Julian Assange, Donald Tusk, NATO, Plastic, Alcohol, Juventus

Julian Assange, Donald Tusk, NATO, Plastic, Alcohol, Juventus

Caracal Global Daily
April 5, 2019
Curation and commentary from Marc A. Ross

Reporting from Alexandria, Virginia 

Caracal Global Daily  = News + Analysis at the Intersection of Globalization + Disruption + Politics

TOP FIVE

✔️ Has Russia infiltrated the German Parliament?

✔️ UK’s May requests further Brexit delay

✔️ Vast majority of Canadians are concerned about plastic waste

✔️ Adm. Bill Moran: It’s time to make data strategic for our Navy

✔️ Juventus poised to win eighth straight Serie A title

GLOBALIZATION

BBC: Has Russia infiltrated the German Parliament?http://bit.ly/2UrOh1y

Must watch = BBC's Newsnight on how Russia supports confusion and chaos in the West via elections.

China also employs similar entrepreneurial spycraft tactics - think the recent Mar a Lago operation.

Julian Assange to be kicked out of Ecuadorian embassy: WikiLeaks: DW reports, WikiLeaks said its founder will be expelled from Ecuador's London embassy within "hours to days." The non-profit said the INA papers scandal, which has implicated Ecuador's president, was the pretext for the expulsion.

Days to Brexit (current) deadline: 7

The EU increasingly sees a long Brexit delay as the most likely outcome of an emergency leaders’ summit next week, even though it’s neither side’s preference.

UK’s May requests further Brexit delay: WSJ reports, the British government requested an additional delay to Brexit until June 30 to buy more time to get a divorce deal through parliament, as the EU debated its own timetable for the UK’s departure.

FT: May seeks to delay Brexit until end of June

The request comes as Donald Tusk offers to postpone UK departure by up to 1 year.

On the quiet, UK prepares for 'zombie' European polls: AFP reports, the prospect of Britain holding European elections would have been unthinkable just weeks ago but with the Brexit timetable now uncertain, the country is reluctantly planning for a possible campaign. Village halls and schools across the country are being booked as polling centers, and orders placed with specialist stationers for tens of millions of ballots in case the May 23 vote goes ahead.

Britain to take part in European Parliament elections, signaling a significant delay to Brexit: WP reports, the move satisfies a key demand from the European Union, which has said Britain cannot remain in the bloc beyond May 22 if it did not hold the elections.

French benefit: France is already reaping some Brexit benefits, with the number of British investment projects on French soil rising 33 percent in 2018.

France hosts wary G7 in shadow of Trump snub, Brexit and yellow vests: Reuters reports, France offered a wary welcome to foreign ministers from the Group of Seven on Friday for a meeting overshadowed by a snub from Donald Trump’s U.S. administration, a meltdown in Britain over Brexit and months of anti-government protests at home.

Miami Herald: Feds are investigating possible Chinese spying at Mar-a-Lago and Cindy Yang, sources say

"The consulate and China’s Embassy in Washington, DC, did not respond to questions about who Zhang is and whether she works for China’s government."

Trump says US-China trade deal close, but no summit plans yet: WSJ reports, Trump says ‘this is an epic deal, historic—if it happens,’ but Trade Representative Lighthizer says major issues remain.

NYT: ‘Epic’ China trade deal near completion, Trump says, but haggling continues

EPIC = Hilarious

Bloomberg: China hails 'new consensus’ on trade as Trump talks up unfinished deal

US and China delay possible trade deal: FT reports, Trump says an agreement will be reached within 4 weeks as toughest issues resolved.

Reuters: Biotech crops among sticking points in US-China trade deal: sources

Think bioTECH.

"There seem to be two main sticking points holding up completion of the deal. One, China wants the Trump administration to immediately lift tariffs on Chinese-made products, while the Trump team wants to see China taking steps to demonstrate good faith before it relieves the pressure. Two, the two sides can't agree on a mechanism by which US officials can verify that China is keeping its new promises over time." -- Signal, GZERO Media

A victory for Trump: Companies are rethinking China: Keith Bradsher at the NYT reports, the trade war between the United States and China is nearing a possible truce. But global companies are nevertheless moving to reduce their dependence on Chinese factories to make goods.

Jenny Leonard: Don’t count on US-China trade relations warming up anytime soon: Despite positive messages from both sides, hopes are fading that they can find mutually beneficial policies.

