theNewsWorthy: Thursday, June 6th, 2019
Today's episode is brought to you by Ancestry.
Become a NewsWorthy Insider! Click here: https://www.theNewsWorthy.com/insider
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 our Thing to Know Thursday topic …)
Migrant Statistics: More than 144,000 migrants were arrested in May, the highest monthly total since 2006. A top border official said, "We are in a full-blown emergency." U.S. and Mexico officials will meet again today to talk about a border solution. If a deal isn’t reached this week, President Trump says a five percent tariff on Mexican imports will take effect on Monday. Also of note: it looks like English classes and sports programs for migrant kids in shelters will be cut or scaled back due to a lack of money.
Read more: ABC News, Washington Post, NYT, CNBC
Research Restrictions: New restrictions from the Trump administration will prevent government scientists from using fetal tissue in their research. Scientists have been using tissue from aborted fetuses for research for decades, and it’s led to live-saving advances, including vaccines, but critics of that research say it doesn't give a human life the dignity it deserves. The restriction mostly affects work done at the National Institutes of Health and might affect some university grants.
Read more: NPR, WaPo, NYT, NBC News
Veteran Health Care: Starting today, veterans have expanded access to health care. Reports say the VA Missions Act marks the biggest shift in the American health care system since the Affordable Care Act. It cuts down the time veterans have to wait before they're eligible to see a private doctor.
Read more: USA Today, NYT
75 Years Since D-Day: Today marks 75 years since D-Day, the largest seaborne invasion in history. During World War II, thousands of allied troops invaded Normandy, France to free Europe of Nazi control. Some historians consider it the single most important day in the 20th century and a huge turning point in the war. President Trump is in Normandy for a commemoration ceremony today.
Read more: CBS News, AP, ABC News
NCAA Changes: The men's college basketball 3-point line will move more than a foot farther away from the basket, starting next season. A NCAA oversight panel made the decision. At least part of the reason is to slow the trend of so many 3-point shots during games.
Read more: CBS Sports, USA Today
YouTube Removes Videos: YouTube is banning racist and extremist videos. The company updated its hate speech policies. It will likely have to remove thousands of videos. It's no longer allowing content that alleges one group of people is superior to another group to justify discrimination.
Read more: Reuters, Vox, The Hill
Amazon Delivery Drone: Amazon says drones will be making deliveries within months. The company unveiled the latest version of the Prime Air Delivery Drone this week. It’s about six feet wide and has sensors to detect and avoid airplanes. For now, it can only carry packages that weigh less than five pounds. Amazon still has to get FAA approval for the drone to fly, but says it plans to start testing them out in the "coming months."
Read more: Bloomberg, The Verge
Uber Eats in Main App: You can now order food and request an Uber all in one app. Uber is rolling out a merged app in some cities where users will be able to place an Uber Eats order by clicking the Eats logo in the top right corner of the main Uber app. The combination will likely bring in more customers and also give Uber an upper hand over competition.
Read more: TechCrunch, The Verge
Netflix New Feature: Netflix is testing out a new “extras” feature on its mobile app. It’s a vertical feed of trailers, video clips and pictures from Netflix shows and movies. It’s meant to help users find something to watch, but the feed also has extra content which users can share on other social media platforms. Netflix says it doesn’t know yet if the feature is permanent.
Read more: Business Insider, The Verge, TechCrunch
Rihanna Richest Female Singer: Rihanna is the richest female musician in the world. She’s worth $600 million, which is more than Madonna, Celine Dion and Beyoncé. While Rihanna is best-known for her music, most of her income comes from her partnership with the French luxury goods giant that owns Louis Vuitton and Dior. Rihanna also launched her own fashion label, which makes her the first black woman to run a major luxury fashion line. She also has her own lingerie line and cosmetic brand.
Read more: Forbes, NYT Style
Thing to Know Thursday:
Child internet stars
Read More: THE GUARDIAN, NYT, THE ATLANTIC
Today’s Guest: Crystal Abidin
Dr Crystal Abidin is a digital anthropologist and ethnographer of vernacular internet cultures. She researches young people’s relationships with internet celebrity, self-curation, and vulnerability. Her books include Internet Celebrity: Understanding Fame Online (2018), Microcelebrity Around the Globe: Approaches to Cultures to Cultures of Internet Fame (2018, co-edited with Megan Lindsay Brown), and Instagram: Visual Social Media Cultures (2019, with Tama Leaver and Tim Highfield). She is listed on Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (2018) and Pacific Standard 30 Top Thinkers Under 30 (2016). Crystal is Senior Research Fellow & DECRA Fellow in Internet Studies at Curtin University, Affiliate Researcher with the Media Management and Transformation Centre at Jönköping University, and Research Fellow with the Centre for Culture and Technology at Curtin University. Reach her at wishcrys.com.