DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Hong Kong's 'Captain America' protester is second convicted under national security law
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-26 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

HONG KONG — A Hong Kong activist dubbed "Captain America 2.0" for wielding the superhero's shield during protests was found guilty of incitement to secession on Monday, the second person convicted under a national security law imposed by China in a crackdown on dissent. Critics say authorities have used the security law as a tool of repression, and that the right to free speech, enshrined in the city's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, has been severely undermined. Hong Kong's first national security conviction involved a man, Tong Ying-kit, who rode a motorcycle into a group of police officers. "The environment of repression and perpetual uncertainty created by the national security law makes it impossible to know what activities might lead to criminal sanctions," she added. A Hong Kong Security Bureau spokesman said in response to a Reuters request for comment that "every person or organization must abide by the laws of Hong Kong," and that the security legislation "upholds human rights."

Persons: Ma Chun, Stanley Chan, unreservedly, ” Ma, Critics, Hong Kong's, Tong Ying, Tong, America’s, Edwin Choy, Ma, Anjhula Mya Singh Bais, Hong, ” Singh Bais Organizations: NBC, China, British, Defense, Amnesty, Hong, Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, AP, Hong Kong Security Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Kong, Asia's, Taiwan

☆ Facebook shares under pressure following release of leaked whistleblower documents
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-25 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Facebook shares were slightly negative in premarket trading Monday morning after the news outlets published their stories based on the leaked documents. Language barriersSome of the reports showed how Facebook's content moderation systems can fall flat when faced with languages besides English. Hate speech concerns in the region were amplified by similar language barrier issues as in the Middle East. According to the AP, Facebook added hate speech classifiers in Hindi and Bengali in 2018 and 2020, respectively. A Facebook spokesperson told the Times that hate speech against marginalized groups in India and elsewhere has been growing, and its "committed to updating our policies as hate speech evolves online."

Persons: Mark Zuckerberg, Andrew Harrer, Frances Haugen, we're, it's, I've Organizations: Facebook Inc, Financial, Washington , D.C, Bloomberg, Getty, ., Facebook, Securities and Exchange Commission, U.S, Capitol, AP, Associated Press, The New York Times, Times Locations: Washington ,, India

☆ Federal judges will reportedly face stiffer stock-trading rules under proposed bipartisan bills
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-25 | by ( Finanzen.Net Gmbh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

AP Photo/Susan WalshUS judges face tighter stock-trading rules under proposed legislation in Washington, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday. The proposals include requiring judges to report stock trades of more than $1,000 within 45 days. The bills follow a WSJ investigation showing judges violated laws related to stock holding while hearing court cases. A bipartisan group of lawmakers will introduce legislation aimed at tightening rules on stock trading for federal judges, according to The Wall Street Journal. The proposed legislation comes after the Federal Reserve said last week it will ban policymakers from buying individual stocks, making that move following controversial equity holdings by two regional presidents who have already stepped down.

Persons: Sen, John Cornyn, Susan Walsh, Lawmakers Organizations: Capitol, AP, Wall Street, Wall Street Journal, Republican, Federal Reserve Locations: Texas, Washington

☆ GOP Virginia governor candidate airs new ad starring a parent who wanted to remove Toni Morrison's 'Beloved' from schools because it gave her nearly college-aged son nightmares
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-25 | by ( Grace Panetta | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A new ad for Virginia's Republican governor nominee features Fairfax parent Laura Murphy. She fought to get Toni Morrison's "Beloved" removed from her son's AP English curriculum in 2013. Murphy, who said the book gave her son nightmares, argued for parents to have more say over their kids' school curriculum. "As a parent, it's tough to catch everything" Laura Murphy, identified as a Fairfax County mother, says in the ad. But the Fairfax County School Board declined to take up Murphy's challenge, and it remained as part of the school's curriculum.

Persons: Fairfax, Laura Murphy, Toni Morrison's, Murphy, Glenn Youngkin's, Blake Murphy, Terry McAuliffe Organizations: Republican, AP, Service, Virginia Republican, Fairfax, Washington Post, Post, Fairfax County School, Republicans, Democratic Gov, GOP Locations: Fairfax County, America, Fairfax, Virginia

☆ 'Beautiful' 900-year-old Crusader sword discovered by diver off the coast of Israel
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-24 | by ( Bethany Dawson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

An iron sword dating back to 1100 has been found off the coast of Israel. Yaakov Sharvit, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority's Marine Archaeology Unit, holds a sword that dates back to the Crusades. It was discovered by an amateur diver of the coast of Caesarea, Israel, October 18, 2021. A sword that likely belonged to a Crusader lays on the beach near to where it was recovered off the coast of Caesarea, Israel on October 18, 2021. Ronen Zvulun/ReutersThe diver, Shlomi Katzin, has been given a certificate of appreciation for good citizenship after his historic find.

