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The Reimann family (believed to be the second-wealthiest in Germany with a $37 billion fortune) just confirmed its past support for the Nazi regime following a report alleging as much in one of Germany’s most popular papers.

This is the family behind JAB Holdings. And even if you don’t know JAB, you know JAB. It’s sunk about $60 billion into acquiring brands that dominate many Americans’ morning routines—from Peet’s and Keurig Green Mountain coffee to Panera Bread and Einstein Bros. Bagels.

Now-deceased members of the Reimann family used Russian civilians and French POWs as forced labor for their businesses and private villas during the Third Reich, and they contributed to Nazi organizations as early as 1931.

• The Reimann offspring said they’ll donate about $11.3 million after learning the extent of the family’s Nazi ties. Where the money will go? TBD.

Zoom out: The Reimanns aren’t the first German dynasty owning up to Nazi ties decades later—other companies include Hugo Boss, Daimler, Deutsche Bank, and more.

But Just Do It doesn’t *always* apply to shakedowns. Lawyer-to-the-stars Avenatti was arrested yesterday in NYC on charges of attempting to extortup to $25 million from Nike (+0.17%).

Yes, that Nike. Avenatti reportedly threatened to reveal that the company greenlighted payments to the families of top basketball recruits—unless Nike paid an unnamed client $1.5 million and agreed to hire Avenatti and another lawyer for $15 to $25 million (but a one-time payment of $22.5 million would also work).

The timeline: Avenatti tweeted pre-cuffs that he’d hold a presser at 11am today profiling Nike’s "criminal conduct" that "involves some of the biggest names in college basketball."

^{Via @MichaelAvenatti}

Avenatti allegedly told Nike lawyers last week that if his demands weren’t met, he’d "take $10 billion off your client’s market cap...I’m not [word that autocorrects to ducking] around."

The trouble wasn’t confined to just one coast. In an unrelated case, federal prosecutors in Los Angeles charged Avenatti with wire fraud and bank fraud.

Kathmandu, Nepal | @safaljiwan

Kathmandu is not a glamorous city, but for the many visitors who flock here, that’s a good thing. It’s chaos at its best — dusty streets crowded with traffic in front of ornamental temples, and winding alleys that lead to thriving markets and packed squares. Nepal’s majestic natural landscape is often the draw, but in the heart of its capital city lies a vibrant culture worth exploring.

NOTE: As of January 2019, Everest Base Camp is closed to tourists. 

"One of the most spectacular sights of Kathmandu is the enormous Bodnath stupa. Soak in the magical atmosphere of this holy temple while watching the believers walking around it murmuring prayers. Special tip: Admire the view and the colorful prayer flags blowing in the wind from one of the rooftop cafés." - Melanie's Discovery

Can anything beat a good plate of dumplings? While in town, try a plate of momo dumplings served with tomato-based achar from one of the many dumpling huts lining the streets. Thamel Momo Hut is a particular recommendation. For a traditional Nepalese meal, head to OR2K where you’ll sit cross-legged on cushions, or Fusion Himalaya which serves up delicious yet affordable entrees like dahl bot and curry.

Like most tourist centers, Kathmandu is not without its nice resorts, and you can find a Hyatt and a Radisson if you want something familiar. But if you want something a little more local yet still luxurious, the dreamy Dwarika’s Hotel or the grand Hotel Yak and Yeti are perfect. Staying on a budget? Try Maya Boutique Lodge. Of course, getting out of the city opens the door to more options, so don’t count out the villages surrounding Kathmandu, where you can find some great accommodations in more peaceful locales.

#nepaltravel | @hannahrmac Layer Up "Be aware that during wintertime it can get quite chilly in Kathmandu. And the bad news is there is no heating in restaurants or Airbnbs. Maybe if you’re lucky there is one gas stove to (not) heat up the whole room. So always put an extra layer on." – @goodmorningworldblog

• Volvo said it expects margins on electric vehicles to match those of traditional combustion engine models by 2025.

• Starbucks (+0.35%) is testing out compostable and recyclable cups. And you thought StrawGate was the last of it.

• The EU fined Google $1.7 billion for abusing its dominant position in the online ad market.

