se Thanks to much-improved defense, the Thunder appears to be a legitimate threat to the Warriors By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Fri, 14 Dec 2018 12:30:24 +0000 Almost everyone who played for the Thunder in 2017-18 and is also getting major minutes this season has improved their individual defensive rating. Full Article
se These 19 enterprise tech companies are still hiring during the coronavirus crisis — including AWS, Slack, Box, and Okta By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 08:20:00 -0400 Business Insider surveyed enterprise technology companies to determine who's still hiring amid the coronavirus pandemic. Companies like Amazon Web Services, Slack, Okta, Box, and Zoom are actively hiring, while others like Microsoft, Google, and SAP have slowed hiring to prioritize recruiting in key areas. Below is a list of 19 enterprise tech companies that are hiring, and the types of roles they are trying to fill. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. As companies across industries slow or stop hiring amid the public health and economic crisis caused by the coronavirus, Business Insider surveyed enterprise technology companies to find out who is still hiring, and the types of roles they're trying to fill. The results include companies actively hiring — such as Amazon Web Services, Slack, Okta, Box, and Zoom — while others like Microsoft, Google, and SAP have slowed hiring to prioritize recruiting in key areas. Responses come directly from companies, but be aware that hiring alone may not paint a complete picture of what's going on at each one. VMware, for example, told Business Insider that it's hiring, particularly in a few key areas related to its cloud business — but also told employees in an internal memo that it was freezing all salaries. Oracle, Nvidia, and Palo Alto Networks declined to comment on whether they are still hiring. Workday, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Stripe, Qualcomm and HP did not reply to requests for more information. Here are 19 enterprise companies still hiring in some form amid the pandemic, and what they're looking for:Amazon Web Services is actively hiring, with no hiring freezes in place, the company says. Amazon at large has more than 20,000 job postings in US corporate roles. Slack is "actively hiring," in a range of positions including engineers, data scientists, designers and customer experience experts, a spokesperson told Business Insider. The company has moved to a virtual hiring process – all interviews are conducted over video and onboarding happens remotely. Slack has 213 open positions listed on its website at the time of this writing. Box is "currently hiring," a spokesperson said, across roles in engineering, sales, marketing, customer success, finance, compliance, business operations, product and product design. Box's website listed 76 open jobs at the time of this writing. In additional to moving interviews online, the company has introduced new practices like virtual coffee chats with candidates and videos from employees to learn more about Box's culture. For new hires, the company has switched start dates to once per month and started a buddy system to help with onboarding. Zoom is hiring across the US and internationally for positions including in sales, engineering, legal, and security. "We did have an extremely ambitious hiring goal already for this year," Lynne Oldham, Zoom's chief people officer, recently told Business Insider. "So where we're seeing additional need is around the places that we touch the customer." The company had 81 open positions listed on its website as of this writing. DocuSign "has moved forward with its hiring as previously planned," a spokesperson said, and is hiring in roles across customer services, sales and business development, engineering and IT, marketing, finance, legal, and workplace teams. The company is also continuing its internship program virtually and plans to bring on more than 100 interns this summer. DocuSign had 338 positions listed on its careers website as of this writing. Dell-owned VMware is still hiring, a spokesperson said, and has "hundreds of open roles across R&D, IT, sales, customer services and support, marketing, finance, HR, legal, and business administration." But the company is also freezing salaries and suspending retirement matching, according to a memo obtained by Business Insider. A spokesperson confirmed that "there have been a number of cost management changes impacting the VMware workforce." VMware interviews take place virtually. Microsoft has frozen hiring for some roles, citing uncertainty related to the coronavirus crisis. "We continue to seek industry-leading talent in a range of disciplines as we continue to invest in certain strategic areas," a Microsoft spokesperson told Business Insider last month. "However, in light of the uncertainties presented by COVID-19, we are temporarily pausing recruitment for other roles." Microsoft declined to provide more information about for which positions it's still hiring, and which roles are seeing a pause in hiring. Microsoft's subsidiaries include LinkedIn and GitHub. German software giant SAP is still hiring in essential areas, but has pledged to reduce hiring and discretionary spending as "precautionary measures" during the pandemic. The company "will continue to hire carefully selected people into roles that will rapidly contribute to our competitive edge,"a spokesperson said, which it said include in "essential areas" such as innovation, and research and development. SAP said its candidate selection has remained the same, but the interviews are conducted virtually. New hires are onboarded virtually and sent SAP-issued equipment to their private addresses so they don't have to go to the office. Google is slowing down hiring for the remainder of the year, CEO Sundar Pichai told the company in an email seen by Business insider. Pichai said the company is enacting a hiring freeze on all but a select few "strategic areas" for the remainder of 2020. He wrote in the email that the company needed to "carefully prioritize" recruiting employees to serve its "greatest user and business needs." Dell Technologies is not "hiring broadly," but subsidiary companies like VMware and Secureworks still are, a Dell spokesperson told Business Insider. Dell Technologies is still continuing its early-in-career programs and summer internships, although they've become remote. "We are constantly evolving our hiring strategy based on business needs," the spokesperson said. Okta is still actively hiring, Okta's chief people officer Kristina Johnson confirmed to Business Insider. "We're continuously evaluating what we need as a business during this time, listening to customers, and tailoring our hiring plans to meet those needs," Johnson said. "Okta is in a unique position during this uncertain time in that we had the right infrastructure in place from the get-go to make remote work and remote on-boarding fairly routine." Okta's main hiring focus areas are in customer service, engineering, and sales, Johnson said. Dropbox has temporarily halted its recruiting efforts to figure out the process for onboarding people remotely. "What we actually ended up doing was we took a pause to just take stock of our onboarding and our approach to onboarding because we wanted to make sure that we weren't bringing people on and that they actually weren't effectively able to onboard," Dropbox COO Olivia Nottebohm told Business Insider. It's still hiring but has slowed down, only hiring for targeted roles, meaning it's up to managers to hire for key, business critical roles. "We're trying to just be prudent and nd not get ahead of ourselves given the macro environment that we're in, but we are moving forward to hiring targeted roles," Nottebohm said. While Dropbox plans to honor pending offers and ongoing interview processes, interviews for new applicants have been put on hold. The college internship program will also take place in the summer remotely. "Fully remote recruiting and onboarding into a new company comes with unique challenges — bringing new hires into Dropbox takes a great deal of collaboration between many teams, including hiring managers, learning and development, IT, benefits, and recruiting," a Dropbox spokesperson told Business Insider. "In order to ensure we're onboarding new hires effectively and managing the strain on these teams during the shelter-in-place orders in effect across the globe, we've paused recruiting efforts temporarily," the spokesperson added. In April, ServiceNow promised not to lay off any of its 11,000 employees and also said it plans to keep hiring worldwide this year. "With this new no layoffs pledge for its 11,000-plus global workforce, ServiceNow continues to take a leading role in how technology companies are responding to this health crisis by helping its own employees and customers get through these challenging and uncertain times," Shane