One needs it to understand information (12)

I believe the answer is:

intelligence

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'information' is the definition.
(I know that intelligence is a type of information)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for intelligence that I've seen before include "Ken" , "Brains -- news" , "Covert information" , "Spy reports" , "Mind; news" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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