News and Headlines. 3/24/2020

News and Headlines: In The News, Politics, World News, Commentaety/Opinion.

In The News:

‘Essential’ businesses not shut down by the coronavirus outbreak are busier than ever

Last week, Amazon announced it would try to hire 100,000 additional employees to help with the crush of orders.

At the same time, Walmart has announced it will hire 150,000 additional temporary workers to help in its stores that have remained crowded, as have other supermarket chains like Publix.

Now, CVS Health says it will hire 50,000 full- and part-time employees on a temporary basis as pharmacies remain open during the health crisis.

For existing employees, CVS says the company will help employees with both child and elder or adult dependent care needs.

It’s partnering with the Bright Horizons network of in-home and center-based daycare providers, giving employees up to 25 fully covered days of backup care.

‘Glorification of violence’: Twitter pulls tweet from Nancy Pelosi’s daughter about Rand Paul

“The account owner was temporarily locked out for violating the Twitter rules against glorification of violence,” a Twitter spokesperson told the Washington Examiner on Tuesday.

Christine Pelosi tweeted Sunday that the man who allegedly attacked the Kentucky senator in 2018 was “right” for doing so.

Pelosi’s account appears to be active as of Tuesday afternoon, retweeting California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and criticizing President Trump.

Georgia teen shoots and kills one of three armed robbers trying to break into family’s home.

Authorities say that a 17-year-old shot and killed one of three would-be armed robbers who attempted to break into the victim’s home late in the evening on March 22nd.

One of the suspects, 21-year-old Machavellia Bagsby, was struck by the armed juvenile’s gunfire and died at the scene.

Another suspect, 21-year-old Taruss Miller, was shot in the leg during the armed robbery.

A Ring video doorbell captured footage of the suspect Miller after he was shot in the leg.

California police officer fired for alleged ‘excessive use of force.’ But the evidence shows otherwise.

One of the men, 23-year-old Juan Mendoza, was non-compliant with officers at first contact, and was eventually arrested for robbery, conspiracy, resisting arrest, and violation of probation. Mendoza was also reported by store workers to have been “throwing up gang signs.”

Months later, Mendoza filed a law suit against the department for “excessive force” occurring during the arrest by Officer Bryan Schmidt.

Mendoza alleged that following the encounter with police, he was hospitalized and sustained a “life-threatening brain injury,” according to his attorney.

On March 12, Elk Grove Police Chief Timothy Albright released a “transparency” video of the incident.

Private companies stepping up to provide medical equipment, masks to healthcare workers on front lines

Peter Navarro, assistant to the president for manufacturing and trade policy, and director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy (OTMP), says several manufacturing companies have escalated production of necessary medical equipment with the aid of fast-tracking regulatory approval.

The multinational company Honeywell is manufacturing millions of N95 masks per week, after a fast-tracked approval by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The company produces aerospace systems, industrial products, and engineering services and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

It scaled up its Smithfield, Rhode Island, facility adding 500 new jobs, and submitted a second proposal to manufacture masks at a factory in Arizona.

EXCLUSIVE: Trump, Coronavirus task force participate in Fox News town hall

President Trump, Vice President Pence and members of the coronavirus task force sit down with Fox News’ Bill Hemmer and Harris Faulkner for a virtual town hall to answer all of the most pressing questions.

Tucker Carlson Guest Dismantles China’s ‘No New Cases’ Wuhan Virus Lies

Marion Smith, the executive director of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, debunked the communist lies coming from China showing an apparent slow-down in the spread of the novel Wuhan coronavirus.

Smith joined Fox News’ Tucker Carlson to discuss asked why China is influencing the World Health Organization (WHO), and the extent to which the Chinese government went to suppress initial warning signs over the Wuhan virus.

Federalist Senior Contributor Helen Raleigh also debunked the myth of the Chinese virus slowdown explaining China’s history in dealing with the early outbreak, where the first recorded case of the virus could be traced to November.

El Monte man extradited to L.A. from Mexico faces murder charges in killing of pregnant wife

Octavio Curiel Martinez allegedly shot Ana Maria Nuñez, 37, to death at her home in El Monte on Aug. 29, 2018.

Authorities said she was six months pregnant, and neighbors told KTLA she had four children.

After the fatal shooting, prosecutors allege, Martinez shot at his father and mother at their house in El Monte. He is accusing of firing at them while two children were also inside the home.

At least a dozen inmates escaped from jail in Washington state, 6 still on the loose

“ALERT! Several prisoners have escaped from the Yakima County Jail in Downtown Yakima,” said a Facebook post from the city of Yakima on Monday.

The post added that residents in certain areas of the city should remain indoors and call police if they see any suspicious activity.