Driggers, vice president of Global Talent Acquisition at ServiceNow, said in a statement to Business Insider. The company expects to create and fill more than 1,000 new jobs in the US and more worldwide by the end of the year, Driggers says. "We are leaning into hiring for engineering and sales roles as well as other functions across the business," Driggers said. Splunk is still hiring for a number of positions across the organization, a spokesperson told Business Insider. Open roles include positions in engineering, sales, finance, accounting, and information technology. Square is still hiring and focusing on roles like software engineering, data science, product design, sales, marketing, operations, and finance, a spokesperson told Business Insider. "We are continuing to hire in the US and internationally, focusing on roles that we believe will be the most important to our customers and our business in the coming months," a Square spokesperson said. Currently, Square has over 100 open roles. Twilio is still hiring across the board and not slowing down, a company spokesperson told Business Insider. There are still open roles in engineering, services, sales, product, and more. Intel has slowed down external hiring, a spokesperson said. "We have slowed external hiring, but we currently have approximately 1000 open positions that we are actively hiring for." Atlassian is still hiring across the board, a spokesperson confirmed. This past March was its strongest month of hiring in its history, the company said, as it brought on about 200 new hires. At the end of March, Atlassian had 4,457 employees. Zendesk is still hiring roles that are "key to our business," but "deprioritizing" the ones that are not as critical. Zendesk is still hiring roles that are "key to our business," but "deprioritizing" the ones that are not as critical, a Zendesk spokesperson said. "In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Zendesk has been focused on helping our employees, customers, and community at large navigate their immediate needs and plan for the future in this new world," the spokesperson told Business Insider. The spokesperson said that Zendesk is continuously looking at how to manage its operations to become more efficient and productive, while minimizing disruption to customers. "This is standard for all businesses that are looking at their immediate and long-term strategies in order to position themselves for growth," the spokesperson said. "We believe in the strength of our business and our employees, and the resiliency of our customer base, and are in a good position to weather this crisis and emerge as a better, stronger company." Full Article
se Silicon Valley VCs have a new obsession that perfectly captures the grave danger facing startups : How long is your 'runway'? By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 08:45:00 -0400 As the coronavirus-led economic shutdown drags on, many investors have started counseling startups to have more than a years' worth of "runway" to avoid having to raise funding on poor terms. But VCs are split on how much startups should be socking away. Some have estimated 18 months oof reserves could suffice, while others say as much as 3 years' worth of runway is ideal. The different time frames depends on the age of the startup along with which industry they operate in. Younger startups typically have fewer overhead expenses, while older startups likely have more employees and pricey office leases. Also, those companies that may be able to resume work as essential services may need less cash if they are able to generate revenue. VCs are uniformly bracing for an economic slowdown, but the severity of downturn is still up for debate. Click here for more BI Prime stories. Startups are facing what could become the worst economic downturn in several decades, and VCs are begging them to take drastic measures to improve their chances of making it through. Most Americans who lived through the 2008 financial crisis will know that a savings stockpile or rainy day fund can mean the difference between surviving and thriving during tough times, but as recent studies have shown, many tech startups and VC firms don't have a similar first-hand experience; many have only known boom times and are now venturing into uncharted waters. One thing VCs agree on is that startups need to quickly rein in growth plans — ideally as soon as yesterday — and start scrutinizing expenses. Anything nonessential should be cut or suspended indefinitely, headcount should be reduced, and pricey office leases eliminated if possible, all with the goal of extending a startup's "runway." In Silicon Valley, runway refers to how much cash a startup has on hand to put against its operating expenses. If, for example, a startup has roughly $100,000 in monthly operating expenses and has $1 million in the bank, they are looking at a 10-month runway, assuming revenue stays roughly flat. In the days before the coronavirus pandemic, a startup's runway dictated when it had to start looking for additional funding. Instead of cutting expenses, the popular solution was to simply put more VC money in the bank. This helped high flying startups like Uber and Airbnb expand at a breakneck pace — VC dollars kept pouring in and the companies remained unprofitable as they chased growth at all costs. But now, VCs are saying that's no longer an option. Founders Fund general partner Keith Rabois said on a podcast recently that profitability is now being rewarded much more than high-growth. For startups that aren't profitable, that means hunkering down and ensuring there are enough reserves to last through the crisis. So how long does the runway need to be? Many VCs that Business Insider has spoken to are advising their startups to have at least 18 months of runway. But some VCs say startups should have upwards of 3 years' of expenses saved up. The length of time can vary depending on the startup, one investor told Business Insider, pointing to the startup's age and industry as important factors. An early-stage company with a handful of employees and low-overhead costs might easily stretch a $500,000 seed check, whereas a growth-stage biotech startup with hundreds of employees, expensive hardware, and pricey office space might struggle to make tens of millions of dollars in funding make it through 12 months. Those that can't cut costs will be forced to fundraise with poor terms and risk the dreaded downround. "You can always easily dial back up the aggressiveness and risk profile if we get more optimistic visibility, but if you don't take action right away — to preserve capital, cut your burn rate, have fundamentally attractive unit economics, edit the product to make more sense in the new world order — if you don't do those right away, the opportunity to do those things and survive is probably lost forever," Rabois said in the April Talkshow broadcast. Rabois is in the camp of pessimists, generally speaking, who think the economic downturn will not only drag on through 2020, but could eventually turn into an economic depression the likes of which could rival the Great Depression of the 1930s. He said that his VC peers are starting to rein in the freewheeling deal-making that has defined the last two decades of the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem, and are now treading cautiously. It's time that startups do the same, he said.SEE ALSO: Lower valuations and a long wait for funding: Two top early-stage VCs dish on how they are counseling startups to withstand long-term economic uncertainty Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: Pathologists debunk 13 coronavirus myths Full Article
