9.24.2024

In partnership with

Deadly Barrage in Lebanon

Nearly 500 people, including 35 children and 58 women, were killed in southern and eastern Lebanon after Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes yesterday on the area's deadliest day of attacks since Israel's war with Hezbollah militants in 2006. At least 1,645 people were also wounded yesterday, according to Lebanon's health ministry. The casualty count does not distinguish between civilians and militants.

Israel said it struck roughly 1,300 Iran-backed Hezbollah (see background) targets in Lebanon, which shares borders with Israel to the south and Syria to the northeast (see conflict in maps). Civilians have also been ordered to evacuate from areas near the conflict. At least 60,000 people have been displaced from Israel's side of the border, while roughly 100,000 have been displaced from Lebanon. 

Fears of an all-out conflict in the Middle East continue to grow, with the US Pentagon announcing it is sending additional troops to the region. 

Octopus Hunting Parties

Octopuses can lead a group of fish in collaborative hunting, according to a new study published yesterday. The study is the first to outline the hierarchical roles each animal plays in the multispecies pack.

A team of German researchers diving in the Red Sea near Eilat, Israel, tracked 13 group cross-species hunts. In each case, a blue octopus normally found hunting alone, Octopus cyanea, led a pack of between two and 10 fish—often goatfish—to descend on mollusks and other small fish. The goatfish served as explorers, scouting possible targets that the octopus moved to approve or reject. Meal-sharing was not observed; each animal ate what it could scrounge from the hunt.

The octopus was also seen punching blacktip groupers attempting to freeload and fish within the group who were slacking in their roles (see video). As a next step, researchers are interested in investigating whether octopuses can remember and exclude individual fish for repeated misbehavior.

UNGA Kicks Off

The general debates of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly are officially underway, with world leaders convening in New York to address urgent global challenges. More than 130 leaders are scheduled to speak, with President Joe Biden delivering his address this morning.

This year’s summit will focus on the group's Sustainable Development Goals (about 17% of which are on track to be completed by a 2030 deadline), combating climate change, and addressing international conflicts and health crises. The Summit of the Future, aimed at reinvigorating the multilateral system, featured the negotiation of a 56-action document designed to strengthen global cooperation. With more than 50 active conflicts in the world—the highest number since World War II—many discussions are expected to focus on ongoing conflicts such as those in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan.

The assembly will run through Sept. 30. Established in 1945, the UNGA is the only universally representative body of the 193-member United Nations. 

In partnership with Equip Foods

This New Protein Pulls Double-Duty

In partnership with Equip Foods

Protein For Dessert? We’re Listening

Imagine a dessert that doesn’t just satisfy your sweet tooth, but also helps to repair your joints and soft tissues, contains no dairy or gluten, and packs as much protein as 4 oz of steak.

Interested? You’re not alone—it’s called Prime Protein, and since the launch of their grass-fed beef protein powder they’ve racked up over 150,000 raving customers. With dessert-quality flavors like Chocolate and Salted Caramel, plus an insane nutritional profile (only 5 whole-food ingredients!), it’s one protein you just have to try. Score 30% off your first month and 15% off every future order with code EQUIP1440.

Please support our sponsors!