Newsroom Briefing | July 23rd, 2025

Olga Nesterova
Jul 23
16 min read

THE LATEST

Speaker Johnson Closes House Early to Block Epstein Vote as White House Pushes Obama Conspiracy Claims

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced an early start to the summer recess, a move widely interpreted as an effort to block Democratic efforts to force a vote on releasing files related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Johnson defended the decision, stating: "We're not going to play political games with [Epstein]."

The move comes amid intensifying calls from Democrats to declassify documents connected to Epstein’s network and legal history.

In a related development, Roy Black—a prominent attorney who once represented Epstein—was found dead in his home. Black played a key role in defending Epstein during the early phases of his legal battles.

Separately, in Florida, a judge denied a request to unseal the Epstein grand jury transcripts, fueling further frustration and suspicion from transparency advocates and lawmakers pushing for accountability.

President Trump and his subordinates, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, have come under enormous pressure to release additional details about the disgraced financier. So far, the administration has resisted full disclosure.

Meanwhile, the White House continues to push unrelated narratives. During a press conference, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had briefed President Trump using what appeared to be visual memes as part of her presentation.

Apparently the classified briefing came in a form of memes

Leavitt told reporters: "Tulsi Gabbard unveiled shocking new evidence that former President Barack Obama and top aides in the Obama administration conspired to subvert President Trump's 2016 election victory and undermined the democratic will of the American people."

She continued: “Reporters at legacy outlets, some of which are sitting in this room today, were ridiculously awarded Pulitzer Prizes for their perpetuation of this hoax. It is well past time for those awards to be stripped. It is not journalism to propagate political disinformation in service of those in the intel community who hand over out-of-context intelligence to push a false narrative.”

The administration’s focus on discredited conspiracy theories involving former President Obama appears to be a deliberate attempt to shift public attention away from mounting scrutiny over Epstein-related documents and legal proceedings.

Empty Threats and Delayed Defenses: U.S. Posturing on Russia Undermines Ukraine Aid

Secretary of the Treasury Bessent made headlines this week after promoting the idea of imposing 100% tariffs on any buyers of Russian goods, urging EU member states to follow suit.

But let’s examine the “example” he’s pointing to. The EU just passed its 18th sanctions package against Russia, while the U.S. quietly lifted restrictions that had previously limited Russia’s access to the global banking system—essentially reopening the doors for Russia to participate in international trade.

At the same time, U.S. officials are only speaking in hypotheticals about “potential” tariffs on Russian buyers—some of whom include close trading partners like EU countries and China. The timing is particularly ironic. Amid the U.S.-led trade war, many countries, including EU members, have pivoted to China to expand trade. So, tariffing your own partners rings more symbolic than strategic.

Now, will the U.S. actually impose those tariffs? That remains unclear. Washington gave Putin a 50-day window to negotiate—a window he has ignored. Today, Ukraine and Russia are meeting again in Turkey for talks, but expectations are low. Russia has warned not to expect any breakthroughs, and the agenda is limited mostly to prisoner exchanges.

And if we judge Moscow by its actions—as we should—there’s no indication of a willingness to agree to a ceasefire or stop the war. Quite the opposite. As I’ve covered in previous briefings, Russia continues to amass troops in eastern Ukraine and enjoys “unlimited” support from both China and North Korea—though what Russia provides in return is a separate question.

What could be meaningful is the bipartisan sanctions bill currently awaiting a vote. I previously noted that the window for that vote was around July 21—coincidentally, the same time Speaker Johnson shut down the House until September.

Read between the lines: the sanctions bill won’t get a vote in the near future.

Meanwhile, the 50-day clock expires on September 2. Russia could begin a new offensive by then.

Will Ukraine be ready? Not likely.

Patriot air defense systems promised by Trump won’t arrive until spring 2026, according to RBC-Ukraine, citing Spiegel—meaning at least another 8 months of waiting.

Time will tell, but the outcome of any future offensive—or peace negotiations—will depend not on words or threats, but on actual aid.

Saudi Arabia Becomes Top Buyer of Russian Fuel Oil — A Profitable Sanctions Workaround

In June, Saudi Arabia increased its imports of Russian fuel oil by 9%, becoming the world’s largest buyer. Meanwhile, shipments to India and Turkey declined.

