Huge victory for the people: medical debt eliminated.

Today’s topics

• Tariffs, Emotions, and iPhones

• Dire Wolves Make a Comeback

• Amazon vs. Musk: The Space Race Heats Up

• Renewables Reach 32% — and Rising

• Bodega Cats: Illegal, Iconic, Unbothered

  and more…

Tariffs, Emotions, and iPhones

iPhone frenzy is in overdrive. Shoppers swarmed Apple stores this weekend, snatching up devices as if they’re disappearing — and they just might be. Trump’s new 54% tariffs on China have landed, and with most iPhones manufactured there, the impact is immediate. Apple’s stock has dropped 25% since January. According to a Wedbush analyst, shifting iPhone production to the U.S. would cost $30 billion, take three years, and defy logic. U.S.-made iPhones could be priced at $3,500 — so yeah, the panic-buying is real.

$30B in Medical Debt, Gone

One giant win for everyday Americans: Long Island City-based Undue Medical Debt has just wiped out $30 billion in medical bills for 20 million people. In a single deal with Pendrick Capital, they erased debts that had weighed on families for years. The average balance was $1,100, though some owed six figures. Now? It’s all gone. No more collectors. No more calls. No more dread.

It won’t fix the broken healthcare system — but it’s a powerful moment of relief. Real help, real change, and proof that yes, good news still happens — even in healthcare.

Chatbot Wars Just Got a Price Hike

Anthropic is turning up the heat with a new $200/month “Max” plan for its AI chatbot, Claude — a direct challenge to OpenAI’s ChatGPT Pro. The premium tier offers 20x the usage of its $20 plan, early access to features, and a voice mode coming soon.

Designed for power users — think developers, marketers, and media pros — the plan caters to those pushing their AI tools to the limit. Since launching in March 2023 (courtesy of ex-OpenAI researchers), Claude has been gaining momentum. With Amazon in its corner and a growing business crowd, Anthropic is staking its claim as OpenAI’s calmer, more calculated rival.

Dire Wolves Make a Comeback

Scientists have successfully brought dire wolves back to life — sort of. After years of genetic manipulation, fossil-DNA work, and dog surrogates, three pups with 20 dire wolf genes were born. Pretty impressive, right? What's less impressive, however, is one of the pups being named Khaleesi. While Romulus and Remus are classic, wolf-related names, Khaleesi is the "Dragon Queen" from Game of Thrones, with no connection to wolves. The pups themselves look amazing though: long tails, thick fur, and extra height. A+ for genetics, D- for cultural awareness.

Mummies Unearthed in the Sahara

Scientists have sequenced the full genomes of two 7,000-year-old mummies discovered in Libya’s Takarkori rock shelter. These ancient women belonged to a previously unknown population — completely isolated, local to the region, and living in the Sahara long before it became a vast desert. This marks the first time researchers have extracted complete genomes from human remains in such extreme heat and dryness. A major breakthrough for science, and a game-changer for our understanding of human history.

Amazon vs. Musk: The Space Race Heats Up

Amazon has officially entered the satellite game, launching its first Project Kuiper satellites and going head-to-head with SpaceX’s Starlink. Riding a wave of growing anti-Musk sentiment, Amazon’s $10B+ broadband-from-space initiative is finally off the ground after six years in the making.The mission? Build a network of over 3,000 satellites to beam internet across the globe. The first set just lifted off from Cape Canaveral aboard a ULA rocket — and the space showdown is officially on.

SpaceX Launches 9th Batch of Spy Satellites for U.S. Government

On April 9, 2025, SpaceX successfully launched its ninth batch of "proliferated architecture" spy satellites into orbit for the U.S. government. This mission further expands the constellation of satellites designed to enhance national security and intelligence capabilities. The launch underscores the growing role of private companies in supporting government space initiatives.​ Read more

Renewables Reach 32% — and Rising

According to Ember's latest Global Electricity Review, renewables accounted for a record 32% of global electricity in 2024, up from 30% the previous year. Wind, solar, and hydro were the main contributors to this surge. At the same time, electricity demand rose by 4%, driven by heatwaves and the growing energy needs of data centers. With nations re-evaluating energy security, local, renewable power sources are becoming increasingly appealing.

Record Solar and Wind Energy Generation in 2024

In 2024, the U.S. achieved a significant milestone by generating record amounts of solar and wind energy. This achievement highlights the nation's growing commitment to renewable energy sources and its progress toward reducing carbon emissions. ​Read more

Southwest Airlines Sets Ambitious Sustainability Goals

Southwest Airlines has announced new environmental sustainability objectives, aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The airline plans to modernize its fleet with more fuel-efficient aircraft and invest in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to achieve these goals. ​Read more

Historic All-Women's Boxing Card at Madison Square Garden

On July 11, 2025, Madison Square Garden will host the first all-women’s boxing card, featuring Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano in a highly anticipated rematch.The event highlights the growing prominence of women’s boxing and is set to be streamed on Netflix. Read more

Bodega Cats: Illegal, Iconic, Unbothered

New York’s bodega cats may technically be breaking the law, but no one seems to mind, especially not New Yorkers. State law prohibits animals in food-selling establishments, and while the Department of Agriculture could impose fines on store owners, most inspectors turn a blind eye or issue a warning first. Meanwhile, the internet is backing these iconic felines, with a petition to shield them from fines already garnering over 10,000 signatures. Bodega cats may be technically banned, but they’re undeniably essential in spirit.

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