Good morning. It's Saturday, Nov. 15, and in this weekend edition, we're covering China's largest gold discovery since 1949, the oldest RNA ever sequenced, and much more. First time reading? Join over 4.5 million insatiably curious readers. Sign up here.
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The Chinese government yesterday announced that a state-run mining group has unearthed the largest gold deposit found in over seven decades. The site is estimated to yield roughly 1,444 tonnes of gold, worth about $193B at current prices.
The news comes amid a recent surge in gold prices, with the cost per ounce hitting an all-time high of over $4.3K last month. The World Bank expects gold prices to rise about 42% this year, marking the strongest annual increase since the late 1970s. While gold's value has steadily climbed for several years, the current spike has been largely attributed to the increased accessibility of gold exchange-traded funds and to emerging markets seeking to diversify their holdings amid global economic uncertainty.
China has been gradually unloading US Treasurys over the past decade, with holdings falling to $730.7B in September—the lowest level since 2008. Meanwhile, the country produced over 377 tonnes of gold last year, a 0.56% increase from 2023. |
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New prosecutor takes on Georgia election interference case.
Veteran lawyer Pete Skandalakis will assume the case alleging President Donald Trump and others conspired to overturn his Georgia loss in the 2020 election. The original prosecutor, Fani Willis, was disqualified due to a romantic relationship with a special prosecutor she hired. Skandalakis, who heads the nonpartisan group tasked with replacing Willis, said he took the role after several other attorneys declined.
Separately, Trump called on the Justice Department to investigate prominent Democrats and financial institutions' ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The move comes after the House released thousands of emails from the Epstein estate, some of which referenced Trump. Read our previous write-up here. |
Walmart CEO to retire, will be replaced by another company veteran.
Doug McMillon will step down Jan. 31 after over a decade at the helm. The 59-year-old, who began his Walmart career as a summer associate in high school, is credited with leading the retailer's expansion into e-commerce. Walmart's market cap grew from roughly $250B to over $800B under his leadership. John Furner, who heads Walmart’s US arm and also began as a store associate, will take over Feb. 1. |
Scientists break record for oldest RNA sequencing with woolly mammoth remains.
The RNA came from a roughly 40,000-year-old woolly mammoth named Yuka, whose remains were preserved in Siberian permafrost. The sequencing is significant because RNA decays more quickly than DNA, yet it offers deeper insights into how animals lived. Yuka’s RNA, for example, revealed signs of stress, supporting earlier theories he died after a cave lion attack. The oldest RNA previously sequenced came from a 14,300-year-old wolf puppy. |
Blue Origin rocket sends NASA's Mars satellites to space.
Jeff Bezos' company successfully launched a rocket carrying NASA spacecraft destined for Mars, and then successfully landed the rocket's booster for the first time. Bad weather foiled a first launch attempt Sunday, and strong solar activity—responsible for the auroras seen across the US—postponed a Wednesday attempt. Data collected by the spacecraft when they enter Mars' orbit in 2027 could offer insights into why the planet, once wet and warm, became dry and dusty. |
Researchers overcome immune hurdle in pig-to-human transplants.
A genetically modified pig kidney survived for 61 days in a brain-dead man, a new record. During this period, researchers collected tissue, blood, and body fluid samples at a pace not possible in living patients. The data provided detailed insights into immune reactions to the transplant, enabling the first successful reversal of a pig organ rejection using a combination of federally approved drugs. |
Bad Bunny wins album of the year at Latin Grammy Awards.
The Puerto Rican singer, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, won five of the 12 awards for which he was nominated ahead of his Super Bowl halftime performance in February. His sixth studio album, "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS," was named album of the year, marking the first time the 31-year-old took home a prize in one of the show's major categories. See the full list of winners here. |
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French women complete late mother's quest to return bracelet of American World War II veteran to his family. (More) |
Delta Air Lines introduces Black teens to aerospace and aviation careers with immersive field trips. (More) |
Young Texas farmers who sacrificed resources to help community during devastating floods receive $500K donation. (More, w/video) |
Four-year-old Brooklyn boy gifts homemade paper hearts to neighbors, sparking kind gestures in return. (More) |
Plane crew and passengers track down lost passport, saving retired couple's long-awaited trip to Australia. (More, w/video) |
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Final Week: Wyoming Today, Nasdaq Tomorrow |
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Today, we're sharing a story from reader Lisa D. in Coinjock, North Carolina.
"I recently dislocated my shoulder, so I am in a splint for quite some time. With winter coming, I knew I wouldn't be able to wear a regular coat. I was shopping in a retail store, trying to try on winter capes but was struggling a bit. A very kind woman noticed and came over to help me. She dug through the rack of capes, helping me try on one after another, hanging the discards up, until we finally settled on the best one to go around my splinted arm. I didn't get her name, but she was very lovely, lively and glowed with grace. I was very grateful for her! I will think of her each time I wear it this winter."
What act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here. |
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1440 Topics gives you the overview, then points you to the best resources: |
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> See the Cold War summarized in a single map video—and the rest of the best resources we found on the US-Russia conflict. |
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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." |
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