| Greetings, TicToc readers! Start tomorrow smarter with your Thursday debrief: But first...  Trump smears, Israel blocks In an unprecedented move, Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu officially barred U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar from visiting the country during an upcoming congressional delegation visit. Shortly before, Trump tweeted. What he said: "It would show great weakness" if Israel allowed them to visit. "They hate Israel & all Jewish people, & there is nothing that can be said or done to change their minds." How Israel responded: Israel "is open to all visitors and all criticism," Netanyahu said, but "it became clear that they are planning a trip whose sole purpose was strengthening the boycott and negating the legitimacy of Israel." What Democrats said: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi characterized it as "a sign of weakness and beneath the dignity" of Israel. How Palestine reacted: PLO senior official Hanan Ashrawi said Israel is "behaving like a typical dictatorship." What the rest of Squad said: Rep. Ayanna Pressley called it "bigoted, short-sighted and cruel," and AOC said it "harms international diplomacy," and she won't visit "until all members of Congress are allowed." Highly quotable "Steal on the high seas." How Iran responded to U.S. attempts to detain an oil tanker that appeared to violate EU sanctions. Gibraltar released it. "Some serious thought." John Hickenlooper quit the 2020 race and said he's mulling a Senate run instead. "Our officers need help:" The mayor of Philadelphia called for more gun control after a shootout left six officers injured. $ignificant figures 35% chance: The likelihood of a U.S. economic recession within the next year, according to a survey of economists. 60.4° F: Earth's average temperature during the month of July, the hottest month recorded since records began in 1880. 23: How many people were injured when Russian passenger jet collided with a flock of birds and made an emergency landing.  What's good Even masters have to start over. A series of sketches and handprints by Leonardo da Vinci that were hidden underneath "The Virgin of the Rocks," have been revealed for the first time in more than 500 years. The drawings show the original composition he started and then abandoned before he painted the final work.  Like what you're reading? Share it! And watch your inbox for our next newsletter tomorrow.
-Andrew Mach | 
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