The modern mixologist

Russia is open to a proposal for President Vladimir Putin and Elon Musk to have an open conversation via the new social media app Clubhouse, the Kremlin announced Monday. On Saturday, Musk , the richest man in the world, tagged Putin’s office on Twitter, asking, “would you like join me for a conversation on Clubhouse?” In Russian, the Tesla CEO added, “It would be a great honor to speak with you.” “In general, this is of course a very interesting proposal, but we need to understand what is meant, what is being proposed… first we need to check, then we will react,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Monday, according to Reuters . “We want to figure it out first. President Putin does not personally use social networks directly, he doesn’t have them,” Peskov added. . @KremlinRussia_E would you like join me for a conversation on Clubhouse? — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 13, 2021 Clubhouse is a drop-in, audio-only social media platform that … [Read more...] about Kremlin Open To Potential Social Media Collaboration Between Putin And Elon Musk

The crackdown against opponents of Myanmar’s military takeover intensified Sunday as security forces were reported to have fired on protesters, killing at least five people in the deadliest day of demonstrations since the February 1 coup. Witnesses say police used tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons and in some cases live ammunition in the country’s biggest city Yangon.  According to the Associated Press, photos of shell cases from live ammunition were posted on social media. Police also aggressively sought to break up protests in Mandalay and Dawei. Popular protests have been staged across Myanmar on a daily basis since the military detained de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the civilian government last month, claiming widespread fraud in last November’s election, which Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party won in a landslide. The junta has declared a one-year state of emergency. Its commander, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has pledged that … [Read more...] about At Least 5 Deaths Reported in Bloodiest Day of Myanmar Coup Protests

Sign up to get our new weekly column as a newsletter. We're looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. (CNN) "There are men of character in the U.S. Congress, both House and Senate. There are women of character, too. But the evidence for 'character' needs to be something other than the iteration of the word itself," writes Marjorie Garber in her book "Character: The History of a Cultural Obsession." That is a useful frame for trying to make sense of the dramas that proliferated on Capitol Hill this week as Congress took up multiple nominations to President Joe Biden's Cabinet and held its first hearing on the January 6 insurrection. As Garber notes, the translation of individual traits into a "national character" most often occurs at "times of stress, as a marker not so much of social progress as of social and cultural anxiety." We saw this. Conviction and commitment (and the lack of same), and in darker terms, … [Read more...] about Biden’s tricky tango with Congress

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James responded to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s criticism of his political activism with a promise that he will never just shut up and dribble. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar also pointed out that Ibrahimovic clearly didn’t feel the same way about spotlighting social injustices when the soccer great called out racism in his native Sweden just three years ago. The AC Milan striker and former LA Galaxy star criticized James and other socially conscious athletes Thursday in an interview with Discovery Plus. Ibrahimovic called it “a mistake” for James and other athletes to get involved in political causes, saying they should “just do what you do best, because it doesn’t look good.” James responded forcefully to Ibrahimovic’s stance after the Lakers’ 102-93 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night. “I would never shut up about things that are wrong,” said James, who had 28 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. “I preach about my people and I … [Read more...] about LeBron James Rejects Zlatan’s Criticism of Activist Athletes

The Department of Homeland Security unveiled its plan Friday to begin processing the roughly 25,000 migrants forced to “remain in Mexico” under the Trump administration’s Migrant Protections Protocols. “Individuals should not take any action at this time and should remain where they are to await further instructions,” DHS said in a press release. “We will soon announce a virtual registration process that will be accessible from any location. Once registered, eligible individuals will be provided additional information about where and when to present themselves. Individuals should not approach the border until instructed to do so.” (RELATED: Biden Rescinds Trump’s ‘Unwarranted’ National Emergency Declaration At Southern Border) WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 11: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks as he meets with Senators from both parties on the critical need to invest in modern and sustainable American infrastructure in the Oval Office of the White House on February 11, 2021 in … [Read more...] about Biden Admin Unveils Plan To Process The Roughly 25,000 Migrants In Trump’s ‘Remain In Mexico’ Program