Good morning! The weekend edition is 718 words, a 3-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Fed Chair Powell signals rate cut

• Dad letters project

• Best burger in every state

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Today’s Big Story

Ghislane Maxwell Transcripts

• Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's convicted accomplice, repeatedly denied witnessing any inappropriate behavior by Trump with the disgraced financier, according to transcripts released Friday by the Justice Department. Maxwell called Trump 'a gentleman in all respects' during interviews conducted under limited immunity last month.

• The DOJ released the transcripts after the Trump administration faced criticism from supporters over refusing to disclose promised Epstein records. Officials had raised expectations about exposing prominent figures but found no additional documents suitable for release. Trump dismissed the criticism as the 'Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.'

• Maxwell told investigators she believes Epstein was murdered but rejected conspiracy theories about wealthy figures ordering a 'hit' to silence him. She said prison inmates will “kill you for $25 worth of commissary,” and suspected his death was an “internal situation” rather than an external plot. Maxwell said she based her opinion on knowing Epstein wasn't suicidal, despite official findings that he died by suicide.

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Saturday’s Quick Hits

• Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled the central bank may cut interest rates in September, saying job market risks are rising amid Trump's immigration crackdown. Powell warned that unemployment could spike quickly if hiring continues to slow. He acknowledged that Trump's tariffs clearly affect prices, but said the cut timing and amounts remain uncertain. Stocks jumped on rate cut hopes. Trump has pushed for months for lower rates to boost the economy and home buying. (More)

• Egyptian divers brought up ancient statues and artifacts Thursday from a sunken city in the Mediterranean near Alexandria. The 2,000-year-old treasures may be from Canopus, a major center during Ptolemaic and Roman times that earthquakes and rising seas buried underwater. The haul included royal statues, a Ramses II sphinx, and limestone buildings. (More)

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth let National Guard troops carry weapons while patrolling Washington, D.C., for crime. Nearly 2,000 soldiers from six Republican states now work alongside police, something presidents rarely do except during riots or major events. Trump called D.C. crime "out of control," but city data shows violent crime hit a 30-year low, dropping 26% since 2024. (More)

• Canada will lift most of its retaliatory tariffs on US goods starting Sept. 1, easing trade tensions with Washington. The move excludes steel, aluminum, and autos, which still face 25% duties. Prime Minister Mark Carney said the decision aligns with USMCA rules and prepares for upcoming trade talks. The Canadian dollar strengthened on the news. (More)

• A Salvadoran man was freed from a Tennessee jail Friday after being caught in Trump's immigration crackdown. Kilmar Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported in March, brought back by court order, then jailed on smuggling charges from a 2022 traffic stop. His lawyers claim he's being prosecuted for fighting his deportation. He has a US family and asylum protection from El Salvador violence, but may still be deported to another unnamed country. (More)

• FBI agents raided former Trump national security advisor John Bolton’s Maryland home and D.C. office Friday in a court-approved search tied to classified records. Officials said the probe began under Biden but stalled. Bolton’s allies call it retaliation for his sharp criticism of Trump. Bolton, who served from 2018–2019, previously clashed with Trump over Russia policy and wrote a critical memoir. (More)

Weekly Dose of Positive

• After receiving 3,500 letters from her dad, Rosie Paulik created a project connecting strangers with volunteer fathers who send handwritten encouragement daily. (More)

• Mexico lifted 8.3 million people from poverty between 2022 and 2024, dropping poverty rates by 18% through policies by former President López Obrador. (More)

• Construction owner Wang Tianyu became China's "Bulldozer Hero" after spending 13 hours rescuing flood victims in his equipment's scoop during Beijing's historic flooding. (More)

• Paralyzed ski racer Ally Chalmers became Scotland's first wheelchair driver to pass racing tests and now competes in Mini Cooper championships. (More)

Extra Credit

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El Salvador bans certain haircuts in its schools. 

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