Sunday, February 13th, 2022
Americans are expected to bet $7.6 billion on the Super Bowl, up 78 percent from last year A record 31.4 million Americans are expected to bet $7.6 billion on Sunday’s Super Bowl game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams. The number of betters is up 35 percent over last year, and the total amount wagered is up 78 percent. Much of the increase is driven by aggressive marketing campaigns for online sports betting, which became legal in several states following a 2018 Supreme Court decision. Adam Chandler warned in The Atlantic that, with an ever greater number of Americans obsessively checking their bets, the Super Bowl may lose its “monocultural character,” taking “one of the few communal spectacles we have left and turn[ing] it into something more individualistic.” THE ATLANTIC
Russia ‘will not capture’ any of Ukraine’s cities, Ukrainian defense minister says Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said Saturday that he believes country’s military could fend off a Russian invasion. “Everyone who has looked into the eyes of our soldiers at least once is sure that there will be no repeat of 2014, the aggressor will not capture either Kyiv, Odessa, Kharkiv or any other city,” Reznikov said. He also cited the availability of sophisticated weaponry, improved training, the experience soldiers have gained in the ongoing conflict with Russian-backed separatists, and strong international support as reasons for his confidence. U.S. Gen. Mark Milley gave a very different assessment earlier this month, suggesting that Kyiv could fall to the Russians within 72 hours of an invasion. FOX NEWS
Biden talks directly with Putin as Ukraine invasion threat looms President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone Saturday in what could be a last-ditch attempt to avert a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Putin initially tried to schedule the call for Monday, but Biden requested on Friday that it take place as soon as possible. Biden was at Camp David during the call, which was his first direct conversation with Putin since December. According to the official White House summary, Biden “reiterated that a further Russian invasion of Ukraine would produce widespread human suffering and diminish Russia’s standing” and said the U.S. “remains prepared to engage in diplomacy” but is “equally prepared for other scenarios.” THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
U.S. evacuates Kyiv embassy The U.S. began evacuating its embassy in Kyiv on Saturday as intelligence sources warn a Russian invasion could begin at any moment. The State Department announced Saturday that almost all of the 200 Kyiv-based embassy staff would be evacuated but that the embassy “will keep a small number of ‘core’ diplomats” in place. Russia announced Saturday that it is also cutting back its diplomatic presence in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia is carrying out a “certain optimization” of embassy and consulate staffing due to fears of “certain provocations by the Kyiv regime or third nations.” The United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia have also pulled diplomats out of Ukraine’s capital. POLITICO
Giving seized Afghan funds to families of 9/11 victims is ‘unjust,’ former Afghan president claims Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Sunday that the White House’s decision to distribute funds seized from the country’s ousted pro-Western government to the families of 9/11 victims is “unjust and unfair” and “an atrocity against Afghan people.” When Afghanistan fell to the Taliban last summer, the Biden administration froze some $7 billion the U.S.-backed government had deposited at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York and now plans to distribute half that money to relatives of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and put the other half toward humanitarian aid in Afghanistan. The United Nations warned earlier this year that as many as one million Afghan children are in danger of starvation. POLITICO
Freedom Convoy: Protesters continue to block Ambassador Bridge Canadian demonstrators protesting the country’s COVID-19 restrictions continued to block Ambassador Bridge on Sunday morning, impeding the flow of international trade for the seventh consecutive day. The protesters chose not to disperse after a judge ordered them to leave the bridge Friday night, though several vehicles departed and others have since been towed away. Meanwhile, though, more protesters arrived on foot to — at least partially — maintain the blockade. Several people were arrested. Ambassador Bridge connects Detroit, Michigan, with Windsor, Ontario. Detroit automakers have been forced to slow down production in recent days due to the reduced flow of parts from Canada. CNN
Clinton campaign funded attempt to ‘infiltrate’ Trump’s servers, new legal filing alleges Hillary Clinton’s campaign recruited investigators and tech workers to “infiltrate” servers at Trump Tower, former President Donald Trump’s personal apartment in New York City, and the White House in an attempt to prove Trump was colluding with Russia, a new legal filing alleges. Special Counsel John Durham, who is investigating the FBI’s probe into Russia and the Trump campaign, filed the motion as part of his case against former Clinton campaign lawyer Michael Sussmann. Sussmann has been charged with making false statements to federal agents after he allegedly told the FBI he was not working on behalf of Clinton when he presented them with evidence that supposedly tied Trump to a Kremlin-linked bank. THE NEW YORK POST
Black Lives Matter signs get Library of Congress exhibit Digitized versions of signs and other pieces of art created during the summer 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in Washington, D.C., are now part of a Library of Congress exhibit. Activist Nadine Seiler removed over 800 signs from the fence that separated protesters from Lafayette Park near the White House. The signs are being stored in a D.C. storage unit until they can be scanned by Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Library. After that, Seiler plans to gift them to museums and other Black liberation organizations. Currently, there are 37 images available via the Library of Congress. NPR
Real snow causes problems at the Winter Olympics Snow fell on Olympic facilities in and around Beijing on Saturday and Sunday, prompting organizers to postpone some competitions and even cancel a training run. So far, events have made do with artificial snow, which is easier to control and predict and does not impede visibility or make it more difficult to reach facilities. Buses transporting spectators placed chains on their tires. Alpine skiers and biathletes skied and shot despite the snowfall. Organizers were, however, forced to cancel a women’s downhill training run. The U.S. sits in fourth place in the medal rankings with five gold medals, five silvers, and one bronze. Norway, Germany, and the Netherlands hold the top three spots. THE NEW YORK TIMES
French protest convoy rolls into Paris Authorities have ordered more than 7,000 additional law enforcement officers to Paris as a French “Freedom Convoy” inspired by the one occupying the Canadian capital converged on Paris to protest the country’s COVID-19 restrictions. France requires that people show proof of vaccination to enter public places. A negative test is no longer sufficient for unvaccinated people. Police say they stopped 500 vehicles from entering the city on Saturday, but at least several dozen — cars, campers, tractors, and other vehicles — were able to enter Paris and impede traffic around the Arc de Triomphe and on the Champs Elysees. Hundreds of protesters were ticketed, fined, or tear-gassed. BBC
