Your Presidential Daily Brief: Trump Scrutinizes Mueller Investigation | Venezuela's Day of Protest

[The Presidential Daily Brief](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/4f823909/b0a8d6247d559c3a30135fa992fb9c5e//) [The Presidential Daily Brief](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/4f823909/b0a8d6247d559c3a30135fa992fb9c5e//) 5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/2bf4e2c4/eb3694e1282a5a6dfdd77d0ecd9529f0// 5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/9b10d3fd/d3519105374db5dd92f31a726e991d26// 5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/9b10d3fd/d3519105374db5dd92f31a726e991d26//  IMPORTANT July 21, 2017  5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/6f0478a4/2c28ec48aff30b02b3b0c756cbacf8f9// [Demonstrators clashed with riot police during yesterday's bloody general strike in Venezuela, a protest against President Nicolas Maduro's plans. Source: Getty](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/99c65b8a/2492aab84cff1a3431c3396f5d796c5b//) [White House Reportedly Probes Mueller's Team, Ponders Pardons](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/af6dfaf4/484670c8c335df1688b3a987f1604a88//) They’re watching the watchmen. With President Donald Trump’s political and business dealings with Russia under scrutiny by special counsel Robert Mueller, the administration is reportedly compiling research on members of Mueller’s team, seeking ways to discredit the investigation. Trump has warned Mueller against digging into his personal business dealings, saying they’re beyond the investigation’s scope. He’s also reportedly asked about his power to [pardon](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/94b12630/aceb68b3ccc7520ae0f039844c14de34//) family members, advisers and himself, sparking an ongoing legal debate. Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, however, argued that such pardons would be “crossing a fundamental line.” Sources: [Washington Post](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/d822c2f4/cc853c94a8e733bbb892c24995013365//),[The Guardian](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/e3e4c7f9/2513df8a1b9d657687b6a97ff76b4f04//),[NYT](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/12f1eedd/5ac126a213411f881609b396259edec3//) Share: [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/298f9fde/05ea67d6fd11f5dd1822e7a56388d0bf//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/ab4cc8dc/42d9baf321972aa3a189c974de689f49//) [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/028c2927/1cd27c863ce62cbdc8fc4dd2f9696245//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/7176d779/ad0d097a059afc3d98339f0f3dfe72c7//) [Millions Strike in Venezuela Over Maduro's Election Plans](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/b257ac9a/89fd0e497be18146dc953bd2b3d16a28//) The opposition called; the people answered. More than 300 people were arrested as public transit ground to a halt and barricades went up in the first major countrywide [strike](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/a218b412/b99eb1aca5e1ce7fd5485efc6b7bf1e6//) that Venezuela’s seen in 15 years. Three people were killed during the 24-hour action, aimed at protesting President Nicolas Maduro’s plans to elect a constitutional assembly on July 30 that would allow him to bypass the current legislature, which is controlled by the opposition. Maduro maintained that the strike was minimal and promised to arrest its leading figures. Sources: [BBC](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/40d25de3/c1d8860c3242528f8f942dc4d2bdd616//),[Al Jazeera](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/a11d0489/2ed27aad344706d6af4a3ec851e59440//) Share: [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/0c4f3c0c/334e5230b3061bf96cab262baf5295dd//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/85d2db08/8e765624f9dd6fa3e55209299bbb9450//) [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/c8eebe4e/e7d79a18c0cb1d6683a2ff1bfc81506a//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/0e3a9178/520258620b0e3a0b142ca5bcaa7e1019//) [Two Dead as Earthquake Strikes Greek, Turkish Coasts](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/a2bf83d3/ef1a6c8f3b5bec54ecbea51c6dc7b6de//) It was a deadly wake-up call. A magnitude-6.7 earthquake has killed at least two and injured 200 across coastal towns in Greece and Turkey. The shallow temblor struck in the Aegean Sea at 1:31 a.m. local time, just a few miles south of the Turkish resort town of Bodrum. The two confirmed deaths were thought to have been inside a building that collapsed in the Greek tourist hot spot Kos, and [authorities](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/f16fb352/d138aa80c2eeeafa8e434d9e49e35252//) are warning against entering potentially damaged buildings until the danger of aftershocks has passed. Sources: [The Guardian](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/ebd7ef50/4d67f07ec15431c13cac8fcd7679a99d//),[Reuters](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/714e40ee/5c2d0f4418d4ee9377d414493fe60aa4//),[ABC](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/73273ada/a95ae6f7315fb8d6f061f0f618c4b646//) Share: [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/21aafa9c/954d5f27dd16b9dddf3acaa574a9f9f8//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/02a6263e/f8c16c5cc685561bc27fa4978bf5b38f//) [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/70006d07/e83924d339dcf6080b82a1d517f56885//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/b03045e6/abe601e553e1be333f95140c9e46faf0//) [Exxon Sues Over $2 Million Russian Sanctions Fine](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/90435815/d226d38f1bb7c810f27b30a9400746ec//) Are they digging themselves deeper? The U.S. Treasury Department says Exxon violated sanctions against Russia by making a deal with persona non grata