se As dating apps try to pivot to virtual events, some users are trying to get people to violate social distancing rules By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 08:50:00 -0400 Dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge have reported increased use amid the coronavirus pandemic, while touting virtual dating alternatives for users instead of meeting up in person. Swaths of users are still encouraging matches to break quarantine to have sex and go on dates, despite social distancing guidelines and fines to comply with them. An illustrator on Instagram has been collecting screenshots of these situations, and told Business Insider that users will brand themselves as "badasses," dispute the effectiveness of isolating, and lash out in anger and hurl abusive language when they're rejected. Spokespeople for Grindr, Tinder and Bumble told Business Insider they've informed users to adhere to social-distancing guidelines, but did not respond to inquiries about actions they're taking against users in places where violating lockdown orders can be against the law. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. As millions remain confined to their homes to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the desire for human contact and connection has risen dramatically and led some to search for ways to break those social distancing rules. Popular dating apps — including Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge — have reported significant increases during the outbreak of swiping activity, matches between users, and messages exchanged. It's also led to the introduction of a breed of users who are interested in shirking lockdown orders, and are encouraging their matches to join them in doing the same. Dating app users have shared stories across social media, and recently with Mashable, about messages they've received from matches who ask them to come over or want to hook up. Artist Samantha Rothenberg, who uses the handle @violetclair on Instagram, has been collecting these screenshots from followers, and told Business Insider she's received close to a thousand of such stories. "Because of how common it is, I can honestly say that anyone who is on a dating app right now has dealt with this," Rothenberg told Business Insider. "People are horny, and a lot of people are putting that ahead of the risk and the danger." For dating platforms whose end goal is inherently to bring its millions of users together in real life, the coronavirus outbreak has put them in a curious predicament. Dating apps are forced to balance a desire to keep people on their platform for the sake of business, with a moral responsibility to discourage users to engage in behavior with potential life-or-death implications. Since the start of the outbreak, apps have rolled out in-app virtual dating options and touted ways users can go on virtual dates. However, the prevalence of users who are trying to meet up in person, as documented by Rothenberg and screenshots across social media, raise questions about whether these dating platforms are doing enough to stymie such behavior in the time of coronavirus. Rothenberg has long collected screenshots of users' horror stories from dating app interactions, which she often will depict in illustrations she posts to her Instagram account. But ever since the pandemic led states to instill lockdown orders starting in March, nearly all of the screenshots she's received have had to do with coronavirus. These lockdown-violating users fall into a few general categories, according to Rothenberg. There's the users who try to paint themselves as "badasses" for breaking the rules, though Rothenberg says they're more like "a--holes." There are the matches who propose meeting up and, after getting rejected, reverse course to say they're were joking or "testing" you, she says. You'll also encounter the anti-quarantine user, whose reasoning is based on claims about herd immunity and the ineffectiveness of social distancing measures. The last group is made up of users who react to "no" with anger and verbal abuse, Rothenberg told Business Insider. Women told Mashable recently about encounters with men on dating apps who badgered and harassed them after they turned down in-person meetings, going to the point of gaslighting. These types of users are what led Rothenberg to launch a petition on Change.org to hold dating apps responsible for enforcing social distancing guidelines during the pandemic. She's also been active about calling out dating apps in her Instagram Stories she posts with screenshots she receives. "People are angry, they tell me, 'can you believe this, this is disgusting, this is wrong,'" Rothenberg said. "Because I have this platform, I feel I have a bit of a responsibility to put these [stories] out in the open and share, and bring some light into what's going on out there to people who may not know." In late March, platforms sent out various messages and alerts to their users that Rothenberg documented on Instagram. A message to Bumble users from CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd said: "Please don't meet your Bumble matches IRL for now." Hinge users were told to "stay safe and keep connected." Tinder, arguably the most well-know dating app, also discouraged users to meet up in a platform-wide message sent March 26. "We know there's a lot to stay to each other as we all do our best to stay healthy and prevent the spread of the coronavirus," the message from Tinder said. "We hope to be a place for connecting during this challenging time, but it's important to stress that now is not the time to meet IRL with your match." Dating apps' responsibilities to pivot from IRL to TXT As companies across industries adjust business to stay afloat, dating apps have transitioned to emphasize alternatives to in-person meetups. Although online dating success has long been measured by the amount of conversations that turn to real-life connections, platforms are forced to rethink their strategy as users continue turning to them en masse. A poll conducted by Hinge found that 70% of its users said they were open to going on dates on Zoom, FaceTime, and other video platforms. Some dating brands have introduced new features amid the pandemic. Hinge launched "Date from Home" in April, where users can indicate to a match they're ready to move their conversation off-app. Plenty of Fish started rolling out a livestreaming feature in March to users in the U.S. to allow matches to go on short virtual dates. Tinder, relatively late to the game, announced this week it was launching a video chat feature by the end of June. A spokesperson for Match Group — the parent company on Tinder, Hinge, Plenty of Fish, and other dating platforms — told Business Insider that it made updates to its products "to help users better navigate stay-from-home policies and date digitally via phone or video." Other apps that already enabled video chat and voice call, like The League and Bumble, are pushing these features to their users more than ever. But while users on these dating apps are swiping and messaging at new highs, the transition to virtual-only hasn't been as seamless for those on Grindr, the most popular dating app for gay men. Steve, a 26-year-old living in Washington, D.C., told Business Insider that activity on Grindr is "completely dead." He said he doesn't check the app nearly as often any more, but messages he does get on the app are largely from people who say they want to meet up despite the quarantine. Grindr, like other apps, has attempted to pivot to virtual dating: The platform recently introduced Circles, where groups of up to 20 users can join chats centered around certain topics and interests. However, Steve said he's seen these groups largely dissolve into "all d--k pics." "I dont think Grindr has the ability to rebrand itself honestly at this point for something other than hookups," Steve said. "They tried to take the opportunity to rebrand itself as something else, and it just right away became sexual." A Grindr spokesperson told Business Insider it had sent in-app notifications to all users asking them to "refrain from in-person meetings right now."Nonetheless, an app-wide message sent to users — and shared by users on Twitter — made no mention of asking users to social distance. For users across these dating apps who encourage the violating of social distancing guidelines, it's unclear how much responsibility platforms have to keep their users' indoors. In some states under lockdown, authorities have doled out fines and even arrested residents found failing to follow at-home guidelines. Grindr, Bumble and Match Group — the parent company of Tinder, Hinge, Plenty of Fish and others — told Business Insider in statements they have encouraged users to adhere to coronavirus guidelines from the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control. None of the companies responded to Business Insider's requests for comment about whether asking to violate social-distancing guidelines on the platforms is a breach of policy or would garner any ban or suspension on a user.SEE ALSO: What you need to know about Grimes, the Canadian musician who just had a baby with tech billionaire Elon Musk Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: Why electric planes haven't taken off yet Full Article
