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Good Morning! Today’s edition is 995 words, a 4-minute read.
What’s on tap:
Federal police reform efforts dropped
NBA MVP award
How to survive a Komodo dragon
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Big Stories
Human Rights in North Korea
The UN General Assembly held its first-ever high-level meeting on North Korean human rights violations, where officials and defectors directly connected the regime's systematic abuses to its growing nuclear weapons program and military partnership with Russia.
According to Seoul's intelligence agency, North Korea has sent approximately 15,000 troops to support Russia's war in Ukraine, with 600 killed and 4,100 injured so far. In exchange for military support, Pyongyang reportedly receives financial backing and advanced technology for its weapons programs.
North Korean defector Kim Eun-joo called the deployment of North Korean troops to Ukraine "a new kind of modern-day slavery," noting soldiers "have no idea where they are, whom they are fighting against or why."
Human rights experts explained how the Kim regime diverts resources toward militarization instead of necessities like food and healthcare.
North Korea's UN Ambassador condemned the meeting as a "burlesque of intrigue and fabrication" staged by "hostile forces" and referred to the North Korean escapees who testified as "the scum of the earth."
Tax-Free Tips
The Republican-led Senate passed the No Tax on Tips Act on Tuesday through unanimous consent, creating a tax deduction worth up to $25,000 for tips.
The tax break applies to cash tips reported for payroll taxes and is limited to workers earning $160,000 or less annually, with that threshold rising with inflation in future years.
The bill has unusual bipartisan support in today's divided political climate. Both Trump and Kamala Harris backed versions of the idea during their 2024 campaigns.
Critics argue the bill may only marginally benefit many hourly workers who don't earn enough to pay significant federal income taxes anyway. Some labor advocates worry it reinforces a two-tiered pay system they're trying to eliminate in favor of higher universal pay floors with tips on top.
It now heads to the House, where Republicans have options to include it in their broader package for Trump's agenda or pass it separately with Democratic support. Its eventual passage into law is highly likely.
Federal Police Reform
The US Department of Justice is moving to drop police reform agreements with Minneapolis and Louisville that were established after the 2020 killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon claimed the consent decrees create bureaucracy for police departments and that the Biden administration used "faulty legal theories" when implementing them.
Beyond these two cities, the DOJ plans to close investigations into police departments in Phoenix, Trenton, Memphis, Mount Vernon, Oklahoma City, and the Louisiana State Police. The department will also retract previous findings against departments alleged to have engaged in misconduct.
Some local officials plan to continue reforms regardless of federal withdrawal. Louisville's mayor promised to keep implementing changes, while Minnesota's Department of Human Rights Commissioner emphasized that their state-level consent decree with Minneapolis "isn't going anywhere."
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Quick Stories
US News
POTUS played a video about alleged white farmer killings and presented papers about attacks during his Oval Office meeting with South African President Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa remained skeptical of the claims. (More)
A judge ruled that Conway, New Hampshire, violated a bakery owner's free speech by trying to remove a student-painted mural of pastries. Officials claimed the artwork was advertising, but the court found their sign code enforcement unconstitutional. (More)
Former New York trooper Thomas Mascia pleaded guilty to shooting himself and staging a crime scene. His actions sparked a statewide manhunt. He'll serve six months in prison and pay $289,500 in restitution. (More)
World
Hundreds of animals, including elephants and tigers, fled Mexico's cartel territory in a "21st-century Noah's Ark" operation. The sanctuary director moved 700 creatures to a coastal ranch after receiving threats. (More)
Israeli troops fired warning shots at 25 diplomats visiting Jenin to observe humanitarian conditions. The military claimed they "deviated from the approved route." (More)
China’s 650-year-old Fengyang Drum Tower partially collapsed on May 19, sending roof tiles flying and tourists scrambling. No one was hurt. (More)
Business & Economy
US stock markets closed lower on Wednesday (S&P -1.61%, Nasdaq -1.41%, Dow -1.91%). A sharp spike in treasury yields pressured traders into dumping stocks for bonds. (More)
Bitcoin hit a new all-time high Wednesday, topping its January record. It briefly reached $109,500 before settling around $108,955—up 2%—according to Coin Metrics. (More)
OpenAI bought Jony Ive's AI hardware startup io for $6.4 billion. Ive will handle design responsibilities across both companies while his LoveFrom creative collective remains independent. (More)
Sports & Entertainment
Indiana stunned New York 138-135 in overtime of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals after the Pacers scored a playoff-record 23 points in the final three minutes of regulation. (More)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won his first NBA MVP award after leading Oklahoma City to 68 wins and capturing the scoring title. He defeated the previous MVP Jokic, in the playoffs. (More)
Science, Health, & Tech
Mount Sinai Hospital researchers found that women are ten times more likely to develop postpartum psychosis if their sister had the rare disorder. It causes hallucinations and paranoia. (More)
Scientists discovered a new flapjack octopus species with huge eyes and red tentacles off Australia. This deep-sea shape-shifter can flatten like a pancake or form a tiny gelatinous umbrella. (More)
Astronomers witnessed a "cosmic joust" where one galaxy pierces another with quasar radiation. The battle dampens the wounded galaxy’s ability to form new stars. (More)
Extra Credit
How to survive a Komodo dragon.
Michael Jordan's Bulls Jersey sells for $2.6M.
You can use the 30-second rule to help you win conversations.
Spanish island bans influencers.