Plus: A Look At Bail Reform & Trump's Efforts To End It

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Good afternoon,

Africa would like to have a word…

For decades, maps have been selling Africa short...literally. The current map, called the Mercator projection, was created in the 1500s for European sailors and designed to make navigation easier at sea — not to show land size accurately.

The tradeoff: Regions near the equator, like Africa, were shrunk down, while areas closer to the poles, like Europe and Greenland, were blown way out of proportion.
- That distortion has stuck with us for centuries. On most maps, Africa looks similar in size to Europe or Greenland.
In reality? You could fit the United States, China, India, and much of Western Europe inside Africa — and still have room to spare.
- This isn’t just a cartography quirk; it’s also shaped how generations have perceived Africa’s importance.

That’s why a new campaign, “Correct the Map,” is urging schools, media, and governments to adopt the more accurate Equal Earth projection map. The African Union, the continent’s diplomatic organization with 55 member countries, endorsed the campaign earlier this month, hoping future classrooms will finally show Africa at its true scale.

After centuries of being downsized, Africa is hoping for a reality check.

Mosheh
Founder, Editor-in-Chief

🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING

Trump Threatens To Send National Guard To Chicago With Or Without Local Support

First it was Los Angeles, then Washington, D.C. Now, President Trump says he wants to send the National Guard into Chicago — with or without the state’s approval.

In remarks Monday morning from the White House, Trump called Chicago a “disaster,” saying the governor of Illinois should be asking him to “clean up” the city. He warned that if local leaders don’t request help, “we may just go in and do it,” citing crime in the city, but still hedged on a final decision.
On Monday afternoon, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker replied, “Mr. President, do not come to Chicago. You are neither wanted here nor needed here.”

It comes as Trump is citing a drop in crime in DC after a federal takeover of law enforcement there. In the last 30 days, carjackings are down about 75% and there have been no reported murders in the city since Aug. 13 – two days after Trump announced he was taking over the D.C. police department and sending in National Guard troops. Notably, there was also a 16-day period earlier this year that also saw no murders, though the city averages one homicide every 36 hours in recent years.

HOW WE GOT HERE
Trump’s comments escalate his ongoing focus on crime in Democratic-run cities and states. According to the Washington Post, the Pentagon has been drafting plans for military deployment in Chicago for weeks, with thousands of Guard troops possibly mobilized as soon as September. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker accused Trump of trying "to create chaos that distracts from his problems.”

A Chicago deployment could follow similar action Trump took in Los Angeles in June, when he sent nearly 5,000 federal troops to Southern California over the objections of Gov. Gavin Newsom, amid protests against the administration’s mass deportation efforts. A case on the legality of that move is still playing out in court.
Local leaders in Chicago are pushing back and noting that crime is down in 2025 from previous years — similar to arguments made by D.C. leadership.

Is this legal? A state's governor, under the law, controls the state’s National Guard. The president can federalize and deploy troops over a governor’s objections if there is a threatened rebellion or invasion.

Gov. Pritzker has said there is no such emergency in Illinois.
Trump dismissed accusations that his use of the military domestically is authoritarian, saying Monday: “A lot of people are saying maybe we like a dictator. I don’t like a dictator. I’m not a dictator. I’m a man with great common sense.”

Up next: Trump has suggested sending additional troops to cities like San Francisco, California, and Baltimore, Maryland.

Meanwhile, eight of the top 10 cities with the highest murder rates are in red states. Trump has not yet targeted those.

CHICAGO BY THE NUMBERS
Chicago has long struggled with violent crime. The city of nearly 3 million people has recorded the highest total number of homicides in the country for 13 straight years — nearly 600 in 2024. However, murder rates (homicides per capita) are higher in cities like Jackson, Mississippi; Birmingham, Alabama; St. Louis, Missouri; and Memphis, Tennessee.

This year, homicides in Chicago have dropped 31% compared to this time last year — mirroring drops in other cities.

Stats vs. experience: Numbers often don’t tell the whole story. Over on the Mo News Premium Instagram we got a flood of comments, as dozens of locals (a number you didn’t vote for Trump) told us they feel unsafe in their daily lives — regardless of the stats. Other Chicagoans said they feel safe in the city and think Trump’s move will only make things worse.

It Pays To Be A Nerd 🤓

Tomorrow, August 23, is Find Your Inner Nerd Day — and what better way to celebrate it than with advice from the experts at NerdWallet.

NerdWallet informs and empowers consumers and small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) with personalized, unbiased, and actionable insights so they can make smart money moves. Here is some expert financial advice from some of their resident Nerds.

