Falling Space Junk, NHL Finals, and a Shark Attack

Good Morning! Today’s edition is 904 words, a 3 minute read.

First-time reader? Sign up here!

Big Stories

Beware of Falling Space Junk

Space debris falling back to Earth is becoming a bigger problem.

• On March 8, debris from a 2.9-ton pallet of used batteries from the International Space Station tore through Alejandro Otero’s roof in Naples Florida, almost hitting his son. NASA confirmed that the debris was from the station and should have burned up in the atmosphere.

• Otero's family is asking NASA to pay for the damages. Their lawyer pointed out that under international laws, NASA would be responsible if the debris had caused damage in another country. The family believes NASA should apply the same standards within the United States and compensate them fully for the damage.

• The incident could set an important precedent for how space agencies and private companies handle such accidents in the future. Other recent space debris crashes include pieces from SpaceX and the Indian Space Research Organization landing in North Carolina and Australia respectively.

Deadly Attacks in Dagestan

On Sunday, a terrorist group attacked Jewish synagogues and Orthodox Christian churches in two cities in Dagestan, southern Russia.

• The terror group killed multiple civilians and more than a dozen police officers. The attackers used firebombs, firearms, and slit the throat of an Orthodox priest during services on an Orthodox holiday.

• The Russian government reported that five terrorists were killed, and 19 others died, including 15 police officers. Islamic extremists are being blamed for the violence that happened in Makhachkala and Derbent. Washington-based Institute for the Study of War suggested the Islamic State’s North Caucasus branch, Vilayat Kavkaz, was behind it. The attack was the deadliest in Russia since a mass shooting in Moscow in March.

• The Kele-Numaz synagogue in Derbent was set on fire and militants also attacked a police post and religious sites in Makhachkala before being killed by special forces. Some reports mentioned hostages, but it seems parishioners barricaded themselves for safety. The attacks follow a riot at Degenstan’s airport last October, targeting a flight from Israel.

Inside Illegal China-funded Weed Farms in the U.S.

Last summer in New Mexico, state agents found a farm with thousands of illegal cannabis plants.

• On later visits, they discovered dozens of underfed and frightened Chinese workers. These workers said they were trafficked to the farm, not allowed to leave, and never paid. They are part of a new wave of migrants entering the U.S. from Mexico via China and ending up at cannabis farms across the country. Many of these farms, run by Chinese people, violate the law despite marijuana being legalized in some states like New Mexico.

• One worker, named L., struggled in China during the pandemic and lost his home. He saw videos on a Chinese app about people earning good money in the U.S. and decided to make the dangerous journey through Latin America to reach the U.S. Once here, he found a job at a New Mexico cannabis farm through a labor agency. But the conditions were terrible; workers had their phones and passports taken and worked long hours without pay.

• Authorities in New Mexico raided the farm, finding filthy facilities and malnourished workers. The farm’s license was revoked and it was fined $1 million. Similar problems were found at other cannabis farms in the area, including one run by Navajo Nation entrepreneur Dineh Benally. Workers there also faced abuse and unpaid labor.

Little Stories

• For the first time, the Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup champions. They beat the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in a thrilling Game 7 on Monday, winning the series 4-3. The Panthers nearly lost after the Oilers came back from a 3-0 series deficit to tie it. Florida's defense improved greatly, with goalie Sergei Bobrovsky saving 23 out of 24 shots. (More)

• Target is partnering with Shopify to grow its third-party marketplace, Target Plus. With the move, Target hopes to compete better with Walmart and Amazon. Currently, Target Plus offers 2 million products from 1,200 brands, much less than Walmart and Amazon. Now, smaller brands using Shopify can apply to sell their products on Target's website and in its stores. (More)

• A California hiker was rescued after being stranded in the Santa Cruz Mountains for 10 days. He survived on wild berries and water from his boot. McClish went for a short hike on June 11 but got lost due to wildfire damage. His family reported him missing on June 16 when he didn’t show up for Father’s Day. He was found on Thursday by a drone. (More)

• The Supreme Court will decide if a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming health care for transgender minors is unconstitutional. The ban was upheld by a lower court, but the Justice Department and transgender youth appealed it. The case will be argued in the Supreme Court's next term starting in October, with a decision expected by June 2025. (More)

• A huge heat dome is scorching much of the central and eastern United States, causing extreme heat and major flooding in the Midwest. Flood warnings were issued for parts of Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Iowa. The severe weather has already led to one death and hundreds of water rescues. (More)

Extra Credit

Meet America’s ugliest dog: “Wild Thang.”

The world’s most affordable housing markets in 2024. 

America’s best towns to visit in 2024. 

“Pirates of the Caribbean” actor & pro surfer dies of shark attack.