TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to face a grilling from US lawmakers this Thursday in his first sworn testimony before Congress, with the hearing focusing on data privacy and security. In preparation, Chew has been taking part in near-daily, multi-hour prep sessions with TikTok personnel and the app has organized a gathering of creators in D.C. to show their support. The hearing is expected to be a high-stakes event, with Chew’s performance likely to have a major impact on the future of the app in the US.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has changed his stance on the war in Ukraine, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a "war criminal" and arguing that US support of Ukraine is of "vital" national interest. He has also noted that the US should remain engaged in the conflict and continue to provide support to Ukraine, including military aid. His comments come as the US and other countries have increased their involvement in the conflict, with the US imposing sanctions on Russia and the European Union taking steps to support Ukraine.
California is taking a stand against caste discrimination with a new bill introduced in the state Senate on Wednesday. The bill, authored by state Sen. Aisha Wahab, would add caste as a protected class to California’s anti-discrimination laws, making it the first effort of its kind by a US state legislature to explicitly ban caste discrimination. If passed, it would be a major step forward in the fight for civil rights and human rights, helping to combat discrimination against Dalits, those born at the bottom of the caste hierarchy.
A Manhattan grand jury has been delayed and will not assemble Wednesday, as it was expected to bring historic charges against former President Donald Trump. The grand jury has been meeting to probe whether Trump falsified business records when he allegedly directed his then-lawyer to pay adult film star Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence. The cancellation comes amid reports that the grand jury has been preparing to indict Trump, and the Supreme Court has ruled that Trump must turn over his tax returns and other financial records to the Manhattan District Attorney's office.
A new CDC report has revealed that clinical cases of Candida auris, an emerging fungus considered an urgent threat, nearly doubled in 2021. The report showed a tripling of cases resistant to echinocandins, the first-line treatment for Candida auris infections, and the director of the National Reference Centre for Invasive Fungus Infections has called the rise in cases "alarming". The CDC is urging health care providers to take steps to prevent the spread of C. auris, such as using proper infection control practices and following the CDC's recommendations for diagnosis and management.
Federal officials are monitoring an uptick in violent rhetoric online, including calls for “civil war”, since former President Donald Trump asked his supporters to “protest” his impending arrest. The New York Young Republican Club held a pro-Trump rally outside the Manhattan district attorney’s office which was sparsely attended and peaceful. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security are continuing to monitor the situation, as there is still a potential for violence.
The US is accelerating the delivery of Abrams tanks to Ukraine to support their fight against Russia’s invasion. The older M1A1 model of America’s main battle tank will be sent instead of the newer M1A2 version, as it is easier for Ukrainian forces to learn to use and maintain. 65 Ukrainian soldiers are currently training on the systems at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and the tanks could be there before the end of the year.
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping held a face-to-face meeting in Moscow on Monday, days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the visit indicates China's support for Russia in the face of international criticism. The three-day state visit is seen as a sign of strengthening ties between the two countries, and the outcome of the visit will be closely watched.