RIP to DJ Casper, the man behind the Cha Cha Slide. Now before he becomes DJ Casper the Ghost, here’s a fun tidbit: You know how the song opens with the lyrics, “This is something new. The Casper Slide part two”? Well, DJ Casper wrote the original Casper Slide Pt. one as an aerobic exercise for his nephew, a fitness trainer. After a Chicago radio station picked it up, he decided to write a sequel.

In today's edition:

• Hank the Tank captured

• Falling cheese wheels kill man

• Hunt for the Chameleon

 🔑 Key Stories

Study: Much Less Plastic in Oceans

A study in the journal Nature found that much less plastic enters the ocean than previously thought

• In 2015, US researchers published a study in the journal Science that estimated ~8.8M tons of plastic enter the ocean annually. That study was hugely influential and its findings have been widely cited

• Since then, though, several studies have failed to find enough plastic in the ocean to match that claim

• A study published Monday analyzed thousands of real-world measurements and concluded that the figure is closer to ~550k tons, 94% less than the 2015 figure. It said half that plastic came from fishing

Dig Deeper

• The new study implies that previous estimates of plastic waste in the ocean may be greatly exaggerated, but the study’s authors say the global plastic problem is still trending upward. “We’re accumulating more and more plastics in the environment,” the study’s lead author said

US Dispatches Destroyers to Alaska

The US dispatched four destroyers to Alaska after spotting 11 Chinese and Russian warships near there, the Wall Street Journal reports

• Per international law, all countries that border bodies of water are entitled to what is known as their “territorial sea,” a 12-nautical-mile (13.8-mile) zone in which they can regulate what enters and leaves. Beyond that, foreign vessels can move freely

• Last week, the US military detected 11 Chinese and Russian warships operating in non-territorial waters near the Aleutians, an island chain that juts off the coast of Alaska

• The US sent four destroyers and two warplanes to the region, and the foreign vessels left

Dig Deeper

• A Chinese spokesperson said the drill was part of an “annual cooperation plan” between China and Russia and was “not targeted at any third party.” Some military analysts said the eleven ships formed the largest flotilla to approach US waters in years

Hank the Tank Captured

A massive female black bear nicknamed “Hank the Tank” has been captured, California authorities said

• In 2021, California authorities blamed an unusually large black bear for a string of home break-ins in pursuit of food. They said they would kill the bear – nicknamed Hank the Tank – which led to a public uproar

• Authorities later said DNA tests found that three bears were responsible for the break-ins, not just Hank

• On Friday, California authorities announced they’d captured Hank – who is actually a female – and her three cubs. Hank has been linked to 21 break-ins. They will send Hank to a wildlife refuge in Colorado

Dig Deeper

• California authorities said that relocating a wild bear to a refuge is “not typically an option,” but that “widespread interest in this bear” allowed it to happen

• Colorado’s governor welcomed “Henrietta the Tank” to the state on social media

Niger Ultimatum Expired

Niger closed its airspace as a regional ultimatum for its military coup leaders to step down expired

• Niger – a poor West African country – has long been a major Western ally. It’s located within the Sahel, a region on the Sahara Desert’s southern edge. While many of the region’s countries face widespread terrorism and instability, Niger was relatively stable and had a pro-Western and democratically-elected leader

• Last month, its military overthrew its democratically-elected president. ECOWAS – an economic union of 15 West African nations – condemned that and gave the military one week to step down or face a possible invasion

• That deadline expired Sunday. Niger’s military has said it will fight to defend itself and has closed its airspace; ECOWAS has heavily sanctioned Niger but says it will only use military force as a last resort

Dig Deeper

• Analysts say the US and France don’t want the coup to stand because they have invested so much in the country, while African civilian leaders worry that a successful coup could lead to coups in their own countries. The military still rules Niger, but the risk of war remains

• Below is a map showing coups in Africa since 1980

The Healthy Alternative to Sugary Sports Drinks

Together with LMNT

LMNT is the electrolyte drink mix we recommend Roca Riders hydrate with this summer

