Infra Billions Bridge Congress’ Troubled Waters

The CDC’s fresh guidance asking fully vaccinated people to also wear masks indoors in places with high COVID-19 rates is rooted in growing concerns that even those who’ve received their shots could carry the virus at the same levels as those who’ve not been inoculated. That would make them dangerous transmitters, but independent experts are asking to see the data that has led the agency to this new — and worrying — conclusion. Meanwhile, the Pan American Health Organization has warned that Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador and Paraguay continue to have some of the world’s highest death rates from the pandemic. Will you continue wearing masks indoors if fully vaccinated? Vote here or on Twitter. (Sources: WaPo, CNBC, Al Jazeera)

2. Building Bridges

A major $550 billion infrastructure deal passed a critical test in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, with 17 Republicans backing it, marking a win for President Joe Biden’s attempts at building bipartisan alliances to get key plans approved by Congress. The infrastructure package still needs a final go-ahead in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. (Sources: NYT, NBC)

3. Tunis Takeover

Tunisia’s President Kais Saied has dismissed prosecutors and judges, assuming judicial powers days after suspending the country’s parliament and removing the prime minister from office, deepening global concerns over the loss of democratic gains the North African nation has made since the Arab Spring. (Source: Guardian)

Caeleb Dressel, America’s biggest swimming star, won his first individual gold and set an Olympic record in the 100 meter freestyle this morning, soon after teammate Bobby Finke recorded a surprise win in the first ever 800 meter men’s freestyle event at the Games. But in the 4x200 meter women’s relay, China triumphed with a world record despite a final-leg surge from Team USA’s Katie Ledecky. America leads the overall medals tally, followed by China and the Russian Olympic Committee team.

For decades, economies have sought faster GDP growth as their central performance metric. Raworth believes it’s time to pivot to an opposite belief: Slower economic growth and even stagnation are signs of success, and are necessary to fight climate change. Instead of ceaseless growth, she’s arguing for the “doughnut model”: a paradigm that advocates for an economy that stays within twin circles, the inner one representing our minimum needs and the outer one our environmental limits. Read more on OZY.

2. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

In March, Nigeria’s former finance minister became the first African head of the World Trade Organization. And from that powerful perch, she’s trying to make the climate central to global trade considerations, including through a carbon tax on imports designed in a way that it doesn’t contradict the principles of free trade. This isn’t new ground for her: She’s served as co-chair of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate — a leading group of government and private sector leaders that advocate for economic policy that keeps the environment at its center. Now she’s in a position to actually make that difference.

3. Eduardo Cavallo

Traditionally, economists have viewed climate protection as antagonistic to growth. But Cavallo, an Argentine economist with the Inter-American Development Bank, argues the opposite, that unchecked climate change hurts GDP. Brazil’s economy, for instance, is expected to shrink more than 8% by 2050 compared to what its size would be without warming. Will the world listen?

One of the first notable Asian American women of prominence on the American stage, Margaret Cho inspired a generation of performers like Awkwafina and Ali Wong. Today, the comedian joins Carlos to speak openly about the struggles she experienced in her rise to fame, from assault to addiction to finding her identity. Watch today.

1. Foreign Campuses

Thousands of Hungarians protested on the streets of Budapest in June against a planned campus of Fudan University that they fear will increase China’s influence over the country’s education system. Yet it’s only the latest example of Chinese universities setting up foreign campuses in recent years, from Japan to Australia and Laos to Britain.

2. Confucius Institutes

Setting up entire university campuses isn’t always the most efficient cultural diplomacy tool. Across Africa and Latin America, China has set up dozens of Confucius Institutes that are embedded within local universities and expose students to Chinese culture while teaching Mandarin. Critics accuse China of using these institutes to shape local perceptions about the country.

3. Money, Money, Money

But there’s another way to buy educational influence: cold cash. Harvard received nearly $94 million of $1 billion China donated to U.S. universities between 2013 and 2020. Intellectual property theft by China has prompted scrutiny of these gifts. And many schools have been accused of not even reporting the donations and gifts they receive from Beijing and other foreign sources.

Did Oracle founder Larry Ellison see the future when he purchased 98 percent of this Hawaiian paradise for $300 million in 2012? Ellison built the island into a high-end wellness retreat, complete with an airline that ferries people from Oahu. Now he has moved to Lanai himself amid the pandemic, working over Zoom.

2. Skorpios

Madonna wanted it, as did Bill Gates and Giorgio Armani. But the Greek island that was once owned by tycoon Aristotle Onassis (it’s where he married Jackie Kennedy) now belongs to Ekaterina Rybolovleva, the daughter of Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev. It’s price tag? A cool $150 million.

3. Kailaasa

What do you do when you face rape charges but your wealthy followers believe you’re their guide to God? You anoint yourself ruler of a remote island. Controversial Indian godman Nithyananda, accused of raping disciples, owns an island off the coast of Ecuador, where he claims he’s establishing a “Hindu nation” with e-embassies and now, flights to other parts of the world. 

One of the busiest street intersections in the world, this junction — right outside Shibuya metro station — is where I head when I want to visit one of Tokyo’s most culturally vibrant neighborhoods on trips there. This iconic crossing has been featured in films like Lost in Translation. Transport yourself there with this live cam.

2. Mt. Fuji

Technically, the peak that’s a visual metaphor for Japan sits some 85 miles outside Tokyo. But you can daydream your way up from wherever you are, with stunning live views of the mountain from myriad directions through this network of cameras.

3. Tokyo National Museum

And if you’re more the indoors type, how about a 360 degree tour of this majestic museum, with its offerings of rare antiques and art spanning centuries? Get ready to unpack the history and mystery of Japan.

Can you identify the four differences between the two images above? Check here for last week’s answers and winners.