Academics, journalists and First Amendment lawyers are rallying behind New York University researchers in a showdown with Facebook over its demand that they halt the collection of data showing who is being micro-targeted by political ads on the world’s dominant social media platform.The researchers say the disputed tool is vital to understanding how Facebookhas been used as a conduit for disinformation and manipulation. In an Oct. 16 letter to the researchers, a Facebook executive demanded they disable a special plug-in for Chrome and Firefox browsers that they have distributed to thousands...…Academics, journalists and First Amendment lawyers are rallying behind New York University researchers in a showdown with Facebook over its demand that they halt the collection of data showing who is being micro-targeted by political ads on the world’s dominant social media platform.The researchers say the disputed tool is vital to understanding how Facebookhas been used as a conduit for disinformation and manipulation. In an Oct. 16 letter to the researchers, a Facebook executive demanded they disable a special plug-in for Chrome and Firefox browsers that they have distributed to thousands...WW…

Dr. Anthony Fauci wants all Americans to wear a mask and — contrary to previous statements he’s made on the issue — he now favors a mask mandate in order to make that happen. Fauci, a physician and immunologist, and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for the last three decades, told Erin Burnett on CNN’s OutFront Friday evening: “If people are not wearing masks, then maybe we should be mandating."“There’s going to be a difficulty enforcing it, but if everyone agrees that this is something that’s important, and they mandate it and everybody pulls together...…Dr. Anthony Fauci wants all Americans to wear a mask and — contrary to previous statements he’s made on the issue — he now favors a mask mandate in order to make that happen. Fauci, a physician and immunologist, and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for the last three decades, told Erin Burnett on CNN’s OutFront Friday evening: “If people are not wearing masks, then maybe we should be mandating."“There’s going to be a difficulty enforcing it, but if everyone agrees that this is something that’s important, and they mandate it and everybody pulls together...WW…

‘Let Joe Biden talk. He’ll do the work for you.’That’s Jason Whitlock, a former Fox Sports and ESPN reporter, giving President Donald Trump some advice in an interview ahead of the final pre-election debate with Democratic rival Joe Biden later Thursday.Aside from that interaction, a jab at either the former vice president’s rhetorical or inspirational capacity even as he, Whitlock also touched on Trump’s appeal to the Black community. “I know I look incredibly young, but I actually have lived long enough to remember back when rappers loved … Donald Trump before he was president,” Whitlock...…‘Let Joe Biden talk. He’ll do the work for you.’That’s Jason Whitlock, a former Fox Sports and ESPN reporter, giving President Donald Trump some advice in an interview ahead of the final pre-election debate with Democratic rival Joe Biden later Thursday.Aside from that interaction, a jab at either the former vice president’s rhetorical or inspirational capacity even as he, Whitlock also touched on Trump’s appeal to the Black community. “I know I look incredibly young, but I actually have lived long enough to remember back when rappers loved … Donald Trump before he was president,” Whitlock...WW…

Teslareported third-quarter earnings Wednesday evening. were. That’s the fifth consecutive quarterly “beat” for the electric vehicle pioneer. Management hosted a conference call shortly after the earnings release and CEO said several things which should be of interest to investors. Here are five noteworthy items from the call, along with a little context: 1. Self Driving Musk believes in and believes Tesla’s technology will be ready sooner than most industry pundits believe is possible. “Regarding the Full Self-Driving beta release,” commented Musk. He was talking about the early full...…Teslareported third-quarter earnings Wednesday evening. were. That’s the fifth consecutive quarterly “beat” for the electric vehicle pioneer. Management hosted a conference call shortly after the earnings release and CEO said several things which should be of interest to investors. Here are five noteworthy items from the call, along with a little context: 1. Self Driving Musk believes in and believes Tesla’s technology will be ready sooner than most industry pundits believe is possible. “Regarding the Full Self-Driving beta release,” commented Musk. He was talking about the early full...WW…

