record of Speaker voting gridlock in Congress

• El C̶h̶a̶p̶o̶ Chico arrested: Mexican authorities arrested Ovidio Guzman, the son of drug kingpin El Chapo, setting off gunfights and roadblocks in the country

• Buckle up, Hasbulla: YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul signed a multi-fight deal with the PFL. "I already disrupted boxing; now it is time to disrupt MMA," Paul declared

Wildcard 

• Top ̶G̶u̶n̶ Grandma: An 18-year-old pilot made an emergency landing on Route 66 in California after the plane's engine died. His grandma and 2 cousins were onboard

• I can't believe it's not fireproof! A fire broke out at a Wisconsin dairy plant on Monday night, causing a river of melted butter to flow into nearby storm drains

• "Where is my supersuit?" Texas A&M's men's basketball team forgot their jerseys at their hotel for Wednesday's game at the University of Florida, delaying the tipoff

👇 What do you think?

Today's Question:

Just 20 Questions!

See yesterday's results below the Wrap! 

🗣 20 Questions

Every Friday, we ask the Roca readers 20 questions, then feature our favorite answers the following week. 

New year, same format! What better way to kick off 2023 than with 20 Questions .... 

THIS OR THAT EDITION!

We'll give you two options to choose from, and you pick the one you prefer! Happy choosing! 

Here's the link. Have an WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

If you have thoughts, let us know at [email protected]!

 🌊 Roca Clubhouse

Yesterday's Poll:

Which goes first?

Cereal: 96%

Milk: 4%

Yesterday's Question:

What's a food you'll never get tired of?

Mary from Missouri: “Potatoes. I accept in all shapes, ways and forms.”

Pete from Pennsylvania: “Peanut butter, specifically JIF Creamy. I eat at least a heaping spoonful every day, right from the spoon. It is my desert-island food and I dare say the most perfect food creation ever.”

Will from Texas: “The almighty Guac! Yes it's extra but sometimes we all need a little extra!”

Last Week's 20 Qs Responses:

1. Top Gun: Maverick: 63.2% Take, 36.8% Leave

2. Arming Ukraine: Take 67.2%, Leave 32.8%

3. Chat GPT: Take 19.5%, Leave 80.5% 

4. Record-breaking pictures of our universe: Take 94%, Leave 6%

5. Elon Musk owning Twitter: Take 39.6%, Leave 60.4%

6. King Charles II: Take 20.2%, Leave 79.8%

7. No COVID protocols: Take 71.8%, Leave 28.2%

8. World Cup in November/December: Take 38.6%, Leave 61.4%

9. Serial killer docs: 35% Take, 65% Leave

10.  Miles Teller stache: Take 25.4%, Leave 74.6%

11.  BeReal: Take 21.6%, Leave 78.4%

12.  Legalizing Psychedelics: Take 48.9%, Leave 51.1%

13.  Hard kombucha: Take 23%, Leave 77%

14.  “Goblin Mode”: Take 20%, Leave 80%

15.  Anna Sorokin (Delvey): Take 13.7%, Leave 86.3%

16.  Wendy’s French toast sticks: Take 35.7%, Leave 64.3%

17.  Paper straws: Take 31.5%, Leave 68.5%

18.  Bitcoin: Take 10.7%, Leave 96.4%

19.  High gas prices: Take 3.6%, Leave 96.4%

20.  Close-up pictures of ants: Take 49.5%, Leave 50.5% 

🧠 Final Thoughts

We learned this morning that 2012 Madden cover athlete Peyton Hillis is in the ICU after saving his kids from drowning. His uncle, addressing "Razorbacks nation" on Facebook since Peyton is an Arkansas alum, said that Peyton is "doing better."It's been a rough week for injured NFL players, but heartwarming to enter the weekend knowing that both Hamlin and Hillis are on the mend. Have a great weekend!Max and Max