Will TikTok Go Public to Convince Trump?

COVID-19 vaccine makers Moderna and Pfizer released details of their clinical trials Thursday to boost declining public confidence amid pressure from President Donald Trump to expedite the process ahead of the November election. Both firms indicated it’ll take months to fully analyze data from ongoing Phase 3 trials. Are pharma giants being transparent enough? Vote on Twitter.

2. We’ll Take It

Viral Chinese social media app TikTok has accepted Trump administration revisions to its proposed deal with Oracle aimed at assuaging national security concerns, but uncertainty lingers over the ownership of its U.S. operations. Will Oracle and Walmart together own a majority? Will the company go public in America? Will China agree? This TikTok challenge won’t be settled in 15 seconds.

3. Postal Peeve

A federal judge in Washington state has temporarily barred the postal service from implementing new changes that could lead to delays in mail deliveries, calling the measures a “politically motivated attack” on the agency before the election. The U.S. Postal Service — whose plan to deliver 650 million face masks to Americans was allegedly blocked by the White House — indicated it might challenge the judge’s order. Meanwhile, Republican and Democratic lawmakers edged closer to an agreement on a spending bill to keep the government open in October.

4. Cut It Off

Literally. A Nigerian state governor has signed a law under which male rapists will be surgically castrated — even though there’s evidence that castrated men can continue to perpetrate rape. Women who rape children will have their fallopian tubes removed, while men could face the death penalty.

That’s what Indian and Pakistani diplomats did at each other’s houses, running away before doors were opened. It’s won them the peace prize at the 2020 Ig Nobel Prize award ceremony — satirical awards usually hosted by Harvard that are way more fun than the actual Nobels — announced Thursday. The presidents of Brazil, Mexico, the U.S. and others won the medical education prize for showing that politicians can “have a more immediate effect on life and death than scientists and doctors can,” while five Chinese hitmen won the management prize after subcontracting the task to each other, taking smaller and smaller cuts of the fee, without actually murdering the target.

The most followed female Twitch streamer in the world with 5 million followers, Morocco-born Imane "Pokimane" Anys stunned the gaming fraternity in August, taking a break from the platform. She was burned out, the 2018 Shorty Award winner said. But last week, the 24-year-old announced her return, thrilling fans used to seeing her not only play video games but also livestream events from her life — from buying a cat to playing board games.

2. Faker

Don’t go by his game name. Lee Sang-hyeokis the real deal. The 24-year-old Seoul native, considered the king of League of Legends, wakes up at noon and practices for eight hours everyday. As a child, he would solve Rubik's Cubes and learn new languages for fun. Many top South Korean esports players have moved to China for large contracts. But Faker has turned those offers down. No one plays around with him.

3. Imaqtpie

Born in Florida to Cuban and Colombian parents, Michael "Imaqtpie" Santana wanted to be a pro wrestler growing up, until his girlfriend convinced him that his talents lay in esports. Santana earns more than $2 million annually, and takes friends out to $300 a person dinners. He lives with his partner and their three pets: Dapperdog, Smallcat and Mellowcat. I’ve got a name for him: Cool cat.

1. Boom Time

The recreational vehicle industry is seeing a spike in demand as people travel again — but avoid hotels and motels to escape the virus. Marathon Coach expects sales to be up 30 percent this year, while Airstream's sales rose 11 percent year-on-year in May.

2. No Bed of Roses

The closure of campsites globally early in the pandemic meant RVers struggled for places to park. Meanwhile, in Washington state,a multiracial family in a van was chased by people who wrongly labelled them antifa in June.

3. There's Luxury Too

If you belong to agrowing set of high-end RV travelers, that is. Resorts catering to them are emerging across America, with some only allowing the most expensive vans — which can cost $2 million.Park your van and enjoy infinity pools, tennis courts and spas.

Tired of the usual suspects? Every weekday, The Carlos Watson Show brings you a variety of fresh voices you need to hear. Check out The Carlos Watson Show on YouTube.

Stir-fried with mushrooms, scallions and a tablespoon of Chinese rice wine, you eat them during the Chinese New Year. You must not break a noodle while cooking or bite it into two if you want your meal to be truly auspicious.

2. Doro Wot

The Ethiopian New Year is celebrated each September with this spicy chicken stew that’s eaten with the flatbread known as injera. Top it off with some Ethiopian coffee and local araki liquor.

3. Sabzi Polo ba Mahi

Nowruz,the Persian New Year, falls in March, and there’s no better way to ring it in than with this herbed rice and fish dish.

4. Potato Potahto

It’s the way you predict your financial future on the eve of the Gregorian New Year in Colombia and Peru. Take three potatoes and place them under your chair: one peeled, one partially peeled, and one unpeeled. Without looking, retrieve one at midnight. If it’s the unpeeled potato, you’re getting rich!

What’s your favorite New Year recipe — from any culture?

Here’s a playlist curated from your Sam Cooke recommendations featuring “Cupid,” “You Send Me,” “Rome (Wasn’t Built in a Day),” “Twistin’ the Night Away,” “Chain Gang,” “A Change is Gonna Come” and “Bring It On Home to Me.” 

Thank you Elisabeth S., Steve, Leslie H., Jan L.M., Augustine T., Joe F., Cynthia O., Barbara P., Kevin L., Jackie, Gloria K., J. Michael P., Andrew L., Celeste R.,  Joyce O., and Jimmy S. for sharing your favorites!!

Carter H. — you got our travel bubble quiz right! You might soon be able to fly to Hawaii from Japan and to Nigeria from India. And if Uruguay opens up after Oct. 31, Paraguay could be the first nation it starts a bubble with.