Good morning, friends!
Today's lineup will leave you curious, inspired, and maybe a little bit caffeinated. The world's biggest bubble tea chain will leave you caffeinated and turn you into an unsung hero with a golden arm. Let's dive in, shall we?
You'll Know First:
• Dolly Parton's husband, Carl Dean, who inspired "Jolene," has died at 82.
• A three-threat storm disrupts Mardi Gras celebrations and brings blizzard warnings.
Connecting the dots for you, daily:
Take your note: Tonight, President Trump steps into the Senate spotlight and promises a "new world order" that could see us pulling out of NATO, freezing aid to Ukraine, and raising tariffs worldwide—moves legendary investor Warren Buffett labels "an act of war". You can expect references to last week's Oval Office meltdown with Zelensky, plus a victory lap.
While Republicans prepare for fireworks—and Democrats prepare their primetime rebuttals—Wall Street is bracing for price hikes on everything from laptops to lettuce due to trade tensions. Get ready: what Trump says (and doesn't say) tonight could reshape alliances and define America's future.
Mixue Mania
You might not know about Mixue, but its 45,000+ stores (across 11 countries) already outnumber McDonald's and Starbucks. The Chinese chain specializes in affordable bubble teas and icy treats. It raised $444 million and saw its shares rise over 40% on the first day.
With an average drink price of $0.82, Mixue is attracting customers looking for sweet relief in a tough economy—unlike the IPOs of smaller rivals that didn't quite take off.
Algorithmic Chaos
Let's be honest: Instagram Reels is like that awkward party guest who keeps shouting weird diet tips (raw milk, anyone?) or showing you cringe-worthy exercise moves from someone's chatty aunt. Add a new feature that broadcasts every 'like' to your friends, and you've got peak social-media awkwardness. Enjoy!
Is Meta not caring enough to fix the "slop" it churns out, or is the user base older and cornier? At this point, it's probably both—so go easy on the double-tap next time you're tempted to play that Reel.
Golden Arm
James Harrison may not have been a household name, but his “golden arm” saved over two million babies. He donated plasma more than a thousand times despite a fear of needles, even when he was 80 and lost his wife.
Thanks to that commitment, he gave families worldwide the gift of healthy kids. Now that he’s gone, we’re left with a staggering legacy—proof that a quiet hero can change countless lives, needle by needle.
💬 Beyond the Core
Mom's Touch: You feel invisible after your friend has a baby. Here's how to stay in touch.
Feeling Bubbly: Here's how cold-water swimmers in the Czech Republic set a new world record for polar bear diving.
Butter Believe: It's where you'll find the best pancakes in the world.
🤟 Buzz Lightyear's ASL interaction with this kid might restore your faith in humanity.
💡 Core Wisdom
“
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
— Franklin D. Roosevelt
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📸 Lens to Life
Take a tour of Gaza's ancient sites in photos, now destroyed by war.
🧮 Core Count: 2,000,000
Estimated number of deer roaming England's forests as population gets out of control.
🗓️ Flashback:
1238 - Russian resistance is ended at the Battle of the Sit River by Mongol forces under Batu Khan of Vladimir-Suzdal near Yaroslavl in Russia.
1801 - Thomas Jefferson is the first US President to be inaugurated in Washington, D.C.
1861 - Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as the 16th US President.
1902 - American Automobile Association (AAA) founded in Chicago.
1933 - Franklin D. Roosevelt is inaugurated as the 32nd US President, pledges to pull the US out of the Depression.
2009 - Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir is indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur by the International Criminal Court.
I'm glad we could get together here. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!
Fatih Taskiran
