Apr 22, 2017

Uber accused of stealing Waymo's self-driving car device

Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving car unit, says that Uber has been hiding a secret device designed using stolen trade secrets by a former Waymo employee, according to new court documents. And for that reason, it's asking the court to bar the former employee, Anthony Levandowski, from working on Uber's self-driving car technology.

Why it matters: Uber's defense in the case has hinged on claims that it only has two self-driving car device designs and neither resemble Waymo's tech. However, Waymo's latest claims could mean Uber has been lying all along.

What's next: A hearing is scheduled for May 3 in regards to Waymo's request for a preliminary injunction to halt Uber's self-driving car efforts.

Go deeper

FEC commissioner fact-checks Trump's voter fraud claims

Federal Election Commission Ellen Weintraub during a committee hearing in the Capitol in 2017. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Federal Election Commission commissioner Ellen Weintraub posted an extensive fact-checking thread to Twitter late Wednesday refuting claims by President Trump and some Republicans that mail-in voting can lead to fraud.

Why it matters: Weintraub weighed in after Trump threatened to take action against Twitter for fact-checking him on his earlier unsubstantiated posts claiming mail-in ballots in November's election would be fraudulent, and she directly addressed Twitter's fact-checkin of the president in her post.

Go deeper (1 min. read)ArrowUpdated 17 mins ago - Politics & Policy

China approves Hong Kong national security law

Hong Kong riot police round up a group of protesters during a demonstration on Wednesday. Photo: Willie Siau/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Chinese lawmakers approved a plan on Thursday for a sweeping national security law for Hong Kong that would criminalize sedition, foreign influence and secession in the Asian financial hub.

Why it matters: China bypassed Hong Kong's legislature and chief executive to introduce the law, prompting Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to announce Wednesday that the city is no longer autonomous from the Chinese mainland and does not warrant special treatment under U.S. law.

Go deeper (1 min. read)ArrowUpdated 35 mins ago - World

Minneapolis unrest as hundreds protest death of George Floyd

Protesters and police clash during demonstration on Wednesday over the death of George Floyd in custody outside the Third Police Precinct. Photo: Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images

A man died in a Minneapolis shooting during a second night of clashes between police and protesters in the city over the death of George Floyd, an African American man who died in police custody, per AP.

The latest: Police said officers were responding to reports of a stabbing just before 9:30 p.m. and found a man lying in "grave condition on the sidewalk" with a gunshot wound, CBS Minnesota reports. On man is in custody over the incident.

Go deeper (1 min. read)ArrowUpdated 1 hour ago - Politics & Policy