Is Iran the Russia of 2020?

Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe has blamed Iran for sending fabricated, threatening emails in the name of far-right group Proud Boys to Democratic voters. Iran and Russia have illegally obtained U.S. voter data, officials said. Tehran, Ratcliffe asserted, was trying to “damage President Trump.” Iran has denied the charge. No one, it seems, wants to proudly claim those emails.

Source: WaPo

Same-Sex Stunner

Pope Francis has called for civil unions for same-sex couples to be legalized, breaking with the Vatican’s past teachings, in a documentary released Wednesday. While serving as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, the current pontiff had advocated for same-sex civil unions as the way around the Roman Catholic Church’s opposition to same-sex marriages. Is the pope ahead of his times or in tune with them? Vote on Twitter.

Sources: AP, CNN

Nigeria on Edge

Large parts of Africa’s most populous nation were placed under a curfew Wednesday after army soldiers shot at peaceful protesters, sparking violent demonstrations in Nigeria’s biggest city, Lagos. The army had denied the incident, but Amnesty International has corroborated multiple eyewitness accounts and says at least 12 protesters were killed. Demonstrators are seeking deep-seated police reforms. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is among multiple world leaders who’ve condemned the shootings. 

Sources: Reuters, Guardian, Newsweek

Deadly Trial

A Brazilian volunteer in a clinical trial for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University has died, but it’s unclear whether he took the actual dose or a placebo. The trial will continue. Purdue Pharma has agreed to an $8 billion settlement related to its alleged role in exacerbating America’s opioid crisis. But money can’t always save you. Streaming service Quibi, which raised $1.75 billion from investors, is closing shop six months after it started, unable to build the audience it had hoped for. 

Sources: Al Jazeera, FT, WSJ

Don’t go by its villainous name. The diabolical ironclad beetle has superhero qualities that allow it to survive being run over by a car, scientists have found. The bug can take 39,000 times its body weight. Its unique exoskeleton could offer clues to new pressure-resistant materials. Marvel, I just gave you your next character.

Watch Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the actor from 3rd Rock From the Sun and (500) Days of Summer, talk to Carlos about his latest film, The Trial of the Chicago 7; why the '60s feel relevant today; and how true patriotism is pointing out a country's flaws and working to improve them. Don’t miss it.

OZY suggested this in 2016, and it seems prescient now. The audience in this year’s debates are severely limited because of the pandemic, but it might be best to get rid of them altogether so candidates respond to the questions — rather than playing to the audience. Read more.

Talent Competition

Richard Nixon played the piano on TV, Bill Clinton the saxophone. Instead of having Trump and Biden outshout each other, wouldn’t it be more fun to have them show off their talents? Biden played football in high school — surely he can do a cheerleading routine. And I’d love to learn from Trump how to make billions while paying only $750 in federal taxes. Read more.

Mute Lies

In Thursday’s debate, the mics of the candidates will be muted during their opponent’s initial two-minute responses. But the moderator should also be able to mute any candidate caught in a lie (or better yet, give them a little shock with an electric dog collar). Read more.

His team Manchester United had just won a key game, but the Nigerian striker’s post-match videos were somber, not celebratory, on Tuesday. Hours earlier, Nigerian troops had opened fire on peaceful protesters in Lagos. He called the Nigerian government “a shame to the world for killing your own citizens.” Previously apolitical, Ighalo said he’s had enough. “We can't take this anymore."

2. Maria Toorpakai

For Pakistan’s most successful female squash player, her sporting journey is itself the ultimate protest. Growing up in an ultra-conservative region where girls are discouraged from playing sports, Toorpakai hatched an outrageous plan with her supportive father. She put on her brother’s clothes, had her hair chopped and started playing disguised as a boy. Today the 29-year-old is a torchbearer of Pakistan’s storied squash legacy. Death threatshaven’t deterred her. “I was born a warrior. I will die like a warrior,” she says.

3. Miguel Cabrera

The risks are high. But they haven’t stopped Venezuela’s most famous baseball player and Major League Baseball star from challenging the authoritarian rule of President Nicolás Maduro. His family’s in Venezuela, and Cabrera has said he has received threats that he’ll be killed if he tries to go back home.

Thisbrightly colored fish hides 260 feet below the sea surface off the coast of Zanzibar. Its purple scales reminded the scientists who found it last year of the suit worn by Black Panther, the superhero from the fictional African land of Wakanda. The next task for scientists? Decoding its superpowers.

2. Myrmecicultor Chihuahuensis

First spotted in 1999 in Texas, it took 20 years for scientists to finally conclude in 2019 that this yellow spider from the Chihuahuan Desert is an entirely new species. Its best friends? Ants, with which it happily coexists.

3. Tapanuli

Discovered in Sumatra in 2017,thisnew orangutan species is highly endangered — only about 800 exist, making it the rarest great ape on Earth. A new Chinese-built dam isthreatening their survival.

Rhonda Morris, chief human resources officer at Chevron, and Adam Bryant, a former New York Times writer, interview leading Black entrepreneurs in this LinkedIn series — including OZY CEO and co-founder Carlos Watson, Mellody Hobson, president and CEO of Ariel Investments, and Robert L. Johnson, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television.

South Korea’s northernmost national park is home to some of the country’s tallest peaks, breathtaking colors, historic temples, waterfalls and cliffs. Oh, and you might just see a black bear or an otter.

2. Istria

Pair up with a dog and go truffle hunting in this picturesque Croatian peninsula. Autumn is the peak season, and truffles are used for everything from omelettes to cheeses. But unlike OZY Senior Editor Daniel Malloy, don’t stuff yourself on breakfast before the hunt. It’s worth the wait.

3. Hermanus

You’re guaranteed a whale of a time in this coastal South African town. One of the world’s best whale-watching spots, every September it hosts a one-of-a-kind festival marking the return of the southern right whales.

What’s your dream fall vacation?