Persons: Yaakov Sharvit, Ronen Zvulun, Nir Distelfeld, Shlomi Katzin Organizations: Service, Israel's Antiquities Authority, Israel Antiquities Authority's, Archaeology Unit, Reuters, AP, Government Locations: Israel, Israel's, Caesarea, Haifa

☆ Some colleges are practicing 'affirmative action' for boys, since more girls apply, education experts say. It points to a bigger problem.
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-24 | by ( Aria Bendix | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Researchers say this is a form of affirmative action, and it's a sign of bigger problems in the education system. A 2011 study found that parents are more likely to read to girls than boys, and more likely to spank boys than girls. Katherine Frey/The Washington Post/Getty ImagesBoys tend to score higher than girls on standardized science and math tests in high school. "We're seeing this gender disparity in higher education exacerbated, where there's fewer and fewer boys in higher education as a result of the pandemic," Owens said. For these boys, Owens added, it's often easier to follow a path that's been laid out for them already.

Persons: Jayanti Owens, —, Owens, Allen J, It's, Young, Adrian Huerta, Deborah Sewell, Isaiah Rodriguez's, Katherine Frey, Huerta, Marta Lavandier, Mary Hoftiezer, Joe Amon Organizations: Service, Privacy, Wall Street Journal, Brown University, Elementary School, Los Angeles Times, National Center, Childhood, Wellness, University of Southern, Montgomery College, Washington Post, AP, Pell Institute for, Opportunity, Higher, Street, Fairview, Denver Post Locations: Los Angeles , California, University of Southern California, Takoma Park , Maryland, Florida, COVID, Denver , Colorado

I literally texted back, "I don't think I'm going to be fighting Proud Boys on my commute. Joe Novotny, the House reading clerk: We were preparing to be there for a really, really long day. It's not immediately obvious, because you're just really, really not expecting anything. I knew there was going to be something worth recording, but I didn't know what it was going to be. And that part was really, really hard.

Persons: Jay Rupert, Sen, Tammy Duckworth, Alan Chin, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Jake Auchincloss, Rob Portman, Katherine Tully, McManus, Trump, Joseph Prezioso, Chuck Schumer, Cheriss, John Eastman, Gerry Connolly, I'm, Chris Coons, Karlin Younger, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Ruben Gallego, Adam Kinzinger, Samuel Corum, Joe Novotny, Carolyn Maloney, Nancy Pelosi, Mike Pence, Erin Scott, Mitch McConnell, Iowa Republican Sen, Chuck Grassley, J, Scott Applewhite, Marco Rubio, Russell, Peter Meijer, It's, Pence, you've, Raúl, Paul Gosar, Gosar, We've, there'd, he's, Mark Finchem, you'd, Zachary Rehl, Ethan Nordean, Carolyn Kaster, Tom Williams, Pete Aguilar, Finchem, Lankford, James Lankford, Steve Daines, Igor Bobic, I've, John Minchillo, John Mulligan, Jason Dick, Paul Kane, Grassley, Chuck Grassley gavels, we're, Eugene Goodman, Goodman, Tammy Duckworth Goodman, Insurrectionists, John Minchillo Tammy Duckworth, They've, they're, Andrew Harnik, Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, James Clyburn, it's, Jim McGovern, You've, Lucille Roybal, Allard of California, Annie Kuster, Seth Moulton, Troy Nehls, Markwayne Mullin, Don Beyer, Brent Stirton, Ashli Babbitt, Lindsey Graham, Ron Johnson, Cory Booker, Sen . Roy Blunt, Win McNamee, they'd, Tommy Tuberville, Angus King, We're, Duckworth, Amy Klobuchar, weren't, Jon Snow, Rob Zatkowski, we've, Everything's, billy, Olivier Douliery, Congress reconvenes, Erin Schaff, Matt Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, Jim Lo Scalzo, McConnell, Schumer, I'd, Andy Kim, Jake Auchincloss Joe Novotny, Ritchie Torres, Leah Millis, —, Goodman's Organizations: Trump, Metropolitan Police Department, Boys, Capitol, Republican Party, Capitol Hill, Metropolitan DC, Democrat, Ohio Republican, CQ, Getty, Democratic, Electoral, Capitol Police, Virginia Democrat, Delaware Democrat, Periodical Press, Pentagon, Illinois Democrat, Rep, Arizona Democrat, Illinois Republican, Republicans, New, New York Democrat, Republican, Iowa Republican, Senate, SPAN, Florida Republican, Michigan Republican, RNC, Republican National Committee, Democratic National Committee, MPD, Rayburn, Inc, California Democrat, Oklahoma Republican, Daily Press, People, The Washington Post, Service, Ohio, AP, World Trade, Confederate, House, U.S . Capitol, Police, Getty Images, Minas Tirith, National Guard, South Carolina Republican, . Press, Press, Congress, Washington Post, DC Metro Police Locations: Hill, Georgia, Ohio, Washington , DC, AFP, Virginia, Delaware, Illinois, Arizona, New York, Rayburn, Florida, Paul Gosar . Arizona, Iraq, Republican Arizona, Washington, balaclava, California, Oklahoma, The, New Hampshire, Texas, Minas, United States, Versailles, Wisconsin, Alabama, Maine, It's, New Jersey

