Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin What brings Democrats and Republicans together these days? The answer is attacking the CEO of a foreign-owned video app in a congressional hearing. Whether those attacks are to make a political point or a substantive difference is another question. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee in a hearing about the app's consumer privacy and data security practices, children's safety, and its relationship with the Chinese Communist Party. TikTok is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance. The approximately five-hour hearing did little to assuage the concerns of lawmakers. If anything, it heightened the concerns that the CCP could access personal data and influence over the content of American TikTok users. There has been no proof thus far to substantiate these concerns, but that isn't stopping Congress. "TikTok is a weapon by the Chinese Communist Party to spy on you, manipulate what … [Read more...] about It’s Up To Congress To Ban TikTok. It Won’t Be Easy.
Eliminated unrestricted soft money donations to the national political parties
What Makes TikTok A Security Threat To The US?
(CTN NEWS) – U.S. legislators have questioned TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew about data security and objectionable content, and some have called for a statewide ban on the well-known short-video app. Chew, a Singaporean citizen, claimed to the congressmen that TikTok prioritizes user safety in an effort to prevent the app from being blocked in the United States by downplaying its connections to China. Representatives from both the Republican and Democratic parties vigorously grilled Chew on issues such as TikTok’s content moderation methods, data security policies, and history of snooping on journalists. Here are some of the issues people have with TikTok and its ownership. WHAT MAKES WASHINGTON BELIEVE THAT TIKTOK IS A THREAT? TikTok, a Chinese technology company ByteDance Ltd. entirely owns the app and hires its leaders , with more than 150 million American users. ByteDance is a privately owned Chinese company with its headquarters in Beijing but its … [Read more...] about What Makes TikTok A Security Threat To The US?
This startup has raised $600 million to give lower-income Americans better healthcare
Cityblock Health is No. 29 on Fast Company’s list of the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2023 . Explore the full list of companies that are reshaping industries and culture. Cityblock Health was founded in 2017 to answer the question, as cofounder and CEO Toyin Ajayi puts it: “Why does it cost so much money to deliver care that doesn’t actually drive the outcomes we would expect?” Cityblock provides healthcare services to Medicaid and dually eligible Medicare beneficiaries, who account for a disproportionate amount of dollars spent on healthcare in the U.S., according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. It blends primary care, behavioral health, and disease management services, taking into account environmental and societal factors—such as insecure housing and living in a food desert—that can lead to chronic health conditions and hospitalizations. Cityblock’s clinics are staffed with teams of doctors, nurses, social workers, and mental health providers, and it … [Read more...] about This startup has raised $600 million to give lower-income Americans better healthcare
Strikes Loom at Rutgers, University Of Michigan, Cal State System
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Labor strikes are looming at three of the nations’s major universities, continuing the trend of increased union activism and success on American campuses that began with a prolonged strike at the University of Californ ia last November and has continued at scores of institutions ever since. Now, campus workers at the Rutgers University, the University of Michigan and the California State University system appear ready to strike over a set of demands, including increased compensation, improved benefits, and better working conditions. Rutgers University Members of two unions at Rutgers University voted recently to authorize a strike by their members. The AAUP-AFT, which represent full-time faculty, graduate student workers and postdocs, and the Rutgers Adjunct Faculty Union, which represents part-time instructors, both voted to authorize a work stoppage should ongoing contract negotiations with the university … [Read more...] about Strikes Loom at Rutgers, University Of Michigan, Cal State System
Patagonia uses capitalism to save the planet with the Holdfast Collective
Holdfast Collective is No. 4 on Fast Company’s list of the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2023 . Explore the full list of companies that are reshaping industries and culture. In September 2022, Patagonia, renowned for being at the forefront of environmental advocacy, sustainable production, and progressive business practices, had a new declaration: Earth would be its only shareholder. What that actually meant was that founder Yvon Chouinard and his family had given up ownership, transferring the company’s voting stock to the Patagonia Purpose Trust and the other 98% of its ownership to the Holdfast Collective , a new 501(c)(4) organization. Holdfast’s mission is to preserve wildlands and pursue other nature-based climate solutions, fund grassroots environmental organizations, and support politicians working to fight the climate crisis. Although other companies have used this organizational structure for philanthropic ventures, Patagonia is taking a different … [Read more...] about Patagonia uses capitalism to save the planet with the Holdfast Collective
REPORT: Aspiring Rapper Allegedly Murders Grandparents, Walks Into Psych Ward Covered In Blood
Davionne McRoberts allegedly shot and killed his own grandparents Tuesday night in St. Louis, then walked into a psych ward reportedly drenched in blood, according to TMZ. The aspiring rapper, who goes by the moniker “Woozy the Goat,” has a small social media following and reportedly took to Facebook to share some horrifying posts before allegedly killing his family, according to TMZ. “WHO WANNA DIE TODAY? Y’all don’t believe me? Come show me I’m not god,” he allegedly wrote in one of the posts, TMZ reported. “Hey I really am god truly everyone I’m trying to help you all but I came to terms y’all got too comfy in hell I’m not trying to take peoples money when I say donate to $WoozyTheGoat I’m trying to show y’all new life …” he allegedly wrote in another post, according to TMZ. BREAKING: A married couple died last night after being killed inside a Troy, MO home. This morning, Troy Police are still searching for a relative, Davionne McRoberts, who has been identified as a … [Read more...] about REPORT: Aspiring Rapper Allegedly Murders Grandparents, Walks Into Psych Ward Covered In Blood
These 6 brands are growing by letting fans pursue their passions
A good product will win you customers, but it takes a lot more to create, cultivate, and keep true, actual fans. The magic word for most is community, and the brands here, being honored as part of Brands That Matter 2022, have found ways to foster and excite growing communities around them. Decades-old brands, including Fender guitars and Magic: The Gathering, are using new content to stay relevant. For Fender, this past year was about building a content hub full of tools for the millions of new people who started to play over the past few years as a COVID-19-lockdown-induced new hobby. Magic: The Gathering has leaned into celebrating a more diverse set of players with its direct-to-consumer platform, Secret Lair. Meanwhile, three-year-old wrestling upstart All Elite Wrestling has taken on a Goliath by showing a different side of its diverse lineup of stars. Here are the brands making the most of fun and fandom: All Elite Wrestling As discussions around mental … [Read more...] about These 6 brands are growing by letting fans pursue their passions
Brentford FC Coach Thomas Frank’s Gambling Blindspot
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin When Brentford FC manager Thomas Frank finally broke his silence about the potential for star striker Ivan Toney to be hit with a lengthy ban he didn’t hold back. Toney pleaded guilty to 232 alleged breaches of rules related to gambling earlier this month and there is speculation the Football Association will deliver a severe punishment. Anti-gambling charities have highlighted the irony in Toney being reprimanded for indulging in a pastime soccer actively promotes. “If you force young people to endorse addictive products, don’t be surprised if they use them,” one organization, The Big Step, tweeted alongside a picture of Toney wearing different shirts emblazoned with gambling logos and player of the month trophies sponsored by betting firms. Amongst the images was a photo of Toney in the current Brentford FC home shirt which carries the ‘Hollywood Bets’ logo. And, when handling the topic of Toney’s ban, it … [Read more...] about Brentford FC Coach Thomas Frank’s Gambling Blindspot
Checks & Imbalances: Breaking Down Donald Trump’s Many Legal Problems
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Today we catch up on all the lawsuits and investigations centered on Donald Trump. Tracking Trump: The Lawsuits And Investigations Involving The Former President Trump’s legal troubles are back in the news. But with so many investigations and lawsuits swirling , it can be hard to keep track of them all. Forbes is here to help, with the most-thorough compendium of Trump's legal problems published anywhere. Tip Me This is the web edition of the free Checks & Imbalances newsletter, sent to inboxes on Fridays. You can subscribe here . Please support this work, if you can, by subscribing to Forbes . Any tips or suggestions? Email me at [email protected] , call/SMS/Signal 202.804.2744, use Forbes ' SecureDrop or send us a letter . Follow me on Mastodon at @[email protected] . Thanks! Trump Has Been At The Center Of 40 Recent Lawsuits And Investigations Your … [Read more...] about Checks & Imbalances: Breaking Down Donald Trump’s Many Legal Problems
How Brands Are Using The NCAA Tournament To Strike New NIL Deals
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Brands are taking advantage of the national attention on both men’s and women’s basketball athletes during March Madness, but their strategies differ. Some had campaigns ready to go before the tournaments began, while others have been sitting on the sidelines waiting to see which programs and athletes emerge as this year’s biggest stories. Last year, Doug Edert and his signature mustache cashed in when Saint Peter's made history by becoming the first 15 seed to advance to the Elite Eight. Entering March in 2022, Edert had around 1,500 followers on Instagram and was rarely posting. A year later, he has more than 148,000 followers and has worked with national brands like Buffalo Wild Wings and Barstool Sports. Edert’s mustache is again a focus this year as it adorns special edition Pringles cans. The ““March Mustache Collection” also features Duke’s Dariq Whitehead and Virginia’s Ben Vander Plas. Fans are asked to show off … [Read more...] about How Brands Are Using The NCAA Tournament To Strike New NIL Deals