Capitol Police Officer Aquilino Gonell Completely Torches Fox’s Laura Ingraham

Fox News and Republicans in general have always talked about how they “back the blue.” As a result, many police officers around the country vote red. In fact, a 2016 poll showed that 84% of cops backed Donald Trump with only 8% of officer backing Hillary Clinton.

All of a sudden, though, the GOP and its media arms are not only not sticking up for cops, they’re bashing them. Tucker Carlson dedicated a segment of his show the other day to blasting Capitol officer Harry Dunn.

And during a recent show, Laura Ingraham gave out acting awards to the officers who testified during a recent hearing. “There was certainly a lot of violence that day, but it was not a terrorist attack,” she said. “It wasn’t 9/11. It wasn’t the worst thing that ever happened to America. It wasn’t an insurrection.”

Officer Aquilino Gonell was asked about Ingraham’s attack during a Thursday appearance on CNN. He told Erin Burnett:

“This is the first time I see that comment coming from this particular person. To watch her trash, because that’s what it is, a commentator that would trash somebody who, in my opinion, wasn’t there. So unless you were there in that crowd, being attacked by the rioters, you would not know, and you will never know, you never — my devotion for the country is bigger than the vitriol that she’s puking out… that person never served the country, will never raise her hand like I did so many times.”

Watch a clip of the segment below, courtesy of CNN:

 

Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey based politics and technology writer. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com and hillreporter.com. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books and spending time at the shore with his family.

Every day circumstances per million individuals in Malaysia among the many highest on the planet

A man wearing a face mask as a preventive measure against Covid-19 walks down an empty street in Chinatown.

Wong Fok Loy | SOPA pictures | LightRocket via Getty Images

The Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia has become one of the worst in the world.

On a seven-day moving average, Malaysia recorded 483.72 confirmed Covid infections per million people on Wednesday – the eighth highest in the world and the top in Asia, according to the latest data compiled by the online repository Our World in Data.

Meanwhile, the country’s daily reported Covid-related deaths on Tuesday averaged about 4.90 per million people on a seven-day moving average. That’s the 19th highest in the world and the third highest in Asia, the data showed.

Our World in Data is a collaboration between researchers from the University of Oxford and the UK non-profit Global Change Data Lab.

Malaysia has managed to keep the number of infections low for much of 2020. However, the country has struggled to tame a surge in cases despite several restrictions and a state of emergency.

Political analysts blame the government’s mistreatment of the outbreak as it worsened.

“Malaysia’s response is hampered by chaotic governance and ongoing political power struggles,” wrote Joshua Kurlantzick, Senior Fellow for Southeast Asia at the Think Tank Council on Foreign Relations, in a report.

Malaysia’s political crisis

The Southeast Asian country found itself in political turmoil when former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad unexpectedly resigned in February last year. It paved the way for Muhyiddin to form a government by cobbling together a fragile coalition.

Political opponents have long challenged Muhyiddin’s claim to majority support in the country’s 222-seat parliament. Calls for the Prime Minister’s resignation – including among his allies – became louder after the Malaysian king issued a rare reprimand on Thursday about the government’s handling of the state of emergency.

The king had Muhyiddin’s application for a state of emergency from January to January 1.

Many analysts viewed the move as an attempt by the embattled prime minister to maintain his political position, particularly when parliament was suspended due to the state of emergency and elections could not be held.

When parliament convened again this week, the government surprised the nation by announcing that it had decided to end the state of emergency effective July 21. The king said the government’s unilateral revocation was inconsistent with constitutional procedure.

Since coming to power, Muhyiddin has tried to avoid parliamentary votes that his political opponents could use as a proxy for a vote of no confidence in his leadership. The Malaysian parliament has never voted on a motion of censure.

Covid vaccinations are increasing

Despite the political tussle, the Malaysian authorities have accelerated the pace of vaccinations in recent weeks. According to Our World in Data, more than 18% of the country’s 32 million people are fully vaccinated.

Economists at the British bank Barclays estimate that Malaysia – along with Singapore and South Korea – will be among the Asian countries this year to achieve “critical levels” of vaccinations.

The Malaysian government announced that it would vaccinate most of the adult population by the end of the year.

Still, economists said the worsening outbreak and ongoing social distancing measures have hurt Malaysia’s growth prospects.

Barclays cut its growth forecast for 2021 from 5.5% to 5% last month. That is well below the Malaysian central bank’s forecast range of 6% to 7.5%.

