Queen Elizabeth’s last public photo before her death

Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest serving monarch, died at 96 on September 8 after seven decades on the throne and just two days after this serene photo was taken. She left her 73-year-old son, Charles, to become king, and mourners to stand in a 10-mile queue to pay their respects. The death of the only sovereign most living British people have ever known raised a number of thorny questions, ranging from what would happen to currencies bearing her likeness (the UK minted new cash with the king’s profile, but some other countries like Canada opted not to), to the fate of her beloved corgis (they’re with Prince Andrew). But perhaps the most difficult one to answer is: What’s in store for the monarchy going forward?

The Carina Nebula as captured by the James Webb Telescope

If you ever need to put your life in perspective, we recommend scrolling through the stunning images taken by the James Webb Space Telescope, the most advanced telescope ever launched into orbit. Its crystal-clear images of the far reaches of space will give scientists valuable clues about the origins of our universe. This photo from the first batch of JWST pics shows a stellar nursery.

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Kyiv residents leave after Russia invades Ukraine

Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in late February with attacks on the capital city, Kyiv, and other locations across the country. In this image from the war’s earliest days, many Kyiv residents are seen leaving the capital in an epic traffic jam. The initial invasion sent millions fleeing, mostly women and children since men aged 18–60 were required to stay and fight. As of late September, ~6 million people had returned to their homes, per the UN. And more than 1.5 million people have returned to the Kyiv region.

A woman looks out across a sea of Iranian protesters

Mass protests have rocked Iran since September. Originally sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of the nation’s morality police (who had arrested her over alleged violations of Iran’s strict headscarf rules), the protests have been largely led by women demanding greater freedom. It’s too soon to say whether the demonstrations have the potential to wring any concessions from the Iranian government, which has responded with counterprotests, violence, and executions.

People visit memorials for Uvalde victims

On May 24, 19 children and two adults were killed by a gunman at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. It was the 27th school shooting of 2022 and the deadliest school shooting since the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. After the tragedy unfolded, investigators determined that police had bungled the response to the shooting, and in October the school district suspended its entire police department. Texas has had eight mass shootings in the past 13 years, while the state has steadily loosened its gun laws, according to the Texas Tribune.

Hurricane Ian brings devastation to Florida

Hurricane Ian slammed into Florida’s western coast as a Category 4 storm on Sept. 28 after raging through the Caribbean. With 150 mile-per-hour winds and a 12-foot storm surge, it ranked as the fifth-strongest hurricane ever to hit the US. The storm knocked out power for 4 million Floridians, led to at least 87 deaths in the state, and caused an estimated ~$47 billion worth of insured damage in Florida and the Carolinas.

Serena Williams waves goodbye to the US Open crowd, possibly for the last time

Serena Williams announced her plans to retire (or as she put it, to “evolve” away from tennis) shortly before competing in the US Open one last time in August. The tournament capped off the GOAT’s historic 27-year career, during which she won a record 23 Grand Slam singles titles and became the highest-earning woman athlete ever. The next step in her evolution? Williams plans to spend more time with both her family and her venture capital firm, Serena Ventures.

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A sign marking the top of Lake Mead, now far away from the shoreline

The water level at Lake Mead, America’s largest reservoir, sank in July to its lowest level since it was first filled in 1937. The reason? A megadrought that gave the Southwest US its driest 22 years in the last 1,200 or so. The water dipped so low in Lake Mead that at least six corpses have been found, including one that’s probably from a 1980s mob hit. And it wasn’t just Lake Mead. Diminishing water levels across the globe this year threatened economies, stalled the transport of goods, and uncovered archeological surprises.

CARTOON

Best Saturday sketch

BREW'S BETS

GAMES

The puzzle section

AROUND THE BREW

Boost your post-holiday sales

ANSWER

Needle in a haystack.

✳︎ A Note From Capital One

Venture X: Terms apply. See details at www.capitalone.com/venture-x. Access to lounges includes access to available Priority Pass lounges worldwide through Priority Pass enrollment, Plaza Premium Lounges and Capital One Lounges. Lounge access is subject to change. 

PRIOR Subscription: Eligible Venture X cardholders who enroll at www.priorworld.com/capital-one will receive a complimentary PRIOR Subscription. The discount cannot be applied to subscriptions purchased before 11/15/2022. Additional terms apply. See PRIOR Subscription Terms of Service for details. Cardholder Events and Experiences: Eligible Venture X cardholders have early access to cardholder-exclusive PRIOR events and experiences. The number of tickets available for an event or experience may be limited, and are offered while supplies last. Additional costs may apply. Events and experiences are intended for guests over the age of 21. COVID-19 rules or restrictions may apply. Cardholder-exclusive PRIOR events and experiences are subject to PRIOR Terms of Service and Capital One Entertainment Terms of Use