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☆ Ukraine isn't the only country Russia is trying to topple
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Even as Russian bombs pound Ukraine, Moscow's mercenaries and spies are busy trying to set much of the rest of the world afire. To Russia, the conventional warfare waged in Ukraine, and unconventional "gray zone" warfare waged around the world, are two sides of the same coin. Human intelligence operations are used to attempt elite capture through the offer of assistance to politicians who support Russian interests. "As the war in Ukraine protracts, Russia has an interest in creating crises further afield," said RUSI. "As a lot of Russia's unconventional operations are self-defeating, countering Russian unconventional warfare must be premised on careful, selective, and intelligence- driven targeting," the study emphasized.

Persons: —, RUSI, Vladimir Putin, Jack Watling, Oleksandr Danylyuk, Nick Reynolds, Britain —, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Putin, Ramzan Kadyrov, Kadyrov, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Britain's Royal United Services Institute, Business, Kremlin, Soviet Union, NATO, Directorate, Staff of, Armed Forces, Getty, Russian, Central African, Wagner, GRU Expeditionary Corps, Convoy, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Europe, Africa, Central Asia, Soviet, Montenegro, Moscow, Moldova, Russian, Britain, Ukraine protracts, Balkans, Russia's, Libya, Mali, Sudan, Central African Republic, Chechnya, Forbes

☆ Uttar Pradesh: Court ruling effectively outlaws Islamic schools in India’s most populous state
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New Delhi CNN —A court in India’s most populous state has effectively banned Islamic schools by striking down on a law governing madrasas, weeks before a nationwide election that could further polarize the world’s largest democracy along religious lines. The Allahabad High Court in Uttar Pradesh on Friday declared the Madrasa Act of 2004 to be unconstitutional, according to a court order seen by CNN, while ordering the state government to move students enrolled in the Islamic system into mainstream schools. While the Allahabad High Court order cited India’s constitutional separation of religion and state in its reasoning for ruling against madrasas, it is Modi who has been frequently accused by critics of dismantling India’s secular traditions. Many Muslims and critics of the BJP have raised concerns that India’s secular fabric is also being eroded as anti-Muslim hate speech make frequent headlines and Muslim-owned properties face demolitions. In December 2020, the northeastern state of Assam passed a law to convert all Islamic schools to regular education institutions.

Persons: New Delhi CNN —, madrasas, ”, Narendra Modi’s, Iftikhar Ahmed Javed, Modi, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Debabrata Saikia Organizations: New, New Delhi CNN, CNN, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Reuters, madrasas Locations: New Delhi, India’s, Allahabad, Court, Uttar Pradesh, India, country’s, Assam

The recordings immediately went viral on social media, and the candidate, who is pro-NATO and aligned with Western interests, was defeated in September by an opponent who supported closer ties to Moscow and Russian President Vladimir Putin. AI images that falsely depicted former President Donald Trump sitting with teenage girls on Jeffrey Epstein’s plane circulated on social media last month. And once a deepfake appears on social media, it can be nearly impossible to stop its spread. Šimečka said his team and others complained to social media platforms and law enforcement. He said social media platforms need to “put measures in place” to prevent attempts to meddle with an election.

Persons: he’d, Vladimir Putin, ”, Joe Biden’s, Donald Trump, Jeffrey Epstein’s, Trump, “, Subrahmanian, Alex Curtas, Curtas, Jared DeMarinis, ’, ” DeMarinis, Chelsea Carattini, Ilana Beller, haven’t, ” Beller, Paul Vallas, Sean R, Clark, ” Vallas, Vallas, Brandon Johnson, ” “ We’ll, Slovakia Michal Šimečka, ” Šimečka, Šimečka, ” Daniel Milo, Milo, it’s, ” Milo, Janis Sarts, ” Sarts Organizations: CNN, NATO, Northwestern University, Senior, Twitter, Democratic, Chicago, Political, FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Public Citizen, State’s, Republican Party, Commission, Progressive, YouTube, Facebook, Slovakia’s Ministry, Meta, NATO Strategic Communications, of Excellence, Foreign Intelligence Service, Russian Intelligence Locations: Slovakia, Moscow, Europe, States, New Hampshire, Russia, China, Russian, Northwestern, American, California , Michigan, Minnesota , Texas, Washington, New Mexico, Idaho, Chicago, Progressive Slovakia, Slovakia’s, Latvia

