Good Morning! Today’s edition is 1,011 words, a 4-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Israel’s plan to take control of Gaza

• Trump wants Alcatraz reopened

• Experience Star Wars in real life

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Big Story

Israel Plans to Seize Gaza

Israel's Security Cabinet has unanimously approved a plan to seize the entire Gaza Strip.

• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describes it as an "intensive military operation" to defeat Hamas. The plan includes moving Palestinian civilians, while Israeli forces will remain in place after raids instead of retreating. Israel already controls a third of Gaza.

• Israeli forces have begun calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers, though some are refusing to serve in what they view as a politically motivated war. Meanwhile, families of the 59 remaining hostages held by Hamas issued a "red alert," warning that expanded military operations put the captives "at grave risk."

• The offensive comes as Gaza faces a severe humanitarian crisis, with a three-month total blockade preventing food, fuel, and medical supplies from entering.

Big Story

Self-Deport Stipends

The Department of Homeland Security is now offering unauthorized immigrants $1,000 and travel assistance if they use the CBP Home app to leave the US voluntarily.

• The funds will be paid after confirmation that applicants have returned to their home country, verified through the app using biometric data, documents, and geolocation.

• According to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, self-deportations are "the best, safest, and most cost-effective way to leave the US to avoid arrest." The agency estimates that each traditional deportation costs taxpayers $17,121, while self-deportations could reduce that cost by 70%, even after paying the stipend.

• The Trump administration repurposed the Biden-era CBP One app (which previously helped asylum-seekers enter legally) into CBP Home with self-deportation features. They've invested $200 million in the redesign and created an advertising campaign that has aired across the US and Mexico.

• DHS claims migrants who use the app won't be a top priority for detention while they're planning to leave, and that self-deportation "may help preserve the option" for legal return in the future.

Big Story

Tax the Movies

President Trump has authorized a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced films entering the US to boost the US film industry.

• US film production has dealt with challenges lately. Overall production was down 26% last year compared to 2021 due to COVID-19 impacts, the 2023 Hollywood strikes, and recent LA wildfires. Industry surveys show filmmakers prefer shooting in Toronto, UK, Vancouver, Central Europe, and Australia over US locations.

• Many countries offer substantial incentives to attract production - New Zealand provided NZ$200 million in subsidies to secure US$777 million in production revenue in 2023. Trump calls these incentives to draw film production away from the US a “National Security threat.”

• Despite production woes, American films still dominate the domestic market and generated $22.6 billion in exports with a $15.3 billion trade surplus in 2023, according to the Motion Picture Association.

Quick Stories

US News

• President Trump ordered the reopening of Alcatraz prison on May 4, posting "REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ!" on Truth Social. He wants the infamous San Francisco Bay facility to house "America's most ruthless and violent offenders." (More)

• A Wisconsin woman missing for over 60 years was found "alive and well" outside the state. Audrey Backeberg, who disappeared in 1962, left by her own choice. She was tracked down through her sister's ancestry account. (More)

• Twenty state attorneys general sued the White House Monday over HHS restructuring, alleging illegal mass firings and agency consolidation. The lawsuit claims the administration violated hundreds of laws by cutting 20,000 employees. (More)

World

• Four boats carrying tourists capsized during a sudden storm on the Wu River in southwestern China's Guizhou province, killing 10 people and injuring dozens more. (More)

• The UK celebrated VE Day's 80th anniversary with a military parade in central London honoring World War II veterans during the first of four commemoration days. (More)

• The International Court of Justice rejected Sudan's genocide case against the UAE, voting 14-2 that it lacked jurisdiction. The judges also struck the case entirely from the ICJ list by a 9-7 vote. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed lower on Monday (S&P -0.64%, Nasdaq -0.74%, Dow -0.24%). The S&P snapped its nine-day winning streak. (More)

• Private equity firm 3G Capital is buying Skechers for $63 per share, a 30% premium. This ends Skechers' nearly 30-year run as a public company. Shares jumped 25% after the announcement. (More)

• Oil prices dropped to a four-year low Monday, with US crude falling 2% to $57.13 per barrel. OPEC+ agreed to boost production by 411,000 barrels daily in June, their second consecutive monthly increase. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• Josh Harris and Roger Goodell predict over a million fans will attend the 2027 NFL Draft in Washington, D.C. The three-day event will take place on the National Mall with the Capitol building as its backdrop. (More)

• Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore will serve a two-game suspension against Central Michigan and Nebraska in Weeks 3 and 4 as part of self-imposed sanctions for the Connor Stalions scouting scandal. (More)

• The NY Islanders won the NHL draft lottery Monday with just a 3.5% chance. Despite finishing 10th from the bottom for the season, they landed the No. 1 pick for the first time since drafting Tavares in 2009.. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• After 23 years, messaging app Skype shut down yesterday. Users can move their data to Microsoft Teams or download it for use elsewhere. (More)

• Scientists discovered a bacteria species that conducts electricity like a wire. The "cable bacteria" could revolutionize bioelectrics and help clean up pollution. (More)

• French neuroscientists found that cuttlefish might communicate by waving their arms in four patterns. The cuttlefish responded to the patterns when shown on video. (More)

Extra Credit

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