‘Gilligan’s Island’ Star Dawn Wells Dies Of COVID-19

Actress Dawn Wells, best known for playing Mary Ann on the hit sitcom “Gilligan’s Island,” has died at the age of 82 after becoming infected with COVID-19. Her publicist announced that Wells died Wednesday morning of complications due to the coronavirus. “Truly, at the top of the list of hardest things to do is announce the passing of a friend or family member,” publicist Harlan Boll wrote. “I feel I lost both this morning with the passing of Dawn Wells – America’s favorite castaway, Dawn Wells, passed peacefully this morning, in no pain as a result of complications due to Covid at the age of 82.”
Read more: https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/12/30/gilligans-island-star-dawn-wells-dies-of-covid-19/?source=Snapzu

Over 3000 Russian propaganda cases registered by EU disinformation watchdog in 2020

For many, this has been a challenging year, which brought not only a global pandemic but also an infodemic: an unprecedented flood of false or inaccurate information about the coronavirus. Unfortunately, pro-Kremlin media has actively contributed to fueling the infodemic in addition to finding many other opportunities to spread disinformation, amplify conspiracy theories and sow confusion, fear and distrust.
Read more: http://euromaidanpress.com/2020/12/30/over-3000-russian-propaganda-cases-registered-by-eu-disinformation-watchdog-in-2020/?source=Snapzu

Mob attacks and sets fire to Hindu temple in Pakistan

Crowds reportedly led by Islamic clerics attempt to destroy ancient shrine in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/30/mob-tears-down-hindu-temple-and-torch-holy-shrine-in-pakistan?source=Snapzu

Ticketmaster pleads guilty to illegally gaining access to competitor's accounts

Ticketmaster entered into a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, New York and will pay $10 million in fines to resolve charges that it accessed the computer systems of a competitor without authorization.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/30/business/ticketmaster-plea-passwords-computers/index.html?source=Snapzu

New York Bans Most Evictions as Tenants Struggle to Pay Rent

The Legislature, addressing hardship caused by the pandemic, convened an unusual special session between Christmas and New Year’s to pass the measure.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/28/nyregion/new-york-eviction-ban.html?source=Snapzu

Apple suffers a loss in lawsuit against maker of iPhone emulators

Apple sued security start-up Corellium last year, accusing it of violating copyright law for offering researchers access to “virtual” iPhones that can help them find bugs in iOS products. Now, a federal judge in Florida has tossed Apple’s copyright complaint, giving Corellium a major victory in its legal battle against the tech giant.
Read more: https://www.engadget.com/apple-loss-lawsuit-corellium-120347028.html?source=Snapzu

Even If It's 'Bonkers,' Poll Finds Many Believe QAnon And Other Conspiracy Theories

A significant number of Americans believe misinformation about the origins of the coronavirus and the recent presidential election, as well as conspiracy theories like QAnon, according to a new NPR/Ipsos poll. Forty percent of respondents said they believe the coronavirus was made in a lab in China even though there is no evidence for this. Scientists say the virus was transmitted to humans from another species.
Read more: https://www.npr.org/2020/12/30/951095644/even-if-its-bonkers-poll-finds-many-believe-qanon-and-other-conspiracy-theories?source=Snapzu

Ohio State study: 30% of student athletes have heart damage linked to COVID-19

In a study published in September, researchers from Ohio State University found that out of more than two dozen athletes from the university who tested positive for COVID-19, 30% had cellular heart damage and 15% showed signs of heart inflammation caused by a condition known as myocarditis.
Read more: https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/ohio-state-study-30-of-student-athletes-have-heart-damage-linked-to-covid-19?source=Snapzu

Apple removes app promoting private parties in pandemic

An American app that promoted private parties during the coronavirus pandemic has been removed from the Apple App Store. Vybe Together calls itself a “private community to find, join and host parties." A recent video on its TikTok account claimed it held secret parties every weekend. Although its account on the platform, as well as its own website, has been taken down, the company vows to return.
Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-55485961?source=Snapzu

Kim Yo Jong Is Ready to Become the First Woman Dictator in Modern History

Kim Jong Un’s little sister has emerged as North Korea’s most outspoken attack dog, securing her place as a possible successor to the leadership.
Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/kim-yo-jong-is-ready-to-become-the-first-woman-dictator-in-modern-history?source=Snapzu

He spent 10 days in jail after facial recognition software led to the arrest of the wrong man, lawsuit says

A Passaic County man says he spent a year trying to clear his name after Woodbridge police relied on facial recognition software to identify him a suspect.
Read more: https://www.nj.com/middlesex/2020/12/he-spent-10-days-in-jail-after-facial-recognition-software-led-to-the-arrest-of-the-wrong-man-lawsuit-says.html?source=Snapzu