Da Child Reportedly Dropped From The UK’s Parklife Music Pageant

According to @tmz_tv, #DaBaby has reportedly been dropped from the UK’s #Parklife music festival. This comes after his controversial comments at the #RollingLoud festival that occurred a few days ago.

This comes after it appears his name appears to have been removed from the promotional material.  #MeganTheeStallion & #YungThug are also headlining the festival that takes place in September.

Parklife Music Festival has yet to release an official statement.

As previously reported, Da Baby also lost his partnership with boohooMan. “boohooMan condemn the use of homophobic language and confirm we will no longer be working with DaBaby,” the retail company said in a statement posted to their official Instagram.

This news comes almost a month after DaBaby teamed up with the online retailer to co-create a fashion line. The collection included a 100 limited edition pieces, which reportedly embodied his “bold, creative and colorful style.”

As you know, DaBaby made controversial statements involving the LGBTQ community and people living with HIV/AIDS, during his Rolling Loud set.

He stated, “If you didn’t show up today with HIV, AIDS, or any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases, that’ll make you die in two to three weeks, then put your cellphone lighter up,” DaBaby said during his performance. “Ladies, if your p***y smell like water, put your cellphone lighter up. Fellas, if you ain’t sucking d**k in the parking lot, put your cellphone lighter up.”

After receiving backlash, DaBaby released what seemed to be an official apology in a series of tweets. He began by calling out his critics saying they wouldn’t show the same support when racist cops kill Black people. Then, he spoke specifically to people affected by HIV/AIDS and to the LGBTQ community.

“Anybody who done ever been effected by AIDS/HIV y’all got the right to be upset, what I said was insensitive even though I have no intentions on offending anybody. So my apologies. But the LGBT community…I ain’t trippin on y’all, do you. y’all business is y’all business.”

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The post Da Baby Reportedly Dropped From The UK’s Parklife Music Festival appeared first on The Shade Room.

Texas Gov. Abbott doubles down towards Covid well being limits

Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks in Dallas, Texas, U.S.

Lucas Jackson | Reuters

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order Thursday, reiterating his opposition to mask mandates, Covid-related business restrictions and vaccination requirements and issuing fines of up to $1,000 on those who fail to comply.

The governor also called on state hospitals to deliver daily reports on their capacity to the Texas Department of State Health Services to send to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The new Executive Order emphasizes that the path forward relies on personal responsibility rather than government mandates,” Abbott said in a statement. Abbott’s order reiterates and extends previous orders he’s issued penalizing local officials and others for enforcing various Covid safety protocols.

The measure bans government agencies from requiring individuals to get vaccinated or provide proof of vaccination. Public and private entities receiving state funding are prohibited from denying entry to individuals based on their vaccination status, but all nursing homes and living facilities can still require inoculations for their residents.

Abbott incorporated an executive order he first implemented on May 18, which forbade local governments and school districts from issuing mask mandates. Abbott’s updated order adds that state hospitals, living centers and jails can “continue to use appropriate policies regarding the wearing of face coverings.”

The order emphasizes the removal of all public health limits on Texas businesses as well, encouraging the use of masks in areas with elevated coronavirus transmission rates.

“Texans have mastered the safe practices that help to prevent and avoid the spread of COVID-19,” Abbott’s statement said. “They have the individual right and responsibility to decide for themselves and their children whether they will wear masks, open their businesses, and engage in leisure activities.”

Scarlett Johansson Sues Disney for Publishing Black Widow

Scarlett Johansson plays Natasha Romanoff, AKA Black Widow, in Marvel’s “Black Widow”.

Disney | wonder

Scarlett Johansson is suing Walt Disney.

The Marvel star filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday alleging her contract was breached when the company released “Black Widow” on its streaming service Disney + while it was debuting in theaters.

Johansson claims her agreement with Disney’s Marvel Entertainment guaranteed an exclusive theatrical release for her solo film, and her salary was largely based on box office performance.

The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on the news.

“It is no secret that Disney is releasing films like ‘Black Widow’ directly on Disney + in order to increase the number of subscribers and thus boost the company’s share price – and that it is hiding behind Covid-19 as a pretext for this,” says John Berlinski, Kasowitz Benson Torres attorney, who represents Johansson, told CNBC.

“But ignoring the contracts of the artists responsible for the success of their films to promote this short-sighted strategy violates their rights and we look forward to proving it in court,” he said via email. “This will certainly not be the last time Hollywood talents stand up against Disney and make it clear that whatever the company claims, the company is legally bound to honor its contracts.”

