Rapid Travel Chai

On my mind: I did not watch the debate last night. The damage this election is doing to America and Americans is tremendous and likely long-lasting. It is anathema to borrow anything from foreigners but how about campaign time limits? The Brits make do with a month and get politicians of similar, ahem, quality. Here’s how we got to 2-year plus campaigns.

Events:

• Poorer countries need rapid access to generic drugs, UN says and how parents harnessed the power of social media to challenge EpiPen prices.

• (from June) Work begins to try to save Christianity’s holiest shrine: Jesus’ tomb.

• Secrets, denial, and, decades later, a Medal of Honor for a Vietnam medic.

Ideas:

• The cutting-edge genius of old gadgets.

• Western PR firms, South China Morning Post, and telling China’s story abroad.

• Blogging gave us everything we love — and hate — about the Web.

Travels:

• Israel splashes out in campaign to attract tourists. I don’t see that I would pick Israel for a beach getaway. The airport departure experience alone is enough to sweep away any relaxation.

• Trekking to the Toronto suburbs for excellent, cheap Chinese food. Glad the NYT didn’t visit any of our favorites.

• Why JFK, Heathrow and all big airports need good rail links.

Hacks:

• Club Carlson 4-for-2 and 2-for-1 weekend rates in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

• CNB Visa Signature card, 40K points bonus, no annual fee.

• Free 500 bonus FlexPerks points. I have a new FlexPerks card from the Olymipics offers, glad to see this long-running bonus active and points post immediately.