Is Israel Headed Toward Civil War?

Israel’s cities have erupted into some of the worst clashes between Jewish and Arab citizens in several years. Rocket attacks by Hamas on Israel and the country’s airstrikes in Gaza have killed at least seven Israelis and 83 Palestinians — including 17 children. The U.S. and other nations have called for peace, while Israeli leaders have condemned the attempted lynching of a motorcyclist by far-right Jewish activists in a Tel Aviv suburb. Israel is now preparing for a possible ground invasion of Gaza. (Sources: NYT, Haaretz, Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post) 

2. COVID Communism?

The CEO of pharma giant Roche has compared proposals to temporarily waive COVID-19 vaccine patents to East Germany’s nationalization of industries. Meanwhile, Hong Kong — largely a success story against the virus — is now battling vaccine skepticism. (Sources: FT, South China Morning Post)

3. Fly and Flow Again

U.S. federal air regulators have approved fixes made by Boeing to its 737 MAX jet, more than 100 of which were grounded following two fatal plane crashes. And Colonial Pipeline has restarted operations after shutting down following a cyberattack last weekend — though panic buying of gasoline continues. Are you ready to fly on a Boeing 737 MAX yet? Vote here or on Twitter. (Sources: WSJ, WaPo)

4. Settling Accounts with El Chapo

The U.S. has lifted sanctions on the convicted drug lord's longtime accountant Jesús Zambada after he testified against El Chapo, strengthening the prosecution’s case. Fittingly for his profession, Zambada knew how to clear his debt to the law. (Source: Guardian)

It shares the pumpkin’s orange color, but if you get too close to it your horror might be far more real than on Halloween. Scientists have found a tiny-but-deadly new frog species in Brazil’s Amazon forests that they’re calling the “pumpkin toadlet.” 

THC-infused, deep-fried king crab legs with buttery garlic potatoes. Garlic-and-herb lamb chops. Cajun shrimp and grits with honey-butter cornbread to finish. These aren’t fairy-tale entrees. They’re a part of the hottest menu in the Midwest, courtesy of chef Law Cannon, who runs a one-person kitchen in Chicago. A former party promoter, Cannon only began cooking professionally in 2019. Now he’s cooking for celebrities and getting flown out to cook in-house. He’s booked up months in advance.

2. Sister Act

Shrutika and Stuti Bhardwaj are champions at “procrasti-baking” — which they describe as the “art of baking instead of doing something else you should be doing.” That suits the rest of us just fine. The sisters are leading a home-baking revolution in Bangalore, India, offering a city already brimming with options its richest and most authentic take on cinnamon rolls, cookies and made-to-order cakes, fare that’s so good that you’ll want to “procrasti-eat.”

3. Fork in Nigeria

Egusi, goat shank, jollof rice and fufu: that’s just a sampling of what’s on offer at Detroit-based Prej Iroegbu’s food truck. The former General Motors employee debuted his venture last summer with a mission to introduce Motown to the diverse cuisine of Nigeria’s different ethnicities. His dishes have been a hit, attracting long lines and catering invites from local businesses even amid the pandemic. 

TED or Coachella? Why not both?! This May 15-16, join us for a virtual celebration of bold change and big ideas at OZY Fest. Spend the weekend with game-changers from Dr. Anthony Fauci and Condoleezza Rice to Sevyn Streeter and Mark Cuban. Register now.

If you have a question for Dr. Fauci, a pitch for Mark Cuban or a joke for Tig Notaro, record it here!

1. Miguel Almirón

Off the field, the wiry, 5-foot-9 soccer midfielder is shy. On it, opposing defenders wish he were shy. Raised in capital Asunción’s largest neighborhood, the 27-year-old played on dirt pitches with little infrastructure. Yet that hasn’t stopped him from turning the global soccer spotlight on Paraguay, a nation otherwise in the shadows of giants like Brazil and Argentina. He played a star act for Atlanta United in Major League Soccer before top British club Newcastle United picked him in a record deal. Read more on OZY.

2. Wonder Words

Across the Americas, the languages of former European colonizers are pushing native tongues toward extinction. Not in Paraguay. In fact, Paraguayan Guaraní is currently spoken by 7 out of 10 people in the country, including overwhelmingly by non-Indigenous people. Isolation has some advantages.

3. Nazi Past

One set of folks who did penetrate Paraguay’s isolation were Nazis. Bernhard Förster, whom Hitler credited with the ideas behind Nazism, lived and died there. After World War II, many fleeing Nazis made Paraguay their home — including, according to some accounts, the infamous “Angel of Death” Josef Mengele. Read more on OZY.

It’s been a pandemic for some but a “bandemic” for others as Lamborghini had its most profitable year ever, delivering a reported 7,430 luxury cars worldwide. Our favorite is the beautiful $3.3 million Sian, which also managed to sell out. Not that we would have been able to afford it.

2. Hornby Trains

We don’t know if these collectors are on the right track, but the British model railway brand saw a 96 percent monthly spike in demand at the start of the pandemic. With real travel out of the question for months amid lockdowns, perhaps the replica allowed people to dream.

3. NFTs

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are unique, one-of-one digital collectibles that have seen demand skyrocket these past few months. From NBA rookie sensation LaMelo Ball to rapper Post Malone and singer Grimes, all are cashing in. And NFTs of art and tweets alike are selling like hotcakes. Read more on OZY.

Join OZY editors and writers today at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET for insights into the week’s top news and a sneak peek of this weekend’s OZY Fest. Write to OZY reporter Joshua Eferighe below so we can pull you into the room, and follow him @Eferighe. 

Celebs usually keep beauty secrets to themselves. Not supermodel Chrissy Teigen, who says plum oil is responsible for her glowing complexion. Sourced from the fruit kernels of the plum tree native to Europe and Southwest Asia, its antioxidants create an elixir rich in essential fatty acids and polyphenols that give it anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.

2. Baobab Oil

Southern Africa’s baobab tree carries the nickname “tree of life.” Luckily it delivers. The tree absorbs water when it rains and produces fruit during the dry season, while its oil increases hydration and reduces water loss, keeping your skin moist.

3. Arnica Oil

Originally from Siberia and Eastern Europe, the Arnica herb is a favorite among homeopaths. Research confirms that its oil helps treat inflammation and pain though it’s also commonly used to treat hair loss.  

Identify the four differences between the images above. And check here for last week’s answers and winners. 

We're pleased to congratulate the 25 finalists for this year’s OZY Genius Awards! Ten winners will each receive a grant of $10,000. Meet the finalists and vote for your favorite OZY Genius until Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 6 p.m. EST. A jury will select the awardees, but we’ll separately unveil the People’s Vote winners — your voice counts!