China Slams Brakes on Its ‘Uber’ – OZY

1. America’s Back Again

President Joe Biden struck a triumphant tone over the July Fourth weekend, asserting that the U.S. was largely out of the COVID-19 woods. And across the pond, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce the lifting of restrictions from July 19. But with deadly variants like the Delta mutation increasingly rampant and countries like Indonesia and South Africa struggling, is the White House celebrating too soon? Vote here or on Twitter. (Sources: WaPo, FT, Reuters, Guardian)

2. Didi Doomed?

China has banned fresh downloads of ridesharing giant Didi Chuxing’s app days after the company’s blockbuster IPO launch on the New York Stock Exchange, signaling the latest crackdown by Beijing on Chinese Big Tech. Regulators have accused Didi of compromising the privacy of user data. (Sources: WSJ, CNBC)

3. Hungry Hackers

They weren’t satiated by the $11 million they extracted from meat giant JBS earlier this year. Now Russia-based cyber crooks REvil have asked for $70 million in ransom after infecting the systems of thousands of companies across 17 nations. (Sources: AP, Bloomberg)

4. Storm Without the Calm

Officials have pulled down the remainder of the Miami condo that had collapsed in June, killing 24 people and leaving 121 missing, worried that the building might not have been able to survive the approaching Tropical Storm Elsa. Cuba has evacuated 180,000 people because of the storm. (Sources: CNN, NYT, Al Jazeera)

You’ve tried holding your breath, drinking water … you’ve even had someone startle you. Nothing works, and you’re still hiccuping. Scientists now say what you really need is a rigid L-shaped straw with a pressure valve to sip water through and get over your hiccups.  

3. Giorgia Meloni

From Roman nightclub bartender to fanfared political trailblazer, Meloni would have an AOC-like narrative if the voters she’s inspiring weren’t Italy’s post-fascist Christian right. The League, led by her rival Matteo Salvini, is still Italy’s biggest conservative party. But unlike Salvini, Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party has stayed outside the unity government of Prime Minister Mario Draghi. That opposition perch has helped Meloni’s party close the popularity gap with the League. Could her shadow scare Salvini into quitting the Draghi government? And could she lead a future right-wing coalition — as Italy’s first female prime minister?

Carlos sits down with two of YouTube’s most successful content creators, Rhett & Link. Hear them talk about their friendship of over 35 years and share tips on what helped them stand out. Watch later today.

1. Running to the Fire

Those in the insurance industry have repeatedly listed climate change as a top risk to their bottom line — which is why many insurers are pulling out of hot spots like California’s wildfire regions and Florida’s hurricane flood zones. But more adventurous startups are seeing opportunity. The Chicago-based insurtech company Kin expanded its offices and coverage plans to at-risk states in recent years, while others such as FloodFlash and Universal Property and Casualty have shored up their offerings to address a warming world. Read more on OZY.

2. Back to the Sandbox

Innovations are risky — yet also vital. Latin America is leading the way in creating regulatory “sandboxes” that allow insurtech startups to experiment free from restrictions that can often snuff out innovation. Brazil and Colombia are at the forefront of this shift.

3. Next Frontier

Nipping at Latin America’s heels is Africa, the second-fastest-growing insurance market in the world. Pre-pandemic estimates expected the continent’s insurance industry to grow by 7% annually between 2020 and 2025, and although COVID-19 is expected to slow down discretionary spending on insurance, experts say that blip will be temporary.

2. Get People Invested

As America battled polio in the mid-20th century, one charitable organization helped turn the corner. Volunteers with the March of Dimes — originally launched by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, himself a polio patient — went door-to-door providing important information and seeking donations as little as a dime. Coupled with campaigns featuring high-profile advocates such as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley and Louis Armstrong, this helped build universal buy-in for the polio vaccine from Americans.

3. Tax Rebates

Under Australia’s “no jab, no pay” plan, low-income families receive additional tax rebates if their children remain up-to-date with the necessary vaccinations. Since the policy started in January 2016, more than 210,000 families have made efforts to meet those requirements, according to Australia’s Department of Social Services. 

2. Shanghai, China

After a day spent in the hustle and bustle of China’s commercial capital, take a cab to the Riverside Promenade and enjoy a soothing side to the city. Sit by the fountain square at the center of the promenade and soak in the evening breeze.

3. Paprocany, Poland

Who doesn’t love lazing in a hammock? But what if you’re hanging over water? That’s what you can do along the boardwalk next to Poland’s Paprocany Lake, where hammocks stretched over the water let you feel like you’re on a yacht when you’re actually on the shore.