May 14, 2018 - Technology

Several Google employees resign over controversial military project

Google is facing complaints from employees for military projects. Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images

Several Google employees have resigned in recent weeks in protest of the company's involvement with a military system known as Project Maven, which uses artificial intelligence to review drone footage and quickly identify certain people and objects, Gizmodo reports.

Between the lines: In addition to the resignations, more than 4,000 employees have voiced their opposition to the project in an internal petition, which urges Google to stop working with the Defense Department and to avoid getting involved with future military contracts. According to Gizmodo, the criticism centers both on ethical concerns over the use of artificial intelligence in drone warfare, as well as issues with company transparency regarding controversial business decisions.

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Updated 37 mins ago - Politics & Policy

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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

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Updated 56 mins ago - World

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai arrested under national security law

Media tycoon Jimmy Lai at the Next Digital offices in Hong Kong in June. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai has been arrested for "collusion with foreign powers," said Mark Simon, an executive at the tycoon's media firm Next Digital Monday morning local time.

Why it matters: He was arrested under the new national security law that gives Beijing more powers over the former British colony. Lai is the most prominent person arrested under the law, which prompted the U.S. to sanction Chinese officials, including Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, over Beijing's efforts to strip the territory of its autonomy.

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New York reports new low positive coronavirus test rate

People physically distancing at tables in New York City's Times Square in June. Photo: Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced Sunday 515 people, or 0.78% of those tested, returned a positive reading for COVID-19 the previous day.

Why it matters: It's the lowest single-day positive rate since the start of the pandemic. It's another sign that the state that was once a global coronavirus epicenter is curbing the spread of the virus. "Our daily numbers remain low and steady, despite increasing infection rates across the country, and even in our region," Cuomo said in a statement. "But we must not become complacent: Everyone should continue to wear their masks and socially distance."

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