Wednesday Sept 18th, 2024

Your Daily Americano

World Events and Politics — Explosion in Lebanon 

According to a recent CNN report, Israel's intelligence service, the Mossad, and the Israeli military collaborated in a joint operation that caused thousands of pagers belonging to Hezbollah members to simultaneously explode in Lebanon on Tuesday, leaving at least 11 people dead and nearly 3,000 wounded. The explosives were planted next to the battery in each pager, with a switch embedded to detonate them remotely upon receiving a message, as reported by the New York Times, citing American and other officials briefed on the operation. Lebanon's health ministry stated that around 170 of the injured were in critical condition, and both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government have blamed Israel for the attack, although Israel has not officially commented on the incident.

Science and Technology — Norway, The EV Utopia 

CNBC

Electric vehicles have now surpassed petrol cars in Norway, marking a significant milestone according to data from the Norwegian Road Federation. With 754,303 fully electric cars registered compared to 753,905 petrol vehicles, Norway's aggressive promotion of electric car sales through tax incentives and benefits—largely financed by its sovereign wealth fund—has been crucial in this transition. The country aims to sell only zero-emission vehicles by 2025, a decade ahead of the European Union's target. Tesla has played a dominant role in this shift, particularly with the popularity of the Tesla Model Y, which contributed to an impressive 94.3% of new car registrations being electric in August.

Business and Finance — The Weight Loss Drug Market Heats Up 

Reuters 

The weight-loss market is heating up as several companies aim to challenge the dominance of Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Eli Lilly (LLY) by introducing GLP-1 pills. Recent data from Roche (RHHBY), Novo, and a smaller biotech firm suggests that oral GLP-1 treatments could be as effective as injectables, but investors are waiting to see if patients will prefer a daily pill over weekly or monthly injections. Roche's early Phase 1 trial showed a 6.1% weight loss over four weeks, similar to other oral GLP-1 candidates like Pfizer's (PFE) danuglipron, which demonstrated up to 11.7% weight loss at 32 weeks in Phase 2. However, Lilly's orforglipron remains the frontrunner, with Phase 2 data showing up to 14.7% weight loss at 36 weeks, setting a high bar for competitors. Companies are also looking to differentiate by minimizing side effects, as Roche's stock fell 5.4% last week due to concerns about its pill's tolerability profile, a common issue with GLP-1 medications.

Health and Wellness — What Is Trauma? 

Trauma is an emotional response to distressing events that overwhelm an individual's ability to cope, often resulting from experiences such as accidents, natural disasters, abuse, or violence. It can lead to immediate reactions like shock and denial, as well as long-term effects such as anxiety, flashbacks, and difficulties in relationships. The impact of trauma varies significantly among individuals; while some may experience acute trauma from a single event, others may suffer from chronic or complex trauma due to repeated exposure to distressing situations. Understanding trauma is essential for effective treatment and support, as it profoundly affects mental health and overall well-being.

Cooking and Dining — Avocado Apple Smoothie 

Today feels like a day for goddesses! I have a refreshing Apple Avocado Smoothie that’s not only energizing and satisfying but also perfect for achieving that radiant glow. This smoothie, made with avocado, apple, banana, ginger, and spinach, is rich in fiber, making it an ideal choice for breakfast (so filling!) and a detoxifying option to kick off the week (hello, Wednesday). Enjoying this blend will leave you feeling fabulous both inside and out.

Well Plated

Song Recommendation — Love in the Dark by Adele 

Quote of the Day — Francis Bacon 

“Man prefers to believe what he prefers to be true.” — Francis Bacon.

Francis Bacon (1561–1626) was an influential English philosopher and statesman who served as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor under King James I. He is best known for advocating the scientific method and empiricism, laying the groundwork for modern scientific inquiry through his works such as Novum Organum and The Advancement of Learning.

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