EU-China summit preparations stumble over trade, human rights: Reuters, tensions over trade, investments and minority rights may prevent China and the EU from agreeing a joint declaration at a summit next week, four diplomats in Brussels said on Friday, sapping a European push for greater access to Chinese markets.

Peter Martin and Alan Crawford: China’s influence digs deep into Europe’s political landscape: China has an array of advocates of all political persuasions across Europe.

First it was money. Then it was food and electricity. Now, Venezuelans are struggling to find water. WP reports, for millions of people in this oil-rich nation, the breakdown of basic services has reduced life to a daily struggle to secure fundamental needs — and as shortages spread, many say, it’s getting harder.

US to Europe on NATO: Washington is more than Donald Trump: DW reports, NATO's unresolved long-term issues won't go away. But on its 70th anniversary event in the US capital, the trans-Atlantic alliance at least received the timely affirmation that broader Washington is behind it.

DISRUPTION

Wrapped in plastic is not fantastic, Canadians say: CBC reports, the vast majority of Canadians are concerned about plastic waste, believe individuals and businesses have a responsibility to reduce it and feel strongly that not enough is being done by government to address the issue, a new poll suggests

"Right now, just 11 percent of plastic used in Canada is recycled. The polling suggests that about three-quarters of Canadians accept that it's their responsibility to reduce plastic, but less than half said they knew of places they could shop for products with little plastic packaging."

Google scraps ethics council for artificial intelligence: FT reports, Google's AI ethics board has bitten the dust just one week after its formation. It was a chaotic few days, with thousands of Googlers and others decrying its inclusion of drone company chief Dyen Gibbens and Kay Coles James, head of the right-wing Heritage Foundation. One of the key AI ethics problems is to do with algorithmic bias, and James is an opponent of LGBTQ rights, so people thought she was a pretty terrible fit for the role. One board member resigned and others squirmed, and eventually, Google pulled the plug.

Bloomberg: Americans drank less alcohol in 2018 for the third straight year

1. Americans are drinking less.

2. When they do drink, it's higher-end stuff.

3. And they want to try something lower-cal (but refreshing).

Average price of brand-name drugs more than 18 times higher than generics: A new report on changes in generic drug pricing from AARP’s Public Policy Institute finds that brand-name drugs in 2017 were, on average, more than 18 times the price of their generic counterparts. The average annual cost for a generic drug taken regularly was $365, but the price for the brand-name equivalent was close to $6,800. 

POLITICS

Potentially damaging information in Mueller report starts political fight: WP reports, Attorney General William P. Barr is facing more pressure to release the full report by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III amid revelations that members of the Russia probe team are frustrated with the limited information that Barr has released so far.

Trump intends to nominate former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain to the Federal Reserve’s board.

Today: Trump goes to California to see a newly built section of the wall along the border with Mexico.

Where Rudy Giuliani’s money comes from: Bloomberg reports, while he represents the president for free, he travels the world consulting, giving speeches, and building his brand.

Adm. Bill Moran: It’s time to make data strategic for our Navy: Our military is in a high-stakes race to harness the power of data, a revolution that may make previous leaps in military technology — think radar, nuclear power, or space — seem trifling in comparison. To fully seize these opportunities before our adversaries do, we need to look less at the technologies we covet and more in the mirror about our own data structures and culture. http://bit.ly/2UwhpVp 

COMMERCE

The Blitzscaling basics: In their new book, Reid Hoffman and Chris Yeh explain why it often makes sense to prioritize growth over efficiency. http://bit.ly/2Uwq3mS

LAX expansion plans call for a new terminal east of Sepulveda Boulevard: LAT reports, the new and expanded terminals should open before Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Summer Olympic Games, Los Angeles World Airports spokesman Heath Montgomery said. More precise timing and a cost estimate will be determined during a future environmental analysis, he said.

Matthew A. Winkler: Los Angeles is having a loud economic boom: From home values to share prices, its expansion is outpacing big-city peers under a business-friendly Democratic mayor.

The US average home price hit a record high of $300K (that's thanks to a surge in houses above $750K).

AFP: Facebook to block foreign ads for Australia election

European Commission finds German automakers illegally colluded on emissions technology: DW reports, German car giants VW, Daimler, and BMW colluded to restrict the development of technology to clean emissions from passenger cars, the European Commission said in preliminary findings from its antitrust probe.

