Forbes - Information wars 💻

Fighting from the information front

Forbes boasts over 40 independent editions across the world. None is more important right now than our colleagues in Ukraine, who have fearlessly fought against Putin’s war on the truth.

The team work around the clock, whilst also enduring harrowing ordeals to get their families out of the capital Kyiv. One, Makysym Skubenko, previously headed up fact-checking at Forbes Ukraine. He enlisted in the defense force, despite no military experience.

“I don’t know what is happening,” Skubenko said after his first battle. “I just absolutely know I have to be here.”

The Memo will take a break next week over the Easter holiday, returning on Sat 23 April.

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5 things we learned

A common antidepressant is ‘very likely’ to reduce the risk of Covid-19. Three different clinical trials found a link between fluvoxamine and a reduced risk of hospitalization. This inexpensive, widely available drug could offer protection to those not able to benefit from vaccines. 

Norway is becoming a world leader in industrial tech. Once dominated by oil and gas, the country has produced a surprising number of billion-dollar startups (known as unicorns). Instead of consumer brands, the focus is on impact - transforming existing industries and climate tech.

A simple iPhone-sized battery can turn any bike into an e-bike. Swytch already claims to convert tens of thousands of bikes every year. Their latest powerpack is small enough to put in your pocket, offering all the benefits of electric mobility without having to spend thousands on a new bike.

The supply chain crisis could affect Christmas 2022. Shipping from Asia to the United States and Europe is still taking twice as long as before the pandemic. The good news: retailers are getting ahead of the crisis, stocking up on ‘must-haves’ in time for Santa.

The BBC is reportedly launching a ‘class-based’ diversity drive. The broadcaster announced a target of having a quarter of its staff from working-class backgrounds. Problem: today’s definitions of class are far from clear.

The good

Europe is having a slow train revolution. With uncertainties due to the war in Ukraine and rising fuel costs, continental train travel is having a moment. The icing on the cake: buffet cars are out, replaced by local specialities delivered to your seat.

The bad

There’s a new airline for influencers, that’s heading to Coachella. Willa, a payments platform for ‘creators’, is starting a new ‘airline’ to take influencers from Venice Beach to the world’s most-Instagrammed festival. The inaugural flight ends with IV drips, massages and a healthy brunch. 

Got an event coming up?

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Do this

Meet the world’s top Italian designers. Marking the launch of the Grand Hotel Tremezzo located in Lake Como, owner Valentina de Santis is allowing guests to meet Italy’s most celebrated designers, and even let you collaborate on bespoke pieces. Prices from $1,300.

Watch

Drugs, sex and locked-up at home. As lengthy lockdowns swept across the world in March 2020, millions of Americans turned to alcohol, cannabis, gaming, and porn to cope with the fears and anxieties symptomatic of the pandemic. Forbes, available to watch worldwide.

Listen

Throwing out the inflation playbook. As most countries attempt to minimize soaring inflation by raising interest rates, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is taking a different approach. NPR, free to listen worldwide.

Read

Fixing the world. Climate change, food shortages, plastics and pandemics. In this updated edition, renowned carbon researcher Mike Berners-lee lays out some of the greatest environmental and economic challenges of our day and what we can do as individuals. There is no Planet B, Cambridge University Press, from $10.00

Taste

Eat more avocado. A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found people who eat 2 servings of avocado per week carry a 16% and 21% lower chance of developing cardiovascular and heart disease respectively. But before you tell the naysayers to kiss your Hass, keep in mind the limitations of this study.  

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