Why would the world’s leading oil exporter buy fuel oil?

The reason is strategic: Russia’s fuel oil powers Saudi electricity plants, allowing more of Saudi’s own crude to be exported at high global prices—maximizing profits.

The move also underscores the deepening energy alliance between Moscow and Riyadh, showing how both countries continue to benefit from trade—despite international sanctions on Russia.

Russia Launches Massive Naval Drills Near Poland, Japan, and the Arctic

Moscow has begun its largest naval exercises in years, conducting simultaneous drills near the borders of Poland, Japan, and in the Arctic.

The operation involves over 30 vessels, including submarines, aircraft, and missile systems—demonstrating Russia’s ability to project military power across multiple strategic fronts at once.

Trump Deflects Epstein Questions, Revives Baseless Claims Against Obama

During an Oval Office meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President Trump dismissed questions about the Justice Department’s request to interview Ghislaine Maxwell, calling the Epstein case "sort of a witch hunt."

“I didn’t know they were going to do it. I don’t really follow that too much. It’s sort of a witch hunt,” Trump told reporters.

Instead, the president urged the media to focus on what he called a “plot by President Obama to rig the 2016 election.”

“Obama and a group of thugs cheated on the elections. They cheated violently/viciously… These are vicious horrible people,” Trump said, accusing Obama of “treason” without offering evidence.

The comments came as Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche—Trump’s former personal attorney—confirmed his office had requested a meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking.

“Until now, no administration on behalf of the Department had inquired about her willingness to meet with the government. That changes now,” Blanche stated.

Meanwhile, the House Oversight Committee voted to subpoena Maxwell (Epstein case), while Speaker Mike Johnson signaled openness to subpoenaing former President Obama, saying:

“If it’s uncomfortable for him, he shouldn’t have been involved in overseeing this (referring to 2016 "Russia probe"), which is what it appears to us has happened.”

Fact Check: There is no evidence that President Obama or his administration engaged in election fraud. Multiple independent reviews—including from Reuters, FactCheck.org, and the Brennan Center for Justice—have thoroughly debunked such claims. Assertions of a 2016 “rigged election” remain baseless.

Chinese Hackers Breach U.S. Nuclear Weapons Agency via Microsoft SharePoint Flaw

Hackers exploited a zero-day vulnerability in Microsoft’s SharePoint software to breach multiple U.S. government agencies, including the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)—the agency responsible for managing the country’s nuclear arsenal. While no classified information is believed to have been compromised, the incident raised concerns about exposure of sensitive but unclassified data. The Department of Energy confirmed minimal impact due to strong cybersecurity systems, with only a few systems affected and currently being restored.

Microsoft attributed the attack to Chinese state-sponsored hacking groups, including Linen Typhoon, Violet Typhoon, and Storm-2603. The breach is part of a broader global campaign also affecting entities in Europe, the Middle East, and other U.S. government bodies such as the Education Department and state-level agencies in Florida and Rhode Island. Experts warn that even access to non-classified business networks could aid adversaries through social engineering.

Trump Announces Dubious "$550 Billion Deal" With Japan, Details Remain Unclear

President Donald Trump announced what he described as a “massive deal” with Japan in a social media post, calling it “perhaps the largest Deal ever made.”

According to his statement: “Japan will invest, at my direction, $550 Billion Dollars into the United States, which will receive 90% of the Profits… Japan will pay Reciprocal Tariffs to the United States of 15%… This Deal will create Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs.”

He also claimed that Japan would open its markets to U.S. cars, trucks, rice, and other agricultural products.

However, the announcement raised immediate questions and skepticism:

Who will receive the supposed 90% of profits—an estimated $500 billion?
When and how will this investment take place, and what will the funds be used for?
A 15% "reciprocal tariff" on Japanese imports would mean higher prices for American consumers.

While Japan’s 15% tariff is lower than the 25% Trump threatened in a letter earlier this month, it still includes automobiles, Japan’s top export to the U.S., which had previously been subject to global 25% auto tariffs.

