National

Vice President Pence denounced the NBA in a speech on Thursday, saying the league is "siding with the Chinese Communist Party and silencing free speech ... acting like a wholly owned subsidiary of the authoritarian regime."

The big picture: Pence's accusations come after the general manager of the Houston Rockets incensed Chinese leaders with his support of pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong. NBA commissioner Adam Silver then backed GM Daryl Morey up, saying the league is "not willing to compromise" with China on freedom of expression for league employees. 

"Past administrations have come and gone; all were aware of the abuses. None were willing to upset the established Washington interests who not only permitted these abuses, but profited from them." 

"[S]ome of the NBA's biggest players and owners, who routinely exercise their freedom to criticize this country, lose their voices when it comes to the freedom and rights of other peoples." 

"Nike promotes itself as a so called 'social-justice champion,' but when it comes to Hong Kong, it prefers checking its social conscious at the door."

"A progressive corporate culture that willfully ignores the abuse of human rights is not progressive — it's REpressive." 

"[T]he United States does not seek confrontation with China. We seek a level playing field, open markets, fair trade and a respect for our values." 

"China should know that U.S. values run deep, that our commitment to these values remains as strong as it was for our founding fathers and there will never be a day when the bright lights of democracy and freedom go out." 

The bottom line: China is among the biggest markets for the NBA. After Morey’s tweet, almost all of the NBA’s Chinese partners cancelled or suspended their relationships with the league.

Go deeper: America strikes back against China's censorship

Mike Pence blasts the NBA in speech on China

The VP also took a swing at Nike for promoting "itself as a so called 'social-justice champion.'"

Vice President Pence. Photo: Stringer/Getty Images

Sports

Mike Pence

World

Politics

Vice President Pence <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="denounced the NBA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5CW6jmZedI" data-vars-content-id="014ae722-5edd-445f-b20a-552843312e4c" data-vars-headline="Mike Pence blasts the NBA in speech on China" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5CW6jmZedI" target="_blank">denounced the NBA</a> in a speech on Thursday, saying the league is &quot;siding with the Chinese Communist Party and silencing free speech ... acting like a wholly owned subsidiary of the authoritarian regime.&quot;The big picture: Pence&#x27;s accusations come after the general manager of the Houston Rockets <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="incensed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/houston-rockets-china-nba-hong-kong-tweet-d67ced97-5fa2-421d-90f0-55e8b89a44e6.html" data-vars-content-id="014ae722-5edd-445f-b20a-552843312e4c" data-vars-headline="Mike Pence blasts the NBA in speech on China" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/houston-rockets-china-nba-hong-kong-tweet-d67ced97-5fa2-421d-90f0-55e8b89a44e6.html" target="_self">incensed</a> Chinese leaders with his support of pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong. NBA commissioner Adam Silver then backed GM Daryl Morey up, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="saying" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/nba-commissioner-china-hong-kong-d053513b-2c8c-4f74-bb89-e2c6d97bfce8.html" data-vars-content-id="014ae722-5edd-445f-b20a-552843312e4c" data-vars-headline="Mike Pence blasts the NBA in speech on China" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/nba-commissioner-china-hong-kong-d053513b-2c8c-4f74-bb89-e2c6d97bfce8.html" target="_self">saying</a> the league is &quot;not willing to compromise&quot; with China on freedom of expression for league employees.

Shifts in technology and media are changing the way we play, watch and understand sports. Business models are adapting and social change is forcing those in charge of teams and leagues to reconsider decades-old practices.

President Trump recently vowed to ban all e-cigarettes as part of a greater strategy to prevent nicotine addiction in adolescents, but some African Americans are questioning why he hasn't done the same with menthol cigarettes, the Washington Post reports. 

Why it matters: Menthol cigarettes have long been a health threat in African American communities but, unlike with vaping, the current presidential administration hasn't come down hard on the cigarette industry. 

By the numbers: Nearly 47,000 African Americans die every year of smoking-related causes, the Post reports. 

Nearly three-quarters of African American smokers use menthol-flavored cigarettes, which is more than three times the proportion of white smokers. 70% of African American teen smokers use them, per the Post. 

Only 7.5% of African American students are e-cigarette users, according to data from the Center for Disease Control. 