☆ Former French politician charged with terrorism in right-wing plot to attack vaccine centers: report
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-24 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Former French politician Rémy Daillet-Wiedemann was charged with terrorism in connection with a plot to attack vaccine centers, police said. Daillet, known in far-right circles, was previously implicated in a plot to kidnap a child whose mother had lost custody of her, AP News reported. Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyA former French politician was charged with terrorism in connection with a plot to attack vaccine centers, according to reports. Rémy Daillet-Wiedemann was charged on Friday after authorities said he was involved with a right-wing plan to attack vaccination centers and other targets, including a masonic lodge, AP News reported. Jean-Christophe Basson-Larbi, Daillet's lawyer, referred to his client as a "political prisoner" who has called for the end of the French political system, AP reported.

Persons: Rémy, Wiedemann, Daillet, Jean, Christophe Basson, Larbi Organizations: AP News, France, Service, Radio, Radio France Internationale, AP, RFI Locations: French, Radio France, France, Switzerland

☆ North Korea may be making plans for a future without Kim Jong Un
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-24 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Rule without rulesKim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, and Kim Jong Un. In 2017, Kim Jong Un had his half-brother, Kim Jong Nam, assassinated in Kuala Lumpur. Kim Jong Nam was the eldest son of Kim Jong Il and had been a vocal critic of the regime. No alternativesKim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un tour an under-construction power plant in August 2001. Kim Yo Jong, sister of Kim Jong Un, at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in South Korea, February 10, 2018.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Kim, Kim Jong, Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, Jang, Kim Jong Nam, Jong Nam, Bruce Bennett, He's, Bennett, —, Sue Mi Terry, Terry, Kim Yo Jong, Jean Catuffe Organizations: Service, Getty, KCNA, Reuters, Workers ' Party of Korea, RAND Corporation, Eighth Party Congress, Workers ' Party of Korea Central Committee, Provincial Party Committees, REUTERS, Korean Central News Agency, Korea News Service, AP, North, Hyundai, Korea Foundation Center, Korean, State Affairs Commission Locations: North Korea, Korea, Kuala Lumpur, Pyongyang, Northeast Asia, South Korea

☆ Halloween is back: People are shelling out for candy, costumes, and decor after a quieter 2020
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-23 | by ( Avery Hartmans | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Spending on Halloween candy has already surged: sales jumped 29% vs. 2020, per Numerator data. Ahead of Halloween weekend — the holiday falls on a Sunday this year — sales of candy, costumes, and decor are soaring across the US, with consumer spending expected to reach an all-time high of $10.14 billion. NRF found that consumers plan to spend $102.74 on average — $10 more than they planned to spend in 2020 — on items like decorations, costumes, and candy. According to data from Numerator, people have already purchased more Halloween candy than they did in 2020 — more, even, than in 2019. John Downs, president and CEO of the National Confectioners Association, told AdWeek that "chocolate and candy sales have come roaring back during the 2021 Halloween season."

