Good morning. It's Saturday, April 18, and in this weekend edition, we're covering the government's interest in a powerful new AI model, a hidden cave possibly roamed by an ancient hippo, and much more. First time reading? Join over 4.7 million insatiably curious readers. Sign up here.
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Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei reportedly met yesterday with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles to discuss government access to Mythos, an AI model designed to detect cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The meeting comes amid a legal battle over the Pentagon labeling Anthropic a supply chain risk, an unprecedented move against a US company.
Earlier this month, Anthropic shared Mythos with over 40 technology companies—including Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft—to find and patch software bugs. The company says it will not release the model publicly, citing concerns Mythos could be used to exploit flaws in critical systems. The model has reportedly already uncovered thousands of bugs in popular software programs, such as a 27-year-old bug in an operating system widely incorporated into internet routers and firewalls.
The companies with access to Mythos call themselves Project Glasswing after the glasswing butterfly, which uses transparent wings to hide in plain sight (see here). The name is a nod to the bugs humans have never found within complex code. |
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In partnership with Quince |
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Mother’s Day Is 22 Days Away… |
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There's a certain kind of gift that earns a permanent spot in someone's rotation—the diamond necklace she reaches for every date night, the silk pillowcase she'd never buy herself, the linen pajamas that make a Sunday morning feel like a hotel stay. That kind of gift usually comes with a price tag that gives pause.
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The best part? You don’t have to ask her what to get because they have free 365-day returns. Give her something she'll appreciate every time she uses it. Shop Quince’s Mother's Day collection here and enjoy free shipping. |
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Strait of Hormuz reopens, but US blockade continues.
President Donald Trump and Iran's foreign minister yesterday said the strait is fully open to commercial vessels and will remain open at least until the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire ends on April 26 at 5 pm ET. Brent crude oil prices dropped over 10% with this news. However, Trump said the US naval blockade on Iranian ships would remain until the US and Iran reach a deal to end the war.
Separately, thousands of displaced families tried to return to southern Lebanon yesterday. Roughly 1.2 million people, including over 390,000 children, have been displaced since fighting between Israel and Hezbollah intensified last month. |
US House extends surveillance powers in postmidnight vote.
The controversial program permitting the CIA, the National Security Agency, the FBI, and other agencies to collect and analyze overseas communications without a warrant was due to lapse Monday. It is now extended until April 30 as lawmakers weigh civil liberty concerns against national security risks. The White House has lobbied for a full renewal of the program, while Democrats have been more skeptical. |
Sex differences in brain cells may explain differing risks for brain diseases.
An analysis of over 1 million brain cells reveals widespread variation in gene activity between male and female brains. Researchers believe the differences, which were observed across several regions, could help explain why conditions like Alzheimer's and mood disorders are more common in women, while schizophrenia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are more common in men. |
Acting ICE director to step down next month.
Todd Lyons, who has led Immigration and Customs Enforcement since March 2025, will leave on May 31 for a private-sector role. Newly appointed Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin will oversee the search for his replacement. The Senate has not confirmed an ICE director since 2017, leaving the agency under acting leadership for nearly a decade.
Meanwhile, the White House is expected to nominate former Navy SEAL Cameron Hamilton to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Hamilton previously served as acting head before being ousted for publicly contradicting the Trump administration's plans to overhaul FEMA. |
Police identify remains of Oregon family that went missing in 1958.
An advanced DNA analysis identified remains found in Oregon's Columbia River as those of a family that went missing nearly 70 years ago while collecting Christmas greenery. The search for the family became national news, but parts of their car and the remains of most family members were only found in 2024 by a private diver. The sheriff's office said it found no signs of foul play despite crime theories (w/audio). |
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World's oldest first-time grandfather on record—91 years and 209 days old—describes his relationship with his granddaughter as "absolute magic." (More) |
Manhattan restaurateur serves free food every Wednesday and offers people experiencing homelessness refuge from the cold. (More) |
California artist paints free home portraits for families displaced by the Palisades wildfires. (More, w/images) |
Dog owner who never stopped updating her lost pit bull's microchip with her information is reunited with him after 11 years. (More) |
Minnesota coffee shop owners post recipe for their viral raspberry Danish latte, hoping it gives other independent coffee shops the same business boost. (More) |
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In partnership with Doroni |
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A Drone Expert Is Making Flying Cars Real |
In 2016, after years working on military drones, Doron Merdinger began sketching a flying car. He saw how quickly the tech had advanced. Soon, people would fly from driveways. So he built Doroni.
It’s great timing, too. The urban air mobility market is worth $4B today. By 2040, Morgan Stanley puts it at $1 trillion. By 2050, $9 trillion. And with 600+ reservations for Doroni’s H1-X personal eVTOL and $175M+ in potential revenue already, the demand is undeniable.
FOX Business called it “the flying car set to revolutionize personal air travel.” Invest before Doroni begins commercial deliveries in 2028.* |
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Dear readers—We're taking a brief intermission next month to feature stories about mothers and motherhood. Take a moment to share a memory, lesson, or note of gratitude here for a chance to be featured.
Today, we're sharing a story from reader Julia S. in Dallas, Texas.
"My dad and I have always shared the same Amazon account. After retirement, he got a part-time job working as a crossing guard. Soon after starting his new job, I noticed bright yellow purchases on the account. Hat, jacket, gloves, [and] a raincoat. I didn’t think much of it, other than he was getting prepared for his new crossing guard role.
"After a few weeks went by, I noticed a second raincoat purchase—this one slightly different than the first. I just figured maybe he lost the original. Then another. Then several. Then over 10. I was getting concerned at this point. Why on earth would my dad buy so many different bright yellow raincoats? Had the account been hacked? I called him. I was prepared to cancel the latest order and update passwords.
"He laughed, and explained that he had been giving the raincoats away to coworkers and strangers who either couldn’t afford them for work or got caught in the rain. Every time my dad picks me up from the airport now, his car is filled with yellow raincoats ready to be given to a stranger or a coworker in need."
Humankind(ness) is a reader-built corner of joy. So, what act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here. And if this story made you smile—share our email (copy URL here). |
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💰1440 Explores ... How Your Taxes Actually Work |
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Tax Day just passed. You got a refund, wrote a check, or filed an extension and tried not to think about it. No matter the option, you (and most people) might not fully understand how tax brackets actually work. |
Our bonus "1440 Explores" episode digs into it all, including why the US Constitution originally banned the income tax and how the ultra-wealthy use a three-word strategy to delay taxes for decades. Listen now on Apple | Spotify | YouTube. |
A quick note: If you've been enjoying the show, the best thing you can do is leave a rating or review on Apple or Spotify—it takes 30 seconds and genuinely helps more people find us. And tell us what to explore next at podcasts@join1440.com. |
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Listen
> Reflecting on Amy Winehouse's radical honesty.
Watch
> Mind tricks to alter your identity.
> Chefs from 13 countries make sandwiches.
> ... and how sliced bread became the gold standard for innovation.
Long Read
> If we avoid sadness in life, why do we seek it in art?
> Once parched, San Diego is now selling its water.
> ... and an under-30-person California town wants new residents.
Most Clicked This Week: Who had it harder: millennials or boomers? (w/graphs)
Historybook: Paul Revere makes famous ride during American Revolution (1775); Yankee Stadium opens (1923); Albert Einstein dies (1955); Conan O'Brien born (1963); Dick Clark dies (2012).
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