| | | Forces loyal to Libya's U.N.-backed government arrive in a suburb of Tripoli Saturday. Source: Getty |
| | IMPORTANT | | 01 | Nielsen announced her resignation after a meeting with President Donald Trump yesterday, during which sources suggest she was forced out of the administration. Her departure highlights deepening divisions between the president and his appointees over immigration policy. Just two days earlier, Trump withdrew his selection of Ronald Vitiello to head Immigration and Customs Enforcement, citing a need to be “tougher.”
Who will replace Nielsen? Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan is serving as a seat-warmer as speculation centers on Energy Secretary Rick Perry and ex-Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. | |
| | 02 | The country’s U.N.-backed government says it’ll mount a counteroffensive to defend Tripoli against forces loyal to rebel Gen. Khalifa Haftar, whose assault on the capital has left at least 35 dead in recent days. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has urged an end to the violence, while American forces pulled a military contingent from Libya yesterday as fighting intensified.
What does Haftar want? Some experts say he’s “posturing” for political influence ahead of a U.N.-sponsored national conference later this month, while diplomats worry he won’t back down unless he’s defeated.
Check out OZY’s story about why Libya’s future is a haze of cigarette smoke. | |
| | 03 | Nissan shareholders on Monday stripped the carmaker’s disgraced former chairman of his last title there after a 20-year tenure. Although he was freed on bail last month, Ghosn — already charged with financial misconduct — was arrested again by Japanese authorities last week on allegations that he funneled $5 million in company cash to himself.
Will Ghosn speak up? His lawyers are expected to release a prerecorded video statement Tuesday detailing his side of the story, in lieu of the April 11 press conference he’d planned.
Don’t miss OZY’s profile of the comic superhero turned international villain. | |
| | 04 | Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the country’s military headquarters in Khartoum over the weekend demanding that President Omar al-Bashir resign. Protests against al-Bashir — who’s ruled the African nation of 40 million for 30 years — have grown since December, prompted by economic turmoil that’s led to food shortages and severe price hikes. A former Sudanese official called the demonstrations “a great blow to the government.”
What’s the turning point? Observers will likely be watching whether members of the military, who appeared to be protecting protesters from secret service personnel yesterday, will side with the demonstrations. | |
| | 05 | The Trump administration is expected to officially designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a “foreign terrorist organization.” Korean Air Chairman and CEO Cho Yang-ho died today at age 70, less than a month after shareholders forced him off the company’s board. And the Baylor Lady Bears topped Notre Dame 82-81 yesterday to become the women’s college basketball champions.
#OZYfact: As they’ve become increasingly sophisticated, ransomware attacks have cost victims an estimated $11.5 billion. Read more on OZY.
We’re hiring! OZY is looking for a dynamic integrated marketing specialist to join our sales support team. Could this be you? Check out the job description for more details … and find all our open jobs right here. |
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| | | | INTRIGUING | | 01 | In a report today, Britain’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is expected to introduce an independent social media watchdog to patrol and restrict “online harms.” Violators — those found to be facilitating the spread of disinformation, violence and cyberbullying, among other offensive material — would be subject to hefty fines and blockages, while senior managers could even face legal liability.
How powerful could this regulator be? Some internet freedom advocates fear it could undermine freedom of expression if it’s too heavy-handed.
Check out OZY’s Immodest Proposal for an online hate spell-checker. | |
| | 02 | For many students from the disputed Indian-controlled territory, a rare window of hope had emerged amid a three-decade conflict over their homeland: the prospect of studying outside the state. But in the wake of recent violence, OZY reports, thousands have been forced to return home from other parts of India — where they’ve faced nationalist reprisals — leaving behind their education and career dreams. “As a Kashmiri student,” one said, “I feel my future is destroyed.”
Does India lose too? The exodus could hobble the country’s efforts to integrate alienated Kashmiri youth into the national mainstream. | |
| | 03 | They’re going out on a limb. While octopuses are eaten in cuisines around the world, they’ve never been successfully farmed because keeping them alive as babies is difficult. But that’s about to change — and not necessarily for the better — according to marine biologists: Farms in Mexico, Spain, China and Japan are using technological advancements in hatching and feeding, and some expect to sell cephalopods by next year.
What’s the downside? Because octopuses are incredibly intelligent and easily bored, scientists fear that a farming environment will make them more aggressive, leading to a higher mortality rate.
Read OZY’s profile of the scientist who discovered fish smarts. | |
| | 04 | “Please, take it easy.” That’s what the disgraced R&B singer asked via Instagram Saturday, hours before a performance at a Springfield, Illinois, nightclub. He reportedly took the stage in front of around 100 fans who paid between $50 and $100 for tickets, then smoked cigars and took selfies for 35 minutes before singing just 28 seconds of a song — the only music he performed.
Will fans forgive? Some told local TV stations they wouldn’t pay to see him again, but that they still enjoy Kelly’s music despite the sexual assault charges he’s facing. | |
| | 05 | Arie Irawan, Malaysia’s top-ranking golfer, died Sunday in a hotel room on the tropical island of Hainan, China, while competing in a PGA-China series championship. The 28-year-old Kuala Lumpur native, who attended the University of Tulsa on a golf scholarship and turned pro in 2013, is survived by his wife, who often caddied for him. Officials have canceled the final round of the tournament.
What was Irawan like? One PGA official called him a personable and “incredibly popular player” who was a hit with fellow golfers and staff alike.
Read OZY’s story about how golf is changing Korea’s culture — and closets. | |
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| | Caught Up? Now Vault Ahead ... | | To get more fresh stories and bold ideas in your inbox, check out The Daily Dose. | | | Rising Stars Arsen Tomsky believes he’s created a ride-hailing app for freedom-loving folks. READ NOW | |
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