|
Good morning! Sorting out a cupboard recently, we stumbled upon poems my father-in-law once wrote to my mother-in-law (who promptly pointed out that he stopped the moment they were married). Try some fun, lesser-known poetry styles today as you meet the players revolutionizing rugby; visit surprising stock markets on a high and learn about global celebrations that mirror Thanksgiving. Read to the end for the answer to Friday’s chess question. |
| | Charu Sudan Kasturi, Senior Editor |  |
|
|
|
|  | | | 2. Lawyer Up, Mr. PresidentWe’re talking about former South African President Jacob Zuma and his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy. When your time in office ends, so does your legal immunity. Both Zuma and Sarkozy are now facing trials over charges of corruption. |
| | 4. When Bibi Met SalmanThere’s more than the fate of a neighborhood bookstore at stake. An Israeli cabinet minister has confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flew to Riyadh last weekend to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Riyadh has denied the meeting, but if it did take place, it would suggest Saudi Arabia and Israel might be edging toward a historic deal. |
|
|
| | Monkeys are naughty. In Lobpuri, Thailand, they’re note-y too. British pianist Paul Barton is performing concerts to calm hungry macaques who don’t have tourists to feed them amid the pandemic. They like Beethoven — but they also nibble at Barton’s sheet music, play with his hair and walk on the piano keys. Monkey business can be serious stuff. Watch. |
|
|
| |  | Rugby RevolutionariesQuestions of race and gender aren’t unique to American sports. Rugby, often seen as a predominantly white, male sport, is going through its own tumult — throwing up iconic new stars and changemakers. |
| | 2. Zenay JordaanThe 29-year-old once trained to become a firefighter. Today she puts out fires for the South African women's rugby team on the field. Now the champion player — arguably her country’s all-time best — who used to sneak out of her house to play rugby against boys is preparing for her sixth world championships in 2021, inspiring young women of color to take up the sport. |
| |
|
| PLAN FOR YOUR FUTUREWith the whirlwind of 2020, it seems impossible to prepare for the future. And while you can’t predict the future, you can plan for it. That’s why our friends at Bestow make it so easy to apply online for term life insurance — all in just a couple minutes. No doctors, no lines, no delays. Don’t wait: Policies offered by Bestow start from only $16 per month, so apply to get insured now. |
|
|
|  | | Rising music superstar Saweetie reveals her dream to build a billion-dollar, multi-industry global brand on The Carlos Watson Show later today. The woman behind “Icy Grl,” “My Type” and “Tap In” shares the story of her love affair with fellow rapper Quavo, her politics — and why sports is her first love. |
|
|
| Next Big Stock MarketsUnlike the U.S. stock markets, these other surprising exchanges are rising and innovating without the boost of good vaccine news. |
| 1. MervalArgentina’s exchange should be renamed Marvel. It has grown 25 percent since the start of a year when most other stock exchanges tanked and then barely recovered. The Dow Jones Composite Average, for instance, is just 4.8 percent up since January. Merval’s helped by what analysts are calling a “risk-on” mentality where investors are eyeing low-priced stocks as worthwhile pickings. The country’s escape from a debt crisis has helped. |
| | 3. MERJBeing small and nimble has its own advantages (we know that well at OZY). So it is for the MERJ exchange in the offshore banking hub of Seychelles. Its market cap is just $1.2 billion — but it was the fastest-expanding stock market over the past year. And they're experimenting like no one else, letting investors use blockchain-based tokens to invest in shares of collectible luxury cars that were previously available only to the super rich. |
|
|
|  | Global ThanksgivingsThanksgiving might be a uniquely North American holiday. But the sentiment behind it is shared in diverse cultural celebrations around the world. |
| 1. HomowoIt means “hooting at hunger.” But before the hooting comes silence. This harvest festival of Ghana's Ga tribe recalls past deadly famines and starts with the planting of millet, followed with aban on drums for 30 days.Then it's party time — with songs, dances, parades and drumming; and afeast of kpoikpoi, a traditional dish made from maize and palm oil. |
| 2. Moon FestivalPrayers, poems and feasts mark this Chinesemid-autumn full moon festival where families get together to count their blessings. Neighborhoods are decorated with intricately made lanterns and mildly sweet round pastries called mooncakes are the delicacies of the festival. China can at times feel unwelcoming if you don't know the language, but during this three-day celebration, everyone's invited. |
| |
|
|  | Poetic PuzzleYou likely know about haiku, the Japanese short poem style. Check out these other traditional poetry forms that are just as brilliant — and match them to the mini poems above. |
| 1. Luc BatThis Vietnamese verse form literally means “six eight” — which is appropriate, since lines of six syllables alternate with those of eight syllables. The last syllable of each six-syllable line must rhyme with the last syllable of the previous line and the sixth syllable of the line that follows: ^^^^^A ^^^^^A^B ^^^^^B ^^^^^B^C |
| 2. DainaMuch like haiku, this traditional Latvian poetry style doesn’t emphasize rhymes. But it has rules: Each poem has four lines, and every line typically starts with a stressed syllable: Seizures rack her little body. Sisters softly sing a love song, Mommy gently rubs her tummy, Lulling home the cherished baby. |
|
|
| | On Friday I asked you which of four chess moves were actual openings. The answer? “Hippopotamus Defense” and “Monkey’s Bum” are uncommon — but real — openings! Shari B. and Alexandre I., you got “Hippopotamus Defense” right! |
|
|
| | |
|