Super Bowl ads: Coinbase, Budweiser, and more pay an average of $6.5 million for 30-second ads A 30-second ad slot for Super Bowl LVI, which airs Sunday on NBC, costs an average of $6.5 million dollars this year, and there is no shortage of buyers. Companies representing burgeoning industries like cryptocurrency, online sports gambling, at-home COVID-19 testing, and electric vehicle charging will all air their first Super Bowl ads this year. Travel company Expedia will run an ad after sitting out last year’s Super Bowl due to COVID lockdowns. Longtime favorites like the E*Trade babies and Budweiser Clydesdales are also set to return. Celebrities featured in the big game’s ads include Lindsay Lohan, Megan Thee Stallion, Charlie Puth, Mary J. Blige, Seth Rogan, Paul Rudd, Idris Elba, and Guy Fieri. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Saturday, February 12th, 2022
Thousands of people protest against Russian military aggression in Kyiv, chanting “Glory to Ukraine” and “Ukrainians will resist”. (Reuters)
All British troops are ordered to withdraw from Ukraine. (The Independent)
The Pentagon orders the departure of U.S. troops in Ukraine as tensions between Ukraine and Russia escalate. (CNBC)
The United States orders the evacuation of its embassy staff in Kyiv. (CNN)
National security official warns Americans to leave Ukraine ASAP National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan issued a direct message to the Americans still in Ukraine on Friday: Get out while you can. “Any American in Ukraine should leave as soon as possible and in any event in the next 24 to 48 hours,” Sullivan told reporters. “We obviously cannot predict the future. We don’t know exactly what is going to happen, but the risk is now high enough, the threat is now immediate enough that this is what prudence demands.” Sullivan also cautioned that the Russian invasion could, in fact, begin during the Beijing Games but that the U.S. still cannot say with 100 percent certainty whether Moscow has made up its mind to invade. THE GUARDIAN
KLM suspends all flights to Ukraine. (NL Times)
Israel declares a state of emergency due to tensions between Russia and Ukraine. (Haaretz)
2022 Olympics: U.S. men’s hockey beats Canada for first time in 12 years The United States Olympic men’s ice hockey team defeated Canada 4-2 in pool play Saturday. The National Hockey League did not send players to the Olympics, but four of the top five 2021 NHL draft picks played in the game. “I think the future of the game is in safe hands. I think if anything, the last few years have shown that age in terms of youth is irrelevant at this point. If you can play you can play,” said 29-year-old Kenny Agostino, who scored the U.S. team’s fourth and final goal. It was the United States’ first Olympic men’s ice hockey victory over Canada in 12 years. The U.S. defeated China 8-0 on Thursday and will face Germany on Sunday. CNN
French troops airstrike a jihadist base in southern Burkina Faso near the border with Benin, killing 40 combatants. The attack was a retaliation for the massacre of nine people (including one Frenchman) in Benin’s W National Park that week. (Voice of America)
Bahraini authorities confirm that an Israeli military officer will be stationed inside the country as part of an upcoming international coalition consisting of 34 countries. This is the first time an Israeli officer has been sent to a military post in the Arab World. (Reuters)
Protesters gather at the Peace Bridge near the Canada–United States border in an attempt to end the COVID-19 mandates in Canada. (USA Today)
Freedom Convoy: Police move in to clear protesters from Ontario’s Ambassador Bridge A Canadian judge on Friday ordered an end to a five-day blockade of Ontario’s Ambassador Bridge, which drivers have blocked with their vehicles to protest the country’s COVID-19 restrictions. The order went into effect at 7:00 p.m. Friday, after which police were empowered to arrest and seize the vehicles of anyone who remained. Despite these threats, protesters refused to comply. Canadian police moved in to remove the demonstrators Saturday morning. Most vehicles left, but three large trucks and approximately 20 protestors still blocked the bridge. Ambassador Bridge connects Detroit, Michigan, with Windsor, Ontario. THE NEW YORK TIMES
Pfizer postpones request with the FDA to approve COVID-19 vaccine for kids under 5 The approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5 in the United States has hit a snag. On Friday, Pfizer announced it’s postponing its application with the Food and Drug Administration to approve its COVID-19 for children between the ages of 6 months and 4 years. The company said it will wait for data from a study evaluating administering a third dose in this age group two months after the second dose. “Given that the study is advancing at a rapid pace, the companies will wait for the three-dose data as Pfizer and BioNTech continue to believe it may provide a higher level of protection in this age group,” Pfizer and BioNTech said. NBC NEWS
American snowboarders, ages 36 and 40, win gold American snowboarders Lindsey Jacobellis, 36, and Nick Baumgartner, 40, won gold Saturday in the mixed-gender team snowboardcross, an event that debuted at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The two, who are longtime friends, were the oldest pair in the medal round. “We’re the 80s babies,” said Jacobellis, who previously won Team U.S.A.’s first gold medal in Wednesday’s women’s snowboardcross. “We came in hot today, and we’re really excited about it.” Italy took silver in the event, and Canada won bronze. The U.S. is currently ranked third overall with five gold medals, five silvers, and one bronze. THE NEW YORK TIMES
Texas election officials can’t be charged for encouraging mail-in voting, judge rules A federal judge issued an injunction Friday barring Texas counties from pursuing criminal charges against election officials who encourage voting by mail. According to a new election law, which Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed in September, local election officials “may make no attempt to solicit a person to complete an application for an early voting ballot by mail.” The law also requires mail-in voters to provide a Texas ID number or the last four digits of a Social Security number twice: once when requesting the mail-in ballot and again when submitting it. Large numbers of ballots have been rejected ahead of the March 1 primary as voters struggle to adapt to the new requirements. CNN
Republican strategists shocked by Marjorie Taylor Greene’s endorsement power According to four veteran Republican operatives working on competitive GOP primaries nationwide, an endorsement from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is highly sought after, second only to the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. “It’s not that everyone is trying to get her endorsement, but … if you’re running on ‘Let’s own the libs,’ and ‘Let’s be culture warriors,’ that’s where you go,” Republican strategist Doug Heye said. So far, at least seven Republican candidates have earned Greene’s stamp of approval, including Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) and J.D. Vance, who is running for U.S. Senate in Ohio. THE DAILY BEAST
Jan. 6 investigation may be ‘the most difficult challenge’ to ever face the National Archives The otherwise under-the-radar National Archives and Records Administration has been thrust into the spotlight as of late, amid the ongoing investigation into the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, as well as a newfound scandal involving mishandled White House records and former President Donald Trump. “I think it’s the most difficult challenge the National Archives has ever had,” said John Carlin, who worked as the eighth archivist of the United States. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), who chairs the January 6 Committee, said NARA has “added about 20 employees” to help fulfill the committee’s massive requests. THE HILL
