The hottest International Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics
The Healthtech Initiative 1 implied HN point 01 Feb 26
  1. They tested an unscalable MVP and deliberately kept non-food categories even while losing money, which proved the "anything in your city" idea and let them pivot quickly to groceries during COVID.
  2. They expanded with small, scrappy launch teams who built local operations from the ground up, and those boots-on-the-ground employees became the strongest leaders because they had real skin in the game.
  3. They prioritized market leadership and capital efficiency, exiting losing markets and using logistics data to only enter cities and verticals they could serve under their 30-minute promise, a focus that helped drive their €2.3B acquisition.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
Net Interest 13 implied HN points 25 Jul 25
  1. Bank regulations have become much longer and more complex over the years, starting from 30 pages in 1988 to over 600 pages now. This shows how regulations keep evolving but may not be improving in effectiveness.
  2. The conversation at the recent regulatory conference included light-hearted moments, like a CEO joking about the excessive bureaucracy in regulations, highlighting a frustration many have.
  3. There was also a discussion about how future jobs might seem trivial to us today, suggesting that work and societal roles are always changing, but some fundamental aspects of life endure.
Klement on Investing 3 implied HN points 20 Nov 25
  1. GDP per capita is a poor proxy for living standards and doesn’t tell you how well people actually live, so blunt comparisons (like Europe vs a US state) are misleading.
  2. Which exchange rates or base years you use (current dollars, constant dollars) can swing GDP comparisons a lot, letting statistics be used to support very different narratives.
  3. GDP per capita adjusted for PPP better reflects what people can buy with their income and usually narrows gaps with the US, but it’s more complex and rarely used in media headlines.
Five Links (and three graphs) by Auren Hoffman 40 implied HN points 01 Nov 24
  1. Lebanon has potential wealth but struggles with chaos. A detailed explanation covers its history and issues that prevent economic success.
  2. Raising successful children means being cautious about entitlement. It's important to balance expectations in families that have money.
  3. Web scraping is a growing industry. It's evolving to create marketplaces for data, which could change how businesses use information.
Natto Thoughts 19 implied HN points 26 May 23
  1. Pinduoduo allegedly had a hacking team that exploited vulnerabilities in Android systems to gather user data and influence user behavior for profit.
  2. The head of security at Pinduoduo, a genius hacker, was dismissed for refusing to conduct hacking attacks, showcasing ethical principles in the face of company pressure.
  3. Pinduoduo's growth model involved combining social commerce with exploiting mobile vulnerabilities, leading to rapid success and potential security concerns, especially as team members moved to its subsidiary Temu.
God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger 70 implied HN points 29 Feb 24
  1. An enemy of the state is someone accused of political crimes like treason, targeted for repressing political dissent, under the guise of protecting national security.
  2. Julian Assange faces opposition for publishing leaked data and exposing U.S. military actions like the 'Collateral Murder' video, leading to a potential 175-year sentence.
  3. It's crucial to recognize the impact of such exposures on democracy, human rights, and the concept of state-sponsored violence.
Science Forever 19 implied HN points 28 Feb 23
  1. Brexit tensions have caused a loss of funding for UK collaborations with European researchers, affecting scientific innovation. The UK needs to navigate complex agreements to regain those collaborations.
  2. The UK's aspiration to be a 'science superpower' is challenged without strong collaborations with Horizon Europe. Rebuilding partnerships may take years and is contingent on trade deals and agreements with the EU.
  3. Isolated science is less effective than shared science. The UK risks missing out on vital collaborations and scientific progress if it can't participate in international research partnerships.
C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. 18 implied HN points 19 Jan 25
  1. Canada has a lot of valuable resources and talent, but many Canadians are struggling with homelessness. This is partly because their economy is being affected by how the US operates.
  2. The Canadian dollar is tied too closely to the US dollar, making it harder for Canada to sell its goods at fair prices. This creates issues for Canadian businesses and workers.
  3. Many Canadians are frustrated with American influence and feel it's time to focus more on their own economy and products. This could lead to significant changes in how Canada interacts with American businesses.
ASeq Newsletter 7 implied HN points 05 Feb 25
  1. Illumina might face sanctions in China due to trade tensions. This situation is unusual for a company focused on genetic technology.
  2. Their revenue in China was only 7% of their total, which is about $75 million. It's important to note that this revenue has been decreasing since 2022.
  3. Even with these potential sanctions, the overall impact on Illumina is expected to be minor. Their business in China isn't as significant as it may seem.
Klement on Investing 2 implied HN points 13 Jun 25
  1. Pope John Paul II traveled to many countries, visiting 129 in total, which is more than all the previous popes combined. His trips brought attention to smaller and developing nations.
  2. Visits from the pope seem to boost trade for the countries he visits. This is especially true for poorer nations, which can get international focus during his trips.
