Happy Saturday! Today’s edition is 758 words, a 2 ½ minute read.

First time reader? Sign up here!

🏃 

Saturday’s Quick Hits

23andMe investigating theft and leak of user data

Genetic testing company 23andMe said that it believes some of its users’ data was compromised in a cyber attack and has been posted on a dark-web hacking forum. The attacker has already leaked an initial sample of 1 million data points about users with Ashkenazi Jewish heritage and also reportedly published a separate sample with information about more than 300,000 users with Chinese heritage earlier in the week. The sample includes people’s full names, birth years, location information, and more. At this time, the leaks don’t appear to include customer’s raw genetic data. (More)

U.S. job growth surges past expectations

The U.S. economy added 336,000 jobs in September, defying expectations of a slowdown, with the unemployment rate holding steady at 3.8%. Friday’s jobs report suggests that the job market remains strong and solidifies the case for an additional interest rate hike from the Fed this year. It also means that the timeline for the eventual cuts will be pushed back. (More)

China to double the size of its space station

China plans to expand its space station from three to six modules, providing astronauts with another option for near-space missions, as the NASA-led International Space Station nears the end of its lifespan. China’s space station has been operational since 2022 and can currently hold a maximum of three astronauts, compared to seven which NASA’s station can accommodate. The ISS is expected to be decommissioned in 2030, around the same time that China has said its expects to become a “major space power.” (More)

Trump request to halt New York fraud trial rejected by appeals court

Donald Trump’s New York fraud trial will continue next week after an appeals court rejected his request to halt the proceedings. At the same time, the appeals court suspended a judge's order to revoke Trump's business licenses in the state. Last week, Judge Arthur Engoron found the former president and members of the Trump organization guilty of financial fraud and ordered the businesses to stop operations. Trump’s lawyers argued that many innocent people rely on the organization for their livelihood and would face severe consequences from an immediate shutdown. The court has temporarily suspended the order, but it will ultimately need to determine whether the businesses can continue to operate. (More)

Simone Biles wins 6th worlds all-around, sets medals mark

Simone Biles overcame a stumble in her final floor routine to win the individual all-around title for the sixth time at the gymnastics world championships on Friday. It was Biles 27th world championship medal, with 21 of them being gold. She now has 34 medals across the world championships and Olympics, making her the most decorated gymnast ever, male or female. (More)

😄 

Weekly Dose of Positive

24 inmates graduate together with college degrees

On Wednesday, 24 prison inmates in California graduated with associates degrees in sociology and liberal arts. Southwestern College issued the degrees via the Restorative Justice Program of California, which allows prisoners to study face-to-face with teachers while incarcerated. To date, the program has helped over 1,500 people improve their chances for a successful societal re-entry by increasing their employability, skill sets, and knowledge. (More)

Zoos begin breeding program for “Paddington Bears” to help fight extinction

Two zoos in the U.S. and U.K. have started programs to help save the Andean bear from extinction. The species was the inspiration behind the children’s fictional character “Paddington Bear.” The bears will be introduced to mates in the zoos that will hopefully ensure genetically diverse populations. One of the bears hasn’t fathered cubs, so his genetics could play a key role in the future of his species by adding a new bloodline into the breeding program. (More)

Researchers invent way to turn mine waste in healthy soil

An Australian-Canadian team has discovered a way of turning mine waste into fertile soil, which is already being used to grow maize and sorghum. The waste, known as tailings, created during the mining process, is stored in containment facilities to prevent groundwater and farmland pollution. Tailings take thousands of years to turn into soil naturally, but the team has sped the process up to just one year. (More)

🎁 

Bonus Material

U.S. customs seize giraffe feces from a woman at a Minnesota airport.

Mapped: The age of U.S. senators by state.

Watch: Two wildlife photographers have a terrifying encounter with a charging hippo.

Boost your WIFI with aluminum foil.