The inmates were able to escape by breaking open an exterior fire door using a table from inside an annex, authorities shared. Once they got outside the building, they jumped a fence.

“Officers were able to capture 6 inmates and get them back into custody. 6 inmates were able to escape,” said a news release from the Yakima County Department of Corrections.

Southwest Valley awarded $524M for border wall construction in Arizona

March 24 (UPI) — The U.S. Army has awarded $524 million to Southwest Valley Constructors for design and build of a section of wall along the U.S. Mexico border, the Department of Defense announced.

The deal modifies an earlier contract, originally awarded in May 2019, for design build replacing the section of the wall near Tucson, Ariz.

In February, Southwest Valley received a $175.4 million contract for border wall construction in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

Coronavirus turning point in US will be earlier than predicted, Nobel laureate says

Stanford University biology professor Michael Levitt, who won the 2013 Nobel Prize in chemistry, said his models don’t support predictions that the virus will wreak months or even years of social disruption or cause millions of deaths, the Los Angeles Times reported.

“What we need is to control the panic … we’re going to be fine,” assured Levitt, who correctly predicted early on that China would get through the worst of the outbreak by mid-February.

“Numbers are still noisy, but there are clear signs of slowed growth,” Levitt said, without offering a concrete date for when the US may see its turning point.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick suggests he’d risk dying to help save U.S. economy

“No one reached out to me and said, as a senior citizen, are you willing to take a chance on your survival in exchange for keeping the America that all America loves for your children and grandchildren? And if that’s the exchange, I’m all in,” Mr. Patrick, 69, said on Fox News.

“I just think there are lots of grandparents out there in this country like me — I have six grandchildren — that what we all care about and what we love more than anything are those children,” he said. “And I want to live smart and see through this, but I don’t want the whole country to be sacrificed. And that’s what I see.”

“My message is: Let’s get back to work. Let’s get back to living. Let’s be smart about it. And those of us who are 70-plus, we’ll take care of ourselves, but don’t sacrifice the country. Don’t do that,” Mr. Patrick said.

Ohio Abortion Providers Say They Will Defy State Shutdown Order

The decision to continue providing abortions comes as states are adopting strict lockdown operations to combat the spread of the virus.

The defiance could bring the clinics into legal conflict with the state government.

At least five of the state’s six abortion providers will defy the order.

The state attorney general’s office said it is considering pursuing legal action against the clinics if they continue their refusal to comply with the shutdown.

Women should be eligible for the draft, commission recommends

“This is a necessary and fair step, making it possible to draw on the talent of a unified Nation in a time of national emergency,” the commissioners wrote in the 255-page report, obtained by POLITICO.

The 11-member commission’s final report, which was required by the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, was briefed to the Pentagon on Monday and will be presented to the White House and congressional staffers Tuesday.

While it’s not clear that Congress will immediately take up legislation to allow women to register for the Selective Service, the report gives lawmakers a mandate to do so.

Domestic Violence Hotline Calls, Events Increase In Nashville, Seattle Amid Coronavirus Quarantine

The Seattle Police Department reported a 23% increase of 114 domestic violence–related events over the same time in 2019, Detective Patrick Michaud told the Daily Caller News Foundation, referring to the past 21 days of calls.

The two primary categories with increases were domestic violence arguments, disturbance with no arrest, followed by domestic violence–assist victim by court order.

“Because we expect that people are spending more time at home, possibly not leaving the home for work each day, for example, we know survivors are spending more time in closer proximity to their abusers,” the National Domestic Violence Hotline CEO Katie Ray-Jones told the DCNF on March 19.

“This is stressful for everyone but especially survivors.”

Coronavirus fueling gun store sales but California sheriff says shops are ‘not an essential,’ orders closures

There was a 34 percent uptick in background checks through the universal FBI system in February, processing almost 3 million.

In January, as the COVID-19 virus garnered international attention after originating in Wuhan, China, checks increased about 25 percent, according to the most recently available data reviewed by Fox News.

The sheriff of the nation’s most populated county said Monday that gun stores will no longer be allowed to stay open.

“We will be closing them, they are not an essential function,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told FOX11.

ER doctor’s dire coronavirus warning for America’s youth

As stories of young people infected by COVID-19 being placed on ventilators — or worse — continue to multiply in news headlines and on Twitter feeds, officials are faced with the dire task of getting the message through to the younger generations.

For weeks, young Americans have been instructed to practice social distancing, stay home, and to cancel Spring Break plans as the nation aims to stifle the spread of COVID-19.

Donnino said that the number of patients in this age range around the world is much higher than doctors would see during a normal flu season.

“So, the virus can indeed cause severe, life-threatening disease for those ages 20-60 without any health problems,” he confirmed.