Igor Sechin, and has fined the company $2 million, the maximum amount. But Exxon’s suing to avoid the fine, saying Sechin signed the 2014 deal — made when Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was still CEO — as head of Rosneft, rather than as an individual. As Congress considers increasing sanctions on Russia, both Exxon and President Trump have voiced concerns that they would impede [business](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/458d2327/ffa4220d20017e9cd07f83dc8dee99ad//) interests. Sources: [WSJ (sub)](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/9811e9f9/7f215220a92b564c69fdb06b9c8ab692//),[FT (sub)](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/1a0ec8a5/432c67ed20b324a6f359c6780cd5eaa5//) Share: [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/8e408fb5/9891023faaa9a1b58f3cdbe64fbd2c59//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/e1ae970d/e9bd004b44ff85aabdbe85f4547849fa//) [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/60a39859/26398de563abbb3f85e58be91f43a5ba//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/f4ce5bcb/55fa1c3e6d5e1838a04c9c5042b7b375//) Briefly Know This: The U.S. is reportedly planning to [ban](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/3d08db0b/536b8b3e25813372cacb18a2863e8f8a//) Americans from traveling to North Korea beginning next week. Elon Musk says he has verbal government approval to build an ultrafast [hyperloop](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/9493e9e5/75ac7ccec4b888928e3055ec6f40a8df//) along the Eastern Seaboard, though many are skeptical. And [Justin Bieber](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/b15fc1b0/ed68f41de093df78f31f07e1aa8d47bb//) has been banned from touring in China for causing “discontent among the public.” Try This: Feeling presidential after a week of briefings? [Prove it](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/8d1ad327/14862fcd5fc9a9e0e423c75aafc24a27//) with the PDB quiz. Join Us: If you can make it to the Big Apple, be sure to get your tickets and join us — along with Jason Derulo, Samantha Bee and Van Jones — tomorrow in Central Park for [OZY FEST 2017](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/98ba90bf/fe095065763ac2b83b5b35c177f7fd08//)! 5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/1d98c8da/19a4259fc4993fed99e93ddba8641a21// 5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/7cd6959b/44a4ec0d521de38c46947b4f3bff5796//  INTRIGUING  [O.J. Simpson Granted Parole for Robbery](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/c77fcb46/164b48cdeb8e885265384e4ccebb2073//) He’s off the hook again. Amid another media circus, a Nevada parole board ruled yesterday that the 70-year-old former NFL star can go free after serving nine years in prison for armed robbery. In 2008, Simpson was sentenced to 33 years for a sports memorabilia heist in Las Vegas. That conviction came 13 years to the day after he was [acquitted](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/393cedc9/749dc50b9b38c1e2b3f63ddb99e71843//) in the slayings of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. Simpson, who apologized for the robbery, could be released as early as Oct. 1. Sources: [Slate](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/7569accf/91859c4b840a8e60e7a151ce7d4c448e//),[BI](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/fd812ffa/1c690b217e02c03be07ac072b9b99361//) Share: [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/e64d2931/a322e997c226c3c94fd12a1bace7f1ec//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/a8b199aa/3d6da6e0938cf2dcc9e69c9c43094946//) [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/d6357625/f8d21aa1d1ef5b3d6769b581a6477810//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/8011f5ec/5f7ae73f9b022aad84495643b4b898b7//) [Dark Web Markets Hit by Coordinated Sting](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/2a9802d2/36befb1897b9d34da8bb55380de0c7b5//) There’s mayhem in the marketplace. Europol and the U.S. Department of Justice have announced that a massive joint sting operation has severely crippled the dark web’s black market trade. Two weeks ago, authorities seized AlphaBay, thought to have generated $1 billion in [illicit](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/8b267412/19caaa41a6f5d4ff04bbceb89ec67b07//) sales, which sent its users fleeing to another market, Hansa. But Hansa was already secretly under control of Dutch authorities, who for weeks logged the activities of its users, including AlphaBay refugees, before finally shuttering that market too. Prosecutions are expected, but have not yet been announced. Sources: [Wired](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/1b37f718/616c4f6ec52bba6e1c65829826b28fe9//),[CNET](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/cdf90f28/8c07f576e88bf20e10f89b2215b86480//) Share: [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/29621286/c29dac2640602e06ec86cddb9d0f330c//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/8023b3e3/d5a2a8d9ee94cf7047b970ff9cb7c639//) [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/cf90c31f/669f8352e1c34bab9226be0bd986289d//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/b9927420/b733a69ec7fe1fd627d626ff1938dbd3//) [Saudi Arabia's Luxury Prison for Jihadis](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/2e08968a/a6852ddf440213e887b3da961c88cb85//) This is the carrot, but you don’t want to see the stick. Saudi Arabia, known for executing prisoners convicted of terrorism, has found another approach to taming radicals: Amenity-loaded prisons, where — for well-behaved jihadis, anyway — conjugal visits are included. The approximately 5,000 inmates in the system are encouraged to see their families, considered key to rehab, and to attend therapy and eventually reintegrate into society. But critics say the approach wouldn’t work in the West, and