☆ The Gen Z gender gap is widening, and the influence of manosphere podcasters can't be ignored
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Lindsay Dodgson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

There's an ideological gap widening between Gen Z's young men and women. Half of young men also believe they face some kind of discrimination, and less than half identify as feminists. Sharing the data, journalist and lawyer Imani Gandy commented on the pattern, saying: "YouTube algorithms are turning young men into sociopaths." "Women are going to rise up and women are going to take over everything and feminism is awful and women hate us," Stein said. "If you're being rewarded by the algorithm and by the platform you're creating on, you're going to probably keep doing it," she said.

Persons: Z's, —, haven't, Daniel Cox, Imani Gandy, Trump, — Imani Gandy, Andrew Tate, Pearl Davis, Myron Gaines, cohost, Gaines, Weekes shaming, Davis, Tate, Krysten Stein, might've, Stein Organizations: Service, Survey Center, University of Chicago Locations: sociopaths

☆ Trump is already flexing strongman power in the GOP
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The ex-president is trying to intimidate Nikki Haley into abandoning the GOP presidential race. Trump’s brisk assertion of his growing power as the likely nominee is a characteristic dismantling of constraints that echoes his behavior in office. But she provoked him by refusing to quickly fold her campaign and endorse him like other GOP candidates, including Florida Gov. But the disdain toward Haley from Trump world is remarkable. It would have essentially joined the party’s forces with Trump while an election involving a rival was still taking place.

Persons: Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, they’ll, Trump’s, anoint, Joe Biden, Trump, Haley, ”, Viktor Orbán, ” Orbán, he’s, ” Trump, Katon Dawson, Kasie Hunt, CNN Max, Dawson, polarize, Nikki, “ Donald Trump, ” Haley, Ron DeSantis, South Carolina Sen, Tim Scott, “, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, MAGA, Elise Stefanik, —, Collins, Biden doesn’t, Biden, Republican Sen, Todd Young, Utah Sen, Mitt Romney, who’s, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, doesn’t, ” Murphy, CNN’s Manu Raju, Vladimir Putin Organizations: CNN, Republican Party, GOP, South, Republican National Committee, Trump, Biden, South Carolina GOP, CNN International, Palmetto State, Florida Gov, RNC, Republican, Democratic, Capitol Locations: Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, genuflect, Manchester , New Hampshire, Hungarian, “ State, Palmetto, Cuba, United States, Charleston, Hampshire, Trump, New York, Indiana, Utah, Ukraine

☆ Icon of the Seas: Why Americans Are Obsessed With Big Cruise Ships
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Henry Wismayer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

Love them or loathe them, giant cruise ships are among the most remarkable success stories of the mass tourism age. Rechristened the Mardi Gras, the first Carnival cruise ship sailed out of Miami that March. Cruise ships like the Icon of the Seas will spend the majority of their trip at sea. Eight years later, cruise ships such as the Diamond Princess became early incubators for COVID-19. Cruise Market Watch forecasts there will be 360 cruise ships in service at the end of this year, comprising less than 1% of the global commercial fleet.

Persons: Ted Arison, Arison, Pieter De Boer, Costa, Diamond, Aaron Saunders, We've, Sue Bryant, Z, sass, Emma Le Teace, YouTuber, David Foster Wallace, Harper's, Sarah Knorr, Bryan Comer, Karla Hart, Hart, Saunders, it's, Henry Wismayer Organizations: Port, Passengers, Mardi Gras, Mardi, Gras, Cruise, Royal Caribbean, Costa Concordia, Cruise Lines International Association, Broadway, CivicScience, Royal, Virgin, Business, Transport & Environment, Getty, International Council, Global Cruise, Global Cruise Activist Network, Cruise Market, Royal Caribbean International, New York Times, National Geographic, Financial Times Locations: Port of Miami, Caribbean, Miami, The Port, Tuscany, Italy, Royal Caribbean, TikTok, Panama, Bahamas, Brussels, Netherlands, Douarnenez, Venice, Dubrovnik, Croatia, Amsterdam, Juneau , Alaska, Skagway , Alaska, CocoCay, London