• Since the 1940s, we’ve been told to drink eight glasses of water per day. However, only hydrating with plain water can dilute your electrolyte levels – which can lead to things like headaches, low energy, brain fog, and more

• Electrolytes are essential minerals that facilitate vital bodily functions, including the conduction of nerve impulses, hormonal regulation, nutrient absorption, and fluid balance

• When people sweat they lose water and electrolytes, but most people only replace the water. LMNT electrolytes contain what you need – the salts – without all the other harmful additives. Just mix it with water and it’s perfect for hydrating, be it after a workout or night out

• Other popular electrolyte drinks contain as much as 36 grams of sugar. 36 GRAMS! LMNT contains none – NONE!

• You can try it totally risk-free. If you don’t like it, they’ll give you your money back – no questions asked

Dig Deeper

• Right now LMNT is offering Roca Riders a free sample pack with any purchase. That’s eight single servings FREE with any LMNT order. This is a great way to try all eight flavors or share LMNT with a salty friend

🍿 Popcorn

ICYMI

• Billion dollar Barbie: Barbie surpassed $1B in global ticket sales 17 days after its release. Barbie director Greta Gerwig is the first-ever woman to solo direct a billion-dollar film

• Mmm, mmm, Rao’s! Campbell Soup is buying Rao’s pasta sauce maker Sovos Brands for $2.7B. Rao’s will join Campbell’s sauce portfolio, which already includes Prego and Swanson broths

• Football is still king: Last Thursday’s preseason game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns averaged 6.3M viewers on NBC Sports, surpassing viewership of this year’s NBA Playoffs

Wildcard

• Finding Nessie: The Loch Ness Centre in Scotland is embarking on its largest search for “Nessie” in 50+ years. The search will involve thermal drones, infrared cameras, and a hydrophone

• Cheese wheels of death: A shelf collapse in northern Italy resulted in an Italian man’s fatal crushing under thousands of Parmesan-style cheese wheels

• Bears on a plane: A bear broke free from its crate in the cargo hold on an Iraqi Airways flight from Dubai to Baghdad. Animal specialists sedated and then removed the bear

👇 What do you think?

Today's Question:

If you could only keep one photograph, what would it be? As always, feel free to submit pics!

Reply to this email with your answers!

See yesterday's results below the Wrap! 

🌯 Roca Wrap

Last month, 2,250 Bolivia police officers raided the homes of one of the world’s most-wanted drug traffickers.

Police seized 17 rifles, 1,915 rounds of ammunition, 31 vehicles, and four bulletproof vests at several locations. They also arrested 12 people – but their prime suspect escaped.

Then last Wednesday, the suspect – Sebastián Marset – thanked the director of a top Bolivian drug law enforcement agency.

“I managed to get away, because he warned me,” Marset said in a video. “I grabbed some money, and he told me [it was time] to leave,” he said.

Marset, 32, is wanted in Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Europe, and the US. But known as the “Chameleon,” he isn’t an easy man to find.

Marset first appeared on prosecutors’ radar in 2012. That year, Uruguayan police connected him to a shipment of marijuana that was flown from Paraguay to Uruguay. The plane’s pilot’s nephew would later serve as Paraguay’s president from 2013 to 2018.

Marset was convicted of drug trafficking in 2013 and sentenced to five years in jail. While in prison, prosecutors believe Marset forged valuable ties to other drug traffickers. He was released in 2018 – and promptly disappeared.

Using fake passports and aliases, Marset traveled around South America, eventually reaching Paraguay. Prosecutors believe that during that time, Marset was making connections with drug gangs. After, he founded the First Uruguayan Cartel (PCU), which prosecutors believe has trafficked cocaine from Paraguay through Uruguayan ports to Europe, the US, and elsewhere.

