American biotech company says it has developed a coronavirus vaccine

CC™ Breaking News

An American biotech company says it created a coronavirus vaccine three hours after getting access to the virus' genetic sequence on Jan. 9, and now scientists are racing to get the vaccine on the market in record time.

Inovio Pharmaceuticals is based in Pennsylvania, but scientists in its laboratory in San Diego made the discovery.

"We have an algorithm which we designed, and we put the DNA sequence into our algorithm and came up with the vaccine in that short amount of time," Inovio's research and development director Dr. Trevor Smith told KVUE.

China has reported 254 new daily deaths and a spike in new daily virus cases of 15,152, after new methodology was applied in the hardest-hit province of Hubei as to how cases are categorized.

Inovio's vaccine for COVID-19, as health officials have named the virus, could be ready as early as this summer. Inovio's stock jumped to $5.32 a share a few days after the company announced it was selected to work on a coronavirus vaccine. Shares are now at $3.34, back to where they were a month ago.

The American company is partnering with Beijing Advaccine, a Chinese company, to work on the vaccine.

"Inovio's participation in this developing effort is based on the ideal suitability of its DNA medicine platform to rapidly develop vaccines against emerging viruses with pandemic potential, proven vaccine development capabilities, and a strong track record of rapidly generating promising countermeasures against previous pandemic threats," the company said in a statement on Jan. 30. 

"Inovio was the first to advance its vaccine (INO-4700) against MERS-CoV, a related coronavirus, into evaluation in humans."

Another U.S. company, Maryland-based Novavax, is aiming to make a coronavirus vaccine in as little as three months. Such vaccines usually take years to develop.

For the record, the first U.S. case of the Wuhan coronavirus was reported in Snohomish County, Washington State.

Source: Fox Business

Key Trump ally accused of participating in OSU sexual abuse cover-up

Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan

CC™ Breaking News

Ohio congressman and former Ohio State assistant wrestling coach Jim Jordan has been accused of participating in the cover-up of widespread sexual abuse in OSU’s wrestling program.

Jordan was accused by Adam DiSabato, who was the team captain in the late 1980s and early 1990s. DiSabato was appearing in front of a hearing in the Ohio legislature as a witness for House Bill 249, which would waive the statute of limitations and allow the OSU athletes who had been abused to sue the university.

DiSabato told the House Civil Justice Committee that several team officials, including Jordan, were aware that the team’s open shower facilities put them at risk of being abused and harassed by a team doctor, but did nothing about it. Then DiSabato detailed a phone conversation between him and Jordan, in which Jordan asks DiSabato to help him cover up wrongdoing.

[DiSabato] also said Jordan called him repeatedly in July 2018, after media outlets quoted his brother, Michael DiSabato, saying Strauss’ abuse was common knowledge to those surrounding the wrestling program, including Jordan.

“Jim Jordan called me crying, groveling… begging me to go against my brother…That’s the kind of cover-up that’s going on there,” he said.

“Are you guys going to do what you’re voted to do?” he told lawmakers later. “That’s the only reason I’m here.”

Jordan’s name has already come up in this scandal numerous times. When the news broke in April 2018 that Dr. Richard Strauss had been accused of sexually abusing over 150 OSU wrestlers between 1978 and 1998, Jordan denied knowing anything about it, despite being an assistant wrestling coach from 1987 to 1995.

Jordan continued to deny having any knowledge of student sexual abuse even after independent investigators released a report in May 2019 that concluded that Strauss, who had been employed by OSU’s athletics department and student health center until he was suspended in 1996, abused at least 177 male student athletes and patients. Strauss died by suicide in 2005.

A spokesman for Jordan called DiSabato’s accusations “a total lie.”

Source: Yahoo News

Reds Chief Executive Peter Moore: Liverpool won’t sign Gerrard to get him Premier League medal

CC™ Global Sports

Liverpool will not be exploring the option of bringing Steven Gerrard back to the club so that he can claim a Premier League winners’ medal, says the club’s chief executive Peter Moore.

Many supporters at Anfield have called for a legendary figure to be re-signed so that he can claim the prize which eluded him throughout a distinguished playing career.

Gerrard came close to tasting domestic glory while on Merseyside, but suffered a collection of agonising near misses.

He is now three years into retirement and the current manager of Scottish giants Rangers.

Moore admits that would present a sizeable obstacle in any discussions over a return to Liverpool, while a current member of Jurgen Klopp’s squad would also be asked to step aside.

With all of that taken into account, there is considered to be no chance of Gerrard making an emotional return to his roots at the age of 39.

Moore told Soccer Laduma: “Let me explain what would have to happen.

“So the question is, ‘can we bring Steven Gerrard back to get a Premier League medal?’ and the question I ask you is: which player do you want to cut from the squad to make that happen?

“If you haven't noticed, he's the employee of a different football club at the same time as well.

“Look, we all love Stevie G and we're all very proud of him for his managerial career, but I keep seeing this 'bring him in on a five-day contract so he can win a medal' [but] it just doesn't happen that way.

“Chemistry in a dressing room is important. Can you imagine that? That you have to cut a player, to say 'you're not going to get a medal'?

“It's not like they're handing these things out to everybody, you've got a squad, right? And thirdly, you can't add a player to a squad once it's locked. Other than that, it's really possible.”

Those at Liverpool are determined to keep focus locked on the present and future, rather than nostalgic glances to the past.

A record-breaking campaign is currently being taken in, with Klopp proving to be the perfect ringmaster in a stunning 2019-20 production.

Moore said of the German tactician: “I think what you see what Jurgen Klopp on the television – a lot of managers, what they are like in front of the cameras or when they're being interviewed, they're different than in real life.

“Well, that's not the case with Jurgen Klopp. The situation with Jurgen is that you've got a German manager that has all the Germanic tendencies of detail, of focus, of looking at the opposition in an incredibly analytical way.”

Source: Goal.com

U.S. cities and states with confirmed coronavirus cases

Chinese President Xi Jinping (center) - AP

CC™ Health News

As the coronavirus outbreak continues to worsen in China, there are 12 confirmed cases in the United States. The most recent U.S. patient was confirmed Wednesday, February 6, in Madison, Wisconsin. Worldwide, the virus has infected tens of thousands of people and killed more than 1,000, almost all in mainland China.

Here's what we know about the cases in American cities and hospitals:

California – 6 confirmed cases

There are six confirmed cases of the coronavirus in California: two people in Santa Clara County, two people in San Benito County, one person in Los Angeles County and one person in Orange County, according to the California Department of Health.

Five of those patients had recently returned from Wuhan, China — the epicenter of the outbreak. Health officials said there was also one case of person-to-person transmission when a traveler infected their spouse. Both are reported to be in stable condition.

Illinois – 2 confirmed cases 

On January 24, coronavirus was confirmed in a woman in the Chicago who had returned from Wuhan, China, a few days earlier. She was being treated at St. Alexius Hospital in Hoffman Estates, CBS Chicago reported. 

On January 30, health officials said the woman's husband, who had not been in China, was also diagnosed with the virus. This was the first known case of human-to-human transmission of coronavirus in the United States.

They were released from the hospital into home isolation on February 6. The couple issued a statement through the hospital saying, "the care and the services we've received have been great ... but we're definitely looking forward to getting home and getting life back to normal."

Arizona – 1 confirmed case

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, one person in the state has been diagnosed with coronavirus. 

The infected person recently returned from Wuhan, China and is a "member of the Arizona State University community but does not live in university housing," CBS Phoenix affiliate KPHO reports. The person lives in Tempe, Arizona, an ASU spokesperson confirmed.

Washington – 1 confirmed case

A 35-year-old man from the Seattle, Washington area was the first person diagnosed with the coronavirus in the United States. He had traveled to Wuhan, China and arrived at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Wednesday, January 15.

"While the current situation poses a public health threat, we have no evidence the virus is spreading in Washington so the risk to the general public is low," the state's Department of Health says. 

The man was treated at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett and then released, officials said in a statement February 3. "The patient remains in isolation at home and is being monitored by the Snohomish Health District, in coordination with his care team at Providence," the statement said.

The man, who was not publicly identified, issued a statement asking for privacy and saying: "I am at home and continuing to get better. ... I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and entire team at Providence who cared for me. I appreciate all of the concern expressed by members of the public, and I look forward to returning to my normal life." 