Friday, February 11th, 2022
Macron refused Russian COVID test to keep Moscow from getting his DNA French President Emmanuel Macron refused to take a Russian COVID-19 test on a trip to Moscow this week out of concern Russia would obtain his DNA, Reuters reported Friday, citing two sources in Macron’s entourage. Because of his refusal of the Kremlin’s request, Macron had to sit distanced from Russian President Vladimir Putin across a 13-foot table as the two leaders discussed the Ukraine crisis. Russia gave Macron the choice of undergoing a PCR test conducted by Russian authorities to be allowed close to Putin, or refusing and following social-distancing rules, Reuters reports. “We knew very well that meant no handshake and that long table,” one of the Reuters sources said. “But we could not accept that they get their hands on the president’s DNA.” REUTERS
Finland agrees to a $9.4 billion deal with the United States to purchase 64 F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter-jets for its air force. The agreement also includes buying advanced surface-to-surface missiles from Lockheed Martin in order to upgrade the country’s missile systems. The munition deliveries are expected to begin by 2025. (Reuters)
Satellite imagery records Russia amassing more troops near the Russia–Ukraine border. (Reuters)
Satellite imagery shows 430 square kilometres of Amazon rainforest was deforested in January, five times more than last January. (BBC News)
The Biden administration says that Russia now has enough troops and military equipment in place in order to launch an invasion of Ukraine and warns Americans to leave the country within the next 48 hours. (BBC News)
The British Foreign Office orders British citizens to leave Ukraine immediately as a Russian invasion now appears to be imminent. (The Independent)
It is announced that the United States Armed Forces will deploy 3,000 additional troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to Poland in the “coming days” amid tensions with Russia. (Reuters)
Israel begins evacuating embassy staff and diplomats’ families from Kyiv, and also orders a travel warning for all Israelis, saying that a large scale Russian offensive may occur soon. (Times of Israel)
Diplomatic efforts accelerate after Russia starts military drills Diplomatic efforts to defuse the Ukraine crisis ramped up on Thursday with representatives of Ukraine, Russia, Germany, and France meeting in Berlin as Russia started 10 days of military exercises with Belarus. Russia said the purpose of the “Allied Resolve-2022” drills was working out “the tasks of suppressing and repelling external aggression,” but the U.S. and its allies have warned that Russia is preparing to launch another invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Russia also is planning to block off large parts of the Black Sea with naval exercises that Ukraine has protested, saying they will disrupt commercial shipping, a charge Russia denies. Russia’s drills are believed to involve 30,000 troops in Belarus, the biggest deployment there since the Cold War. CNN
CDC changes guidance on opioid prescriptions The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday proposed new guidelines for opioid prescribers, dropping influential but controversial 2016 dosage recommendations for treating chronic pain, in a win for pain experts. The revised recommendations leave out advice on dosage and duration of treatment used by some states and caregivers to adopt tight restrictions that made it harder for some patients to get pain drugs. The changes are part of an effort by federal health officials to limit harm from long-term opioid use, and make it easier for physicians to develop individualized treatment plans, with smaller doses when possible. “There’s not a one size fits all,” said Christopher Jones, acting director of the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. THE WASHINGTON POST
Japan urges its citizens to leave Ukraine immediately. There are about 150 Japanese citizens currently living in Ukraine. (Nikkei)
South Korea bans all travel to Ukraine and asks its citizens to leave Ukraine immediately. (Newsweek)
Israel announces the arrest of eight alleged Iranian spies for organizing a plot to kill an Israeli businessman in Istanbul in retaliation for the 2020 assassination of the chief of Iran’s nuclear program, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, widely regarded to be the work of the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad. Turkish intelligence shared with the Mossad apparently contributed to the arrests, and several Turkish operatives were among those arrested. (Times of Israel)
The Government of France announces that mask mandate in indoor public places will be eased beginning on February 28 as the number of COVID-19 declines. (Euronews)
Italy lifts its outdoor mask mandate and reopens nightclubs as the number of COVID-19 cases declines. (France 24)
Russia reports a record 203,949 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 13.7 million. (The Moscow Times)
Consumer prices jumped more than expected in January The U.S. consumer price index rose by 7.5 percent in January compared to a year earlier, the fastest pace in 40 years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday. The increase was higher than the 7.2 percent jump economists had expected, and the key inflation gauge showed that prices jumped by 0.6 percent in January alone. “Increases in the indexes for food, electricity, and shelter were the largest contributors to the seasonally adjusted all items increase,” the report said. The data was further evidence that high inflation is not going to quickly ease with the recovery from the coronavirus crisis, and it increased expectations that the Federal Reserve will aggressively raise interest rates starting in March to keep the economy from overheating and bring down inflation. CNBC
The Australian Government officially lists the koala as an endangered species due to a combination of factors including drought, bushfires, disease and habitat loss. (The Guardian)
Somaliland Foreign Minister Essa Kayd rebukes China’s apparent attempts to dictate the unrecognized breakaway state’s foreign relations with Taiwan and reaffirms the state’s recognition of the Republic of China. (Reuters)
Portuguese police, with help from the FBI, arrest an 18-year-old boy for planning an armed attack on a university in Lisbon. (Reuters)
Five police officers are shot, and four others wounded, during a mass shooting during a domestic violence incident in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. The suspect as well as a woman in the home were killed. (Yahoo! News)
Ontario Premier Doug Ford declares a state of emergency over the protests over the COVID-19 restrictions in Canada and a shutdown at the Ambassador Bridge. (CBC)
Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, leader of the military junta, is declared president by the Burkinabé Constitutional Council. His “election”, deemed retroactively effective since the coup on January 24, will be made official by an inauguration on February 16. (AP)
Billie Eilish responds to Kanye West demanding she apologize to Travis Scott Billie Eilish was widely praised for helping a fan at a recent concert, but Kanye West, for one, is absolutely livid. In Atlanta over the weekend, Eilish paused her show to help a fan in need of an inhaler, saying, “I wait for people to be OK until I keep going.” It was interpreted by some as a dig at Travis Scott and the crowd surge that left 10 people dead while he was performing at the Astroworld music festival, though Eilish never actually mentioned him. That didn’t stop West, who’s set to headline Coachella with Eilish, from freaking out, threatening to pull out of the festival. “PLEASE APOLOGIZE TO TRAV AND TO THE FAMILIES OF THE PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES,” West wrote on Instagram, adding, “I NEED BILLIE TO APOLOGIZE BEFORE I PERFORM.” In the comments, Eilish simply pointed out that she “literally never said a thing about Travis” and “was just helping a fan.” Meanwhile, the grandparents of one of the Astroworld victims backed Eilish to Rolling Stone, saying, “She’s making sure that she is caring for the patrons at her concert, and I just think that’s crazy of Kanye to even let that demand come out of his mouth.” VARIETY
