Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Thursday, July 23, 2020:
TRUMP EXPANDS FED RESPONSE: Under the auspices of combating a rise in violent crime, President Trump Wednesday ordered the deployment of federal law enforcement agents to Chicago and Albuquerque. This follows after the recent controversy surrounding the use of DHS personnel in Portland. The president went on to paint Democrat-led cities as being out of control and lashed out at the "radical left," despite criminal justice experts saying that the increase in violence in some cities defies an easy explanation. AP
PFIZER VACCINE DEAL: The pharma giant inked a $1.95 billion deal with the U.S. government to provide 100 million doses of a vaccine candidate by December, HHS Secretary Alex Azar announced Wednesday. Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE announced separately that the agreement is with HHS and the Defense Department for a vaccine candidate the companies are developing jointly. Azar did not say, however, that the vaccine must prove "safe and effective" and receive FDA approval first. AP
CHINA CONSULATE CLOSED: In an escalation of tensions between two superpowers, the U.S. has ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston in order "to protect American intellectual property" and the private information of Americans." Beijing decried the move, the latest in a series of conflict points on trade, technology, human rights, and security. On Tuesday night, Houston firefighters responded to reports of paper being burned on the consulate grounds but were prevented from entering the premises. AP
UNEMPLOYMENT DILEMMA: As the additional $600/week unemployment assistance program is about to expire, some members of the GOP have been discussing a possible short-term extension while the party hammers out its own coronavirus Phase 4 relief plan. The nation's unemployment rate is currently stuck at over 11 percent, but still there has been pushback from some party members. AXIOS
SPOTIFY-UNIVERSAL DEAL: Spotify and Universal Music Group have closed a multi-year deal, licensing the music label’s catalog to the streaming giant. The deal opens a new revenue stream for Spotify by offering paid placements on the app’s most renowned playlists, new tools for promoting releases, and sponsored recommendations. The deal comes with some backlash as indie recording labels fear Spotify’s new model will be driven by majors with the most money to spend, ultimately creating a fight for exposure. TECH CRUNCH
RIDE-HAILING BIAS: A new study from George Washington University found that ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft are charging customers who live or are dropped off in low-income neighborhoods more per mile. According to the study, the services evaluate demand by using machine learning methods that often “display demographic disparity in online recruitment, online advertisements, and recidivism prediction.” USA TODAY
FOURTH FORT HOOD SOLDIER DEAD: Just weeks after the remains of 20-year-old soldier Vanessa Guillen were found near Fort Hood, the name of another soldier found dead last week has been released. 26-year-old Private Mejor Morta was found unresponsive near Stillhouse Lake in Texas. Details surrounding Morta’s death have not been released. However, he is the fourth Fort Hood soldier to die under extraordinary circumstances this year. THE HILL
TOKYO OLYMPICS IN JEOPARDY: The International Olympic Committee says the delayed 2021 Tokyo Olympics could be axed all together if the coronavirus pandemic persists at its current rate. The future of the games lies in the development of a vaccine and figuring out a way to compete if all athletes do not agree to take the drug. The IOC says the Games will not be postponed for a second time but will instead be canceled if the virus is not under control in a year. AP
KIM K. BREAKS SILENCE ON KANYE: Kim Kardashian West has broken her silence on her husband's recent public comments related to their marriage and family. On her Instagram account, with 180 million followers, she blamed bi-polar disorder for Kanye’s outbursts at a campaign rally and rants on Twitter, and asked for understanding as her family works through this difficult time. While Kanye remains on the presidential ballot in Oklahoma, he has since alluded to suspending his run for the White House. READ IT
LEFTOVERS: FINDING PUPS FOREVER HOMES: The New York Racing Association is working to give sheltered dogs forever homes by hosting a virtual dog adoption series. As coronavirus makes in-person meetings more difficult, NYRA is sweetening the deal by covering up to $50 of adoption costs. Dogs up for adoption are currently being held at the Saratoga County Animal Shelter in Saratoga Springs, NY. DETAILS
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