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — Artificial intelligence is easily the biggest buzzword for world leaders and corporate bosses diving into big ideas at the World Economic Forum’s glitzy annual meeting in Davos. In a sign of ChatGPT maker OpenAI’s skyrocketing profile, CEO Sam Altman is making his Davos debut to rock star crowds, with his benefactor, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, hot on his heels. Illustrating AI’s geopolitical importance like few other technologies before it, the word was on the lips of world leaders from China to France. Here's a look at the buzz:OPENAI OPENING BIG AT DAVOSPolitical Cartoons View All 253 ImagesThe leadership drama at the AI world's much-ballyhooed chatbot maker followed Altman and Nadella to the swanky Swiss snows. China, one of the world’s centers of AI development, wants to “step up communication and cooperation with all parties” on improving global AI governance, Li said.

Persons: OpenAI’s, Sam Altman, Satya Nadella, Altman, Nadella, “, OpenAI, Klaus Schwab quizzed, Li Qiang, ”, Li, Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron, Google's Bard, he's, can’t, Julie Sweet, Arvind Krishna, Yann LeCun, LeCun, ____ Chan, Matt O'Brien Organizations: Davos, DAVOS, Bloomberg, Microsoft, ”, European, EU, Accenture, AP Locations: DAVOS, Switzerland, Davos, China, France, Swiss, percolated, afterparties, Europe, Britain, Valley, London, Providence , Rhode Island

☆ Opinion: Psychology explains why the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is so intractable
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Opinion Nafees Hamid | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —As fighting continues between Israel and Hamas, many may wonder why this war — and, more broadly, the decades-long Israeli–Palestinian conflict — is so intractable. A feature of sacred values is that they cannot be traded-off with profane values like material incentives to compromise. When each side was offered foreign aid to incentivize the deal, it produced a backfire effect among those who held sacred values. When a symbolic concession was offered, those holding sacred values were less angered and disgusted by the deal, and support for violent opposition plummeted. Carrot-and-stick policies, such as the promise of foreign aid coupled with the threat of sanctions, backfire when presented to those holding sacred values.

Persons: Nafees Hamid, one’s, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, Khaled Meshaal, Bezalel Smotrich, Israel ”, Israel, Bezalel, it’s, Netanyahu Organizations: King’s College London, CNN, UN, Getty, Israel Defense Forces, Hamas, Defense, Administration, West Bank, Palestinian, New School for Social Research, Jewish, Israel, Tel Aviv University, Bank Locations: Israel, US, Qatar, Palestine, Gaza, Jordan, Russian Republic of Dagestan, Berlin, Jerusalem, Israeli, Palestinian

The network of nearly 4,800 fake accounts was attempting to build an audience when it was identified and eliminated by the tech company, which owns Facebook and Instagram. The accounts sported fake photos, names and locations as a way to appear like everyday American Facebook users weighing in on political issues. Meta often points to its efforts to shut down fake social media networks as evidence of its commitment to protecting election integrity and democracy. But critics say the platform's focus on fake accounts distracts from its failure to address its responsibility for the misinformation already on its site that has contributed to polarization and distrust. But 2024 poses new challenges, according to experts who study the link between social media and disinformation.

Persons: Meta, Ben Nimmo, Donald Trump, Trump, Democrat Joe Biden, Biden, Zamaan Qureshi, ”, Jennifer Stromer, Elon Musk, Kyle Morse, Nimmo, Meta's Organizations: WASHINGTON, Inc, Meta, Democrat, Real Facebook, Syracuse University, Twitter, Republicans, Tech, Ukraine Locations: China, U.S, India, Mexico, Ukraine, Pakistan, Taiwan, Menlo Park , California, Tibet, Iran, Russia

☆ Stop being fooled by misinformation. Do this instead
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

It’s a text from your credit card company — someone is trying to purchase a $2,500 laptop using your account number. Be it finance, health care or politics, there is a global “infodemic” of misinformation that is affecting people’s health and well-being, according to the World Health Organization. “For most of the population who isn’t extreme in their attitudes, fact-checking and debunking reduces the degree to which people rely on falsehoods, but it doesn’t fully eliminate it,” van der Linden said. This approach works much like a vaccine, van der Linden said. “Instead of talking about immigration or abortion, talk about ‘Star Wars’ and ‘South Park’ as a starting point,” van der Linden said.