• Apple (+0.87%) launched a new generation of AirPods with optional wireless charging, longer talk time, and hands-free Siri access.

• Facebook (+0.39%) stored hundreds of millions of users’ passwords as plain text on an internal database tens of thousands of employees could access. It said it will alert users who've been affected. 

@The Librarian @TrueTomHarley You can just look that the bottom of the page and click on "Theme"

Both are still supported.

Survivor's guilt?

It must have been a heavy weight for her to bear to say the least.

Look how long it took to get this "report"....

Now I am starting to feel old.

Turns out Harrison and Carrie were actually having an affair at that moment....

Later on Carrie would wish that she were more interested in Mark Hamill than Harrison.

Dudley Stuart John Moore, CBE (19 April 1935 – 27 March 2002) was an English actor, comedian, musician and composer.

Moore first came to prominence in the UK as one of the four writer-performers in the comedy revue Beyond the Fringe from 1960, and with one member of that team, Peter Cook, collaborated on the television series Not Only... But Also. The double act worked on other projects until the mid-1970s, by which time Moore had settled in Los Angeles to concentrate on his film acting.

His solo career as a comedy film actor was heightened by the success of hit Hollywood films, particularly Foul Play (1978), 10 (1979) and Arthur (1981). For Arthur, Moore was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor and won a Golden Globe Award. He received a second Golden Globe for his performance in Micki & Maude (1984).

In 1981 Moore won the Golden Globe for Best Actor for his role in Arthur, for which he was also Oscar-nominated. In November 2001, Moore was appointed a Commander of the Order of The British Empire (CBE). Despite his deteriorating condition, he attended the ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 16 November to collect his honour in a wheelchair

They almost nailed it... and who knows... maybe Apple will come out with the circular iScroll rollout screen still?

They didn't know back then how small speakers could get. 

• Median compensation for 132 S&P 500 CEOs reached more than $1 million a month in 2018, a WSJ analysis shows.

I remember many scenes like this....

I wonder if camera surveillance has changed this .... wherever there is surveillance there is less crime.

There is no crime under complete communist state control. ;-) - Quoting a US Supreme Court Justice.

So many people died trying to cross this wall.

It feels like a moment in history where we might see this wall rebuilt by the communists. They have already built it in the virtual "cyber" world.

The Revolution against the corporations controlling government is starting in France.

I wonder why revolutions always seem to start in France?

Federal Government and Public Opinion Public policy scholars and current and former elected officials took part in a Brookings Institution discussion on Americans' views of the federal government. At the start, University of Maryland Public Consultation Program Director Steven Kull outlined the findings of his new study, which surveyed U.S. public attitudes about the federal government. The report also offered various proposals for restoring the public confidence in the democratic process. Brookings Institution Governance Studies Chair William Galston moderated the event.

Secretary Pompeo Remarks at State Department Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held a briefing with reporters to address several foreign policy issues. He began with expressing condolences to New Zealand in wake of shootings at two mosques. He also spoke about the Senate voting to end U.S. support of the conflict in Yemen, U.S.-North Korea nuclear negotiations, and an International Criminal Court investigation into U.S. actions in Afghanistan.

Anyone want to suggest the best one?

One of the largest firearms sellers in the U.S. is moving further away from...firearms.

Some background: Just over a year ago, Dick’s CEO Edward Stack learned the Parkland gunman once bought a gun from Dick’s. While that wasn’t the gun he used to kill 17 people last year, Stack was shaken.

• That’s why he’s made it harder to buy guns at Dick’s—and why he’s pressured Congress to pass gun safety measures.

Dick’s tested the fewer-guns approach in 10 stores last year. And if the expansion announced yesterday is successful, Dick’s will move to implement the same changes at more locations next year.

While Stack’s approach has invited both support and criticism...it could potentially hurt Dick’s business. Adjusted same-store sales fell 3.1% annually last year.

But there are larger forces at work: Gun demand (especially in brick-and-mortar stores) has been under pressure—U.S. firearm sales fell 12.4% year-over-year last month, estimates Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting.

• Pot stocks rallied yesterday after New Jersey lawmakers outlined plans to legalize weed in the state. We're forecasting more Garden State/pot jokes on the horizon.