Drake bets over $1 million on the Super Bowl Are you ready for some football — and possibly to see Drake lose a bunch of money? Ahead of the big game on Sunday, Drake revealed he has bet over $1 million in bitcoin on it. Screenshots he shared on Instagram showed he bet $600,000 Canadian dollars on the Los Angeles Rams winning. He also placed two bets on wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., a friend of his — though Rolling Stone reported that it’s “unclear whether the bet is from Drake’s own wallet or its promotion for the Canadian crypto-betting site Stake.” The rapper wrote, “All bets are in on the family.” Of course, even if the bet is from his own pocket, Drake’s net worth is reportedly around $200 million, so it won’t be too much skin off his nose either way. But should the Rams lose, any fans who also happen to hate Drake will at least have some reason to celebrate. TMZ
RuPaul to host a reboot of the game show ‘Lingo’ Who among us hasn’t played Wordle during these past few weeks and thought, “Wouldn’t this game be better if RuPaul was involved”? Well, boy does CBS have the show for you. The network announced Friday it’s reviving Lingo, the classic game show that involves teams guessing a word after being told the first letter. It’s pretty similar to Wordle, so CBS presumably hopes to capitalize on the online game’s massive popularity — though to be fair, Lingo did come first by a few decades, and the reboot has reportedly been in the works since last summer. RuPaul is set to both host and executive produce, and it will air in primetime on CBS. The RuPaul’s Drag Race host suggested this might just be the show to finally bring joy back to all of our lives once and for all, declaring, “We’re all ready to have fun again, and Lingo is the answer.” TV LINE
Netflix’s Marvel shows are leaving, and it’s not clear where they’re headed Disney is snapping its fingers and watching the Marvel Defenders shows fade away from Netflix. The Marvel series Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, The Punisher, and The Defenders are all set to leave Netflix at the end of the month despite being Netflix original shows, as the rights will reportedly revert to Disney. Presumably, that means the series will pop up either on Disney+ or Hulu at some point, but an announcement about that hasn’t been made. The Netflix universe of Marvel shows technically are set in the MCU, but usually didn’t connect much with the movies, as MCU boss Kevin Feige wasn’t directly involved. Disney has started making its own streaming shows that are heavily linked to the movies like WandaVision, making the future of the Netflix characters unclear. But Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin and Charlie Cox’s Daredevil were both recently brought back in the MCU for Hawkeye and Spider-Man: No Way Home, so if Daredevil heads to Disney+, could that make the streamer more likely to give it another season? Cox teased to The Hollywood Reporter Friday that after his Spider-Man cameo, “I presume there’s more for us to do. I know a little bit — not a huge amount — but a little bit.” GIZMODO
Oscars to reportedly have 3 hosts Nobody has hosted the Oscars for three consecutive years, and the Academy apparently really wants to make up for it this time. The Academy previously announced it will bring back a host for the 2022 Oscars, and on Friday, The Hollywood Reporter said the plan is to actually have at least three of them. The 2022 Academy Awards will be a “three-act show with each one-hour act emceed by a different host,” the report said. The idea, the Reporter wrote, is meant to address a few hosting issues, including how much time it takes to prepare, not to mention the “unflattering glare of the spotlight that the high-pressure gig can shine on entertainers.” In other words, maybe spreading out the Twitter mockery among multiple people will make it slightly more bearable? ABC Entertainment’s president previously expressed interest in Only Murders in the Building stars Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez hosting together. If that doesn’t work out, hmm, if only there were some recent major movie that involved three iconic actors coming together… THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
House Jan. 6 committee finds gaps in Trump phone logs The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack found gaps in White House logs of calls then-President Donald Trump made as he watched television coverage of the riot. Investigators haven’t found evidence that records were changed or deleted, but Trump was known to sometimes use his personal cellphone and those of aides to call staffers, congressional allies, and confidants. The lack of comprehensive Jan. 6 White House call logs is making it harder for the committee to piece together what Trump said and did during the attack by a mob of his supporters trying to prevent lawmakers from certifying President Biden’s victory over Trump in the 2020 election. THE NEW YORK TIMES
Canadian mayor requests court order to remove border bridge blockade Windsor, Ontario, Mayor Drew Dilkens said at a Thursday news conference that the Canadian city was seeking a court order to remove so-called Freedom Convoy demonstrators who are blocking most traffic at a crucial U.S.-Canada border crossing. For four days, truckers and others protesting coronavirus rules, including vaccine and mask mandates, have been using dozens of vehicles to disrupt traffic across the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit. About 30 percent of annual U.S.-Canada trade passes through the crossing, and the disruption of traffic has forced auto plants on both sides of the border to pause or reduce production. “The economic harm that this occupation is having on international trade is not sustainable and it must come to an end,” Dilkens said. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Virginia deputy attorney general resigns after pro-Jan. 6 riot posts surface A top Virginia deputy attorney general, Monique Miles, resigned Thursday after The Washington Post asked the office of the state’s new Republican attorney general about Facebook posts she made praising people who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Miles, who was overseeing election issues for Attorney General Jason Miyares, also made more than a dozen posts over several months supporting unfounded claims about voter fraud and election interference. A Miyares spokeswoman said the attorney general’s office did not know about the Facebook posts until the Post shared screenshots of them. “The attorney general has been very clear — Joe Biden won the election and he has condemned the Jan. 6 attacks,” said the spokeswoman, Victoria LaCivita. THE WASHINGTON POST