se Facebook's fight against coronavirus misinformation could boost pressure on the company to get more aggressive in removing other falsehoods spreading across the social network (FB) By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 09:12:00 -0400 Facebook is taking a harder line on misinformation related to coronavirus than it has on other health topics in the past. This decision may increase the pressure on the company to act more decisively against other forms of harmful falsehoods that spread on its social networks. Facebook is banning events that promote flouting lockdown protests, and is removing the conspiracy theory video "Plandemic." But false claims that vaccines are dangerous still proliferate on Facebook — even though they contribute to the deaths of children. Amid the pandemic, Facebook is taking a harder line on misinformation than it has in the past. That decision may come back to haunt it. As coronavirus has wreaked havoc across the globe, forcing lockdowns and disrupting economies, false information and hoaxes have spread like wildfire on social media. Miracle cures, intentional disinformation about government policies, and wild claims that Bill Gates orchestrated the entire health crisis abound. In the past, Facebook has been heavily criticised for failing to take action to stop its platform being used to facilitate the spread of misinformation. To be sure, coronavirus falsehoods are still easily found on Facebook — but the company has taken more decisive action than in previous years: For starters, Facebook is now displaying warning messages to people who have shared false information about COVID-19. They're imperfect — Stat reported that they may be too vague in their wording to have a major impact — but it's a step further than Facebook has taken on misinformation in the past. The company is also taking down event pages for events that reject mainstream science on coronavirus by calling on people to flout lockdown rules. And it is banning "Plandemic," a conspiratorial video about coronavirus that has been going viral on social media and contains numerous falsehoods. But Facebook's actions to combat COVID-19 misinformation may backfire — in the sense that it has the potential to dramatically increase pressure on the company to take stronger action against other forms of misinformation. The company has long struggled with how to handle fake news and hoaxes; historically, its approach is not to delete them, but to try to artificially stifle their reach via algorithmic tweaks. Despite this, pseudoscience, anti-government conspiracy theories, and other falsehoods still abound on the social network. Facebook has now demonstrated that it is willing to take more decisive action on misinformation, when the stakes are high enough. Its critics may subsequently ask why it is so reticent to combat the issue when it causes harm in other areas — particularly around other medical misinformation. One expected defence for Facebook? That it is focused on taking down content that causes "imminent harm," and while COVID-19 misinformation falls into that category, lots of other sorts of falsehoods don't. However, using "imminence" as the barometer of acceptability is dubious: Vaccine denialism directly results in the deaths of babies and children. That this harm isn't "imminent" doesn't make it any less dangerous — but, for now, such material is freely posted on Facebook. Far-right conspiracy theories like Pizzagate, and more recent, Qanon, have also spread on Facebook — stoking baseless fears of shadowy cabals secretly controlling the government. These theories don't intrinsically incite harm, but have been linked to multiple acts of violence, from a Pizzagate believer firing his weapon in a pizza parlour to the Qanon-linked killing of a Gambino crime boss. (Earlier this week, Facebook did take down some popular QAnon pages — but for breaking its rules on fake profiles, rather than disinformation.) And Facebook is still full of groups rallying against 5G technology, making evidence-free claims about its health effects (and now, sometimes linking it to coronavirus in a messy web). These posts exist on a continuum, with believers at the extreme end attempting to burn down radio towers and assault technicians; Facebook does take down such incitements to violence, but the more general fearmongering that can act as a gateway to more extreme action remains. This week, Facebook announced the first 20 members of its Oversight Board — a "Supreme Court"-style entity that will review reports from users make rulings as to what objectionable content is and isn't allowed on Facebook and Instagram, with — in theory — the power to overrule the company. It remains to be seen whether its decisions may affect the company's approach for misinformation, and it still needs to appoint the rest of its members and get up and running. For now, limits remain in place as to what Facebook will countenance in its fight against coronavirus-specific misinformation. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company would immediately take down posts advertising dangerous false cures to COVID-19, like drinking bleach. It is "obviously going to create imminent harm," he said in March. "That is just in a completely different class of content than the back-and-forth accusations a candidate might make in an election." But in April, President Donald Trump suggested that people might try injecting a "disinfectant" as a cure, which both has the potential to be extremely harmful, and will not cure coronavirus. Facebook is not taking down video of his comments. Do you work at Facebook? Contact Business Insider reporter Rob Price via encrypted messaging app Signal (+1 650-636-6268), encrypted email (robaeprice@protonmail.com), standard email (rprice@businessinsider.com), Telegram/Wickr/WeChat (robaeprice), or Twitter DM (@robaeprice). We can keep sources anonymous. Use a non-work device to reach out. PR pitches by standard email only, please.SEE ALSO: Facebook announced the first 20 members of its oversight board that will decide what controversial content is allowed on Facebook and Instagram Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: A cleaning expert reveals her 3-step method for cleaning your entire home quickly Full Article
se The top 9 shows on Netflix and other streaming services this week By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 10:10:00 -0400 Every week, Parrot Analytics provides Business Insider with a list of the nine most in-demand original TV shows on streaming services in the US. This week includes "The Midnight Gospel," a surprise animated hit from Netflix. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Netflix's new animated series, "The Midnight Gospel," is a surprise hit and gaining in audience demand while the one-time sensation, "Tiger King," dramatically dipped to the point where it's not among this week's most in-demand streaming originals. Every week, Parrot Analytics provides Business Insider with a list of the nine most in-demand TV shows on streaming services in the US. The data is based on "demand expressions," Parrot Analytics' globally standardized TV-demand measurement unit. Audience demand reflects the desire, engagement, and viewership weighted by importance, so a stream or a download is a higher expression of demand than a "like" or a comment on social media, for instance. Disney Plus' final season of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" dramatically surged in demand this week after the series finale debuted on May 4, otherwise known as "Star Wars" Day. But last week's newcomers, Apple TV Plus' "Defending Jacob" and Hulu's "Little Fires Everywhere," disappeared this week. Below are this week's nine most popular original shows on Netflix and other streaming services: SEE ALSO: Insiders say major questions hang over DC Universe as its parent company prepares to launch Netflix rival HBO Max 9. "The Midnight Gospel" (Netflix) Average demand expressions: 32,846,492 Description: "Traversing trippy worlds inside his universe simulator, a space caster explores existential questions about life, death and everything in between." Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 1): 90% What critics said: "We often say that a show is 'like nothing else on television' and it's usually an act of critical hyperbole. Trust me. It's true here." — RogerEbert.com (Season 1) Season 1 premiered on Netflix on April 20. See more insights here. 8. "Narcos: Mexico" (Netflix) Average demand expressions: 33,194,298 Description: "Witness the birth of the Mexican drug war in the 1980s as a gritty new ‚Narcos' saga chronicles the true story of the Guadalajara cartel's ascent." Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 2): 87% What critics said: "The second season of Narcos: Mexico, then, is far from flawless - but there are enough reminders of what has made the show such a phenomenon to make it a worthy watch." — Radio Times (Season 2) Season 2 premiered February 13 on Netflix. See more insights here. 7. "The Witcher" (Netflix) Average demand expressions: 34,076,054 Description: "Geralt of Rivia, a mutated monster-hunter for hire, journeys toward his destiny in a turbulent world where people often prove more wicked than beasts." Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 1): 67% What critics said: "It is messy, and absurd, but also — it is fun." — The Atlantic (Season 1) Season 1 premiered on Netflix on December 20. See more insights here. 6. "Harley Quinn" (DC Universe) Average demand expressions: 34,470,458 Description: "Harley Quinn has taken down the Joker and Gotham City is finally hers for the taking…whatever's left of it that is. Gotham has become a desolate wasteland, left in ruins, following the huge earthquake caused by the collapse of Joker's tower. Harley's celebration in this newly created chaos is cut short when Penguin, Bane, Mr. Freeze, The Riddler, and Two-Face join forces to restore order in the criminal underworld. Calling themselves the Injustice League, this group now stands in the way of Harley and her crew from taking sole control of Gotham as the top villains of the city." Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 2): 88% What critics said: "If you weren't sold on the first season of Harley Quinn, the Season 2 premiere probably won't change your mind. However, the series looks to be even stronger in its sophomore outing." — IGN (season 2) Season 2 premiered April 3 on DC Universe. See more insights here. 5. "Titans" (DC Universe) Average demand expressions: 40,950,684 Description: "'Titans' follows young heroes from across the DC Universe as they come of age and find belonging in a gritty take on the classic Teen Titans franchise. Dick Grayson and Rachel Roth, a special young girl possessed by a strange darkness, get embroiled in a conspiracy that could bring Hell on Earth. Joining them along the way are the hot-headed Starfire and lovable Beast Boy. Together they become a surrogate family and team of heroes." Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 2): 81% What critics said: "This hard-hitting drama provided much of the talented cast with some juicy material, while also allowing the show to continue to go from strength-to-strength." — What Culture (Season 2) Season 2 premiered on DC Universe on September 6. See more insights here. 4. "Money Heist (La Casa de Papel)" (Netflix) Average demand expressions: 45,905,200 Description: "Eight thieves take hostages and lock themselves in the Royal Mint of Spain as a criminal mastermind manipulates the police to carry out his plan." Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 4): 75% What critics said: "If you are looking for addictive entertainment, this fourth season of 'Money Heist' has more than enough doses of it." — Espinoff (Season 4) Season 4 premiered on Netflix April 3. See more insights here. 3. "The Mandalorian" (Disney Plus) Average demand expressions: 53,820,742 Description: "After the fall of the Empire, a lone gunfighter makes his way through the lawless galaxy." Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 1): 93% What critics said: "[The Mandalorian] has an empire of sentiment serving as the wind at its back, and as long as it keeps up its momentum, even those of us programmed to dissect and critique programs may be content to simply sail along with it." — Salon (Season 1) Season 1 premiered on Disney Plus on November 12. See more insights here. 2. "Stranger Things" (Netflix) Average demand expressions: 57,853,672 Description: "When a young boy vanishes, a small town uncovers a mystery involving secret experiments." Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 3): 89% What critics said: "Even the most distinctive moments feel disconnected from the rest, especially a segment in the final episode that feels as if its sole purpose is to be extracted and recirculated as a meme." — Slate (Season 3) Season 3 premiered July 4 on Netflix. See more insights here. 1. "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (Disney Plus) Average demand expressions: 126,320,893 Description: "From Dave Filoni, director and executive producer of 'The Mandalorian,' the new Clone Wars episodes will continue the storylines introduced in the original series, exploring the events leading up to 'Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.'" Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 7): 100% What critics said: "The overall ending to seven seasons can feel rudely abrupt when other threads are hanging. But the solemn meditation on the casualties of war and the slow-yet-swift-feeling disintegration of a seemingly secure world is the microcosm of the entire series." — Slashfilm (season 7) Season 7 premiered on February 21 on Disney Plus. See more insights here. Full Article
se The Polaris Slingshot is a car-motorcycle mashup that costs $33,000 and can do 0-60 mph in 5 seconds — on 3 wheels. By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 12:13:00 -0400 I tested a roughly $33,000 Polaris Slingshot R, a three-wheeled "autocycle." The three-wheeler category includes vehicles from Can-Am and Harley-Davidson, offering a motorcycle experience in a less demanding package. My Slingshot R had a new, Polaris-developed, 203-horsepower engine and an automatic transmission. In all but three US states, no motorcycle license is required to operate the Slingshot (New York, Massachusetts, and Alaska continue to require the motorcycle certification). The Slingshot is insanely fun, with a modest learning curve — it's a great alternative to a two-wheeler, although the price is definitely steep for the Slingshot R. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Motorcycles are cool, but they aren't for everybody. Fortunately, there are some alternatives out there that offer an equally compelling, open-air experience. One of the most popular is the the Polaris Slingshot, manufactured by the Minnesota-based powersports company. Until recently, Slingshots were available only with manual transmissions and GM-sourced engines, but for 2020, Polaris has updated the autocycle with an in-house motor and an automatic. The automatic transmission in particular really broadens the Slingshot's potential. So I was excited to sample the machine, which I first saw about five years ago. Polaris was kind enough to loan me a tester for a few weeks. Here's how it went:FOLLOW US: On Facebook for more car and transportation content! The Polaris Slingshot is a three-wheeled autocycle/motorcycle that Polaris industries has produced since 2014. My 2020 Slingshot R tester cost about $33,000 and was outfitted in a menacing red-and-black paint job. The cheapest Slingshot is about $20,000. This wasn't my first crack at a Slingshot. Polaris brought the vehicle to Insider's New York offices when the vehicle first launched. And I generally have a gander at the Slingshot when I visit the annual New York motorcycle show. The Slingshot is classified as either a motorcycle or an autocycle, depending on which state it's being operated in. Yep, it looks like the Batmobile. Or Batcycle. Hard to avoid feeling like a superhero when you're behind the wheel. In all but three US states, no motorcycle license is required to drive the Slingshot. In New Jersey, you are required to wear a helmet. Up front, you have 18-inch forged aluminum wheels, with an 20-incher at the back. The brakes have two-piece composite rotors. Permanent open-air motoring isn't for everybody. Polaris does sell and older model, the Grand Touring, which has a cockpit canopy. The Polaris R has a waterproof interior and drain holes in the floorboards, should you get caught in bad weather. My tester was the top-level "R" trim, complete with dual roll bars for drier and passenger. Let's talk fender fairings! The Slingshot's are dramatic and large — I was reminded of Chevy Corvettes while driving this thing. Like a motorcycle, there's no rear-view mirror, so you have to adjust slightly to using the sideviews. There's a new engine under the hood. Previously, Polaris used a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder GM-sourced Ecotech motor, making up to 175 horsepower. But my R had a ProStar four, also at 2.4-liters, cranking out 203 horsepower with a five-speed automatic transmission (a manual remains available). It's an in-house engine that was impressive in action. The top speed is limited at 125 mph, and the 0-60mph run, according to Polaris and confirmed by yours truly, is about five seconds. The four-banger redlines at 8,500 rpm and even with the automatic transmission does a pretty fair imitation of proper motorcycle acceleration. The auto is a tad crunchy, but in this context, that's a plus. It keeps you aware of what the engine is doing. The rear wheel — fat and wide — is yoked to the motor and transmission with a belt drive. The suspension is surprisingly compliant, but you do have to be mindful of bumps, potholes, and manhole covers if you want to preserve you lower spine. Polaris says the interior has been upgraded for 2020. No one would call it premium, but for a vehicle like this, it's rather comfortable. The steering wheel is leather-wrapped, multifunctioned, and flat-bottomed to make getting into and out of the driver's seat easier. The instrument cluster is a basic analog affair with a central digital display. The red button to on the right steering-wheel spoke allows you to switch between Comfort and Slingshot modes (the latter being the high-performance option). The bucket seats are waterproof and extremely well-bolstered, with three-point seat belts. The Slingshot's tubular frame is apparent in the doorless frame. Not really much cargo capacity here, although I did use the Slingshot for a grocery-store run and quick jaunt to Target to buy a basketball. There is a place to stow a smartphone, located just above the push-button gear selector. The Slingshot also has push-button