🌊 Trump's Kim Jong-Reunion

Plus: US influencing Greenland, tragedy in Minneapolis, & Chipotle delivery by drone

August 28, 2025

A nasty wave of Fantasy Draft-itis is going around.

The sickest day of the year — according to a 2023 analysis that looked at 300 companies over five years — is not February 13th, Super Bowl Monday, or July 5th. It’s August 24th. Now we are no epidemiologists, but it seems that the epidemic of sick days on August 24th might have something to do with a highly contagious variant of Fantasy Draft-itis. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, annoyed girlfriends, overworked wives, and breaking out into Colts sweats.

đŸ‡ș🇾 US influence campaign in Greenland

đŸ‡°đŸ‡” Trump reunion with Kim Jong-Un

🌯 Chipotle's new drone delivery

–Max and Max

KEY STORY

US Running Influence Campaign in Greenland?

Denmark summoned the top US diplomat in Copenhagen following reports that US citizens conducted covert influence operations in Greenland

  • Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark with about 57,000 people, and President Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring it, stating he wouldn't rule out military force

  • Danish broadcaster DR reported that at least three Americans with alleged ties to the Trump Administration were gathering information and cultivating contacts to promote Greenland's secession from Denmark

  • “Any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the kingdom will of course be unacceptable,” Danish foreign minister said

Dig Deeper

  • Denmark's security and intelligence service, PET, warned that Greenland was being targeted by influence campaigns aimed at creating discord between Denmark and the territory and announced it had strengthened its presence in Greenland

  • Neither the Trump Administration nor the State Department has commented on the situation

  • Vice President JD Vance previously accused Denmark of underinvesting in Greenland and not adequately protecting it from Russian and Chinese interests

KEY STORY

India Tariffs Take Effect

President Trump's 50% tariffs on Indian goods took effect on Wednesday, combining the initial 25% tariffs from August 7 with additional penalties announced on August 6

  • On August 6, Trump announced an additional 25% penalty tariff for India's purchases of Russian oil, which have increased from nearly nothing before the 2022 Ukraine invasion to about 40% of India's total crude purchases in 2025

  • Trump wrote, “India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits,” with VP Vance calling them “secondary tariffs” to hurt Russia's oil economy

  • The new 50% rate puts India alongside Brazil as facing the highest US tariffs globally (both at 50%)

Dig Deeper

  • The tariffs affect approximately 55% to 66% of India's $87B in merchandise exports to the US, with analysts estimating the measures could slash exports by $37B to $40B and reduce economic growth

  • Five rounds of trade talks between the US and India failed despite Modi's February White House visit, where both leaders pledged to reach a deal

  • The breakdown has pushed India to strengthen ties with BRICS – a group of emerging economies – members, with Modi scheduled to meet Xi Jinping and Putin in Shanghai this week – his first visit to China in seven years

KEY STORY

Trump Firm Partners with Crypto

Trump Media – parent company of Truth Social – announced a partnership with cryptocurrency exchange Crypto.com to form a new company that will buy and hold cryptocurrency

  • Several companies have recently started this investment strategy, inspired by MicroStrategy's success after it began buying Bitcoin in 2020 and saw its stock price soar

  • Trump Media announced it was partnering with Crypto.com and investment firm Yorkville Acquisition Corp to form Trump Media Group CRO Strategy, which will buy and hold CRO tokens created by Crypto.com

  • The new company will trade under the symbol MCGA, referencing Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan

Dig Deeper 

  • The new company raised about $6.4B to buy CRO tokens, including $1B worth of tokens from Crypto.com, $200M in cash, and a $5B credit line

  • Trump Media agreed to buy $105M worth of CRO tokens, while Crypto.com agreed to purchase $50M of Trump Media stock

  • The partnership adds to the Trump family's growing cryptocurrency businesses, as World Liberty Financial recently announced plans to raise $1.5B for a similar treasury strategy, while Donald Trump Jr. joined the advisory board of Polymarket, a crypto-based betting platform

QUOTE OF THE DAY

I know who I am. No one else knows who I am. If I was a giraffe and somebody said I was a snake, I'd think 'No, actually I am a giraffe.'