Persons: it's, Prosper, NRF, Candy, AdWeek's Paul Hiebert, they're, Timothy LeBel, AdWeek, John Downs, Abha Bhattarai, I've, Mary Meisenzahl, Lowe's, Maura Judkis, Brynn Anderson, Gregor Lawson, spandex, Morphsuits, MLive, Lawson, Jacob Cowger, KCRG Organizations: Service, National Retail Federation, Mars Wrigley, National Confectioners Association, Washington Post, AP, Association, ABC Locations: Washington, Virginia, Cedar Rapids , Iowa

☆ Austrian chancellor says the unvaccinated could be forced to lockdown in their homes if COVID-19 cases worsen
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-23 | by ( Connor Perrett | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Austria's chancellor on Friday warned of possible restrictions for people not vaccinated against COVID-19. Restrictions for unvaccinated people would begin if ICU capacity reaches 25%, he said, according to the Associated Press. If more than 600 people require treatment in the ICU, health authorities will require the unvaccinated to remain in their homes. There are about 220 COVID-19 patients in Austrian ICUs, about half the number required to trigger the restrictions, the AP reported. According to the World Health Organization, there have been 784,429 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began last year.

Persons: Alexander Schallenberg, Schallenberg Organizations: COVID, Associated Press, Service, AP, World Health Organization, WHO Locations: Austria, Austrian

☆ 4 killed in Tacoma, Washington, shooting; suspect at large
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-22 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

TACOMA, Wash. — Four people were killed in a shooting in Tacoma, Washington, on Thursday afternoon and authorities were searching for at least one suspect, police said. Detectives and crime scene technicians have responded to the scene. Investigators are unsure whether the shooter acted alone, Haddow told The Seattle Times. Police stand by a covered body at the scene of a shooting in Tacoma, Wash., on Oct. 21, 2021. Drew Perine / The News Tribune via APCrime scene technicians and detectives had blocked off several blocks around the shooting scene and were expected to gather evidence into the night, she said.

Persons: Wendy Haddow, Haddow, Drew Perine Organizations: The Tacoma Police Department, Twitter, Police, The News Tribune, Tacoma Police Department, Seattle Times, AP Locations: TACOMA, Tacoma , Washington, Salishan, Tacoma

☆ North and South Korea are both showing off new weapons, but they're trying to send very different messages
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-22 | by ( Duyeon Kim | World Politics Review | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

These weapon systems, if deployed, could directly threaten South Korea, Japan and even the United States. Yonhap via REUTERSStill, South Korea remains hopeful, even as North Korea threatens further missile tests and nuclear weapons development. The Biden administration should continue with its overtures and consistent messages about meeting without preconditions and harboring no hostile intentions toward North Korea. The exorbitant earnings from such activities have become a lucrative source of financing for North Korea's nuclear weapons program. At the same time, Washington should prepare a strategy for when the pandemic subsides or when North Korea appears ready to engage once more.

Persons: —, Kim Jong Un, Moon Jae, Joe Biden, Moon, Kim, Biden, Pyongyang's cybercrimes, Duyeon Kim Organizations: Service, Workers ' Party, North, KCNA, REUTERS, 8th Party Congress, Korean Central News Agency, Korea News Service, AP, Washington, Biden, expos, South Korea Defense Ministry, US, South, UN, United Nations, Yonhap, National Assembly, Democratic Party, Korea, International Atomic Energy Agency, Center, New, New American Security, Atomic Scientists Locations: Korea, Pyongyang, Washington, Seoul, North Korea, North Koreans, United States, South Korea, Japan, North, West, South, Korean, South Korean, China, Beijing, Panmunjom, New American, East

☆ Delta Air Lines is restoring 13 routes out of New York this fall that were suspended during the pandemic — see the full list
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-22 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Between JFK and Frankfurt, GermanyFrankfurt, Germany Pigprox/ShutterstockDelta will restore nonstop service between New York and Frankfurt on December 13. Between LaGuardia and Columbia, South CarolinaColumbia, South Carolina Jeffrey Collins/APDelta will restore daily nonstop service between New York and Columbia on November 4. Between LaGuardia and Burlington, VermontBurlington, Vermont Sean Pavone/ShutterstockDelta will restore daily nonstop service between New York and Burlington on November 4. Between Newark and Raleigh, North CarolinaRaleigh, North Carolina Kevin Ruck/ShutterstockDelta will restore daily nonstop service between Newark and Raleigh on November 7. Between LaGuardia and Key West, FloridaKey West, Florida Dennis Kartenkaemper/ShutterstockDelta will restore daily nonstop service between New York and Key West on December 18.