In response, Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru confirmed that Japan will provide loans and guarantees totaling up to $550 billion in the U.S. economy. Additionally, Japan agreed to relax certain testing requirements on imported American cars and trucks.

Notably, the deal does not include Japanese steel and aluminum, which remain subject to a 50% sectoral tariff imposed by the U.S.

Critics were quick to point out the imperial tone of Trump “directing” foreign investment and questioned the credibility and structure of such a sweeping agreement. As of now, no official documentation has been released by either government, and many of the deal’s details remain vague and unverified.

Trump Promises Drug Price Cuts of "1000%"

Trump also turned to healthcare, stating: “We’re going to get the drug prices down by 1000% 600% 500% 1500%. Numbers that are not even thought to be achievable.”

These mathematically impossible figures would imply pharmaceutical companies paying people to take medication, highlighting the incoherence and lack of policy clarity in the remarks.

No supporting legislation or executive orders were cited during the statements.

Strengthening Strategic Unity: EU-Japan Launch Competitiveness Alliance Amid Global Shifts

At the 30th EU-Japan Summit in Japan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council António Costa, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reaffirmed the deepening partnership between the EU and Japan amid growing global challenges. President von der Leyen highlighted the importance of shared values and collaboration in areas of trade, security, innovation, and sustainability.

A new EU-Japan Competitiveness Alliance was launched, built on three pillars:

Enhanced Bilateral Trade – Fully implementing and expanding the Economic Partnership Agreement to unlock trade and investment potential.
Stronger Economic Security – Upgrading cooperation on supply chains, infrastructure protection, and countering economic coercion.
Innovation and Green/Digital Transitions – Advancing cooperation in Horizon Europe, circular economy, clean tech, and secure digital infrastructure, including Arctic submarine cable connectivity.

On security, von der Leyen underscored the significance of Japan being the EU’s first non-European defense partner, with plans to launch the first EU-Japan Defense Industrial Dialogue in 2026.

The summit concluded with a united call to uphold open economies, global trade reform, and collective resilience in a rapidly changing geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape.

Ukraine: Anti-Corruption Bill Sparks Alarm

Ukraine’s parliament passed a controversial law on July 22 that places the country’s two key anti-corruption institutions—NABU and SAPO—under the control of the prosecutor general, a position appointed by the president.

Critics, including EU officials, warn this undermines the independence of anti-graft agencies and jeopardizes Ukraine’s EU membership prospects. The law was quickly pushed through by President Zelenskyy’s party and signed into law within hours despite widespread protests across the country.

Protests in Kyiv, Ukraine

Zelenskyy defended the law, stating: “The anti-corruption infrastructure will work. Only without Russian influence — everything needs to be cleansed of this.”

However, critics argue the move centralizes control under the executive and resembles authoritarian patterns seen under exiled former president Yanukovych.

In response to public backlash, Zelenskyy announced a forthcoming “presidential bill” to restore safeguards and independence for anti-corruption agencies: “It’s not falling on deaf ears... I will propose a bill to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine that will be the response... all the norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place.”

However, he ultimately declined to veto the law — despite public demands.

Zelenskyy also mentioned willingness to launch a bureaucratic audit, push for deregulation and public spending reform, framing these efforts as part of Ukraine’s broader transformation strategy and path toward EU integration.

Canada: First Ministers Unite on Trade, Infrastructure, and Crisis Response

In Huntsville, Ontario, Prime Minister Mark Carney met with provincial and territorial premiers to address Canada’s economic resilience and emergency preparedness.

Key topics included:

Trade negotiations with the U.S., where Carney emphasized a unified federal-provincial position to protect Canadian interests, particularly around steel import limitations and domestic procurement.
Infrastructure acceleration, with confirmation that both the Major Federal Projects Office and the Indigenous Advisory Council will launch by Labour Day to fast-track projects and ensure Indigenous inclusion.
Wildfire response, where the Prime Minister reiterated full federal support for affected communities and pledged continued mobilization of national resources.

The meeting highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen Canada’s economy, climate resilience, and intergovernmental cooperation.