start-stop. The glove compartment is the only other storage available ... ... And it's actually pretty roomy. One could stash a rain jacket in there, for example. The RideCommand infotainment system is basic — but good! On a vehicle such as this, I wasn't expecting much, but the audio setup sounded decent, the screen was responsive, and Bluetooth and USB connectivity was on-par with what you'd find in any modern automobile. There's even GPS navigation, which can display a map and provide turn-by-turn guidance. The ride-mode selector is doubled in the infotainment system. So what's the verdict? I love three-wheelers. They aren't as cool as two-wheeled motorbikes, but they provide easy access to open-air motoring, and the driving/riding experience is much more engaging than what you find in convertible automobiles. For anybody who dislikes the impracticality of motorcycles but wants to partake of the open-road lifestyle, machines like the Slingshot (the Can-Am Spyder and the Harley-Davidson Freewheeler, to name two) are ideal. Not for nothing, they also offer aging riders a chance to yank their helmets and biker jackets out of storage to pursue moderately safer riding. With the Slingshot, gearing-up isn't necessary. The trade-off, of course, is price. The Slingshot R that I tested costs more than an entry-level car or SUV. So, an expensive plaything. But there's nothing wrong with that. Everybody needs a hobby. No doubt about it, the Slingshot captures attention. I lost count of how many little kids a stopped in their tracks as I tooled around the Jersey suburbs. The last vehicle that provoked such astonishment was the Lamborghini Huracán Performante. If you become a Slingshotter, prepare to be pointed at and asked for photo-ops. Driving-wise, the Slingshot scratches an itch: on the road, the experience is unexpurgated — you don't have to be constantly vigilant, as you would on a bike, but you do need to remain aware. Highway trips are demanding. And noisy. And exhilarating. The Slingshot R is also fast and torque-y and the power goes to the single back wheel, so the while the two-wheeled front is stable, the back end can get pretty wiggly, especially in Slingshot mode, if you stomp the throttle. I had iffy springtime Northeast weather to contend with, so I took the Slingshot out only on warm and sunny days; the rest of the time, I parked it in my garage. But the vehicle can handle being rained on, and one could also buy a cover to protect it from the elements. To be honest, however, I think it's a better choice in warm, dry climates. The performance is aggressively go-kart-y. This thing will make you a better drive, thanks to its point-and-shoot steering, crisp suspension, and easy access to power. It's insanely fun on curves and into corners. But it's also worthy of short road trips. In fact, the relative comfort was a shocker: I took the Slingshot out for a few hours one day and suffered no ill-effects to my lower back. Drawback? The design is thoroughly sporty, so if you don't go in for that, the Slingshot might not be your bag. It isn't a throwback, nor is it at all steam-punky. It also isn't a motorcycle, in that there aren't any handlebars, you don't throw a leg, and the single wheel takes up the rear. But the Slingshot is a absolute blast, and if you're a weekend warrior who wants to carve up a canyon or a country road without having the grapple with a motorcycle's demands — and you don't mind dropping some dollars — the Slingshot is perfect. Full Article
se I've been using Apple's new iPhone SE for 2 weeks — here are the best and worst things about it so far (AAPL) By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 12:20:35 -0400 The $400 iPhone SE stands out for its fast performance, compact design, and effective camera. Still, the iPhone SE is lacking some of the camera features found on similarly priced Android rivals. Overall, the phone is best suited for Apple loyalists upgrading from an older device like the iPhone 6S that want something affordable and familiar. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Apple's iPhone SE is unlike any iPhone Apple has released in the past two years. In fact, it looks a lot more like the the iPhone you probably remember from 2017 and earlier, back when iPhones still had home buttons and smaller-sized screens. I switched from the $1,000 iPhone 11 Pro to Apple's new iPhone SE recently, and overall I've found it to be a solid option for Apple fans looking for a cheap, portable device. The smaller and lighter size is easy to manage and operate with one hand, and Touch ID brings some convenience that Face ID can lack. But of course, since it's significantly cheaper than the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro, it's lacking in some areas. It doesn't have an ultra-wide-angle camera or low-light photography capabilities, for example, even though similarly priced Android devices offer some of those features. After spending a couple of weeks with Apple's cheapest iPhone, here are my favorite (and least favorite) things about it. SEE ALSO: Apple is expected to release a new Apple Watch this fall — here are the features we want to see The iPhone SE runs on Apple's latest iPhone processor, which makes it feel snappy and fast. The iPhone SE runs on Apple's A3 Bionic processor, the same chip that powers the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro. As a result, the iPhone SE feels snappy and fast in daily use. I found this to be especially true when switching from my old iPhone 8 to the SE. In most cases, it was able to launch apps, render 4K video clips, and find surfaces more quickly in augmented reality than Apple's more-than-two-year-old iPhone 8. That being said, the iPhone SE is pretty similar to the iPhone 8 in just about every other way, save for a few exceptions. It's best suited for those upgrading from an iPhone 7 or older. The A13 Bionic is the major advantage the iPhone SE has over similarly-priced Android phones, many of which may offer more sophisticated cameras but run on less powerful processors. It's small and compact, which means it's easier to use with one hand and fit into pockets. The iPhone SE is the most compact iPhone Apple has released in years. It has a 4.7-inch screen just like the iPhone 8, and weighs noticeably less than the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro. The iPhone SE weighs 5.22 ounces, while the iPhone 11 weighs 6.84 ounces and the iPhone 11 Pro weighs 6.63 ounces. It's also the only iPhone Apple sells that comes with a Touch ID home button. Although I've grown accustomed to swiping up from the home screen to return home and unlocking my phone just by looking at it, I've really appreciated having Touch ID again. Apple's fingerprint sensor sometimes works a bit faster than Face ID in my experience when unlocking my phone. And since Face ID works best when held directly in front of your face, I often have to physically pick up my phone to unlock it when using the iPhone 11 Pro. With the iPhone SE, by comparison, I can unlock my phone just by resting a finger on the home button without having to move the device. It's a small convenience, but one that I've come to appreciate. The camera quality is good for the price. The iPhone SE has a single 12-megapixel camera that supports Portrait Mode and all six lighting effects that go with it. Overall, the camera system is very similar to the one found on Apple's iPhone XR from 2018. You won't get the more advanced photography features found on Apple's newer iPhone models, but you won't be disappointed by the SE's camera either. During my time with the phone, I've found that it takes sharp, crisp images that may not be as vibrant as the ones taken on the iPhone 11 Pro, but are in some cases an improvement over the iPhone 8. But the camera is lacking compared to some similarly priced Android phones. Given its cheap price, it's reasonable to think that the iPhone SE wouldn't come with all of the capabilities of the iPhone 11 or 11 Pro. But that hasn't stopped some Android phone makers from bringing features like low-light photography, multi-lens camera systems, and ultra-wide-angle lenses to their devices. Google, Samsung, and TCL all offer compelling smartphones with more feature-rich photography capabilities at similar price points as the iPhone SE. The iPhone SE's design also feels a bit antiquated compared to modern smartphones. While I appreciate the portability of the iPhone SE's design, its appearance does feel a bit outdated compared to other modern smartphones. Other affordable Android phones, like the $400 Samsung Galaxy A51 and $400 Google Pixel 3a, still offer screens with much smaller bezels for around the same price. And the battery life leaves me wanting more. I usually get roughly one full work day out of the iPhone SE, which is acceptable given its low price. But when switching from a more expensive phone like the iPhone 11 Pro, I often found myself scrambling to plug in my phone after work hours. Battery life will always vary depending on how you use your phone. During the workday, I tend to take a lot of phone calls, leave my screen on for long periods of time to avoid missing work notifications, and record audio frequently. All of these tasks will drain your battery faster than usual, which is why I tend to get more battery life out of the SE on the weekends. The bottom line is: If you're a power user that's frequently recording video or audio, or running graphics-heavy games, you may want to make sure you have a charger handy or opt for a phone with longer battery life. So is it right for you? The iPhone SE is a reliable, affordable choice for Apple fans that want something that feels familiar and won't break the bank. You shouldn't expect to get all of the benefits you'd find on a much more expensive phone like the iPhone 11 Pro. But the SE's A13 Bionic chip offers fast performance for the price, and should provide some reassurance that you're phone won't quickly feel outdated in terms of speed. Full Article