Richard Gere

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KEY STORY

FDA Approves Covid Vaccines

Federal regulators approved updated Covid vaccines with new eligibility requirements

  • Previously, the US recommended annual Covid vaccinations for all Americans aged 6 months and older. However, in May, Health Secretary RFK Jr. announced the CDC would no longer recommend Covid vaccines for pregnant women and healthy children. Then in June, he dissolved the CDC advisory panel, replacing it with members who oppose mRNA Covid vaccines

  • The Food and Drug Administration authorized new Covid shots from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax on Wednesday, but created new requirements for certain groups

  • All Americans aged 65 and older remain eligible for the vaccines. However, younger adults and children can only receive the shots if they have at least one high-risk medical condition

Dig Deeper 

  • Pfizer's vaccine lost emergency authorization for children under five years old entirely. Only Moderna's vaccine remains available for young children, but solely for those with serious health conditions, while Novavax's shot is only available to children 12 and older

  • The American Academy of Pediatrics objected to the new limits, saying they could block vaccine access for families wanting to protect their children. Last week, the group broke away from the CDC's recommendations for the first time since 1995 and recommended annual Covid shots for children aged six months to two years

  • Also Wednesday, CDC director Susan Monarez left her role under unclear circumstances after just weeks on the job. A Health Department statement said she “was no longer director” and thanked her for her service. She subsequently accused RFK Jr. of “weaponizing public health for political gain”

  • In a statement released Wednesday night, her lawyers said, “When CDC Director Susan Monarez refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts, she chose protecting the public over serving a political agenda 
 For that, she has been targeted”

  • A White House spokesperson replied, “Susan Monarez is not aligned with the President’s agenda of Making America Healthy Again”

RUNDOWN
Some Quick Stories for the Office

đŸ‡°đŸ‡” President Trump expressed interest in meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again, possibly this year, during talks with South Korea's new president, Lee Jae Myung

đŸ’„ The Israeli military claimed the Gaza hospital strike that killed at least 20 people – including journalists, medical workers, and Hamas members – was supposed to target a Hamas camera

🚔 A gunman fired through windows at Minneapolis' Annunciation Catholic School during Mass on Wednesday morning, killing two children ages eight and 10 and injuring 17 others, with two in critical condition requiring surgery

⚖ A California couple filed the first wrongful death lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming ChatGPT encouraged their 16-year-old son, Adam, to take his own life in April 2025

🚠 Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced that the federal government will take direct control of Union Station in Washington, DC, removing Amtrak from management, as part of the Trump Administration’s efforts to address issues in the capital

What does Roca Nation think?

🌊 Yesterday’s Question: What’s an issue you take with Roca’s coverage? Could be poor story selection, inappropriate tone, etc.

Please take this as kindly as it is meant. Roca is very male centric. From constant football-related explanations for non-football-related issues to the Oakland all male interviews. It would be refreshing to see a better balance with female perspectives.

For example, the Oakland interviews, while very informative, focused on crime, drugs and economic impacts. A female perspective might have looked at the effects on family structures, education and incidence of mental health struggles. All worthy and important topics but we only got half of the picture. Have changes in the city lead to increased violence on women and children? Have programs to assist the disabled or victims of abuse shuttered with the economic downturn? You covered the effects on pro sports but what about little league?

Please include more skilled female journalists who share your passion for truth. If some happen to be named Maxine, all the better.

Jamie from Mississippi

This will be a counter to what I’m sure some will claim. I’m willing to imagine some will argue that you employ sophomoric humor too much or too often but that is one of the reasons I enjoy Roca. You’re news that doesn’t take itself too seriously because all you do is report. You’re not bombing Gaza or kidnapping Israeli women. You’re not fighting on the frontlines in Ukraine. You’re writing about it. And a lot of the world is dark. It’s okay to have humor break up the monotony. So keep being silly, kings.

Jarred from Mississippi

Y’all are doing a great job, I think. I only have two critiques - selection of reader answers, and your picture for the 20 questions.

