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CNN —Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has called on state lawmakers to eliminate general election runoffs. “Georgia is one of the only states in country with a General Election Runoff,” Raffensperger, a Republican, said in a statement on Wednesday. I’m calling on the General Assembly to visit the topic of the General Election Runoff and consider reforms.”Georgia’s general election runoff system, rooted in its segregationist past, says that if no candidate in a general election gets more than 50% of the vote, the race must go to a runoff four weeks later between the two candidates who received the most votes. Raffensperger’s statement comes a little more than a week after Georgia’s third US Senate runoff election in two years, which saw Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock defeat Republican challenger Herschel Walker. The secretary of state pointed to the additional impact the four-week runoff period had on voters and county election officials this year.

The bill would "protect Americans by blocking and prohibiting all transactions from any social media company in, or under the influence of, China, Russia, and several other foreign countries of concern," the lawmakers said in a news release. The lawmakers said the bill aims to protect Americans from foreign adversaries who might use certain social media to surveil Americans, learn sensitive data about them, and spread influence campaigns or propaganda. In June, BuzzFeed News reported that China-based employees of ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, had accessed nonpublic data about U.S. users. TikTok denied turning over any U.S. data to Chinese officials and said it never would, though it acknowledged that Chinese employees have some access to it. In a statement responding to Maryland's ban, a TikTok spokesperson said, “We believe the concerns driving these bans are largely fueled by misinformation about our company.

☆ Lawmakers unveil bipartisan bill that aims to ban TikTok in the U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has raised fears in the U.S. that Chinese government officials could gain access to U.S. user data under Chinese law that could compel the company to hand over information. TikTok has insisted U.S. user data is safely stored outside of China, which it says should keep it out of reach of government officials. A new bill from a bipartisan group of lawmakers, if passed, would ban TikTok in the U.S. after years of broad concern across the Trump and Biden administrations about potential Chinese government influence on the company. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before Congress recently that he's "extremely concerned" about the Chinese government's potential influence through TikTok on U.S. users. "It is troubling that rather than encouraging the Administration to conclude its national security review of TikTok, some members of Congress have decided to push for a politically-motivated ban that will do nothing to advance the national security of the United States," a TikTok spokesperson said.

☆ U.S. lawmakers unveil bipartisan bid to ban China's TikTok
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Republican Senator Marco Rubio on Tuesday announced bipartisan legislation to ban China's popular social media app TikTok, ratcheting up pressure on owner ByteDance Ltd amid U.S. fears the app could be used to spy on Americans and censor content. The bill comes as scrutiny of TikTok has grown in Washington in recent weeks, after a failed bid by the Trump administration to ban the video-sharing app. TikTok app logo is seen in this illustration taken, August 22, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File PhotoAlabama and Utah on Monday joined other U.S. states prohibiting the use of TikTok on state government devices and computer networks due to national security concerns. CFIUS and TikTok have been in talks for months aiming to reach a national security agreement to protect the data of TikTok's more than 100 million users.

☆ UAW union president optimistic on quick contract with GM-LG battery venture
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - United Auto Workers (UAW) President Ray Curry said Monday he is optimistic the union can quickly reach a contract deal with a General Motors (GM.N), LG Energy Solution (373220.KS) battery cell joint venture factory. The Detroit Three automakers all have battery plants in the works with South Korean partners and Ultium is building two other U.S. battery plants in Tennessee and Michigan. He said it would be "premature" to say how a deal with the union would affect labor costs or business structure. Ultium is building a $2.6 billion plant in Michigan, set to open in 2024. This month, Ultium said it would boost its planned investment in a $2.3 billion Tennessee plant by $275 million.

☆ White House says it has 'every reason to expect' Kyrsten Sinema will keep working with Biden as she leaves the Democratic party
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Kayla Gallagher | Nicole Gaudiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Arizona Sen. Krysten Sinema announced Friday that she's leaving the Democratic Party to be an independent. The White House said that even with Sinema's party change, it expects to keep working closely with her. A White House spokesperson did not respond when asked whether the White House received advance warning about her decision and whether Biden has spoken with her. As Vice President, Biden was credited with playing an outsized role in persuading then-Sen. Arlen Specter to switch parties from Republican to Democrat in 2009. Sinema told Politico that her departure from the Democratic Party stems from her feeling like she "never really fit into a box of any political party.

☆ An Airbus A320neo airliner is being converted into a private jet for a VIP customer complete with its own bedroom and an onboard shower — see what it'll look like
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Although airlines are starting to get back to pre-pandemic capacity and schedules, Gallagher told Insider he does not believe it will be enough for people to jump back to commercial flying.