Take with a grain of salt any forecast about which stocks will do well if Joe Biden wins the U.S. presidency. To be sure, these forecasts can make for interesting reading, but to paraphrase a quotation from Warren Buffett, their only value is to make fortune tellers look good. Consider what happened four years ago when analysts were trying to guess which stocks would do well during a Clinton administration and which under a Trump administration. They couldn’t have been more wrong.From two different websites at the time I collected 25 stocks that would supposedly thrive if Clinton were...…Take with a grain of salt any forecast about which stocks will do well if Joe Biden wins the U.S. presidency. To be sure, these forecasts can make for interesting reading, but to paraphrase a quotation from Warren Buffett, their only value is to make fortune tellers look good. Consider what happened four years ago when analysts were trying to guess which stocks would do well during a Clinton administration and which under a Trump administration. They couldn’t have been more wrong.From two different websites at the time I collected 25 stocks that would supposedly thrive if Clinton were...WW…

The U.S. death toll from the coronavirus illness COVID-19 rose above 221,000 on Wednesday, as the nation’s leading public health agency said almost 300,000 Americans have died during the pandemic, including fatalities that would not have happened without the virus. In the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the number is higher because it includes people who died from heart attacks or other medical emergencies that were untreated because people were afraid to go to a hospital.The study also uncovered that the biggest percentage rise in excess deaths were in those aged 25 to 44,...…The U.S. death toll from the coronavirus illness COVID-19 rose above 221,000 on Wednesday, as the nation’s leading public health agency said almost 300,000 Americans have died during the pandemic, including fatalities that would not have happened without the virus. In the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the number is higher because it includes people who died from heart attacks or other medical emergencies that were untreated because people were afraid to go to a hospital.The study also uncovered that the biggest percentage rise in excess deaths were in those aged 25 to 44,...WW…

President Donald Trump took aim at Dr. Anthony Fauci Monday on a campaign call and on Twitter, calling him a “disaster” in a campaign call and bemoaning his media appearances, but the veteran immunologist told Americans to follow the scientific data, and to stay out of the political fray. “Every time he goes on television there’s always a bomb, but there’s a bigger bomb if you fire him,” Trump said, according to the Associated Press. Trump added, “People are tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots.” The president, 74, added, “He’s been here for 500 years.”“People are tired of hearing...…President Donald Trump took aim at Dr. Anthony Fauci Monday on a campaign call and on Twitter, calling him a “disaster” in a campaign call and bemoaning his media appearances, but the veteran immunologist told Americans to follow the scientific data, and to stay out of the political fray. “Every time he goes on television there’s always a bomb, but there’s a bigger bomb if you fire him,” Trump said, according to the Associated Press. Trump added, “People are tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots.” The president, 74, added, “He’s been here for 500 years.”“People are tired of hearing...WW…

‘I wrote this song because, as a veteran, I was disgusted that some people were allowed to be excluded from serving our country because they had access to political and financial privilege. I also wrote about wealthy people not paying their fair share of taxes. Mr. Trump is a prime example of both of these issues.’ That’s rock legend John Fogerty – singer, songwriter and guitar player for Creedence Clearwater Revival – tweeting about his cease-and-desist order against President Donald Trump, who regularly plays the band’s classic anti-war anthem “Fortunate Son” at his rallies.“The fact that...…‘I wrote this song because, as a veteran, I was disgusted that some people were allowed to be excluded from serving our country because they had access to political and financial privilege. I also wrote about wealthy people not paying their fair share of taxes. Mr. Trump is a prime example of both of these issues.’ That’s rock legend John Fogerty – singer, songwriter and guitar player for Creedence Clearwater Revival – tweeting about his cease-and-desist order against President Donald Trump, who regularly plays the band’s classic anti-war anthem “Fortunate Son” at his rallies.“The fact that...WW…