  3. Countries with a large Catholic population see an even bigger increase in trade after a papal visit. The pope acts like a powerful trade ambassador when he travels.
Letters from an American 11 implied HN points 17 Feb 24
  1. Vice President Kamala Harris defended global engagement at the Munich Security Conference, emphasizing the importance of upholding international rules, norms, and alliances for American strength and security.
  2. Harris highlighted support for Ukraine as a stand for freedom and democracy, stressing the need for severe consequences on Russia to deter other authoritarians worldwide.
  3. The recent events surrounding Russian opposition leader Navalny's death tied the Republicans to Putin's regime, leading to distancing efforts and calls for accountability within the party.
Tippets by Taps 0 implied HN points 07 Nov 24
  1. Building fintech products in Africa can be challenging but rewarding. It's important to understand the unique operating environment in emerging markets.
  2. Finding product-market fit is crucial for startups, and it can come with various operational hurdles. Learning from those challenges can drive growth.
  3. Transitioning from a large company to a startup requires a different mindset. It's useful to know how startup operations differ between developed and emerging markets.
Theory Matters 0 implied HN points 25 Nov 25
  1. The book argues for the importance of American power in today's world, even though many find it a hard case to make. It suggests that America still plays a crucial role in global politics despite challenges.
  2. Hamid believes that democracy is essential for a better world order and sees America's universal values as a force for good. He draws connections between democracy and political authority.
  3. The review recommends reading Hamid's earlier work, 'The Problem of Democracy,' to understand the foundations of his arguments. It highlights how he uses a mix of different methods to support his claims.
Wide World of News 0 implied HN points 14 Apr 23
  1. The current news cycle has many unprecedented stories and fresh elements.
  2. Ron DeSantis' approach in his presidential quest is highly unorthodox.
  3. Various unique events, like North Korea's missile test and Biden's extended stay in Ireland, stand out in the news cycle.
Demodexio 0 implied HN points 21 Nov 23
  1. The USA is currently experiencing a period of rapid growth compared to other developed nations.
  2. America's historical success can be attributed to factors like military conquest, expanding the monetary economy, and governance structures.
  3. Questions remain about the impact of immigration, debt, and women's empowerment on the future prosperity of the USA.
Hill Bill 0 implied HN points 28 Jan 24
  1. Boeing 737 Max 9 planes are resuming passenger flights in the US this weekend after being grounded
  2. Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado banned from holding office by supreme court
  3. Reports show a significant increase in drug shortage alerts in France in 2023
RegAlert 0 implied HN points 13 Sep 23
  1. The Central Bank of Nigeria has issued guidelines for International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) regarding rate quotes and market conduct. IMTOs must adhere to specific rules related to payment mode, pricing, and rate quotes within a specified range.
  2. Failure to comply with the guidelines may lead to sanctions such as selling proceeds to the Central Bank, suspension of operations, and even loss of operating license.
  3. IMTOs should take note of the circular TED/FEM/PUB/FPC/001/009 and ensure they are in compliance with the regulations set by the Central Bank of Nigeria to avoid potential repercussions.
Hill Bill 0 implied HN points 21 Jan 24
  1. Iran launched a satellite into its highest orbit, raising concerns about its ballistic missile program.
  2. Russia has become China's top crude oil supplier in 2023, defying Western sanctions.
  3. Japan successfully landed a spacecraft on the moon, joining a select group of countries.
Venture Prose 0 implied HN points 19 Jun 17
  1. Introduce English-speaking habits early in your organization's journey to prepare for global expansion or hiring international talents.
  2. Offer tools and courses to help team members improve their English proficiency.
  3. Encourage consistent use of English in internal communication platforms like Slack to establish a language habit.
Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc 0 implied HN points 31 Oct 12
  1. The cybersecurity community in Vietnam faces a challenge of limited local experts, with more managers than technical specialists.
  2. TetCon 2013 introduces foreign speakers presenting in English, highlighting the importance of staying updated with global cybersecurity trends.
  3. Quality submissions from international experts like Eduardo Vela and Bruce Dang bring valuable insights to TetCon, emphasizing the significance of practical cybersecurity topics.
Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM 0 implied HN points 11 Jun 23
  1. Sam Altman, the head of OpenAI, has been traveling the world to connect with tech leaders and make partnerships.
  2. His recent trip to India didn't go as well as expected, with no clear benefits coming from the visit.
  3. Although Altman is visiting many cities globally, India's reception was filled with distractions and empty compliments.
Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM 0 implied HN points 31 Mar 23
  1. The US is trying hard to keep its chip companies from doing business with China, offering grants and imposing restrictions. But many companies prefer to work with China anyway.
  2. China is a major player in the semiconductor market, not just for manufacturing but also as a big consumer. Companies like Qualcomm and Apple make a significant portion of their sales from China.
  3. Despite the US government's efforts, major companies are visiting China to strengthen their relationships, showing that they value the potential of the Chinese market over American incentives.