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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is being slammed on social media for comments she made about her "connection" with China that she spoke about during a press conference on Thursday. Pelosi said that she has always had a special connection with China because of a childhood memory. "When I was a little girl, I was told at the beach if I dug a hole deep enough, we would reach China, so we've always felt a connection there," Pelosi said . Pelosi made the comment during a trip to the Indo-Pacific. NANCY PELOSI LANDS IN TAIWAN AMID CHINESE THREATS, MILITARY ACTIVITY "We are truly led by imbeciles," Outkick founder Clay Travis said. "LOL what?," Turning Point USA's Benny Johnson said. "Make sure we look like idiots to the rest of the world, a Twitter user said. PELOSI TAIWAN TRIP: 4 US WARSHIPS POSITIONED EAST OF ISLAND "you’re telling me this person was our best choice to visit taiwan?," another Twitter user said. Pelosi mad...

Eric Seufert / @eric_seufert : [Thread] How Apple's App Tracking Transparency blew up the digital ad ecosystem, bolstering Apple's ads business while positioning it as a privacy champion   —  APPLE ROBBED THE MOB'S BANK: How Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) policy blew up the digital advertising ecosystem, bolstering its ads business while positioning itself as a champion of consumer privacy. A masterclass in corporate strategy. (1/X) https://ift.tt/srgivZN...

As states across the country were  banning private funding of election administration in response to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg spending about $400 million on the process in 2020, Montana election officials expressed urgent opposition in email exchanges to the same thing happening in their state. In March 2021, an email from an official with the Montana Association of Counties informed county election clerks the bill to ban what are sometimes called "Zuckbucks" is "dead and indefinitely postponed." In emails, one county official responded "Woot! Woot!" One wrote, "You’re all amazing." Another wrote, "That is so awesome." The responses demonstrate local election officials are "addicted" to private money from potentially politicized actors, according to a recent report from the Public Interest Legal Foundation, a watchdog group that analyzed emails obtained in a public records request. While Zuckerberg announced he has...

Anne Heche joins a list of stars who have been involved in major, near-fatal accidents. Heche, 53, crashed a blue Mini Cooper into a Mar Vista, California, home, Friday, igniting a fire. She was transported to a hospital in critical condition, according to emergency responders. Paul Walker was riding shotgun with his friend Roger Rodas when the pair were involved in a car accident in Santa Clarita, California. The "Fast & Furious" star did not survive the crash and died at 40. Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker was involved in a plane crash in 2008 and was one of two survivors on board the private plane. Barker, 46, only recently flew again thanks to his wife, Kourtney Kardashian. TIGER WOODS CAR CRASH CAUSE REVEALED, GOLFER WAS DRIVING AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED Here’s a look at other stars who have been involved in major accidents over the years. Tiger Woods was involved in a single-vehicle rollover car wreck in February 2021. The golf pro’s accident occurred on a downhil...

Officials have announced arrangements for the funeral of Indiana Republican Rep. Jackie Walorski , who was killed in a car accident this week. Walorski's funeral will be held Aug. 11 at 11 a.m. ET at Granger Community Church in Granger, Indiana, and is being arranged by Palmer Funeral Home.  Visitation will be held at the church Aug. 10, from noon to 7 p.m. INDIANA GOP CONGRESSWOMAN JACKIE WALORSKI KILLED IN CAR CRASH Walorski, 58, communications director Emma Thomson, 28, and district director Zachary Potts, 27, were killed in a head-on collision Wednesday in Elkhart County, Indiana after the vehicle carrying Walorski crossed the center line, the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office said. REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS REACT TO REP. WALORSKI'S TRAGIC CAR CRASH DEATH: ‘JUST THE WORST NEWS’ Edith Schmucker, 56, the sole occupant of the colliding vehicle, was also killed. Elkhart County's Sheriff's Office released updated information Thursday that corrected what the offic...

Nico Grant / New York Times : Inside the cottage industry around “YouTube automation” that is dubiously persuading people to spend thousands of dollars to create video businesses on YouTube   —  A cottage industry is persuading people to spend thousands to create video businesses on YouTube.  Disclaimer: It is harder than it looks.

