Cuba’s National Electric Grid Collapses Again Amid U.S. Oil Blockade

Cuba’s national electric grid has collapsed for the third time this month. The island’s latest blackout came as the U.S. continued to impose the oil blockade it’s maintained since January, soon after U.S. forces abducted former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Cuba had depended on Venezuela for fuel imports. The U.S. also pressured Mexico to halt oil shipments to the island. This is Julia Valdes, a resident of Havana. Julia Valdes: “I feel terrible. It’s awful news. Just imagine: Without electricity, the food spoils. My mother is bedridden with senile dementia. And because of these blackouts, I’ve had to throw out meat and fish. I’ve had to throw it all away because it had rotted. It is unfair that we are going through this situation.” www.democracynow.org

Sister of Late GOP Senator Lindsey Graham Sworn In to Fill His Senate Seat

On Capitol Hill, the sister of the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham was sworn in to fill his Senate seat on Tuesday. Darline Graham Nordone has never held public office. She was selected by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to complete her brother’s term, which expires in January. Lindsey Graham died Saturday night at age 71 due to an aortic tear after returning from a trip to Ukraine. On Tuesday, Darline Graham cast her first vote as a U.S. senator to advance the $1.15 trillion annual defense authorization bill, which ultimately failed in a 50-46 vote. www.democracynow.org

New York Becomes First State to Impose Data Center Moratorium

New York has become the first state to halt the construction of large new data centers, imposing a one-year moratorium. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the suspension on Tuesday. Gov. Kathy Hochul: “This pause will remain in place for up to one year while New York establishes the strongest possible framework to protect our communities, guardrails to reduce the risk to our energy grid, minimize land disruption, noise pollution, and protect our natural resources, especially our water supply.” New York currently has 130 data centers, compared with more than 600 ​in Virginia and about 500 in Texas. Meanwhile, a Reuters analysis finds that trillionaire Elon Musk’s company xAI has installed far more gas turbines without federal permits at its data center project in Tennessee than publicly acknowledged, and the pollution is mostly impacting Black neighborhoods. Patrick Anderson, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, said, “The scale of it is astonishing. This is an absolutely huge Clean Air Act violation that threatens public health.” www.democracynow.org

Report: U.S. Law Enforcement Responsible for Over 400 Misuse of Force Cases Against Civilians

A new report by Physicians for Human Rights warns law enforcement agencies have used excessive force and wielded crowd-control weapons in dangerous ways against people protesting the Trump administration’s mass deportation policies. The report documented over 400 misuse of force cases against protesters, journalists and bystanders, finding victims suffered blindings, traumatic brain injuries and permanent disabilities. www.democracynow.org

The Guardian: 12 People Detained at Colorado Immigration Jail Contracted Tuberculosis

In more immigration news, The Guardian reports at least 12 people detained at a federal immigration jail in Colorado have contracted tuberculosis. Dozens of prisoners have been quarantined without air conditioning, despite a heat advisory with outside air temperatures approaching 100 degrees. The Aurora ICE Processing Center is run by the GEO Group, a for-profit private prison company based in Florida. www.democracynow.org

Texas DA Opens Independent Criminal Probe Into ICE Killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo

In Houston, Texas, the Harris County district attorney says he may ask a court to order the Department of Homeland Security to release evidence regarding the killing of 52-year-old Mexican immigrant Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by ICE agents last week. So far, the Trump administration has refused to cooperate with local investigators. The DA is also seeking to secure visas for witnesses to the fatal shooting to prevent ICE from deporting them during the probe. www.democracynow.org

Minnesota Prosecutors Finally Receive Evidence in Killings of Renee Good, Alex Pretti

In Minnesota, state prosecutors say the Trump administration has turned over evidence related to the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. The evidence includes police body-camera video, witness statements and physical evidence including the badly damaged SUV Renee Good was driving when ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot her in the head, forearm and chest. Prosecutors had been requesting the evidence since January. This is Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. Mary Moriarty: “I have been consistent that we have not prejudged any of these instances, and also that we need transparency. We need cooperation. Our community needs it. Alex Pretti and Renee Good’s families deserve it. Julio Sosa-Celis deserves it. Our democracy requires it.” www.democracynow.org