Schiff, Pelosi criticize firings; Chicago Mayor says relief programs for all; WHO gets funding threatened; After firing commander, Navy secretary resigns; Mnuchin asks $250b more for small businesses
NewsHero - April 8, 2020 - Issue 72
Welcome to today’s edition of NewsHero for April 8, 2020. Sorry we’re coming in a bit later than usual. We just finished clapping for our incredible health workers on the front lines braving this coronavirus crisis: #ClapBecauseWeCare
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NewsHero Notes
Committee to Protect Journalists - 🦸♀️🦸♀️🦸♀️
Committee to Protect Journalists responded to the Turkish Parliament’s proposed bill that would release 90,000 prisoners to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but which would not free journalists held as political prisoners: “It is unacceptable that Turkey aims to release about a third of its overcrowded prison population but leave journalists behind bars during a global pandemic,” said Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator. “Turkish authorities must swiftly redraft their amnesty bill and ensure that journalists, who are held as political prisoners on false ‘terrorism’ charges, will be released.”
Emma Theofilus - 🦸♀️🦸♀️🦸♀️
Emma Theofilus, 23, has become Namibia's youngest member of parliament. “I do not think I am special, but I do not think I am inexperienced, and I do not think being young or female has anything to do with my appointment. Anything I set myself to and any environment I want to work into, I can do it,” Theofilus said.
Afternoon Brief
Adam Schiff, Glenn Fine, Nancy Pelosi - 🦸♀️🦸♀️🦸♀️
House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff accused acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell Tuesday of undermining “critical intelligence functions” by hiding from Congress changes he's been making in the organization.
“This effort appears to be proceeding despite the Coronavirus pandemic and amid indications ... of political interference in the production and dissemination of intelligence," Schiff wrote in a four-page letter to Grenell.
Schiff noted that every Senate-appointed official in the DNI’s ranks had been removed under Grenell's management, and that Congress had not been consulted about the security implications of the changes.
Glenn Fine, who had been the acting Pentagon inspector general and was chairman of the federal panel Congress created to oversee management of the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package, was let go Monday by Donald Trump.
Fine is the second inspector general Trump has fired in just the last four days. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a formal statement regarding Fine’s removal, tweeting additionally: “The sudden removal & replacement of Acting IG Glenn Fine is part of a disturbing pattern of retaliation by the President against independent overseers fulfilling their duties to conduct oversight on behalf of the American people.”
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot - 🦸♀️🦸♀️🦸♀️
Chicago immigrants who do not have legal status in the U.S. are eligible for all relief programs run by the city amid the coronavirus outbreak, Mayor Lori Lightfoot ordered Tuesday.
Lightfoot said that includes programs for housing assistance and low-interest small business loans administered by the city.
Immigrants who do not have legal status in the U.S. are excluded from the $2 trillion federal relief package approved by Congress. The package is limited to those who have filed federal taxes using Social Security Numbers.
Chicago Alderman George Cardenas said that left out people who are “the heart and soul of the service economy.”
“These individuals are getting hit the hardest,” he said. “They have nowhere to turn for support.”
Immigration advocacy groups have called for additional federal legislation providing financial help for immigrants who do not have legal status but pay taxes using Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers.
Human Rights Watch - 🦸♀️🦸♀️🦸♀️
Human Rights Watch is calling on the Afghan government to bring appropriate war crimes charges against ISIS leader Aslam Farooqi, for his alleged role in directing attacks against civilians in Afghanistan. Farooqi, whose real name is Abdullah Orakzai, should be given “a fair trial in accordance with international human rights standards, including ensuring that victims and witnesses to these attacks can testify at the trial,” HRW said.
“Farooqi’s arrest is an opportunity for the Afghan authorities to show that they are capable of securing fair justice for victims of war crimes and other atrocities,” said Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director. “Victim participation is key to ensure that justice is not only done, but seen to be done, by those most affected by Farooqi’s crimes.”
