Is the U.S. in a recession? Americans financially uneasy; Manchin-Schumer have a deal; Senate passes Chips bill; Biden will make Monkeypox a health emerg.; Ukraine making gains with new U.S. weapons
Xi threatens Biden; HIV news; Hunter's lavish lifestyle and tax issues; JetBlue acquires Spirit; Facebook's poor results; new third party; Are Americans sleeping? 200 greatest dance songs
Good Friday morning! TGIF and yes, the summer is moving too quickly. Despite the summer, this is a jammed packed issue.
My take: I am with Jon Stewart. I worked with him and support his efforts. He is a warrior for the warriors. I am sickened by how the Senate, largely Republicans, killed the “burn bit” pill today. Get this. The bill passed the Senate in June. The bill also passed the House. That should mean it goes to the President. The bill had one line in it that needed to be rewritten — a technical change, not political. The bill needed to be sent back to the Senate for one more vote with the rewite. Remember this was supported in a bi-partisan manner. In politics that will last just as long as you don’t piss someone off. The Manchin-Schumer climate bill changed everything. I saw Burn Pits when I traveled to the Middle East during both wars. Burn Pits are just what they sound like. While our finest stationed in these war areas sleep and during the day, the Pits burn everything including human waste. Many cancers have been tied to Burn Pits. The bill was a step forward in recognizing and supporting those who are suffering daily after protecting our country and others during tours of duty. Politics can be dirty but it can also be dehumanizing. Politicians sit in their comfy air conditioned offices while men and women serve under the worst conditions and expose themselves to deadly toxins. Stewart has worked for years to bring this to light and get this bill passed. He did the same for 911 First Responders. Now the political games are putting all this in jeopardy. Here finally is the pathetic picture. Flag waving Senators attend gatherings of veterans and flap their lips with pro-military banter. Words don’t matter. Actions do. Now it is time for the political games to stop and this bill without more amendments added needs to be passed. If it was ready to go last month, why is it not today? We need to support our Veterans.
Now to your “1 to…”
Start with a smile: This year's funniest-looking pets are here: Chess-playing cats, water-loving dogs, and happy horses are among the finalists of the 2022 Comedy Pet Photography Awards.
What we care about: Brigham and Women's Hospital study: 72% report they are not getting good quality sleep.
What I care about: U.S. crime is still dramatically higher than before the Pandemic.
This is so bizarre: Hawaii couple accused of stealing dead babies' identities may have been KGB spies, prosecutors say: Old Polaroid photographs show Walter Primrose and Gwynn Morrison in KGB uniforms.
Biden says US not in a recession despite two consecutive quarters of shrinking economy: Biden, on Monday, said the U.S. is 'not coming into recession'.
Biden-Xi call lasts more than 2 hours; Beijing warned the US not to 'play with fire' on Taiwan: China warned after the call that 'those who play with fire will perish by it'.
China's Wuhan shuts down district of 1 million people over 4 asymptomatic Covid cases: The Chinese metropolis of Wuhan has shut down a district of almost a million people after detecting four asymptomatic Covid cases, as the original epicenter of the pandemic takes no chances in preventing another outbreak under China's stringent zero-Covid policy. Authorities in Wuhan's Jiangxia district, home to more than 970,000 people, announced Wednesday its main urban areas would enforce three days of "temporary control measures."
Survey: Majority of US households uneasy with level of emergency savings.
Manchin's latest shocker: A $700B deal: The West Virginia centrist and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer struck agreement on a party-line bill that almost everyone in Washington had given up on. The Manchin-Schumer deal includes roughly $370 billion in energy and climate spending, $300 billion in deficit reduction, three years of subsidies for Affordable Care Act premiums, prescription drug reform and significant tax changes. Manchin said the bill was at one point “bigger than that” but that’s where the two Democrats settled.
Larry Summers plugs Schumer-Manchin deal: ‘This bill is fighting inflation’.
Senate moderates Manchin and Murkowski both test positive for Covid: Two moderate senators, Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia and GOP Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, have tested positive for Covid-19. Their required isolation could hamper Senate Democrats’ race to pass several key pieces of legislation ahead of the long August recess.
