US EditionDaily Briefing
China's assets threatened in Venezuela;; Europe races to arm itself; Spider Monkey wisdom of the crowds
30 Articles •
Russia-Ukraine War Casualties Near 2 Million, CSIS Study Finds
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C 19%
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The numbers: A CSIS study released yesterday reports combined Russian and Ukrainian military casualties have reached roughly 1.8 million through December, with approximately 1.2 million Russian and 500,000-600,000 Ukrainian troops killed, wounded, or missing. The total could hit two million by this spring, marking the highest major power casualties since World War II.
What it means: The staggering casualty toll reflects Russia's declining status as a major power, with its war economy under mounting strain, manufacturing declining, and growth slowing to 0.6% in 2025. Despite heavy losses, Russia advances remarkably slowly—just 50 to 230 feet daily in some areas—while maintaining troop levels through unprecedented drafts and recruiting prisoners.
90% of sources are Original Reporting
16 Articles •
Lunai Bioworks Launches AI Tool to Block Chemical Weapon Design
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Center 72%
R 14%
What happened: Lunai Bioworks launched a new artificial intelligence tool designed to identify and block attempts to design chemical weapons. The technology aims to prevent misuse of AI systems in creating dangerous biological or chemical agents.
Why it matters: This development addresses growing concerns about AI being exploited for harmful purposes, offering safeguards as artificial intelligence becomes more accessible. The tool represents an important step in responsible AI development and biosecurity protection.
88% of sources are Original Reporting
11 Articles •
Report: 10,000+ STEM Ph.D.s Exit Federal Agencies in 2025
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Center 60%
R 20%
The exodus: More than 10,000 doctoral-trained STEM and health experts left federal science jobs in 2025, representing 14% of the federal Ph.D. workforce. At 14 major research agencies including NIH, NSF, EPA, and NOAA, departures outnumbered new hires by 11 to one between January and November.
Why it matters: The departures removed critical expertise and institutional knowledge, disrupting environmental monitoring, public health research, and scientific output. Over 10,000 federal grants worth billions were terminated or halted, delaying projects and potentially triggering a brain drain as researchers seek opportunities abroad.
100% of sources are Original Reporting
86 Articles •
IShowSpeed Completes 28-Day Tour Across 20 African Nations
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The details: IShowSpeed, a 21-year-old YouTuber with 50 million subscribers, completed a 28-day livestreaming tour across roughly 20 African countries starting in late December. The tour included visits to Angola, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Senegal, and Namibia, featuring nine-hour streams where he sampled local cuisine, learned traditional dances, attended the Africa Cup of Nations final on January 18, and became the first person to livestream from inside the Great Pyramid.
Why it matters: The tour aims to reshape perceptions of Africa often dominated by poverty imagery, connecting Black Americans to ancestral ties and showcasing the continent's cultural diversity to millions. However, critics question whether the tour meaningfully impacts tourism or perpetuates power imbalances, as local African creators with smaller audiences produce similar content without the same reach or resources.
73% of sources are Original Reporting
123 Articles •
Mexico's Sheinbaum Sidesteps Questions on Halting Oil Shipments to Cuba
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Center 33%
Right 26%
What's happening: Mexico is reviewing whether to continue oil shipments to Cuba after Pemex canceled a planned mid-January delivery. President Trump questioned President Sheinbaum about the shipments during a January 12 call, while U.S. surveillance drones have tracked tanker routes since December.
Why it matters: Mexico supplies roughly 20,000 barrels daily to Cuba, now its largest oil source after Venezuelan shipments stopped. Mexican officials fear cutting supplies could trigger a humanitarian crisis and mass migration to Mexico, while continuing risks U.S. reprisals during crucial trade negotiations.
76% of sources are Original Reporting
34 Articles •
Study: Menopause Linked to Brain Gray Matter Loss
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Center 61%
R 17%
What happened: Cambridge researchers analyzed nearly 125,000 women and found menopause is linked to significant grey matter loss in the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex—brain regions crucial for memory, emotion, and decision-making. Post-menopausal women also showed higher rates of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and slower reaction times, though memory performance remained similar across groups.
Why it matters: These brain changes occur in regions typically affected by Alzheimer's disease and may help explain why women represent two-thirds of dementia cases in the UK. While hormone replacement therapy didn't prevent grey matter loss, it was associated with slower declines in reaction time, suggesting menopause is a critical window for brain health interventions and lifestyle changes.
88% of sources are Original Reporting
215 Articles •
Doomsday Clock Moves to 85 Seconds Before Midnight
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Center 52%
R 14%
What happened: The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight today, the closest it has ever been. The change reflects escalating nuclear tensions, climate change, biological threats, AI risks, and misinformation undermining global security responses.
Why it matters: This symbolic alarm signals that dangerous rivalry among nuclear powers, insufficient climate action, and the spread of misinformation have increased the probability of civilization-threatening events. Experts warn every second counts and bold action is still possible to reverse course.
