Here are some of today’s top stories.
China approves controversial national security law for Hong Kong
China’s legislature has approved a proposal to impose a highly contentious national security law in Hong Kong, in an unprecedented move that critics say threatens fundamental political freedoms and civil liberties in the semi-autonomous territory.
The fight to contain a new locust invasion that could push millions into hunger
Extreme weather linked to climate change helped create the perfect breeding ground. Now a new generation of locusts is getting ready to take flight.
As heated protests over George Floyd’s death continue, Minnesota governor warns of ‘extremely dangerous situation’
Hundreds remained on the streets of Minneapolis late Wednesday night protesting the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died after pleading for help as a police officer pinned him to the ground with his knee on Floyd’s neck.
Three killed in office shooting in France
Three people were killed and one injured in western France on Wednesday after a man open fire during a business meeting, national police told CNN.
The case to extradite Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou from Canada to the United States can continue, judge rules
The extradition case of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou will continue following a crucial ruling from Canadian judge Heather Holmes on Wednesday.
CNBC anchors brawl in explosive exchange: ‘100,000 people died … And all you did was try to help your friend the President!’
CNBC “Squawk Box” anchors Andrew Ross Sorkin and Joe Kernen clashed on Wednesday, trading a series of ugly jabs in a fiery on-air exchange over each of their responses to the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic.
Historic SpaceX launch postponed due to weather
SpaceX and NASA will have to wait at least a few more days for their historic spaceflight.
Jack Dorsey says Trump fact-check does not make Twitter ‘arbiter of truth’
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey says that labeling two of President Donald Trump’s tweets with fact checks does not make the social media company an “arbiter of truth.”
Trump administration considering new weapons sale to Saudi Arabia, top Democrat says
The Trump administration is considering yet another weapons sale to Saudi Arabia despite the fact that it is facing scrutiny from congressional Democrats who believe Secretary of State Mike Pompeo may have recommended the firing of an independent watchdog because he was investigating the top US diplomat’s controversial decision to fast-track a previous arms deal to the Kingdom.
Magnus Carlsen: ‘My emotions are usually outside my body and that’s not what you usually connect to a chess player.’
Greatness cannot be achieved without sacrifice. While it is the fire that burns inside that fuels the brilliance, the pursuit for perfection can also torment, turning relationships to ashes and niggling at the soul. The gifted can be loved and disliked. They can achieve immortality but still be flawed.
How Africa’s ‘narco-state’ is trying to kick its drug habit
Concern is mounting that Guinea-Bissau’s efforts to stem the flow of drugs to Europe and the US have suffered a setback after a military-backed president took office, writes journalist Ricci Shyrock.
Coronavirus updates: US deaths exceed 100,000 – BBC News
Earlier we reported on that spike in cases in South Korea – a bit more detail here. Health officials say they’ll consider tougher social-distancing measures if the current uptick continues. There have been 79 new cases reported in the last 24 hours, the highest daily rate of new infections in nearly two months.
Bundesliga: How successful has the league’s return been?
With the rest of Europe’s top leagues on hiatus, the Bundesliga is the centre of attention in the world of football. Despite some criticism from fans and politicians, the return of the league has been a major success for clubs and broadcasters.
Trump to ‘sign executive order about social media’
US President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on social media firms on Thursday, the White House has said. It comes after he threatened to shut down social media platforms he accused of stifling conservative voices. The latest dispute flared on Tuesday after Twitter added fact-check links to his tweets for the first time.
Eric Trump Tweets ‘GREAT DAY for the DOW’ As Coronavirus Death Toll Tops 100,000
CORONAVIRUS The president’s son gets called out over celebratory message on a somber day. Eric Trump, one of President Donald Trump’s three sons, is being called out on social media for celebrating rising stock numbers on the same day U.S. deaths from the coronavirus topped 100,000.
Zuckerberg Says Social Media Giants Shouldn’t Be In Position To Fact-Check Users
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said his company’s policies differ from those of Twitter when it comes to fact-checking users. For the first time, Twitter tagged two of President Donald Trump ‘s tweets on Tuesday with a fact-checking note indicating that his statements were misleading.
Christian Cooper Urges An End To Threats Targeting White Woman Who Accosted Him
Christian Cooper wants others to show the type of grace to Amy Cooper that she didn’t want to give to him Monday morning in Central Park. As documented in a now-famed viral video, the 41-year-old white woman called police on the 57-year-old Black birdwatcher after he asked her to put a leash on her dog in an area where such restraints are required.
Twitter’s Jack Dorsey fact checks Trump, subtweets Mark Zuckerberg, ahead of social media executive order
President Donald Trump will reveal an executive order designed to “regulate” social media on Thursday, after Twitter applied its fact-check label to two Trump tweets containing false claims about mail-in ballots.
Some genius figured out the exact chronological order of every Marvel movie scene
There’s a reason the MCU is called the Marvel Cinematic Universe – its timeline spans roughly a thousand years and exists in multiple, occasionally interconnecting dimensions. Far from being a straightforward chronological tale, the movies jump back and forth through time and space to create a complex web of befores, afters, and nevers that fascinates its many fans.
Why Trump is threatening to ‘close’ social media platforms
Don’t do it, Mark Zuckerberg. Same to you, Jack Dorsey. Don’t take Donald Trump’s bait. On Wednesday morning, in response to being fact-checked by Twitter over (false) claims that mail-in ballots would lead to a “Rigged Election,” the president tweeted this: First, mail-in ballots do not significantly increase the risk of voter fraud.
Ford heats police cars to 133 degrees to break down coronavirus
Ford’s baking its police SUVs to fight the coronavirus outbreak. The manufacturer has developed a software update that turns the car’s heating system all the way up so that any vehicles that are possibly infected with coronavirus are thoroughly disinfected.
Hilarious meme demands to know what’s preventing men from looking like this
There’s a new meme making the rounds on Twitter that asks a very important question: “Dear men, what is preventing you from looking like this?” To take part in the meme, you simply tweet the question alongside a photo of your dream man. Or a photo of anything, really.
