“GETTR has existed as a Chinese language social media network linked to Guo Wengui,” Politico reports. “It was unveiled as a new platform by Jason Miller on Thursday.”
LaunchGlobal approval of the United States has rebounded under Biden, survey finds
“The United States’ favorability rating grew at least 23 percentage points from last year in France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, and a majority of respondents in all four view the country positively,” The Washington Post reported, summarizing findings from a new survey by Pew Research.
LaunchGaza conflict stokes “identity crisis” for young American Jews
“A new generation is confronting the region’s longstanding conflict in a very different context, with very different pressures, from their parents’ and grandparents’ generations,” The New York Times reports.
LaunchWhy is Big Tech under assault? Power.
“I’m surprised that tech bosses can still appear clueless about the reasons behind the questioning of their industry,” Shira Ovide writes.
LaunchHow Brexit ruined Easter for Britain’s chocolate makers
“Exports of chocolate to Europe have turned into a nightmare of paperwork and delays, making fine British chocolate scarce in Europe,” The New York Times reports.
LaunchJordan Klepper sees it all at the Capitol insurrection
In this almost seven minute segment, The Daily Show’s Jordan Klepper gets up close and personal with the American fascist cult that worships Donald Trump.
LaunchTalk radio owner orders pro-Trump hosts to temper election fraud rhetoric
“Cumulus Media, which employs some of the most popular right-leaning talk-radio hosts in the United States, has told its on-air personalities to stop suggesting that the election was stolen from President Trump — or else face termination,” The Washington Post reports.
LaunchFar-right groups are behind most U.S. terrorist attacks, report finds
“White supremacist groups have carried out a majority of ‘terrorist plots and attacks’ this year, according to a report by a think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies,” the New York Times reports.
Launch“I feel sorry for Americans”: A baffled world watches the U.S.
The New York Times reports on the concern and consternation many people feel around the world as the 2020 presidential election enters its final weeks.
LaunchRussia working to damage Joe Biden’s White House bid, U.S. intelligence agencies say
“The disclosure is the most detailed yet from U.S. intelligence agencies about foreign efforts to interfere in the 2020 election between presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden and President Trump,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
LaunchThe consequences of denying reality
Brazil, 1904: “Senator Rui Barbosa, pigeon-chested and smooth-tongued orator, attacks vaccination using judicial weapons flowery with adjectives. In the name of liberty Rui Barbosa defends the right of every individual to be contaminated if he so desires. Torrential applause, thunderous ovations interrupt him from phrase to phrase.”
LaunchCarnival executives knew they had a virus problem, but kept the party going
“More than 1,500 people on the company’s cruise ships have been diagnosed with COVID-19, and dozens have died,” a report from Bloomberg says. How did this happen? Austin Carr and Chris Palmeri explain.
LaunchEd Yong: How the coronavirus pandemic will end
“A global pandemic of this scale was inevitable. In recent years, hundreds of health experts have written books, white papers, and op-eds warning of the possibility.”
LaunchTokyo Olympics seem sure to happen — but in 2021, not 2020
“What better platform is there going to be than the Olympic Games when the world has pulled through the virus… You’ve got a dynamic that will be even more powerful for Japan and the rest of the world. But you are going to have a tough road getting there.”
LaunchThe world’s fastest supercomputer identified chemicals that could stop coronavirus from spreading, a crucial step toward a treatment
“The novel coronavirus presents an unprecedented challenge for scientists: The speed at which the virus spreads means they must accelerate their research. But this is what the world’s fastest supercomputer was built for.” CNN explains.
LaunchRethinking and reframing: Let’s aim for physical rather than social distancing
“Isolation can be toxic. Let’s increase physical distance, but stay connected,: writes Dr. Kenneth E. Miller.
LaunchTrump’s incompetence results in federal agencies waiting for orders as pandemic rapidly worsens
Unlike several years ago, when President Barack Obama ordered the Department of Defense to mobilize to respond to the ebola outbreak, Donald Trump has failed to involve the military in the United States’ response to the rapidly worsening coronavirus pandemic.
Launch“It will go away”: A timeline of Trump playing down the coronavirus threat
“Trump gambled very early and very often on the idea that the coronavirus wouldn’t turn out to be nearly as severe as some health officials have warned it could get,” Aaron Blake writes.
LaunchArchdiocese of Seattle suspends liturgies, tells region’s Catholics: Don’t come to church
“I am going to ask that all of our parishes in western Washington, in the Archdiocese of Seattle, effective today, suspend the celebration publicly of the Eucharist,” Archbishop Etienne said.
LaunchFor Trump, coronavirus proves to be an enemy he can’t tweet away
“A president who is at his strongest politically when he has a human target to attack has found it harder to confront a growing outbreak that has rattled the country,” The New York Times assesses.
LaunchGovernor Jay Inslee appears on CBS’ Face the Nation to talk about coronavirus response with Margaret Brennan
Read a transcript of Governor Jay Inslee’s appearance on one of the nation’s major Sunday morning talk shows.
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