AI Matches Top Human Talent at International Math Olympiad

AI systems from Google and OpenAI achieved gold medal-level scores at the International Math Olympiad, matching the performance of the top 11% of human high school competitors. Unlike in previous years, the AI models solved problems directly without needing them translated into code—marking a significant advancement in their reasoning capabilities. The companies highlighted the results as evidence of AI nearing human-level intelligence in complex problem-solving.

NATIONAL NEWS

Supreme Court Lets Trump Fire Consumer Product Safety Regulators

The Supreme Court has ruled that President Trump may remove the three Democratic members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission—a five-member panel responsible for overseeing the safety of consumer goods such as toys, cribs, and electronics.

Vaccine Policy Shift

The United States will stop distributing all influenza vaccines that contain the mercury-based preservative thimerosal, marking the latest move by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reshape vaccine policy.

Mpox Vaccine Waste Concerns

Hundreds of thousands of doses of the mpox vaccine that the United States had promised to send to African nations are in danger of going to waste, dozens of congressional Democrats said in a letter to the U.S. State Department on Wednesday.

Mike Lindell Wins Appeal

Donald Trump ally and "My Pillow" CEO Mike Lindell on Wednesday persuaded a U.S. appeals court to overturn a judge’s order requiring him to pay $5 million to a software developer who claimed to have debunked Lindell's 2020 election fraud assertions.

Civil Rights Division Exodus

The U.S. Justice Department’s office tasked with protecting civil rights has lost 368 employees since President Donald Trump took office—part of a mass exodus that has coincided with a dramatic policy shift away from its traditional mission of protecting marginalized communities.

Near Midair Collision

On July 18, a Delta regional jet (Flight 3788) full of civilians nearly collided midair with a U.S. military B-52 bomber near Minot, North Dakota.

NASA Employee Backlash

More than 280 current and former NASA employees signed a letter criticizing recent and planned changes at the agency, including budget cuts and restructuring. They argue these changes threaten human safety and national security. The letter follows similar dissent at other federal agencies. NASA responded by stating that cuts would preserve “safety-critical roles” and redirect focus from “lower-priority missions.”

White House AI Policy

The White House released an artificial intelligence (AI) policy plan on Wednesday outlining priorities for the U.S. to achieve "global dominance" in the sector. President Donald Trump’s plan calls for open-source and open-weight AI models to be made freely available for anyone worldwide to download and modify.

Treasury Targets the Fed

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized the Federal Reserve on Monday, urging an internal review of its non-monetary activities. He accused the Fed of “mission creep” and called for more oversight, citing issues like its building renovation. President Trump recently suggested "possible fraud" in the renovation could justify removing the Fed chair. In response, the Fed published renovation details on its website.

Fed Independence Under Pressure

The U.S. Federal Reserve’s independence is under threat from mounting political interference, according to a clear majority of economists polled by Reuters. Despite rising concerns, no one expects a July interest rate cut, even amid diverging views among Fed policymakers.

Widening Deportation Campaign

As President Trump pursues the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history, his administration has tapped an unusual range of government agencies to assist in immigration enforcement. These include entities like the Small Business Administration and public land stewards—roles far outside traditional immigration enforcement under Homeland Security. The Monitor identified over a dozen agencies and subagencies now involved, participating in law enforcement partnerships, data sharing, border militarization, and renewed scrutiny of public benefits.

Pharma Investment Surge

British-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca pledged to invest $50 billion in the United States by 2030, amid the Trump administration’s threats to issue tariffs on foreign-made pharmaceutical products. AstraZeneca’s CEO made the announcement at a ceremony with U.S. officials on Monday. Swiss firms Roche and Novartis, as well as France’s Sanofi, have also announced multibillion-dollar U.S. investments earlier this year.

Green Energy Savings Report

Last year, 91% of new utility-scale renewable energy projects in the U.S. produced cheaper electricity than the lowest-cost fossil fuel alternatives, according to a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the clean energy transition “unstoppable” in a speech yesterday, adding that current U.S. policies are “missing the greatest economic opportunity of the twenty-first century.”

WHO Warns of Mosquito Virus Spread

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a public warning yesterday about the global spread of the chikungunya virus, a mosquito-borne illness for which there is no cure. Outbreaks have been registered in Indian Ocean islands and the virus is now spreading to India, parts of sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe. The virus can cause long-term illness and complications.

