VOL. 2026 · NO. 235 WINCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS WEEK OF AUGUST 17 - AUGUST 23, 2026

The WEEKLY BRIEF

Free Intelligence · The Week's Essential Stories
S&P 500
7674.37
▼ -1.43%
DOW
53277.01
▼ -0.85%
NASDAQ
26180.46
▼ -2.05%
10-YR
4.74
▲ 0.89%
CRUDE
87.06
▲ 5.66%
BITCOIN
77313.01
▲ 19.53%
Technology

Volcanoes that made history

Enormous eruptions altered Earth’s climate and societies all over the globe.
Ars Technica
U.S. Politics

The EEOC's mission is opportunity for all, not demographic bean-counting

It would reduce unnecessary regulatory burden, reaffirm equal opportunity for all, and let business get back to work creating value.
The Hill
Science

Briefing Chat: New narcolepsy drug could unlock host of novel brain therapies

Nature, Published online: 21 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02626-xNature staff discuss how an FDA-approved drug for narcolepsy could have promise beyond the condition, and the longest-lived human brain organoids yet.
Nature (News)

DR Congo miners risk Ebola to make a living

DR Congo miners risk Ebola to make a living
Al Jazeera

Struggling households need more help with bills, energy industry says

Industry body Energy UK says the current support for households most in need does not go far enough.
BBC Business

Iran-linked hackers behind cyber attack that shut down power plant, reports say

The government says at no point was there a risk to the UK's energy system during the attack in July.
BBC Business

Small UK power generator shut down after cyberattack linked to Iran: Telegraph

The U.K. government says the incident did not pose a risk to the country's energy system, adding that it briefed CEOs of companies in the sector with advice.
CNBC