se Elon Musk says Tesla will 'immediately' leave California after coronavirus shutdowns forced the company to close its main car factory (TSLA) By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 13:34:00 -0400 Elon Musk says Tesla may leave its Palo Alto headquarters and Fremont, California factory. In a tweet Saturday morning, the chief executive continued his outrage against shelter-in-place orders that have forced most non-essential businesses to close. Last week, Musk likened the rules to fascism, and urged leaders to "give people their goddamn freedom back." Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. After a week of decrying coronavirus shelter-in-place orders that have left Tesla's main factory shuttered and unable to produce vehicles, Elon Musk says the company may move its factory out of the state. "Tesla is filing a lawsuit against Alameda County immediately," the chief executive said on Twitter Saturday morning. "The unelected & ignorant 'Interim Health Officer' of Alameda is acting contrary to the Governor, the President, our Constitutional freedoms & just plain common sense!" That was followed up with a threat to move Tesla's headquarters outside the state. "Frankly, this is the final straw," he replied. "Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to Texas/Nevada immediately. If we even retain Fremont manufacturing activity at all, it will be dependent on how Tesla is treated in the future. Tesla is the last carmaker left in CA." Frankly, this is the final straw. Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to Texas/Nevada immediately. If we even retain Fremont manufacturing activity at all, it will be dependen on how Tesla is treated in the future. Tesla is the last carmaker left in CA. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 9, 2020 It wasn't immediately clear if a suit had yet been filed, or in which court Tesla will file the lawsuit. Most state and federal courts are closed on weekends and do not allow filing. In a subsequent Tweet, Musk alsourged shareholders to file a class action suit for damages caused by shutdown. Tesla's press relations department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Alameda County did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Alameda County — the East Bay locale which includes Fremont, California, and Tesla's gigafactory about 30 miles southeast of San Francisco — extended its shelter-in-place order on April 29 "until further notice." Local authorities have not allowed Tesla to reopen the factory, and all manufacturing remains prohibited under the order. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Tesla was planning to resume some manufacturing operations at the factory as soon as last Wednesday, May 6. Local officials said it did not have permission to do so. "Right now, the same health order is in place so nothing has changed," Fremont Police Department spokeswoman Geneva Bosques told Business Insider at the time. "Operating the assembly line was determined early on to be a violation." Last week, following Tesla's first-quarter earnings announcement, Musk decried the shutdowns as a substantial risk to the company's financials. "Frankly, I would call it forcible imprisoning of people in their homes against all of, their constitutional rights, in my opinion," he said on a conference call. "It's breaking people's freedoms in ways that are horrible and wrong and not why they came to America or built this country. What the f---. Excuse me. Outrage. Outrage." "If somebody wants to stay in their house, that's great and they should be able to," he continued. "But to say they cannot leave their house and that they will be arrested if they do, that's fascist. That is not democratic — this is not freedom. Give people back their goddamn freedom." Some states, including Texas, Georgia, and others, have begun to slowly allow certain businesses to re-open in recent weeks. Musk praised counties neighboring Alameda, like San Joaquin for what he said were more "reasonable" responses. In a podcast released May 7, he told Joe Rogan that the company had learned from the coronavirus in China, where it briefly forced Tesla to close its Shanghai factory — a claim he repeated on Twitter Saturday. "Our castings foundry and other faculties in San Joaquin have been working 24/7 this entire time with no ill effects. Same with Giga Nevada," Musk said. "Tesla knows far more about what needs to be done to be safe through our Tesla China factory experience than an (unelected) interim junior official in Alameda County." As Musk began to complain about factory shutdowns in April, workers at Tesla's Fremont factory told Business Insider that the comments made them anxious. "I'm for going back to work, but only if it is safe for me, my family, coworkers," said one production employee. "I don't feel like I'm being forced to stay home or that my freedom has been taken away. It's for the good of California."Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: A cleaning expert reveals her 3-step method for cleaning your entire home quickly Full Article
se Mortgage rates hover near historic lows as investors assess where economy is headed By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 14:30:27 +0000 The 30-year fixed-rate average moved slightly higher this week, increasing to 3.26 percent. Full Article
se This Tudor-style house had to be in Herndon, Va. By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 09:30:00 +0000 HOUSE OF THE WEEK | Former mayor Tom Rust knew what he wanted to build and where he wanted to build it. Full Article
se John Cusack apologizes for anti-Semitic tweet — after defending why he posted it By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Jun 2019 17:25:30 +0000 In a string of tweets, the actor apologized for retweeting an anti-Semitic meme. Full Article
se Kim Kardashian West shares behind-the-scenes peek at her White House visit By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Jun 2019 16:50:30 +0000 The reality TV star is a wizard at keeping the spotlight exactly where she wants it. Full Article
se ‘Real Housewives’ stars Ashley and Michael Darby are closing their Virginia restaurant By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Wed, 26 Jun 2019 16:46:54 +0000 The couple ran Oz, an Australian-themed eatery in Clarendon. Full Article
se Actor Adam Scott and Sen. Mitch McConnell’s social media team are in a Twitter fight By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Thu, 27 Jun 2019 17:22:59 +0000 The actor responded unfavorably to a tweet by McConnell's campaign, and the beef didn't stop there. Full Article
se Harry and Meghan make surprise appearance at major league baseball game in London By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Sun, 30 Jun 2019 19:36:01 +0000 The new parents showed up at the first official MLB game in Europe on Saturday. Full Article
se Michelle Obama talks about her last night at the White House, Democratic presidential candidates in interview By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Sun, 07 Jul 2019 19:23:59 +0000 “The transition happens so quickly; it’s like you don’t even get to move your furniture out until the new president takes the oath of office,” Obama told Gayle King in an interview at Essence Festival. Full Article
se ‘Real Housewives of Potomac’ star Ashley Darby welcomes a son By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 08 Jul 2019 18:17:27 +0000 The reality TV star wrote that she and her husband, real estate developer Michael Darby, are "savoring every moment." Full Article
se Nicki Minaj pulls out of concert in Saudi Arabia ‘after better educating myself on the issues’ By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Jul 2019 18:50:51 +0000 The rapper said she wanted to support women's and LGTBQ rights. Full Article
se Cause Celeb: Victor Garber testifies on diabetes research By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Wed, 10 Jul 2019 17:24:17 +0000 The "Alias" actor was diagnosed with the disease as a child. Full Article