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern won a second term in office Saturday in an election landslide of historic proportions. With most votes counted, Ardern’s liberal Labour Party was winning 49% of the vote compared to 27% for its main challenger, the conservative National Party.Labour was on target to win an outright majority of the seats in Parliament, something that hasn’t happened since New Zealand implemented a proportional voting system 24 years ago. Typically, parties must form alliances to govern, but this time Ardern and Labour can go it alone. In a victory speech in front of...…New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern won a second term in office Saturday in an election landslide of historic proportions. With most votes counted, Ardern’s liberal Labour Party was winning 49% of the vote compared to 27% for its main challenger, the conservative National Party.Labour was on target to win an outright majority of the seats in Parliament, something that hasn’t happened since New Zealand implemented a proportional voting system 24 years ago. Typically, parties must form alliances to govern, but this time Ardern and Labour can go it alone. In a victory speech in front of...WW…

Two of 2020’s hottest companies will try to keep their momentum alive as earnings reporting season kicks into high gear this coming week.  Netflix Inc.has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the COVID-19 crisis, as more people flocked to streaming services amid quarantine measures and a dearth of traditional new TV programming in the first half of the year. Now the question is whether that easy growth is in the past.After , Netflix warned investors to brace for a slowdown. Analysts expect only 3.8 million new paid subscribers for the third quarter when Netflix reports results Tuesday...…Two of 2020’s hottest companies will try to keep their momentum alive as earnings reporting season kicks into high gear this coming week.  Netflix Inc.has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the COVID-19 crisis, as more people flocked to streaming services amid quarantine measures and a dearth of traditional new TV programming in the first half of the year. Now the question is whether that easy growth is in the past.After , Netflix warned investors to brace for a slowdown. Analysts expect only 3.8 million new paid subscribers for the third quarter when Netflix reports results Tuesday...WW…

President Donald Trump’s administration has reversed course and approved a previously rejected California application for disaster relief funds to clean up damage from six recent wildfires. Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement Friday that he had just got off the phone with Trump who just approved the major disaster declaration.The White House earlier said the Federal Emergency Management Agency rejected the request because it was not supported by data needed for approval. The dispute surfaced as a representative of one fire-stricken area warned that time was running out to clean up debris...…President Donald Trump’s administration has reversed course and approved a previously rejected California application for disaster relief funds to clean up damage from six recent wildfires. Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement Friday that he had just got off the phone with Trump who just approved the major disaster declaration.The White House earlier said the Federal Emergency Management Agency rejected the request because it was not supported by data needed for approval. The dispute surfaced as a representative of one fire-stricken area warned that time was running out to clean up debris...WW…

With three weeks to go, President Trump’s re-election bid is in trouble. At least that’s what the polls show. But it’s not what the stock market is signaling. Based on nearly a century’s worth of election-year data, Trump may yet win.“A rising stock market tends to be a ratification of the present policies being satisfying to the investing public.”Here’s the research, and it is compelling: Since 1928, whenever the S&P 500 Index of the largest U.S. stocks has risen in the three months prior to a presidential election, the party that controlled the White House won 90% of the time. “If you...…With three weeks to go, President Trump’s re-election bid is in trouble. At least that’s what the polls show. But it’s not what the stock market is signaling. Based on nearly a century’s worth of election-year data, Trump may yet win.“A rising stock market tends to be a ratification of the present policies being satisfying to the investing public.”Here’s the research, and it is compelling: Since 1928, whenever the S&P 500 Index of the largest U.S. stocks has risen in the three months prior to a presidential election, the party that controlled the White House won 90% of the time. “If you...WW…

Global energy demand isn’tlikely to return to levels seen before the COVID-19 crisis for another threeyears, under the best case scenario presented by the International EnergyAgency’s World Energy Outlook report issued Tuesday. “The Covid-19 pandemic has caused more disruption to the energy sector than any other event in recent history, leaving impacts that will be felt for years to come,” the report said.  The IEA expects global energy demand to drop by 5% this year, with oil demand down by 8%. Energy investment also is forecast to fall by 18%. The report, however, emphasized the...…Global energy demand isn’tlikely to return to levels seen before the COVID-19 crisis for another threeyears, under the best case scenario presented by the International EnergyAgency’s World Energy Outlook report issued Tuesday. “The Covid-19 pandemic has caused more disruption to the energy sector than any other event in recent history, leaving impacts that will be felt for years to come,” the report said.  The IEA expects global energy demand to drop by 5% this year, with oil demand down by 8%. Energy investment also is forecast to fall by 18%. The report, however, emphasized the...WW…