WHO Warns Of ‘Infodemic,’ Gets Funding Threatened
After firing, ridiculing commander seeking help with virus onboard ship, acting Navy secretary resigns
Healthcare workers at St. Paul’s Hospital acknowledge applause and cheers from people outside the hospital, as a convoy of first responders with lights and sirens activated parade by to show support for the hospital staff, in Vancouver, British Columbia, April 5, 2020. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
NewsHero is continuing to offer a compilation of stories and resources that best represent the current state of the coronavirus pandemic, centered on those individuals, institutions, and organizations stepping up to end this crisis as quickly and effectively as possible. The public, too, has a duty. This includes staying responsibly informed and taking the situation seriously, while remaining as cool-headed and as isolated as possible. These are strange and difficult times, but we will endure.
Lashing out at the World Health Organization (WHO), Donald Trump looked to “blame the group for the very missteps and failures that have been leveled at him and his administration,” reports The New York Times.
The WHO has been threatened with having its funding cut by Trump, who is joined by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham in a lack of support for the organization.
After backlash for firing and ridiculing Captain Brett Crozier—the commander of a U.S. aircraft carrier who pleaded for help with a coronavirus outbreak onboard—acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly resigned on Tuesday. “Sadly, Acting Secretary Modly’s actions and words demonstrate his failure to prioritize the force protection of our troops,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.
Twitter and Square founder Jack Dorsey is making a surprising $1 billion philanthropic commitment to charity. Dorsey said the gift was to “fund global COVID-19 relief,” but didn’t specify how much of the money would be set aside for that purpose, reports Vox.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday asked congressional leaders for an additional $250 billion to replenish the new $349 billion small-business coronavirus relief program which is overwhelmed with demand.
Senate Democrats unveiled a proposal Tuesday to bump up pay for essential workers on the frontlines battling the coronavirus by potentially tens of thousands of dollars, reports Newsweek.
Kashmiri volunteer packs disposable protective suit to be distributed free among different hospitals in Srinagar Indian controlled Kashmir, April 3, 2020. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
As COVID-19 cases among detained immigrants continue to rise, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced Tuesday it has directed officials to consider the release of detainees who are at increased risk of being affected by the coronavirus, reports CBS News.
The coronavirus crisis is cutting off billions in aid sent to impoverished countries around the world, interrupting the financial lifelines for people across Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Ren Zhiqiang, a prominent Communist party member who criticized Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak, is being investigated on suspicion of a “severe violation of discipline and law,” a joint government-party watchdog said.
Wuhan, China ended its 76-day lockdown this morning, allowing residents to again travel in and out of the city without special authorization through the use of a mandatory smartphone app powered by a mix of data-tracking and government surveillance showing they are healthy and have not been in recent contact with anyone confirmed to have the virus.
U.S. intelligence officials warned in November of 2019 that the coronavirus spreading in China’s Hubei region could become a “cataclysmic event,” ABC News reported today.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday visited the Brooklyn Navy Yard where manufacturers are making surgical gowns in a new production line to keep healthcare workers safe.
Staff and inmates across American prisons are being given surgical masks as the COVID-19 virus spreads, the government has announced. The masks are being delivered by a diverse array of groups and individuals, including a nonprofit for the blind, billionaire rapper Jay-Z and prisoner labor, reports Forbes.
Pharmaceutical manufacturer Eli Lilly said Tuesday that it will cap the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $35 per month to offset financial hardships resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, reports The Hill.
Committee to Protect Journalists’ Advocacy Director Dr. Courtney Radsch and David Kaye from the United Nations will join International Center for Journalists’ Global Research Director Dr. Julie Posetti for a webinar discussion, “Press freedom threats and COVID-19: An essential part of the story,” tomorrow, April 9, at 10:30 a.m. EST. Register here.
Committee to Protect Journalists and the Aspen Institute are hosting a webinar, “Press Freedom at Risk: How the Pandemic is Threatening Truth-telling Around the World,” tomorrow, April 9, 12-1 p.m. EST. Click here for info.
“Humanity is our biggest strength” —the latest Corona Daily newsletter is here.
Extra! Extra!
Like in fancy (and very un-fancy) hotels, there should be “Do Not Disturb” signs for the doors of cages at zoos. It seems a couple of bears just needed a little privacy to get down to some frisky business.
