Sky’s the Limit for Tokyo’s Child Medalists

1. Time Up for Cuomo?

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women, including a state trooper, an investigation ordered by state Attorney General Letitia James has concluded. That’s prompted calls from President Joe Biden and other Democrats for him to step down. Cuomo has so far refused to resign, describing the probe as “biased.” Meanwhile, state lawmakers are planning impeachment proceedings against Cuomo. Should Cuomo quit? Vote here or on Twitter. (Sources: NYT, WaPo)

2. Deadly Delta Dominates

Africa’s death rate from COVID-19 has spiked by nearly 90% over the past four weeks, the WHO said, blaming the delta variant of the virus. China is now vaccinating schoolchildren as it battles its biggest surge in cases since January. And New York City has made vaccination mandatory for several indoor activities, including dining and visits to gyms. (Sources: CNN, BBC, WSJ)

3. Crypto Caution

Nations should avoid using cryptocurrencies as their legal tender, the IMF has warned, citing the use of digital tokens for illegal activities. The alert comes a month before El Salvador is scheduled to become the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as an officially recognized currency. (Source: FT)  

A year after cracking her skull in an accident, 13-year-old British skateboarder Sky Brown won bronze in Tokyo today, behind Hiraki Kokona of Japan, who is just 12. Kokona’s 19-year-old compatriot Sakura Yosozumi won gold. Earlier, America’s Sydney McLaughlin smashed her own world record to win the 400-meter women’s hurdles. The U.S. leads in overall medals, with China ahead on golds. 

1. Frema Opare

She describes herself as tough, but to many Ghanaians, she’s Auntie Frema. The 74-year-old is one of Africa’s most powerful women as the chief of staff to Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo. The first woman to hold that post, Opare — a political veteran with four decades of experience in public life — has guided Akufo-Addo's presidency, helping one of Africa’s most stable democracies also emerge as a rare success story against COVID-19. It’s little wonder then that Akufo-Addo reappointed her as his chief of staff when he was reelected last December.

2. Luiz Eduardo Ramos

A former parachutist, Ramos is an old friend of Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro from their days in military school. Now the retired four-star general is Bolsonaro’s latest pick for chief of staff, chosen to calm the tumultuous waters of controversy and scandal that are swirling around the president. Ramos is known to exaggerate his importance but there’s no denying his influence with Bolsonaro: He’s one of the few members of the president’s team who call him “Jair.” Can he ensure a safe landing for Bolsonaro amid the storm the president finds himself in?

3. Ding Xuexiang

He’s often called Chinese President Xi Jinping’s “eyes and ears.” Known for his sharp memory and smart writing, Ding heads the general office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, effectively making him Xi’s most trusted personal aide and a regular fixture during key diplomatic negotiations. The 58-year-old, who was Xi’s secretary when the current president was party boss in Shanghai in the mid-2000s, is also a member of the CPC’s powerful Politburo. 

1. Tunisia

Two young sporting heroes have brought some respite to a country struggling amid a deadly COVID-19 outbreak and political turmoil. Swimmer Ahmed Hafnaoui, 18, stunned the world (and himself) when, after finishing first in the 400-meter freestyle competition, he turned around to realize he had broken his own record and won gold. Earlier, Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi won silver in taekwondo on the first day of competition.

2. Kosovo

The secret of this young nation’s unlikely judo success can be traced back to a single neighbourhood, and a coach determined to help children traumatized by a bloody war. In Tokyo, judoka Distria Krasniqi won gold, defeating Funa Tonaki of Japan, home of the martial art. Two days later, fellow judoka Nora Gjakova won the Balkan country’s second gold, doubling the tally from Kosovo’s debut Olympics in 2016 — when it also won a gold in judo.

3. Japan

As the host, Japan was expected to do well in the Tokyo Games. But no one could have predicted just how well. The country’s best-ever Olympics haul previously was in Athens in 2004, when Japan won 16 golds and 37 medals in total. With three days of competition still left, the country has already won 20 golds (behind only sporting superpowers China and the U.S.) and 39 total medals. 

Ever look down at your plate of food and wonder where the ingredients came from? OZY’s hit podcast franchise The Future of X is back. This season we’re investigating the Future of Farming with our friends at Vital Farms, from how data will revolutionize farming to possible solutions to food insecurity and climate change. Binge on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts!

1. El Chapo’s Mansion … for $12

On Sept. 15, Mexico’s National Lottery will raffle the properties of 22 convicted politicians and drug traffickers. A ticket costs just $12.50. Up for grabs is Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman’s most infamous house (the one with the tunnel connected to the sewer system) and a $4 million Mexico City mansion that belonged to the late Amado Carrillo Fuentes, the leader of the bloody Juárez Cartel. Believe in ghosts?

2. Want a Ride?

Battered by COVID-19, cash-strapped Argentina came up with a smart way of making the best out of a bad situation. Early in the pandemic, authorities used luxury cars seized from local drug traffickers to transport patients and security personnel. And a house in Buenos Aires that belonged to a criminal organization was turned into a health center to treat people affected by the virus.

3. Shameful Records

But not everybody is doing great. Colombia, the world’s top cocaine producer, also holds the record of the country with the most assets seized from drug trafficking organizations: 64,000 houses, cars and land estimated to be worth millions of dollars. Great news, right? Not really as authorities do not know what to do with these assets, inaction that’s widely blamed on entrenched corruption. What would you do? Tell us. 

1. Pussypedia

Drop the shame. Pick up your game. From offering tips to busting myths, this blog by writer Zoe Mendelson is the coolest place to visit to learn more about the vagina. It's now been turned into a book. If Roxanne Gay finds it “hilarious, ridiculously informative and absolutely necessary,” you know it’s fun. Read more on OZY.

2. Ask the Past

Johns Hopkins historian Elizabeth Archibald quotes medieval era books on everything from how to keep your hair black to cures for lethargy and melancholy. No, the idea is not to follow this advice — but to get a laugh out of it while you worry about your real problems.

3. It's Like They Know Us

If you’re frequently infuriated by how poorly advertisements depict real life, you’ll love this blog that uses caustic humor to rip apart commercials that depict motherhood as one great party. I (Charu) am a new father and this rings just as true for me. 

Congratulations to the above winners!