Marset lived a public life in Paraguay. An avid soccer fan, he played for Club Deportivo Capiatá, a Paraguayan soccer team. But he then disappeared again.

In September 2021, Dubai airport police detained a man for using a fake Paraguayan passport. They identified him as Marset, but Uruguayan officials issued him a new passport, enabling his release after a month.

Marset’s release from Dubai caused a scandal in Uruguay that has implicated over a dozen politicians. While all denied knowledge of Marset’s background and said they were following protocols, leaked messages show that top Uruguayan officials believed he was a “dangerous and influential narco.”

Soon after Marset was released in Dubai, Paraguayan police launched a massive crackdown on PCU. They seized $100M in cash, 98 properties, 28 vehicles, ten aircraft, and seven boats. The crackdown was overseen by Marcelo Pecci, a prosecutor known for investigating organized crime.

In April 2022, Pecci requested arrest warrants for several of Marset’s top associates. Pecci and his wife married later that month and went on a honeymoon in Colombia in May. While there, Pecci’s wife shared on her Instagram that she was pregnant.

Two hours later, the couple was on a beach when one or two men approached the shore on a small boat or jet ski. The assailant(s) shot Pecci in the face, killing him. Police arrested several people in connection to the murder and intensified their search for Marset, who they alleged was the plot’s mastermind.

Marset has since become a fugitive wanted in several South American countries. Yet over the following year, he hid in plain sight in Santa Cruz, a Bolivian city of 1.8M people. He lived in a lavish mansion in the city and bought and managed a Bolivian soccer team.

Bolivian police raided Marset’s mansion on July 30 with 2,250 officers and 144 vehicles. But one of Marset’s bodyguards kidnapped a police officer, allowing Marset, his wife, and 2 kids to escape in a Land Rover. Police haven’t seen them since – until Marset posted the thank-you video on Wednesday.

Bolivian police have vowed to find Marset and are working with foreign law enforcement to do so. But has the Chameleon already disappeared?

If you have thoughts, let us know at [email protected]!

 🌊 Roca Clubhouse

Yesterday's Poll:

Have you watched any of the women’s World Cup?
Yes: 20%
No: 80%

Yesterday's Question:

Should your country’s government invest more or less in nuclear fusion?

Joshua from “the pothole ridden state of Idaho: "I think there should be more money invested into nuclear fusion. When talking about green energy, this is one of the best ways to generate green energy alongside nuclear fission. We NEED nuclear fusion asap because wind turbines, solar panels, and hydroelectric dams destroy environments and not many people want to admit that. If we want green energy that is truly good for the environment we need nuclear power because of just how much it generates in a set amount of space compared to the green energies we hear about today”

Anonymous: “My government needs to allow private businesses to use the market place to decide whether it's worth investing more or less. Keep government out of most things better handled by private business and the marketplace.”

Slayde: “Waaay less, because there's other way to keep the lights on besides handle molecules in such a way. My main issue with nuclear fusion is that at any given moment the entire United States could be the next Chernobyl. Also, there'd be less quantum science that you would have to learn if you want to run dishwashers all around the area. So in conclusion, Biden should invest more in windmills, even solar power”

Tom from Erie, Colorado: “I think they should invest more if it is legit for multiple applications. The push for electric vehicles as "green" and good for the environment is a total lie. The environmental impacts of mining the lithium and cobalt necessary for the batteries, as well as the massive amounts of coal that is used to generate electricity needed to power these vehicles FAR outweighs the environmental impacts of refining oil to make gas and the emissions from gas-powered automobiles. If nuclear fusion technology can be safely developed for use in powering automobiles as well as households and businesses around the world, it would be worth it.”

🧠 Final Thoughts

Check out this update in the Unicorner newsletter on the Roca app! Unicorner covers the best early-stage startups every Monday morning and sends a short rundown on a promising company with unicorn potential, so you can find the next Netflix, AirBnB… or news app?… before it becomes one.

Happy Tuesday and see you tomorrow!

—Max and Max