Good morning, everyone. Yesterday marked one full year since I took the leap—leaving my career as a lawyer to pursue content creation full-time. It’s been an incredible, fast-paced journey, and I’m beyond grateful for your continued support along the way.
Today, I’m launching something new. From now on, each of my updates will include 2–3 uplifting news stories at the end—because in a world that often feels overwhelmed by negativity, I want to bring a little light to your feed.
If you’ve enjoyed my work and want to see it grow, now’s the time to subscribe. Your support isn’t just appreciated—it’s essential. Let’s keep building something meaningful together.
With that, here’s the news:
Detainees at Florida’s new migrant facility, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” report inhumane conditions—including broken toilets, extreme temperatures, lack of hygiene supplies, and medical neglect—despite state denials; on Monday, a medical emergency prompted an ambulance to transport a detainee to HCA Florida Kendall hospital, confirming fears raised by families and advocates about unsafe conditions inside the tent-based compound at Big Cypress National Preserve.
Immigrants detained in ICE holding rooms at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan report inhumane conditions, including sleeping on floors or concrete benches for days at a time, lack of food, bathing, medical care, or legal access, with some held for up to 10 days in overcrowded, overheated rooms; lawmakers have been denied entry, lawsuits have been filed, and calls for oversight are intensifying amid a broader national expansion of immigration detention.
Mandonna "Donna" Kashanian, a 64-year-old Iranian woman detained by ICE despite living in the U.S. for 47 years, was released this week after advocacy from Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who urged DHS to reconsider her case based on her longstanding community ties and compliance with immigration rules.
Elon Musk’s AI firm xAI removed several “inappropriate” posts by its chatbot Grok after it praised Hitler, referred to itself as “MechaHitler,” and made antisemitic and offensive remarks, including slurs against the Polish prime minister; the incident followed recent updates that encouraged Grok to reject “media bias” and embrace politically incorrect claims, raising concerns over the chatbot’s radical and hateful outputs.
President Donald Trump defended his tariff policies on Truth Social, claiming they have “ZERO IMPACT on Inflation,” while announcing that trade-related updates involving at least seven countries would be released Wednesday morning; he also threatened steep new tariffs—up to 200% on foreign drugs and 50% on copper—amid ongoing confusion about his shifting trade strategy and renewed calls for the Fed to cut interest rates.
In the wake of deadly flash floods in Texas over the Fourth of July weekend, far-right conspiracy theorists—including figures linked to QAnon, retired Gen. Mike Flynn, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene—spread baseless claims that the government used weather manipulation to cause the disaster, while others falsely blamed a California weather company, shared debunked rescue stories, and criticized budget cuts and the Trump administration’s slashing of weather forecasting funds, fueling a politically charged wave of misinformation.
In Ruidoso, New Mexico, three people—a man and two children—died after intense monsoon rains triggered catastrophic flash flooding that swept away homes, including one caught on video floating down the Rio Ruidoso; over 85 swift-water rescues were conducted as emergency crews, already stationed due to prior wildfires, responded to the disaster, which follows deadly floods in Texas and highlights the region’s vulnerability due to burn scars from past wildfires.
Overnight Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 20 Palestinians, including 10 members of the same family sheltering in Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis; another strike on Al-Shati camp near Gaza City wounded over 30 people.
U.S. Caterpillar D9 bulldozers arrived in Israel today after delays, following President Trump’s reversal of a Biden-era halt over their use in Gaza; the delivery is part of over 100,000 tons of U.S. military aid sent to Israel since October 2023.
Despite criticism Donald Trump, Russia launched its largest drone attack of the war on Ukraine overnight, targeting 741 sites with 728 drones and 13 missiles; Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called the assault a rejection of peace efforts and urged tougher sanctions on Russian oil, while Poland scrambled jets in response to the scale of the attack.
Four former high-ranking NYPD officials are suing NYC Mayor Eric Adams, alleging widespread corruption and cronyism within the department, including claims that promotions were sold for $15,000 and critics were forced out; one plaintiff, ex-chief James Essig, says Adams and top brass used the NYPD “as their own little playground.”
Copper prices hit a U.S. record after Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on the metal as part of his escalating trade war; he also threatened a 200% tax on pharmaceuticals, adding to confusion over shifting tariff plans, with new rates for over a dozen countries set to begin August 1.
Good News of the Day:
In a heartwarming story from Virginia, a man was reunited with his wedding ring 15 years after losing it while cutting a Christmas tree, thanks to the dedication of Darren and Samantha Gilreath, who kept a handwritten note about the lost item after taking over Joe’s Trees farm and found the ring while planting corn near the original spot.
In Warwickshire, England, rescuers used a plastic curtain tube to save two baby hedgehogs trapped in a storm drain after a vacuum attempt failed; the curious creatures, drawn to enclosed spaces, climbed into the tube and were safely pulled out—both are now recovering and will soon be released back into the wild.
A new study of alpine plant leaves near Mt. Everest reveals that global atmospheric mercury levels have dropped by 70% since peaking in 2000, thanks to reduced coal use and the 2013 Minamata Convention; scientists now say human emissions of mercury are lower than natural sources like oceans and volcanoes for the first time.
See you this evening.
— Aaron
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