💳 On Credit Cards… “If you’re chipping away at credit card debt, the high interest rate you’re paying doesn’t have to be permanent. Look into ways to save on interest, like a balance transfer card with a 0% APR promo for a year or more, or a personal loan with a lower rate. Both can save you hundreds in interest.” —Sara Rathner

💸 On Investing & Banking… If you’re looking to start saving for long-term goals, you have a lot of high-yield account choices. Many online-focused financial institutions have lower overhead costs than traditional banks, and pass the savings onto consumers in the form of higher yields. NerdWallet gives you access to two high-yield accounts to manage your cash: a Cash Account offered by Atomic Brokerage with a 4.65% APY*, and a Treasury Account offered by Atomic Invest with a 4.40% APY** and no state or local tax on earned interest. —Sam Taube

📊 On Small Businesses… Thinking about a business or side gig? Keep personal and business finances separate. Opening a business bank account and credit card helps protect personal assets, simplifies records, and builds legitimacy with lenders. It also makes taxes easier. You can compare business checking accounts and business credit cards at NerdWallet. —Kate Ashford

🏡 On Buying A Home… You’ve found the right neighborhood and you’re ready to buy a home, but prices are out of reach. What if your mortgage also covered renovations? That loan exists: the FHA 203(k), with a down payment as low as 3.5%. Fannie Mae’s HomeStyle and Freddie Mac’s CHOICERenovation loans also roll in renovation costs with just 3% down. FHA usually costs less for credit scores under 760; Fannie and Freddie are cheaper if you’re 760 or higher. —Holden Lewis

🔧 On Insurance… If you upgrade your home, let your insurer know. This ensures renovations are covered and could earn you a discount. Insurers often cut rates for improvements like a new roof, upgraded plumbing, or security systems. Keeping them in the loop also gives peace of mind that your home is protected. Learn more about homeowners insurance at NerdWallet —Kim Palmer

✈️ On Travel… My favorite hack? The 10-$10 rule: if I can buy that “maybe I’ll need it” item (like an umbrella or ibuprofen) at my destination for under $10 and in under 10 minutes, I don’t pack it. Traveling light means breezing through transit and no stress at the gate. Make it your own — 5-$5 for budget travelers, or 15-$15 for families. Don’t let “just in case” weigh you down. Get more tips in our Travel Nerd newsletter. —Sally French

🚨 ONE THING WE’RE FOLLOWING

Trump Moves To End Cashless Bail In D.C., Threatens Cuts To States With Similar Policies

Sticking with President Trump’s efforts to crack down on crime, on Monday he signed an executive order aiming to end cashless bail in Washington, D.C. and possibly across the U.S.

The cashless bail policy allows some defendants to be released from custody before trial, without paying money up-front. People charged with murder are generally not eligible.

Supporters say it prevents discrimination against low-income defendants — many facing non-violent charges — who can’t afford bond, are stuck in jail, lose their jobs and then forced to turn to crime. Advocates also say that it prevents overcrowding in jails. Critics, like Trump, argue that it releases dangerous criminals back on the streets and creates a situation leading to repeat offenders who believe there are no ramifications for their crimes.

BIGGER PICTURE
Monday's executive order also directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to identify states and cities across the country that allow cashless bail — and potentially cut off federal funding until they reform their policies.

Illinois, New Mexico, and New Jersey have eliminated or nearly eliminated cash bail. But, New York scaled back cash bail reform initiatives after COVID crime spikes.
Data shows that about 5% of people released on bail and awaiting trial in NYC are rearrested each month – the majority for misdemeanors. A recent study from D.C.’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council found 3% of violent-crime defendants (seven people) between August 2024 and January 2025 who were released pretrial were rearrested in D.C. — and none for new violent crimes.

Legal issues? Trump’s order will likely face legal challenges, much like his earlier attempt to cut federal funding to sanctuary cities. Late last week, a federal judge blocked the administration from withholding federal grants from cities that don’t cooperate with immigration enforcement.

⏳ THE SPEED READ

🚨NATION

Kilmar Abrego Garcia taken into ICE custody, faces deportation to Uganda (MO NEWS)
Trump moves to jail people who burn American flag and test Supreme Court ruling (MO NEWS)
Trump brags about ‘great relationship’ with Kim Jong-un as he meets South Korea’s president (CNBC)
4 homes lost as Flat Fire remains burning at 22,000 acres, over 1,000 under evacuation notice (KGW8)

🌎 AROUND THE WORLD

Israel strikes a Gaza hospital twice, killing at least 20, including journalists and rescuers (AP)
Russia hits Ukraine with drones as Kyiv celebrates independence day (ABC)
France summons US Ambassador Charles Kushner over 'unacceptable' anti-Semitism claims (FRANCE24)
Typhoon Kajiki causes mass evacuations on Vietnam’s coast (GUARDIAN)

📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH

Rare human case of flesh-eating parasite New World screwworm identified in U.S. (CNN)
Musk’s companies sue Apple, OpenAI, accusing them of thwarting competition (AXIOS)
Keurig Dr. Pepper to buy Peet's coffee owner in $18B deal (FOX)
Scientists perform the first pig-to-human lung transplant (SCIENCENEWS)

🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Netflix’s ‘Kpop Demon Hunters’ singalong leads in the box office with an estimated $18 million debut (VARIETY)
Lil Nas X charged with attacking police officers as he walked naked on Los Angeles street (AP)
Irish rap group Kneecap cancels U.S. tour dates due to court battle over terrorism charge (NBC)
Tommy Fleetwood wins Tour Championship for first PGA Tour title (ESPN)

ICYMI FROM THE 📲

In case you missed it… Late Sunday night at the U.S. Open, chaos erupted when a photographer interrupted match point between Daniil Medvedev and unseeded Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi.

The umpire awarded Bonzi a redo on his first serve, sparking a 6.5-minute uproar as Medvedev riled up the New York crowd with jeers and taunts.

Bonzi eventually outlasted the former champion, winning five sets and capping one of the rowdiest nights in tournament history.

Trump Threatens To Send National Guard To Chicago, Other Democratic-Run Cities