Is World War 3 coming?

Hi! In today’s issue we are going to cover:

👉 Russia, updating its nuclear doctrine, signaling its readiness

👉 Massive power outages in Seattle

👉 A painting sold for $121M

and many more!

Today’s issue is a 5.5-minute read.

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Quote of the day

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you”

Walt Whitman (American poet & journalist)

Must Know

Are we getting close to world war 3?

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have escalated after Ukraine attacked a Russian military site using US-made 🚀 missiles yesterday. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed this strike in the Bryansk region, saying that 5 out of 6 missiles were intercepted, with no casualties reported.

In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin has updated the country's nuclear doctrine. It means that Russia may use nuclear weapons if it feels its territorial integrity is threatened.

Meanwhile, Moscow is ramping up preparations for potential nuclear confrontation by producing mobile bomb shelters. Some analysts think that Putin is bluffing but some think he is serious.

Italy is trying to steal Americans

An Italian village called Ollolai, is offering homes for just $1 to Americans feeling disillusioned after Donald Trump's recent re-election. To appeal specifically to Americans, Ollolai has launched a 🌐 website inviting those looking for a fresh start in a 🕊 peaceful environment to consider relocating.

Mayor Francesco Columbu emphasizes that while they welcome people from all countries, Americans will have a faster application process. The village offers 3 types of housing:

• 🏠 free temporary homes for digital nomads

• 💶 one-euro homes needing renovations

• 🛋 fully furnished houses priced up to $105,000

38,000 people have already signed-up and Ollolai aims to provide support throughout the purchasing process, including organizing tours and 📃 finding contractors.

Many people without power in Seattle

A powerful 🌀 "bomb cyclone" hit western Washington, leaving over 519,200 people without 🔌 power on Tuesday night. The storm brought strong winds, with gusts reaching up to 65 mph in some areas. The National Weather Service issued high wind warnings for the coast and regions around Seattle and Bellevue, predicting dangerous conditions through early Wednesday morning.

A breakdown of the reported outages by utility company:

• Seattle City Light: 79,473

• Snohomish County PUD: 113,774

• Puget Sound Energy: 314,871

• Tacoma Public Utilities: 4969

• Peninsula Light Company: 1

• Clallam County PUD: 6164

Tragically, the storm caused a fatal incident when a tree fell on a homeless encampment in Lynnwood, resulting in 1 death 😞.

🚨🚨 Residents should 🏡 stay indoors and 🚗 avoid traveling during the storm. Be warned about the dangers of downed power lines, you should keep at least 30 feet away from them and report any hazards to utility companies or emergency services.

⚡Speed-Round: The Most Impactful Stories

Microsoft is planning to launch a 🖥 $349 mini PC (similar to Mac mini) called “Windows 365 Link“ that only works with the internet! It will connect to the cloud and stream a version of Windows 11. Microsoft isn’t detailing the full specs of Windows 365 Link yet, but the device will be powered by an Intel processor, 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage alongside two USB-A 3.2 ports and one USB-C 3.2 + Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.3 + a single DisplayPort , HDMI, and ethernet port.

Researchers have created a 🐁 fully developed mouse using stem cells derived from ancient genetic tools found in choanoflagellates, single-celled organisms closely related to animals. The study reveals that 🧬 genes crucial for cellular pluripotency, such as Sox and POU, may have originated much earlier than previously thought and were repurposed for multicellular development. (Read the full study here)

Microsoft Teams can now dub you with a foreign language (with your own voice! 🤯) in real-time. Microsoft is launching a new interpreter feature that lets each participant speak or listen in the language of their choosing. Interpreter in Teams uses real-time AI-powered speech-to-speech translation to simulate your speaking voice during meetings. A preview will be available in early 2025 that will support up to 9 languages.

How modern gene editing works?

CRISPR-Cas9 is a revolutionary 🧬 DNA editing technology derived from a natural defense mechanism found in 🦠 bacteria. It allows scientists to make precise alterations to DNA sequences within organisms.

CRISPR-Cas9 is used for these use cases and many more:

• developing disease-resistant crops

• creating personalized cancer therapies

• eradicating pests and invasive species through targeted gene editing

The process can be broken down into three main steps: recognition, cleavage, and repair.

🧐 Recognition

The first step involves the use of a guide RNA (gRNA), which is designed to match a specific DNA sequence in the target gene. The gRNA consists of 2 components: a short sequence that is complementary to the target DNA and a longer scaffold that binds to the Cas9 enzyme. This complementary binding ensures that the gRNA directs Cas9 to the correct location in the genome.

✂ Cleavage

Once the gRNA binds to its target sequence, the Cas9 enzyme, functioning as molecular ✂ scissors, creates a double-stranded break in the DNA at a site adjacent to a short sequence known as the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM). This precise cutting action is crucial for initiating the next phase of genome editing.

🩹 Repair

After the DNA is cut, the 🧫 cell's natural repair mechanisms are activated.

Top-levels

Markets & Business

• Metaplanet, 🎎 Tokyo-based firm, just announced it purchased an additional 124 BTC ($11.3 million), increasing its total holdings to 1,142.2 Bitcoins. Metaplanet shares jump 15% after adding the Bitcoins to treasury.

• Blackstone has agreed to buy Jersey Mike's Subs, the 🥪 sandwich chain on Tuesday, at a $8 Billion valuation including debt.

• Pro Crypto Traders Are Leveraging IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) Options to bet on BlackRock’s bitcoin ETF doubling to $100 [consistent with 💰 $200K bitcoin call trading on Deribit]. (What is an ETF? Learn by reading this article)

Media & Entertainment

• A 🖼 painting of René Magritte, world-famous Belgian surrealist artist, sold for more than $121 Million at a Christie’s auction in New York on Tuesday.

• The great Jay Leno just shared he suffers 🤕 broken wrist and eye injury after falling 60 feet down a hill before a recent performance in Pittsburgh. | People are starting to realize how smart Ben Affleck is after his bold opinion on the impact of 🤖 AI on the future of Hollywood and 🎥 movie-making (Watch the video of his CNBC appearance).

• 🎬 Denzel Washington admitted on an Esquire interview that he has “done a lot of damage“ to his body over the years with 🍷 alcohol use (mainly wine) and explains how he has stayed healthy and sober for the last 10 years now that he is almost 70!

Science & Tech News

• ⚛ New study at the University of Birmingham, UK just revealed the precise shape of a single proton, thanks to advanced computer models.

• Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO, told the audience at Ignite 2024 conference yesterday that Microsoft is teaching a new set of 🤖 AI tools (agents) how to “act on our behalf across our work and life.” (Read more)

• 📱 Is your Instagram feed flooded by unwanted and weird photos/videos you don’t want to see? No worries! Instagram will soon give you an ability to manually reset your feed.

Did You Know?

The longest street in the world is Yonge street in 🍁 Toronto Canada measuring 1,178 miles

Ⓜ M&M's chocolate stands for the initials for its inventors Mars and Murrie!

Switzerland eats the most 🍫 chocolate equating to 10 kilos per person per year.

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