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Now, let’s get to the news:
Internal documents obtained by The Washington Post reveal that the U.S. government has been pressuring countries hit with tariffs to make way for Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service. One source noted that while Starlink might not be officially part of trade talks, Indian officials view it as a helpful bargaining chip in negotiations.
Republican Jefferson Griffin has conceded to Democratic Justice Allison Riggs in the North Carolina Supreme Court race, officially closing the final unresolved race from the 2024 election.
A 19-year-old Dalton State student, Ximena Arias-Cristobal, is facing possible deportation after being pulled over for making an illegal right turn and arrested for not having a valid license. She's now being held at Stewart Detention Center, the same ICE facility where her father is also detained after a separate traffic stop. She came to America when she was 4 years old, and does not know anything different.
Earlier this year, Utah and Idaho passed laws banning unofficial flags, including pride flags, from being flown on government property. In response, Salt Lake City and Boise found a creative workaround—updating their official city flags. Salt Lake City adopted three new designs incorporating pride, trans, and Juneteenth imagery into official flag variations, signaling a commitment to inclusion despite the state-level restrictions.
Trump announced that the first trade deal will be unveiled tomorrow at 10 a.m. Eastern Time.
Black smoke has risen from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling that a new pope has not yet been chosen.
The Congressional Budget Office says Republican plans for Medicaid would leave millions without health insurance.
A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration cannot deport migrants to Libya without first providing them an opportunity to challenge the deportation in court. This decision comes in response to reports that some non-Libyan migrants were informed of plans to deport them to Libya, raising legal and human rights concerns.
The Federal Reserve has decided to leave interest rates steady at 4.50%.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is actively preparing for a potential 2028 presidential campaign, engaging with donors, attending national events, and building a team of advisors, including a former Kamala Harris communications staffer.
During a heated town hall hosted by Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) in Somers, New York, a woman was forcibly removed by law enforcement after attempting to question the congressman about Donald Trump's tariff policies.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister stated that the country has every right to respond decisively to what he called an act of war by India, adding that a strong retaliation is already in progress.
A U.S. federal appeals court has ordered the Trump administration to transfer Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, from an immigration detention center in Louisiana to Vermont. This decision allows her to challenge the legality of her detention, which her attorneys argue violates her constitutional rights, including free speech and due process.
The Trump administration is reportedly considering cutting dozens of National Park Service grants, totaling around $26 million, as part of a broader effort to scale back investment in public lands, according to the New York Times. A team linked to DOGE has compiled a list targeting programs tied to climate change, diversity, equity, and LGBTQ+ initiatives. Among those on the chopping block is the “Scientists in Parks” program, which supports young scientists working in conservation roles across the country.
Donald Trump is preparing to bring back a plan aimed at cutting drug prices by linking what Medicare pays for certain medications to the lower prices charged in other countries, according to sources familiar with the discussions. He’s expected to sign an executive order as early as next week to push the “most favored nation” policy forward, though the details are still being worked out and the plan hasn’t received Trump’s final sign-off yet.
See you in the morning.
— Aaron
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