Friday, 30 July 2021

Friday Briefing: Scarlett Johansson takes on Hollywood

Friday, July 30, 2021

by Robert MacMillan

Hello

Here's what you need to know.

Afghan translators and others who worked with the U.S. government arrive in the United States, Scarlett Johansson’s lawsuit against Disney challenges Hollywood’s streaming model, and pets are forced to forgo their favorite kibble.

Today's biggest stories

Leaflets in support of Tong Ying-kit are placed at a shopping mall near the High Court in Hong Kong, July 30, 2021. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

World

Some 200 Afghans arrived at the Fort Lee Army base in Virginia in an airlift of translators and others who risked Taliban retaliation because they worked for the U.S. government during its 20-year war in Afghanistan.

The first person convicted under Hong Kong's national security law was jailed for nine years for terrorist activities and inciting secession.

Nations across the Asia-Pacific region are tightening restrictions as COVID-19 continues its spread. Japan expanded its state of emergency to three prefectures near Olympics host Tokyo and the city of Osaka, while Australia called out the military to enforce a lockdown in some Sydney neighborhoods.

Outrage over femicides is growing in Pakistan after Noor Mukadam, 27, the daughter of a former Pakistani diplomat, was found beheaded in a posh neighborhood of Islamabad earlier this month. Police have charged Zahir Jaffer, a U.S. national and scion of one of Pakistan’s wealthiest families, with murder.

Hefty EnergyBags awaiting pickup at Western Recycling in Boise, May 20, 2021. REUTERS/Brian Losness

U.S.

Boise, Idaho's advanced-technology recycling effort was supposed to tackle materials that most processors can't handle. It didn't work.

President Biden wants a big budget bill being written by congressional Democrats to tackle immigration. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland warned Texas Governor Greg Abbott to “immediately rescind” a new executive order aimed at curbing the travel of undocumented immigrants into the state who might pose a risk of transmitting the virus.

Congress approved emergency funding to replenish the Capitol Police and bolster security after the Jan. 6 riot by supporters of then-President Donald Trump and to evacuate Afghans who helped American forces from their country.

Former Roman Catholic Cardinal Theodore McCarrick was charged with molesting a 16-year-old boy during a 1974 wedding reception, becoming the highest-ranking U.S. Catholic official to be criminally prosecuted for sexually abusing a minor.

Scarlett Johansson arrives at the 35th Film Independent Spirit Awards, Santa Monica, California, February 8, 2020. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Business

Scarlett Johansson, star of the Marvel superhero movie "Black Widow," sued the Walt Disney Company, alleging that it breached her contract when it offered the movie on streaming services at the same time it played in theaters. The outcome could have broad ramifications in Hollywood as movie studios often negotiate payments to actors based on how films perform in cinemas, not on services like Disney+, where increasing numbers of people are watching them.

Ratings data from the opening ceremony and first few nights of events indicate that the Tokyo Games are currently the least watched Olympics in recent history across Europe and in the United States.

Find out why Astra the short-haired kitty didn’t get her salmon Whiskas and Loki the Alaskan malamute had to do without his usual Royal Canin kibble.

Olympics

See our full coverage of Tokyo 2020

Quote of the day

"They are going to become just a little bit more than a small marina"

Filippo Olivetti

Managing director of the Bassani group, which provides port and tourism services, who says Venice can't survive without cruise ships.

Venice ban may not end cruise ship battle

Video of the day

Steady on, now: Russian module sends Space Station spinning

And finally…

Jodie Whittaker to leave 'Doctor Who' in 2022

Mandip Gill, Jodie Whittaker and Tosin Cole attend Comic Con in San Diego, California, July 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake

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