Persons: —, Delta's, Joe Esposito, Thomas, St, Martin, Here's, São Paulo, Brazil São, South Carolina Jeffrey Collins, Burlington , Vermont Burlington , Vermont Sean Pavone, Norfolk , Virginia Norfolk , Virginia Roberto Galan, Baltimore , Maryland Baltimore , Maryland Jose Luis Stephens, Raleigh , North Carolina Raleigh , North Carolina Kevin Ruck, Shutterstock, Palm Beach , Florida Flavio Vallenari, Florida Dennis Kartenkaemper Organizations: Delta, Service, Delta Air Lines, New York's JFK International Airport, LaGuardia, Orlando, Singapore Airlines, German, Lufthansa, Brazil São Paulo, American Airlines, LATAM, JetBlue Airways, Getty, Republic Airways, Delta Connection, Southwest Airlines, AP Delta, Endeavor Air, United Airlines, West Palm Beach, Florida Key, Key West Locations: New York, JFK, LaGuardia, New, Delta, Worcester , Massachusetts, Europe, Africa, South America, Mexico, Paris, London, Dublin, St, Caribbean, Tel Aviv, Israel, Panama City, Panama, Los Angeles , New York, Lagos, Nigeria Lagos, Nigeria, Frankfurt, Germany Frankfurt, Germany, Brazil, Cabos, Sarasota , Florida Sarasota , Florida, Sarasota, Columbia, South Carolina Columbia, South Carolina, Burlington , Vermont Burlington , Vermont, Burlington, Norfolk , Virginia Norfolk , Virginia, Norfolk, Columbus , Ohio Columbus , Ohio, Columbus, Baltimore , Maryland Baltimore , Maryland, Baltimore, Newark, Raleigh , North Carolina Raleigh , North Carolina, Raleigh, West Palm Beach , Florida, Palm Beach , Florida, West Palm, Key West, Florida, Florida Key West

☆ Anthony Scaramucci says the Trump media SPAC is 'garbage propaganda,' but if it does well enough it could keep the former president out of politics
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-22 | by ( Finanzen.Net Gmbh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Former Trump White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci surprised many in endorsing Biden last year. AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, FileAnthony Scaramucci said he hopes Donald Trump's stock does well so he stays out of politics. Anthony Scaramucci said he hopes Trump's SPAC stock continues to rack up gains because a successful media venture might keep the former president out of politics. "The more it goes up the less likely trump is to run for president in 2024," Scaramucci said. A representative from Trump Media and Technology group did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Persons: Anthony Scaramucci, Biden, Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Donald Trump's, Trump's, Trump, Scaramucci, wouldn't, Joe Biden Organizations: Trump White House, AP, White House, CNBC, Skybridge, Saba Capital Management, Trump Media, Technology, Twitter, Facebook

☆ The EU wants to hobble Big Tech's power. Here's everything we know about its huge new proposals.
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-21 | by ( Martin Coulter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The EU will soon unveil a host of policies targeting tech giants like Apple, Facebook, and Google. European legislators are working on a raft of policies aimed at curbing tech giants like Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google. But while the content of either is yet to be officially confirmed, reports suggest both could have serious consequences for the world's biggest tech companies. Up until now, tech companies like Facebook and Amazon have pretty much been free to police their platforms at their own discretion. And our government regulator wants to handcuff us," chief exec Glenn Fogel told the FT."European companies will suffer."

Persons: Raegan MacDonald, Charles Krupa, Karl Mondon, Yves Herman, Chip Somodevilla, MacDonald, Brian Chesky, Mark Lennihan, Thierry Breton, Sundar Pichai, Neal Mohan, Booking.com, Glenn Fogel Organizations: Apple, Facebook, Google, Bloomberg, Digital Services, Markets, Mozilla, DSA, Commission, EU AP, Reuters, Financial Times, EU, Digital, Nasdaq, Street, Amazon, Big Tech, Thierry Breton Reuters, Microsoft, Transparency International, YouTube, Politico Locations: EU, Europe

☆ 10 Things in Politics: Dems stall on voting rights
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-21 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Still, all 50 Senate Democrats would have to support any change, which seems unlikely given Sens. Read more about how progressives are trying to break through on voting rights. Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced plans to launch his own social network, Truth Social, in the first quarter of 2022. Paul J. Richards/ AFP via Getty Images; Screengrab/ TRUTH Social App Store4. Trump unveils plans for his own social platform: Former President Donald Trump's newly announced Truth Social, planned for a 2022 launch, appears to have a user interface that closely resembles Twitter's.