Massachusetts – 1 confirmed case 

A man in his 20s was diagnosed with coronavirus in Boston on February 1, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The man had recently traveled home from Wuhan, China. He is a student at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, but does not live in a campus dorm, CBS Boston reports.

"We are grateful for him seeking medical attention immediately," said Dr. Monica Bharel, the Boston Public Health Commissioner. 

Wisconsin – 1 confirmed case

On Wednesday, February 5, officials in Wisconsin confirmed one person in Madison was infected with coronavirus. 

The patient "had recently traveled to Beijing, China, and interacted with individuals from Wuhan, China, and presented with symptoms consistent with the virus upon their return to Madison," UW Health said in a statement. The main symptoms of the illness typically include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

"Since initial treatment at University Hospital, the patient has been self-quarantined at home," the statement said. In an update Friday, February 7, health officials said the patient remained in home isolation and was doing well.

Source: CBS News

Elephant in the room: Pompeo warns nation's governors to be wary of China.....

The Governors are probably more wary of Pompeo's boss

CC™ Politico 

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned America’s governors on Saturday to be wary of China, which he said was targeting individual U.S. states in a strategic effort to expand its economic and political influence.

He said a Chinese government-backed think tank has assessed all 50 governors on their attitude toward China and assigned each one a label: “friendly, hard-line or ambiguous.”

“So here’s the lesson. The lesson is the competition with China is not just a federal issue,” Pompeo said in addressing the National Governors Association meeting in Washington.

“It’s happening in your states with consequences for our foreign policy, for the citizens who reside in your states and indeed for each of you,” he said.

Pompeo urged the governors to be wary of Chinese investment and influence, including through contacts with Chinese diplomats, students and organizations.

He had conveyed similar warnings on a recent five-nation tour of Europe and Central Asia. During a stop in London, he declared the Chinese Communist Party “the central threat of our times.”

Nothing to see here as English FA take no action against Liverpool for alleged Man City hack

CC™ Global Sports                                                               
The English Football Association (FA) has closed an investigation into allegations that employees of Liverpool hacked into Manchester City’s scouting system.

The incident stretches back to 2013 when Liverpool are alleged to have hacked a player database used by City scouts.

Reports last year stated that the case between the two clubs had been settled for a £1 million ($1.3 million) compensation payment by Liverpool, but that they never accepted any liability or wrongdoing.

“The FA has carefully considered the evidence it received in this matter, including information provided by both clubs involved, and has decided not to progress the investigation,” the FA said in a statement on Friday.

“This is due to a number of factors including the age of the alleged concerns and the settlement agreed by the two clubs involved.”

The case has heightened the tension between the clubs as they battle for supremacy in the Premier League.

Liverpool are romping towards a first league title in 30 years as they hold a 22-point lead over City, who beat them to the title by just one point last season.

City’s team bus was also attacked by Liverpool fans ahead of a Champions League quarter-final won by the Reds in 2018.

And Raheem Sterling was suspended for one match by England manager Gareth Southgate for an altercation with Liverpool defender Joe Gomez when they met up for international duty, a day after a bad-tempered 3-1 defeat for City at Anfield.

Kobe Bryant's in depth interview with Jimmy Kimmel

CC™ Videoscope

A vestige of the 'cancel' culture of liberals as principal calls Kobe Bryant and daughter's deaths 'karma'

CC™ News

A high school principal who suggested Kobe Bryant deserved to die by posting it was "karma" after the NBA legend's fatal helicopter crash has resigned.

"Not gonna lie. Seems to me that karma caught up with a rapist today," Liza Sejkora, now-former principal of Camas High School in Camas, Washington, posted on Facebook the day the former Los Angeles Laker died.

Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others were killed when their helicopter went down in Southern California on Jan. 26 while they were on their way to a basketball game.

Sejkora apologized after the incident, saying she regretted writing the post.

"I have some personal experience that generated the visceral reaction," Sejkora told ABC Portland station KATU on Tuesday. "This was a situation where I didn't think before I posted, and I'm terribly regretful about that."

She resigned on Friday.

"Students and staff deserve to have a learning environment free of disruptions," Sejkora said in a statement. 

