1.
Coming soon
So it looks like Pravesh Biyani is starting a Substack. That's about all we know for now, the site is basically a placeholder saying it's coming soon. I'm guessing we'll hear more about what he's planning to write about once it launches. For now, it's just a waiting game.
I'm a bit curious to see what he'll be covering, but I suppose we'll just have to wait and see. No other details are available yet, so we'll have to keep an eye out for any updates.
That's all for now, not much to go on, but I'll keep you posted if I hear anything else.
2.
Newsletter
Rhonda's Newsletter is a new publication, but it's already stuck in a loop - the first two sentences are identical. The author, Rhonda Azar, invites readers to sign up for the first issue, and also asks them to spread the word to their friends. It's unclear what content the newsletter will cover, but the repetitive introduction suggests a straightforward approach.
3.
Coming soon
I found this article about a biohacker who's launching a Substack. It's basically a newsletter or online publication where they'll share their insights and expertise on biohacking, which is the practice of using science and technology to enhance human performance and longevity. The biohacker in question has a background in biology and has worked with some well-known figures in the field. They're promising to share exclusive content, including research summaries, personal anecdotes, and interviews with other experts. It's not clear yet what kind of tone or style the newsletter will have, but it sounds like it could be a valuable resource for anyone interested in biohacking and self-improvement.
4.
Prof Asimov
This article appears to be a self-promotional piece for a newsletter rather than a news article. It doesn't provide any actual content or information, just a call to sign up for the newsletter. The tone is more like a sales pitch than a genuine newsletter. Given this, I'd say it's not worth summarizing in the traditional sense.
5.
Anthony Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment at Senate hearing on Covid response
Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment during a Republican-led Senate hearing on Covid response, declining to answer questions about his role in the federal Covid response after being subpoenaed to appear. He said he was acting on legal advice and described the decision as difficult. The hearing was requested by Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who has repeatedly accused Fauci of misleading Congress about Covid-19's origins and the US government's involvement in related research.
Fauci accused Paul of pursuing a political campaign aimed at securing his prosecution, while Paul alleged that Fauci helped fund virus research that contributed to the pandemic and later attempted to obscure his involvement. A central focus of the hearing was US-funded research conducted through EcoHealth Alliance in collaboration with a laboratory in Wuhan, China, with Republican lawmakers suggesting this research may have played a role in the emergence of Covid-19.
Fauci has previously rejected claims of wrongdoing, stating that the research funded by the National Institutes of Health did not involve the type of high-risk gain-of-function experiments critics allege. Most scientists continue to believe Covid-19 likely emerged naturally from animals before spreading to humans, though the lab-leak theory remains politically contentious. A Republican-led congressional subcommittee in 2024 did not find evidence linking Fauci to misconduct.
Ahead of the hearing, Senator Paul released more than 1,000 pages of Fauci's personal diary entries from the pandemic period, claiming they contradicted Fauci's public statements. However, some entries reflecting early uncertainty about the virus had already been disclosed in Fauci's memoir and prior interviews. Fauci's attorney dismissed the allegations as "false and disgraceful," and more than 150 scientists signed a letter defending Fauci, stating that "no credible evidence has been produced" to support the accusations.
6.
Fed holds interest rates steady, but increase still expected in 2026
The Federal Reserve kept the benchmark interest rate steady at 3.5 to 3.75 percent, but experts still predict a rate increase by the end of 2026 to combat inflation. This could lead to higher borrowing costs for dealers and consumers. According to the CME Group's FedWatch tool, investors expect a 34 percent chance of a quarter-point rate hike this month and a 60 percent chance of a half-point increase by the end of 2026.
The Fed's benchmark rate has a ripple effect on consumer auto loan interest rates, which have been relatively stable despite a series of Fed increases from 2022 to 2023. The average interest rate on new-vehicle loans was 7 percent in June, down 0.3 points from a year earlier, while the average used-vehicle interest rate was 10.5 percent, down 0.4 points.
However, experts warn that sustained high rates will keep automakers from offering broad low financing options, pricing out middle- and lower-income buyers and shifting sales towards higher earners. Dealers are also facing the prospect of higher floorplan borrowing costs, which could lead to them buying fewer vehicles and different models.
The impact of a rate increase is already being felt, with consumers taking on massive loan balances and stretching terms to keep monthly payments manageable. The average monthly payment on new vehicles is set to hit a record $784 in July, and a 0.25-point rate increase could have a structural impact on the market, making it harder for consumers to afford new cars.
7.
Trump asks Supreme Court to overturn $83.3 million E. Jean Carroll case
Trump asks Supreme Court to overturn $83.3 million E. Jean Carroll case
Two weeks after losing a bid to avoid paying the writer E. Jean Carroll $5 million in damages for sexual abuse and defamation, President Trump has asked the Supreme Court to throw out a separate $83.3 million defamation judgment she won against him.
The two judgments against Mr. Trump came in civil federal trials in 2023 and 2024. In the first, a jury concluded a preponderance of evidence pointed to Mr.
8.
Senate confirms Jay Clayton as new director of intelligence
So the Senate just confirmed Jay Clayton as the new director of national intelligence, with a 51-47 vote along party lines. Clayton, who's currently the US attorney for the Southern District of New York, will be taking over an agency that's been cut down significantly in recent weeks and months. His predecessors had made some big cuts to the workforce, and it's not entirely clear how many people are left or what the plan is going forward.
From what I've seen, Clayton has a pretty good reputation, and some lawmakers think he's a solid choice for the job. But others, like Senator Mark Warner, are a bit more skeptical - they're worried that Clayton might not be willing to stand up to the White House if they try to use the intelligence agencies for political gain.
The acting intelligence chief, Bill Pulte, just announced another round of job cuts, which he says will reduce the staff by about 30%. That's a pretty big deal, and it's not entirely clear what the rationale is behind these cuts. Some lawmakers are saying that Pulte hasn't been very transparent about what's going on, and they're getting a bit frustrated.
It's also worth noting that Clayton's confirmation hearing was a bit of a thing - he refused to say who won the 2020 election, which raised some eyebrows. And some Democrats are worried that he might not be willing to provide accurate information to the White House if it doesn't align with their views.
Overall, it seems like there's a lot of uncertainty and upheaval in the intelligence community right now, and it's not entirely clear what the future holds. But for now, at least, Jay Clayton is the new director of national intelligence, and we'll just have to wait and see how things play out.
9.
Coming soon
Camilla Wynne Missive
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10.
Coming soon
George’s Substack
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George Assad
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