Persons: Phil Rosen, Virginia Shadron, Mitch McConnell, Jacquelyn Martin, Grace Panetta, Adam Jentleson, Harry Reid, Joe Biden, Sen, Angus King, Joe Manchin, Kyrsten Sinema's, Johnson, Johnson's, Biden, Donald Trump, Paul J, Richards, Donald Trump's, Jack Dorsey, Mark Zuckerberg, Dorsey, Nikolas Cruz, Marjory Stoneman, Cruz, Brian Laundrie's, Gabby Petito, Tesla, , Vladimir Putin, Baby Groot, Groot Organizations: iOS, Android, Capitol, AP, Republicans, Biden, FDA, Drug Administration, Pfizer, BioNTech, Washington Post, Wednesday, Getty Images, Trump, Facebook, Twitter, Parkland, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, FBI, Street, Marvel Studios Locations: Atlanta, Ky, Washington, China, Maine, Sens, Florida, Russia

☆ China wants the world to know it's 'not going to get pushed around' on Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-20 | by ( Jennifer Jett | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +13 min

It comes as tensions between China and Taiwan ratchet up, with Beijing sending scores of warplanes toward the island, and Taiwanese officials trying to consolidate international support. The defeated Nationalists fled to Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, and claimed they were the only legitimate Chinese government. Amid America’s hardening attitude toward China, Beijing is also making clear that it is willing to exert influence far beyond its borders. Taiwan accused China of obstructing it from buying coronavirus vaccines internationally, and China has continued to block Taiwan from participating in the World Health Assembly even during the pandemic. The backlash China is experiencing on the international stage presents real opportunities for Taiwan but also real dangers, Rigger said.

Persons: Mia Hou, —, ”, Chiang Kai, Mao Zedong's, Mao Zedong’s, Xi Jinping, Michael Cole, Mark Schiefelbein, ” Xi, Chiu Kuo, cheng, Shelley Rigger, Ceng Shou Yi, Tsai Ing, Rigger, Tsai, “, ” Rigger, Trump, Joe Biden, Zhao Lijian, ” Zhao, Biden, Donald Trump, Xi, Antony Blinken, Tian Jianmin, Tiffany Ma, Ma, ” Mary Chen, ” Chen, ” James Teng, wouldn’t Organizations: Organizers, Taiwan, Olympic, International Association for, shek's Nationalists, AP, Beijing, Mao Zedong’s Communist Party, Nationalists, Global Taiwan Institute, Taiwan Defense, Davidson College, Military, Getty Images, Foreign Affairs, Getty, Foreign, U.S ., Biden, Chicago Council, Global Affairs, World Health, Taiwanese, BowerGroupAsia, World Bicycle Industry Association, American Sociological Association, People’s Liberation Army, NBC, Brookings Institution, NBC News, ”, Communist Party Locations: HONG KONG, Cyprus, Taiwan, China, United States, People’s Republic of China, Republic of China, Beijing, U.S, Taipei, “, North Carolina, Getty Images Taiwan, Washington, Taiwan Strait, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Alaska, Ningbo, Lithuania, Lithuanian, Vilnius, New Jersey, ” Beijing

☆ Report to urge criminal charges for Bolsonaro over handling of Brazil's Covid pandemic
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-20 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

Anger over the president's stance prompted creation of the Senate committee in April, which has investigated allegations that Bolsonaro’s management of the pandemic caused many of Brazil's more than 600,000 deaths from Covid. The draft report of nearly 1,200 pages was written by Sen. Renan Calheiros, who was scheduled to present his final version Wednesday to the 11-person committee. During six months of investigation, senators obtained thousands of documents and heard testimony from over 60 people. “This committee collected evidence that abundantly demonstrated that the federal government was silent and chose to act in a non-technical and reckless manner," the draft report reads. They said that angered committee members, including critics of the government, who called genocide an exaggeration that could threaten the entire report's credibility.

