Thursday☕️

Earth Intelligence

12 Jun 2025 — 5 min read

Trending:

As of June 12, 2025, protests related to U.S. immigration are occurring across the United States, triggered by increased federal immigration enforcement actions and the deployment of National Guard and Marines to cities such as Los Angeles. Demonstrations have taken place in cities including New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, and Austin, focusing on opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and broader deportation policies. In Los Angeles, protests have occasionally disrupted traffic, with some reports of clashes with law enforcement, though curfews have helped maintain periods of calm.
These protests highlight varied perspectives on U.S. immigration policy. Demonstrators are calling for a halt to deportations and expressing concerns about the use of military personnel in enforcement efforts. In cities like Boston and New York, large crowds have gathered at public spaces to voice their opposition, with most protests remaining peaceful, though isolated incidents of tension, such as confrontations in Dallas, have been reported. The ongoing ICE operations, including a notable raid in Los Angeles, and the presence of National Guard in multiple states have intensified public debate. Governors in states like Texas have indicated potential for further National Guard involvement, as communities and activists continue to engage in dialogue and demonstrations regarding immigration enforcement approaches.

Economics & Markets:

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Environment & Weather:

As of June 12, 2025, severe flooding continues to impact the Eastern Cape of South Africa following a significant weather event that began over the weekend. Official reports indicate that 49 people have died, including six students whose school bus was swept away near Mthatha on June 11, 2025. Four additional students remain missing, with search and rescue operations still underway. The floods have caused extensive damage, affecting at least 58 schools and 20 hospitals, while approximately 500 people have been relocated to temporary shelters due to destroyed or damaged homes.

Additional details reveal that the flooding resulted from an unusual amount of precipitation, with some areas recording nearly twice the average rainfall for the season. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has noted that the death toll may rise as searches continue, and disaster response teams have been activated to assist affected areas, including neighboring KwaZulu-Natal. The South African government, through the National Disaster Management Centre, is collaborating with local authorities to provide support. The event has drawn attention to the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather, with ongoing efforts focused on rescuing the missing and addressing the immediate needs of the displaced population.

Space:

Yesterday, June 11, 2025, Rocket Lab’s “The Mountain God Guards” mission, successfully deployed a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite, QPS-SAR-11 (YAMATSUMI-I), for Japan-based iQPS. This marked the company’s third dedicated launch for iQPS in three months and its eighth Electron mission of 2025. The satellite supports iQPS’s Earth observation capabilities, aiding applications like disaster monitoring and urban planning. The mission, completed 25 days after the previous one, increased Rocket Lab’s total satellites deployed to 227, with a 94% success rate across 25 consecutive successful launches.

The mission reinforces Rocket Lab’s position in the small satellite launch market, offering clients precise orbital delivery through dedicated launches. The company plans up to 20 Electron missions in 2025 while developing its medium-lift Neutron rocket, which faces a delayed debut until mid-2025.

Statistic:

Companies ranked by number of employees:

🇺🇸 Walmart: 2,100,000
🇺🇸 Amazon: 1,560,000
🇨🇳 BYD: 968,900
🇹🇼 Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision Industry): 826,608
🇮🇪 Accenture: 801,000
🇩🇪 Volkswagen: 656,134
🇮🇳 Tata Consultancy Services: 607,979
🇩🇪 DHL Group (Deutsche Post): 594,879
🇬🇧 Compass Group: 580,000
🇨🇳 Jingdong Mall (JD.com): 570,895
🇺🇸 United Parcel Service (UPS): 490,000
🇺🇸 Home Depot: 470,000
🇷🇺 Gazprom: 468,000
🇨🇳 JD Logistics: 457,015
🇨🇳 China Mobile: 455,405
🇨🇳 Agricultural Bank of China: 454,716
🇺🇸 Concentrix: 450,000
🇫🇷 Teleperformance: 446,052
🇺🇸 Target: 440,000
🇨🇳 ICBC: 419,252
🇺🇸 Marriott International: 418,000
🇺🇸 Kroger: 409,000
🇺🇸 UnitedHealth Group: 400,000
🇨🇳 PetroChina: 398,440
🇲🇽 Fomento Económico Mexicano (FEMSA): 394,010

History:

The White House, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., has served as the official residence and workplace of U.S. presidents since John Adams moved in on November 1, 1800. Designed by Irish architect James Hoban, its construction began in 1792 after President George Washington selected the site, though he never lived there. The neoclassical sandstone building, initially called the President’s House, was inspired by Dublin’s Leinster House. Burned by British forces in 1814 during the War of 1812, it was rebuilt by 1817, with Hoban overseeing restoration. The name “White House” emerged informally due to its white-painted exterior, becoming official under Theodore Roosevelt in 1901. Over time, expansions like the West Wing (1901) and East Wing (1942) transformed it into a functional executive complex, housing offices and staff while preserving its residential core.
Significant renovations and events have shaped the White House’s history. The 1820s saw the addition of the North and South Porticos, enhancing its iconic appearance. By the late 1940s, structural weaknesses prompted a major rebuild under Harry Truman, gutting the interior while maintaining the exterior walls, completed in 1952. The White House has hosted pivotal moments, from Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation to Cold War summits, and survived incidents like an 1835 assassination attempt on Andrew Jackson. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960, it now balances public accessibility—welcoming over 1.5 million visitors annually pre-COVID—with high security. Despite challenges like aging infrastructure and occasional breaches, it remains a global symbol of American governance, reflecting both stability and adaptation across 225 years.

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