Thousands of workers at seven Amazon fulfillment centers in Germany are set to strike over working conditions and wages during one of the technology giant’s busiest weeks.  Verdi, the trade union organizing the strike, told MarketWatch that it estimates that around 15% of Amazon’s German logistics workers will walk out at seven sites on Prime Day, the busy two-day sale for members of Amazon’s paid subscription program. The union confirmed workers from seven centers were on strike on Tuesday.After the U.S., Germany is Amazon’slargest market, and it operates 15 fulfillment centers in the...…Thousands of workers at seven Amazon fulfillment centers in Germany are set to strike over working conditions and wages during one of the technology giant’s busiest weeks.  Verdi, the trade union organizing the strike, told MarketWatch that it estimates that around 15% of Amazon’s German logistics workers will walk out at seven sites on Prime Day, the busy two-day sale for members of Amazon’s paid subscription program. The union confirmed workers from seven centers were on strike on Tuesday.After the U.S., Germany is Amazon’slargest market, and it operates 15 fulfillment centers in the...WW…

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sparred with CNN host Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday evening, calling him a “Republican apologist” during a heated exchange over the holdup of coronavirus stimulus.Pelosi, D-Calif., slammed Blitzer for having “no knowledge” on the details of relief proposals as he pressed her on why she wouldn’t accept a $1.8 trillion package offered by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin — a package that is roughly $400 billion less than the relief legislation the House . “[Americans] really need the money right now…even members of your own caucus, madam speaker, want to accept this...…House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sparred with CNN host Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday evening, calling him a “Republican apologist” during a heated exchange over the holdup of coronavirus stimulus.Pelosi, D-Calif., slammed Blitzer for having “no knowledge” on the details of relief proposals as he pressed her on why she wouldn’t accept a $1.8 trillion package offered by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin — a package that is roughly $400 billion less than the relief legislation the House . “[Americans] really need the money right now…even members of your own caucus, madam speaker, want to accept this...WW…

The U.S. economy never would have entered a recession at all this year if we’d only adopted what he calls the “25-cent solution,” says Brian Bethune, a teacher of economics at Tufts University and Boston College who won the Forecaster of the Month contest for September.What’s the 25-cent solution? “Everyone wears a mask,” he says. “Everyone wears it wherever they go outside. If we had applied the 25-cent solution, we never would have had a recession.” “But we can’t seem to get there,” he says mournfully.China did it Look at China, he says. Once they recognized the magnitude of the...…The U.S. economy never would have entered a recession at all this year if we’d only adopted what he calls the “25-cent solution,” says Brian Bethune, a teacher of economics at Tufts University and Boston College who won the Forecaster of the Month contest for September.What’s the 25-cent solution? “Everyone wears a mask,” he says. “Everyone wears it wherever they go outside. If we had applied the 25-cent solution, we never would have had a recession.” “But we can’t seem to get there,” he says mournfully.China did it Look at China, he says. Once they recognized the magnitude of the...WW…

Fitch Ratings on Thursday downgraded JetBlue Airways Corp.'sdebt one notch deeper into high-yield bonds, to BB- from BB. A "recovery in air traffic will be slower than previously anticipated," hampering JetBlue and other airlines' efforts to drum up business until COVID-19 cases decrease or until treatment or a vaccine against the virus become available. JetBlue's cash burn is likely to "remain material well into 2021," Fitch said. The ratings agency also worried about the airline's going deeper into debt, which helped it with liquidity but puts pressure on the airline's debt metrics in the...…Fitch Ratings on Thursday downgraded JetBlue Airways Corp.'sdebt one notch deeper into high-yield bonds, to BB- from BB. A "recovery in air traffic will be slower than previously anticipated," hampering JetBlue and other airlines' efforts to drum up business until COVID-19 cases decrease or until treatment or a vaccine against the virus become available. JetBlue's cash burn is likely to "remain material well into 2021," Fitch said. The ratings agency also worried about the airline's going deeper into debt, which helped it with liquidity but puts pressure on the airline's debt metrics in the...WW…

