Headlines edition

Tuesday headlines: Scratch and sniff

The FDA plans to allow Americans to "mix and match," i.e., receive a different Covid-19 vaccine as a booster than the one they initially received. / US News & World Report

The coronavirus is still mutating—how much does that matter? "I see nothing that suggests this virus is quieting down." / The Washington Post

Related: Average guy versus 100 mph fastballs. / YouTube

The pandemic, power cuts, and a worrying property slowdown all are slowing China's growth. / The Economist 

With cargo and containers at a premium, toymakers are focusing on small, squishy gifts for the holiday season. / CNN

China recently alarmed Washington by testing "a nuclear-capable hypersonic glide vehicle." That said, "this is not a Sputnik moment." / The Drive, Axios

A quiet San Francisco street is plagued by self-driving cars who love to visit and make a multi-point turn. / KPIX

Ian Bremmer: Countries have been the primary actors in global affairs for about 400 years. Tech companies are now stepping into that role. / Foreign Affairs

Colin Powell dies, the trailblazing general and diplomat who was "stained by Iraq." / The Associated Press

Francine Prose: Every lifelong friendship isn't one relationship but "a succession of serial friendships." / Lapham's Quarterly

"There were a set of circumstances that will never be repeated." From the restrictions placed on Polish artists came a bounty of design. / Creative Boom

Adam Savage, former co-host of MythBusters, attends Comic Con with some impressive hand-fashioned Ghostbusters gear. / The Morning News

See also: Incredible miniatures depict World War I trench warfare. / My Modern Met

A good repository in the answers to "what useful unknown website do you wish more people knew about?" / Reddit