News for the insatiably curious.
In partnership with
Good morning, it's Saturday, June 27, and an extreme sporting event just got a private equity makeover.
Also in today's Digest: why King Charles won't live in Buckingham Palace (Quick Hits), texts from a Knicks star's mom (Humankind), a musical time capsule of the United States (Etc.), and much more.
PS—Did someone forward you this email? Join 4.7 million insatiably curious readers here. Feedback is a gift, and we read every email. Let us know how we're doing at hello@join1440.com.
One Big Headline
X Games Reimagined
The Summer X Games kicks off in Sacramento, California, after a multimillion-dollar, private equity-backed revamp that includes new team-based competition. Scroll for the schedule here.
The sporting event credited with popularizing action sports like skateboarding and BMX biking is shifting from stand-alone, individual competitions to a three-event season featuring mixed teams with five men and five women. Private equity firm MSP Sports Capital envisioned the new format after purchasing X Games from ESPN in 2022. Several of the teams, which represent cities like New York and São Paulo, are also owned by private equity firms. Investors see parallels between the fragmented action sports market and the WNBA five years ago, which has seen a 345% surge in average franchise values since 2024.
The first X Games were held in Rhode Island in 1995, under the name Extreme Games. There, world-renowned skateboarder Tony Hawk completed a near-perfect run in the skateboard vert; watch here.
... and learn what's fueling the growth of private equity firms here. (w/audio)
In partnership with Pendulum
What If Cravings Aren’t Your Fault?
When Halle Berry, someone who could partner with anyone, chooses a probiotic company, you pay attention. The brand she got behind: Pendulum, founded by PhD scientists from Johns Hopkins, Harvard, Berkeley, and Stanford showed that appetite can stem from the microbiome.
Their breakthrough was uncovering one of the most beneficial strains for naturally curbing cravings, then developing the technology to deliver it in a bioavailable way, so it arrives in your colon where it can actually work. They've improved countless lives with their Metabolic Daily probiotic, powered by Akkermansia muciniphila. This probiotic strengthens gut lining, improves digestive health, and supports GLP-1 signal pathways.* With 100s of 5-star reviews, 4.5K+ mentions of Akkermansia in scientific publications, and 29K+ medical professional recommendations for Pendulum, the science speaks for itself.
*Based on preclinical studies
This product is not intended for weight loss
Please support our sponsors!
Quick Hits
Former Trump adviser John Bolton pleads guilty in classified files case.
Bolton yesterday pleaded guilty to one of 18 counts of mishandling classified information from his 17-month tenure as national security adviser during the first Trump administration. Bolton, who has become a critic of President Donald Trump, admitted to sharing an electronic diary entry with two family members. He will pay $2.25M and faces up to 60 months in prison when he is sentenced, Oct. 28. (More)
US strikes Iran in response to alleged ceasefire violation.
The US military yesterday struck missile and drone storage locations as well as coastal radar sites. The move came after Iran allegedly deployed at least four drones at ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz Thursday, and one reportedly hit the upper deck of a Singapore-flagged cargo ship. The interim US-Iran deal signed last week stipulates that commercial ships have safe passage through the strait. (More)
Separately, Lebanon and Israel yesterday signed a framework agreement for the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon. The deal, mediated by the US, is predicated on dismantling the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group.
Mistrial declared in case over origins of Palisades fire.
A federal judge declared the mistrial after two days of jury deliberation failed to yield a unanimous verdict on the fatal January 2025 fires in Los Angeles. Jonathan Rinderknecht, a 30-year-old former Uber driver, is accused of starting a small fire on a popular hiking trail that smoldered and metastasized into the roughly 23,000-acre Palisades fire. The federal government said it plans to retry the case. (More)
OpenAI to limit its most powerful model yet to government-approved partners.
The artificial intelligence company yesterday framed the restrictions as a short-term fix while Silicon Valley and federal officials devise more robust AI regulations (read blog post). The new model, called GPT-5.6 Sol, reportedly excels at coding, biology, and cybersecurity. The move comes weeks after Anthropic suspended its next-generation "Mythos-class" AI model on a government directive. (More)
Separately, new reports suggest OpenAI is leaning toward delaying its initial public offering until next year.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will not live in Buckingham Palace after revamp.
The royal couple said the 775-room palace will reopen next spring after a 10-year, $487 million taxpayer-funded renovation, with increased public access and a primary role as an office and ceremonial center (see behind the scenes). They will be the first monarchs since 1837 not to live in the palace, instead staying at their longtime home, Clarence House. (More)
Separately, this week, King Charles became the first British monarch to disclose his tax bill, revealing he is one of the country's top 100 taxpayers. The royal family began paying taxes only in 1993 and is not subject to an inheritance tax. Learn why here.
Ukraine launches one of the largest drone attacks since war with Russia began.
Russia-held Crimea declared a state of emergency yesterday after Ukraine launched one of the largest drone attack on record since Russia's invasion over four years ago. Russia reported intercepting roughly 660 drones overnight Thursday, across roughly a dozen regions. The attack came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ordered a "40-day influence operation," widely interpreted to mean an escalation of attacks. (More)
Scientists virtually unwrap delicate ancient Roman scroll, revealing new books.
