Good morning. It's Wednesday, May 5, and we're covering a missed deadline in Israel, a transit disaster in Mexico, and much more. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected]. 

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NEED TO KNOW

Netanyahu Misses Deadline

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a coalition government by a midnight deadline yesterday, lurching the country toward a possible fifth election in less than two-and-a-half years. Netanyahu, the country's longest-serving prime minister and leader of the center-right Likud Party, blamed rival Naftali Bennett for refusing to agree to a power-sharing agreement or to partner with a small Islamist party. 

Israel has been gripped by political paralysis for about two years, with Netanyahu's Likud Party the largest in the country but unable to achieve a 61-seat majority in Israel's Knesset (the legislative body). President Reuven Rivlin gave Netanyahu a chance to strike a deal following a March election—the fourth since 2019.

Rivlin appears likely to give Yair Lapid, leader of a center-left bloc of opposition parties, a chance to form a majority. Rumors suggest Lapid may seek a deal with Bennett's right-wing coalition, along with a number of other smaller parties. If no deal can be reached, a fifth national election will be held sometime this summer. 

Death Toll Rises in Mexico

At least 23 people are dead, and 79 others injured, after a subway overpass in Mexico City collapsed overnight Monday, plunging a train full of riders onto a busy road below. It was the deadliest incident involving the metro system since a multi-train crash in 1975 that killed three dozen people.  

The city's metro system is the second largest in North America behind New York City, carrying an estimated 4 million passengers per day. It has also been plagued by a number of high-profile issues in recent years, including separate train crashes in 2015 and 2020. The area of tracks where the collapse occurred has been the target of concerns since its opening in 2012, with reports of structural cracks appearing after a 2017 earthquake. 

See the moment of collapse here.

Belgian Cyberattack

Belgium was hit with a sweeping cyberattack yesterday, leaving its parliament, government agencies, universities, and other organizations without internet service for hours. The effort knocked out both websites and internal systems, including the country's coronavirus vaccine registration portal. 

Hackers targeted the government's service provider with a distributed denial-of-service, or DDoS, attack—a strategy that overwhelms networks with massive amounts of artificial internet traffic (see overview). Experts say such attacks are often meant to knock systems offline rather than steal information. It was unclear who was behind the attack. 

The incident highlights the growing ability of cybercriminals, either independent or state-affiliated, to strike unprepared governments and companies—some estimate cyberattacks will cost the global economy $6T in losses in 2021. See the long list of significant incidents in recent years here.

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TO GET YOU THROUGH THE DAY

What's your go-to daily ritual? Skincare, multivitamins, and meditation can go a long way—but so can hydration. In fact, an estimated 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated: an issue that Beam's former pro athlete cofounders knew all too well. Which is why they created their Elevate Hydration Starter Pack, to help you go from dawn to dusk while staying hydrated and healthy. 

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Brought to you by Golden Ratio

> Conan O’Brien announces last episode of “Conan” to air June 24, ending an 11-year run on TBS and O’Brien’s 28 years as a late-night talk show host (More)

> Meghan Markle’s “The Bench,” a children’s book on father-son relationships, to be published June 8 (More) | Red Hot Chili Peppers sell full song catalog for $140M (More)

> Michael Jackson’s estate wins yearslong battle in tax court, drastically reducing the tax bill owed by Jackson’s heirs (More)

From our partners: Ditch acidic coffee. Golden Ratio Coffee makes a "gold roast", coming out five times less acidic than normal coffee and available in easy-to-use pouches. Simply steep and serve for a natural pick-me-up that's easier on the stomach.

Science & Technology

> The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency releases updated average temperature and precipitation measurements covering 1991 to 2020; most of the contiguous US saw average temperatures rise by 0.25 to 1.0 degrees over the past decade (More) | Explore data for US cities here (More)

> Key brain circuitry identified that acts as a gate determining which sensory inputs get processed consciously versus unconsciously (More)

> Researchers develop new technique to sequence genetic mutations in blood while reducing the error rates seen in common techniques by hundredfold (More)

Business & Markets

> US stock markets slide (S&P 500 -0.7%, Dow +0.06%, Nasdaq -1.9%) after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen hints rates may increase as result of Biden infrastructure plan (More)

> Big Pharma giant Pfizer beats expectations on strong vaccine revenues; expects $26B in vaccine sales in 2021 (More)

> Honest Company—consumer goods company founded by actress Jessica Alba—prices IPO valuing company at $1.4B, to start trading today on Nasdaq (More) | Doughnut maker Krispy Kreme files for initial public offering five years after being taken private (More) 

Politics & World Affairs

> Former President Donald Trump launches website to post messages directly for followers; move comes ahead of Facebook decision on whether to reinstate his accounts this morning at 9am ET (More)

> Rift between GOP House leadership and Rep. Liz Cheney (R, WY-At large) grows; Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R, CA-23) refers to Cheney's criticism of Trump as a distraction (More) | McCarthy caught on hot mic criticizing Cheney (More)

> Attorney for Derek Chauvin requests new trial, asks judge to overturn guilty verdict; lawyer argues the former Minneapolis officer convicted of killing George Floyd was prevented a fair trial (More)

HYDRATION RITUAL

In partnership with Beam

What better way to hydrate than with Beam Elevate? Start your day with Elevate Balance for clean peak hydration and a prebiotic and probiotic bump to support your microbiome. Then, when you feel your energy dwindling midday, grab some Elevate Energy for a natural watermelon-flavored energy boost. When it's time for bed, recover with Elevate Recovery, a rejuvenating mix full of collagen and BCAAs.

You can get the entire Beam Elevate ritual today. It's your perfect mix of vital daily hydration, along with other incredible perks; 1440 readers can try the hydration starter pack for just $29 (25% off!).

Please support our sponsors!

ETCETERA

Underwater nighttime photos capture the ocean's diversity.

Years of storm footage captured in one short film.

America's ShakeAlert system now covers the entire West Coast.

Download and 3D print the world's art history.

The first genetically modified mosquitoes have been released in the US.

Japanese town uses relief money to build a giant squid. 

New Jersey offers free beer for vaccinations. 

That feeling when you accidentally move the French border.

Clickbait: The Royal Navy now has jet suits. (w/video)

Historybook: Napoleon Bonaparte dies while in exile (1821); Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexican victory in the Battle of Puebla (1862); Alan Shepard becomes first American in outer space (1961); HBD singer-songwriter Adele (1988).

"I realized up there that our planet is not infinite. It's fragile."

- Alan Shepard

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