The other side: Tobacco industry advocates, including civil rights leader Al Sharpton, say that a ban on cigarettes would rob smoking adults of a legal product, take tax revenue away from states and give police another reason to target harass people of color.

Yes, but: It's also worth noting that Sharpton's National Action Network has received funding and support from the tobacco industry. 

The bottom line: Cigarettes "disproportionately and adversely affect underserved communities," former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb wrote last year. It will take sweeping change to stop that. 

African Americans question Trump's inaction on menthol cigarettes

Menthol cigarettes have long been a health threat in African American communities.

Health Care

E-cigarette

Business

Vaping

President Trump recently vowed to ban all e-cigarettes as part of a greater strategy to prevent nicotine addiction in adolescents, but some African Americans are questioning why he hasn&#x27;t done the same with menthol cigarettes, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Washington Post reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/as-trump-tackles-vapes-african-americans-feel-stung-by-inaction-on-menthol-cigarettes/2019/10/31/d06e93d2-e6ec-11e9-a331-2df12d56a80b_story.html" data-vars-content-id="0cc22b7b-5166-408a-a7f7-78c9b493e546" data-vars-headline="African Americans question Trump&#x27;s inaction on menthol cigarettes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/as-trump-tackles-vapes-african-americans-feel-stung-by-inaction-on-menthol-cigarettes/2019/10/31/d06e93d2-e6ec-11e9-a331-2df12d56a80b_story.html" target="_blank">Washington Post reports</a>. Why it matters: Menthol cigarettes have long been a health threat in African American communities but, unlike with vaping, the current presidential administration hasn&#x27;t come down hard on the cigarette industry.

The U.S. faces a range of health care flashpoints — unaffordable drugs, opioids, vaping — as we debate whether to adopt universal care. For now, the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, but Republicans want to issue it a final death blow.

Health

Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) asked U.S. intelligence officials on Wednesday to determine whether TikTok, a Chinese social media app that has seen a massive spike in popularity among young people, poses any "national security risks," the Washington Post reports. 

Why it matters: The app already has more than 110 million downloads in the United States alone, and could become a Chinese vacuum for coveted American data as tensions between the countries continue to escalate.

Details: In a letter sent to acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire, the senators questioned TikTok's data collection practices and whether the app adheres to censorship rules imposed by the Chinese government. 

Schumer and Cotton believe the app could be a target for "foreign influence campaigns" like those carried out in the 2016 election. 

The big picture: This is the second congressional request to investigate TikTok. Earlier this month, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) asked the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review a 2017 deal allowing TikTok to expand into the U.S. market.

TikTok bans two dozen accounts for pushing ISIS propaganda

The Chinese national security threat is bigger than Huawei

Bipartisan senators request national security investigation into TikTok

Sens. Chuck Schumer and Tom Cotton believe the app could be a target for "foreign influence campaigns."

Chuck Schumer (left) and Tom Cotton (right). Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Technology

TikTok

Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) asked U.S. intelligence officials on Wednesday to determine whether TikTok, a Chinese social media app that has seen a massive spike in popularity among young people, poses any &quot;national security risks,&quot; the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Washington Post reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/10/24/tiktok-raises-national-security-concerns-congress-schumer-cotton-ask-federal-review/" data-vars-content-id="3c4889e5-3ff7-4a7b-a90f-b6f58e126827" data-vars-headline="Bipartisan senators request national security investigation into TikTok" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/10/24/tiktok-raises-national-security-concerns-congress-schumer-cotton-ask-federal-review/" target="_blank">Washington Post reports</a>. Why it matters: The app already has more than 110 million downloads in the United States alone, and could become a Chinese vacuum for coveted American data as tensions between the countries continue to escalate.

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham in an interview with Fox News on Friday did not rule out the possibility of President Trump appearing on national TV for a "fireside chat" wherein he would read a rough transcript of his July 25 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky aloud.

Why it matters: Trump suggested he might revive "fireside chats" — made popular by President Franklin D. Roosevelt — in an interview with the Washington Examiner this Thursday. Grisham said such an event was under "serious consideration," but she couldn't confirm "what the logistics of it would look like just yet."

"At some point, I’m going to sit down, perhaps as a fireside chat on live television, and I will read the transcript of the call, because people have to hear it. When you read it, it’s a straight call.”