Liz Cheney says in WSJ op-ed that truth will come out on Jan. 6 attack House Jan. 6 committee member Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) on Thursday released an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, assuring those who criticize the panel’s Capitol riot investigation that their threats won’t prevent the truth from coming out. Cheney started the op-ed, titled “The Jan. 6 Committee Won’t Be Intimated,” by recounting the oath taken by generations of public servants, including her great-great-grandfather as he re-enlisted in the Union Army in 1863 — the promise to “defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic.” Cheney wrote that former President Donald Trump’s insistence that former Vice President Mike Pence could have and should have overturned the results of the 2020 election “was not only un-American, it was unconstitutional and illegal.” THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Russia’s team gold in question over star skater’s use of banned substance Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned substance before the Beijing Winter Olympics. The news jeopardized the gold medal the 15-year-old star helped her team win and threatened to disqualify her from the singles event she was favored to win. Valieva tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned medication believed to improve endurance. Other top athletes have served doping bans over the drug’s use. The International Testing Agency said Friday it would fight the Russian anti-doping agency’s decision to let Valieva skate. The Court of Arbitration for Sport will hold an urgent hearing to decide whether Valieva can compete in the singles event next week. THE NEW YORK TIMES
Snowboarder Shaun White fails to medal in his final Olympic event U.S. snowboarder Shaun White’s Olympic career ended Friday in Beijing, finishing fourth in his final event, the men’s halfpipe, and narrowly missing out on one last medal. White started his third run in fourth place, and while he went on to land a 1440, he fell on his next trick. Japan’s Ayumu Hirano, who completed two triple corks in his runs, took the gold medal, with Australia’s Scotty James winning silver and Switzerland’s Jan Scherrer winning bronze. White, who won gold medals in Turin, Vancouver, and Pyeongchang, said Beijing would be his fifth and final Olympics. At 35, he is the oldest U.S. halfpipe rider in Winter Games history. “Snowboarding, thank you,” White said, choking back tears. “It’s been the love of my life.” NBC NEWS
Consumer prices jumped more than expected in January The U.S. consumer price index rose by 7.5 percent in January compared to a year earlier, the fastest pace in 40 years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday. The increase was higher than the 7.2 percent jump economists had expected, as the key inflation gauge showed that prices jumped by 0.6 percent in January alone. “Increases in the indexes for food, electricity, and shelter were the largest contributors to the seasonally adjusted all items increase,” the report said. The data provided more evidence that high inflation is not going to quickly ease with the recovery from the coronavirus crisis, and increased expectations that the Federal Reserve will aggressively raise interest rates starting in March to keep the economy from overheating and bring down inflation. CNBC
Canadian mayor requests court order to clear border crossing Windsor, Ontario, Mayor Drew Dilkens said at a Thursday news conference that the Canadian city was seeking a court order to remove so-called Freedom Convoy demonstrators who are blocking most traffic at a crucial U.S.-Canada border crossing. For four days, truckers and others protesting coronavirus rules, including vaccine and mask mandates, have been using dozens of vehicles to disrupt traffic across the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit. About 30 percent of annual U.S.-Canada trade passes through the crossing, and the disruption of traffic has forced auto plants on both sides of the border to pause or reduce production. “The economic harm that this occupation is having on international trade is not sustainable and it must come to an end,” Dilkens said. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Rocket startup Astra’s shares plunge after failed satellite mission Shares of rocket startup Astra Space fell 26 percent on Thursday after its latest mission failed to reach orbit with four tiny NASA-funded satellites onboard. Astra’s 3.3 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, but its second-stage booster tumbled out of control instead of breaking off smoothly as the rocket started its trip deeper into orbit. A successful mission would have helped Astra join a growing number of private companies competing to offer cheaper options for sending satellites into space. The failure marked a significant setback for Astra, which reached orbit for the first time with its LV0007 rocket launched from Alaska three months ago, and for institutions that were planning to use the experimental devices the 3.3 rocket was carrying into space, called cubesats, for research projects. THE NEW YORK TIMESCNBC
Stocks retreat after inflation exceeds expectations U.S. stocks fell sharply on Thursday after a hot inflation report raised concerns that the Federal Reserve would have to raise interest rates more aggressively than expected. Stocks fluctuated then turned sharply lower after St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank President James Bullard said he would like to see the fed-funds rate rise 1 percentage point over the central bank’s next three policy meetings. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq closed down 1.8 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.5 percent. Futures suggested the market was in for further losses early Friday. Futures tied to the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq were down by 0.6 percent and 0.8 percent at 6:30 a.m. ET. Dow futures were down by 0.4 percent. MARKETWATCH
No chicken wing shortage on Super Bowl Sunday, just higher prices The National Chicken Council projects that chicken wing consumption on Super Bowl Sunday will be about the same as it was last year, at about 1.42 billion wings. The industry group isn’t forecasting shortages like those that hit earlier during the coronavirus pandemic, but it says consumers should be prepared to pay higher prices stoked by high demand. The retail cost of wings is up 30 cents per pound compared to last year, although inventory is up 70 percent. “There will be no wing shortage,” NCC spokesperson Tom Super said in a statement. “Like almost anything else you buy right now, wings might be a little more expensive, but they’ll be stocked. I just wouldn’t wait until kickoff to be in line or order online.” FOX BUSINESS
Thursday, February 10th, 2022
The Australian Government officially lists the koala as an endangered species, resulting from a combination of factors including drought, bushfires, disease and habitat loss. (The Guardian)
Russia and Belarus begin a 10-day military exercise known as “Allied Resolve-2022” amid ongoing tensions with Ukraine. The United States and NATO denounce the exercise, with NATO calling it the biggest deployment of Russian troops since the Cold War. (CNBC)
Ukraine says that Russian Navy drills in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov have made navigation “virtually impossible”, stating that the drills are part of a “hybrid war” against the country. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says that the Sea of Azov is completely blocked, essentially blockading Ukrainian ports. (Reuters)
U.S. President Joe Biden calls on any remaining Americans to leave Ukraine immediately due to increased threats of Russian military action. The U.S. State Department issues a level 4 travel warning, the highest level. (BBC News)
Spain lifts its outdoor mask mandate due to a decline in the spread of the Omicron variant. (GMA News Network)
Charles, Prince of Wales, tests positive for COVID-19 for the second time. (Reuters)
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation proposes changing the definition of a fully vaccinated person to only include people who have received a booster dose. (ABC News Australia)
A South Korean envoy in New York City is attacked in an unprovoked assault. (Yahoo! News)
Archaeologists announce the discovery of a human tooth in the Grotte Mandrin near Malataverne, France, dating to 54,000 YBP, around 10,000 years before the currently accepted date for the arrival of Homo sapiens in Europe. (CNN)
