Hard Numbers: Photographer snaps legendary Olympic surfing pic, Japan raises interest rates, Morocco frees journalists, ‘White Dudes’ raise millions for Harris, Ebikes deliver in Accra
9.9 + 6 million: Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina and French photographer Jerome Brouillet have collaborated on what may become the most striking image of the 2024 Paris Olympics. During a surfing event held in Tahiti, Medina rode a sizable wave to a 9.9 score. Brouillet’s stunning photo of Medina’s celebration quickly captured more than 6 million likes on Instagram.
.25: Japan responded to a shrinking economy and rising inflation Wednesday by raising interest rates for the second time this year — only the second time in 17 years it has done so. The Bank of Japan raised its key interest rate to roughly .25%, up from 0-.1% — a far cry from the negative interest rates it had for years. Tokyo also plans to unwind its bond-buying program.
2,476: On Monday,in honor of his 25th anniversary as Morocco's king, Mohammed VIpardoned 2,476 people held in prison. Among those released are three journalists -- Omar Radi, Soulaimane Raissouni and Taoufik Bouachrine – held for years and rights advocate Maati Monjib. Rights groups have repeatedly denounced the imprisonment of government critics on false charges in Morocco.
4 million: An online event sponsored by a group called “White Dudes for Harris” drew 1,900 people, including actor Mark Hamill and singer Josh Groban, andraised $4 million in just three hours on Monday. The event centered on presentations on why white men, a demographic that polls say strongly favor Donald Trump, should help elect Kamala Harris.
300: Thanks to entrepreneur Valerie Labi and her company Wahu Mobility, there are now 300 delivery riders in Accra using Ghana’sfirst electric bikes. Ebikes are far less polluting than the gasoline-powered motorcycles that have long poisoned the country’s air as part of the large, and growing, product delivery business.