Sen. Patrick Leahy 'comfortably recovering' after hip replacement surgery following fall at home: Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont is "comfortably recovering" following surgery to repair a broken hip after he fell in his Virginia home on Wednesday. It is unclear how long he will be out in the 50-50 split Senate, but the chamber is in recess until the week of July 11.
"Patrick and Marcelle are overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of support, and they are deeply grateful for all of the kind and encouraging messages they have received," a statement from Leahy's office said Thursday night. Leahy, 82, was born blind in one eye and has had a "lifelong struggle with reduced depth perception," his office had said in a previous statement. "He has taken some remarkable dingers over the years but this one finally caught up with him," his office said.
Senate passes bill to boost U.S. chip production and China competition, sending to House: The Senate passed bipartisan legislation aimed to help the U.S. compete with China by injecting tens of billions of dollars into the domestic production of semiconductors. The bill will now head to the House, where lawmakers hope to pass it and send it to the White House for President Joe Biden’s signature before Congress leaves town. The package includes more than $52 billion for U.S. companies producing computer chips, as well as a tax credit for investment in chip manufacturing. It also provides funding to spur the innovation and development of other U.S. technologies. Breaking: House passes chips and science bill, sending measure to Biden’s desk.
Gun CEOs testify to House after mass shootings, blame 'erosion of personal responsibility': One lawmaker argued gun-makers must be made to "put people over profits."
Biden administration expected to soon declare monkeypox a health emergency: The people with knowledge of the matter said the declaration is expected as soon as the end of the week.
US has one of the highest levels of monkeypox in the world: CDC
The U.S. has reported a total of 3,590 known monkeypox cases.
New studies agree that animals sold at Wuhan market are most likely what started Covid-19 pandemic: In June, the World Health Organization recommended that scientists continue to research all possible origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, including a lab leak. Two newly published studies take totally different approaches but arrive at the same conclusion: The Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, China, was most likely the epicenter for the coronavirus. The studies were posted online as preprints in February but have now undergone peer review and were published Tuesday in the journal Science.
Mick Mulvaney, Trump's former acting chief of staff, testifies before Jan. 6 committee: Mulvaney, who resigned from the administration after the Capitol riot, met with the House panel for about two-and-a-half hours on Thursday.
Jon Stewart lashes out after GOP Senators block veterans’ health legislation: “F— The Republican Caucus”
Heavy rains cause 'catastrophic' flooding in eastern Kentucky leaving 8 dead, National Guard mobilized: Rescue workers plucked people off rooftops amid fast-rising water Thursday in eastern Kentucky, where torrential rains unleashed devastating flooding that caused at least eight deaths in Kentucky.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced the deaths but grimly predicted the state’s death toll could reach double digits. He said hundreds of properties could be destroyed. “In a word, this event is devastating,” the governor said Thursday. “And I do believe it will end up being one of the most significant, deadly floods that we have had in Kentucky in at least a very long time.
H.I.V. infections remain persistently high, U.N. Reports: More than 1.5 million people worldwide, many of them young girls, were infected amid pandemic disruptions in 2021.
A 5th person is likely cured of HIV, and another is in long-term remission: One case involved a man with cancer who underwent a specialized stem cell transplant; the other involved a woman who received immune-boosting therapies as part of a clinical trial.
Instagram rolls back some changes to app after user backlash: Reversal includes toning down algorithm that resulted in users’ feeds being deluged with videos from accounts they do not follow
FBI says man accused of attempting to kill Brett Kavanaugh said he was 'shooting for 3' justices: In the weeks before traveling to the Washington, DC area, the man accused of attempting to murder Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh researched how to assassinate individuals and said he would be "shooting for 3" justices, according to a search warrant application from the FBI. Nicholas Roske, who prosecutors say traveled to Kavanaugh's home with a pistol, extra ammunition, a tactical knife and other gear, looked up terms like "most effective place to stab someone" and "quietest semi auto rifle," the application states.
Trump threatens CNN with lawsuit over ‘defamatory’ reporting: Former President Trump on Wednesday said he planned to file a lawsuit against CNN, alleging the network has repeatedly defamed him dating back to his 2016 campaign for the presidency. “I have notified CNN of my intent to file a lawsuit over their repeated defamatory statements against me,” Trump said in a statement. “I will also be commencing actions against other media outlets who have defamed me and defrauded the public regarding the overwhelming evidence of fraud throughout the 2020 Election. I will never stop fighting for the truth and for the future of our Country!”
CNN Investigates: Hunter Biden had a high-end income and lavish lifestyle. But he struggled with tax issues for years. The dysfunctional world of Hunter Biden's finances.
Kim threatens to use nukes amid tensions with US, S. Korea: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned he’s ready to use his nuclear weapons in potential military conflicts with the United States and South Korea, state media said Thursday, as he unleashed fiery rhetoric against rivals he says are pushing the Korean Peninsula to the brink of war. Kim’s speech to war veterans on the 69th anniversary of the end of the 1950-53 Korean War were apparently meant to boost internal unity in the impoverished country suffering pandemic-related economic difficulties. North Korea will likely intensify its threats against the United States and South Korea as the allies prepare to expand summertime exercises the North views as an invasion rehearsal, some observers say.
US rocket system enables Ukraine to pummel key supply bridge: Ukrainian troops used American-supplied precision rocket launchers to knock out a strategic bridge used by Russia to supply its forces in southern Ukraine’s occupied Kherson region, officials said Wednesday. Ukraine also claimed to have destroyed an enemy ammunition depot, artillery pieces and other military equipment in the region, killing 51 members of the Russian army. There was no immediate confirmation from the Russian side.
Kherson: Ukraine stepping up counter offensive to retake city - sources.
Ukraine warns Kremlin to 'retreat or be annihilated' in Kherson: Ukrainian forces using U.S.-supplied precision artillery severely damaged a bridge vital to the Russian military's supply lines in occupied Kherson, Ukraine authorities said Wednesday. "Successful missile strikes on bridges over the Dnipro River by #UAarmy create an impossible dilemma for russian occupiers in #Kherson," the Ukrainian Defense Ministry tweeted. "Retreat or be annihilated by #UAarmy. The choice is theirs." The bridge is one of two crossings over the river that Russia uses to transport personnel and equipment to territories it occupies. The strike didn't aim to destroy the bridge but to make it impossible for the Russian military to use, Ukraine's Operational Command South spokeswoman Nataliya Gumenyuk said.
Russia struggling to repair thousands of destroyed combat vehicles, British intelligence says: Russia is likely struggling to extract and repair combat vehicles damaged in its war in Ukraine, Britain’s Ministry of Defense has said.
In a Monday intelligence update, the ministry said that a Russian army facility six miles from the Ukrainian border was created to refit and refurbish broken combat vehicles. Close to 300 damaged vehicles, including armored personnel carriers and battle tanks, were identified at the lot.
Russia reportedly tells NASA it’s staying with the International Space Station until at least 2028: That’s technically ‘after 2024,’ I guess.
2 former cops convicted in George Floyd's death sentenced to prison: J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao were convicted on federal charges.
Highland Park parade mass shooting suspect indicted on 117 charges by Illinois grand jury: The additional charges returned Wednesday include counts of attempted murder for every person wounded by a bullet or shrapnel in the Fourth of July attack.
NYC teen seen punching cop in wild video was sprung without bail in robbery case days earlier: The 16-year-old boy who allegedly punched a cop in a Manhattan subway station was free to strike after being sprung without bail in a violent robbery case just a few days earlier.
The boy — who is not being identified because he’s a minor — was freed on his own recognizance following his bust on Wednesday on allegations he and three others jumped a 49-year-old man on a Midtown street, punching the victim and running off with his cellphone.
Alabama governor: Joe James execution set despite wishes of victim's family: Alabama's governor said Wednesday that she has decided the state will proceed later this week with a plan to execute a man convicted of killing his former girlfriend decades ago, overriding a plea from the victim's family to spare the man's life. Gov. Kay Ivey told reporters she won't call off the scheduled lethal injection of Joe Nathan James Jr. at a south Alabama prison on Thursday evening. The inmate was convicted and sentenced to die for the 1994 shooting death of 26-year-old Faith Hall, in Birmingham.
Ex-Baltimore officer shot by wife, who accused him of assaulting kids at her day care, is charged with child sex abuse, police say: James S. Weems Jr., 57, was arrested in the hospital on multiple charges Monday, accused of sexually abusing at least three children at a day care center in Owings Mills, Maryland.
Arizona CBP officers seize heroin, meth and fentanyl stashed in vehicle near US-Mexico border: The drugs were discovered by Customs and Border Patrol officers inside a vehicle trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona, authorities said.
Group of Republicans and Democrats form new political party to appeal to moderates: A group of former Republican and Democratic officials are forming a new political party called Forward, in an attempt to appeal to what they call the "moderate, common-sense majority." "Political extremism is ripping our nation apart, and the two major parties have failed to remedy the crisis," David Jolly, Christine Todd Whitman and Andrew Yang wrote in a Washington Post op-ed published Wednesday. "Today's outdated parties have failed by catering to the fringes. As a result, most Americans feel they aren't represented."
President's granddaughter announces White House wedding ceremony set for South Lawn: The eldest grandchild of President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden has announced she will be married in a ceremony on the White House's South Lawn later this year. In a tweet Thursday, Naomi Biden provided an update to her nuptial plans. "Sooo not sure how best to update but was supposed to do so weeks ago...but we have finally figured out where the ceremony will be...and much to the relief of secret service and with the dogs' endorsement...we'll be getting married on the South Lawn!" she said on Twitter. "Couldn't be more excited."
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas won’t teach GW Law seminar:
Family sues SeaWorld's Sesame Place Philadelphia for alleged racist interaction: A Black family, who says Sesame Place Philadelphia character performers racially discriminated against them, filed a class action civil rights lawsuit against the amusement park's parent SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment in Pennsylvania federal court Wednesday. The lawsuit filed on behalf of Quinton Burns and his child says that during their visit to Sesame Place in June, employees dressed as Sesame Street characters only interacted with White visitors during a "Meet and Greet" event, refusing to interact with Black visitors.
Russia’s Africa moves force Europe rethink on Ethiopia: Moscow’s outreach has left some EU capitals calling for the bloc to send more money to Ethiopia’s government, despite accusations of war crimes.
What it's like being a woman in Afghanistan today: 'death in slow motion'.
Spirit and Frontier pull plug on deal, setting stage for JetBlue to buy Spirit: Spirit and Frontier airlines Wednesday finally pulled the plug on their proposed deal, which had been on life support for months, clearing the way for a possible purchase of Spirit by JetBlue Airways. The proposed merger of Spirit and Frontier, first announced in February, was never able to capture the support of a majority of Spirit shareholders after JetBlue stepped in with its more lucrative all-cash offer. Breaking: JetBlue agrees to buy Spirit Airlines for $3.8 Billion after Frontier deal dies: Deal would create fifth-largest U.S. carrier after JetBlue wrests discount airline from Frontier.
Beyond Meat stock falls after conclusion of McDonald’s McPlant test: McDonald’s said it has concluded the U.S. test of its McPlant burger as planned.
Analyst research reported lackluster demand for the meatless burger, which is made using Beyond Meat patties. McDonald’s sells the McPlant burger in several European markets but hasn’t announced a nationwide launch for the menu item in its home market yet.
Coca-Cola announces Sprite to retire green bottle, introduce new logo
Sprite will switch to clear bottles beginning August 1: The change in look, ironically, is part of a push by the soft drink giant to go green. The company said clear plastic is better for recycling. "Sprite is transitioning from green to clear plastic to increase the material’s likelihood of being remade into new beverage bottles," a company press release said. The color of the bottle is not the only change that will take effect beginning August 1. Coca-Cola said they will be launching "a new visual identity system featuring a revamped logo and packaging design."