Persons: Jair Bolsonaro, Bolsonaro, Critics, Sen, Renan Calheiros, ”, Thiago de Aragão, Calheiros, “, Carlos Melo Organizations: Senate, The Associated Press, AP, Insper University Locations: BRASILIA, Brazil, charlatanism, COVID, “, Sao Paulo

☆ Sun Country is adding 7 new nonstop routes from its Minneapolis base in its latest network expansion — see the full list
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-20 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Between Minneapolis and Charleston, South CarolinaCharleston, South Carolina f11photo/ShutterstockSun Country will begin twice-weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays from Minneapolis to Charleston on April 7, 2022. Between Minneapolis and Jacksonville, FloridaJacksonville, Florida ESB Professional/ShutterstockSun Country will begin twice-weekly service on Fridays and Mondays from Minneapolis to Jacksonville on April 8, 2022. Between Minneapolis and Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaPittsburgh, Pennsylvania Ken Redding/Getty ImagesSun Country will begin twice-weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays from Minneapolis to Pittsburgh on June 2, 2022. Between Minneapolis and Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New York Shutterstock.comSun Country will begin twice-weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays from Minneapolis to Buffalo on June 9, 2022. Between Minneapolis and Burlington, VermontBurlington, Vermont Sean Pavone/ShutterstockSun Country will begin twice-weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays from Minneapolis to Burlington on June 16, 2022.

Persons: Grant Whitney, Louis Armstrong, Pennsylvania Ken Redding, Nicholas K, Burlington , Vermont Burlington , Vermont Sean Pavone Organizations: Sun Country Airlines, Minneapolis – Saint Paul International Airport, Service, Country Airlines, Minneapolis – Saint Paul International, Sun Country, — Sun Country Airlines, Louis Armstrong New, International Airport, Asheville Regional, Hilton Head International, Mitchell International Airport, Sun, Amazon . Sun Country, Amazon Air, Boeing, Alaska Airlines, Amazon, Charleston , South Carolina Charleston , South Carolina f11photo, Florida ESB, Delta Air Lines, Washington AP, Delta Locations: Minneapolis, Mexico, Central America, Canada, Caribbean, East Coast, Great, Asheville, Savannah, Milwaukee , Wisconsin, Minnesota, Charleston , South Carolina Charleston , South Carolina, Charleston, Jacksonville , Florida Jacksonville, Florida, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Spokane , Washington Spokane, Washington, Spokane, Buffalo , New York Buffalo , New York, Buffalo, Vancouver, Canada Vancouver, British Columbia, Burlington , Vermont Burlington , Vermont, Burlington

☆ Democrats failing to pass the latest voting rights bill will be a 'make-or-break moment' for filibuster reform, according to progressive activists
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-20 | by ( Grace Panetta | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Senate Republicans are poised to block a major voting rights bill for the 2nd time this year. Progressive activists are hoping it'll be a make-or-break moment for filibuster reform. Aside from eliminating the rules altogether, some have suggested lowering the threshold to be able to pass voting rights and other civil rights legislation with a simple majority. President Joe Biden delivers a speech on voting rights at the National Constitution Center, Tuesday, July 13, 2021, in Philadelphia. "For Joe Biden to come out in support of filibuster reform would be a Nixon-going-to-China moment on this issue," he said.

Persons: it'll, Democratic Sen, Joe Manchin's, Eli Zupnick, Manchin's, Sen, Joe Manchin, Scott J, Joe Biden administration's, Krysten, Adam Jentleson, Angus King, Robert F, Jentleson, Manchin, Joe Biden, Evan Vucci, Nixon, Biden Organizations: Republicans, Service, Democratic Party, GOP Senators, GOP, Democratic, Senate Democrats, Progressives, shouldn't, Modern Senate, AP, National Constitution Center, White, Biden, Senate Locations: Arizona, Maine, Philadelphia, China

☆ Vermont high school's halftime show is a drag pageant
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-18 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A Vermont high school homecoming football game turned into a “drag ball" runway at halftime, with a mix of students and faculty members parading in gowns, wigs and makeup — and a big crowd in rainbow colors to cheer them on. “Things went amazing," Ezra Totten, student leader of the Gender Sexuality Alliance at Burlington High School, said of Friday night's event, which also included participants from South Burlington High School. People participate in the "drag ball" halftime show at Burlington High School on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, in Burlington, Vt. The event was part of that school's homecoming and was sponsored by the Gender Sexuality Alliance from Burlington and South Burlington high schools. People watch the "drag ball" halftime show at Burlington High School on Oct. 15, 2021, in Burlington, Vt. Fritz Senftleber via APLeValley joined students on the runway, dressed in a Shakespearean burgundy gown and a wig.

