Good morning, curious minds!

Today's lineup is full of intrigue: from the slow, cozy retreat of American life to Chinese automakers mocking Elon Musk. Settle in, and let's dive right in!

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🚨 Be the First to Know:

• Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman in Congress, died at 49 from glioblastoma.
• ​Louis DeJoy resigns after five years as USPS Head.
• Oscar-winning Palestinian director was beaten and arrested in the West Bank.

Signal Error

In a jaw-dropping breach, top Trump administration officials—including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and VP JD Vance— texted sensitive war plans to a Signal group chat. Even worse, they unknowingly included The Atlantic's editor-in-chief. The messages included operational details, target lists, and the strike timetable—just hours before bombs dropped.

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While Trump joked about it, outraged lawmakers warn it's a stunning lapse in security. Critics want accountability, and the White House says everything went well. One thing's for sure: Even advanced encrypted apps can't help old-fashioned human error.

Stay-At-Home

It's happening: Americans are slowly turning into a stay-at-home society. They work remotely, watch movies online, and even pray from home. It didn't start with the pandemic; it just got kicked up a notch. Data shows Millennials and Gen Z spend more time indoors, swapping nightlife for Netflix.

Many people love the convenience and cost savings, but critics say we're isolating ourselves and becoming lonelier. From retail to transportation to mental health, homebody habits are changing everything. It's still a question: how do we balance convenience with real human connection?

In Context: In 2000, Robert D. Putnam documented this flow in Bowling Alone.

Musk's Worst Fear

BYD, once brushed off by Elon Musk, now boasts more revenue than Tesla and an EV that's half the price of the Model 3. EV pioneer Tesla faces a triple threat from BYD's affordable models and five-minute charging tech, plus Musk's entanglement in Trump-era controversies tarnishing its image. Tariffs won't keep Chinese competition away forever.

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BYD is no longer an afterthought. Tesla has to do more than witticisms if it wants to keep its crown, especially in China, the world's biggest auto market.

💬 Beyond the Core

Unmasked: KISS is back, but there is no makeup this time.

Shake-up: Protein is always recommended, but some types aren't so healthy.​

Wanderlust: You won't believe where Usha Vance is going on her high-profile trip abroad.

Sip happens: Researchers are trying to figure out why some people never get hangover.

📸 Lens to Life

'I feel protected': Pictures of Catholic tattoos in the Philippines.

🧮 Core Count: 13

Number of drinks Starbucks got rid of in the US. Here are the other numbers.

🗓️ Flashback:

31 - The first Easter, according to calendar-maker Dionysius Exiguus.

1346 - The Florence ​Cathedral was consecrated by Pope Eugene IV and built by Filippo Brunelleschi with the support of Cosimo de Medici.

1807 - The British parliament abolished the slave trade throughout the British Empire.

1895 - Italian troops invade Abyssinia (Ethiopia).

1954 - RCA manufactures the 1st color TV set, which features a 12.5-inch screen and costs $1,000.

1960 - Launch of the first guided missile from a nuclear submarine (USS Halibut)

Before you go...

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I'm glad we could get together here. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

​Fatih Taskiran​
​Founder & Chief Daydreamer at The Core​

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