June 22, 2022

Did you know that the ZIP in "ZIP code" is an acronym? It stands for "zone improvement plan," which the USPS implemented in 1963 to speed up its service. 4 people have their own ZIP code: The President, First Lady, Smokey the Bear, and Santa Claus. Still waiting for Santa to send back my Flat Stanley.

In today's edition:

• Weed cafes in Cali
• Story of Rasputin, Pt. II
• Movie-themed Treasure Hunt

 Key Stories

Weed Lounges Open in California 

Several California cities are permitting “weed cafes” and lounges for recreational marijuana use

• California legalized marijuana use in 2016. While local governments can’t prevent the growth, use, or transport of the drug, they can prevent its sale
• Some municipalities have chosen to allow sales: In cities such as West Hollywood, Palm Springs, and San Francisco, cannabis lounges now offer on-site marijuana products. Local officials say the lounges will help the industry compete with illegal drug sales
• Nonetheless, 62% of cities and towns in California prohibit the sale of weed

• Amsterdam, one of the most liberal cities in the world, is known for its 160+ "coffeeshops", in which patrons can buy weed, psychedelics, and other drugs

Israel's Governing Coalition Collapses

Israel’s governing coalition collapsed on Monday, setting the stage for the 5th election in 3 years

• Israel’s government is ruled by coalitions, which are formed from the 10+ parties that hold seats in Israel’s parliament. If a coalition loses its parliamentary majority, an election must be held within 5 months
• The current coalition, which incorporated parties from across Israel’s political spectrum, recently lost its parliamentary majority amid internal disputes
• The collapse opens the door for the return of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s former leader of 15 years. Elections may be held as soon as October

• The current coalition pulled support from Israel's far-right, center, left, and Arab-Israeli parties. It was seen primarily as a compromise coalition to remove Netanyahu, who is currently facing corruption charges

988 Crisis Hotline Set to Launch

“988,” the US’ new mental health crisis hotline, is set to launch next month

• 988 seeks to improve crisis intervention “in the same way that 911 spurred the growth of emergency medical services,” one organization stated. 988 will connect callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• The service will be available through phone, text message, and online chat
• The new hotline, which was approved by the federal government in 2020 and granted $282M in funding, is expected to help 6-12M Americans in its first year

US Ban on Xinjiang Imports Begins 

The US implemented a ban on goods from Xinjiang, a region of China where many Uyghurs reside

• The US accuses China of forcing the Uyghurs, a Muslim minority group, into concentration camps, forced labor, and more. Many human rights activists claim that China’s policies constitute genocide
• The ban affects all products from the region unless companies present “clear and convincing evidence” that goods were not produced through forced labor
• China denies all allegations of forced labor, stating the ban is “an escalation of the [US’] suppression of China under the guise of human rights”

• Human Rights organizations claim that China has detained 1M+ Uyghurs in "re-education camps" throughout the region. Activists also claim that China has forced Uyghurs to work, sterilized women, and killed others

• There will be Brooks: US golfer Brooks Koepka has become the latest big-name golfer to leave the PGA Tour to join the Saudi LIV Tour
• How Nobel of you: Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov auctioned off his Nobel Peace medal for $103.5M to support Ukrainian refugees
• A farewell to Gronk: Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob "Gronk" Gronkowski is retiring for the 2nd time from the NFL

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 Roca Wrap

Grigory Rasputin was born a peasant boy in Siberia in 1869. After leaving his village for unknown reasons in 1897, though, he traveled the world and became known to many as a prophet. 
 
It’s widely believed that Rasputin had ties to the Khlyst religious sect, which thought sinful behavior was the key to reaching God. Claiming to possess healing powers and fortune-telling abilities, Rasputin achieved recognition as a holy man and built a large following across Imperial Russia. 
 
By 1903, he had made it to St. Petersburg, the capital of the Russian Empire. Alternate religious movements such as mysticism were increasingly popular amongst St. Petersburg’s aristocracy, and Rasputin was warmly welcomed.  
                                 
Rasputin continued to travel but visited St. Petersburg often and solidified his reputation there as one of the most prominent mystics in Russian society. Then 5 years later, he received the request that would forever change his life: Come to the palace of Tsar Nicholas Romanov and his wife Tsarina Alexandra.
 
The royal couple’s baby boy Alexei – the sole heir to the Russian throne – had been diagnosed with hemophilia, a condition in which blood doesn't clot properly, leading to excessive and possibly fatal bleeding after injury.
 
The royal couple wanted to hide Alexis’ condition from the public, but he was seemingly getting sicker. They were desperate to heal him and had lost all faith in doctors.
 
Enter Rasputin.
 
Rasputin first met the royal couple in 1906 through mutual connections. It is unclear when Rasputin initially learned of Alexei's hemophilia, but in 1907, Alexandra summoned him to heal Alexei after he suffered an internal hemorrhage. Alexei stopped bleeding the next day.
 
It was a miracle, thought Alexandra. She became convinced of Rasputin’s healing powers and grew increasingly dependent on him.
 
Rasputin’s alleged healing powers continue to be debated today. A popular theory posits Rasputin stopped Alexia’s bleeding after ending the doctor’s prescription of aspirin, a blood-thinning agent – but that remains unproven.
 
From the healing of Alexei on, Rasputin had the ear of the couple, and of the tsarina in particular.
 
Alexandra came to believe that without Rasputin, Alexei would die. The couple’s faith in Rasputin brought him considerable clout and open access to the royal palace and family. In addition to caring for Alexis, Rasputin began counseling the royal couple.
 
Rasputin’s influence steadily grew over time – eventually making him one of the most influential figures governing the Russian empire. That influence would earn him many enemies, though, who within a few years would take their revenge…

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