Snap announced a new ad-supported gaming platform at its Partner Summit, following recent moves into the market by other tech companies. However, the company's business model - called Snap Games - stands in contrast to Apple's, which will be based on a subscription.

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon's annual letter to shareholders muses on cybersecurity, capitalism, and recessions.

Elon Musk visited court after ignoring an SEC order for Tesla lawyers to screen his tweets pre-tweet (the judge gave him 2 weeks to agree to a settlement with the SEC).

Lenny Rachitsky: What seven years at Airbnb taught me about building a company http://bit.ly/2UyFV8i

Amazon reportedly working on Alexa earbuds to take on Apple’s AirPods.

CULTURE

Passport control: A record 93 million US citizens traveled outside the country in 2018.

Hemp clothing is happening, and no, it won’t get you high: WSJ reports, once sullied by its associations with seedy drug culture, the irreproachable hemp plant is gaining ground in summer fabrics that rival wrinkly linen.

At Cosmopolitan Magazine, data is the new sex: NYT reports, Jessica Pels, the editor, is trying to save the magazine from the jaws of Instagram.

Robert A. Caro on the means and ends of power.https://nyti.ms/2UveFaR

SPORT

Final Four Odds:

Texas Tech v Michigan State -2.5

Auburn v Virginia -5.5

Doc's Morning Line: Move the 3-point line back in college basketball, NCAA Tournament http://bit.ly/2K6MAmd

From a loyal reader in Cincinnati, Ohio. Go Blue!

Bloomberg: Nike nabs Naomi Osaka from Adidas in surprise endorsement deal

Tottenham Hotspur scores football’s biggest profit: FT reports, Tottenham Hotspur has reported the largest annual profit of any football club in history, providing a welcome financial boost as the English Premier League side settles into a new stadium that cost more than £1bn to construct. Pre-tax profits in the year to June 30 2018, were £138.9m, up from £51.7m a year earlier and beating the previous record of £125m made by Liverpool last season. The north London team achieved £380.7m in revenues over the twelve months, a period that covers last season, up from £309.7m a year earlier.

Juventus poised to win eighth straight Serie A title in record time.

Plans to keep smaller clubs out of Champions League: It is believed that The European Club Association (ECA) will push UEFA to make 'radical' changes to the competition after 2024. ECA want to revamp the format of the competition, which is now eight groups of four teams, to four groups of eight teams. That would mean 14 group games would be played instead of six for each team, which will include a promotion and relegation system. The 24 teams who qualify from these groups would automatically qualify for the next season's competition, meaning other clubs would have to fight for the remaining eight spots. There are also fears that UEFA will bow to the demands of their biggest clubs, including staging matches on weekends.

Tariffs, Technology, McMaster, Bolton, Facebook, Yahoo Japan, Loyola Chicago, Juventus *** Marc Ross Daily

Tariffs, Technology, McMaster, Bolton, Facebook, Yahoo Japan, Loyola Chicago, Juventus

Marc Ross Daily
March 23, 2018
Curation and commentary from Marc A. Ross

Reporting from Alexandria, Virginia

Marc Ross Daily  = Global Business News at the Intersection of Politics + Policy + Profits

Subscribe here: https://goo.gl/bSQKwA

TOP FIVE

✔️ Trump moves toward China tariffs in warning shot on technology transfer

✔️ China fires warning shot at US over import tariffs

✔️ EU recalls its Moscow envoy

✔️ McMaster is out as National Security Adviser; Bolton is in

✔️ Loyola Chicago, on a ‘mission from God,’ advances to the Elite 8

ROSS RANT

Pronunciation aside, America's leaders are afraid of Huawei: Chuck Grassley of Iowa, one of the longest-serving Senate Republicans, says he’s worried about the prospect of American telecommunications companies becoming dependent on a Chinese manufacturer whose motives he finds suspect. “I can’t pronounce their name,” Grassley says, “but it starts with an H and ends with a W-E-I. Whenever they’re involved, it scares the devil out of me.”