Persons: COVID, ”, Sander van der, van der Linden, Oscar Wong, nudges, “, ” van der Linden, you’re, Anakin, Obi, ” Obi, “ We’ll Organizations: CNN, Facebook, World Health Organization, WHO, “, Social, University of Cambridge, American Psychological Association, Getty, Cambridge, Research, ‘ Locations: Sander van der Linden, Covid, Cambridge, Canada, absolutes

☆ Opinion | Hostages Must Be at the Center of Every Conversation About This War
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Moshe Emilio Lavi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

But for my family, there will be no end to this pain and no peace until the 240 hostages that Hamas kidnapped are rescued. Omri, Lishay, Roni and Alma are not political pawns; they are human beings who deserve to be reunited as a family. But amid the chaos and complexity of this conflict, the hostages must not be forgotten. Taking hostages — civilians, including babies, children, the disabled and the elderly — is a grave violation of the Geneva Conventions. Addressing the plight of hostages is not a diversion from the broader political and military issues at the heart of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Persons: Omri Miran, Roni, Alma, Oz, Omri, Lishay, ”, Lishay Lavi, Israel, pidyon shvuyim, “, Omri — Organizations: Israel Defense Forces, Washington , D.C, Hamas, Sapir College Locations: Kibbutz, Gaza, London, Paris, Berlin, United States, Washington ,, Israel, Nahal Oz, Alma, Negev, Geneva, Qatar

☆ Mexico's Ebrard sticks with ruling party, avoids break with president
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mexico's former Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, who was a runner-up to Claudia Sheinbaum in the ruling National Regeneration Movement's (MORENA) presidential primary, holds a press conference in Mexico City, Mexico, September 11, 2023. Afterwards, he had held out the possibility of seeking the presidency with the center-left opposition Citizens' Movement (MC) party. However, this weekend MC closed its register of contenders for its presidential candidacy without Ebrard. He was also a key interlocutor for Mexico's negotiations over trade and immigration with then-U.S. President Donald Trump, and the succeeding Biden administration. That has helped polarize public opinion, and Ebrard urged MORENA to broaden its base and cultivate middle class support.

Persons: Marcelo Ebrard, Claudia Sheinbaum, Raquel Cunha, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Ebrard, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, Lopez, Donald Trump, Biden, Lopez Obrador, MORENA, Dave Graham, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, Regeneration, Mexico City Mayor, Citizens ' Movement, Thomson Locations: MORENA, Mexico City, Mexico, MEXICO, Asia

☆ A New Place to Learn Civics: The Workplace
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Melissa Eddy | More About Melissa Eddy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

A peaceful end to the war in Ukraine. That was the wish behind a post that Simge Krüger made on LinkedIn in March. In response, people began posting their wishes that her husband, father and brother be killed in combat. “I was just talking about peace and I’m suddenly a Nazi,” Ms. Krüger, a Turkish citizen who lives in Hamburg, said in an interview. Weeks later, sitting in a workshop led by a pro-democracy organization, she came to understand what happened in that dizzying moment.

Persons: Krüger, “, I’m, ” Ms, Weeks Organizations: LinkedIn, Nazi Locations: Ukraine, Germany, Turkish, Hamburg

☆ Australia Voice referendum: Voters urged to 'choose love' as polls show referendum poised to fail
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

A No campaign worker hands out leaflets outside an early voting center on October 4, in Ballina, Australia. “But it’s also about love of ourselves, whether we have the courage to love what Australia is. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty ImagesNo love for Yes campaignHowever, a leading No campaigner mocked Pearson’s speech, accusing the Yes campaign of promoting empty slogans. “The Yes campaign, it’s the vibe. If the referendum fails, Albanese said he will respect the democratic vote of the nation and won’t legislate a Voice to Parliament.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, –, James D, Morgan, Albanese, Stringer, ” Albanese, it’s, Noel Pearson, ”, Pearson, Amar Singh, Rachel Perkins, Lisa Maree Williams, they’ve …, Nyunggai Warren Mundine, Mundine, “, you’ve, ’ ”, there’ll, we’ve, ” Mundine, “ We’re Organizations: Australia CNN, Nations, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islanders, Voice, Australian, Getty, National Press Club, Australian Broadcasting, Indigenous Locations: Brisbane, Australia, Ballina, Uluru, AFP, Sydney

