9.28.2024

 

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Good morning. It's Saturday, Sept. 28, and in this weekend edition, we're covering the passing of an iconic British actress, the first approval of a new schizophrenia drug in decades, and much more. First time reading? Join over 3.9 million readers. Sign up here.

 

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One Big Headline
 

Dame Maggie Smith Dies

Dame Maggie Smith, considered one of Britain's most beloved and prolific actresses, died yesterday at a hospital in London. She was 89. Smith was best known for her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" films and as the sharp-tongued Dowager Countess in the historical drama "Downton Abbey." 

 

Born in England in 1934, Smith made her acting debut in a 1952 stage production of "Twelfth Night." Her career spanned over seven decades and 50 films, during which she amassed a collection of awards, including two Academy Awards (for 1969's "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" and 1978's "California Suite"), five BAFTAs, four Emmys, three Golden Globes, and a Tony Award. Smith was made a dame in 1990 by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to the performing arts. See Smith's life in photos here. See tributes here.

 

Smith's cause of death was not announced. She was diagnosed with Graves' disease (an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid) in 1988 and had defeated breast cancer in her 70s. 

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Quick Hits
 

At least 39 killed, millions without power from Hurricane Helene.

Helene ripped through Florida and Georgia Friday after reaching Florida's Gulf Coast Thursday night as a Category 4 hurricane. By Friday morning, Helene downgraded to a tropical storm. Helene triggered floods across the Southeast and knocked out power for roughly 4.5 million people. See photos from the aftermath here.

 

Israel says it struck Hezbollah's headquarters in Beirut. 

At least six people were killed and at least 90 wounded, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was reportedly the target of Israel's airstrike, which was aimed at Hezbollah's central headquarters in Lebanon's capital, Beirut. It is unclear if Nasrallah was killed. The news of the attack came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly, vowing to continue fighting against Hezbollah. 

 

New York Mayor Eric Adams (R) pleads not guilty to federal charges.

Adams entered the plea Friday in a Manhattan courtroom a day after prosecutors unsealed charges against him. Adams allegedly accepted illegal campaign donations and undisclosed gifts in exchange for favors for Turkey’s government and Turkish business owners. Adams is the first New York City mayor (of 110 total) to be charged with a federal crime while in office. See our previous write-up here.

 

FDA approves first novel schizophrenia drug in over 70 years.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Cobenfy, a twice-daily pill from Bristol Myers Squibb that influences dopamine levels in the brain by changing levels of another neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. Schizophrenia affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves; symptoms include hallucinations and difficulty in organizing thoughts (watch overview). About 3.7 million US adults live with schizophrenia. 

 

Kentucky sues Express Scripts for alleged role in fatal opioid crisis.

Kentucky accused the pharmacy benefits manager of contributing to the opioid epidemic by failing to properly monitor and report suspicious opioid prescriptions. Express Scripts allegedly placed opioids on preferred tiers and neglected to impose limits in exchange for rebates and other payments from opioid manufacturers. Visualize the opioid crisis here. Watch 1440's overview of opioids here

 

Japan's ex-defense minister to become next PM after five tries.

Japan's governing group, the Liberal Democratic Party, elected 67-year-old Shigeru Ishiba to become the nation's next prime minister beginning next Tuesday. Ishiba defeated opposing candidate Sanae Takaichi by a party vote of 215 to 194. Ishiba will replace outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who announced last month he would step down amid record-low approval ratings. 

 

Fed's key inflation gauge rises as expected in August.

The core personal consumption expenditures price index, which measures costs consumers pay across a wide swath of items, excluding food and energy, rose 2.7% year-over-year and 0.1% month-over-month. Both figures were mostly in line with analyst estimates. The index is the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure; the central bank targets 2% annual inflation. Learn more about the index here.

Humankind
 

Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson raises over $40K to help his high school principal battling stage 4 cancer. (More)

 

Two Colorado brothers, who are classical musicians, use their passion to create community and connection among teenagers. (More

 

Scottish woman scatters "I am" affirmation bracelets around Glasglow to make locals smile. (More)

 

Maryland man helps community members in need with free bike program. (More

 

Young boy sits in doorway of his home to surprise his dad with a warm welcome after he returns from work. (More, w/video)

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Humankind(ness)
 

Today, we're sharing a story from reader Mack R. in Italy.

 

"Our first evening of our trip to Rome, I was aggressively pickpocketed, and the men were able to hop off the subway right as the doors were closing. I'd lost all hope of ever seeing my wallet again, until about an hour later, a nice woman named Susan from Texas messaged me on Facebook, telling me she'd found my wallet abandoned in the station. We met up the next day and she wanted nothing in return for it except a hug."

 

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

Etcetera
 

Bookkeeping

> Report finds US public schools banned over 10,000 books in the 2023-24 school year, almost triple the number of books banned in the 2022-23 school year.

> Global safety survey shows 70% of world's people feel safe walking alone at night.

 

Browse 

> Scenic road trips to take this fall

What came first? Game compares history's cultural moments.

> ... and compete for the White House with this election game.

Research says you can change your personality.

> Contemplative chimp among finalists for funniest wildlife photos.

> Mapping every country's most translated songs and artists.

 

Listen 

> Survival of the fittest versus survival of the kindest

 

Watch 

> How the original Kodak camera changed photography.

> Burying beetles bury carcasses to feed their future offspring.

> Newly discovered music from Mozart played for first time.

 

Long Read 

> How chain restaurants use smell to woo customers.

> The economics of corporate swag.

 

Most Clicked This Week: Hotel soaps are not what they appear to be.

 

Historybook: Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin's potential as global antibiotic (1928); Ted Williams is last major league baseball player to end season batting over .400 (1941); Jazz legend Miles Davis dies (1991); American tennis great and color barrier breaker Althea Gibson dies (2003); Rapper Coolio dies (2022).

"Most of us who aspire to be tops in our fields don't really consider the amount of work required to stay tops."

- Althea Gibson

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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