Tensions are rising in Iran as thousands of people are taking to the streets in protests against the government. Center for Human Rights in Iran's Deputy Director Omid Memarian explains the economic factors driving the unrest, and implications of social platforms being blocked inside the nation.
"The protests have been spontaneous," says Memarian. "Economy is one of the major problems in Iran. Embezzlement by Iranian officials--corruption is deeply rooted in ranking officials."
The Iranian government has blocked social media platforms including Facebook, Telegram, and Instagram. Memarian says this move is dangerous. "It shows how the government is very insecure," said Memarian.
Brett Kavanaugh's Senate confirmation hearing got off to a raucous start Tuesday, as protesters interrupted the proceedings, Democrats called for an adjournment, and Sen. Cornyn of Texas said he'd never before seen a hearing "led by mob rule."
Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey will testify before the Senate on Wednesday. Tony Romm, technology reporter at The Washington Post, explains what to expect and weighs in on what the absence of a Google executive could mean. Meanwhile, President Trump's Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh faces lawmakers Tuesday as his confirmation hearings begin. And Samsung is looking to unveil a foldable phone by the end of this year.
Nike shares were lower after the company announced it would feature Colin Kaepernick as part of its new ad campaign. #NikeBoycott trended on Twitter as users showed themselves destroying Nike apparel.
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Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey will face the Senate Intelligence Committee Wednesday on Capitol Hill to discuss a variety of topics like hate speech and election interference. Tony Romm, Technology Reporter for the Washington Post, says Google's refusal to send a high-level exec could result in "huge PR hits" for the company.
Joe Buscaino, a Los Angeles City Council Member, believes the implementation of electric scooters and better bike lanes and accessibility will improve the traffic and mobility of the city of Los Angeles.
Craig Newmark, the founder of Craigslist, has donated over $40 million to news outlets such as Mother Jones and ProPublica that support investigative journalism. "This is my war," he told Cheddar.
After a recent report claiming that Andrew Cuomo accepted undisclosed donations from cannabis companies, many are suspicious of the gubernatorial incumbent who is seeking re-election against actress Cynthia Nixon, a political newcomer. Alyson Martin, a co-founder of CannabisWire, which published the report, told Cheddar on Friday that she thinks the news is an indication that Cuomo may be softening his stance on marijuana.
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Amazon put out a statement refuting Bernie Sander's position that its workers were underpaid and overworked. Brian Heater, a hardware editor at TechCrunch, thinks the nearly $1 trillion company can withstand it.
