Tuesday☕️

19 Aug 2025 — 5 min read

Economics & Markets:

Geopolitics & Military Activity

As of August 18, 2025, the Trump administration has initiated a deployment of U.S. military assets to the southern Caribbean Sea for an expanded counter-narcotics mission aimed at disrupting drug cartels labeled as terrorist organizations, such as Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel and Venezuela's Tren de Aragua. The assets include over 4,000 sailors and Marines from the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit on three amphibious ships, three Aegis guided-missile destroyers (USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson), a nuclear-powered attack submarine, a guided-missile cruiser, and several P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft. Positioned in international waters, these forces are tasked with intelligence gathering, surveillance, and possible targeted actions against cartel activities, supplementing existing warships in the area focused on border security and drug interdiction.
The deployment follows a directive signed by President Trump on August 8, authorizing the use of military resources to combat narcotics trafficking and curb migration to the U.S. southern border, with operations anticipated to continue for several months. Although the primary objective is countering cartels, the positioning near Venezuela and the targeting of Venezuelan-linked groups have raised discussions about potential implications for relations with the Maduro government, amid broader regional tensions.

Environment & Weather:

As of August 18, 2025, extreme heat is gripping the Middle East, with forecasted peak temperatures reaching 48–49°C (118–120°F) in Iraq, 47–48°C (117–118°F) in Kuwait, 46–47°C (115–117°F) in eastern Saudi Arabia, and 46–48°C (115–118°F) in southwest Iran. Other regions, including Oman, the UAE, and southern Turkey, are also facing intense heat with highs of 40–44°C (104–111°F). This heatwave forms part of a broader weather pattern, where daytime temperatures in cities like Baghdad and Ahvaz are soaring near or above 46°C (115°F), combined with minimal rainfall and high humidity in coastal areas that heighten discomfort levels.

The heatwave has resulted in record-breaking nighttime lows staying above 35–36°C (95–97°F) in parts of Jordan and Israel, hindering recovery from daytime heat and raising risks of dehydration and heat-related illnesses. In Gaza, power shortages further limit access to cooling, while health ministries region-wide recommend staying hydrated and avoiding outdoor activities during peak hours. This extreme weather highlights the Middle East's heightened vulnerability to climate change.

Space:

On August 18, 2025, SpaceX successfully launched a batch of 24 Starlink satellites as the payload aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The mission, designated Starlink 17-5, lifted off at 8:44 a.m. PDT (15:44 UTC), marking a routine addition to SpaceX's growing constellation aimed at providing global broadband internet coverage. This launch utilized a reusable Falcon 9 first stage, which completed its mission by landing on a droneship in the Pacific Ocean, demonstrating the company's ongoing advancements in rocket reusability.

The deployment of all 24 satellites was confirmed shortly after launch, contributing to the over 8,000 Starlink satellites already in orbit and highlighting SpaceX's rapid launch cadence. Notably, this event represented the 100th Falcon 9 mission of 2025, underscoring the company's dominance in the commercial space sector amid a year of record-breaking activity. While the launch proceeded smoothly, reports emerged of a temporary Starlink service outage coinciding with the event, though it did not impact the mission itself.

Statistic:

History:

Verizon’s roots trace back to the historic breakup of AT&T’s monopoly in 1984, which led to the formation of several regional “Baby Bells.” One of those, Bell Atlantic, became a key player in telecommunications on the East Coast. In 2000, Bell Atlantic merged with GTE, a major independent telephone company, to form Verizon Communications. This merger created one of the largest telecom giants in the United States, combining landline, wireless, and internet services under one brand. Shortly afterward, Verizon launched its wireless business through a joint venture with Vodafone, establishing Verizon Wireless and beginning a rapid ascent in the mobile space.
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Verizon expanded aggressively into broadband and mobile services. It played a key role in developing America’s 4G LTE infrastructure and became the first carrier to launch a commercial 5G network in 2019. Verizon also divested some of its legacy landline operations to focus on its growing wireless and digital services. In recent years, the company has emphasized innovation in 5G, edge computing, and enterprise solutions, while also expanding its content and media footprint through acquisitions like AOL and Yahoo (later rebranded as Verizon Media, then sold off). Today, Verizon remains a dominant force in U.S. telecommunications, serving tens of millions of customers across wireless, broadband, and business sectors.

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