Good Morning! Today’s edition is 1,061 words, a 4-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Postpartum depression study

• First Florida measles case

• Most American cars on the market

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Big Story

French Nuclear Deterrence

France's Macron announced plans to discuss using France's nuclear capabilities to protect Europe amid concerns about U.S. disengagement.

• As the EU's only nuclear power, France is positioning itself as a security guarantor, though Macron emphasized nuclear decisions remain solely in French hands. This responds to German election winner Friedrich Merz's call for "nuclear sharing" discussions.

• France's proposal comes as Ukrainian President Zelenskyy joined EU leaders in Brussels for an emergency defense summit. The proposal has received positive responses from Poland and Baltic nations, with Polish PM Tusk calling it "very significant" and Lithuanian President Nausėda praising it as a "very interesting idea."

• Meanwhile, Russia said the idea is a direct threat. President Putin warned Macron to remember what happened to Napoleon. Bonaparte’s 612,000-strong Grande Armée invaded Russia in 1812 and retreated in just 5 months, suffering 500,000 casualties (mainly due to disease or weather). (Read more about the French invasion here)

• According to the Federation of American Scientists, France holds the world's fourth-largest nuclear arsenal with about 290 warheads, primarily deployed on submarines and long-range bombers.

Big Story

More Tariff Whiplash

Just two days after imposing 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, President Trump issued exemptions for items complying with USMCA trade rules.

• The exemptions cover roughly 50% of Mexican imports and 38% of Canadian goods, including motor vehicles and auto accessories. Despite the pause, Trump confirmed he's proceeding with planned tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum next week.

• The on-again, off-again approach to tariffs has manufacturers concerned about investment decisions. Retailers warn that continuing tariff uncertainty increases "pocketbook anxiety" for families and complicates business planning.

• The White House frames the tariffs not as a trade war but as part of a "war against fentanyl," despite experts noting minimal fentanyl enters through Canada. Markets have been rattled by the unpredictable approach, with major indexes taking losses.

Big Story

Postpartum Depression Study

New research has uncovered brain changes during pregnancy that could explain why some women develop postpartum depression after childbirth.

• Postpartum depression is a condition affecting approximately 1 in 7 new mothers. A study published in Science Advances found that women experiencing it showed increased volume in two key brain regions: the amygdala and hippocampus, areas responsible for processing emotions and stress. (See the full study here)

• Scientists tracked 88 first-time pregnant women with no previous mental health issues, conducting brain scans during their third trimester and again one month after delivery. They compared results with 30 non-pregnant women, revealing that those with moderate to severe depression symptoms had larger amygdalae.

• Additionally, women who described their childbirth as stressful – even when medically uncomplicated – showed more significant brain changes. Factors like feeling dismissed by hospital staff contributed to negative experiences, which previous studies have linked to increased depression scores.

• Researchers are now exploring how these findings might lead to early interventions for vulnerable women, potentially transforming maternal mental health care.

Quick Stories

US News

• Three skiers remain buried 40-100 feet deep after an avalanche struck near Girdwood, Alaska on Tuesday. Despite locating them with beacons, rescue guides couldn't reach them due to the extreme depth. (More)

• The House voted 224-198 to censure Democratic Rep. Al Green for disrupting Trump's address to Congress. Green and fellow Democrats sang "We Shall Overcome" during the censure, forcing a recess. (More)

• A kidnapping case that captured national attention on Netflix's "Unsolved Mysteries" has been solved after seven years. The teenage boy, who disappeared in 2017 at age seven, was found in Colorado last month during a routine trespassing call. (More)

World

• Romania detained six people, including a 101-year-old Holocaust-denying general, for plotting a Russian-backed coup. The group allegedly planned to remove Romania from NATO and change the country's name, flag, and anthem. (More)

• South Korean fighter jets accidentally dropped eight 500-pound bombs near Pocheon during military exercises, injuring 15 people and damaging houses and a church. The incident occurred close to the North Korean border. (More)

• A teen with a loaded shotgun got past security and boarded a plane near Melbourne, Australia. He gained access by dressing like an airport worker before the crew and passengers detained him. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed lower on Thursday (S&P -1.78%, Nasdaq -2.61%, Dow -0.99%). The latest concessions on President Trump’s tariff policies failed to stop investor selloffs. (More)

• Mortgage rates have fallen for seven weeks, reaching 6.63%, which is encouraging spring homebuyers. However, economic slowdown signs and uncertainty about Trump's tariffs make future rate trends unclear. (More)

• Japan’s Seven & i Holdings appointed its first foreign CEO, Stephen Dacus, to overhaul the 7-Eleven operator amid a $47 billion takeover bid from Canadian Circle-K owner. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• ESPN signed Stephen A. Smith to a five-year, $100 million contract. The veteran analyst will focus on "First Take," where he's been since 2012, but reduce his appearances on other network shows. (More)

• Oregon's Coach Lanning signed a new six-year, $11 million annual contract through 2030. Lanning has a 35-6 record at Oregon, including an undefeated 2024 regular season, but they lost in the CFP semifinals. (More)

• The musical Hamilton canceled its 2026 Kennedy Center run after Trump took control of the arts institution. The producer cited concerns about staff purges and feared the new leadership might cancel their show. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• America's butterflies have decreased by 22% since 2000 due to insecticides, climate change, and habitat loss. A study found 114 species declining while only nine increased. (More)

• SpaceX launched its Starship rocket Thursday but lost contact when it began spinning out of control nine minutes into flight. The unmanned test came seven weeks after another failed launch scattered debris in the Atlantic. (More)

• Private US company Intuitive Machines landed its spacecraft near the Moon's South Pole carrying scientific tools, including a hopping robot. They're checking its condition after touchdown. (More)

Extra Credit

🛌 Why you keep having the same dream.

🚗 The top 10 most American cars on the market.

🐬 Over 900-pound dolphin jumps onto a man’s ship. 

💻️ Spain tops list of best countries for digital nomads!