I think some of the reader-submitted answers border on unhinged. The number of people talking about things using very partisan buzzwords from both sides, I feel, kind of undermines the bipartisan or nonpartisan feel of the rest of your reporting, which is very balanced. I know we’re trying to instill a sort of resurgence of the fairness doctrine here by giving some time to both sides, which is good overall. But some statements are probably more purposely provocative from one perspective, which I don’t think accomplishes the mission of bringing people together with the news and contributes to division. Certainly present differing viewpoints so that we as readers can be well rounded and understanding of views outside our own, but I think some of the picking of which specific expressions of those sentiments could be improved.

More minor point - the picture of y’all, dashing as you both are, in front of a bunch of Trump signs also is less ideal from a nonpartisan perspective.

Hope these help. Despite these, I still think you’re doing great at your mission overall and regularly read and learn a lot. Thanks for all you do!

Harry from Boston

I take issue with total lack of coverage of the Swift/Kelsey engagement. I had to find out from other sources that the biggest engagement of our time occurred. Very disappointing! 😊

Kara from Washington

đŸŽ„ Today’s Question: Will people still be going to movie theaters in 15 years? Explain.

POPCORN
Some Quick Stories for Happy Hour

🩈 Bright Bite: Scientists discovered the first-ever recorded orange shark off Costa Rica's coast, a nurse shark with two rare genetic conditions affecting its pigmentation

💎 Offensive Strategy: A Bill Belichick-owned company, run by his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, filed a trademark for “gold digger” to create jewelry and keychains, turning relationship criticism into potential profit

📩 Sky Service: Chipotle partnered with drone company Zipline to launch “Zipotle,” testing an autonomous delivery service for Dallas-area customers, starting with select Rowlett residents

🚀 Tenth Time's the Charm: SpaceX's Starship megarocket successfully completed its 10th test flight after three previous 2025 missions ended in vehicle losses, marking a crucial comeback for the world's largest rocket

đŸŽžïž Demon-strating Success: Netflix's animated film KPop Demon Hunters has become the streaming platform's most-watched movie of all time, accumulating 236M views since its June premiere

đŸƒâ€â™€ïž Happy Hour today is sponsored by LMNT! We actually drink LMNT every day — make sure to get your exclusive Roca discount here and invest in your recovery, hydration, and well-being today!

ROCA WRAP
Unopposed Victory

Tanzania

This country's electoral commission cleared the way for its president to run virtually unopposed by blocking major opposition candidates.

Tanzania is an East African nation that has been dominated by the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party since independence, making it one of Africa's longest-serving political movements. While Tanzania has held regular elections since adopting multiparty democracy in the 1990s, the ruling party has never lost power at the national level. This October's election appears designed to continue that streak.

On Wednesday, Tanzania's Independent National Electoral Commission approved the sitting President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her running mate for the upcoming election while simultaneously barring candidates from the country's two largest opposition parties. The commission rejected nomination papers from the Alliance for Change and Transparency, citing complaints about primary election procedures. Meanwhile, the main opposition party CHADEMA was disqualified in April after refusing to sign an electoral code of conduct as part of their demands for electoral reforms.

The electoral exclusions come amid a broader crackdown on dissent under Hassan. CHADEMA chairman Tundu Lissu has been imprisoned for over four months on treason charges, which he denies. Government critics have faced unexplained abductions and disappearances in recent months, raising questions about the country's human rights record.

Hassan is running for the first time since assuming the presidency in 2021, following the death of her predecessor. Initially praised as a reformer who allowed opposition rallies and freed political prisoners, she has increasingly either jailed, banned, or excluded major opposition figures. Hassan faces only candidates from smaller parties unlikely to pose a serious challenge to CCM's decades-long grip on power.

EDITOR’S NOTE
Final Thoughts

It was helpful (and humbling — thanks, dad) to read your responses to yesterday’s question about how Roca can improve. We take your feedback seriously and will implement some of your recommendations immediately. We should note, however, that many of you disagreed with each other. Some said we were too serious; others not serious enough. Overall we promise to keep working hard to present the news without any partisan bias and keep you informed without giving you a heart attack.

–Max and Max