9.14.2024

Facts, without motives.
 

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Good morning. It's Saturday, Sept. 14, and in this weekend edition, we're covering the closure of a plant tied to a deadly listeria outbreak, China's first retirement age increase in decades, and much more. First time reading? Join over 3.8 million readers. Sign up here.

 

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One Big Headline
 

Boar's Head Takes Action

Boar's Head Provisions announced yesterday it is indefinitely shuttering its southern Virginia facility, which has been the epicenter of a deadly multistate listeria outbreak. The seller of meat, cheeses, and condiments also said it will discontinue the sale of its liverwurst, which was found to be behind the listeria contamination.

 

The outbreak—reported in July by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—is considered America's largest listeria outbreak since one linked to cantaloupe in 2011. (That outbreak had led to 147 illnesses and 33 deaths across 28 states.) Roughly 7.2 million pounds of deli meat products produced at the Boar's Head facility in Jarratt, Virginia, were recalled. At least nine people have died from the outbreak, while 57 people have been hospitalized across 18 states, per the CDC. See a map of the outbreak here and an overview of listeria here.

 

Inspection records from the Department of Agriculture showed the Virginia facility had 69 instances of noncompliance with federal regulations from August 2023 to August 2024. Findings included mold, insects, and puddles of blood. 

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Quick Hits
 

Death toll in Vietnam from Typhoon Yagi exceeds 250 people.

More than 800 people have been injured, while at least 82 people remain missing. The typhoon, considered the strongest storm to strike the Asian continent this year, made landfall last weekend on Vietnam's northeastern coast. It triggered flash floods and landslides, sweeping away dozens of homes and blocking access to fresh water and sanitation. See photos from the aftermath here.

 

China raises retirement ages for first time since 1950s.

The world's second-largest economy approved a plan Friday to raise its retirement ages over the next 15 years. China's retirement ages are among the world's lowest (see data on men; see data on women). The retirement age for men will gradually rise to 63 from 60 by 2040. Women in white-collar jobs will retire by 58 instead of 55, while women in blue-collar jobs will retire by 55 instead of 50. The legislation comes amid China's falling birth rates and an aging workforce.  

 

World Health Organization approves use of mpox vaccine.

The WHO's authorization is the first for a vaccine to combat mpox; the two-dose vaccine made by Bavarian Nordic A/S has been cleared for adults aged 18 and above. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was declared a global health emergency last month following the spread of an especially virulent strain of the virus in Africa. Over 20,000 cases and at least 500 deaths have been recorded across 14 countries in Africa so far this year. See an mpox overview here

 

United Airlines to offer free in-flight Wi-Fi with Starlink.

United will begin testing free Wi-Fi in early 2025 under a deal with Elon Musk's SpaceX and its Starlink satellite internet provider. United will introduce the perk across its roughly 1,000 aircraft over the next few years. SpaceX has over 6,000 Starlink satellites orbiting Earth, providing users worldwide with high-speed internet. Separately, Brazil's top court restored nationwide access to X after the Musk-owned social media platform paid a $3.3M fine to resolve a legal dispute.

 

"Karate Kid" actor Chad McQueen dies at age 63.

McQueen starred as "Dutch," a member of Johnny Lawrence's gang, in the 1984 and 1986 "Karate Kid" movies. He died while at his Palm Desert, California, ranch. He was the only son of actor and race car driver Steve McQueen, who died at age 50 in 1980. The younger McQueen is survived by his wife and three children, one of whom is also an actor known for starring in the TV series "The Vampire Diaries."

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Humankind
 

Rock legend Jon Bon Jovi helps woman in distress who was on the ledge of a bridge in Nashville. (More, w/video)

 

South Carolina mom gives birth to fourth baby who shares same birthday as her three older sisters. (More

 

Off-duty nurse rescues truck driver who drove into floodwaters. (More, w/video)

 

Coldplay surprises bride and groom by letting them play a new unreleased song from the band at their wedding. (More, w/video) 

 

New Orleans man, who was paralyzed in an accident, inspired to open gym for people with different needs. (More)

In partnership with LiquidPiston

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Humankind(ness)
 

Today, we're sharing a story from reader Carl G. from Noblesville, Indiana.

 

"My daughter just got married and was on Southwest Airlines heading to her honeymoon. As they were getting seated, a flight attendant asked the couple to come up to the front of the plane. The flight attendant introduced them and announced their wedding and then asked the passengers to take the napkins they had passed out and write down any advice they had for this newly married couple. They received 45+ responses, all of them positive, not one negative from all these kindhearted passengers."

 

What act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here.

Etcetera
 

Bookkeeping

Disney World serves 900 lbs of fried chicken per night at this dinner show

> US median household income rose to $80,610 in 2023, up 4% from 2022, adjusted for inflation

 

Browse 

> The world's best pizzerias

> ... and 20 of the world's fantastic street food spots.

Switzerland (again) tops list of world's best countries.

> Gender wage gap in the US widens for first time in 20 years.

> Mapping where America's different crops grow.

 

Listen 

> In the summer of 1975, two best friends attempt to rob a bank used by mobsters.

 

Watch 

> Antarctica's "finger of death" freezes everything it touches.

> The man who helps battle wildfires with his $5M red truck called "Jumbo."

> How your brain is biased by default—and how to reset it

> F1 racer drives life-size McLaren P1 constructed from Lego pieces

 

Long Read 

> A history of how water shaped New York City for 400 years.

> How Leonardo da Vinci was a master perfumer

 

Most Clicked This Week: See America's best college towns

 

Historybook: President William McKinley dies of gunshot wounds (1901); Soviet probe Luna 2 becomes the first human-made object to reach the moon (1959); Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is founded (1960); Actress and Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly dies (1982); Singer Amy Winehouse born (1983).

"Life is so much more rewarding if you strive for something, rather than take what's given to you on a plate."

- Amy Winehouse

Why 1440? The printing press was invented around the year 1440, spreading knowledge to the masses and changing the course of history. More facts: In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. We’re here to make each one count.

 

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*Disclosure: This is a paid advertisement for LiquidPiston’s Regulation CF Offering. Please read the

offering circular at invest.liquidpiston.com

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