The 2022 Oscars won’t require proof of vaccination Don’t be surprised if the Oscars end up being hosted by Letitia Wright. The 2022 Academy Awards will have no COVID-19 vaccine requirement, according to The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline. A negative COVID-19 test result will be required, but Variety says the Academy merely plans to “suggest” attendees be vaccinated and won’t ask for proof. This is in contrast to the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Critics Choice Awards, both of which will require proof of vaccination, meaning if any stars skip those events but attend the Oscars, well, it’ll look a bit suspicious. In fact, the Reporter suggests the Academy is being “less stringent” with its COVID-19 protocols “because more than a few high-profile industry figures,” allegedly including some nominated this year, wouldn’t be able to come otherwise — so feel free to peruse the list of nominees and speculate wildly. For everyone else, it’s an honor just to be vaccinated. THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
‘Jurassic World Dominion’ trailer teases reunion of original trioWell, there it is. Universal Pictures on Thursday dropped the trailer for Jurassic World Dominion, the franchise’s first installment since the original 1993 Jurassic Park in which Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum will all return. They’ve each come back in Jurassic sequels at least once, but never have we seen Dr. Alan Grant, Dr. Ellie Sattler, and Dr. Ian Malcolm all on screen together since the first film. The footage includes the three characters at several different points throughout, suggesting they could be fairly involved — as opposed to Goldblum appearing for about a minute in a single room in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. The trailer markets this as the “epic conclusion of the Jurassic era,” though considering the last two movies each grossed over $1 billion, we have to assume it won’t be the last one. After all, Hollywood always finds a way. Check out the trailer here. THE WEEK
‘Futurama’ revival might be recasting Bender Good news and bad news, everyone! The good news: Futurama, the classic animated series that just won’t die, is being revived once again, this time at Hulu. Most of the voice cast is returning, including Billy West and Katey Sagal. But the bad news? John DiMaggio might not be back to voice Bender, arguably the most iconic character of the series. According to Deadline, negotiations with DiMaggio “came to a standstill,” and while producers still hope to get him involved, it’s really coming down to the wire, and “the role is currently being recast ahead of the first table read on Monday.” DiMaggio spoke out on Twitter by promising fans “I’ll keep you posted” — and later, he tweeted an article about people threatening to boycott the series if he doesn’t play Bender. We’ll see if they can work out the issues and get DiMaggio back, but if not, don’t be surprised if fans tell Hulu, “Bite my shiny metal a–.” DEADLINE
Bob Saget died from head trauma, family says Weeks after he was tragically found dead in his hotel room, comedian Bob Saget’s cause of death has been revealed. Authorities have determined the Full House star died from head trauma after he “accidentally hit the back of his head on something, thought nothing of it and went to sleep,” Saget’s family said. The comedian was found dead at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, Florida, after he had performed stand-up. On Thursday, Saget’s autopsy showed he likely fell backward and hit the back of his head, suffering a fracture, and it also revealed he had COVID-19 when he died, according to People. Medical Examiner Joshua Stephany said Saget’s “injuries were most likely incurred from an unwitnessed fall,” and the “manner of death is accident.” Saget’s family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support they have received, saying it has “been a great comfort to us and for which we are eternally grateful.” PEOPLE
‘Lord of the Rings’ show won’t have ‘Game of Thrones’ levels of sex and violence The folks behind the new Lord of the Rings show have heard fans’ complaints and promise it won’t be as wildly horny as some feared. Vanity Fair previewed Amazon’s insanely expensive The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and discusses that when it was revealed the show had hired an intimacy coordinator, “some fans feared that the production might have lost sight of what makes Tolkien Tolkien,” namely by going full Game of Thrones with tons of sex and violence. So when Vanity Fair asked if Lord of the Rings would have “Westerosi levels of violence and sex,” showrunner Patrick McKay said no, as the goal was to “make a show for everyone, for kids who are 11, 12, and 13, even though sometimes they might have to pull the blanket up over their eyes if it’s a little too scary.” Previously, more than 50,000 fans signed a petition demanding that producers “keep nudity out of Amazon’s LOTR series,” but it sounds like they can keep their shirts on. VANITY FAIR
Russia starts military exercises with Belarus near Ukraine Russian forces began 10 days of military exercises with Belarus on Thursday, intensifying fears of a fresh invasion of neighboring Ukraine. The maneuvers involve thousands of troops, as well as fighter jets and sophisticated air-defense systems. Russian warships also are sailing toward the Black Sea for exercises, where they will be within range of Ukraine’s southern coast. Moscow has said its forces will withdraw after the training. The Biden administration said it was firming up plans to help Americans get out of Ukraine if diplomacy doesn’t defuse the crisis and Russia invades. Americans in need of help could go through Poland with support from U.S. troops, NBC News reported Wednesday, citing a senior defense official. NBC NEWS
More states lift mask mandates but CDC says it’s too soon A growing list of states have started lifting mask mandates and other coronavirus restrictions. The changes come as infection numbers fall and polls show that Democrats and Republicans alike are suffering from what The New York Times called “pandemic fatigue.” The rollback of broad mask mandates by Democratic governors in such states as New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, and Oregon has intensified pressure on the Biden administration to loosen its guidance on facial coverings and other measures to fight COVID-19. Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Biden’s top medical adviser, said that the U.S. is exiting the “full-blown pandemic phase” but Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said it was too soon to stop wearing masks in indoor public places. THE NEW YORK TIMES
Canada truck blockade threatens auto industry Canada’s “Freedom Convoy” protests by truckers against coronavirus mandates could hurt the auto industry now that the demonstrations have spread and blocked key U.S.-Canada border crossings, the White House said Wednesday. The horn-blaring protesters have clogged Canada’s capital, Ottawa, with idling trucks and other vehicles since late January, but this week truckers started obstructing border crossings, including one linking Windsor, Canada, with Detroit — a key supply route for automakers that carries 25 percent of all trade between the United States and Canada. Ford and Toyota said they were pausing or reducing production at several factories in Canada. General Motors canceled a Wednesday shift at a Lansing, Michigan, plant. REUTERS
