VOL. 2026 · NO. 270 WINCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 21 - SEPTEMBER 27, 2026

The WEEKLY BRIEF

Free Intelligence · The Week's Essential Stories
S&P 500
7743.41
▲ 1.21%
DOW
51828.62
▲ 0.28%
NASDAQ
27068.72
▲ 2.06%
10-YR
5.18
▲ 3.72%
CRUDE
92.41
▼ -7.87%
BITCOIN
84652.22
▼ -1.76%
Technology

PNOE’s new face mask wants to make lab-grade breath testing a self-serve affair

PNOĒ, the Malden, Mass.-based startup whose breath-analyzing mask used to bear an unfortunate resemblance to Bane's, is launching a sleeker self-serve version on October 1 that lets gym-goers measure their VO₂ max and other metabolic markers in eight minutes without a trained operator.
TechCrunch
U.S. Politics

Talarico leads Paxton by 5 points in Texas Senate race poll

A new poll shows Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico leading Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) by 5 points over a month before the November midterm elections. The Texas Public Opinion Research (TPOR) poll released Friday showed Talarico with 49 percent support from voters and Paxton with 44 percent support, with 3 percent saying...
The Hill
Science

Briefing Chat: Why scientists made papyrus scrolls, then burnt them

Nature, Published online: 25 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03041-yNature staff discuss a technique that could help researchers read charred Herculaneum scrolls — plus, a biodegradeable, edible battery.
Nature (News)

Political rallies fill Brazil’s streets a week before elections

Rival political rallies have been held in Brazil as campaigns intensify with one week to go until election day.
Al Jazeera

Andy Burnham refuses to back third runway at Heathrow

Andy Burnham said he would wait for the results of a consultation on a scheme estimated to cost £33bn
BBC Business

At NFL games this season, drone defense tech aims to bring down disruptions

The NFL told CNBC it recorded 10,852 drone violations over stadiums between 2021 and 2025. The Jaguars became the first team to sign a drone defense firm.
CNBC

Top Wall Street analysts like these 3 dividend stocks for steady income

Investors seeking a stable income stream can enhance their portfolios with the addition of dividend stocks.
CNBC