9.20.2017

Earthquakes.
Central Mexico was rocked by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake yesterday, centered 100 miles southeast of Mexico City (see US Geological Survey map) and coming just two weeks after an 8.1 magnitude quake killed 90 in the southern part of the country. At least 248 people were killed, with over 40 buildings collapsing in the capital city alone (photos). Yesterday's quake was the deadliest since an 8.0 magnitude quake killed over 5,000 - which, unbelievably, struck exactly 32 years ago to the day in 1985. Central Mexico is especially prone to earthquakes because it lies on top of a boundary between two giant tectonic plates - the North American and Cocos plates (how earthquakes work). On top of that, Mexico City sits on an old lakebed, whose soft soil amplifies the effects. See the US Geological Survey's quake center for updated info and aftershocks. 

Trump Address.
President Trump made his debut speech before the United Nations yesterday (watch full speech), defining aspects of his foreign policy and calling on members of the General Assembly to join the US in addressing rogue nations and international terrorism. Trump put special emphasis on North Korea, saying the US would "totally destroy North Korea" if it threatened it or its allies. The President also referred to Iran as a "rogue nation" and called the 2015 nuclear agreement with the country - which leaders lobbied Trump in side meetings to preserve - an "embarrassment". French President Emmanuel Macron provided a counterweight, defending the deal in his public comments. The General Assembly meeting goes all week in New York City, you can see a full schedule here. 

Zapad-17.
Russia wraps up its largest military exercise in years today, in a joint strategic effort with the country of Belarus. Ahead of the week, Russia planned to have up to 13,000 soldiers involved in the live-fire drills - though Western analysts now believe up to 100,000 may have participated. Analysts believe the drills along the country's western boarder - Zapad means 'West', and 17 indicates the year - are intended to train for potential deployment in the event of a conflict with NATO countries (see a map of NATO countries). There was at least one mishap reported when a military helicopter accidentally fired a missile at civilians (captured in a stunning video - no one was killed). 
 

Most Valuable Troll: NBA star Kevin Durant addresses his bizarre use of fake social media accounts to bash former team (More)
Former TV host Billy Bush and wife separating after 20 years of marriage (More)
London Fashion Week: Top 7 beauty trends from Spring 2018 show (More) | Full recap (More)
 

Study: Getting emotional after failure increases success rate next time (More)
Researchers find a cluster of 8 mutations linked to autism on a single gene (More)
Electric bus smashes record, drives 1,110 miles on single charge (More)
 

Cost of employer-provided family healthcare increases to $19k, up 3% year over year (More) | Full 2017 Employer Benefits Study (More)
Walgreens receives regulatory approval on slimmed-down Rite Aid deal; to acquire ~2k stores (More)
Raise - online gift card marketplace - secures $60M funding from VCs (More)
 

Maria slams into Puerto Rico as Category 4 storm this morning (More)
Officials find copy of Hitler speech in house of Louisiana man accused of killing two black men (More)
Paul Ryan says House will not support bipartisan Obamacare stabilization bill from Sens. Alexander (R-TN) and Murray (D-WA) (More)

Fascinating: When it comes to sex, drugs, and working, Generation Z - or iGen - is behind the curve. 

Data: Shifting trends in US diets since 1970 - we like chicken (from Dept. of Ag). 

Also Food: Poor diet is a factor in one in five deaths worldwide.

A glitch causes Amazon to accidentally send baby gift registry emails to shoppers. 

Photos: A trip through Yellowstone National Park. 

The Paris Olympics will have beach volleyball under the Eiffel Tower.  

Taxes: How much the NBA's biggest stars actually earn.

Warren Buffett wins decade-old $1M bet that S&P 500 would outperform hedge funds.

After English and Spanish, the US is a land of many languages.

100 greatest business minds celebrate Forbes centennial.

Clickbait: A jogger won't stop pooping on this couple's lawn. 

Historybook: Magellan sets off to circumnavigate the globe (1519); HBD Upton Sinclair (1878); HBD Sophia Loren (1934); First Cannes Film Festival (1946); James Meredith banned from entering Ole Miss (1962); Billie Jean King defeats Bobby Riggs in ‘Battle of the Sexes’ (1973); George W. Bush declares ‘War on Terror’ in joint session to congress (2001).

"MISTAKES ARE PART OF THE DUES ONE PAYS FOR A FULL LIFE."
-Sophia Loren
 

Got feedback? We're waiting to hear from you. Drop us a line at [email protected].

Check out past editions here.