Daily Briefing
China's assets threatened in Venezuela;; Europe races to arm itself; Spider Monkey wisdom of the crowds
30 Articles •
Russia-Ukraine War Casualties Near 2 Million, CSIS Study Finds
Left 31%
C 19%
Right 50%
The numbers: A CSIS study released yesterday reports combined Russian and Ukrainian military casualties have reached roughly 1.8 million through December, with approximately 1.2 million Russian and 500,000-600,000 Ukrainian troops killed, wounded, or missing. The total could hit two million by this spring, marking the highest major power casualties since World War II.
What it means: The staggering casualty toll reflects Russia's declining status as a major power, with its war economy under mounting strain, manufacturing declining, and growth slowing to 0.6% in 2025. Despite heavy losses, Russia advances remarkably slowly—just 50 to 230 feet daily in some areas—while maintaining troop levels through unprecedented drafts and recruiting prisoners.
90% of sources are Original Reporting
16 Articles •
Lunai Bioworks Launches AI Tool to Block Chemical Weapon Design
L 14%
Center 72%
R 14%
What happened: Lunai Bioworks launched a new artificial intelligence tool designed to identify and block attempts to design chemical weapons. The technology aims to prevent misuse of AI systems in creating dangerous biological or chemical agents.
Why it matters: This development addresses growing concerns about AI being exploited for harmful purposes, offering safeguards as artificial intelligence becomes more accessible. The tool represents an important step in responsible AI development and biosecurity protection.
88% of sources are Original Reporting
11 Articles •
Report: 10,000+ STEM Ph.D.s Exit Federal Agencies in 2025
L 20%
Center 60%
R 20%
The exodus: More than 10,000 doctoral-trained STEM and health experts left federal science jobs in 2025, representing 14% of the federal Ph.D. workforce. At 14 major research agencies including NIH, NSF, EPA, and NOAA, departures outnumbered new hires by 11 to one between January and November.
Why it matters: The departures removed critical expertise and institutional knowledge, disrupting environmental monitoring, public health research, and scientific output. Over 10,000 federal grants worth billions were terminated or halted, delaying projects and potentially triggering a brain drain as researchers seek opportunities abroad.
100% of sources are Original Reporting
86 Articles •
IShowSpeed Completes 28-Day Tour Across 20 African Nations
Left 51%
Center 26%
R 23%
The details: IShowSpeed, a 21-year-old YouTuber with 50 million subscribers, completed a 28-day livestreaming tour across roughly 20 African countries starting in late December. The tour included visits to Angola, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Senegal, and Namibia, featuring nine-hour streams where he sampled local cuisine, learned traditional dances, attended the Africa Cup of Nations final on January 18, and became the first person to livestream from inside the Great Pyramid.
Why it matters: The tour aims to reshape perceptions of Africa often dominated by poverty imagery, connecting Black Americans to ancestral ties and showcasing the continent's cultural diversity to millions. However, critics question whether the tour meaningfully impacts tourism or perpetuates power imbalances, as local African creators with smaller audiences produce similar content without the same reach or resources.
73% of sources are Original Reporting
123 Articles •
Mexico's Sheinbaum Sidesteps Questions on Halting Oil Shipments to Cuba
Left 41%
Center 33%
Right 26%
What's happening: Mexico is reviewing whether to continue oil shipments to Cuba after Pemex canceled a planned mid-January delivery. President Trump questioned President Sheinbaum about the shipments during a January 12 call, while U.S. surveillance drones have tracked tanker routes since December.
Why it matters: Mexico supplies roughly 20,000 barrels daily to Cuba, now its largest oil source after Venezuelan shipments stopped. Mexican officials fear cutting supplies could trigger a humanitarian crisis and mass migration to Mexico, while continuing risks U.S. reprisals during crucial trade negotiations.
76% of sources are Original Reporting
34 Articles •
Study: Menopause Linked to Brain Gray Matter Loss
L 22%
Center 61%
R 17%
What happened: Cambridge researchers analyzed nearly 125,000 women and found menopause is linked to significant grey matter loss in the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex—brain regions crucial for memory, emotion, and decision-making. Post-menopausal women also showed higher rates of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and slower reaction times, though memory performance remained similar across groups.
Why it matters: These brain changes occur in regions typically affected by Alzheimer's disease and may help explain why women represent two-thirds of dementia cases in the UK. While hormone replacement therapy didn't prevent grey matter loss, it was associated with slower declines in reaction time, suggesting menopause is a critical window for brain health interventions and lifestyle changes.
88% of sources are Original Reporting
215 Articles •
Doomsday Clock Moves to 85 Seconds Before Midnight
Left 34%
Center 52%
R 14%
What happened: The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight today, the closest it has ever been. The change reflects escalating nuclear tensions, climate change, biological threats, AI risks, and misinformation undermining global security responses.
Why it matters: This symbolic alarm signals that dangerous rivalry among nuclear powers, insufficient climate action, and the spread of misinformation have increased the probability of civilization-threatening events. Experts warn every second counts and bold action is still possible to reverse course.