☆ Republican Gallagher to lead new U.S. House China select committee
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Republican U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher was named on Thursday to lead a select committee being created in the U.S. House of Representatives to focus on economic and security competition with China. Gallagher, a former Marine counterintelligence officer who has served on the House Armed Services Committee, has been a vocal critic of China's Communist government. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy had said he would create a select committee focused on China if he is elected speaker when Republicans take control of the House in January. "The Chinese Communist Party is the greatest geopolitical threat of our lifetime," McCarthy said in a statement as he announced Gallagher's selection. Getting tough on China, the United States' top geopolitical competitor, has become an area of bipartisan agreement, although Democrats and Republicans differ to some degree in their priorities.

☆ The place to be is Asia with Europe set to be dragged down further by U.S. recession, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe place to be is Asia with Europe set to be dragged down further by U.S. recession, analyst saysChina's reopening benefits the rest of Asia but is not a "game changer" for the global economy, says Mike Gallagher, director of research at Continuum Economics, as Europe and the U.S. remain focused on central bank pivots.

☆ First Gen Z congressman, Maxwell Frost, says he was denied an apartment in DC over bad credit
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | Kayla Gallagher | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Gen Z Congressman Maxwell Frost tweeted Thursday he got denied from a DC apartment for bad credit. "Just applied to an apartment in DC where I told the guy that my credit was really bad. He's not alone: Credit card balances have been on the rise, especially for Gen Z, as the cost of living keeps soaring. But as Insider's Kevin L. Matthews II reported, there's a "credit gap" between Black and white borrowers, further powering the racial wealth gap. That can further the gap in homeownership rates between Americans of color and white Americans.

Economic worries have made this holiday season particularly stressful for some. The holiday season can bring out the absolute worst in some kids. Some parents welcome that break from structure, and that’s OK. “Parents get to decide what works and what doesn’t work with their family,” Dr. Naumburg said. “Gratitude and savoring are the opposite.”Dr. Kurtz recommended starting a simple gratitude practice early in the holiday season. As the holidays unfold, make an effort to savor the season, Dr. Kurtz said.

☆ Doug Emhoff says there's an 'epidemic of hate' in the US at White House antisemitism roundtable
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Kayla Gallagher | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The White House hosted an antisemitism roundtable Wednesday with Jewish leaders and organizations. The roundtable discussion was hosted by Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish. In April the Anti-Defamation League released an audit revealing that antisemitic incidents reached an "all-time high" in 2021, citing a 34% increase year over year. The second gentleman noted during the roundtable that antisemitism is not a partisan issue. Emhoff declared that he will not stand idly by and will work with Jewish leaders to continue combatting antisemitism in America.

☆ Globalization has been breaking down for a while – here's what could end it
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Tom Chitty | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

It raised questions about whether the many benefits of globalization outweigh the geopolitical problems it has helped create. The latest wave of globalization has seen great resistance. Worker exploitation and a rise in inequality have also been at least partly attributed to globalization. "I think there's been a globalization bubble, and we're trying to correct it." Watch the video above to learn more about why economists think globalization is fragmenting – and what lies ahead.

☆ Wall Street Journal insiders are buzzing about what a leadership shake-up could mean for Murdoch world
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Steven Perlberg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Sunday Times editor Emma Tucker is expected to replace Journal editor Matt Murray, Semafor reported. News Corp insiders believe Murdoch might make changes ahead of a possible recombination of News Corp and Fox. Is Rupert Murdoch planning to move his editorial chess pieces ahead of a potential recombination of News Corp and Fox? Last month, Semafor reported that Wall Street Journal editor Matt Murray is expected to be replaced by Emma Tucker, who leads fellow News Corp title The Sunday Times in London. That report followed the October disclosure that Murdoch is considering recombining News Corp with Fox Corp, with both companies convening special committees to review options.

☆ Disney Needs to Do More With Less on Streaming
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Dan Gallagher | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

But those moves will prove easy compared with the challenges he faces with Walt Disney ‘s streaming business, where he must find a way to make do with less. Two weeks into Mr. Iger’s return to the Mouse House’s corner office, investors remain optimistic. As of Friday’s close, Disney ‘s shares are up 8% since the Nov. 20 announcement—more than double the S&P 500’s gains in that time. The fact that Mr. Chapek had McKinsey consultants running around to push those changes didn’t seem to help his case internally. At the end of the day, even Chief Financial Officer Christine McCarthy turned on him, according to The Wall Street Journal’s reporting.

The answer is simple, according to more than a dozen Washington insiders, FTX employees, and crypto industry observers who spoke with Insider. I don't think anyone believed that he was going to fund candidates who were, quote unquote, committed to ending pandemics who were also hostile to the crypto industry." Alex Wong/Getty ImagesRebuffed by the SEC, Bankman-Fried turned his attention to Congress. "It's not that he was welcoming regulation," says the senior figure in the crypto industry who attended meetings with Bankman-Fried. But while Bankman-Fried was busy wooing Washington, FTX was about to become Exhibit A in the case for more effective oversight of the crypto industry.

