9.16.2023

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Good morning. It's Saturday, Sept. 16, and in this weekend edition, we're covering the first anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini in Iran, a new chicken-sized dinosaur discovery, and much more. First time reading? Sign up here.

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One Big Headline

Mahsa Amini Death Anniversary

Iran deployed security forces yesterday in the western province of Kurdistan in anticipation of demonstrations through this weekend, marking the one-year anniversary of the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died while in the custody of the morality police for allegedly violating the country's hijab requirements.

Amini had been stopped last year by a guidance patrol—commonly referred to as morality police—while visiting the capital of Tehran. She was initially expected to be released after a few hours but later arrived at a hospital in a coma. Police claimed she suffered a heart attack and a blow while falling to the floor.

Amini's death ignited a wave of monthslong antigovernment protests across the country, mostly led by young women. More than 500 people, including 71 minors, were killed in the protests, while hundreds were injured, thousands were arrested, and several others executed. See background here.

Separately, the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia issued sanctions yesterday against Iran, citing the country's violent crackdowns on protestors after Amini's death.

Quick Hits

Deliberations begin in impeachment trial of Texas attorney general.

Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was impeached by House legislators in May on offenses including bribery, obstruction of justice, and misuse of public funds. A two-thirds majority of the Senate's 30 voting members will be required to remove Paxton from office.

Jury acquits three men in alleged plot to kidnap Michigan governor.

Eric Molitor and twin brothers William Null and Michael Null were found not guilty on all counts tied to supporting terrorist acts and illegally possessing firearms in what was the last trial connected to a 2020 plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D). The trio was among 14 men charged in state and federal court over the alleged plan.

Ukrainian troops reclaim eastern village near Bakhmut.

Ukraine's military said Friday it had recaptured the village of Andriivka, advancing further into the southern portion of Russian-occupied Bakhmut as part of its counteroffensive. In other news, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to travel to New York next week to attend the United Nations General Assembly.

Court issues restraining order against ex-Spain soccer chief Luis Rubiales.

Spain's high court imposed a restraining order against Rubiales to keep the former soccer federation head from being within roughly 650 feet of Spanish soccer player Jenni Hermoso. Rubiales faces a sexual assault probe after allegedly forcibly kissing Hermoso during the women's World Cup celebration last month. Spain's players who won the women's World Cup also continue to boycott the national team.

New species of chicken-sized dinosaur discovered on UK island.

The fossils of the species, named Vectidromeus insularis, were found on the Isle of Wight, off the southern coast of England. The species is the second member of the hypsilophodont family, a group of small plant-eating dinosaurs that are different from those found in Asia and North America. The fossil is considered to belong to a juvenile animal, which scientists say could have grown larger.

Planet Fitness shares sink after board ousts CEO Chris Rondeau.

The workout chain's stock fell to a new 52-week low after the announcement Friday. Rondeau had started at the company nearly 30 years ago, first working in a front desk position before moving his way up and becoming the CEO in 2013. The reasons behind his ousting are unclear. Board member and ex-governor of New Hampshire Craig Benson will serve as the interim CEO.

Renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero dies at 91.

The artist was known for his depictions of politicians, saints, animals, and other objects and scenes in colorful and exaggerated forms (see here). His works comprised more than 3,000 paintings and 300 sculptures, including bronze sculptures that can be found in parks in European and Latin American capitals. He died Friday from pneumonia complications.

In partnership with Pendulum

It Takes Guts to Get Healthy, Ask Halle Berry

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Humankind

Meet "American Ninja Warrior" winner Vance Walker—an 18-year-old with cerebral palsy. (More)

How José Hernández went from working on a farm to becoming one of the few Latino astronauts at NASA after being rejected 11 times. (More)

High school cross-country runners help opponent reach the finish line. (More)

California Costco worker returns nearly $4K left behind by a customer. (More)

US Navy veteran receives unexpected help from a young Iranian political activist while in jail in Iran and repays the favor once released. (More)

Viewers watching a livestream bear cam help save stranded hiker in Alaska. (More)

Scuba-diving couple rescues baby shark caught in a work glove at the bottom of the ocean. (More)

From our partners: It takes guts to get healthy. Research shows that Akkermansia is a keystone strain for gut health, and many people have low levels of this beneficial bacteria in their gut or none at all. Backed by a staggering 3,000 scientific publications, this next-generation strain is available as a daily probiotic, exclusively from Pendulum. 1440 subscribers get 20% off their first single bottle or multipack with code 1440NEWS.

Humankind(ness)

Today, we're sharing a story from reader Steve G. in American Canyon, California.

"On a recent flight, a fellow passenger experienced a heart attack. The flight crew responded quickly, gently laying the patient on the deck and beginning assessment. They asked if there were any doctors or nurses aboard—and thank God there were several! CPR was initiated to no avail. AED was introduced—successfully—and our flight was diverted to the closest airport to further triage. The mood of the passengers was extremely positive—and supportive! It's heart-warming to see a huge group of people refocus their priorities to help a fellow human."

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

Etcetera

Bookkeeping

> Princess Diana's iconic black sheep sweater sells for $1.1M at auction.

> Raising a child from birth to age 18 now costs $237,482 on average.

Browse

> An alien-like nautilus wins the ocean photo awards.

> Rosh Hashanah begins—what is it, and how is it celebrated?

> Ranking the biggest, most crowded, and most expensive theme parks.

> The chemistry behind how bourbon gets its taste and color.

> iPhones are getting new ringtones for the first time in a decade.

Listen

> How to be kinder to yourself and practice self-care.

Watch

> Can you change your sleep schedule?

> The unexpected origin of the Michelin star system.

> Modern words and phrases that come from the ancient world.

Long Read

> The race to catch the last Nazis.

> The mystery of how our taste buds can detect two types of saltiness.

Best of the Week: Double rainbow appears in New York City on 9/11 anniversary.

Historybook: Pilgrims depart from England on the Mayflower (1620); Actress Lauren Bacall born (1924); American musician BB King born (1925); Historian and author Henry Louis Gates Jr. born (1950); Singer Nick Jonas born (1992).

"The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you."

- BB King

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9.16.2023

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