Senators reach deal on proposal to renew Violence Against Women Act A bipartisan group of senators announced Wednesday that they had reached an agreement on renewing the Violence Against Women Act, a landmark law that expired in 2018. The deal came together after the dropping of a controversial provision addressing whether unmarried partners could keep guns after being found guilty of violence against someone they were dating. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said it was a “tough choice” to cut the provision. But the National Rifle Association and many Republicans opposed closing the so-called boyfriend loophole, threatening to derail the legislation. “We need to get this over the finish line and we will,” said bill sponsor Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault. CNN
Jan. 6 committee subpoenas former Trump trade representative The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack has subpoenaed Peter Navarro, who served as former President Donald Trump’s trade adviser. Navarro has documented in a memoir his personal efforts to delay the certification of President Biden’s 2020 election victory over Trump. “He hasn’t been shy about his role in efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election,” the panel’s chair, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), said in a statement. Navarro said in a statement that the committee’s investigation is a “witch hunt,” and the committee, some Republicans, and former Vice President Mike Pence “terrorists.” Navarro signaled that he had no interest in cooperating with the committee, citing Trump’s invoking of executive privilege. CNBC
National Archives asks DOJ to investigate Trump handling of records The National Archives and Records Administration has asked the Justice Department to investigate former President Donald Trump’s compliance with laws on handling White House records, The Washington Post reported Wednesday, citing two people familiar with the matter. The news came shortly after National Archives officials took 15 boxes of White House materials from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida that the former president failed to hand over to the government as required by law. The Archives found possible classified material improperly taken from the White House. The Presidential Records Act requires every White House administration to preserve its memos, letters, notes, emails, and other written communications concerning presidential duties. THE WASHINGTON POST
Trump slams McConnell over his reaction to GOP censure of Cheney, Kinzinger Former President Donald Trump lashed out at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Wednesday for criticizing the Republican National Committee’s censure of Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), the two Republicans on the select House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. “Mitch McConnell does not speak for the Republican Party, and does not represent the views of the vast majority of its voters,” Trump said in a statement. “He did nothing to fight for his constituents and stop the most fraudulent election in American history.” Trump, repeating his baseless claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him, said if McConnell had fought to overturn the result, “our Country would be STRONG and PROUD instead of weak and embarrassed.” THE HILL
Pelosi says Democrats considering stock-trading ban for lawmakers House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Wednesday that House Democrats were considering proposals to ban lawmakers from trading stocks while in office. Support for new rules has gained momentum since reports that some senators traded health care stocks just before the coronavirus crisis hit the United States, after they got private briefings on COVID-19. Pelosi initially opposed restricting lawmakers’ stock trading, and said any new limits would have to be “government-wide,” noting that the judiciary branch, including the Supreme Court, “has no reporting of stock transactions, and it makes important decisions every day.” Pelosi in January asked the House Administration Committee to look into raising fines for lawmakers and staff who break existing stock-trading laws. FOX BUSINESS
Chen wins gold in figure skating, snowboarder Kim wins again U.S. figure skater Nathan Chen and snowboarder Chloe Kim won gold medals at the Beijing Winter Olympics on Thursday. Chen, 22, landed all five quad jumps in his four-minute performance to take the individual-competition gold that eluded him in the 2018 Games, where he placed fifth. Kim won a second straight gold medal in the halfpipe, opening with a score nobody could beat, just as she did four years ago. “I was like, I don’t want to feel all this pressure of not being able to land my first safety run,” she said. “So I just was overflowing with emotion when I was able to land it on the first go.” Their wins lifted the U.S. into fifth place in the medal count, with three golds, five silvers, and one bronze. NBC OLYMPICS
Funk singer Betty Davis, ex-wife of Miles Davis, dies at 77 Betty Davis, the funk singer and ex-wife of Miles Davis, has died, Rolling Stone confirmed Wednesday. She was 77. Davis was active from the mid-1960s into the 1970s with singles like “Get Ready for Betty,” and she released her debut album, Betty Davis, in 1973. She followed it up with the 1974 album They Say I’m Different and a third album, Nasty Gal, in 1975. The music wasn’t commercially successful at the time, but she “left an underappreciated yet trailblazing body of work,” Rolling Stone wrote in its obituary, noting Davis particularly earned a “cult following for her sexuality-laden lyrics.” She was married to Miles Davis for a year and appeared on the cover of his album Filles de Kilimanjaro. ROLLING STONE
Canada truck blockade threatens auto industry Canada’s “Freedom Convoy” protests by truckers against coronavirus mandates could hurt the auto industry now that the demonstrations have spread and blocked key U.S.-Canada border crossings, the White House said Wednesday. The horn-blaring protesters have clogged Canada’s capital, Ottawa, with idling trucks and other vehicles since late January, but this week truckers started obstructing border crossings, including one linking Windsor, Canada, with Detroit — a key supply route for automakers that carries 25 percent of all trade between the United States and Canada. Ford and Toyota said they were pausing or reducing production at several factories in Canada. General Motors canceled a Wednesday shift at a Lansing, Michigan, plant. REUTERS
Biden administration unveils plan for EV-charging network The Biden administration on Thursday outlined its plan to distribute $5 billion to states to roll out electric-vehicle charging stations along highways. The money was allocated by Congress in its $1 trillion infrastructure bill, which President Biden signed in November. The Biden administration is asking states to submit proposals on setting up the charging network for EVs, which are becoming increasingly popular and accounted for nearly 9 percent of global new-car sales last year. The U.S. lags Europe in charging infrastructure. The administration’s plan won’t be enough to catch up, but officials say it could encourage utilities and businesses to add their own chargers. THE NEW YORK TIMES
Pelosi says Democrats considering stock-trading ban for lawmakers House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Wednesday that House Democrats were considering proposals to ban lawmakers from trading stocks while in office. Support for new rules has gained momentum since reports that some senators traded health care stocks just before the coronavirus crisis hit the United States, after they got private briefings on COVID-19. Pelosi initially opposed restricting lawmakers’ stock trading, and said any new limits would have to be “government-wide,” noting that the judiciary branch, including the Supreme Court, “has no reporting of stock transactions, and it makes important decisions every day.” Pelosi in January asked the House Administration Committee to look into raising fines for lawmakers and staff who break existing stock-trading laws. FOX BUSINESS
