Category: News

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Stock Market Tanks 2,300+ Points In Virus-Fueled Sell-Off

The stock market took yet another nosedive on Monday triggering the New York Stock Exchange’s ‘circuit breaker’ stopping stock from plummeting even further. It was the 3rd time in two weeks the automated system kicked in to give stock traders a chance to catch their breath. The dramatic drop came after the Federal Reserve announced on Sunday it would slash interest rates to nearly zero, a move not taken since the crash of 2008. From the Washington Post:

It was the third time in two weeks the New York Stock Exchange triggered the so-called circuit breaker, a rarely used lever, to stop stocks from free-fall and give traders time to get their bearings. It’s activated when the S&P 500 falls 7 percent; on Monday the index skidded more than 8.1 percent before trading stopped for 15 minutes.

There was some recovery in the Dow by early afternoon, with the blue-chip index paring its losses to 1,935 points, or 8.4 percent. But by mid-afternoon all gains were gone. Shortly before 2:30, the Dow was down more than 2,350 points, or 10.1 percent. The S&P 500 and tech-heavy sank 9.6 percent and the Nasdaq declined 9.8 percent.

The Dow erased most of the nearly 2,000-point jolt it got Friday after President Trump issued an emergency declaration over the coronavirus pandemic, which has disrupted nearly every aspect of American life and threatens to catapult the United States into recession.

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White House: Avoid Social Gatherings Of More Than 10 People

The first confirmed case of the omicron variant in the U.S. has been discovered in California.

The White House task force addressing the ongoing coronavirus threat has now announced new guidance on how to best slow the spread of the disease. The new recommendations from Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus coordinator, include limiting social gatherings to ten people or less; avoiding non-essential travel; and avoiding eating or drinking in bars or public food courts. Also, if someone within your household is infected with the virus, everyone else within the home should also self-quarantine. The tougher guidelines come as the number of reported cases in the U.S. has surpassed 4,000 reports Axios. President Trump said that the new guidance could be the “new normal” in the U.S. until July or August. Remember just ten days ago when Trump called the coronavirus threat a “Democratic hoax?”

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European Commission Bans ‘Non-Essential’ Travel To EU

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
From CNN:

The European Commission will introduce temporary restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU, as part of its efforts to tackle and contain the ongoing spread of coronavirus across Europe, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen just announced.

“The less travel, the more we can contain the virus, therefore, as I have just informed our G7 partners, I propose to the heads of state and government, a restriction on non-essential travel to the European Union,” von der Leyen said in a video statement shared on her Twitter account.

“These restrictions should be in place for an initial period of 30 days, which can be prolonged as necessary,” she added.

However, she clarified that there will be some exemptions to the restrictions, including family members of European nationals, essential staff, such as doctors and nurses, and people transporting goods to the European Union.

Additionally, the EU is instituting green lanes/fast lanes to give priority to essential transport to keep the mobility sector going & ensure economic continuity.

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Rugby’s Joe Marler Scores Ten Week Suspension For Grabbing Player’s Junk

England’s Joe Marler
English rugby player Joe Marler has been suspended from playing for 10 weeks for groping Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones during their match on March 7. The incident occurred during a heated tussle during the match that involved several players. Marler appeared to be trying to playing with Jones as the moment began to cool down. You can see the crotch grab in the video below:

At a press conference after the match, Jones was calm but called on the powers that be to weigh in on the episode.

Appearing before an independent disciplinary committee, Marler admitted he committed an act of foul play but argued the citing that he “grabbed, twisted or squeezed the genitals” of an opponent, according to The Independent. In the end, though, the committee found him guilty of infringing Law 9.27 (acts against the spirit of good sportsmanship). A statement from the Rugby Football Union read: “The disciplinary committee found that the act of foul play warranted a low-end entry point (12 weeks’ suspension) and reduced that by three weeks to take account of mitigating factors (including good character and remorse) but increased it by one week to take account of his most recent disciplinary record. “Marler is therefore suspended for 10 weeks and, given his playing schedule, is free to resume playing on Monday, 8 June 2020. He was reminded of his right of appeal.” It’s worth noting, however, England’s final game against Italy in Rome has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. As I reported last week, the incident received widespread attention as the crotch grab seemed to divide people on whether it was “a bit of banter” or bad sportsmanship. The coach for the Wales team, Wayne Pivac, told the press he felt the behavior sets a bad example for younger players. “There’s no place for that in the game,” said Pivac. “We’re all role models for the young players and the next generation of the game, and there are rules in the game. You can’t go outside those rules. If you do, then you face punishment.” But Marler’s teammate Danny Care told the Rugby Union Weekly podcast, “If you know Joe and you’ve played with him or spent a lot of time with him, you know he hasn’t done it in a malicious way.” After viewing a video clip of the incident, Care felt the moment was “two lads messing around who were good mates.” That said, Care admits “Out of the context of sport and as bit of banter it obviously isn’t funny. You put that in any other place of work and there’s going to be serious repercussions from it.” Folks on Twitter were pretty divided on the subject:

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InstaHunk Round-Up: Weekend Edition

Mark Kanemura (screen capture)
Checking in with the hunks of Insta… First up, Instagram dance sensation Mark Kanemura (above) is holding ‘virtual dance parties’ on Instagram to keep folks moving while chilling at home. You’ll note the confetti on the floor thanks to his ‘big finale.’ Click here to see when the next ‘dance party’ is. I followed along today and Kanemura had over 3,000 folks from around the world tune in to bop along. Underwear model and husband to sex advice guy Dan Savage, Terry Miller turned a very healthy looking 49-years -old:

 

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49 • 📷 @nunzilla

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David McIntosh celebrated “International Sweet Boy Day:”

Woofy Alex Abramov and bf Brett are having a bit of a stay-at-home weekend because, well, you know…

My hubby Michael spent several days this week handling press for the gorgeous new show ‘EXTRAVAGANZA‘ opening at Ballys Las Vegas soon. The show features the return of legendary Las Vegas showgirls to the Strip!

Paleontologist Francesc Gascó is spending ‘quarantine time’ cooking. His caption below reads, “Well, if we are in confinement, we will make it more pleasant by bringing my Valencia to Madrid.”

Rick and the Griffopotamus are patiently waiting for pancakes to be delivered to their boudoir:

Boy Butter’s current poster guy, Facundo Rodriguez, says he’s “trying to make the world a better place… Pic by pic.” It looks like he’s succeeding.

 

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Trying to make the world a better place… Pic by @paulfreemanphotographer @paulfreemanphotos New Account

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Hottie Nathan McCallum is working out (for a change). Hit the play button to be uber-impressed.

 

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💥 LEGendary QUAD WORKOUT 🦵🏼⠀ ⠀ Want stronger more powerful legs? Of course you do! That’s why I put this workout together for you. ⠀ Plenty of isolateral work here, to ensure we are working on imbalances and getting the gains those drumsticks need! ⠀ So get on some comfy tights, and a bright tee, and LEGGO! ⠀ ⠀ 1️⃣ box-jump to pistol 4xamrap ⠀ 2️⃣ overhead pistol squat 4×6⠀ 3️⃣ Bulgarian split squat 4×10⠀ 4️⃣ close stance front squat 5×5 ⠀ 5️⃣ single leg extensions 4×10⠀ 6️⃣ leg press 4×10⠀ 7️⃣ standing calf raise 4×10⠀ 8️⃣ donkey raise 4×10⠀ ⠀ Song is: “Bones Exposed” by Of Mice & Men 🎶⠀ ⠀ Outfit by @gymshark⠀ ⠀

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And finally, The Gaily Grind has some VERY useful advice regarding the ongoing coronavirus threat:

 

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Keep calm and wash your hands! 👋🤣 #coronavirus #corona

A post shared by thegailygrind (@the.gaily.grind) on

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Devin Nunes: “It’s A Great Time To Go Out To Local Restaurants”

L-R Dr. Anthony Fauci, Rep. Devin Nunes
During an appearance on Fox News Sunday morning, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) advised Americans to “stop panicking” in regard to the coronavirus threat. “There’s a lot of concerns with the economy here because people are scared to go out,” said Nunes. “But I will just say, one of the things you can do if you’re healthy, you and your family, it’s a great time to just go out, go to a local restaurant.” At practically the same time, Dr. Anthony Fauci – one of the leading experts in the world on communicable diseases – told CNN he would prefer to see LESS ‘personal interaction’ in restaurants or bars.

Younger people “are not immune or safe from getting seriously ill,” he told CNN’s Brianna Keiler on ‘State of the Union.’ “There are going to be people who were young who are going to wind up getting seriously ill. So, protect yourself. But, remember, you could also be a vector or a carrier. And even though you don’t get seriously ill, you could bring it to your grandfather, your grandmother or your elderly relative.”

