The Daily Valet. - 10/9/23, Monday
✔️ A Declaration of War
Monday, October 9th Edition
By Cory Ohlendorf, Valet. Editor
Fun fact: I ran a marathon. But only once, and never again. And ... it took me nearly five hours.
Today’s Big Story
Israel Declares War Against Hamas
With more than 1,000 killed on both sides, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of a “long and difficult war”
After a surge of armed militants crossed the border, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday that his country is officially “at war” after Hamas launched a surprise morning invasion from Gaza in the most serious incursion against Israel in decades—launching thousands of missiles, breaking through the border barrier between Israel and Gaza, and invading several Israeli villages and towns.Drone footage shared on Telegram and verified by the New York Times shows the aftermath of an attack at a music festival where Israeli security officials said over 100 people were killed and others were abducted. Speaking on CBS' Face the Nation, Israeli ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, also said he understood Americans were among those taken hostage by Hamas, though Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he could not confirm the information, but the U.S. was working to verify reports.At least two members of Congress—Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey and Rep. Dan Goldman of New York—were able to depart Israel unharmed after being present for the incursions. By nightfall on Sunday, the estimated death toll hovered around 1,100 people killed in just 36 hours. However, the number was clouded by the continued fighting and the uncertain fate of many Israelis and Palestinians in embattled areas.The attack comes after weeks of escalating violence and amid a deep political crisis in Israel over the Netanyahu government's judicial overhaul, which has weakened the country's military, economy and society. U.S. officials told the Washington Post that they expected Israel to launch a ground incursion into Gaza in the next 24-48 hours after already retaliating with airstrikes.U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also announced Sunday that he has ordered American military ships, including an aircraft carrier and additional aircraft, to move closer to the eastern Mediterranean in response to the unprecedented attack. The announcement came shortly after the White House confirmed that President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke again Sunday morning. The two leaders discussed Hamas' taking of Israeli hostages, with Mr. Biden assuring Netanyahu that U.S. assistance for the Israel Defense Forces was on its way to Israel, with more to follow over the coming days.
Dig Deeper:
Hamas officials cited long-simmering sources of tension including the dispute over the sensitive Al-Aqsa Mosque. Here’s why it matters.
The Ozempic Effect
weight loss drugs could radically reshape the food business ... and maybe they already are
The buzzy drugs for weight loss, such as Ozempic or Wegovy, are everywhere at the moment. And as excited as many people are, there are plenty of people getting worried. And I'm not even talking about the ones taking it (who may or may not be at an increased risk of severe stomach problems). We're talking about the Ameican food chain—specifically junk food.As more and more Americans take the drugs and find their appetites decreasing as a result, they'll likely start buying less food, particularly high-calorie snacks and treats along with fast food. According to Axios, that could radically reshape the food industry, and investors and food industry executives are starting to pay attention.Bloomberg reports that the drugs will be bad for the makers of everything from snacks to chocolate and booze. Walmart's CEO told the publication that customers taking Ozempic really do buy less food. (Walmart actually mined its own pharmacy and grocery data to pinpoint customer buying patterns.) It's still early days, but investors are paying close attention. In a report this summer, a team of Morgan Stanley analysts and strategists laid out how obesity medicine could dampen demand for food and reshape the “food ecosystem.” The firm projects that over the next 10 years, 7% of the U.S. population—24 million people—could be taking these drugs.
Bandwagon:
WeightWatchers is getting in on the action, acquiring a telemedicine company so they can now prescribe the medication.
An Old Solution Meets Modern Technology
Shipping giants turn to wind to cut emissions and fuel use
The automotive industry gets a lot of attention in the fight against climate change, but they are hardly the only group needing to cut back emissions. Ships, including freighters and cruise lines, are also big polluters—burning tons of fossil fuels to move goods worldwide. Thankfully, there are some innovative solutions on the way. As the New York Times notes, companies are looking to wind as an emissions-free method of propulsion.Well over a century after the Age of Sail gave way to coal- and oil-burning ships, big boats are back to harnessing the power of the sea breeze. According to NPR, huge metal sails (think Boeing 747 wings with movable flaps, set vertically on a ship's deck). The vessel cruises under minimum power from its giant engine as computerized sensors adjust the fiberglass wings to take advantage of the wind's speed and direction.Food and agricultural giant Cargill is using a sail-powered cargo ship that reduces fuel burn by 1.5 tons per day and overall usage by 30%. Of course, we're just getting started. Right now, only 30 of the 60,000 cargo ships currently on the oceans are using sail power. But the industry is on an “upward track when it comes to wind power.” Estimates peg the number of wind-powered ships to reach almost 11,000 by the end of the decade, and most countries have pledged to pursue emissions-free shipping by 2050.
FYI:
It is estimated that an overwhelming majority of goods, around 80%, are currently transported by ships.
Is Kelvin Kiptum the New Marathon GOAT?
In only his third marathon ever, Kelvin Kiptum smashes the world record in Chicago
Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum demolished the world marathon record Sunday in Chicago, becoming the first person to ever run under 2:01 in a record-eligible marathon. He completed the race almost three and a half minutes ahead of anyone else—no other runners could be seen when he crossed the finish line. Kenya's Benson Kipruto finished in second and Belgium's Bashi Abdi came in third.Running just the third competitive marathon of his career, the 23-year-old shaved 34 seconds off the previous world record which had belonged to his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge, though it is still subject to the usual ratification procedure, according to World Athletics. If confirmed, it will make Kiptum the first athlete in the world to break 2 hours and 1 minute in a record-eligible marathon.According to CNN Sports, he had remained outside world record pace at the halfway point with a time of 1:00:48, but accelerated just 10 kilometers from the finish line to seal his place in the history books. The Athletic asks, is he the sport's new GOAT? “Kiptum has a long, long, long way to go to match Kipchoge's longevity, but the early-career returns have been mind-boggling for the relative youngster.”
Meanwhile:
After turning 60, one man set out on a solo adventure so he could kayak 6,800 miles around the world.
In Other News
The Florida rep says it was “absolutely” worth potentially losing his job.
Fossil Footprints in New Mexico Suggest That Humans Have Been Here Longer Than We Originally Thought
Have you heard about ...
The Long Read
Is this the ultimate American sandwich?
The abbreviation is believed to have come about in the U.S. in the 1940s with the rise of diners, where waitstaff often used shorthand to quickly convey orders to the kitchen. The BLT then grew in popularity after World War II, when supermarkets began popping up across the country and seasonal ingredients, such as tomatoes, became more readily available year-round.”
- By Farideh Sadeghin
Read It:
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Shopping
What We’re Buying
An insulated chore coat
A chore jacket is essential this time of year. But you know that. One new option that just caught our eye is Buck Mason's felted wool version ($248). Tailored like a hybrid between a chore coat and a blazer, it's made from a felted merino wool that has been twice boiled for improved insulation and durability. Finishing details include three patch pockets, real horn buttons and a classic notch collar that can easily be flipped for added protection from the elements.
Want more?
The five stylish items you should be buying this week.
Morning Motto
Don’t hold it in.
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