Friday, July 17th, 2020
Vaccine Research Hack, RNC Scaled Back & Emoji Day
All the news you need in less than 10 min:
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Story Summaries
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 reading the latest happenings...
Russia Hacking Warning
Russia is suspected of trying to steal COVID-19 vaccine research. Intelligence officials from the U.S., U.K., and Canada put out a warning. They say a Russian hacking group has been targeting health and research groups, as well as universities. Investigators think Russia wants to steal ideas so it can get a head-start on its vaccine. It doesn’t look like hackers have been able to access information yet, so cybersecurity experts say now is the time for potential targets to boost their defenses. Russia has denied the allegations.
Read More: AP, NY Times, NBC News, WSJ, Advisory
FBI Investigating Twitter Hack
The FBI is investigating Wednesday’s Twitter breach. Scammers got into dozens of accounts belonging to famous people and companies. Their accounts were used for a bitcoin scam, but the FBI wants to make sure the hackers didn’t have any other motives. Lawmakers are reportedly worried about their private, direct messages being compromised. It’s not clear if hackers were able to access those DMs or not.
Read More: Reuters, WSJ, NBC News
More U.S. Coronavirus Records
The U.S. reported its highest daily COVID-19 case count so far. More than 71,000 new infections were confirmed yesterday. The U.S. is currently testing hundreds of thousands of people a day, so some of the recent increases might have something to do with that. However, that’s not the full story. The percentage of cases coming back positive is also going up, along with the number of hospitalizations and deaths.
Read More: USA Today, CNN, Johns Hopkins
Hot Zone Recommendations
A report from the White House coronavirus task force suggests hard-hit states should do more to crackdown. The document was first published by the investigative non-profit Center for Public Integrity. It lists 18 hot spots, including California, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, and Texas. The report also recommends those states impose stricter measures like closing bars and gyms, adding mask requirements, and increasing testing.
Read More: The Center for Public Integrity
More Mask Mandates
Arkansas, Colorado, and Alabama issued statewide mask mandates this week. However, other states are still pushing back. Georgia’s governor is so against the policy, he’s now suing Atlanta’s mayor over her city-wide mask ordinance. Gov. Brian Kemp does encourage people in the state to wear a mask, but he is against requiring them. Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms disagrees, so it seems the debate will be going to court.
Read More: NY Times, CNN, ABC News, AJC
2020 Convention Plans Change
The Republican National Committee decided to scale back this summer’s convention. For the first three days, only regular delegates will be allowed. That adds up to about 2,500 people. On the last day of the convention, when President Trump makes his acceptance speech, the crowd will grow. As many as 7,000 people could be in attendance. As for the Democratic National Convention, it will still be a mostly virtual event. Former Vice President Joe Biden is set to accept the nomination in-person in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. However, delegates will stay home.
RNC Scaled Back: WaPo, Politico, AP
DNC Plans Update: USA Today, The Hill, NY Times
Jobless Claims Hold Steady
The U.S. Labor Department reports more than 32 million Americans are currently receiving unemployment benefits. Most recently, jobless claims rose by more than a million for the 17th straight week. However, the Labor Department doesn’t say who’s been hired, only those who have recently lost work and now rely on unemployment. In recent weeks, millions of jobs have also been added.
Read More: CNBC, WSJ, CNN, Axios, Bloomberg
NCAA New Guidelines Released
The NCAA says the COVID-19 pandemic needs to be better contained before fall sports can restart. That means athletics like football, soccer, volleyball, and more could be in jeopardy. That said, the NCAA isn’t ready to throw in the towel. It released new guidelines yesterday for teams to follow. It calls for athletes and staff to do daily health check-ins. It wants masks to be worn whenever possible. Also, it says players should be tested after each game and results should be back within 72 hours.
Read More: NCAA, Axios, NY Times, ESPN
FCC Approves 988 Emergency Hotline
The FCC has approved a new three-digit hotline, similar to 911. This one will be 988. It will quickly connect callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The lifeline is already up and running, but people now have to call a 1-800 number to get through. The idea is 988 will be easier to remember. Still, it could take up to two years before the new number works.
Read More: USA Today, The Hill, CBS News, FCC
Netflix Grows Subscribers & Leadership
Netflix keeps adding subscribers during the pandemic. Ten million people signed up for the streaming service between April 1st and June 30th. At the same time last year, Netflix added fewer than three million subscribers. Speaking of Netflix, the company is shaking up its leadership. It announced it added a co-CEO. Ted Sarandos, who has been with the company for more than two decades, will now lead alongside Netflix co-founder, Reed Hastings.
Adds 10 Million Subscribers: The Verge, WaPo, (Vox last year)
Netflix Gets new Co-CEO: CNN, The Verge, AP
World Emoji Day
Today is World Emoji Day. It’s meant to celebrate the tiny images and icons people use daily. Billions of emoji are sent via text or social media every day. There are more than 3,000 to choose from. By the way, it’s not a fluke that July 17th is World Emoji Day. It was picked because that’s the date displayed on the calendar emoji.
Read More: Official Website, Emojipedia, Business Insider, 9 to 5 Mac
Feel Good Friday - Teen Creates Superheroes with Disabilities
A 19-year-old is helping people with disabilities feel included Trinity Jagdeo is the author of several comic books that feature superheroes with special needs and disabilities. So far, she has written three books that feature characters with disabilities like down syndrome and spinal muscular dystrophy. She says her mission isn’t finished either. She reportedly plans to keep writing and inspiring more people with the goal of getting her books on shelves at Barnes and Noble. In the meantime, they are available on Amazon.
Read More: TODAY, WeCant2WeCan