The White House summoned Chinese Ambassador Qin Gang Thursday night amid increased tensions in the wake of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Friday. The meeting came as China has suspended all planned discussions with the U.S. on key international issues as retaliation against the visit and is holding live-fire military exercises surrounding Taiwan.  "We felt it was important to bring the ambassador in, to make clear our positions about their provocative actions," Kirby told reporters. "And as I said in my readout we condemn the military actions." CHINA HALTS MILITARY, CLIMATE TALKS WITH US IN RETALIATION FOR PELOSI VISIT Kirby added: "We also made clear to the ambassador that Beijing's actions are concern not only to us, but to Taiwan and to the rest of the world. And made clear that – we wanted to make sure that he knew how much the international community was also opposed to this....

The White House condemned China for closing down engagement with the United States on a range of "critical issues," including climate, calling the move "fundamentally irresponsible," and one that punishes not just America but "the whole world."  China has suspended all planned discussions with the U.S. on key international issues as retaliation against the U.S. congressional delegation's visit to Taiwan.  Beijing on Friday made the announcement that the Chinese Communist Party was canceling all discussions of climate change, drug networks and military action.  China attributed the decision to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's congressional delegation and their trip to Taiwan.  White House National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby stressed the importance of open lines of communication between the United States and China. "I'm sure you will see the announcements by China today that they are closing dow...

FBI Director Christopher Wray said whistleblower allegations claiming FBI agents falsely labeled derogatory information on Hunter Biden as disinformation are "deeply troubling," but Republicans are calling on him to further acknowledge broader "politicization" within the bureau. During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Thursday, Wray was asked by Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., about allegations "highly credible whistleblowers" at the Justice Department and FBI shared with Sen. Chuck Grassley’s office last week. Grassley, in a letter to Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland last week, detailed the allegations and indicated that the whistleblowers said there was "a scheme in place among certain FBI officials to undermine derogatory information connected to Hunter Biden by falsely suggesting it was disinformation." The whistleblowers also alleged a "pattern of active public partisanship" at the agencies pertaining to investigations ...

Elena Schneider / Politico : A look at FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried's increasing US political contributions, including $10M+ to back Biden in 2020, and uncertainty about his goals and leanings   —  NASSAU, Bahamas — One of the biggest donors in Democratic politics this year isn't sure if he really wants to be a Democratic megadonor …

Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu has gained weight since winning the crown in December – and online bullies have relentlessly targeted the star. "Physically I have kind of grown, got more pounds, and increased my weight, which I am totally comfortable about right now," the 22-year-old told People magazine on Thursday. The real problem, she said, has been the constant criticism on social media. "I was bullied for gaining weight," said the Indian-born beauty queen. "It was kind of uncomfortable and really surprising for me to see how people started having opinions, which should not really matter. It’s not about how you look, it’s about who you are from inside and how you treat people and what you believe in." MOTHER OF MISS USA 2019 CHESLIE KRYST REVEALS HER DAUGHTER WAS DEALING WITH 'HIGH-FUNCTIONING DEPRESSION' Sandhu said that leading up to the competition , she had a no-nonsense approach to diet and exercise in hopes of winning. After achi...

Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida on Friday appointed Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Renatha Francis to the state's highest court. Francis was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court as a replacement for Justice Al Lawson, whom DeSantis applauded for his decades of service. "I'm incredibly honored and humbled by this appointment to continue my service to the people of our great state of Florida," Francis said. "I know I've said this before on prior occasions, but I have to say it again — I stand before you as the epitome of the American Dream." DESANTIS LAUNCHES FIRST TV AD OF HIS FLORIDA GUBERNATORIAL RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN Francis was born in Jamaica and immigrated to the U.S. in 2004. She graduated from Florida Coastal Law School in 2010. "I’m humbled that I get to be a part of this great American experiment, and to serve at the highest level of our state judiciary. The Florida Supreme Court protects the people’s liberty, and inherent in the way ...

Katy Perry might be the only person not on the Pete Davidson train. Perry seemingly dissed Kim Kardashian's love interest while playing the M.A.S.H. TikTok trend. The M.A.S.H. originated as a fortune-telling game children played. The letters stand for mansion, apartment, shack and house. The "American Idol" judge landed a castle, a Tesla and six kids through the game - all which she seemed to be happy about. However, Davidson as her husband did not seem to sit right with the pop star. She made a face when his name landed on the screen. PETE DAVIDSON WANTS TO BE A DAD: ‘MY DREAM’ "No offense @Kim Kardashian," Perry captioned the TikTok, tagging Kardashian. She also added, "(and Orlando? [shrugging emoji])." Kardashian and Davidson were first linked after "The Kardashians" star served as the host of "Saturday Night Live" in October. Davidson was first spotted with Kardashian at Knott's Scary Farm on Halloween weekend. The t...