Who would you trust? #srsly

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Could Pete Buttigieg Be Heading To MSNBC?

Pete Buttigieg hosts ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ (screen capture)
Gossip guy Rob Shuter reports that Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana is in the running to host MSNBC’s time slot recently vacated by former Hardball host Chris Matthews. Complicating that equation, however, is the fact that MSNBC stalwarts Steve Kornacki and Joy Reid both want the gig as well. The two have been alternating as host in the 7 pm ET slot since Matthews’ surprise exit two weeks ago. From Shuter:

“Steve and Joy both want this job and neither know that behind their backs the network wants Mayor Pete. The new trend is hiring former politicians and the people around them. No-one is a better example of this than Nicole Wallace who worked on the John McCain and Sarah Palin campaign. Her show on MSNBC is now a monster hit and the executives are hoping to recreate that with Mayor Pete,” sources tell STRAIGHT SHUTER. “Let’s be honest, Pete needs a job. The pay is good, and the hours are great, plus after his rise to a national level he isn’t going to want to give up the spotlight.”

I thought Mayor Pete did a terrific job as guest-host this past Thursday for Jimmy Kimmel Live. Check out my review here. (h/t Instinct Magazine)

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Trump ‘Considering A Full Pardon’ For Michael Flynn

Michael Flynn (photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr)
In a surprise to no one, Donald Trump said on Sunday he is “considering a full pardon” for his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. Flynn admitted he lied to the FBI in December 2017 about his conversations with Sergey Kislyak, then the Russian ambassador to the United States, in the weeks before Trump took office. NBC News reports the Justice Department reversed its original position in January and recommended that Flynn be sentenced to up to six months in prison. Attorneys for Flynn then filed papers to withdraw his guilty plea claiming federal prosecutors violated his rights and tricked him into pleading guilty. Referencing an unspecified report that the Justice Department had “lost” records pertaining to Flynn, Trump tweeted, “I am strongly considering a Full Pardon!”

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Trump Awaits Results After Testing For Coronavirus

ABC News reports: Donald Trump said on Saturday that he has taken a COVID-19 test and is awaiting the results. Trump, who said on Friday he’d “most likely get tested,” said he’s unsure when his results will come back. His temperature was taken, and he said it was “totally normal.” On Friday, Trump said he’d “most likely” get tested after reports that multiple officials from Brazil who attended a dinner with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday tested positive for the virus. In related news, Vice President Mike Pence announced today the U.S. travel ban currently in place for parts of Europe has been extended to the UK and Ireland. A ban on some travel from Europe to the United States for the next 30 days was announced earlier this week by Trump. The original restrictions affected the area known as the Schengen zone and is made up of 26 countries including Italy, Spain, France, and Germany.

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Coronavirus Economic Relief Bill Passes In Late Night Vote 363-40

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (image via Instagram/SpeakerPelosi)

Under Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s leadership, the House passed an economic relief bill by a vote of 363-40 providing billions of dollars for paid sick leave, unemployment insurance, free testing and other measures to help Americans impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

The legislation came about after tense negotiations between Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

The Washington Post reports that the agreement “threatened to fall apart entirely for hours Friday amid GOP misgivings.”

Although Donald Trump was openly critical of House Democrats during an afternoon news conference Pelosi and Mnuchin continued negotiations over the course of a reported 13 phone calls throughout the day until the deal was ultimately reached.

Lawmakers voted on the bill just before 1 am Saturday morning. All 40 ‘no’ votes were from Republicans.

The legislation now heads to the Senate, which is expected to pass it next week.

According to the Associated Press, the relief bill will: • Require private health insurers to provide free testing for coronavirus and waive cost-sharing rules for those covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and federal retirement programs. • Establish a temporary coronavirus-related sick leave benefit to be paid by employers with less than 500 employees. Businesses will be refunded by the federal government through a refundable tax credit. Employees with the coronavirus would receive 100 percent of their wages if diagnosed with the virus or are self-isolating. Folks taking care of family members would receive two-thirds of their pay.

• Up to $1.3 billion in emergency food aid for low-income pregnant women and their young children, seniors, and food banks.

• Provide $1 billion for additional caseloads and administrative costs to encourage temporarily furloughed workers to obtain unemployment benefits.

• Require the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue a temporary rule requiring increased protections against the coronavirus.

Finally sensing the full gravity of the circumstances, Donald Trump weighed in via tweet in support of the legislation: