theNewsWorthy: Thursday, May 31st, 2018
ALL THE NEWS YOU NEED - IN ONE PLACE.
(in less than 10 minutes!)
Want more? I got you.
All the news stories mentioned in today's episode are listed with links below, so you can spend as much -- or as little -- time as you want perusing the latest happenings...
(Scroll down to read more about today's Three Question Thursday topic)
NY MEETING WITH NK
It seems the historic meeting between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un could be back on… maybe.
Today will be day two of talks between a top North Korean senior official and the U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. The talks are happening in New York.
CNN says he’s the most senior North Korean official to come to the U.S. in nearly two decades. ABC News reports that same guy is a former spy chief, reportedly behind assassination attempts in South Korea and the Sony hack in the U.S. He had to get special permission to be in the country.
REMINDER: The U.S. has demanded North Korea give up its nuclear weapons. North Korea said, not so fast, probably won’t happen. Then, just last week, President Trump called off the planned meeting completely. Now it seems both countries are still negotiating and preparing for the original time and place: Singapore on June 12th. Stay tuned.
Read more: CNN, AP, ABC News, Reuters
BIG BREAK FOR BANKS
The Federal Reserve wants to ease up rules on banks.
The Wall Street Journal reports this means even the big banks, like JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs, would deal with fewer government audits and be able to do more types of trading. The Fed chairman, Jerome Powell, says the current rule is overly complex and inefficient, and it’s time for change.
Buuttt some consumer advocate groups are saying, please don’t. They feel it gives banks too much leeway and the chance to find loopholes in the law.
The proposed rules will be open for public comment and could still change before the new rules are finalized.
Read more: WSJ, NYT, Fox Business
'RIGHT TO TRY' LAW
Terminally ill patients can now try out experimental drugs, even if the FDA hasn’t signed off. It’s all part of the new “Right to Try” law that President Trump signed yesterday.
WHAT'S CHANGING?
Usually, new medications have to go through a lengthy process to get the government’s approval. Companies have to prove the drugs are safe and that they actually work through clinical trials. But now, terminal patients don’t have to wait.
The Hill reports President Trump made the new law a priority, saying it will give thousands of Americans hope and a fighting chance to live. Other supporters say it’ll give patients more choices.
Critics say it won’t really do much. Most drugs don’t make it through clinical trials for a reason, and the law can actually make it harder for new drugs to get approval in the future.
Keep in mind, this legislation means patients can try to get experimental drugs, but it doesn’t actually require the drug companies to provide them (and insurance companies won't be paying).
EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT
The Equal Rights Amendment is just one state away now from possibly making its way into the U.S. Constitution.
Congress actually approved the amendment more than 45 years ago, but it didn’t get enough states to ratify it. It needs 38 states to give the OK. Well, yesterday Illinois became state number 37.
Critics say the amendment isn’t needed; other laws give women equal rights. Some even argue it’s meant to expand abortion rights. Supporters say not true; it’s needed to officially guarantee equal rights for women, and it can still make a legal difference in some discrimination cases. This debate isn't over yet.
Read more: The Hill, Chicago Tribune
Today's Life Tip:
"When we say 'I can't do that' we essentially ensure that we won't be able to do it."
From Optimal Health Daily
KARDASHIAN VISITS WHITE HOUSE
There was an unexpected visitor at the White House this week: Kim Kardashian West. Yes, the reality TV star and beauty mogul. She met with President Trump in the Oval Office yesterday.
WHY?
She wants President Trump to pardon Alice Marie Johnson.
Johnson is now a great-grandmother who was sentenced to life in prison for drug trafficking. The AP reported at the time she was convicted that she helped lead a multi-million-dollar cocaine ring. That said, it was also a first-time, non-violent drug offense. In today’s world, she would not have gotten a life sentence. She's already served 20 years.
Vox reports Kardashian-West heard the woman’s story in recent months and reached out to Ivanka Trump, who helped her get the meeting with the president. Will it work to get the grandmother the pardon? It’s not clear yet. President Trump has taken a tough stance on drugs. To be continued...
Read more: Vox, CNN, Vanity Fair
'MURDERED' JOURNALIST ALIVE
Everyone thought a Russian journalist known to criticize the Russian government was murdered. Turns out: he’s alive.
He showed up at a press conference yesterday and shocked even his own friends, family and colleagues. The Telegraph reports it was all part of a sting operation with the Ukrainian Secret Service. They say it was necessary to stop the real threat on the journalist’s life, and blamed the Russian government for paying someone to kill him.
There’s now been an arrest. Russia says not true.
TESLA FIXED BRAKING ISSUE
Consumer Reports just changed its mind about Tesla’s Model 3 and now gives the electric car two thumbs up. Remember, Consumer Reports had criticized the car for braking issues, saying it took way too long for the Model 3 to come to a stop.
Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk responded quickly. All it took was a software update to fix the issue. Now, Consumer Reports is impressed with the quick fix and gave the Model 3 its recommendation.
Read more: Consumer Reports, Bloomberg, TechCrunch
UBER 911 BUTTON
You may notice a new feature in your Uber app: a red 911 button. Uber says this is one more way to try and help users feel safe, so they can call authorities quickly if they need to. CNET reports Uber is also testing a feature right now that would automatically send police your location if you hit that panic button.
The company has taken some heat for reports of drivers assaulting passengers, so it’s trying new things. Uber is also requiring driver background checks more often.
WALMART OFFERING COLLEGE TUITION
Walmart will pay the way for its employees to go to college on the side, at least a low-cost college. Business Insider reports part-time, full-time and salaried employees all get the option to pay just one dollar a day for the education. Employees have the choice of three universities with online programs for working adults.
Of course, there’s a bit of a catch. They have to study either business or supply-chain management. So while this new program could cost the company millions, or even a couple billion dollars, some experts say it’ll probably be worth it to have more skilled employees.
Read more: Business Insider
RETWEET PROMISE
Cleveland Browns football player Damarious Randall promised on Twitter that if the Cleveland Cavaliers win the NBA finals this year, he’ll buy everyone who retweets his tweet a jersey.
He later told ESPN he thought it would get about 100 retweets. It’s now at more than 925,000 and climbing. At about $100 a jersey, we’re talking millions of dollars to follow through on his promise if the Cavs win.
So… he’s now saying it was a joke.
Read more: Twitter, ESPN, NFL.com
THREE QUESTION THURSDAY:
Talking GDPR & What It Means for You
with Special Guest...
Dana Simberkoff
Dana Louise Simberkoff is the Chief Risk, Privacy and Information Security Officer at AvePoint. She manages a global team of subject matter experts that provide executive level consulting, research, and analytical support on current and upcoming industry trends, technology, standards, best practices, concepts, and solutions for risk management and compliance. Simberkoff has led speaking sessions at data privacy and security events around the globe. She was featured in Forbes, writes a monthly column for CMSWire, and was highlighted in the CSO Online list of “12 Amazing Women in Security." She is a current member of the Women Leading Privacy Advisory Board and a past member of the Education Advisory Board for the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).