Shailene Woodley has been in multiple successful movies and TV shows but perhaps her most popular roles is portraying Tris Prior in the "Divergent" trilogy. The science fiction movie tells the story of a futuristic Chicago that divides individuals into factions, based on different virtues. Woodley discovers she is different from most and doesn't fit into just one faction. The film trilogy follows Woodley's character along with Four (Theo James) as they try to escape the lives they've known and discover the truth about their society. The movies are based off the books by Veronica Roth: "Divergent," "Insurgent" and "Allegiant." The first movie came out in 2014, the second came out in 2015 and the third came out in 2016. The third installment of the series was supposed to be split into two parts, similar to the last movies in franchises like "Harry Potter," "Twilight" and "The Hunger Games." The first part...

Several primary elections are taking place across Tennessee on Thursday as Republicans aim to flip a House seat, which has been historically represented by a Democrat, after the state redrew its congressional map. Also on the ballot Thursday are the nominations for Tennessee governor. Incumbent GOP Gov. Bill Lee, who has served as the state's 50th governor since 2019, is running unopposed in the Republican gubernatorial primary election. While there has not been a Democrat elected to statewide office in nearly 15 years, three candidates are facing off against one another in the Democratic gubernatorial primary race for a chance to lead the state. Those candidates are physician Jason Martin, Memphis council member JB Smiley Jr., and community advocate Carnita Atwater. Going into Thursday's election, fundraising totals for candidates in the Democratic gubernatorial primary varied immensely. Martin had raised almost $650,000, Smiley had raised a little more than $200,000, and...

Katie Roof / Bloomberg : Sources: TripActions, which offers corporate travel and expense reporting tools, is close to confidentially filing for an IPO   —  TripActions, a travel startup, is close to filing confidentially for an initial public offering, according to people familiar with the matter …

Amber Heard sold her desert hideaway in July — just six weeks after her ex-husband Johnny Depp won a $10.35 million judgment against her in his defamation trial. Heard, 36, unloaded her Yucca Valley digs in Southern California for $1,050,000 — nearly double what she paid for it.  The luxury home was purchased in 2019 for $570,000 through an anonymous trust that had ties to the "Aquaman" actress, according to property records and TMZ . The adobe single-story house, which was never publicly listed for sale, officially closed July 18, according to Zillow.com. UNSEALED DEPP V. HEARD COURT DOCS REVEAL ‘AQUAMAN’ ACTRESS WAS ‘EXOTIC DANCER’ The 2,457-square-foot abode near Joshua Tree had been Heard’s primary residence for the last several years.  The address became public after she disclosed the town of her residence when she testified at the Depp v. Heard trial in May. Records show that a Las Vegas couple paid all cash for the Southwestern-style home on nearly six acres, ...

Reuters : Sources: Intel and Italy are close to clinching a deal initially worth $5B to build an advanced semiconductor packaging and assembly plant in the country   —  Italy is close to clinching a deal initially worth $5 billion with Intel (INTC.O) to build an advanced semiconductor packaging …

TikTok star Addison Rae is being criticized for posing in a scandalous religious bikini on social media.   Rae, 21, took to Instagram Tuesday to share a photo of herself wearing a "Holy Trinity Bikini," from the brand Praying, created in collaboration with Adidas.  The photo, which has since been deleted, shows the social media celebrity sporting the $100 white swimsuit with a religious message.  The star is shown wearing the bikini top, which has the words "Father" and "Son" on each side. According to the Praying website, the seductive swimsuit bottoms read "Holy Spirit." ‘BAYWATCH’ ALUM DONNA D’ERRICO POSES IN BIKINI AFTER TROLL CALLED HER ‘TOO OLD’: ‘FEELING PRETTY DAMN GOOD’ Critics were quick to judge Rae’s choice of swimwear, as several commenters disapproved of the controversial style, according to Page Six.     "Nah this disrespectful to Jesus. Sad what y’all do for money," a person wrote. Another comment said, "T...

