Trump: Mainstream Media Is Not Free Speech, People Who ‘Write Bad’ Are Dangerous

President Donald Trump on Thursday attempted to create his own definition of free speech that excludes the entire mainstream media. 

Speaking at a White House-hosted “social media summit” populated by Trump supporters and a number of right-wing trolls, the president blasted the tech industry and social media companies and claimed they censor conservatives. Then, he attacked the media itself:

“See, I don’t think that the mainstream media is free speech either because it’s so crooked. It’s so dishonest. So to me, free speech is not when you see something good and then you purposely write bad. To me, that’s very dangerous speech, and you become angry at it. But that’s not free speech.”

Trump posted the comments on his Twitter feed. The remarks about free speech and the mainstream media begin at 46:30:

Trump’s latest attack on the First Amendment was not well-received on Twitter: 

6.4 Magnitude Quake Triggers Emergency In Ridgecrest

A 6.4-magnitude earth quake in Southern California Thursday night prompted authorities in the Ridgecrest city to declare a state of emergency.

The strongest earthquake in two decades in the state shook residents from the Mojave Desert to the Pacific coast.

Ridgecrest, situated 160 miles northeast of Los Angeles, was the worst affected.

Its Mayor Peggy Breeden has announced a state of emergency.

Large cracks in roadways, power outages and minor injuries to some residents were reported.

The damages were negligible as the quake struck mostly unpopulated centers.

The United States Geological Survey reported that the quake first struck at around 11 pm local time.

Dozens of aftershocks were recorded after the quake.

USGS officials have forecast more tremors in the following days, and a large quake next week.

President Donald Trump said he was fully briefed on the earthquake in Southern California. “All seems to be very much under control,” he tweeted.

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake in 1994 in the region claimed the lives of 57, and caused widespread damage.

Japan cryptocurrency exchange loses $32 million of virtual money

TOKYO — A Japanese cryptocurrency exchange has reported a hack causing the loss of 3.5 billion yen, or $32 million, worth of virtual money.

Tokyo-based Remixpoint, which runs the BITPoint exchange as well as travel, used car and energy businesses, apologized Friday, saying the losses were confirmed starting Thursday.

The reason for the losses, which include bitcoins as well as Ethereum, Ripple and other kinds of cryptocurrencies, is under investigation.

About two-thirds of the losses affected customers while the rest of the missing assets belonged to Remixpoint, the company said in a statement. All transactions have been halted.

Japan has been relatively open to cryptocurrencies, which use a technology called blockchain, despite some high-profile heists.

It has set up a licensing system to oversee their use. Bitcoin has been a legal form of payment in Japan since April 2017.

Remixpoint said the lost money was in what is called the “hot wallet.” Money in the “cold wallet,” which has tighter security, was safe.

The investigation’s findings will be disclosed as soon as possible, the company said.

Major cryptocurrency exchange Mt. Gox was hacked and collapsed in Japan in 2014.

PNM Resources’ stock set to selloff after profit warning

Shares of PNM Resources Inc. PNM, -0.41% were indicated down nearly 3% in premarket trading Friday, after the electric utilities company cut its profit guidance for the second quarter and the full year, citing "substantially milder temperatures" in New Mexico. PNM lowered its Q2 earnings-per-share estimate to 36 cents to 38 cents from 57 cents to 59 cents, well below the FactSet consensus of 62 cents. The 2019 EPS guidance range was lowered to $2.05 to $2.11 from $2.10 to $2.20, versus the FactSet consensus of $2.15. "The PNM service territory experienced its mildest second quarter over the last 19 years, resulting in 37% lower cooling degree-days and lower expectations for second quarter ongoing earnings," the company said in a statement. PNM’s stock has rallied 22.7% year to date through Thursday, while the SPDR Utilities Select Sector ETF XLU, +0.03% has climbed 15.3% and the S&P 500 SPX, +0.23% has advanced 19.7%.

China says US should 'not play with fire' on Taiwan

BUDAPEST (REUTERS) – China’s top diplomat Wang Yi warned the United States on Friday (July 12) that it should “not play with fire” on the question of Taiwan, expressing anger about a planned US arms sale to Taiwan.

During a visit to Hungary, Mr Wang said that no foreign force could stop the reunification of China and no foreign force should try to intervene.

“We urge the US to fully recognise the gravity of the Taiwan question… (and) not to play with fire on the question of Taiwan,” he told a news conference via an interpreter.

This story is developing.

Netflix taps the BBC for its new marketing chief

• Netflix appointed Jackie Lee-Joe as chief marketing officer (CMO) on Friday.
• Lee-Joe has been CMO of BBC Studios since 2015.
• Netflix's CMO of seven years Kelly Bennett left the company in March.

Netflix appointed Jackie Lee-Joe as chief marketing officer (CMO) on Friday, filling a key role as the company faces increased streaming competition.

Lee-Joe has been CMO of BBC Studios since 2015 and will start the role in September, Netflix said in a press release.

"Jackie is a truly original thinker with a wealth of global experience — making her the perfect fit as our next Chief Marketing Officer. I'm excited to work with her in promoting our brand and original programming in new and creative ways to our members all around the world," said Ted Sarandos, Netflix chief content officer.

Netflix's CMO of seven years Kelly Bennett left the company in March, adding to a string of high-profile departures. The company is facing increased competition in the video streaming space from brands like Amazon, Disney, Hulu and HBO.

Shares of the streaming giant traded flat in extended hours following the announcement.