GENEVA (AP) — The U.N. human rights chief called on Monday for an “urgent reversal” of military takeovers and return to civilian rule in countries in Africa where coups have driven out elected leaders in recent years as he assailed a multitude of crises across the globe. Volker Türk's comments set the early tone for the U.N.'s top human rights body as he opened its fall session against the backdrop of conflicts and crises — including the plights of migrants from Myanmar to Mali and Mexico. “The unconstitutional changes in government that we have seen in the Sahel are not the solution,” Türk said. Türk also expressed his concern about a proposed bill in Iran that would impose severe penalties for violations of the country's strictly enforced law on women's mandatory headscarf, or hijab. His remarks came just days before the first anniversary of the Sept. 16 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was detained by Iran's morality police allegedly over violating the dress code, and the nationwide protests that were sparked by her death.

Persons: Volker Türk's, ” Türk, ”, Türk, —, Alexei Navalny, Vladimir Kara, Murza, Amini Organizations: GENEVA, Human Rights, Kremlin Locations: Africa, Myanmar, Mali, Mexico, Sahel, North Africa, Burkina Faso, Niger, Haiti, Beirut, U.S, China, Xinjiang, Iran

☆ Prigozhin’s internet trolls blame West and defend Putin over Wagner chief’s death, researchers say
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Katharina Krebs | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

At that time, CNN obtained undercover video recorded inside the secretive Internet Research Agency, where internet provocateurs worked 12-hour shifts, aiming to distort political debate in the US. CNN has checked the accounts from a list shared by Bot Blocker, and noted apparent patterns of activity. According to Bot Blocker, the trolls spread their narratives through comments in various threads and posts which are related to relevant subjects. If the rebellion is mentioned, then it’s only as a long-exhausted issue,” Bot Blocker added. According to the initial analysis from Bot Blocker, there were no changes in rhetoric after the official confirmation of Prigozhin’s death.

Persons: Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Prigozhin, provocateurs, – Bot, Bot Blocker, ”, Andrey Soshnikov, Putin, Russia …, Prigozhin’s, Blocker, Bot Organizations: CNN, Internet Research Agency, Twitter, PMC Wagner Locations: St, Petersburg, United States, Russia, Ukraine, Africa, Moscow, St . Petersburg, Russian

☆ Analysis: Trump mug shot is stark in its simplicity
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The mug shot of Donald Trump instantly became one of the most iconic images of anyone who served as commander in chief. Video Ad Feedback Haberman: This is the message Trump wanted to convey in his mug shot 01:08 - Source: CNNFor those who revile Trump for his autocratic instincts, demagoguery, vulgarity and self-obsession, the mug shot may offer feelings of vindication. For any other politician, a mug shot would be the end. Even though he’s no longer in office, Trump’s mug shot will now enter the historic record of the select band of those who’ve called the White House home. The same will be true of Trump’s mug shot.

Persons: Donald Trump, P01135809, Trump, revile Trump, he’s, –, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Jacqueline Kennedy, husband’s, Richard Nixon’s, George W, Bush, catalyzing Organizations: CNN, Office, Republican, Trump, Service, Twitter, GOP, White, Air Force, Hurricane Locations: Fulton, Georgia, New York, Atlanta, Wisconsin, Dallas, ignominy

☆ Does Facebook Polarize Users? Meta Disagrees With Partners Over Research Conclusions
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Jeff Horwitz | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/does-facebook-polarize-users-meta-disagrees-with-partners-over-research-conclusions-24fde67a

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Pandemic Divisiveness in the U.S. Wasn’t What It Seemed - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( David Wallace-Wells | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

I’d like to tell you a story about the pandemic, one that may sound so gauzily hopeful, it would qualify today as a public health fairy tale. Instead, political leaders could have moved forward more or less in unison, navigating epidemiological uncertainties unencumbered by the weight of the culture war. But at the state and local levels, for many months, red and blue authorities moved in quite close parallel. For the most part, red and blue people did, too. Over the next few weeks, inspired by this book and a few other efforts at pandemic autopsy, I’ll examine the experience of 2020 and how it is already distorted in our memory.