Camas Schools superintendent Jeff Snell said Sejkora's comments did not meet the standards set by the district.

"This has been a tumultuous week; however, I've been impressed with the level of professionalism our staff members have displayed as well as the caring and compassion from our families," Snell said in a statement, according to KATU.

Sejkora's initial post was in reference to a 2003 case involving Bryant and a woman in Colorado. Bryant was accused of sexual assault by an employee of a hotel, but the case was dismissed after the victim didn't want to testify. Bryant said the encounter was consensual, but the two settled in civil court.

The public memorial for Bryant is set for Feb. 24 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It was at that arena that Bryant's career flourished.

He played his entire 20-year career with the Lakers, winning five NBA championships, one MVP and two finals MVPs. 

Principal who said it was 'karma' that Kobe Bryant died resigns originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

Nigerians are one of America's best educated immigrant groups and Trump just banned them

Nigeria is Africa's tech capital

CC™ Introspective - By Yemi Akinwale

Last Friday, the Trump administration announced a new wave in its blanket bans on people from certain countries. And this time around, it includes one particular group of people — a group that tends to be very successful once it arrives in the U.S.

President Trump's original travel ban was one of his first acts in office, blocking people from several countries, most of which were majority Muslim, from coming to the U.S. altogether. This newest iteration explicitly bans people from Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania from receiving immigration visas, but doesn't touch those who are just visiting temporarily. That leaves 13 total countries on the travel ban list.

The fact that the ban explicitly targets those who are here to stay is particularly confusing when it comes to Nigeria, seeing as its immigrants are among the most likely immigrants to receive college degrees once they come to the United States. 

In fact, an estimated 60 percent of Nigerian immigrants to the U.S. have college degrees, as opposed to only 33 percent of Americans that have the same, Census data has also shown that Nigerian immigrants are also much more likely to hold master's as well as doctorate degrees and work in highly skilled and specialized areas of the American economy.

What makes the Nigeria ban even more perplexing is that the country is a veritable U.S. ally and in fact has been since its independence from Great Britain in 1960. The country, in addition to being the largest economy in Africa is also a key trading partner of the U.S. and has cooperated militarily on a consistent basis in helping to snuff out the challenges of Islamic militants in Africa, especially in the West African region.

Nigerians are not, have never been and will never be a security threat to the United States, but this current White House, as we witnessed with the Ukraine issue that got President Donald Trump impeached is grossly ill-informed on foreign policy matters and essentially uses the President's personal and political agenda as a yardstick for conducting American foreign policy.

The sad thing for Nigerians is that the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is ill-equipped to deal with the current U.S. administration from a stylistic and strategic standpoint, politically. When you have a supposed leader like Buhari that runs a rudderless outfit in Abuja and compromises the territorial and sovereign integrity of his own country at will, it is pretty easy to see why the Trump administration has absolutely no regard for Nigeria and Nigerians. 

The bottomline is the Nigeria ban is simply about race. Donald Trump is determined to ensure that no black ethnic group, especially not one as accomplished, aggressive, determined and impactful as Nigerians, becomes influential to the point where they begin to shape America's domestic and foreign policy. 

The unfortunate thing for Trump and his myopic allies though is that they may have succeded in alienating a key (and growing) group that has historically alligned with the Republican and moderate Democratic principles of hard work, commitment and dedication to excellence, through personal responsibilty and accountability.

State of the nation: Trump misplaces Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas as opposed to Missouri

CC™ News

The Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV on Sunday, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 to lift the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in 50 years.

After the game, President Donald Trump tweeted congratulations to the team.

"Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs on a great game and a fantastic comeback under immense pressure," Trump wrote. "We are proud of you and the Great State of Kansas. You are true Champions!"

As many Twitter users were quick to point out, there was one small problem with Trump's tweet — the Kansas City Chiefs are based in Missouri, not Kansas.

Trump quickly deleted and replaced his erroneous tweet, correctly congratulating the state of Missouri in his second attempt.

Donald J. Trump

✔@realDonaldTrump

Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs on a great game and a fantastic comeback under immense pressure. We are proud of you and the Great State of Missouri. You are true Champions!

170K

7:27 PM - Feb 2, 2020

Twitter Ads info and privacy

53.1K people are talking about this