According to the filing, Johansson’s representatives had asked for assurances back in 2019 as Disney + prepared for launch and Disney executives suggested that Marvel Cinematic Universe content would only be available through the service.

The lawsuit includes a response from Marvel’s chief attorney who confirmed that “Black Widow” would be released like other MCU films.

“We understand that if the plan changes, we need to discuss this with you and come to an agreement as the deal is based on a number of (very large) cash bonuses,” the response said.

When Johansson heard that “Black Widow” would be streaming and in theaters the same day, she tried to negotiate with Marvel. Disney and Marvel did not respond, the lawsuit said.

“This filing has no merit,” Disney said in a statement Thursday. “The lawsuit is particularly sad and troubling as it disregards the dire and ongoing global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Disney has fully complied with Ms. Johansson’s contract and, moreover, the release of Black Widow on Disney + with Premier Access has “greatly improved her ability to earn additional compensation on top of the $ 20 [million] she has received to this day. “

Similar contract issues emerged last year when studios changed their release strategies during the pandemic.

Gal Gadot and Patty Jenkins reportedly received $ 10 million each after Warner Bros. decided to release “Wonder Woman 1984” in theaters and on HBO Max in December. Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake were also rumored to have been looking for bonuses after Universal’s “Trolls World Tour” was released on video-on-demand instead of in theaters in early 2020.

Disney has long held back from releasing big titles like “Black Widow” after the pandemic decimated the cinema industry. Theaters around the world have been temporarily closed to prevent the spread of Covid-19. But when coronavirus restrictions were eased, vaccination rates rose, and the industry recovered, Disney decided to launch new blockbusters in theaters and through Disney + at the same time for $ 30.

Disney said this hybrid release model is a temporary pandemic solution and plans to release the rest of its slate exclusively in theaters in late summer and early fall in 2021 after Friday’s jungle cruise.

Johansson, who has become an integral part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, negotiated her contract to include a percentage of Black Widow’s gross cinema sales. Before the pandemic, the film should secure a hefty sum at the box office.

However, the coronavirus pandemic has dampened ticket sales as cases continue to rise and the movie’s additional availability in the home video market meant it grossed just $ 80 million on the opening weekend. While this number pales in comparison to other Marvel features, it remains the tallest opening figure of any movie released after March 2020.

Domestically, the film grossed just over $ 150 million in theaters in its first three weeks. Disney reported that “Black Widow” made $ 60 million in sales on Disney + on the opening weekend, but has not released any additional information about its digital performance.

Previous Marvel films averaged more than $ 100 million in ticket sales on their opening weekends and nearly $ 1 billion during their theatrical runs.

“Black Widow” may have fallen on the lower end of that spectrum as the film takes place in the middle of the MCU timeline, but in a non-pandemic era it would certainly have been comparable to its peers.

Notably, only eight of Marvel’s 24 theatrical releases have grossed less than $ 700 million at the global box office. And only three have secured less than $ 400 million.

Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and CNBC. NBCUniversal is the distributor of “Trolls World Tour”.

Biden reveals the subsequent steps within the White Home’s Covid vaccination drive

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President Joe Biden will comment on his administration’s recent efforts to promote coronavirus vaccination.

The new steps come as officials warn of an expected spike in Covid cases, led by the highly transmissible Delta variant that is spreading in the US and around the world.

Several outlets reported that Biden’s speech is expected to announce federal employees will need to get vaccinated or undergo strict safety protocols, including regular tests.

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Love Is Blind’s Jessica Batten Spills on Drama With Ex Mark

Yet, apparently it doesn’t for some of Jessica’s other co-stars. Amber Pike apparently is still upset two years later about Jessica’s flirtatious interactions with Amber’s husband, Matt Barnett.

“It’s kind of like when you’re on Bumble and you think for a fleeting moment that you have something with someone, that’s kind of how I feel like the relationship was with her husband,” Jessica shared. “And two years later, I feel like several ships have sailed since then. It’s such water under the bridge for me so I was definitely shocked.” 

Amber and Barnett dubbed her “Voldemort” and opted to ignore Jessica during the After the Altar special, premiering today, July 28. “I’m the person that doesn’t exist and can’t be spoken of,” Jessica joked. “I want their marriage to work and if it’s with thinking that I don’t exist in this world, hey, that’s OK. It’s most important for me that they work out.” 

And yes, apparently “everyone is scared of Amber”—even her own husband.

“But I think he also has respect for her and I think they have a good thing going…but yeah, I think everyone is a little scared of Amber,” Jessica teased. 