Persons: Covid Organizations: PublicAffairs Locations: United States

It's an accepted fact," Gandhi, who belongs to the opposition Congress party, said in remarks at The National Press Club in a visit to Washington. China and India have been uneasy neighbors for decades following a war on their disputed Himalayan frontier in the early 1960s. In May, Modi said peace on India's border with China is essential for normal relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours. Separately, Gandhi blamed Modi for India's religious polarization, saying his Hindu nationalist party was not inclusive. They don't embrace everybody, and they divide society," Gandhi said.

Persons: Rahul Gandhi, Narendra Modi's, It's, Gandhi, Modi, Simon Lewis, Kanishka Singh, Jamie Freed Organizations: National Press Club, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, 161st, Thomson Locations: China, Beijing, Washington, India, Arunachal Pradesh, Tibet

☆ A strange TikTok trend called 'sludge content' has Gen Z hooked. Here's what you need to know.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

TikTok has a mindless new obsession called "sludge content." Gen Zers, already known for being overstimulated, are fixating on a TikTok trend that is making them even more so. Multiscreen videos, dubbed "sludge content," have been sweeping the platform. As well as "Subway Surfers," common clips used in sludge videos include screen recordings of various smartphone games and the TV show "Family Guy." The origin of the videos is unknown but some think they keep viewers watching content for longer.

☆ A strange new TikTok trend called 'sludge content' has Gen Z hooked
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

TikTok has a mindless new obsession called "sludge content." Gen Zers, already known for being overstimulated, have a new TikTok obsession that is making them even more so. Multiscreen videos, dubbed "sludge content," have been sweeping the platform. As well as "Subway Surfers," common clips used in sludge videos include screen recordings of various smartphone games and the TV show "Family Guy." The origin of the videos is unknown but some think they keep viewers watching content for longer.

☆ Lindsey Graham repeats false claim that Democrats support 'abortion at the moment of birth' on CNN
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Graham falsely claimed that Democrats support abortion up until the "moment of birth." Democrats in fact support legislation allowing abortion after viability only when the mother's life and health are at risk. The senator repeated claims that Democrats support elective abortion at birth – a claim that medical experts say is false. Abortion up to the moment of birth, taxpayer-funded," Graham, a Republican, told CNN's Dana Bash on "State of the Union." They introduced legislation that allowed abortion demand with taxpayer-funded – you paying for it, the taxpayer – up to the moment of birth," Graham responded.

☆ Hershey says it stands by its International Women's Day campaign featuring a trans woman even after calls to boycott the company
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Hershey says it stands by its International Women's Day campaign featuring a trans woman. The campaign featured Fae Johnstone, a trans woman, on chocolate-bar wrappers. The campaign triggered conservatives on social media who are calling for a boycott of the company. As part of its He for She campaign, Hershey is featuring Fae Johnstone, a trans-rights activist, on limited-edition chocolate bar wrappers in Canada. Her tweets were met with praise and support from some, but also with criticism from conservatives and calls to boycott Hershey.

Organizations: & &'

☆ Brittney Griner's return could be the unlikely catalyst that forces the WNBA to relent on its most contentious policy
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( Meredith Cash | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

WNBA free agency is underway, with teams receiving the green light to recruit stars as of this weekend. Top free agent Breanna Stewart has reportedly made charter flights a key issue for teams wooing her. Private flights are not covered by the league's CBA, but Brittney Griner's return may force policy changes. The 2018 MVP took to Twitter to announce that she's prepared to help "subsidize charter travel for the entire WNBA" by offering her "NIL, posts + production hours." Several current WNBA players, including Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike, Elena Delle Donne, Napheesa Collier, Alysha Clark, Erica Wheeler, Kahleah Copper, and Natalie Achonwa, offered their support in the comments.

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