se Are you there, Oprah? A-list celebrity endorsements for 2020 candidates are slow to come. By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Thu, 11 Jul 2019 20:28:56 +0000 The presidential election is closer than you think, but thus far the celebrities are staying pretty far away. Full Article
se Wolf Blitzer, Kellyanne Conway and members of Congress celebrate Bastille Day at the French ambassador’s house By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Sun, 14 Jul 2019 16:51:07 +0000 Despite the potential of, um, awkwardness among the diplomatic core and official Washington, elbows were ripe for rubbing at the French ambassador’s residence. Full Article
se Soccer star Megan Rapinoe will be secretary of state if Jay Inslee has any say By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Sun, 14 Jul 2019 17:37:18 +0000 The presidential candidate and Washington governor wants Rapinoe in his administration — should he get elected. Full Article
se Alyssa Milano faces backlash for supporting a Marianne Williamson fundraiser: ‘I know. I know.’ By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Wed, 17 Jul 2019 17:11:44 +0000 The "Charmed" actress defended her decision to help raise money for the controversial Democratic candidate, saying Williamson is addressing the "soulful ache of the nation." Full Article
se Kim Kardashian West appeals to White House on behalf of ASAP Rocky By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Thu, 18 Jul 2019 17:57:15 +0000 The reality star and her husband, Kanye West, tapped some high-ranking friends to help the rapper, who has been detained in Sweden. Full Article
se Cause Celeb: Kimberly Williams-Paisley lobbies for funding to help women in developing countries By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:50:50 +0000 The "Father of the Bride" star spent two days meeting with lawmakers to press for foreign assistance funding. Full Article
se Trump popped in on a wedding at his golf course, and a ‘U-S-A!’ chant broke out By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 22 Jul 2019 15:08:02 +0000 The president stopped by a Staten Island couple's wedding and was greeted with cheers, screams and a supportive crowd. Full Article
se Trumps announce second state dinner, which will honor Australia By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 22 Jul 2019 16:35:01 +0000 President Trump and first lady Melania Trump will host the event in September. Full Article
se Chelsea Clinton welcomes third child with husband Marc Mezvinsky By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 22 Jul 2019 19:29:07 +0000 The former first daughter and her spouse welcomed a son on Monday. Full Article
se Trump sends envoy for hostage affairs to Sweden ‘on a mission’ to bring back A$AP Rocky By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Wed, 31 Jul 2019 18:02:09 +0000 The president wants the rapper, who is accused of assault, returned to the United States. Full Article
se Brightest Young Things brings the millennials to the revamped International Spy Museum By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Sun, 11 Aug 2019 18:42:13 +0000 A mostly millennial crowd explored the upgraded and interactive museum. Full Article
se ‘Free, Melania,’ an unauthorized biography of Melania Trump, set to hit shelves this December By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Aug 2019 16:43:38 +0000 The tome will be written by CNN's East Wing correspondent, Kate Bennett. Full Article
se Sean Spicer’s casting on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ draws backlash — including from the show’s host By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Wed, 21 Aug 2019 18:09:13 +0000 Tom Bergeron tweeted that he thought the producers had agreed the show should be “free of inevitably divisive bookings from ANY party affiliations.” Full Article
se Viola Davis will play Michelle Obama in Showtime anthology series ‘First Ladies’ By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 26 Aug 2019 22:04:34 +0000 The acclaimed actress and her husband, Julius Tennon, will also serve as executive producers. Full Article
se In response to Taylor Swift’s advocacy, Kellyanne Conway starts singing one of her songs By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Wed, 28 Aug 2019 13:07:39 +0000 Swift called on the White House to respond to her petition in support of the Equality Act, which would explicitly outlaw discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. Full Article
se Ivanka Trump’s 3-year-old son dressed up as a Star Wars Stormtrooper. Mark Hamill was not pleased. By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 30 Sep 2019 19:42:53 +0000 The Star Wars actor faced backlash for his reaction, but he later made clear that young Theodore wasn't the target of his ire. Full Article
se James Comey and Trump will face off again in new miniseries starring Jeff Daniels and Brendan Gleeson By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 07 Oct 2019 20:57:08 +0000 The CBS Studios show will be based on the former FBI director's best-selling memoir. Full Article
se Brandi Carlile drops out of women’s summit over former Trump official Kirstjen Nielsen’s involvement By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 21 Oct 2019 20:04:46 +0000 The singer announced she will not participate in Fortune’s Most Powerful Women conference after learning the former homeland security secretary was a speaker. Full Article
se Drag queen Pissi Myles causes a stir with unexpected appearance at the impeachment hearings By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2019 18:40:06 +0000 Myles stole the show with a towering blonde wig and shiny red mini-dress. Full Article
se Jason Momoa and Jaden Smith are serious about clean water. Just ask Chris Pratt. By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Wed, 04 Dec 2019 22:05:32 +0000 When it comes to getting schooled on plastic water bottles, look no further than Aquaman. Full Article
se Steve Harvey’s cartel jokes about Colombia at the Miss Universe pageant didn’t go over well By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 09 Dec 2019 21:48:50 +0000 The host made news of his own with questionable jokes, an eye roll and whispers of another wrong winner. Full Article
se Obama’s favorite movies of 2019 include one big snub and a few surprises By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 30 Dec 2019 19:22:25 +0000 From "The Irishman" to "Little Women," his list was mostly consistent with popular critical thinking. Full Article
se Tiffany Haddish on why Oprah is her No. 1 girl boss — and why women make better bosses anyway By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Sun, 12 Jan 2020 18:57:22 +0000 At the Washington premiere of "Like a Boss," the comedian also talked about why she won't comment on the upcoming election. Full Article
se Alyssa Milano on why she went to Trump’s impeachment trial, and how Schiff’s presentation was like ‘watching a one-man show’ By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Fri, 24 Jan 2020 00:17:15 +0000 The actress and activist wants to encourage the public to get involved because “showing up is participating in how this all works.” Full Article
se Kenan Thompson to host White House correspondents’ dinner with guest Hasan Minhaj By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Feb 2020 17:03:43 +0000 After taking a break from professional comedians, the organization has returned to tradition. Full Article
se Celebrities including Emily Ratajkowski and Mark Ruffalo send messages of thanks to Bernie Sanders By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Wed, 08 Apr 2020 23:30:57 +0000 Famous supporters flocked to social media as Sen. Bernie Sanders ended his presidential campaign. Full Article
se Anthony Fauci praises ‘classy’ Brad Pitt after SNL impersonation By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 18:02:28 +0000 Anthony Fauci praised Brad Pitt's performance, saying "Everything he said on SNL is what’s going on.” Full Article
se Democracy is under attack. But how to protect it while Trump is in the White House? By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Aug 2019 17:46:08 +0000 Review of 'Ill Winds" by Larry Diamond and 'The Democracy Fix' by Caroline Fredrickson. Full Article
se For many immigrants, family separation happens long before the border By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Fri, 30 Aug 2019 14:00:45 +0000 Review of 'A Good Provider Is One Who Leaves: One Family and Migration in the 21st Century' by Jason DeParle Full Article
se The inherently, intrinsically and inevitably flawed case for American nationalism By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Thu, 31 Oct 2019 14:00:07 +0000 Review of 'The Case for Nationalism: How It Made Us Powerful, United, and Free' by Rich Lowry Full Article