Good Morning! Today’s edition is 1,134 words, a 4-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Brazil chops rainforest for climate summit road

• SpaceX postpones launch

• Best 100 moments in sports history in the last 25 years

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Big Story

Ocean Census Reveals Hundreds of New Marine Species

Scientists have uncovered 866 new ocean species as part of the world's largest marine discovery mission.

• The discoveries are part of the Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census's ambitious plan to identify 100,000 previously unknown marine species before they disappear from our oceans

• The mission tackles a critical problem in marine science - traditional species identification can take up to 14 years, and many creatures go extinct before being documented. With 800+ scientists from over 400 institutions collaborating since April 2023, the Ocean Census is revolutionizing the process.

• Among the discoveries: a rare guitar shark found off Africa, a deep-sea mollusk with potential cancer treatment applications, and the first octocoral ever recorded in the Maldives. The creatures were found in shallow waters down to nearly 5,000 meters deep. (Watch octocoral feed here)

• "The ocean covers 71% of our planet, yet only 10% of marine life has been discovered," notes Mitsuyuki Unno of the Nippon Foundation. Looking ahead, the Census plans more expeditions across three oceans and will continue adding findings to their publicly accessible Biodiversity Data Platform.

Big Story

Junior Bridgeman Passes

Junior Bridgeman, basketball standout turned successful businessman, died Tuesday at age 71 after suffering a medical emergency at a Louisville fundraising event.

• Bridgeman's journey began at the University of Louisville, where he led the Cardinals to the 1975 Final Four. Drafted eighth by the Lakers, he was immediately traded to Milwaukee in the deal that sent Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Los Angeles. During his 12-year NBA career, primarily with the Bucks, Bridgeman scored over 11,500 points and had his jersey retired in 1988.

• His post-basketball success proved even more impressive. Bridgeman built a $600 million business empire, including Wendy's and Chili's franchises (over 450 locations across 20 states), became a Coca-Cola bottler, and purchased publications Ebony and Jet. Last year, his career came full circle when he acquired a 10% stake in the Milwaukee Bucks. (Read how he built his empire here)

• Bridgeman also excelled in leadership, serving on boards of Churchill Downs racetrack, the University of Louisville, and Fifth Third Bank, among others. Magic Johnson called him "the blueprint" for athletes transitioning into post-playing careers.

Big Story

Brazil Chops Rainforest for Climate Summit Road

A new four-lane highway cutting through protected Amazon rainforest is being constructed for the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil.

• The road, designed to ease traffic for the 50,000+ attendees expected in November, has become a flashpoint of controversy.

• State officials promote the project as "sustainable" because it has wildlife crossings and solar lighting. It is part of a $81 million infrastructure upgrade, including an airport expansion and a new city park. Some local merchants welcome the development, hoping improved facilities will bring economic opportunities to what they describe as a previously "neglected" city.

• However, conservationists and displaced residents tell a different story. The 13km road fragments protected forest, disrupting wildlife movement and destroying local livelihoods. Farmers who lost their crops to the construction received no compensation and fear further development will force their community out.

• The irony isn't lost on critics: a climate conference meant to protect environments like the Amazon is itself causing deforestation.

Quick Stories

US News

• A powerful coast-to-coast storm is forecast to bring heavy rain to California, mountain snow to the Rockies, blizzards to the Plains, thunderstorms with possible tornadoes to the Midwest/Southeast, and wildfire risks to the Southwest. (More)

• Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) announced she won't run for re-election in 2026 but will serve her full term. The 78-year-old Democrat said "it's just time" but emphasized she's "not retiring." (More)

• ICE has arrested over 32,000 illegal migrants since Trump's inauguration, including 14,000+ convicted criminals, 9,800 with pending charges, and 1,155 suspected gang members. (More)

World

• The EU's new deportation regulation lets member states send rejected asylum seekers to third countries they've never visited. The rules create the legal groundwork for "return hubs" in exchange for financial incentives. (More)

• Canada hit back at Trump's trade war by announcing $21 billion in retaliatory duties on U.S. goods, following the EU's $28 billion in tariffs on American products. China is also preparing to respond to Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs. (More)

• An online parent campaign in the U.K. to keep smartphones from kids until age 14 has reached 100,000 signatures in six months. The pact also commits to no social media until 16. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed mixed on Wednesday (S&P +0.49%, Nasdaq +1.22%, Dow -0.020%). The S&P and Nasdaq shook off losing streaks after a soft inflation report eased concerns about the economy. (More)

• Intel appointed Lip-Bu Tan, former Cadence Design Systems CEO, as its new chief executive. Intel shares jumped 13% after the announcement. (More)

• EV battery maker Northvolt filed for bankruptcy in Sweden after failing to secure a viable financial and operational future amid rising costs, geopolitical issues, supply chain problems, and production challenges in the difficult battery sector. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• The Rams released wide receiver Cooper Kupp on Wednesday, days after signing Davante Adams to a two-year deal. (More)

• "Stranger Things" star Sadie Sink has joined "Spider-Man 4" in a "significant" role alongside Tom Holland. Her character remains unknown but some speculate she might play mutant Jean Grey from X-Men. (More)

• Kansas baseball lost 10-6 to Minnesota on Tuesday. The next day, Kansas crushed the Gophers 29-1, tying an NCAA record with five consecutive homers in the third inning. The game ended early due to the mercy rule. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is buying Niantic's gaming division, including Pokémon Go, for $3.5 billion. The still-popular augmented reality game has 30 million monthly players. (More)

• Northwestern University chemists created a simple, eco-friendly method to break down common plastics using a catalyst and moisture from air, converting them into reusable monomers for new plastics or other materials. (More)

• A NASA-SpaceX mission was postponed due to hydraulic ground issues at Cape Canaveral. The launch would have sent four new crew members to the ISS and helped stranded astronauts Williams and Wilmore return home. Another launch attempt is possible on Thursday. (More)

Extra Credit

🪞 How do two-way mirrors work?

🍯 Why honey never expires. Yes, you read that right.

⚾️ The 100 best sports moments of the last 25 years.

💵 Visualizing the best time to take Social Security.