Stock futures mixed ahead of inflation data U.S. stock index futures were mixed early Thursday ahead of key inflation data. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average were up by 0.1 percent at 7 a.m. ET thanks to a boost from Disney shares, which jumped by 8 percent in pre-market trading after the entertainment giant reported strong earnings. Futures for the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq were down by 0.2 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively, ahead of Thursday’s Consumer Price Index report, which is expected to show the key inflation measure hit a 40-year high in January. The Dow and the S&P 500 gained 0.9 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively, on Wednesday. The Nasdaq surged by 2.1 percent as technology shares rebounded from a January sell-off. CNBC
California lawsuit accuses Tesla of discrimination California on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Tesla accusing the electric-vehicle maker of discrimination and harassment against Black employees at its San Francisco Bay area factory. The suit came after hundreds of worker complaints, said Kevin Kish, head of the state’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing. The department said it “found evidence that Tesla’s Fremont factory is a racially segregated workplace where Black workers are subjected to racial slurs and discriminated against in job assignments, discipline, pay, and promotion creating a hostile work environment,” Kish said. Tesla did not release an immediate response, although it said in a Securities and Exchange Commission annual filing several days ago that the suit was coming. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ director almost cast Eminem as Max Oh what a lovely day for mom’s spaghetti! Vulture published an excerpt from reporter Kyle Buchanan’s upcoming book about the making of Mad Max: Fury Road, and it’s filled with some fascinating casting what-ifs. For one, Rihanna was considered to play one of the wives who Furiosa (Charlize Theron) escapes with and actually had a meeting with director George Miller about it. But the book also suggests somewhere out there in the multiverse, the role of Max went not to Tom Hardy, but to … Eminem? “I have a very, very, very strong memory of George talking about Eminem for Max,” storyboard artist Mark Sexton revealed, noting the idea was taken so seriously, he was asked to redraw storyboards to “put blond hair on Max.” The idea ended up hitting one relatable snag: “We were going to shoot it in Australia,” Miller said, “and [Eminem] simply didn’t want to leave home.” Miller is set to make a Furiosa film, though, so perhaps he’s still got one more shot, one more opportunity for a role. VULTURE
Bob Odenkirk details his heart attack on the ‘Better Call Saul’ set Now that s’all good, man, Bob Odenkirk is looking back on his near-death experience on the set of Better Call Saul. In a New York Times profile, the actor reflected on suffering a heart attack while working on the show’s final season last summer. “I went to play the Cubs game and ride my workout bike, and I just went down,” Odenkirk recalled. “Rhea [Seehorn] said I started turning bluish-gray right away.” The Times described Odenkirk laying “without a pulse” until his co-stars screamed for a medic and the show’s health safety supervisor and an assistant director hooked him up to an automated defibrillator. Odenkirk was rushed to the hospital, though he has zero memory of it. “That’s its own weirdness,” Seehorn said. “You didn’t have a near-death experience — you’re told you had one.” Thankfully for the company, after two recent fictional incidents, Odenkirk did not specify whether the bike he mentioned was a Peloton. THE NEW YORK TIMES
America Ferrera to star in the Barbie movie America Ferrera is joining Margot Robbie’s Barbie world. The Superstore star has been cast opposite Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the upcoming live-action Barbie film, according to Deadline and Variety. Robbie is set to star as Barbie and Gosling will play Ken. Believe it or not, directing and co-writing the film will be Greta Gerwig — that’s right, Oscar-nominated director Greta Gerwig, who’s set to follow up her acclaimed Little Women adaptation with a film based on a toy doll. “People generally hear ‘Barbie’ and think, ‘I know what that movie is going to be,’ and then they hear that Greta Gerwig is writing and directing it, and they’re like, ‘Oh, well, maybe I don’t,” Robbie teased. In fact, Marriage Story director and Gerwig’s partner Noah Baumbach is writing the film with her. No information about Ferrera’s role has been revealed, though, God forbid any plot spoilers about the Barbie movie leak out. DEADLINE
Anthony Ramos and Russell Crowe land Marvel roles The list of actors who have never been in a Marvel movie continues to shrink. In the Heights and Hamilton star Anthony Ramos is joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as he’s been cast in a “key role” in the Disney+ series Ironheart, Deadline says. The show will revolve around a young inventor named Riri Williams, and it sounds like a big get for Ramos. Details about who he’s playing aren’t clear, but Deadline says “he is expected to not only have a big role in this series but in future Marvel projects as well.” In other Marvel casting news, Russell Crowe has been cast in Kraven the Hunter, which stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson and is a part of Sony’s non-MCU Spider-Man universe. Crowe is apparently on a quest to star in every conceivable superhero universe, previously showing up in the DC universe in Man of Steel, not to mention his appearance as Zeus in the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder. Plus, who could forget his role in the most important film series of all: the Dark Universe? DEADLINE
Spoiler alert: The dog doesn’t die in ‘Dog,’ says Channing Tatum There’s no need to consult DoesTheDogDie.com before checking out Channing Tatum’s latest film — he’ll tell you himself. Tatum appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote the new film he co-directed, Dog, and he had no problem spoiling the ending. The film involves Tatum’s character going on a road trip with a dog. But the problem with dog movies, he said, is that “I think Marley & Me scarred everyone” to the point that “every single person that I’ve told I’ve made a dog movie, they’re like, ‘I’m not going to see it unless you tell me if the dog lives.’ And I’m just like, ‘But don’t you want to not know the ending of the movie?’ And they’re like ‘Nope.’” Tatum not-so-subtly provided the answer, promising, “It’s a good ending, so everyone knows.” Kimmel observed that Tatum “might be the first guest who’s ever come out and told the ending of his movie.” Well, maybe intentionally — looking at you, Mark Ruffalo.
Unexpectedly undefeated in all 11 competitions at the Olympic curling mixed doubles tournament, Italy wins the first historic gold medal: the curling broom used in the final has been donated to the Olympic Museum.
An insurgent attack against Infantry Battalion 21 of the Colombian Army in Granada, Meta, kills two soldiers. (La FM)
An unidentified person stabs a 14-year-old student and shoots a security guard at the McKinley Vocational High School in Buffalo, New York. (WKBW)
Hong Kong reports a record for the fifth consecutive day of 1,161 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the territory-wide total of confirmed cases to 17,808. Hong Kong also reports their first two deaths from COVID-19 since September. (South China Morning Post)
Johnson & Johnson officially suspends production of its COVID-19 vaccine. It says production will likely resume later, and that millions of doses remain stocked for distribution per earlier agreements. (CBS News)
Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva tests positive for banned substances after winning gold in the team event, delaying the medal ceremony. (AP News)
The End
artificial stupid 