Sep 13, 2018 - Technology

Google employees are quitting over secretive search project in China

The Google pavilion during the Smart China Expo this year. Photo: VCG/VCG via Getty Images

Seven employees have left Google over the company’s secretive work on possibly launching the search engine in China amid censorship concerns, according to a list circulating among Google’s ranks, BuzzFeed News reports.

Why it matters: The project, known as Project Dragonfly, has led human rights organizations to question whether Google is bending its free speech principles in order to take advantage of the large Chinese market. Google would not comment on the matter.

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Dave Lawler
Updated 30 mins ago - World

At least 100 killed, much of Beirut destroyed in massive explosion

Photo: Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty Images

A major explosion Beirut, Lebanon has killed at least 100 people and injured over 4,000, according to the Lebanese Red Cross.

Driving the news: Prime Minister Hassan Diab said the explosions occurred at a warehouse that had been storing 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate for over six years.

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Hans Nichols, Alexi McCammond
1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Biden confidants see VP choices narrowing to Harris and Rice

Photos: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Win McNamee/Getty Images

Confidants of Joe Biden believe his choices for vice president have narrowed to Sen. Kamala Harris and Susan Rice — and would be surprised if he picks anyone else.

The state of play: This is a snapshot of the nearly unanimous read that we get from more than a dozen people close to him.

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Stef W. Kight, Alexi McCammond
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

An election like no other

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

The coronavirus will make the 2020 presidential election different from any in modern history: Voting that begins earlier, results that take longer, mail carriers as virtual poll workers and October Surprises that pop in September.

The big picture: Perhaps 80 million Americans will vote early, by mail or in person, Tom Bonier, CEO of TargetSmart, a Democratic political data firm, tells Axios. That's going to set up more of an Election Season than an Election Day — and increase the odds of national turmoil over the vote count.

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