Persons: Ezra Totten, Fritz Senftleber, —, Todrick Hall's, Andrew LeValley, “, ”, Lady Macbeth, Marie Antoinette, LeValley, Quaron Pinckney, Pinckney, Lauren McBride Organizations: “, Alliance, Burlington High School, South Burlington High School, AP, AP LeValley, Athletic, ”, NBC, Twitter, Facebook Locations: Vermont, South, Burlington , Vt, Burlington, South Burlington

☆ Haitian gang blamed for kidnapping U.S. and Canadian missionaries
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-18 | by ( Caroline Radnofsky Is A Senior Reporter For Nbc News' Social Newsgathering Team Based In London. | Suzanne Ciechalski Is A New York-Based Reporter For Nbc News' Social Newsgathering Team Specializing In Verification | Social Discovery. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Sixteen U.S. nationals and one Canadian were visiting an orphanage on Saturday as part of their work for Christian Aid Ministries, according to a statement from the nonprofit issued on Sunday. "Join us in praying for those who are being held hostage, the kidnappers, and the families, friends, and churches of those affected," Christian Aid Ministries said in the statement. A man and a child walk by burning tires on a street in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday. It is in their control," former Special Envoy to Haiti Ambassador Daniel Foote told NBC News. A senior State Department official told NBC News, "We are engaging with Haitian authorities at the senior most levels."

Persons: Frantz Champagne, Juno7, Jovenel Moïse, Daniel Foote, Odelyn Joseph, Charles Pierre, Joe Biden's, Ariel Henry, Prince, ” Organizations: Haitian, Christian Aid Ministries, Aid Ministries, Associated Press, NBC News, AP, U.S . coastguard, Haiti's, Sunday, State Department, NBC, Christian Locations: Haiti, Port, Haitian, Prince, U.S, Del Rio , Texas, United States, Mexico, Haiti's, La, , Ohio

☆ Hatian gang blamed for kidnapping U.S. and Canadian missionaries
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-18 | by ( Caroline Radnofsky Is A Senior Reporter For Nbc News' Social Newsgathering Team Based In London. | Suzanne Ciechalski Is A New York-Based Reporter For Nbc News' Social Newsgathering Team Specializing In Verification | Social Discovery. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

☆ 10 Things in Politics: Tracing Trump and QAnon's roots to smog
▼ + stars: | 2021-10-18 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

THE HISTORY OF DENIALISM: America's struggle with fake news and disinformation campaigns is a lot older than you think. His conclusion — that smog was born of emissions, mostly from refineries and cars, released into bright LA sunlight — answered a long-simmering question. Their effort was poorly executed, and included firing a scientist who confirmed Haagen-Smit's theories instead of shooting them down. The tobacco industry soon returned to this playbook: But Big Tobacco approached research about cigarette smoke and cancer in a fundamentally different way. But Big Tobacco approached research about cigarette smoke and cancer in a fundamentally different way.

Persons: Phil Rosen, Valerie Chiang, Jack Hitt, Arie Haagen, Smit, Joe Manchin, Sen, Kirsten Gillibrand, it's, Kyrsten, Scott Applewhite, Pete Buttigieg's, Buttigieg's, Penelope Rose, Joseph August Buttigieg, Read, Fauci, Anthony Fauci's, Bill Clinton, Clinton, Hillary, Chelsea Clinton, Al Capone, Capone's Organizations: iOS, Android, American Petroleum Institute, Tobacco, Knowlton, Climatic Research, University of East, Politico, AP, Arizona Democrat, intel, Financial Times, Centers for Disease Control, Mennonite, Union, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, NASA Locations: Los Angeles, what's, University of East Anglia, England, Sens, New York, Here's, Arizona, Sonoma , California, China, Haiti, Ohio, Orange County , California

Search resuls for: "AP"

25 mentions found