Dec 21, 2017

Top Dem: Silicon Valley plans to copy the Russia playbook

Chuck Kennedy / Axios

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Virginia) told Mike Allen at an Axios event on Thursday that he thinks that tech companies like Facebook, Twitter, Google and Youtube were too slow in recognizing the interference of Russian hackers during the elections and that Facebook still hasn't fully exposed Russian activities on their platform.

Key quote: "I've been told about companies and individuals in the Valley that are basically going to copy the Russian playbook … and are going to start making American-based firms for corporate warfare using these exact tools." He added that he thinks conflict in the 21st century will be less about guns, bombs and rockets, and more about cyber attacks.

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Axios

Updated 3 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 11 a.m. ET: 12,945,828 — Total deaths: 569,878 — Total recoveries — 7,147,807 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 11 a.m. ET: 3,308,165— Total deaths: 135,219 — Total recoveries: 1,006,326 — Total tested: 40,282,176 — Map.
Public health: Houston public health system CEO says situation is "dire."
Eduction: College fraternity houses could become hotbeds.
🎧 Podcast: PPE shortages strike again amid surge.

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Dan Primack

1 hour ago - Health

SPACs are the new IPOs

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Churchill Capital Corp. III has agreed to acquire health-cost management services provider Multiplan at an initial enterprise value of $11 billion, as such deals continue to proliferate as alternatives to IPOs.

Why it matters: This is the largest special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger, and also includes the largest private investment in public equity (PIPE) associated with a SPAC. Existing Multiplan owners like Hellman & Friedman and General Atlantic will roll over more than 75% of their collective stake, and own over 60% of the public company.

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Kendall Baker, Fadel Allassan

3 hours ago - Sports

Washington Redskins will change team name

Photo: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

The Washington Redskins announced Monday that the NFL team plans to change its name.

Why it matters: It brings an end to decades of debate around the name — considered by many to be racist toward Native Americans. The change was jumpstarted by nationwide protests against systemic racism in the U.S. this summer.