As Bloomberg reports, Huawei Technologies Co. is China’s biggest tech company by revenue, with sales 60 percent greater than those of the runner-up, JD.com Inc. Huawei is one of the world’s biggest producers of telecommunications networking equipment, despite a de facto ban that prevents America’s four principal wireless carriers—AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint—from using its gear. The company also makes an ever-growing share of the world’s smartphones. These two factors have rendered it terrifying enough to many American policymakers.

As American and Chinese leaders halt one another’s tech companies for operating freely and openly in their markets, such protectionism will slow the progress of innovation worldwide. How government leaders handle the protection of intellectual property is the big game. 

IP is the game that will define US-China commercial relations for the next 20 years, an issue that if mishandled, has the power to hurt global economic growth and make us all poorer.

The issue is currently a battle of free-market capitalism versus state capitalism. American business has dealt with state capitalism before and still has been successful. However, China's state capitalism is at a scale of resources, reach, and authority not seen before. 

Having trepidation is not uncalled for in this new global business environment.

James Lewis, a former US State Department cybersecurity expert, now affiliated with the Center for Strategic & International Studies, believes the US has three options for dealing with Huawei - none of them all that great: 

1) Throwing vast sums of public money behind American national champions to battle China’s state-owned enterprises - a concept that would be a political challenge in democratic, free-market economy to say the least

2) Subsidizing the only non-Chinese companies that can compete for big equipment contracts—Sweden’s Ericsson AB and Finland’s Nokia - see above

3) Create unbreakable encryption meant to secure hardware that can’t otherwise be trusted - this might not even be possible

As John Edwards of the Lowy Institue points out: "Tangled in this coming dispute are much bigger issues for America, China, and the rest of the world. One is the extent to which the United States may wish to obstruct China’s declared intention of becoming a leading competitor in high-technology industries. Another is the extent to which the Americans wish to frame trade disputes with China as those between a 'liberal international order' created and sustained by the United States and a state-directed transactional and opportunistic challenge by China."

How the leaders handle this matter will define US-China commercial relations for the next 20 years.

Can two nations that are strategic competitors find collaboration and not be overwhelmed by fear, uncertainty, and doubt the empowers politics that will stunt profits and prosperity?

History suggests otherwise. Add the lack of a military alliance and rising nationalism on both sides of the Pacific - it will be a challenge. Boardrooms should plan accordingly.

Enjoy the ride.

GEOECONOMICS

Trump hits China on trade but lifts steel tariff for allies: NYT reports, the $60 billion in annual tariffs are President Trump’s strongest trade action yet against a country he has branded an “economic enemy,” fulfilling one of his core campaign pledges.

Trump moves toward China tariffs in warning shot on technology transfer: Reuters reports, Trump lit a slow-burning fuse on Thursday to launch long-promised anti-China tariffs, but his actions appeared to be more of a warning shot than the start of a full-blown trade war with Beijing. Reaction from US industry groups sought to strike a balance, applauding the president for tackling the persistent drain of US technology to Chinese competitors, but urging negotiations instead of tariffs. “American business wants to see solutions to these problems, not just sanctions such as unilateral tariffs that may do more harm than good,” said John Frisbie, president of the US-China Business Council.

Trump to impose 25% tariffs on $60 billion of Chinese imports: FT reports, US targets strategic sectors such as robots and high-speed trains in fight over IP. In what the White House billed as a historic move against “economic aggression”, President Donald Trump said his administration had concluded that Beijing had for decades unfairly acquired US intellectual property and needed to pay the price.

Trump's China tariffs get bipartisan support: LAT reports, that reflects the growing disillusionment with Beijing on the part of many American officials and business leaders. The order was the largest move yet in Trump's rapidly unfolding effort to use tariffs — taxes on imported goods — to counter what he sees as unfair trade practices by other countries. It aimed to stop what U.S. officials describe as a years-long effort by China to steal American technology. The US-China Business Council, which represents American companies that do business in China, similarly said in a statement that "China's technology transfer practices and protection of intellectual property need to be addressed and improved." But the group's president, John Frisbie, added that "American business wants to see solutions to these problems, not just sanctions such as unilateral tariffs that may do more harm than good."

China fires warning shot at US over import tariffs: WSJ reports, China unveiled plans for tariffs against $3 billion in American goods and said it is readying more actions against the US.

China readies $3 billion in US tariffs: NYT reports, responding to Trump’s tariff plan, China said it would impose levies of its own on American-produced fruit, pork, wine, seamless steel pipes and more than 100 other goods.