Man sues police over a facial recognition-related wrongful arrest

Nijeer Parks says he spent 10 days in jail after he was falsely identified as a shoplifter.
Read more: https://www.engadget.com/facial-recognition-wrongful-arrest-lawsuit-new-jersey-201517290.html?source=Snapzu

FBI investigating whether man linked to Nashville bombing was paranoid about 5G networks

Steve Fridrich said he was asked by FBI agents whether Anthony Warner ever mentioned being concerned about 5G networks
Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nashville-bombing-rv-5g-fbi-b1779300.html?source=Snapzu

Brexit deal mentions Netscape browser and Mozilla Mail

Experts suggest officials saved time by copying and pasting text from old legislation.
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-55475433?source=Snapzu

Virginia man finds stolen 1969 Camaro after 17 years

A Virginia man whose 1969 Camaro was stolen 17 years ago was reunited with the vehicle after spotting it in a garage while helping a friend buy another vehicle.
Read more: https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/12/28/Virginia-man-finds-stolen-1969-Camaro-after-17-years/8071609187420/?source=Snapzu

How your digital trails wind up in the hands of the police

Phone calls. Web searches. Location tracks. Smart speaker requests.
Read more: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/12/how-your-digital-trails-wind-up-in-the-hands-of-the-police/?source=Snapzu

New rules to tackle ‘wild west’ of plastic waste dumped on poorer countries

International convention to stop richer countries exporting contaminated material for recycling could mean a cleaner ocean in five years
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/29/new-rules-to-tackle-wild-west-of-plastic-waste-dumped-on-poorer-countries?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other?source=Snapzu

A Pardoning Time of Year

The resistance to the apparent election of Joe Biden as President of the United States is continuing to play out.
Read more: https://ahtribune.ca/us/4507-a-pardoning-time-of-year.html?source=Snapzu

One of America’s Richest Islands Got Pummeled by COVID. Then The Warring Started.

As the freezing water sloshed up against the sides of the boat and the first winter Nor’easter formed off the shores of Cape Cod, a team of men hoisted a small white box onto a ferry. Under a gray sky, morning commuters shuffled up a ramp and onto the high-speed ferry and sat next to the package. No one on the boat knew the importance of that box. How could they? It was so nondescript as to elicit non reactions among the gathered.
Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/nantucket-one-of-americas-richest-islands-got-pummeled-by-covid-then-the-warring-started?source=Snapzu

Apple’s longtime supplier accused of using forced labor in China

One of the oldest and most well-known iPhone suppliers has been accused of using forced Muslim labor in its factories, according to documents uncovered by a human rights group, adding new scrutiny to Apple’s human rights record in China.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/12/29/lens-technology-apple-uighur/?source=Snapzu

What Big Tech does in the shadows: Shunning social media won't protect your privacy

So called "shadow profiles" are just one of the major challenges when it comes to protecting privacy in a digital age.
Read more: https://www.theage.com.au/national/what-big-tech-does-in-the-shadows-shunning-social-media-won-t-protect-your-privacy-20201229-p56qop.html?source=Snapzu

iPhone workers: forced labor or detention centers, says report

A fresh claim of iPhone workers being used as forced labor in China has appeared today, following an investigation by the Tech Transparency Project. It suggests that iPhone glass supplier Lens Technology has been using Muslim minority Uighurs, who were given the stark choice of working in the company’s plant or being sent to detention centers which have been likened to concentration camps …
Read more: https://9to5mac.com/2020/12/29/iphone-workers-forced-labor/?source=Snapzu

Reddit clone Voat shut down on Christmas Day

Voat, an “anti-censorship” alternative social network that’s been described as the “alt-right Reddit,” is scheduled to shut down on December 25th. Voat co-founder Justin Chastain announced the pending closure yesterday, saying the site had run out of money after an investor defaulted on their contract in March. “I personally decided to keep Voat up until after the US election of 2020. I’ve been paying the costs out of pocket but now I’m out of money,” Chastain wrote.
Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/voat-shutdown-christmas-qanon-reddit-b1779890.html?source=Snapzu

Lori Loughlin released from prison after 2-month sentence for college admissions scam

Actress Lori Loughlin has been released from federal prison after serving a two-month sentence for her role in the college admissions scam, prison spokeswoman Sally Swarts said Monday.
Read more: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/28/us/lori-loughlin-prison-release/index.html?source=Snapzu

Hundreds of British tourists flee quarantine in Switzerland

About half of the Britons who were ordered to wait out their quarantine in the ski resort of Verbier have gone into hiding. Swiss authorities began to suspect something unusual when their meals were left untouched.
Read more: https://www.dw.com/en/hundreds-of-british-tourists-flee-quarantine-in-switzerland/a-56069833?source=Snapzu