Watch the full interview above to hear Jessica gush about her new flame Dr. Benjamin McGrath plus reveal her biggest regret on Love Is Blind!

Love Is Blind: After the Altar premieres July 28 on Netflix. 

Here is what’s within the $ 550 billion bipartisan infrastructure deal

After weeks of haggling behind closed doors, a bipartisan group of senators finally reached an agreement on Wednesday on the key details of a comprehensive infrastructure bill that will include $ 550 billion in new spending.

The law would allow federal funds to flow into physical infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, passenger rails, drinking water and sewage systems, as well as the expansion of high-speed Internet and climate-relevant infrastructure. The White House says the investment under President Joe Biden’s agenda will create an average of 2 million jobs a year.

Essential details of the draft law, which does not yet have to be published in full, are not known – especially with regard to its offsetting. Here’s what we know so far, according to a White House datasheet:

  • Roads and bridges: US $ 110 billion in new funding will be made available for roads, bridges and other major projects. That includes $ 40 billion to repair and replace bridges, which the White House calls the largest such investment since the interstate highway system was introduced in the New Deal era, and $ 17.5 billion for unspecified “Major projects”. The agreement will also re-authorize a bipartisan land transportation program for the next five years.
  • Traffic safety: The deal will use $ 11 billion to reduce car accidents and deaths, including through a Safe Streets for All program. It will also double the funds allocated to other road safety improvement programs.
  • Public transport: The plan provides $ 39 billion to modernize local public transport and improve accessibility for people with disabilities. The investment – the largest of its kind in US history, says the White House – will replace thousands of buses and other mass transit vehicles with zero-emission upgrades.
  • Passenger and freight railways: The deal would invest $ 66 billion to clean up Amtrak’s backlog, upgrade trains, and expand service.
  • Electric vehicles and buses: The plan provides $ 15 billion in spending on charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, electric buses, and mass transit.
  • A billion dollars would also go towards a program to reconnect communities separated by transportation infrastructure. For example, the White House notes that parts of the highway system were built through black neighborhoods.
  • Airports, ports and waterways: The bill provides $ 17 billion for port infrastructure and $ 25 billion for airports.
  • Water infrastructure: The plan calls for $ 50 billion to invest in weathering and protection from climate change-induced disasters such as droughts and floods.
  • Clean water: The plan provides $ 55 billion in funding for clean drinking water, including replacing all lead pipes and utility lines in the country.
  • High speed internet: The deal includes $ 65 billion in broadband Internet infrastructure spending.
  • Environmental remediation: The plan provides $ 21 billion in environmental remediation, including cleaning up Superfund sites, reclaiming abandoned mine land, and covering abandoned oil and gas wells.
  • Electricity infrastructure: The plan calls for $ 73 billion to convert the country from fossil fuels to clean energy. It invests in modernized energy infrastructure and research into technologies such as nuclear energy, carbon capture and clean hydrogen.

Clarification: This article has been clarified to reflect that the interstate highway system was proposed in the New Deal era.

Israel will give Pfizer Covid booster vaccinations to aged individuals

A man receives his third dose of the COVID19 vaccine on July 14, 2021 at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel.

Amir Levy | Getty Images

Israeli health officials plan to offer booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine to people over the age of 60 as the vaccine’s effectiveness appears to be waning as the Delta variant spreads around the world, NBC News confirmed Thursday.

The heads of the health organizations that have given the Pfizer vaccine will begin giving third vaccinations on Sunday, according to NBC News. The booster vaccination is available to patients over the age of 60 who have received their second vaccination at least five months earlier.

The country’s health ministry reported last week that the two-dose vaccine is now only 39% effective in Israel, where the highly transmissible Delta variant is the dominant strain. The syringe still works very well at preventing people from getting seriously ill, Israeli officials said, showing 88% effectiveness against hospital stays and 91% effectiveness against serious illnesses.

The data from Israel, which began vaccinating its population before many other countries, supports drug manufacturers’ arguments that people will eventually need a booster vaccination to protect themselves from new variants.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla on Wednesday doubled his remarks that people will need a third dose of the vaccine to maintain high levels of protection against the virus. The US drug maker released new data Wednesday from a company-funded study that showed the vaccine’s effectiveness dropped to about 84% after four to six months.

“We have also seen data from Israel that immunity is waning and this is starting to affect what used to be 100% against hospitalization. Now, after the six month period, it’s going to be below the 90s and mid to high 80s, ”Bourla said on CNBC’s The Exchange.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization have stated that they are not currently recommending a Covid booster due to a lack of data. US and global health officials have said they are looking at Israeli research, which has not been peer-reviewed and has given little detail.