If Democrats take control of the U.S. Senate, that could lead to laws that shake up key sectors such as tech, health care, finance and energy — especially if the Nov. 3 election brings a “blue wave” that puts Joe Biden in the White House. So which Senate races are worth tracking, as 35 seats in that 100-member chamber are up for grabs in 2020?The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has rated 10 seats as solidly Republican and 10 as solidly Democratic as of Friday, meaning the independent newsletter’s analysts view 15 races as competitive, with ratings that range from “Toss up” to “Lean D” or...…If Democrats take control of the U.S. Senate, that could lead to laws that shake up key sectors such as tech, health care, finance and energy — especially if the Nov. 3 election brings a “blue wave” that puts Joe Biden in the White House. So which Senate races are worth tracking, as 35 seats in that 100-member chamber are up for grabs in 2020?The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has rated 10 seats as solidly Republican and 10 as solidly Democratic as of Friday, meaning the independent newsletter’s analysts view 15 races as competitive, with ratings that range from “Toss up” to “Lean D” or...WW…

Borat isn’t finished with Facebook yet. British comedian and satirist Sacha Baron Cohen — who has a history of pushing buttons with the movie “Borat” and TV series “Who Is America?” — calls the social network President Donald Trump’s “willing accomplice” as “the greatest propaganda machine in history” .In his column “We Must Save Democracy From Conspiracies”, Cohen refers to studies that show people are especially susceptible to misinformation and conspiracy theories during periods of great uncertainty — such as the coronavirus pandemic, the resulting economic crisis, and the racial...…Borat isn’t finished with Facebook yet. British comedian and satirist Sacha Baron Cohen — who has a history of pushing buttons with the movie “Borat” and TV series “Who Is America?” — calls the social network President Donald Trump’s “willing accomplice” as “the greatest propaganda machine in history” .In his column “We Must Save Democracy From Conspiracies”, Cohen refers to studies that show people are especially susceptible to misinformation and conspiracy theories during periods of great uncertainty — such as the coronavirus pandemic, the resulting economic crisis, and the racial...WW…

This interview is part of a series of conversations MarketWatch is conducting with some of the leading voices in the U.S. on COVID-19 pandemic. Moncef Slaoui, an immunologist by training and a longtime pharmaceutical executive, is running the Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed program to spur development of vaccines on the fastest ever timetable.While none of the four vaccine candidates to enter Phase 3 trials have publicly reported data from the mid-stage studies, Slaoui is hopeful that drug makers will file for emergency authorization with the Food and Drug Administration by late...…This interview is part of a series of conversations MarketWatch is conducting with some of the leading voices in the U.S. on COVID-19 pandemic. Moncef Slaoui, an immunologist by training and a longtime pharmaceutical executive, is running the Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed program to spur development of vaccines on the fastest ever timetable.While none of the four vaccine candidates to enter Phase 3 trials have publicly reported data from the mid-stage studies, Slaoui is hopeful that drug makers will file for emergency authorization with the Food and Drug Administration by late...WW…

National newsHenry Kissinger is no stranger to a hostile China. As President Nixon’s national security adviser, Kissinger helped engineer the first official visit by an American delegation to the People’s Republic of China, which ultimately paved the way for Nixon to visit Beijing and the U.S. to resume a cooperative relationship with the country after a long period of diplomatic isolation.On Wednesday afternoon, the famed diplomat warned that rising tensions between the U.S. and China could ultimately lead to a disastrous, kinetic war, in a virtual discussion with Federal Reserve Bank of...…National newsHenry Kissinger is no stranger to a hostile China. As President Nixon’s national security adviser, Kissinger helped engineer the first official visit by an American delegation to the People’s Republic of China, which ultimately paved the way for Nixon to visit Beijing and the U.S. to resume a cooperative relationship with the country after a long period of diplomatic isolation.On Wednesday afternoon, the famed diplomat warned that rising tensions between the U.S. and China could ultimately lead to a disastrous, kinetic war, in a virtual discussion with Federal Reserve Bank of...WW…

