Notations From the Grid (Special Friday Edition): On #UKElection2019, @BorisJohnson & The Roadmap

As we went to press,  Exit Polls reflected a convincing win for the UK Conservatives led by Boris Johnson--and a devastating loss by the Labor Party and also the Democratic Unionist Party.   The Scottish National Party is set to sweep 55 out of 59 Seats in Scotland.

The Pound Sterling has risen as a result and the Prime Minister noted it in a Tweet:

Thank you to everyone across our great country who voted, who volunteered, who stood as candidates. We live in the greatest democracy in the world.

The Financial Times reported on relief by the European Union--although challenges will remain:

myFT Instant Alert Politics Relief in Brussels as Tories head for convincing win EU welcomes certainty but warns new trade deal will still be difficult DECEMBER 13, 2019 by Sam Fleming and Jim Brunsden in Brussels

The most important challenge--The Future of the UK itself:

myFT Instant Alert World Brexit will now happen but Johnson’s win puts future of the UK in doubt The next government will be defined by forces beyond the prime minister’s control DECEMBER 13, 2019 by Robert Shrimsley

Notations From the Grid (Special Thursday Edition): Out & About...

Our team just received this courtesy the Sydney Morning Herald as it is now officially Friday in Australia:

18°/23° Friday, December 13, 2019 Ben Grubb Good morning, here's what you need to know today. A daring recovery mission has begun to retrieve the bodies of eight people, mostly Australians, that have been on New Zealand's White Island since Monday's deadly eruption. Millions of people in Britain are casting their votes in the most significant general election in modern British history. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison will canvass a new global tax on internet giants with India's Narendra Modi and Japan's Shinzo Abe in January in an attempt to position Australia as a leader in digital regulation.

Grim journey back to volcano begins A daring recovery mission has begun to retrieve the bodies of eight people, mostly Australians, that have been on New Zealand's White Island since Monday's deadly eruption. Families of victims gathered by the waterfront in Whakatane, on the Bay of Plenty, and held a blessing at sea as the recovery operation was launched. New Zealand police have warned the plan is not foolproof and could endanger the lives of the eight-member special operations military unit carrying it out. The bodies of six Australians are believed to still be on the island: Coffs Harbour couple Karla Matthews and Richard "Rick" Elzer; Brisbane mother and daughter Julie and Jessica Richards; Adelaide schoolgirl Zoe Hosking; and Melbourne woman Krystal Browitt. Video of eruption: New video shows a couple taking White Island selfies in gas masks minutes before the crater on White Island exploded. Johnson and Corbyn vie for UK leadership Millions of people in Britain are casting their votes in the most significant general election in modern British history that pits newly installed Prime Minister Boris Johnson against Opposition Leader Jeremy Corbyn. Johnson, who in his final message to voters pleaded to be able to end the Brexit deadlock, is tipped to win but recent polling has suggested the election could end in a hung Parliament. The poll will not only shape the future of Brexit and determine whether it will even be done but also deliver the public's verdict on Labour's manifesto that promises renationalisation of key utilities and a massive boost to public spending. Australia's former top diplomat to the UK, Alexander Downer, has warned superannuation savings will be damaged if the final result does not provide investors with certainty over the fate of Brexit. Follow our live coverage for all the latest developments with voting due to close 9am (AEDT). By the numbers: How Britain's election works. Our view: The Herald's editorial argues the election could deliver some surprising results with a final outcome that does not reflect what the majority of voters want. Morrison ramps up tax blitz on tech giants Prime Minister Scott Morrison will canvass a new global tax on internet giants with India's Narendra Modi and Japan's Shinzo Abe in January in an attempt to position Australia as a leader in digital regulation. Signalling the Australian government would not shy away from tougher taxation on companies such as Facebook, Google and Uber, Mr Morrison yesterday accused digital multinationals of being "significant offenders" that had now got the message: "We are not going to put up with this". Senior business columnist Stephen Bartholomeusz says the world is watching as the Morrison government takes on the digital giants.

Notations From the Grid (Special Edition): On @POTUS Watch with #Impeachment