Ryan Reynolds has been everything from a superhero in "Green Lantern" to a background video game character in "Free Guy." Reynolds has gained over 100 acting credits in a variety of movies. His first role was on a TV show called "Fifteen" from 1991 to 1993 where he played Billy Simpson and he soon went on to small roles in "Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story" and "In Cold Blood."  Through the early 2000s, Reynolds was in movies like "We All Fall Down," "The Amityville Horror," "Just Friends," "Smokin’ Aces" and "Definitely, Maybe." Reynolds has also been in "The Proposal," "Green Lantern," "The Change-Up" and "Woman in Gold." Reynolds first played one of his most-famous roles, Deadpool, in the 2009 movie "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" with Hugh Jackman. The character later got its own movie and Reynolds starred in "D...

FIRST ON FOX: A New York Democratic candidate for the House of Representatives torched the "D.C. Democratic establishment" over their "out of touch" talking points. Josh Riley, an attorney and former Capitol Hill staffer running for New York’s 19th District , criticized the "talking points" coming out of the Democratic Party leadership in Washington as "wildly out of touch," noting he "would lose all credibility" if he repeated them to voters. "Yeah, I got to be honest, folks. A lot of it is really bad right now. I don’t know if I’m supposed to say that, but it’s… The D.C. Democratic establishment is doing no favors," Riley said. "The talking points that come out of Washington from the Democratic Party are so wildly out of touch with the conversations we’re all having with each other across this community," the New York Democrat continued in the video exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital. DEMOCRATS MEDDLING...

Taylor Lorenz / Washington Post : Interviews with two dozen Triller creators and others show that the TikTok rival missed payments after promising Black creators $4K monthly, with half in equity   —  Triller made its name recruiting talent with lavish perks.  Now, dozens of influencers are struggling to get paid.

Jojo Siwa's mom wants to set the record straight. Jessalyn Siwa weighed in Tuesday on the controversy surrounding her daughter and Candace Cameron Bure on social media. Jessalyn revealed she had actually spoken about Jojo's interaction with Bure on her podcast "Success with Jess." "I talked about this on my podcast a while back," she captioned the video clip recalling the moment that led Jojo to claim Bure was the "rudest celebrity" the pop star had ever met. "The recent story told wasn't quite right so here is the real version." JOJO SIWA SAYS CANDACE CAMERON BURE LEFT OUT DETAILS IN INSTAGRAM VIDEO According to Jessalyn and Jojo, Bure was dismissive of the "Dancing with the Stars" alum during a "Fuller House" premiere afterparty. Jojo, who was 11 years old at the time, had asked Bure to take a photo and was turned down. Bure and Jojo have spoken about the moment and the "Full House" star shared ...

FIRST ON FOX: Republican Senate nominee Herschel Walker is urging Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia not to "be scared" and accept a debate that Walker has agreed to attend, in the latest verbal fireworks between the two candidates over debates in their crucial battleground state showdown. Walker announced on Tuesday night in an interview on Fox News’ "Hannity" that he’s agreed to take part in an Oct. 14 debate in Savannah, Georgia in front of a live audience. The debate, proposed by Nexstar Media Group, would be televised on Fox 5 Atlanta and other local TV stations across Georgia and in neighboring states. "Senator Warnock. Nexstar Media Group offered to host a debate for us in Savannah on October 14th in front of the people. Don’t Be Scared!," Walker says in his new video, which was shared first with Fox News on Wednesday. Walker, in the video, charges that Warnock has "rejected previous offers I’ve made, but please consider this one....

Sofia Pitt / CNBC : Airbnb reports Q2 revenue up 58% YoY to $2.1B, vs $2.11B est., $379M net income, up from a loss of $68M YoY, and a $2B stock buyback program   —  - Revenue jumped 58% year-over-year to $2.1 billion helping to drive the company's most profitable second quarter to date.

Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in "The Little Mermaid," is mourning the loss of Pat Carroll. The actress, known for voicing the underwater villain Ursula in the 1989 animated film , passed away on July 30 at age 95. Her daughter Kerry Karsian, a casting agent, said Carroll died at her home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Her other daughter Tara Karsian wrote on Instagram that they want everyone to "honor her by having a raucous laugh at absolutely anything today (and everyday forward) because besides her brilliant talent and love, she leaves my sister Kerry and I with the greatest gift of all, imbuing us with humor and the ability to laugh…even in the saddest of times." Benson took to her Instagram Story on Monday to remember her late co-star. ‘LITTLE MERMAID’ STAR JODI BENSON EXPLAINS HOW SHE BECAME THE VOICE OF ARIEL: ‘SO THANKFUL TO GOD’ "Dear friends, I just got off the plane from England and read the news," the 60-year-old captioned a photo of the pai...