Rent or Eat?

Welcome to Sunday Edition!

Today, we're diving into stories that affect our daily lives, from living on minimum wage to finding affordable housing to the unexpected life of a font. Let’s get into it!

Finding affordable rent on minimum wage seems like a pipe dream. The average rent in America's 50 largest cities consumes more than 30% of a minimum-wage earner's income, a standard benchmark for what's considered affordable.

For example, one-bedroom apartments in Buffalo, NY, cost nearly 40% of a minimum-wage worker's income. And that's as good as it gets. In cities like Atlanta, Austin, and Nashville, it would be over 130% of minimum-wage income. Even in New York City, it can cost up to 84% of a minimum-wage worker's salary.

The reality is clear: housing costs remain a major challenge for minimum-wage earners, leaving many to face tough choices to keep a roof over their heads.

Survival in Silence

See Gaza from the inside, where reality differs from our expectations. The constant bombings have severed any remaining lifelines. Can you imagine being trapped under rubble and unable to call for help? In a rare moment when the internet flickered back to life, Al Jazeera's Anas Al-Sharif called it "no civil defense, no coverage, just destruction."

And when darkness falls, even basic survival becomes a challenge. No fuel, water, or power is available to Gaza's health workers and rescue teams. When ambulances aren't available, residents must carry injured people to makeshift shelters. Young and old have lost their lives because no help could reach them in time.

Gaza's media flickers on and off, leaving stories of struggle untold. Gazans wake up each day hoping for a break from darkness but facing an ever-shrinking world.

Love It or Hate It

Comic Sans is used on children's party invitations, PowerPoint slides, warning labels, and even major scientific presentations. Since its creation in 1994, it has been laughed at, mocked, and dismissed. Still, three decades later, it lives rent-free in our collective consciousness. So why is the "Crocs of fonts" still so polarizing, and how did it arise?

The backstory? Vincent Connare created Comic Sans at Microsoft in minutes. It was initially designed for a computer tip program featuring a cartoon dog. But when unleashed, it adorned signage and major announcements alike. In CERN's groundbreaking Higgs boson discovery, Comic Sans was used, sparking viral outrage and unexpected laughter.

Now at 30, Comic Sans seems to be embracing its quirks, like a confident person. So think twice before rolling your eyes the next time you see Comic Sans. This font has earned its place—and, just maybe, a little respect.

What We Learned This Week?

1. America's future with Donald Trump and inside his remarkable comeback.

2. Congress has become more diverse thanks to ground-breaking victories.

3. How did Instagram posts lead one Israeli student to prison?

4. The research brings new hope to the cancer fight.

5. Beyoncé and Swift set for historic showdown.

6. How does Iceland’s 4-day week rewrite the work rulebook?

7. Taking a new pill can be as healthy as running 10K.

8. The return policy retailers don’t talk about.

9. Legendary music maestro Quincy Jones passed away in 91.

10. Can wood be the future of satellite sustainability?

💡 Core Wisdom

📸 Lens to Life

Symmetry illustrates balance in these stunning images.

🧮 Core Count: 1,792

The Eiffel Tower's number of steps.

🗓️ Flashback:

1674 - New Netherland (New York) is formally ceded to the English by the Dutch.

1885 - German engineer Gottlieb Daimler unveils the world's first motorcycle.

1969 - "Sesame Street" premieres on PBS TV.

1989 - The Berlin Wall begins to be demolished by Germans.

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

Fatih Taskiran