China may hike tariffs on US pork, aluminum, other goods: AP reports, China lists $3 billion in US goods including pork and aluminum pipe to maybe face higher tariffs in response to President Donald Trump's higher import duties on steel and aluminum. Chinese officials are trying to figure out how to "engage constructively" with the Trump administration, said Jake Parker, vice president for China operations of the US-China Business Council, which represents American companies that do business with China. "They want to understand what the Trump administration's priority is for China to be able to offset some of these concerns," said Parker. "Until the Trump administration articulates those concerns and how China can address them, it's going to be very, very difficult for China to make those changes domestically."

China's Xi holds fire as Trump poses unprecedented test on trade: Bloomberg reports, Trump fired the first shots in what may be an extended trade war, Chinese President Xi Jinping made clear he’s going to wait before unleashing his country’s formidable arsenal in response. Xi has a lot at stake in his next move. Fresh off securing the power to rule indefinitely, he must look strong to reassure his 1.4 billion citizens that China won’t back down to a global challenge. At the same time, he wants to avoid an escalation that could tank China’s debt-laden economy and undermine the Communist Party’s legitimacy.

Market overreacts: China 'tariff' not really a tariff: Forbes reports, the $50 billion China tariff deal out of Washington today was a shot across the bow of Beijing. The market fell, as it always does on anti-free trade headlines. But this may be an overreaction as the tariff is -- so far -- not a tariff at all. And with regards to intellectual property, the biggest US-China business lobby is on board with the President. https://goo.gl/2hRpv6

Venezuela knocks three zeros off ailing currency amid hyperinflation: Reuters reports, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro ordered a re-denomination of the ailing bolivar currency on Thursday, by knocking three zeroes off amid hyperinflation and a crippling economic crisis.

"Venezuela has been victim of a brutal, economic war"

The plot to reverse Brexit: Bloomberg reports, the UK’s anti-Brexit movement is sensing for the first time that it can win. Tim Ross and Kitty Donaldson profile Chuka Umunna, the 39-year-old Labour member of Parliament leading the effort, and reveal how, with intelligence on the negotiations supplied by EU officials, it's lobbying lawmakers to defeat the final deal a weakened Prime Minister Theresa May puts to a vote in October in order to force a new referendum. https://goo.gl/DBAzSC

TPP on table for UK after Brexit, trade chief Fox says: Nikkei reports, Britain plans to pursue free trade pacts during transition period.

EU recalls its Moscow envoy: The Times reports, Russia’s spy networks across Europe were under threat last night as at least five EU countries prepared to follow Britain and expel diplomats, while the European ambassador to Moscow was recalled. The moves, in response to the Salisbury poisoning, came as Theresa May appeared to have won a battle to unify all 28 countries behind a statement blaming Moscow

Europeans eye Russian expulsions over UK spy attack: Reuters reports, several European governments moved closer on Friday to expelling Russian diplomats in a show of support for Britain, which ordered out 23 "undeclared intelligence agents" after a nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy.

AMERICAN POLITICS

WSJ: Congress passes mammoth spending bill, averts shutdown

WP: In late-night drama, Senate passes spending bill, averting a shutdown

HR McMaster is out as national security adviser, to be replaced by John Bolton: WP reports, in a move that could lead to dramatic changes in the administration’s approach to crises around the world, the president said in a tweet that he was naming Bolton — a former UN ambassador, Fox News commentator and conservative firebrand — as his third national security adviser.

WSJ: Trump taps Iran hawk John Bolton for NSA post as McMaster departs

NYT: McMaster is out as National Security Adviser; Bolton is in

LAT: John Bolton's take-no-prisoners style may prove problematic in the White House

Inside Trump’s snap decision to oust McMaster: Bloomberg reports, Trump made a snap decision to oust H.R. McMaster as national security adviser, moving as the administration weighs tough actions against Russia and acting far sooner than many White House aides expected. But Trump changed all that on Thursday evening, abruptly replacing McMaster with John Bolton, a former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and proponent of the 2003 Iraq War best known for his hawkish views. The move was announced by Trump on Twitter so quickly on Thursday afternoon that many of the president’s top aides didn’t know it was coming. https://goo.gl/3TQ7hz

Bolton’s appointment comes at sensitive time for China ties: AP reports, Foreign policy hard-liner John Bolton’s appointment as US national security adviser comes at a particularly sensitive time for relations with Beijing following President Donald Trump’s approval of new tariffs on China and a law encouraging closer relations with Taiwan. Bolton has taken a tough position on both issues, saying Beijing needed to be called out on what he characterized as systematic cheating on global trade while enjoying the benefits of an open US market.