The scrolls were found beneath the ashes of a town near Pompeii, in the 18th century, but they were so charred that attempts to physically unroll them reduced them to ash. Now, using advanced imaging and artificial intelligence, researchers have recovered text from some of the oldest scrolls. Among the findings are references to previously unknown books by philosopher Philodemus. Over 600 scrolls remain unread. (More)
Humankind
23-year-old New Orleans man is the first person in Louisiana to be functionally cured of sickle cell disease through gene therapy. (More)
Mother of NBA star Jalen Brunson has texted him before every game since high school, including his recent finals victory with the New York Knicks. (More, w/video)
Woman donates her kidney to a friend and liver to a 4-year-old stranger after experiencing extreme suffering herself while recovering from a brain injury. (More)
36-year-old Georgia man becomes a record-breaking drummer after losing one of his arms in a work accident. (More, w/video)
Shirtless man swoops in to catch a young girl as she falls from a window ledge above a busy shopping strip. (More, w/video)
In partnership with Miso Robotics
The Robotics Pioneer Proving Jeff Bezos Right
When Bezos opens a $100B fund for AI robots, it tells you the smart money sees robots as inevitable.
But Miso Robotics isn’t waiting. They’re proving him right in an unlikely $1T market: fast food. Miso's restaurant tech, like its Flippy Fry Station AI robot, has logged 200K+ hours in live kitchens for brands like White Castle, frying 5M+ baskets of food. Plus, they just grew their IP portfolio 10X with 300+ new patents from a company once valued over $2B.
Bezos’ new fund is limited to Wall Street’s elite. Miso isn’t. Join 44k+ shareholders; invest before Miso hits their $2.5M June raise goal.*
Humankind(ness)
Dear readers— In honor of Father's Day this month, we're pausing our usual act of kindness stories to share reader submissions about dads. Enjoy!
"Growing up, my father took lots of time to teach me math, even attending nighttime tutoring sessions with me … all to no avail! Fast-forward to me as a single mom, helping my then-young son with his homework, and the lesson was math. Incredibly, I easily walked my son through his math problems, then called my father and let him know that all his hard work had finally paid off! I can still hear the laughter we shared!"
— Debora M. in Cary, North Carolina
"I remember the first fish I ever caught when I was 4½. My dad was fishing with a fly rod and asked me to hold it while he lit a cigarette. I held it, and almost immediately, I felt something tugging on it. I told my dad, and he said to reel it in. I know now that he already had a fish on the line when he handed the rod to me. I'm 76 years old and remember like it was yesterday. That's the kind of dad I had. Many more memories over the years, but that one stands out in my mind!"
— Bob W. in Milam, Texas
"My father had a small business in our village for 46 years. He quietly provided this ongoing service. At his funeral, people I did not even know came up to me saying, 'Oh, honey, we never would have had Christmas except your dad said, "Just get things and we’ll figure it out later."' Others told me, 'On a late Saturday night, we called your dad and he opened so we could get clothing for a family member’s burial.' Two of many stories showing his quiet dedication, caring, and giving. Those qualities have been powerful models in my life. He took seriously the do good, but let no one know about it! In fact, he’s probably looking down at me right now thinking, 'She should not be sharing this!' I was blessed to have him as an amazing role model."
— Martha J. in Edmore, Michigan
Humankind(ness) is a reader-built corner of joy. So, what act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here. And if one of these stories made you smile—share our email (copy URL here).
Etcetera
What your lifestyle says about your economic class. (w/quiz)
Librarians find Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's 248-year-old notebook.
The 250 most essential American songs.
The differences between cheap and pricey olive oil. (w/video)
What your daydreams may be trying to tell you.
Three Brazilian sisters set world record for highest combined age.
All the ways a broken heart affects your body. (w/video)
Every country's most embarrassing tourist habit.
Beloved duck is denied entry to a World Cup match.
Lessons in power and control from training a chaotic boxer.
A centuries-old table game is making a comeback. (w/audio)
An ancient Roman method for never forgetting.
Humans and giraffes have the same number of neck bones. (w/video)
Most Clicked This Week: Americans have a clear favorite cheese.
Historybook: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints founder Joseph Smith killed by a mob in jail (1844); Author Paul Laurence Dunbar born (1872); Helen Keller born (1880); The US enters the Korean War (1950); "Star Trek" director J.J. Abrams born (1966).
"Mystery is the catalyst for imagination ... What are stories besides mystery boxes?"
- J.J. Abrams, in this TED Talk
Behind the Name. Why 1440? The printing press was invented around the year 1440, spreading knowledge to the masses and changing the course of history. More facts: In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. We’re here to make each one count.
Want to connect with 4.7 million insatiably curious minds? Become a 1440 partner here.
Need a breather? Snooze this email for 30 days.
*Disclosure: This is a paid advertisement for Miso Robotics’ Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.misorobotics.com.
1440 Media 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1212 Chicago, IL 60654
Copyright © 2026, 1440 Media, All rights reserved.
Unsubscribe from this email or update my subscription preferences.