Eskimo Pies to Replace ‘Derogatory’ Name Amid Protests

Three Former Political Aides in Taiwan Arrested on Suspicion of Being Chinese Spies

TAIPEI, Taiwan—Three Taiwanese men who were once aides to local lawmakers have been taken into custody on espionage charges for allegedly passing on confidential information to China. The three former aides, Lee Yi-hsien, Chen Wei-jen, and Lin Yun-ta, were interrogated by the prosecutor’s office in Taipei on June 18, after local prosecutors and officials from Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau conducted raids at five separate locations, according to local media. Lee and Chen were detained and held incommunicado for allegedly violating the island’s national security law, after the Taipei District Court granted a request from prosecutors to hold the two suspects, on the grounds that the two could collude or destroy evidence. Meanwhile, Lin was released after paying NT$100,000 (about $3,375) in bail. Prosecutors said the three men were…

The company that owns the Eskimo Pies brand said it’s dropping the name because it’s disrespectful.

“We are committed to being a part of the solution on racial equality, and recognize the term is derogatory,” Elizabell Marquez, head of marketing for Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, said in a statement.

“This move is part of a larger review to ensure our company and brands reflect our people values,” she added.

Dreyer’s Grand is part of Froneri, one of the world’s largest ice cream companies. It is owned by Nestle and PAI Partners.

According to “A History of Ice Cream Making,” Eskimo Pies was created by an Iowa man whose father was a dairyman. The product was intended to be a cross between an ice cream sandwich and a chocolate bar.

Christopher Nelson, the man, later teamed up with Russell Stover and patented the product.

A bottle of Aunt Jemima syrup sits on a counter in White Plains, N.Y., on June 17, 2020. (Donald King/AP Photo)

Recent Black Lives Matter protests prompted a number of companies to alter or consider changing brands that have been alleged by some to be racist or insensitive.

Quaker Foods said it’s renaming “Aunt Jemima” and removing the image of the black woman who was the face of the brand.

“We recognize Aunt Jemima’s origins are based on a racial stereotype. While work has been done over the years to update the brand in a manner intended to be appropriate and respectful, we realize those changes are not enough,” Kristin Kroepfl, vice president and chief marketing officer for Quaker Foods North America, said in the announcement.

B&G Foods was reviewing the Cream of Wheat brand, the company said, adding: “We are committed to evaluating our packaging and will proactively take steps to ensure that we and our brands do not inadvertently contribute to systemic racism.”

Mrs. Butterworth’s, Darlie, and Uncle Ben’s brands are also being reviewed, the companies that own the brands said.

Focus News: Eskimo Pies to Replace ‘Derogatory’ Name Amid Protests

Trudeau ‘Very Disappointed’ as China Charges 2 Detained Canadians With Suspected Espionage

BEIJING鈥擟hinese prosecutors said on Friday they have charged two detained Canadians for suspected espionage, indictments that could result in life imprisonment, in a case that has driven a diplomatic wedge between Ottawa and Beijing. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “very disappointed” and would keep pressing China to release the duo. Former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor were arrested in late 2018 on state security charges, soon after Canadian police detained Huawei Technologies Co’s chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, on a U.S. warrant. While China maintains the detentions are not linked to Meng, former diplomats and experts have said they are being used to pressure聽Canada. China has repeatedly called for Meng’s release, and has warned聽Canada聽it could face consequences for aiding the United States in her case.…