Stephanie Grisham confirms Trump wants to read Ukraine call on TV "fireside chat"

The White House press secretary said the logistics of a call haven't been worked out just yet.

White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham. Photo: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Trump-Ukraine investigation

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham in an interview with Fox News on Friday did not rule out the possibility of President Trump appearing on national TV for a &quot;fireside chat&quot; wherein he would read a rough transcript of his July 25 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky aloud.Why it matters: Trump suggested he might revive &quot;fireside chats&quot; — made popular by President Franklin D. Roosevelt — in an interview with the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Washington Examiner" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/fireside-chat-on-live-television-trump-says-he-wants-to-read-transcript-of-ukraine-call-to-american-people" data-vars-content-id="b5200c00-e3e5-4af3-aaff-0a5d43bda9ed" data-vars-headline="Stephanie Grisham confirms Trump wants to read Ukraine call on TV &quot;fireside chat&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/fireside-chat-on-live-television-trump-says-he-wants-to-read-transcript-of-ukraine-call-to-american-people" target="_blank"> Washington Examiner</a> this Thursday. Grisham said such an event was under &quot;serious consideration,&quot; but she couldn&#x27;t confirm &quot;what the logistics of it would look like just yet.&quot;

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.

Economy & Business

The Houston Astros have fired assistant general manager Brandon Taubman after a joint investigation with Major League Baseball revealed that insensitive comments he made in the clubhouse were aimed at female reporters, according to a team statement. 

Why it matters: The team's decision to fire Taubman comes after the league stepped in to investigate the situation on Wednesday. The Astro's initial ruling was that Taubman's comments were not aimed at a specific reporter. 

Background: After Game 6 of the American League Championship Series, Taubman shouted in the clubhouse, "Thank God we got [Roberto] Osuna! I’m so f------ glad we got Osuna!" at three female reporters, including Sports Illustrated's Stephanie Apstein, who detailed the incident for SI.  

Taubman was referring to Astros closer Roberto Osuna, who the team traded for in 2018 while he was serving a 75-game suspension for violating the league's domestic violence policy. 

After the SI story was published, the Astros released a statement calling the report "misleading and completely irresponsible," claiming that Apstein was attempting to "fabricate a story where one does not exist."

The MLB stepped in on Wednesday after the Astros' initial investigation.

What they're saying: "We sincerely apologize to Stephanie Apstein, Sports Illustrated and all individuals who witnessed this incident or were offended by the inappropriate conduct," the team said in a statement. "The Astros in no way intended to minimize issues related to domestic violence."

Astros fire assistant GM after finding tirade was aimed at reporters

"We sincerely apologize to Stephanie Apstein, Sports Illustrated and all individuals who witnessed this incident."

Major League Baseball (MLB)

NFL, NBA, MLB & NHL

The Houston Astros have fired assistant general manager Brandon Taubman after a joint investigation with Major League Baseball revealed that insensitive comments he made in the clubhouse were aimed at female reporters, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to a team statement" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/Feinsand/status/1187467178326413313" data-vars-content-id="ebb9df67-f2b6-49ea-b44c-f97d9cf7ec51" data-vars-headline="Astros fire assistant GM after finding tirade was aimed at reporters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/Feinsand/status/1187467178326413313" target="_blank">according to a team statement</a>. Why it matters: The team&#x27;s decision to fire Taubman comes after the league stepped in to investigate the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="situation on Wednesday." data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/10/23/astros-gm-says-we-may-never-know-intent-executives-inappropriate-outburst/" data-vars-content-id="ebb9df67-f2b6-49ea-b44c-f97d9cf7ec51" data-vars-headline="Astros fire assistant GM after finding tirade was aimed at reporters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/10/23/astros-gm-says-we-may-never-know-intent-executives-inappropriate-outburst/" target="_blank">situation on Wednesday.</a> The Astro&#x27;s initial ruling was that Taubman&#x27;s comments were not aimed at a specific reporter.

Michael Sykes

Stories

Stephanie Grisham confirms Trump wants to read Ukraine call on TV "fireside chat"

African Americans question Trump's inaction on menthol cigarettes

Astros fire assistant GM after finding tirade was aimed at reporters

Mike Pence blasts the NBA in speech on China

Bipartisan senators request national security investigation into TikTok