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04.10.2025

 

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Good morning. It's Thursday, April 10, and we're covering the latest shift in the ongoing tariff wars, the centennial of a classic work of literature, and much more. First time reading? Join over 4 million intellectually curious readers. Sign up here.

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Need To Know
 

Tariff Seesaw

China announced new retaliatory tariffs of 84% against US imports early Wednesday in response to the Trump administration’s 104% tariff on Chinese imports. The escalation came as Trump announced a 90-day pause on most tariffs over 10%—excluding China—later in the day, sparking markets to historic rallies. Trump also increased China’s tariffs to 125%.

 

The tariff pause came amid warnings from economists—including JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon—that the broad tariff program would lead to a recession (tariffs 101). Since last week’s announcement of increased tariffs on more than 75 nations, the S&P 500 had entered bear market territory, having shed nearly 20% off its recent high, while all US-listed stocks dropped $7.7T in value. 

 

Stocks popped on the reversal (S&P 500 +9.5%, Dow +7.9%, Nasdaq +12.2%), with the S&P 500 notching its biggest single-day gain since 2008. 

 

In related news, Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin said yesterday that price hikes from tariffs may not arrive until the summer as companies work through existing inventory. See how tariffs are implemented here.

 

Editor's note: Want to go deeper on tariffs, markets, and more? Sign up for 1440 Business & Finance—hitting inboxes every Thursday morning.

 

Galaxy Brain

Scientists released a colored 3D reconstruction of the largest mammalian brain map ever yesterday, providing a significant step forward in understanding how the brain works.

 

Using just a cubic millimeter of neural tissue—about the size of a grain of sand—from a mouse’s brain, researchers charted the activity and structure of 200,000 neurons and other types of brain cells, along with 523 million neural connections, and produced data equivalent to 22 years of nonstop HD video. To obtain the data, the team played stimulating short video clips for the rodent, including scenes from "The Matrix," and used a sophisticated imaging system to track the animal’s brain activity patterns in its visual cortex. Their findings—compiled into a map resembling a galaxy—allow researchers to decode and discover patterns in the brain's wiring that impact functions like seeing, storing, and processing information. 

 

Neuroscientists hope the findings can be generalized to humans and help to study and create treatments for brain diseases associated with atypical wiring, including autism and schizophrenia.

 

One Hundred Years of Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” marks its 100th anniversary today as a cornerstone of classic American literature. Initially a commercial disappointment—selling fewer than 25,000 copies during his lifetime—it gained traction during World War II through military distribution. Since then, it has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and remains a staple in high school curricula.

 

Set in 1922 Long Island and New York City, the novel explores the illusion of the American dream through Jay Gatsby’s doomed pursuit of wealth and love. Inspired by Fitzgerald’s youthful romance with socialite Ginevra King and his time on Long Island’s North Shore during the Jazz Age, its themes of aspiration, class divides, and moral decay remain relevant to readers today. Now in the public domain, it has inspired at least four feature films, several TV episodes, an opera, two musicals, and more.

 

Centennial celebrations include a Broadway toast, a Library of Congress reading, and the Empire State Building being illuminated in green—a nod to Gatsby’s iconic symbol of hope.

In partnership with RAD Intel

From Under the Radar to Industry Essential

 

You know that moment when a company goes from “never heard of” to “suddenly everywhere”? That’s RAD Intel right now—and you’ve got a chance to get in before the rest of the world catches on.

 

This pre-IPO AI startup is teaching top brands how to read the room. Its tech reveals why content works, who it resonates with, and what to say next—so brands can stop guessing and start creating ads that actually land. Fortune 1000s like Hasbro, Sweetgreen, Skechers, and Omnicom are already on board, using RAD’s strategies to build real connections. No more gimmicks—just smart, human-centric marketing that works.

 

Don’t be the one saying, “I almost invested when it was $0.55.” The company already has $37M+ raised from 6,000+ investors—backed by Fidelity Ventures, Adobe, and insiders from Google, YouTube, Amazon, and Meta. Shares are just $0.55—but not for long; the price increases after April 10.*

Please support our sponsors!

In The Know
 

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> The 2025 Masters—one of four major championships in men's golf—begins today (3 pm ET, ESPN) from Augusta, Georgia; 2022 and 2024 winner Scottie Scheffler enters as favorite to win (More

> Universal set to open a theme park in Bedford, UK, its first in Europe, in 2031; Universal currently has theme parks in Los Angeles, Orlando, Japan, Singapore, and China (More

"Hamilton" cast album and music by Elton John and Tracy Chapman among 25 recordings added to the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry (More) | See complete Library of Congress registry list (More)

Coachella: This week's Society & Culture newsletter explores the history of the annual California music and arts festival, from Pearl Jam to Daft Punk. Sign up here for free!

