Month: May 2020

On Wednesday President Trump slammed plans to expand voting by mail in Michigan and Nevada, even briefly threatening to withhold federal funding for the states. He later dropped the warning after criticism from Democrats.

Trump has repeatedly expressed his opposition to mail-in voting, saying the expansion in Michigan and Nevada could lead to voter fraud. Numerous studies have found little evidence of voter fraud connected to voting by mail. States have broad authority to set their own rules for voting.

Many states have pushed to expand vote-by-mail options as a safer alternative in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. “This was done illegally and without authorization by a rogue Secretary of State. I will ask to hold up funding to Michigan if they want to go down this Voter Fraud path!” Trump wrote on Twitter. Trump also threatened Nevada’s federal funding, saying the state’s move to expand voting by mail created “a great Voter Fraud scenario.”

Trump later walked back the threats on the unspecified funds, telling reporters at the White House “I don’t think it’s going to be necessary.” But he kept up his criticism of voting by mail as “a very dangerous thing.”

Trump ramps up attacks on mail voting, targeting battlegrounds Michigan, Nevada

Via abcnews.go.com

President Trump escalated his attacks on mail voting on Wednesday, targeting election officials…

05/20/2020 6:40 PM

 

On Tuesday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin defended the Trump administration’s fiscal response to the coronavirus pandemic and told senators he was willing to consider extending and modifying a payroll loan program for small businesses.

During a hearing before the Senate Banking Committee, Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the nearly $3 trillion in federal rescue programs rolled out over the past two months were working to support an economy devastated by the novel coronavirus. Both gentlemen faced questions over whether the administration’s plans to quickly reopen the economy in the wake of lockdowns imposed in March and April would leave low-wage workers without adequate protections from the virus.

Congress is considering legislation to free up trillions of dollars of additional aid to further bolster the economy, help states and increase pay for essential workers doing dangerous jobs. Mnuchin warned prolonged lockdowns would pose a “risk of permanent damage” to the economy.

Mnuchin Says Treasury Ready to Provide More Money, Take More Risk in Fed Lending Programs

Via www.wsj.com

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he was prepared to provide more money and take more risks…

05/19/2020 2:12 PM

 

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Pier 1 Imports, which previously said it would close half of its fleet of stores, now plans to close all of its locations. The retailer announced in a news release Tuesday that it was seeking bankruptcy court approval to begin an “orderly wind-down” when stores are able to reopen “following the government-mandated closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Back in January, Pier 1 said it planned to close up to 450 stores, or nearly half of its locations. It then filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February. Robert Riesbeck, Pier 1’s CEO and chief financial officer, said the company had been working to find a buyer to continue operating before the coronavirus. “Unfortunately, the challenging retail environment has been significantly compounded by the profound impact of COVID-19, hindering our ability to secure such a buyer and requiring us to wind down,” Riesbeck said.

Pier 1 says it has approximately 541 U.S. stores and in the court filing says it plans to reopen some stores on or around May 22.

Pier 1 to go out of business and close all 540 stores

Via abcnews.go.com

Pier 1, the seller of wicker chairs and scented candles, said it will go out of business and…

05/19/2020 3:38 PM

 

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On Monday, China’s President Xi Jinping said Monday that China will contribute $2 billion in aid to combat the coronavirus in other countries, after the pandemic spread beyond its borders.

The funds will be distributed over two years, and are intended to “help with Covid-19 response, and with economic and social development in affected countries, especially developing countries,” Xi said at a convening of the World Health Assembly.

Xi defended his country’s handling of the pandemic, which has been sharply criticized by U.S. officials and other countries, insisting that China has been prompt and transparent in sharing information about the virus with the WHO. “We have shared control and treatment experience with the world without reservation,” Xi said in his speech. “We have done everything in our power to support and assist countries in need.”

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said last month the U.S. “strongly believed” China flouted World Health Organization rules by neglecting to report on the outbreak in a “timely fashion,” and did not report on the community spread of the virus “for a month until it was in every province inside of China.”

China announces $2 billion in virus help at WHO assembly

Via abcnews.go.com

The World Health Organization has bowed to calls from most of its member states to launch an…

05/18/2020 5:23 PM

 

Editorial credit: Igor Y Eros / Shutterstock.com

On Monday, President Donald Trump told reporters he’s been taking hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malaria drug he’s touted as a possible treatment for COVID-19. Trump said he asked the White House doctor if he could take the unproven treatment despite having no symptoms, adding he’s been taking a pill a day for about a week-and-a-half. “I’m still fine,” he said, referring to possible dangerous side effects.

The president said he’s received “a lot of positive letters” offering good feedback of hydroxychloroquine and insisted even if it’s not effective, he claimed, “You’re not going to get sick or die.” When surprised reporters asked if he were taking it because he’s exhibited symptoms, the president replied, “Zero symptoms.”  He added, “I take a pill every day. At some point, I’ll stop. What I’d like to do is I’d like to have the cure and/or the vaccine. And that will happen, I think, very soon,” he added.

The FDA last month specifically warned against taking hydroxychloroquine “outside of a hospital setting or a clinical trial due to risk of heart rhythm problems.”  They also warned of serious side effects of the drug currently unapproved to treat COVID-19, though touted by the White House.

Trump says he’s been taking hydroxychloroquine

Via thehill.com

President Trump on Monday revealed he’s taking hydroxychloroquine, a controversial drug that…

05/18/2020 5:34 PM

 

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