Another tweet sent the markets into upheaval. This time it was the announcement from President Donald Trump that his side will end negotiations on fiscal stimulus. Granted, it wasn’t clear that idea ever had much support in the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate in the first place. The Dow Jones Industrial Averageended 375 points lower on Tuesday, and the Nasdaq Compositedropped to 7% below its record close.Gregory Daco, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, said the move could be a watershed moment for the world’s largest economy. Yes, consumer spending held up after the expiration of...…Another tweet sent the markets into upheaval. This time it was the announcement from President Donald Trump that his side will end negotiations on fiscal stimulus. Granted, it wasn’t clear that idea ever had much support in the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate in the first place. The Dow Jones Industrial Averageended 375 points lower on Tuesday, and the Nasdaq Compositedropped to 7% below its record close.Gregory Daco, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, said the move could be a watershed moment for the world’s largest economy. Yes, consumer spending held up after the expiration of...WW…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Four weeks ahead of Election Day, senior national-security officials provided fresh assurances about the integrity of the elections in a video message Tuesday, putting them at odds with President Donald Trump’s efforts to discredit the vote. “I’m here to tell you that my confidence in the security of your vote has never been higher,” Chris Krebs, the director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, said in the video message. “That’s because of an all-of-nation, unprecedented election security effort over the last several...…WASHINGTON (AP) — Four weeks ahead of Election Day, senior national-security officials provided fresh assurances about the integrity of the elections in a video message Tuesday, putting them at odds with President Donald Trump’s efforts to discredit the vote. “I’m here to tell you that my confidence in the security of your vote has never been higher,” Chris Krebs, the director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, said in the video message. “That’s because of an all-of-nation, unprecedented election security effort over the last several...WW…

The MarketWatch News Department was not involved in the creation of this content.Oct 04, 2020 (TS Newswire via Comtex) --The evaluation report published by I Know First on September 29th, 2020 announced that their algorithm achieved a hit ratio up to 100% resulting from their 1-year long forecasts. According to the data collected, during the period between June 1st, 2019 till September 13th, 2020 the company's AI algorithm was able to produce predictions with accuracy no less than 62% for time horizons ranging from 3-days to 1-year. This period of COVID-19 was characterized by strong...…The MarketWatch News Department was not involved in the creation of this content.Oct 04, 2020 (TS Newswire via Comtex) --The evaluation report published by I Know First on September 29th, 2020 announced that their algorithm achieved a hit ratio up to 100% resulting from their 1-year long forecasts. According to the data collected, during the period between June 1st, 2019 till September 13th, 2020 the company's AI algorithm was able to produce predictions with accuracy no less than 62% for time horizons ranging from 3-days to 1-year. This period of COVID-19 was characterized by strong...WW…

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration announced plans Tuesday to sharply limit visas for skilled workers from overseas, a move officials said was a priority amid job losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Department of Homeland Security and Department of Labor officials said new rules for what’s known as the H1-B program will restrict who can obtain a work visa and will impose additional salary requirements on companies seeking to hire foreign workers.The H-1B program was created under President George H.W. Bush to help companies fill specialized jobs as the tech sector began to...…WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration announced plans Tuesday to sharply limit visas for skilled workers from overseas, a move officials said was a priority amid job losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Department of Homeland Security and Department of Labor officials said new rules for what’s known as the H1-B program will restrict who can obtain a work visa and will impose additional salary requirements on companies seeking to hire foreign workers.The H-1B program was created under President George H.W. Bush to help companies fill specialized jobs as the tech sector began to...WW…