Politics:

Trump’s poll numbers rising despite intense criticism of coronavirus handling

A Morning Consult poll taken last week recorded a nearly 10-point jump in net approval of Trump’s handling of the coronavirus in a matter of days, with 53% approving and 39% disapproving.

The biggest driver of this increase was separate 8-point spikes in approval among Democrats and independents.

An ABC News/Ipsos poll released Friday had 55% approving of Trump’s coronavirus management, up 12 points from the previous week, while 43% disapproved.

House Dems’ COVID19 Bill Endangers American Workers

Roy Beck, President of NumbersUSA stated on this bill:

“With predictions of unemployment as high as 30%, it is unconscionable for House Democrats to use the Coronavirus response bill to actually harm American workers. By automatically extending the visas and work permits of foreign temporary workers, they are showing callous disregard for the hundreds of thousands of Americans who are being laid off and need every available job possible.”

The bill even goes as far as providing a massive giveaway to the many technology, banking, insurance, and staffing companies that have made it their mission in recent years to replace a huge number of U.S. graduates with large blocs Indian and Chinese graduates, further rewarding and institutionalizing the practice of replacing American workers with exploitable, cheap, and replaceable laborers.

Without the House language, these wealthy companies would be forced to hire hundreds of thousands of American graduates if their lobbyists cannot persuade the administration to renew the foreign workers’ expiring permits during the massive surge of unemployment among white-collar Americans before the 2020 election.

Tucker: Democrats stuff coronavirus bill with identity politics

Commentary/Opinion:
At a time when America so badly needs to come together, Democrats remain intent on splitting the country into warring tribes.

Ilhan Omar Is Using The Wuhan Virus To Shill For Iran

She tweeted this in spite of the fact that it is the U.S. government’s long-standing policy, including during this pandemic, to permit the sale of “agricultural commodities, food, medicine, and medical devices to Iran.”

Reflecting America’s generosity, Congress allows such transactions knowing Iran has historically exploited humanitarian aid to evade sanctions and underwrite its malign efforts.

In spreading a message to the contrary, Omar is acting as a de facto mouthpiece for Iran’s Khomeinist regime, which has been seeking to exploit the suffering of its citizens caused by the Wuhan virus to call for the suspension of U.S. sanctions on Iran.

On March 15, an Iranian news agency reported that Iranian MP Mostafa Kavakebian penned a letter to Omar, blaming U.S. sanctions for Iran’s health crisis — a telling correspondence.

The Iran lobby in the United States is supporting Omar’s efforts, with the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) tweeting in apparent support:

Dalia Al-Aqidi | We Are In This Together

Commentary/Opinion:
Some Democrats think that keeping Americans in pain will help them defeat President Trump in November. That’s shameful.

But they won’t succeed. People are hurting, and there will be time for political games later.

Nancy Pelosi Coronavirus Bill Creates Multibillion Slush Fund for Elite Liberal Causes

On page 150, the Department of State Migration and Refugee Assistance program is allotted $300,000,000 for “migration and refugee assistance”.

On page 127, the Institute for Museum and Library Services is given $500,000,000 “respond to coronavirus” by granting States, museums, territories and tribes “to expand digital network access, purchase tablets and other internet-enabled devices, for operational expenses, and provide technical support”.

On page 119, Gallaudet University is granted $7,000,000 “to help defray expenses (which may include lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, technology costs associated with a transition to distance learning, faculty and staff trainings and payroll)”.

Howard University receives $13,000,000 for similar open-ended expenses on page 123. Howard’s endowment fund currently stands at $692,800,000.

Dan Crenshaw shares information ‘everyone in America’ should read about Dems killing emergency relief package: ‘They killed it. Out of spite and bitterness.’

“Do Dems want a recession? A depression? How can they justify this?” he continued.

“This bill is critical for the livelihood of millions. Our country will be devastated without immediate help. Dems can lie all they want about ‘helping workers’ but now they are destroying their lives.”

“This bill was negotiated in good faith,” he added. “Been monitoring its progress all week. It can save our economy. And they killed it. Out of spite and bitterness. Hold Dems accountable.”

Crenshaw later sent a pointed tweet to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who blamed the bill’s failure on ineffective protections.

What’s in Democrats’ coronavirus bill? Arts funding, union help and more

Pelosi argued that the Senate bill, unlike the House’s, would “put corporations first, not workers and families.”

Republicans, on the other hand, argued that Democrats are using the pandemic to push through the left’s agenda items under the pretense of a bill to fight the coronavirus.

Here’s some of what’s in the House Democrats’ $2.5 trillion, 1,404-page bill.

The House Democrats’ bill requires that any company getting coronavirus-related aid disclose its diversity stats, including its employees’ race, gender, pay, corporate board diversity and the structure of its offices that deal with diversity and inclusion.

