News Above the Noise—Week of October 20, 2024
1. What Yahya Sinwar’s Death Could Mean for Cease-Fire Talks
On Thursday, Israel said troops in Gaza had killed Yahya Sinwar, who masterminded the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. A top Hamas political official confirmed the death on Friday. Now, a route toward some kind of truce in Gaza seems slightly more possible—but major obstacles remain. For a thoughtful analysis of Sinwar’s death and if it could lead to more productive cease-fire talks, click here.
2. Controlling Blood Sugar is Crucial for Your Health
Considering more than one in three adults in the U.S. has prediabetes and more than one in 10 has diabetes—both conditions that involve higher-than-normal blood sugar levels—it’s clear that many of us need more information on how, exactly, our blood glucose plays a role in our health. This primer goes into everything you need to know about how your body breaks down what you eat and turns it into glucose, the ways blood sugar is measured (and how to know if you’re at a healthy level), how often you should get tested, and more.
3. Why Humility is the Key to Well-Being
The seven-day celebration of Sukkot commemorates the exodus from Egypt and the end of the harvest season. It’s a joyful celebration, writes Arthur C. Brooks in his latest column for The Atlantic. “...Sukkot has an ingenious method for bringing joy even in the midst of suffering, if people choose to accept it—what’s known as “reverse emotional causation.” Sukkot instructs its observants as follows: to, as they recall being saved, be humble, even if they feel proud; to be grateful for the abundance they enjoy, in spite of their resentments; to celebrate as befits the holiday, even if their hearts are hard. By this means, Sukkot engineers the joy it seeks to instill.” Brooks shows readers how to benefit from this way of being, whether you’re Jewish or not. You can read his column here.
4. Young Men’s Economic Prospects (and Politics) are Shifting
There’s a trend among young men—seen as a solidly Democratic group less than two decades ago—who are shifting to the political right as their economic outlook has been on a downward trajectory. This is especially true among those without a college degree, say pollsters and social scientists, who add that the economy is a top issue for young men concerned about their place in society and wanting to be a provider for their families. For more on this trend, click here.
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