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Happy weekends, core readers!

Today's edition takes us on a wild ride—from mysterious lights flickering above America's rooftops to a fresh look at human-neanderthal entanglements (yes, really). Buckle up; we're diving straight into the stories that'll have you texting friends, "You gotta see this."

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Today’s essentials, just for you:

You're not alone if you've been gazing at the night sky over New Jersey lately. In the past few weeks, mysterious lights have been overhead— some suspect drones, others foreign powers or "motherships." Officials aren’t exactly helpful here: A newly sworn-in senator and Trump went on a late-night “drone hunt,” and the FBI and Homeland Security assure everyone there’s no real threat.

Yet the speculation only grows. Videos, debates, and conspiracy theories fill Facebook groups, and residents vent their frustration, asking, "How can I be safe if I don't know what it is?"

It's like a cosmic inkblot test of America's mood right now. Drones (or non-drones) aren't the only issue; it's about trust. The authorities say it's just hobby flights or planes, but locals sense something larger, symbolizing how distant and opaque our institutions often feel.

Whatever it turns out to be, the truth is still up there. While we wait, we wonder: Who is really flying over our heads, and why won't they tell us?

‘Moonshot’ Moment

Ending the HIV epidemic seemed like a distant dream for decades. We've learned to be careful when it comes to our optimism. Yet 2024 has given us something genuinely remarkable: Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injection that recently wiped out new HIV infections.

It is called the "2024 Breakthrough of the Year," and the results are jaw-dropping. Studies with transgender, gender-nonbinary, and cisgender men with sex with men showed 96% reductions in HIV infections. Sub-Saharan African cisgender women achieved 100% success. Yes, you read that right—zero infections so far.

One of the appeals of Lenacapavir is that it bypasses stigma, obstacles, and forgetfulness with a single injection. HIV prevention can be done as easily, discreetly, and effectively as vaccination. There are still big questions about cost, accessibility, and how fast it will be available. But for the first time in decades, ending the HIV epidemic seems possible. In fact, it may just be on the horizon.

Honesty 2.0

In the age of swipes and scrolls, it seems singles are over the guesswork. Tinder's "2024 Year in Swipe" report reveals a major shift: "loud looking" is in.

Translation? Whether you're serious, casual, or somewhere in between, ditch the cryptic bios. Breadcrumbing, ghosting, and ambiguous "maybe someday" vibes are out; direct honesty and positivity are in. With "nanoships (a smile at the coffee shop, a quick "good morning" text), everyday moments become meaningful. It's called "hopecore," where optimism, sincerity, and uncertainty are key.

But that's not all. Daters are cutting down on endless rosters and focusing on quality. Next year's dating scene will be more like a clear, heartfelt invitation: "This is me. This is what I want. Do you care to join?"

Cave and Chill

We learn that our ancient ancestors weren't picky about dating apps (if they had them). DNA evidence suggests that modern humans and Neanderthals hooked up regularly, peaking around 47,000 years ago, leaving their genetic fingerprints on our genomes. "Maybe we should have a baby together" wasn't some cosmic fluke for 7,000 years; it was the social norm. These cave-crossed lovers didn't let a few brow ridges and questionable table manners stop them.

This discovery doesn't just rewrite our evolutionary history—it makes it far juicier. It sounds more like "Neanderthal Tinder" was constantly swiping right than a rare awkward moment between humans and Neanderthals. Who knew that ancient hookup culture would be the key to understanding who we are today? Our family tree is really more of a tangled bush, and at one point, everyone was into a "cave and chill" session.

💡 Core Wisdom

📸 Lens to Life

Hopeful pictures from 2024.

🧮 Core Count: 8,106

Mileage traveled by a male humpback whale for breeding.

🗓️ Flashback:

644 - Uthman, a companion of Muhammad, is appointed the 3rd Caliph of Islam.

1774 - In the first incident of the American Revolution, 400 New Hampshire militiamen successfully attacked Fort William and Mary.

1911 - The first expedition to reach the South Pole was led by Norwegian Roald Amundsen.

1995 - The Dayton Agreement, signed by the leaders of several governments to end the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, was signed in Paris.

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

Fatih Taskiran