 

Science & Technology

> Google unveils Ironwood, its most advanced dedicated AI processor to date; chips are designed to run in clusters of more than 9,200, capable of more than 42 quintillion operations per second (More

> Engineers develop first wearable device to monitor health by analyzing gases going out of and into the skin (More

> Complete genomes of six separate ape species fully detailed for the first time; results expected to provide insight into human evolution, inform conservation efforts (More

 

Business & Markets

Apple shares rise 15% in best day since 1998 on President Donald Trump's 90-day tariff pause ​​​(More) | Bitcoin surges more than 7% to over $82K as part of broader market rally (More) | Everything you want to know about bitcoin (1440 Topics

> Delta Air Lines withdraws full-year financial guidance due to global trade disruptions (More) | Walmart pulls guidance for Q1 operating profit growth, vows to keep delivering low prices amid tariff uncertainty (More

> Former Facebook executive Sarah Wynn-Williams testifies before Senate Judiciary Committee alleging Meta compromised national security by sharing US artificial intelligence initiatives with China to expand its business there (More)

In partnership with FinanceBuzz

Why You Should Cancel Your Car Insurance

You could be wasting hundreds every year on overpriced insurance. The experts at FinanceBuzz believe they can help. 

 

If your rate went up in the last 12 months, check out this new tool from FinanceBuzz to see if you’re overpaying in just a few clicks! They match drivers with companies reporting savings of $600 or more per year when switching!* Plus, once you use it, you’ll always have access to the lowest rates; best yet, it’s free. Answer a few easy questions to see how much you could be saving.

 

1440 readers → See if you’re overpaying now.

 

*Savings vary based on driving history and discounts.

 
 

Politics & World Affairs

> Trump administration pauses $1B in federal funding for Cornell University and $790M for Northwestern for allegedly violating civil rights on campus (More) | Federal judges in Texas, New York block Justice Department from removing plaintiffs in deportation cases tied to 1798 Alien Enemies Act (More)

> FBI Director Kash Patel removed as acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, replaced with Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll (More) | Acting IRS commissioner plans to resign after data-sharing deal with federal immigration authorities (More

> Death toll from roof collapse at Dominican Republic music venue rises to at least 124 people (More) | See previous write-up (More

 

In-Depth

> The Holocaust Story I Said I Wouldn’t Write

NYT Magazine | Taffy Brodesser-Akner. In this personal narrative, the author, who resisted writing about a friend's father's escape from the Nazis for years, challenges readers to reflect on Holocaust history and its enduring lessons for humanity. (Read)

 

> The Legacy of The Beatles

USA Today | Janet Loehrke. A visual timeline of The Beatles, from their humble beginnings in Liverpool to their rise as global icons, exploring how their music and cultural impact continue to influence generations today. (Read)

In partnership with RAD Intel

The Algorithm Is Tired Too

 

You’ve seen them: The ads that feel like they were written by a robot raised on infomercials. RAD Intel’s AI fixes that. It tells brands why certain content hits, who it resonates with, and what to say next. 

 

Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers are in. So are 6,000+ investors—backed by Adobe, Fidelity, and insiders from Google and Meta. This is your shot to get in early. Pre-IPO at $0.55/share; the price changes after 4/10.*

Please support our sponsors!

Etcetera
 

How different colors may make you more productive

 

Explore religious demographics in all 50 states.

 

What makes some people so sensitive to allergies? (via YouTube)

 

Editor's note: 1440 has been nominated for a Webby Award, highlighting the best content on the internet. If you enjoy the Digest, you can support us by voting here!

 

Ranking the 100 best sci-fi movies ever made.

 

How shorthand texting makes for terrible dialogue.

 

Chimpanzee gets curious about a wildlife camera. (w/video)

 

Cadbury unveils the world's largest creme egg.

 

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has feisty ostrich encounter

 

Clickbait: Angry Canadian geese trap students in home for days.

 

Historybook: “The Great Gatsby” published (1925); Labor rights activist Dolores Huerta born (1930); Football personality John Madden born (1936); Paul McCartney leaves The Beatles (1970); Good Friday Agreement is signed (1998).

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*Disclosure: This is a paid advertisement for RAD Intel's Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.radintel.ai

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