Good morning. It's Friday, Jan. 31, and we're covering updates on the worst US air disaster in more than a decade, the centennial of a historic dog sled delivery, and much more. First time reading? Join over 4 million intellectually curious readers. Sign up here. |
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All 64 people aboard an American Airlines regional commuter jet and three people aboard an Army helicopter are presumed dead, according to officials yesterday, after the two aircraft collided midair near Washington, DC's Reagan National Airport late Wednesday. The incident is the first major US commercial air disaster since 2009, when a Colgan Air propeller plane crashed into a house in Buffalo, New York.
Early reports suggest air traffic control was aware of both aircraft, asking the helicopter pilots if they were aware of the incoming jet and instructing them to pass behind it. See footage from a distance of the crash here (warning—sensitive content).
The wreckage of the plane fell into the Potomac River, which was just above 35 degrees Wednesday evening—near-freezing temperatures in which any survivors would lose consciousness after about 15 to 30 minutes. As of this writing, 28 bodies have been recovered from the water; among the victims were 14 members of the figure skating community returning from a training event.
A preliminary report from federal safety officials is due within 30 days. See a timeline of both aircraft leading up to the crash here. |
A 32-year-old man died Wednesday from the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus in Uganda's capital of Kampala. More than 40 close contacts of the victim were placed under observation as officials sounded the alarm in the densely populated capital and regional travel hub of more than 4 million.
The strain is one of four Ebola viruses that give rise to Ebola virus disease, a hemorrhagic fever transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids with an average 50% fatality rate. Symptoms begin with fever and sore throat and can culminate in internal bleeding and organ failure. There is currently no vaccine for the Sudan strain, though some are in development.
The East African country has seen at least eight Ebola outbreaks over the last three decades, the deadliest of which came in 2000, when 224 people died. The strain’s cousin, the Zaire ebolavirus, claimed more than 11,000 lives in an outbreak in West Africa between 2013 and 2016. See a map of outbreaks since 1976 here. |
'The Great Race of Mercy' |
This weekend marks the 100th anniversary of the Nome Serum Run, a historic dog sled relay that saved the remote town of Nome, Alaska, from a diphtheria outbreak in 1925. Twenty mushers and more than 150 sled dogs transported an antitoxin 674 miles across harsh terrain in just 127.5 hours, battling temperatures as low as minus 85 degrees.
In January, Nome's only doctor diagnosed diphtheria, a highly contagious and often fatal disease, in several children. With the town inaccessible by boat and air travel deemed too dangerous, sled dogs were the only viable option for transporting the serum across the Alaskan wilderness to prevent a potential epidemic.
While lead dog Balto gained international fame—and a Disney animated film—for completing the final 55-mile leg, another dog named Togo and his team actually covered the most treacherous 264-mile stretch. The serum run utilized parts of what is now known as the Iditarod Trail, although it wasn't the direct inspiration for the modern race. |
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Sports, Entertainment, & Culture |
> The 67th Grammy Awards to be presented Sunday (8 pm ET, CBS); see nominations and predictions for all categories (More) | Marianne Faithfull, Grammy-nominated singer and actress, dies at age 78 (More) |
> NFL Pro Bowl Games kick off, will continue Sunday (3 pm ET, ESPN) (More) | Miami Heat's Terry Rozier under federal investigation for alleged involvement in illegal sports betting scheme (More) |
> Denver selected as National Women's Soccer League's 16th team (More) | 2025 Leagues Cup format, teams, and matchups announced (More) |
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> Pair of astronauts stuck aboard the International Space Station take first spacewalk together since their arrival in June following a malfunction on their Boeing Starliner; return expected as soon as late March (More) |
> Archaeologists discover 76-million-year-old fossil of a juvenile pterosaur with a puncture wound on its neck; researchers suggest the animal was killed by a prehistoric crocodile (More) |
> Humans have herded sheep for at least 11,000 years, genetic analysis suggests; samples taken from locations ranging from Ireland to Mongolia shed light on role the domestication played in ancient human societies (More) |
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In partnership with hear.com |
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> US stock markets close higher (S&P 500 +0.5%, Dow +0.4%, Nasdaq +0.2%) as slew of companies report earnings (More) | US economy grew at 2.8% annualized pace in 2024, lower than 2.9% in 2023, per new data (More) |
> UPS shares tumble 14% after the shipping giant issues weak full-year revenue guidance and plans to slash Amazon deliveries by more than half (More) | Apple reports Q4 revenue growth but misses iPhone sales estimates partly due to 11% drop in China sales (More) | Intel tops Q4 revenue and earnings forecasts (More) |
> Justice Department files antitrust challenge to block Hewlett Packard Enterprise's proposed $14B acquisition of Juniper Networks (More) |
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> Senate confirmation hearings for Trump Cabinet continue, with FBI director pick Kash Patel and national intelligence director pick Tulsi Gabbard; health secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. begins second hearing (More) | See tracker (More) |
> Hamas releases eight hostages from Gaza and Israel releases 110 imprisoned Palestinians under ceasefire deal (More) | See war updates (More, w/maps) |
> Authorities in St. Kitts and Nevis launch investigation after 19 people found dead in vessel drifting at sea in the eastern Caribbean (More) |
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> Sustainable Architecture in Trinidad
BBC | Amy Li Baksh. A Caribbean farmer is embracing old Trinidadian ways of building by shying away from concrete and prioritizing local and upcycled materials to combat the rising threat of climate change. (Read)
> How Cinema’s Past Is Defining Its Future
The Ringer | Abe Beame. Repertory and revival movie screenings have seen an uptick in demand since the pandemic, indicating a desire for communal experiences and dissatisfaction with current blockbuster films. (Read) |
> Life as a Medieval Peasant Woman
Chronicle | Staff. Contrary to popular belief, many medieval women participated in the workforce. These lower-class laborers toiled in positions as blacksmiths, stonemasons, and dairymaids. (Watch)
> Why Some People Age Faster Than Others
Speaking of Psychology | Kim Mills, Terrie Moffitt. A study tracking the health and lives of more than 1,000 New Zealanders since 1972 has led to remarkable findings about how our genes and life experiences impact the aging process. (Listen) |
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In partnership with ARMRA |
ARMRA, Winter's Secret Weapon |
Cold months challenge your body, but also infuse biological benefits. Meet ARMRA Colostrum™. Backed by clinical research, ARMRA’s 400+ nutrients offer 1,000+ benefits, like immunity, gut health, metabolism, and more. How ARMRA helps you harness winter’s power:
> Sleep & Renew: Darkness boosts melatonin, while ARMRA enhances gut-derived melatonin production (400x more than the brain) for restorative sleep.
> Immunity: Winter air weakens defenses, but ARMRA’s immunoglobulins and lactoferrin help fortify them.
As a 1440 reader, unlock your winter secret with 15% off your first order using code 1440 at ARMRA.com. |
Please support our sponsors! |
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