Trump assembles a radically aggressive foreign policy team: NYT reports, combined with the recent nomination of Mike Pompeo as secretary of state, the decision to name Mr. Bolton as national security adviser brings together two people with little in their pasts to indicate that they have time for the diplomatic process.

Trump is ending the inter-agency process. Look next for the end of the Chief of Staff role with Trump having four to five direct reports. Think Trump Tower management style inside the White House.

Trump country in greatest peril as China tariffs risk trade war: Bloomberg reports, Trump Country looks to be hit hardest as China strikes back against new tariffs the US president announced Thursday. In its initial counterstrike, China announced a 25 percent levy on US pork imports -- a heavy blow to Iowa, the top pork-producing state and a political battleground that swung to Trump in 2016 after going for Democrat Barack Obama in the previous two elections.

Why America is so scared of China’s biggest tech company: Bloomberg reports, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, one of the longest-serving Senate Republicans, says he’s worried about the prospect of American telecommunications companies becoming dependent on a Chinese manufacturer whose motives he finds suspect. “I can’t pronounce their name,” Grassley says, “but it starts with an H and ends with a W-E-I. Whenever they’re involved, it scares the devil out of me.” https://goo.gl/B4tybv

ENTERPRISE

LAT: Amazon patents delivery drones that can react to people screaming and flailing

Nikkei: Yahoo Japan to open cryptocurrency exchange

Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios is acquiring the Weather Channel for around $300 million.

Silicon Valley played by a different set of rules. Facebook’s crisis could put an end to that: LAT reports, after data wound up in the hands of a political consulting firm, users may be changing their minds about the social network.

Facebook employees fear ‘golden’ years are over: Politico reports, even some staffers who respect Mark Zuckerberg as an inspirational figure are discouraged at how he has navigated the company's crises since the 2016 election.

TRENDS

Author Steven Pinker on how science, reason, and progress will allow humanity to triumph despite itselfhttps://goo.gl/Qj7VBq

At Mars, Jeff Bezos hosted roboticists, astronauts, other brainiacs and me: NYT reports, Mars, an exclusive three-day conference at a midcentury-modern hotel here in the California desert run by Amazon and its founder, Jeff Bezos, for some of the world’s most successful geeks. For its first two years, Mars was largely secret; the most prominent image that leaked was a photo of Bezos piloting a 13-foot robot last year. This year, Amazon lifted the veil and invited a handful of reporters into Bezos’s brainiac pow-wow. https://goo.gl/kR4VZ3

CULTURE

How do coyotes thrive in urban Southern California? The answer is not for the weak-stomached https://goo.gl/b6UXAa

‘Toy King’ who turned a Washington bike shop into Toys R Us dies at 94: WP reports, Charles Lazarus seized the postwar baby boom market and transformed his father’s bicycle business into an international toy empire before it declared bankruptcy last September.

The Americans review: From Russia with no love: WSJ reports, in the final season of the Cold War drama, married spies go to war with each other. https://goo.gl/rj7oBn

NYT: Wes Anderson’s bleakly beautiful Isle of Dogshttps://goo.gl/u3fjnV

SOTD

Freur - Doot Doot https://goo.gl/HHnFGa

SPORT

ESPN: Juventus named opponents for 2018 MLS All-Star Game in Atlanta

WP: Zlatan Ibrahimovic tweets image of himself arm-wrestling the devil to announce MLS move

LAT: Michigan runs wild over Texas A&M 99-72 to reach Elite Eight

Loyola upsets Nevada to extend its run into the Elite Eight: NYT reports, he 11th-seeded Ramblers came from 12 points down and then held on for a 69-68 victory, keeping them and Sister Jean, their 98-year-old team chaplain in the spotlight for at least another game.

Loyola Chicago, on a ‘mission from God,’ advances to the Elite 8: WP reports. the 11th-seeded Ramblers and their suddenly famous chaplain, Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt, pulled off another upset, edging Nevada, 69-68, to continue their improbable run in the South Region.