☆ Herschel Walker isn't the only pro-footballer-turned-politician. Here are 16 others who've tossed the pigskin into the political arena.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Kayla Gallagher | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Georgia's upcoming runoff election will determine whether GOP candidate Herschel Walker will enter the US Senate. Here are other prominent politicians and government officials who've transitioned from a career football to politics. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Meet 16 other political and governmental figures who played or otherwise participated in pro football before entering public office:

☆ Herschel Walker isn't the only pro-footballer-turned-politician. Here 16 others who've tossed the pigskin into the political arena.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Kayla Gallagher | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

☆ Salesforce Isn’t on Cloud Nine
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Dan Gallagher | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Marc Benioff might get lonely in the months ahead, but he certainly won’t be bored. The co-founder and longtime chief of Salesforce is bidding farewell to the second person with whom he has attempted to share the top job. The cloud software giant said Wednesday that Bret Taylor is stepping down from his roles as vice chairman and co-CEO at the end of the current fiscal year, with Mr. Taylor saying the move was about a desire to “return to my entrepreneurial roots.”

☆ At the Bidens' first state dinner, they'll serve French President Emmanuel Macron lobster and US-made cheese as they rebuild relations
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Kayla Gallagher | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Bidens are hosting French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife for their first state dinner. The Macrons arrived at the White House on Thursday and will be treated to an extravagant dinner. The red, white, and blue-themed dinner features a menu of butter-poached lobster and American cheese. Macron was also the featured guest at the Trump administration's first state dinner. The Obama administration honored former French president François Hollande with a state dinner, as well.

☆ Even CrowdStrike Isn’t on Safe Ground
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Dan Gallagher | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

George Kurtz, CrowdStrike’s CEO, cited an 11% rise in the days required to close sales deals in the most recent quarter. At least no one can accuse CrowdStrike Holdings of playing it safe. The provider of subscription-based security software has been one of the hottest names in the cloud sector since going public in mid-2019. That is due to sky-high revenue growth rates that—before its fiscal third-quarter results late Tuesday—had averaged 68% year over year over the previous eight quarters. CrowdStrike is currently generating a little more than $2.2 billion in annual revenue—nearly five times what it made in the fiscal year that ended in January 2020.

☆ England have more belief this time as last-16 looms: Southgate
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 30 (Reuters) - England have greater expectation than when they reached the World Cup semi-finals four years ago, manager Gareth Southgate said as he looked ahead to Sunday's last-16 clash with Senegal. Our objectives are different," Southgate, whose side have banged in nine goals in three games in Qatar, told reporters. Rashford, who was given his first England start for 18 months, took his tally to a joint tournament-leading three, while Foden justified the clamour for his inclusion with a goal in a display full of attacking threat. Kane, who remains on 51 goals for England, two behind the record of Wayne Rooney, is yet to score at the tournament as England prove they can thrive even without his goals. With no yellow cards and a fully-fit squad to choose from, Southgate has an enviable array of options as the tournament reaches its sharp end.

☆ Despite ongoing Covid risks, more employees consider cutting back on health-care benefits
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Almost 159 million Americans rely on employer-sponsored health insurance coverage. Health insurance plansFor starters, consider what your health coverage costs you. But "don't just look at the monthly cost of your health insurance," Cosgray advised. To be able to use an HSA, you need to be enrolled in a high-deductible health plan, or HDHP. Other voluntary benefits offered through an employer can provide additional protection, including hospital indemnity insurance, critical illness coverage and accident insurance.

☆ U.S. deeply concerned about Whelan, American jailed in Russia -White House
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Doina Chiacu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - The United States is "deeply concerned" about detained American Paul Whelan in Russia, and has not been able to get information from Moscow on his whereabouts or condition, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday. U.S. diplomats in Moscow were working to get details on what was going on with Whelan, Kirby said. "But yes, we are deeply concerned about the lack of information and the lack of contact from Paul," he added. It's highly unusual," David Whelan said. When transferred to the prison's hospital in the past, his brother had always mentioned the move in his phone calls, David Whelan said.

☆ South Dakota's Kristi Noem bans the use of TikTok on government devices, says China uses the platform to 'manipulate' Americans
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

US officials have raised security concerns about TikTok, which is owned by a Chinese company. Kristi Noem signed an executive order restricting the app for officials. The ban will prohibit state officials from using TikTok on government devices, Noem said. Kristi Noem banned the use of TikTok on government devices on Tuesday, saying China uses the social media platform to manipulate Americans. US officials have, for years, raised security concerns about TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance.

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