DEFENSE

Pentagon Medical Standards Update

The Pentagon has updated its medical standards for military service. Some serious conditions—such as corneal transplants, pacemakers, and certain mental health histories—may qualify for waivers. However, others, including cystic fibrosis, recent suicide attempts, and organ transplants, are disqualifying.

Full memo ⬇️

KC-46 Tanker Buy Expands

The U.S. Air Force announced plans to purchase up to 75 more KC-46 aerial refuelers to replace its aging KC-135 fleet, choosing to skip a competitive process for the next phase of its tanker recapitalization.

U.S. Pilots Fly RAAF F-35s

Two U.S. Air Force pilots recently flew Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs during the large-scale Talisman Sabre exercise in Australia. The move is intended to boost allied interoperability and offer U.S. pilots a rare chance to operate fifth-generation aircraft from a partner nation.

Space Launch Reforms on Horizon

Lawmakers and Space Force officials are preparing for long-term changes in how the Pentagon manages space launches, amid rising demand and aging infrastructure, as outlined in recent legislation and strategy documents.

Airman Dies at F.E. Warren AFB

A security forces Airman died while on duty at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming early on July 20, according to a statement from the 90th Missile Wing.

M18 Pistol Use Paused After Fatal Incident

Global Strike Command has ordered an indefinite pause in the use of M18 pistols following a fatal incident at F.E. Warren AFB. The decision comes just two weeks after the release of an FBI report raising concerns about Sig Sauer P320-series pistols, which includes the M18, firing without the trigger being pulled.

Tech Modernization in 2026 Defense Bills

Both House and Senate versions of the 2026 defense policy bill include provisions to accelerate the delivery of new software and technologies to U.S. warfighters.

Ukraine Shifts to Domestic Arms Production

Facing an uncertain flow of Western weapons, Ukraine has significantly ramped up domestic arms production. Its appeals to allies now focus less on direct shipments and more on financial aid to build weapons locally.

Sentinel Program Resumes

The pause on the Sentinel ICBM program is now over, and Northrop Grumman has entered negotiations with the Air Force to accelerate B-21 bomber production, company officials said on July 22.

Cancer Rates Among Aviators Draw Scrutiny

Congressional lawmakers are calling for a deeper investigation into the high cancer rates among military aviators, as public and institutional concern continues to grow.

Space Force to Absorb Guard Missions

The Space Force will begin taking over certain space missions currently conducted by the Air National Guard starting October 1, according to sources familiar with the transition.

F-35 Upgrade Proposal

Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet renewed his call to upgrade the F-35 with technologies developed for the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, which the company lost to Boeing. He called the upgrade a vital “bridge” to the future F-47 fighter, which may not enter service for another decade.

NATO Space Strategy Awaits Clarity

As NATO formulates its space doctrine, the top U.S. Space Force general in Europe says he’s awaiting clearer direction. In the meantime, the U.S. is helping build allied space capabilities to reinforce collective defense.

Golden Dome Defense Project Moves Forward

In his first speech as program manager for the Golden Dome homeland missile defense initiative, Gen. Michael Guetlein emphasized speed, stating he is assembling an expert team to identify and integrate technologies for an advanced national missile shield.

GPS Security Review Sought

A bipartisan pair of lawmakers are calling on the Pentagon to evaluate threats to the Global Positioning System (GPS) from foreign powers and other actors that could jeopardize both military and civilian applications of the service.

$315M Air Force Contract for TOC-L

The Air Force awarded Booz Allen Hamilton a $315 million contract to develop the second prototype of its Tactical Operations Center-Light (TOC-L), in partnership with L3Harris.

Command Status Questions Unanswered

As of July 21, the Air Force has yet to respond to questions about the four-star command status of Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson AFB, raised in letters by Ohio senators and Rep. Mike Turner.

B-52 Near-Miss Details Emerge

The crew of the B-52H Stratofortress that nearly collided with a civilian airliner near Minot International Airport on July 18 had informed air traffic control of their location but were not notified that a passenger jet was nearby, the Air Force reported.