The reports, which will be made public within a year of the companies accepting federal coronavirus-related assistance, will also include the “number and dollar value invested with minority-and-women owned suppliers….

Senators Urges Trump to Set up Taskforce to Counter Beijing’s CCP Virus Propaganda

The senators said that the taskforce should produce a white paper on the origins of the outbreak and subsequent CCP efforts to conceal its severity.

It should also provide guidance to U.S. government employees and U.S. embassies on how to counter false CCP narratives.

The escalating global outbreak started in Wuhan, the capital of central China’s Hubei Province, in December 2019.

World News:

Jihadis Kill at Least 70 Nigerian Soldiers

“The terrorists specifically targeted a truck loaded with soldiers with RPGs and incinerated the vehicle, killing all on board,” the second officer said.

“So far 70 bodies have been recovered, but the toll is certainly more than that, as rescue operation is still under way.”

Several soldiers were injured and others taken captive by the jihadists, the officers said.

Report: Japan’s TEPCO to ‘slowly’ release radioactive wastewater

NHK reported Tuesday a plan has been drafted for the disposal of tritium-tainted water from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.

According to the report, TEPCO is to “dilute radioactive wastewater with sea water, lowering the concentration of radioactive substances, then discarding it slowly.”

TEPCO also said it plans to start reprocessing work next year to remove radioactive substances other than tritium, according to NHK.

Wastewater at the Fukushima plant is a serious problem. About 170 tons of radioactive water is generated per day, Kyodo News reported in February. Water has been poured to cool the melted fuel.

Pompeo announces slashing of US aid to Afghanistan after visit to Kabul

The reduction in aid is immediate along with the review of U.S. cooperation. Washington is also prepared to reduce assistance next year by an additional $1 billion, he said.

Pompeo was hoping to advance progress on the peace deal that could lead to the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Afghanistan and an end to the country’s 18-year conflict.

Since the signing of the deal with the Taliban, political turmoil has complicated the peace process, which has ground to a halt, with both Ghani and Abdullah arguing they had won the presidency through a contested election in September.

After his talks with the Taliban leaders, Pompeo told reporters that the United States and all countries in the coalition were moving forward with a planned withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.

Coronavirus: India to enter ‘total lockdown’ after spike in cases

“There will be a total ban on venturing out of your homes,” Mr Modi said in a televised address.

India – which has a population of 1.3bn – joins a growing list of countries that have imposed similar measures.

Nearly 400,000 people have tested positive for the virus worldwide, and around 17,000 have died.

“The entire country will be in lockdown, total lockdown,” Mr Modi said on Tuesday.

Putin Dons Hazmat Suit as Moscow Says Coronavirus Outbreak Is Worse Than It Looks

The comments, by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, marked the strongest statement yet by Russian authorities suggesting they do not have a full grasp of how widely the coronavirus has spread throughout the world’s largest country by territory.

Russia has so far reported 495 cases of the virus, a figure that is much lower than in many European countries. One woman, who tested positive for the virus, has also died.

“A serious situation is unfolding,” Sobyanin told Putin at a meeting, saying the real number of cases was unclear but that they were increasing quickly.

UK Announces Lockdown, Limits Gatherings to 2 People

The British public will now only be allowed to leave home for essential shopping for food, and for a single period of exercise a day, such as walking, cycling, or running. People can also travel to and from work.

All stores will be shut, except for food stores.

Parks will remain open for exercise, but any gatherings other than immediate family in the home will be limited to 2 people.

Commentary/Opinion:

Why Governments Shouldn’t Close Gun Stores During A Pandemic

Americans are turning out in droves to purchase firearms. In times of crisis, keeping yourself and your loved ones safe must be certain.

America is entering into an unsettled time, and hundreds of thousands of Americans, many of whom have never owned a gun before, are taking action.

The reasoning is easy to understand. Americans want to know they have access to guns when there are real concerns for personal safety.

Authorities announced they would no longer jail nonviolent offenders, and some police departments are being forced to quarantine and temporarily reduce staff due to health concerns.

Giving Up On Trying To Change Minds? (Pt. 1) | Dennis Miller | COMEDY | Rubin Report

Dave Rubin of The Rubin Report talks to Dennis Miller (Talk Show Host and Comedian) about the current state of politics and comedy.

Dennis gives his thoughts on the current political divide in America and why he’s given up trying to get people to change their minds.

He discusses how his priorities have shifted dramatically as an elder statesman of comedy.

Dennis shares his current feelings on the entertainment industry and how he stumbled into comedy as a prop comedian and how his act became more political.

Dennis also describes the unique story of how he got the job offer from Lorne Michaels for Weekend Update on Saturday Night Live.

He also reveals why he was rarely in any SNL sketches.