We saw a story in USA Today about two giant pandas at a Hong Kong zoo who, after a decade of failed attempts, finally mated Monday morning. Perhaps the zoo being closed to the public during the coronavirus crisis had something to do with it. Typically it’s easier to be romantic if they aren’t people staring at you (unless maybe you’re performing at a club in Amsterdam).
“Zoo officials hope the mating will bring a pregnancy later in the year for Ying Ying,” the story said. It’s a lot of pressure after all these years of build up—we wish this happy couple the best!
Our heroes are identified as follows:
🦸♀️🦸♀️🦸♀️ - the hero, hands down. - Meaning that it wasn’t even a close call.
🦸♀️🦸♀️ - the hero, but… - Meaning that in this situation the call needed to be looked at in a little more detail. For example, in this case, they did the right thing but there have been some questionable calls in the past.
🦸♀️ - the hero, but only here, and it was a close call. - Meaning that in this instance they did the right thing but it was either out of character or a maddeningly close call.
Sources:
Turkey amnesty bill would release 90,000 prisoners, but no journalists - CPJ
Meet Emma Theofilus, Africa’s Youngest Minister at 23 - allAfrica
Schiff says acting DNI Grenell improperly overhauling intel community - Politico
Press Statement: Government Accountability Project Condemns Removal of IG Leader Overseeing Pandemic Spending - Government Accountability Project
Trump removes inspector general who was to oversee $2 trillion stimulus spending - The Washington Post
Nancy Pelosi - Twitter
Pelosi Statement on Sudden Removal of Head of CARES Act Oversight - speaker.gov
Mayor’s order gives immigrants access to city’s virus relief - AP News
Amid coronavirus crisis, Mayor Lori Lightfoot signs order ensuring city benefits for immigrants living in US without legal permission - Chicago Tribune
Chicago Mayor Signs Executive Order to Ensure Illegal Immigrants Can Access Coronavirus Relief Funds - National Review
Afghanistan: Prosecute Head of ISIS-linked Group - Human Rights Watch
HRW Urges War Crimes Charges for Jailed Head of IS-Linked Group - VOA
Leader of ISIS in Afghanistan arrested, security officials say - Stars and Stripes
Trump Attacks W.H.O. Over Criticisms of U.S. Approach to Coronavirus - The New York Times
The WHO has warned of an “infodemic." - NYT Twitter
Graham backs Trump, vows no money for WHO in next funding bill - The Hill
Navy Captain Crozier's Coronavirus Response —A Captain’s Duty - National Review
Navy fired my friend over coronavirus letter and defamed his character - USA Today
Acting secretary of the Navy resigns after calling ousted aircraft carrier captain 'stupid' - CNN
'I own it:' U.S. Navy secretary resigns over handling of coronavirus-hit carrier - Reuters
What you should know about Jack Dorsey’s surprising $1 billion commitment to charity - Vox
Treasury’s Mnuchin seeks additional $250 billion to replenish small-business coronavirus program - The Washington Post
ICE says it will consider freeing vulnerable immigrants as coronavirus cases rise - CBS News
Essential Workers Would Get up to $25,000 Boost Under Senate Democrats' New 'Heroes Fund' Stimulus - Newsweek
China investigates party member critical of Xi over outbreak - AP News
Masked crowds fill Wuhan’s streets, trains as lockdown ends - AP News
US intelligence warned in November that coronavirus spreading in China could be 'cataclysmic event': report - The Hill
In Naples, Pandemic 'Solidarity Baskets' Help Feed The Homeless - NPR
Mayor de Blasio Announces New Production Line Making Surgical Gowns for NYC Healthcare Workers - NYC
Virus crisis cuts off billions sent to poor around the world - AP News
All American Prisoners Have Been Promised Coronavirus Surgical Masks — A Nonprofit For The Blind Won A $1.3 Million Contract To Deliver Them - Forbes
Drugmaker caps insulin costs at $35 to help diabetes patients during pandemic - The Hill
Press freedom threats and COVID-19: An essential part of the story - CPJ Zoom Registration
Press Freedom at Risk: How the Pandemic is Threatening Truth-telling Around the World - CPJ/Aspen Digital
Humanity is our biggest strength - Corona Daily
Two pandas tried to mate for a decade. With the zoo closed due to coronavirus, they finally did it - USA Today