GLOBAL NEWS

Israel

Twenty-eight countries, including Canada, Japan, and the UK, issued a joint statement calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza. The statement condemned both Israel's killing of civilians and Hamas’s continued hostage-taking. It also opposed any territorial or demographic changes to the Occupied Palestinian Territories, criticizing Israel’s new settlement plan as a clear violation of international law.

Both Israel and the U.S. ambassador to Israel rejected the statement.

Separately, the United States has withdrawn from UNESCO in protest of the organization’s admission of the State of Palestine as a member state, calling it part of an “anti-Israel rhetoric.”

Japan

President Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that Japan will form a joint venture to develop a liquefied natural gas project in Alaska. However, a Japanese government official later said they were unaware of any such plans.

Separately, a Japanese utility company announced it will begin surveying a potential site for a new nuclear reactor in Fukui Prefecture. This marks the country’s first formal step toward nuclear expansion since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The survey could take several years, and public opinion remains divided on nuclear energy.

Ukraine

Ukraine’s defense minister said that talks with NATO and EU countries on military support were ongoing and that Kyiv needs at least $120 billion in defense funding for next year.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that new round of peace talks with Russia began today in Turkey. A Kremlin spokesperson warned against high expectations, saying there was "no reason to expect miracles."

China

China’s exports of rare-earth permanent magnets to the U.S. surged by 660% from May to June following a trade agreement easing restrictions. The spike has alleviated shortages affecting key industries such as automotive and robotics—though June’s total remains about half of last year’s figures.

In a tourism breakthrough, India will resume tourist visas for Chinese citizens tomorrow, ending a five-year freeze. Visas were suspended following 2020 border clashes, while China cited COVID-19 concerns. The thaw follows bilateral meetings in the past year and China’s relaxation of tourist restrictions for Indians in March.

Bangladesh

A military investigation is underway after a Chinese-built training fighter jet crashed into a school near Dhaka, killing 31 people and injuring dozens. The military cited a mechanical error as the preliminary cause.

Syria

A Syrian government committee reported that a March outbreak of violence killed 1,426 people, including security forces and members of the Alawite minority. The committee denied that commanders gave orders for revenge attacks. However, an Alawite council rejected the findings and called for an independent investigation, while a Reuters report last month linked some attacks to the interim government.

Mozambique

The World Bank will support Mozambique’s plan to build Southern Africa’s largest hydropower plant in 50 years. Backed by loans, guarantees, and insurance, the project could attract over $100 billion in investment and aims to connect up to 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa to electricity by 2030. The region contains over 80% of the global population without access to power.

South Africa

U.S. lawmakers voted to advance a bill to reassess relations with South Africa, raising concerns over the country’s foreign policy stance. The bill proposes sanctions on South African officials, signaling increased diplomatic tension.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Gita Gopinath, Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, will step down in August to return to academia—over a year earlier than expected. The U.S., which traditionally nominates her replacement, has not yet named a successor but has signaled plans to shift the IMF’s focus, particularly away from climate-centered initiatives.

Follow @onestpress on Bluesky (or X) for live updates.

TODAY IN HISTORY

Politics & Conflict

1952 – Egyptian Revolution Begins: The Free Officers Movement led by Gamal Abdel Nasser overthrows King Farouk I, marking the beginning of the modern Egyptian republic and ending the monarchy.
1992 – Abkhazia War Begins: Fighting breaks out in Georgia’s autonomous region of Abkhazia, initiating a bloody conflict that resulted in thousands of deaths and a frozen territorial dispute that persists today.

Disasters & Tragedies

1967 – Detroit Riots Erupt: One of the deadliest and most destructive riots in U.S. history begins in Detroit, Michigan, sparked by racial tensions and police action. The violence lasts five days, leaving 43 dead and over 7,000 arrested.
1982 – International Whaling Commission Bans Commercial Whaling: The IWC votes to end commercial whaling by 1986, a landmark decision in global wildlife conservation (though enforcement remains contested).

Science & Innovation

1903 – Ford Motor Company Sells Its First Car: Henry Ford’s company sells its first Model A automobile, beginning what would become one of the largest car manufacturers in the world.
1995 – Comet Hale-Bopp Discovered: Astronomers Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp independently discover a bright comet that would become visible to the naked eye for a record 18 months in 1996–1997.