Israel Strike Hits Catholic Church In Gaza Strip Killing Three People
+ The Epstein Controversy Intensifies as Americans Demand the Release of the Files
GetSmart Preview: 🎢 Roller Coasters were invented as a sin-free form of entertainment
Newsbites
Chart of the week: Electricity prices for U.S. consumers have increased nearly 50% since 2020, a faster rise than the price of gas and other fuels.
Israel strike hits Catholic Church: The only Catholic Church in the Gaza strip was hit by an Israeli shell this week killing three people and wounding the parish priest. The priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, often spoke with the late Pope Francis throughout the war. The strike also damaged the Church itself, where hundreds of Christians, Palestinians and disabled people have been sheltering amid the war. Israel said the attack was a mistake “deeply regrets” what happened. President Trump called the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express his frustration and Italian Prime Minister called the attacks “unacceptable.”
More: Pope Leo XIV spoke with Netanyahu and called for an immediate ceasefire and urged him to protect Holy sites amid the war.
Men are returning to the office at a higher rate than women as the work from home trend has continually reversed in the last five years. In 2024, 29% of men worked from home, down from 34% in 2023. Meanwhile, for women the number stayed consistent at 36%. The study emphasized that women who work continue to execute more household chores and responsibilities than men and that working remotely has provided a helpful balance. Most major companies want workers back in the office. According to a KPMG survey, 86% of executives plan to reward employees for returning to the office.
Public news funding cuts: Congress passed a $9 billion rescissions package, cutting nearly $1.1 billion in federal funding for PBS and NPR. The House approved the package after a 51-48 Senate vote, supported only by Republicans, with Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski opposing.
Trump backs Ukraine: President Trump has sold a package of military weapons to NATO who will distribute it to Ukraine as Russia steps up its aggression. In addition, Trump has threatened to spike Russian tariffs to 100% if a peace deal is not reached within 50 days. In a change of tone, Trump has vocally expressed his frustration with President Putin, who he has spoken on the phone to several times. “I felt we had a deal about four times,” He said about Russia. “But it just kept going on and on.”
More: Russia launched 400 drone attack missiles this week, 345 of which were intercepted by Ukrainian defense systems. The missiles injured 15 people and damaged energy infrastructure in Ukrainian President’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih.
Kids are utilizing AI chatbots as friends, according to a new study from Internet Matters. Of the 1,000 kids surveyed between the ages of 9 to 17, 67% said they use chatbots regularly. Within that group, 35% said chatting with AI “feels like talking to a friend,” and 12% in that group said part of the reason is because they have no one else to talk to. The CEO of the non-profit which conducted the survey said, "Our research reveals how chatbots are starting to reshape children’s views of 'friendship…we’ve arrived at a point very quickly where children, and in particular vulnerable children, can see AI chatbots as real people, and as such are asking them for emotionally driven and sensitive advice."
Americans want Epstein Files Released: 79% of U.S. adults want the government to release all of the files related to Jeffrey Epstein, according to a YouGov poll conducted between July 11-14. The poll also found that 67% of U.S. adults believe the government is covering up evidence related to Epstein (82% of Democrats and 50% of Republicans). In regards to how Jeffrey Epstein died, 39% of Americans believe he was murdered while 20% believe the government explanation of suicide.
President Trump said that Coca-Cola plans to switch to using cane sugar instead of artificial sweeteners and high-fructose corn syrup. The company changed to corn syrup in the 1980s because it was more cost-effective. A company spokeswoman said they appreciated Trump’s enthusiasm and that more details will are forthcoming.
The Epstein Controversy Intensifies as Americans Demand the Release of the Files
What’s going on?
The Trump Administration has come under major pressure after releasing a two page memo last week saying Jeffrey Epstein had no client list, he committed suicide, their were no co-conspirators and the investigation has been concluded.
Most Americans are frustrated with how the process has gone. A recent YouGov poll showed that 79% of U.S. adults want the government to release all of the files related to Jeffrey Epstein and that 67% believe the government is covering up evidence related to Epstein (82% of Democrats and 50% of Republicans).
Meanwhile, President Trump has pushed back even to his most ardent supporters saying the whole thing is a scam and casting doubt on the files themselves being put together under the Biden Administration. Here are some of his quotes from earlier this week:
“Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this ‘bullshit,’ hook, line, and sinker,” Trump posted. “They haven’t learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years.”
“Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don’t even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don’t want their support anymore!”
“Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein?...I can’t believe you’re asking a question on Epstein at a time like this where we're having some of the greatest success and also tragedy, with what happened in Texas. It just seems like a desecration.”
Letter from Trump to Epstein released
The Wall Street Journal released an article on Thursday claiming that President Trump was one of the many friends and family who participated in “bawdy” letters to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003. Epstein's girlfriend, Gishlaine Maxwell collected the notes and put them in a binder for Epstein as a gift.
The story says Trump’s note depicted an outline of a naked woman drawn with a heavy marker. Inside the outline was text from Trump and a “squiggly” Donald mimicking pubic hair. The alleged letter concludes, “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Trump, who was reached by the Wall Street Journal, said, “This is not me. This is a fake thing. It’s a fake Wall Street Journal story.” He continued, “I never wrote a picture in my life. I don’t draw pictures of women…it’s not my language. It’s not my words.”
Trump said he plans to sue Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal for posting the article.
He later wrote on Truth Social, “If there was a “smoking gun” on Epstein, why didn’t the Dems, who controlled the “files” for four years, and had Garland and Comey in charge, use it? BECAUSE THEY HAD NOTHING!!!”
It’s been well known that Trump knew Jeffrey Epstein and attended some of his parties in Palm Beach, Florida.
Trump orders DOJ to release “pertinent” Grand Jury Documents
On Thursday, President Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce “any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony.” Bondi said she would ask the court to unseal the documents on Friday, July 18. The Trump Administration also fired federal prosecutor Maureen Comey, who was involved in the prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein and his girlfriend, Maxwell,
GetSmart: 🎢 Roller Coasters were invented as a sin-free form of Entertainment
Disgusted with the immorality and debauchery of his peers, in 1884, LaMarcus Thompson designed the first roller coaster on New York’s Coney Island, intending to provide a clean form of entertainment, as opposed to popular alternatives of visiting saloons and brothels (video footage of the successful idea).
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