the rate of [recidivism](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/df5cbcf4/8d8d5fbfbd3d5c27d8778d84662da20d//) may be as high as 20 percent. Sources: [Quartz](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/aa49b675/445dea2e93c48d23a67ff2e69bb728e7//) Share: [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/0569ace5/eb3cad50652c362df95401712aa36b31//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/5471c21c/726ecad9650d62bac27e227dd8973653//) [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/3c8e8f68/f3a6d0cf402803751abb50c0413ad83c//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/b4d251ef/b85a34d8109c93d435c94bec746d7f01//) [Linkin Park Frontman Dies in Apparent Suicide](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/ca2608dc/963bebc4dec06aa4b20271a27ef0e806//) He tried so hard and got so far. A representative of Chester Bennington, 41-year-old lead singer of Linkin Park, confirmed his [death](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/5e36db0c/bbf85152f3af0c894ed570f9a6077f7d//) Thursday morning, which was reportedly self-inflicted. The news sparked an outpouring of grief across the entertainment industry. Linkin Park exploded onto the nu-metal scene in 2000 with their multiplatinum debut album Hybrid Theory, thanks largely to Bennington’s emotional vocals on songs that blended metal, rap and electronic music. The band released its seventh album in May and was slated to start touring again this month. Sources: [Rolling Stone](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/15403332/9e57482854a442675c49dc3704e28a48//),[EW](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/1d49da96/7abf0d85cd5bccd16e48047b76b0403f//) Share: [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/da4d35bf/4a4db3bae7a3f57549db9964184eca35//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/29a96bec/a35ee8ce6276eda9ac938087e78088a0//) [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/ef0b9705/59f15e3ca9268a0509838a29478f37e9//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/4afdf807/9bc84563ad6b132ecb6bcd664fca5750//) [American Golfers Lead Open Championship](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/57209df6/dab70c6148ed41905c92cd0417cf73cf//) They’re seeing stars — and stripes. Three Americans have stormed to a shared lead at the 146th Open Championship with a score of 5 under par after yesterday’s opening round. A brisk wind blew away the scattered showers at the Royal Birkdale links [course](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/f1ef57db/7d08c78639f9a3f9a96fbc88bdfb2ea4//) in Ireland, where U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka showed no signs of rust, despite barely playing since grabbing his first major win over a month ago. Joining him were Matt Kuchar, who shot a record-tying 29 on the front nine, and wunderkind Jordan Spieth, who finished bogey-free. Sources: [SB Nation](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/e373d0a1/4a2f383e41203010b9616be27a870fa4//),[ESPN](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/6b125f23/aa5cb6c47ca22a830e767a964b459d9c//) Share: [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/6fc18d4b/2a2311c76967b76b70d0345035204ab5//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/da4a0d3e/15916d840b991c3c1d15a56ea0da7d6f//) [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/29608ac8/a5df18a54ec9a34d0901aa3c0e73f3b2//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/09c69b17/bd406c7aff2c7bec91c9b0fca65b8d6b//) 5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/38375fa2/f3a569f9e4f832983ba96048c91f56db// Your 8 must reads to get you ahead of the curve 5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/395e0565/8f03277a4658ad050ab8c0496164eca7// Good Sh*t [This Ramshackle Dive Bar Is a Beach Bum's Paradise](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/df61b1b4/a82994fe8f21c6e6e670f6281bf615b5//) [Read In Full](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/3a3a05b1/29f23bdbb10149443ade9ec6c61825ce//) 5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/56331c61/f19e0b0bd0acdebb711cf18deaab399f// Fast Forward [The Looming Threat That Could Decimate Wall Street's Fund Managers](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/bbbea30e/1add00657967714b58862e0e6d36c0c8//) [Read In Full](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/1161a8d4/88281ecfa14d5ec60b4ec68a740122bc//) 5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/3fc226fc/541f7f956bf9aa967ab69e88d047cc23// Politics & Power [Could Minnesota's Progressive Tech Mogul Become the Next CEO-Politician?](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/df180bb1/c6e6f18c49e9fb3050e83e9a5f1cbe46//) [Read In Full](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/9a5bd6c6/4c98eba43dc7ca6a86b998a0459072fd//) 5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/28f2c8b9/962982e970c036c1bd174a074bd502a5// 25M people love reading OZY every month. Be part of the revolution. [Facebook](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/a786735a/5ef2e42c0d55fe6fb44f36dbad29dcbf//) [Twitter](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/3d85b04b/ae7ab16abbdb173a9e8d335ebd271224//) [Instagram](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/a3680099/eeb2d921d9248428cfbe339eb125c37e//) [Vimeo](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/195a120f/7c8a6c10da4d29f0908d9a1e62f1f2e4//) [Youtube](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/2ca22144/37336a190a975a21d40fd54be7bd4d8a//) This email was sent to {EMAIL} This email was sent by:OZY Media 800 West El Camino Mountain View, California 94040 [Manage Subscriptions](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/33df0c92/3940a2b93e7b3f292b5079fe72147521//) | [Privacy Policy](5971d08fdbb829fa4740a810:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/dd007820/03d5a83371b8c1295ca0f9c083e996d1//)