“We need to be aware that these vaccines can become less effective over time,” said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, professor of infectious diseases at the University of Toronto, in a recent interview.

He stressed that the vaccinations still appear to be highly effective in preventing serious infections and helping hospital systems not get overwhelmed in the colder months. “We are still in the Covid era and anything can happen,” he said.

“We have to be prepared and we have to be agile that at some point people will need a booster,” he added. “This close monitoring, which is taking place in places like Israel, the UK and other parts of the world, will be very helpful in moving policy forward when and when we need boosters.

Israel’s plans to increase its population come two days after the CDC reversed course and advised fully vaccinated Americans living in areas with high rates of Covid infection to return to wearing face masks indoors. According to a CNBC analysis, the guidelines cover about two-thirds of the US population.

While the Delta variant hits unvaccinated people the hardest, some vaccinated people could carry higher amounts of the virus than previously thought and potentially pass it on to others, said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky on Tuesday.

Walensky added new data showing that the variant behaves “uniquely different from previous strains of the virus,” suggesting that some people infected with the Delta variant “can be contagious and can transmit the virus to others.”

“This pandemic continues to pose a serious threat to the health of all Americans,” Walensky told reporters on a phone call. “Today we have new science on the Delta variant that requires us to update the guidelines on what to do when you are fully vaccinated.”

– CNBC’s Kevin Stankiewicz contributed to this report.

Infrastructure vote: Senate places ahead bipartisan invoice

The Senate voted Wednesday to advance a bipartisan infrastructure plan, a crucial step in the Democrats’ approval of their comprehensive economic agenda.

Senators voted 67-32 to move the bill forward; 17 Republicans and all 50 Democrats voted yes.

The vote opens the process to debate and amend the proposal, which would put $ 550 billion in transport, broadband and utilities. While senators who backed the procedural motion could oppose a final package, Wednesday’s vote bodes well for his chances of passing.

“Despite the popularity and the need, Washington failed,” said Ohio GOP Senator Rob Portman, the lead GOP negotiator for the deal, after the infrastructure vote. “This time we will do it.”

The deal came about earlier in the day after Democratic and Republican negotiators settled disputes over funding for transit and broadband, among other things. The plan was cut from the Senators’ $ 579 billion in new spending, and the White House approved last month – a sum many Democrats considered meager.

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The senators have not published final laws.

Proponents of the bill have hailed it as a necessary investment that will boost the economy as the US tries to get out of the coronavirus pandemic. Democrats still face a number of pitfalls in trying to get the bipartisan bill and its separate $ 3.5 trillion spending package on President Joe Biden’s desk in the coming months.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks briefly to reporters after meeting the Senate Democrats at the U.S. Capitol on July 28, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Drew Angerer | Getty Images

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., must keep all 50 members of his faction and at least 10 Republicans on board to ensure the infrastructure plan is passed. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, D-California, has to win progressive support for the smaller than desired bill in a narrowly divided chamber.

A second separate $ 3.5 trillion plan to invest in childcare, paid vacation, education, and climate change mitigation could pose further problems. Every Senate Democrat must back the package to pass it without a Republican vote.

Some Democrats, like Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema, have signaled they want a smaller final budget reconciliation bill. Sinema was the leading democratic negotiator on the bipartisan bill.

US Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) (L) and Mitt Romney (R-UT) arrive for a bipartisan meeting on infrastructure after the failed talks with the White House on June 8, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Kevin Dietsch | Getty Images

Attempts to appease centrists could alienate liberals who fear the bipartisan infrastructure bill is not doing enough to combat climate change or strengthen the social safety net.

Schumer plans to pass both the bipartisan bill and the budget resolution setting up the reconciliation process before the Senate goes on hiatus next month. The Senate must hurry to pass both measures on Schumer’s schedule in an institution not known for speed.

Pelosi has insisted she won’t bring the infrastructure bill or budget measure to the house until the Senate passes both of them.

After the vote on Wednesday, Schumer emphasized that the Senate was on the right track to meet its deadline. The chamber’s hiatus begins Aug. 9, but he said the Senate could stay in session longer to pass the measures.

“My goal remains to pass both the bipartisan infrastructure law and a budget resolution during this phase of work. Both,” he said. “It could take a few long nights. It could eat up our weekends. But we’ll get the job done. And we’re on the right track.”

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