Man walks circumference of earth without leaving home city

A retired business consultant has walked the equivalent of the circumference of the Earth without leaving his home city. Vinod Bajaj, 70, walked 40,075 kilometres over the past four years in Limerick, in the west of Ireland. He has encouraged others to keep active in the midst of the pandemic.
Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/limerick-coronavirus-circumference-earth-b1779293.html?source=Snapzu

U.S. bolsters support for Taiwan and Tibet, angering China

China expressed anger on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law measures to further bolster support for Taiwan and Tibet, which had been included in a $2.3 trillion pandemic aid and spending package. China has watched with growing alarm as the United States has stepped up its backing for Chinese-claimed Taiwan and its criticism of Beijing’s rule in remote Tibet, further straining a relationship under intense pressure over trade, human rights and other issues.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-china/u-s-bolsters-support-for-taiwan-and-tibet-angering-china-idUSKBN2920JZ?source=Snapzu

Lawmakers press Trump on relief bill as jobless aid expires

President Donald Trump appeared no closer to signing an end-of-year COVID relief and spending bill Sunday as unemployment aid expired, the government barrels toward a mid-pandemic shutdown and lawmakers implored him to break the impasse he created after Congress approved the deal.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-politics-coronavirus-pandemic-2a2645e52fda774ae8f1443b4dffc82e?source=Snapzu

Just How Dark Were the Dark Ages?

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe wasn’t quite the horrible and backwards place earlier historians would have you believe. Modern scholars now look at the Dark Ages in a whole new light.
Read more: https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/just-how-dark-were-the-dark-ages?source=Snapzu

It Used To Be Just A Fence. It Became A Tribute To Things Lost And Found In 2020

It's a regular, old, chain link fence circling a parking lot in a residential community in Maryland. Except that attached to the fence are seven wooden boxes. They look like elaborate dioramas.
Read more: https://www.npr.org/2020/12/26/949556139/it-used-to-be-just-a-fence-it-became-a-tribute-to-things-lost-and-found-in-2020?source=Snapzu

Greg Norman back in US hospital with 'hideous' Covid-19 symptoms

Greg Norman is back in hospital in Florida with “hideous” Covid-19 symptoms after the Australian golfing great tested positive. The 65-year-old, whose two major titles came at the Open in 1986 and 1993, has been posting regular updates regarding his diagnosis on his Instagram page.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/dec/28/greg-norman-back-in-us-hospital-with-hideous-covid-19-symptoms?source=Snapzu

'Growing Pains' stars call out Kirk Cameron for maskless caroling

Kirk Cameron's former co-stars are definitely not in harmony with the onetime "Growing Pains" actor. Cameron has recently been making headlines for organizing and attending maskless caroling events in California, to protest the state's stay-at-home order to avoid spreading COVID-19 further.
Read more: https://www.today.com/popculture/growing-pains-stars-tracey-gold-jeremy-miller-call-out-kirk-t204678?source=Snapzu

A 7-year-old boy went back into a burning home to save his baby sister

A 7-year-old boy named Eli saved his baby sister's life when he jumped into her room through a window to rescue her from a fire that destroyed his family's home. It was a typical night at the Davidson household in New Tazewell, Tennessee, on December 8. Chris and Nicole Davidson fed their three children dinner, tucked them into bed and were asleep by 8:30 p.m.
Read more: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/27/us/7-year-old-saves-baby-fire-tennessee-trnd/index.html?source=Snapzu

COVID-19 and GUT HEALTH in 2021

This gastroenterologist provides some interesting insights.
Read more: https://snapzu.com/Gozzin/covid-19-and-gut-health-in-2021?source=Snapzu

Why on Earth Is Someone Stealing Unpublished Book Manuscripts?

A phishing scam with unclear motive or payoff is targeting authors, agents and editors big and small, baffling the publishing industry.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/21/books/publishing-manuscripts-phishing-scam.html?source=Snapzu

The year of Karen: how a meme changed the way Americans talked about racism

There was no direct connection between the “Central Park Karen” incident in New York City and the police killing of 46-year-old George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, beyond the coincidence of timing. Time in the pandemic has been elastic and confusing, and reports of the separate incidents did not emerge immediately, but the two events occurred on Monday 25 May, Memorial Day.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/27/karen-race-white-women-black-americans-racism?source=Snapzu

Pennsylvania legalizes delivery robots that weigh up to 550 pounds, classifies them as pedestrians

Pennsylvania has legalized autonomous delivery robots that roam sidewalks to deliver goods same-day from business-to-business or from point of sale to the buyer. The use of delivery robots which can weigh up 550 pounds, was legalized after the bill was approved 105-97 last month, making Pennsylvania the twelfth U.S state permitted to use autonomous devices for deliveries.
Read more: https://mazech.com/2020/12/pennsylvania-legalizes-delivery-robots-that-can-weigh-up-to-550-pounds-classifies-them-as-pedestrians/?source=Snapzu

