Saturday Sept 28th, 2024
Orion
World Events and Politics — Updates on the Middle East
The Guardian
The Israeli military announced it had conducted an airstrike on Hezbollah's central headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon's capital, resulting in at least two deaths. This action followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the United Nations General Assembly, where he claimed Israel was “winning” against Iran and its proxies in the Middle East and vowed to continue fighting Hezbollah's “terror army.” Netanyahu's office indicated he would cut his visit short to return to Israel on Friday evening. According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, over 700 people have been killed this week amid Israel's intensified air campaign against Hezbollah. In response, Iran's embassy in Lebanon stated that the latest strike “changes the rules of the game” and warned that “its perpetrator will be punished.”
Science and Technology — America’s Hurricane Luck Is Running Out
The Atlantic
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region as a Category 4 storm, causing catastrophic flooding and power outages across the Southeast. Although it weakened to a tropical storm, it has already claimed at least 22 lives and left millions without electricity as it drenched areas from Florida to North Carolina. Helene's rapid intensification and unprecedented strength are attributed to record-warm Gulf waters, which have been exacerbated by climate change, increasing the likelihood of more intense storms in the future. The storm's effects are expected to continue, with heavy rainfall and flash flood warnings issued for several states, highlighting the ongoing risks posed by hurricanes in a warming world.
Business and Finance — Meta’s Orion
CNBC
Meta's new Orion augmented reality glasses, introduced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg at the company's annual Connect conference, are notable for their lightweight design and comfort rather than flashy graphics. CNBC's Julia Boorstin, who tested the prototype, found the glasses to be surprisingly compact and easy to wear, likening them to regular glasses. Orion features a wireless "puck" that enables users to run various applications, overlaying digital images onto the real world through advanced silicon carbide lenses that enhance the viewing experience. During her demo, Boorstin interacted with holographic app icons and played games, experiencing a 3D video call that felt remarkably natural. While still in development, Orion represents Meta's ambitious vision for the future of personal computing in the metaverse, with potential for further miniaturization and improved functionality as technology advances.
Health and Wellness — Ozempic CEO Agrees To Discuss Lower Prices
Vial
In a Senate hearing, Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen faced tough questions from Sen. Bernie Sanders over the high prices of the company's blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy in the U.S. compared to other countries. Jørgensen initially blamed pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) for the steep prices, claiming that lowering list prices would reduce patient access. However, after Sanders revealed commitments from major PBMs to maintain coverage if Novo Nordisk substantially reduced prices, Jørgensen agreed to meet with them to discuss lowering costs. The hearing highlighted the complex web of pricing negotiations between drugmakers, PBMs, and insurers, with the uninsured and those with high-deductible plans often paying the highest out-of-pocket costs. While Novo Nordisk argued that higher prices enable broader insurance coverage, Sanders and other Democrats pushed for significant price reductions to improve affordability for Americans who desperately need these medications to treat diabetes and obesity.
Dining and Cooking — Apple & Peanut Toast
A dash of ground cardamom enhances the flavor of this classic pairing of apples and peanut butter on toast.
Eating Well
Song Recommendation — Without Me
Quote of the Day — T.S. Eliot
“If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?” — T.S. Eliot
T.S. Eliot (1888-1965) was an influential American-English poet, playwright, and literary critic, best known for his groundbreaking works such as The Waste Land and Four Quartets, which helped define Modernist poetry. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he studied at Harvard and the Sorbonne before settling in England, where he became a prominent figure in literature and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1948. Eliot's innovative use of language and form, along with his exploration of themes like disillusionment and spirituality, left a lasting impact on 20th-century literature.
Have yourself a wonderful weekend! Enjoy your Americano!