Good Morning. Apple's likely next CEO has spent his entire career building hardware, not software, a first in thirty years for the company.

Plus, how to know when brands have changed ingredients, Gmail’s new AI writer, and Japan’s attachment to the abacus (forwarded this email? Join 523k readers).

John Ternus, Apple's head of hardware engineering, is the front-runner to replace CEO Tim Cook, according to company insiders (NYT). Apple accelerated succession planning last year as Cook, 65, told leaders he wants reduced workload.

Ternus, 50, joined Apple in 2001 and oversees Mac, iPad, and iPhone development. He led the iPhone Air launch and Apple's chip transition from Intel. Other candidates include software chief Craig Federighi.

Ternus would be Apple's first hardware-focused CEO in 30 years, facing challenges including AI strategy and tariffs. Apple's board decides succession; Cook may become chairman if he steps down.

The FBI blocked Minnesota law enforcement from investigating an ICE agent's fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, officials said Thursday. Governor Tim Walz criticized the exclusion. Vice President JD Vance defended the agent's actions (WSJ).

The FBI initially agreed to joint investigation Wednesday but reversed Thursday, cutting state access to evidence. Good, 37, was shot Wednesday in Minneapolis. Multiple videos from different angles show conflicting accounts of the shooting.

Homeland Security claims the agent acted in self-defense after Good tried to run over officers. State officials dispute this based on video evidence showing her attempting to flee. Protests erupted in Minneapolis. Timeline of events.

NASA announced Thursday it will bring Crew-11 astronauts back from the International Space Station on Saturday, weeks ahead of their March 2026 return. Administrator Jared Isaacman cited a medical situation involving an unnamed crew member, now stable.

The four-person crew, made up of NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, plus colleagues from Japan and Russia, launched August 1, 2025. NASA postponed a spacewalk Wednesday to install solar equipment due to the medical issue.

This marks NASA's first early return for medical reasons. The agency won't disclose specifics due to privacy. Chief Medical Officer James Polk said the condition didn't result from operational injury but warranted return. What does astronaut training look like?

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When small health-focused brands are acquired by major corporations, ingredient integrity often becomes a concern. Here are notable examples where formulations changed or were questioned after acquisition:

Read Labels Every Time. Don't assume your trusted product stayed the same. Check ingredient lists on each purchase, especially after noticing new packaging. Apps like Yuka or Bobby Approved can scan ingredients for you, with a simple pass/fail analysis.

Take control of your online presence with these essential steps:

Hackers analyze years of digital history. Prevention beats damage control.

Read article.

▲ Trump ballroom design reveals 22,000 square-foot banquet hall among Washington's largest dining rooms in expansion

▲ Macron's blockade collapses as qualified majority prepares to approve 700-million-person EU-Latin America trade deal Friday

▲ L Catterton acquires majority stake in Good Culture cottage cheese for over $500 million valuation

▲ Gmail transforms into AI personal assistant with automated writing tools rolling out to 3 billion US users

▲ Jimmy Buffett recording studio sits empty after city rejects bar proposal and musician-backed preservation plan

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