Zoomification of society: Tech’s influence (and necessity) was impossible to ignore in 2020

After a pandemic year that pushed more of life online, the idea of spending even more time on the internet doesn't sound so crazy anymore.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/zoomification-society-tech-s-influence-necessity-was-impossible-ignore-2020-n1252080?source=Snapzu

‘A legal first’: B.C. man accused of dangerous driving for sleeping in self-driving, speeding Tesla

In what Canadian legal experts are calling an unprecedented case, a B.C. man has been charged with dangerous driving in Alberta after he was allegedly caught sleeping in a self-driving Tesla as it sped south on Highway 2 between Edmonton and Calgary this past summer.
Read more: https://globalnews.ca/news/7534323/a-legal-first-b-c-man-accused-of-dangerous-driving-for-sleeping-in-self-driving-speeding-tesla/?source=Snapzu

Comcast will cap home internet data starting next week – and people are angry

If you rely on Comcast for your internet service, you might have to change your usage habits next year. Beginning on January 1, Comcast is implementing a data cap of 1.2TB for home users. Users who exceed that threshold will incur additional monthly fees.
Read more: https://bgr.com/2020/12/25/comcast-internet-plans-data-cap-limit-charges/#?source=Snapzu

Apple’s New M1 Chip is a Machine Learning Beast

Speed testing a (nearly) top-spec Intel-based 16-inch MacBook Pro versus the new Apple silicon MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro
Read more: https://towardsdatascience.com/apples-new-m1-chip-is-a-machine-learning-beast-70ca8bfa6203?source=Snapzu

Apologise, Afghanistan tells China after busting its espionage cell in Kabul

Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security has detained 10 Chinese citizens accused of operating a terror cell in Kabul
Read more: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chinese-espionage-ring-in-afghanistan-busted-10-spies-detained/story-qyPsZY1wUoD2flp9UIYMrK.html?source=Snapzu

Conservative Twitter users dominate the discussion of fake news about the coronavirus, study finds

An analysis of Twitter data suggests that conservatives are the top spreaders of fake news about the COVID-19 crisis. The findings were published in the Journal of Computational Social Science. The coronavirus pandemic has exposed a deep political divide when it comes to the handling of the crisis.
Read more: https://www.psypost.org/2020/12/conservative-twitter-users-dominate-the-discussion-of-fake-news-about-the-coronavirus-study-finds-58894?source=Snapzu

Booze company launches drink that tastes just as 'horrible' as 2020

Australian alcohol delivery service Jimmy Brings has unveiled a 2020 drink in a can that tastes just as 'horrible' as the year.
Read more: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article-9081563/Jimmy-Brings-launches-2020-drink-tastes-just-horrible-year.html?source=Snapzu

10 reasons why the COVID-19 relief package will fail us

The numbers speak for themselves. After months of petty debate leading up to a historic election, the COVID-19 relief package failed us.
Read more: https://sustainablereview.com/covid-19-relief-package-fail/?source=Snapzu

Americans give to charity like never before amid pandemic

Hundreds of cars line up before dawn on weekly distribution days for the Forgotten Harvest's partner food pantries in the metro Detroit area, where visits are up by 50% this year.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-economy-charity/americans-give-to-charity-like-never-before-amid-pandemic-idUSKBN28Y1QJ?source=Snapzu

FBI Says White Supremacists Plotted Attack on US Power Grid

The FBI alleges in an affidavit that white supremacists schemed to attack power stations in the southeastern U.S. and one Ohio teenager wanted the group to be “operational” on a faster timeline if President Donald Trump lost his re-election bid
Read more: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/national-international/fbi-white-supremacists-plotted-attack-on-us-power-grid/2429789/?source=Snapzu

Lin Qi, Yoozoo CEO and Producer on Netflix's 'Three-Body Problem,' Dies at 39

Lin, chairman of the Chinese entertainment company, was hospitalized after having been poisoned on Dec. 16, the Shanghai police had announced earlier in the week.
Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lin-qi-yoozoo-ceo-and-producer-on-netflixs-three-body-problem-dies-at-39?source=Snapzu

Another new coronavirus variant found in Nigeria, says Africa CDC

Another new variant of the novel coronavirus seems to have emerged in Nigeria, the head of Africa’s disease control body said on Thursday, cautioning more investigation was needed.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa-idUSKBN28Y1B7?source=Snapzu

Video Taken By Pilots Of What Could Be The Elusive Los Angeles Jet Pack Guy Emerges

Flight school pilots were on a training flight off the coast when they were surprised to see what appeared to be a guy in a jet pack whizzing by.
Read more: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/38403/video-taken-by-pilots-of-what-could-be-the-elusive-los-angeles-jet-pack-guy-emerges?source=Snapzu