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Vote for the winner of this week’s world-famous news haiku competition™ on the Venezuela sitch, in today’s poll below, dear reader! And now for something completely different.

—Matt Davis, Need2Know Chedditor

News You Need2Know

What’s the stock market up to, eh?

$SPX ( ▲ 0.01% )   $DJI ( ▲ 0.55% )   $NDX ( ▼ 0.44% )

Companies mentioned in today’s newsletter

  $ETOR ( ▼ 2.25% )   $BOFA.TSX ( ▲ 0.53% )   $CVX ( ▲ 2.61% )  

Robin Williams’ son talks about using AI to bring precision to mental health care

Mental health advocate Zach Williams, son of the late entertainer Robin Williams, is spearheading a movement toward precision-focused psychiatric care using AI. Williams, an advisor to Lumos AI , discussed the launch of the firm’s precision neuropsychiatry platform.

"The platform itself is a precision neuropsychiatry platform,” he said. “And really what it's seeking to solve is the challenges relating to heterogeneity and mental health diagnosis and solutions." This new approach seeks to move past the traditional "one size fits all approach" that often fails patients, as "often the standard of care is an artifact of the 20th century."

Williams' involvement is personal; he shared that after his father's death by suicide, "I had to take measures to manage my complex post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and depression." His background in computational linguistics and consumer tech has led him to platforms that leverage agentic AI to "create specific precision-oriented patient solutions." This sophisticated approach, he believes, will lead to "what I hope to be a renaissance in the space."

Ultimately, the goal is to provide better, more individualized care, while also focusing on preventative action. Williams urges, "Prioritizing our mental health every day needs to be top of mind for all of us."

Over the last 25 years, the trend in U.S. suicide statistics has been characterized by a steady and significant climb.

How retail investors may be rewriting the rules of the market

Retail investors have emerged from 2025 as an optimistic and committed force. Andrew McCormick, Head of eToro $ETOR ( ▼ 2.25% ) US, summarized the year as a "rollercoaster...a very loud year and not a boring year," but stressed that "optimism reigns supreme." Despite market turmoil, government shutdowns, and political drama, he finds it "encouraging that markets are still strong and retail investors are optimistic."

This belief manifests as “dip buying,” which McCormick notes is driven by a long-term perspective. The market low in April, for instance, was eToro’s "highest buying day of the entire year." He likens recent crypto pullbacks to a “Black Friday,” where "you can buy your favorite asset on sale."

While conviction remains high — McCormick shared an informal survey where only "one percent" of Bitcoin investors reported selling during a 20–30% dip — he observes a slight shift away from purely speculative trading. He sees a "huge increase in ETFs," a "great product," that serves as a “typical hedge” for investors unsure about riskier assets.

Looking to 2026, McCormick is focused on Washington D.C., where he anticipates "legislation to create that crypto framework." He believes this D.C. activity will "really unleash that American innovative spirit that drives the engine of the world.”

Song of the Day: Dasha, ‘Here For The Party’

This is a viral country-pop anthem known for its high-energy, "let loose" vibe.,Just like this newsletter!