Facebook suffers first quarterly revenue decline in a decade:Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has reported a 0.88 percent decline in its revenue for the second quarter compared to last year, the company announced Wednesday. This is the first time in a decade that Meta has experienced a decrease in revenue, The Washington Post reports, demonstrating the competitive environment Facebook faces among newer social media platforms. The company, which still earned $28.8 billion in the second quarter of 2022, has said it will decrease spending this year and slow hiring to help offset the lost revenue. The company also said it expects a decline in advertiser interest because of economic concerns. “This outlook reflects a continuation of the weak advertising demand environment we experienced throughout the second quarter, which we believe is being driven by broader macroeconomic uncertainty,” Meta said in a statement. Meta’s stock price also halved this year after Apple implemented new privacy rules to better protect users’ data.
Amazon beats expectations to avoid tech earnings slump: Amazon appears to still be going strong even as other Big Tech companies stumble amid pressure from inflation and an economic downturn. The e-commerce giant on Thursday reported net sales of $121.2 billion for the quarter ended June 30, a 7% increase from the same quarter last year and higher than the $119 billion forecast by analysts surveyed by Refinitiv.mazon (AMZN) stock surged more than 11% in after-hours trading following the results, shrugging off the company's $2 billion loss that it attributed in part to its investment in electric truck manufacturer Rivian. Amazon posted a bigger loss last quarter that it similarly attributed to the Rivian investment.
Meta is shutting down its couples messaging app you didn't know existed:
Inflation Game: Winners (McDonald’s) And Losers (Walmart).
Red Sox Hall of Famer David Ortiz releases line of Cannabis products: Fresh off of his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is now setting his sights on a new field: cannabis. Cannabis company Rev Brands announced Wednesday that it was partnering with the Boston icon on a new line of products called “Papi Cannabis,” per CBS Boston.
Middle school football players inspire coach to lose 130 pounds: A middle-school football coach was inspired by his players to lose 130 pounds, and now he’s working on building muscle. In the fall of 2019, Nino Accardi of Jefferson County, Missouri, weighed 420 pounds. At the time, he was coaching football at Parkway North Middle School and decided to make a big change.
“I was telling my kids, ‘Let’s get in shape, let’s get ready for the season.’ And then I told myself, ‘How can I force these kids to get in shape if I’m not there?'” he said.
Meet Freya, the 1,300-pound walrus capturing hearts, sinking boats and irking mariners: A more than 1,300-pound walrus in northern Europe has taken up summer sunbathing on boats and some of them – well, are just too small for the big gal. Nicknamed Freya, the young female walrus is causing cute, clumsy chaos in countries including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden, locals report. Most recently, the marine mammal swam to Norway, The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries reported, where she sunk a boat in Oslofjord, an inlet in the southeastern part of the country. No injuries were reported.
Tony Dow dies: ‘Leave It To Beaver” Actor’s Passing Confirmed Following Earlier Confusion.
200 greatest dance songs of all time: From Chic to Skrillex, from Chicago house classics to festival rave anthems, from songs that filled the floor at the Loft and the Warehouse to ones that blew up on TikTok.
Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder testifying voluntarily before Congress: Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder has begun testifying before a congressional committee investigating the NFL team's history of workplace misconduct. A spokesperson for the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform confirmed Snyder began giving his deposition Thursday morning virtually and in private. The hearing is not public.
Let’s talk about this ‘Till’ trailer and why so many Black people are opposed to an Emmett Till Movie: The trailer to Chinonye Chukwu's Emmett Till movie, 'Till' has dropped and Black people have had negative reactions.
Yankees trade for Royals outfielder Andrew Benintendi: The struggling Yankees just made their first splash as the MLB trade deadline approaches.
The Bombers acquired veteran left fielder Andrew Benintendi from the Royals in exchange for three minor leaguers. The Royals are getting minor league pitchers Beck Way, Chandler Champlain and TJ Sikkema
Bubba Watson reportedly headed to LIV Golf, expected to debut at Boston-based event later this summer: Bubba Watson, the two-time Masters champion who at one point was ranked as high as No. 2 in the world, reportedly is set to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series, the breakaway tour that continues to add well-known names to its roster. Watson, 43, has been sidelined since late May due to a torn meniscus, disclosing the injury after contending early at the PGA Championship before finishing tied for 30th.
Oh no! Hershey says it won't be able to meet Halloween demand this year!
That’s a wrap for the week. Thanks so much for reading. I appreciate it! Have a great weekend unless you have something else to do. See you on Tuesday AM unless news breaks.