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Friday, August 28, 2020
| I woke up this morning to find that my coffee stash was nearly finished. That won’t do for the author of this newsletter, right? Luckily, it’s Friday, so adding a little extra whiskey today seems just fine. Get a gorilla-sized hug, meet the next Tom Cruise, gulp down the strongest ginger beer you’ll find, and get ready for the U.S. Open with a little tennis test! |
| | Charu Sudan Kasturi, Senior Editor |  |
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| | 1. Shot … Then CuffedJacob Blake, the 29-year-old Black man shot by police last Sunday in Kenosha, Wisconsin, has been handcuffed to his hospital bed, according to his father, even though bullets from the shooting paralyzed him waist down. Meanwhile, police have charged the 17-year-old teen who shot dead two protesters with first-degree intentional homicide. President Donald Trump, who formally accepted the Republican nomination for the November election, was however clear about whom he blames, accusing Democrats of giving “free rein” to criminals while referring to the protesters. |
|  | 2. Viral Walmart?The retail giant joined Microsoft in a bid to buy the U.S. operations of wildly popular Chinese social media app TikTok before a Sept. 15 deadline when a ban announced by President Donald Trump kicks in. For Walmart, the deal could serve as a key gateway to taking on Amazon in its battle for the online marketplace. Ready to lip-sync your order? |
| 3. The Next LauraA massive tropical storm brewing off the coast of Cape Verde in West Africa might soon head to the U.S., the National Hurricane Center has warned. America continues to grapple with the destruction of Hurricane Laura that smashed through parts of Louisiana and Texas Thursday, leaving at least six people dead. |
| 4. All for OnePresidents of many of South America’s largest nations agreed Thursday to team up to gain access to potential COVID-19 vaccines at affordable rates, as the region continues to battle against the pandemic. The group includes Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Guyana. In an era of deep divisiveness, it’s a rare moment of solidarity against a common crisis. Should the U.S., Canada and Mexico similarly pool their resources? Vote on Twitter or below. | Who doesn’t need a hug these days? If you’re in New York — and are stepping out of your house — make your way to Hudson Yards’ Bella Abzug Park for an embrace to remember. |
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| | | Snuggle in the arms of the world’s largest bronze gorilla sculpture. Called King Nyani — “nyani” which means gorilla in Swahili — the sculpture is the work of two public artists who’re trying to raise awareness about the endangered species, while offering New Yorkers free hugs. |
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| |  | When we say these Pantone sneakers from Cariuma sell out in hours, we’re not exaggerating. They’re comfortable, sustainably made and oh-so-stylish. And now OZY readers have the chance to order their pair. Get $15 off using the code OZYxCariuma. |
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| If you think you’ve seen everything that’s worth watching on your streaming services, think again. Netflix hasn’t mastered the art of introducing you to up-and-coming stars. Luckily, we have. | |  | 1. Park So-damShe was just one character in a movie studded with standout performances, but Parasite’s uber-cool “Jessica” — with her jingles and clicking fingers — could be the next queen of Korean cinema. The 28-year-old got hooked on acting after watching Grease as a high school student, despite being rejected in 17 auditions before landing her first role. Watch her reunite two old friends in her latest film, Fukuoka. |
| 2. Sheila AtimUnlike Park, Atim wasn’t planning on joining the movie business. In fact, the 29-year-old who was born in Uganda and raised in the U.K. has a degree in biomedical science. But we’re glad she switched careers. Picked as a rising star by the Toronto Film Festival taking place in September, Atim is brilliant in The Pale Horse, the latest Agatha Christie adaptation. Next you’ll see the 29-year-old in Bruised, where she trains Halle Berry, a washed-up female MMA fighter, to battle her way to redemption. |
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| | | Everyone needs a cozy go-to hoodie to curl up in during quarantine, so go for one that's soft, smooth, and stylish. It's the perfect choice for cooler evenings! Get it today from the OZY Store. A friend once described OZY to me as “weird, wild and wonderful.” Indeed, we love stirring bold conversations about things that might seem impractical — or even wrong to some people — in the knowledge that it’s only through constructive debates that the future will be forged. After all, it’s 2020. What’s crazy anymore? |
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| |  | 1. Let Iraqis Vote …... In November’s U.S. presidential election, that is. Here’s why. Their future depends significantly on America’s plans for their country. By letting them vote in November, America would deepen the roots of democracy in Iraq that it claimed it was so concerned about when it invaded the nation in 2003. Oh, and since the U.S. election will likely drag on for days if not weeks, there’s plenty of time to get those mail-in ballots over from Iraq. Read more. |
| 2. Limit Amazon DeliveriesI pick up Amazon deliveries every second day from the gate of my apartment complex — everything from books to electronics to even groceries. While that’s understandable during a pandemic when we’re quarantined, Amazon’s 2.5 billion annual deliveries also add to carbon emissions. Once the pandemic passes, why not limit deliveries per customer to once a month? It’ll force us to be less impulsive, and will help to save the planet. Read more. What are some of your outlandish ideas that you believe could change the world? C’mon … we know we’re not alone. | Yes, it’s been an angering, frustrating week. But the weekend’s here. Get into the mood with some of the coolest soda drinks the world has to offer. |
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| |  | 1. ToniColOne sip, and you’ll forget about vanilla coke. It’s a 140-year-old Mexican vanilla cola soda that you’ll find mostly in the country’s northwest, though I’ve also bought packs of six in supermarkets in Mexico City. Oh, and I just found you can also order it on Amazon — just once a month please! The best part? It uses naturally extracted vanilla. |
| 2. Stoney TangawiziIt’s the strongest ginger beer you’ll ever have, but you’ll keep coming back for more of this popular East African drink. If you feel your nose burning with your first swig, don’t worry, that’s perfectly normal. It’s so loved that homemade versions are cropping up. Try it for yourself. |
| 3. RamuneIt comes in a variety of flavors — from wasabi and kimchi to peach and litchi and is synonymous with Japanese pop culture. The fun starts with how you open the bottle. Push a marble lid down into the soda, and let the bubbles — and excitement — explode! What’s your favorite offbeat soda? Tell us on Twitter. The U.S. Open starts on Monday, and while stars like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have opted out because of the pandemic, I can’t wait to see Serena Williams in action again. While we wait in anticipation, here’s a tricky test to get that excitement going. |
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| | How old was the youngest male champion at the U.S. Open? Share your answers below. |
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