Oh my god, just wash your hands!

Please wash your damn hands. 

It's 2020 and yes, full grown adults still need to hear it. 

Health officials in Washington confirmed the first death from the new coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, on Saturday. The virus is highly contagious, and as of Saturday, has infected 85,641 people worldwide and is responsible for 2,933 deaths. Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.

As panic around the virus rises, preventative supplies like face masks and hand sanitizer are becoming increasingly difficult to buy. They're out of stock in most drugstores and big box stores like Walmart and Target. On Amazon, brands like Purell and Germ-X are only available through third party sellers at high mark-ups. Frustrated shoppers on social media warned others of the hand sanitizer shortage, crowdsourcing lists of stores that still had an inventory. 

See the rest of this story in Mashable HERE:

US and Taliban sign deal to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan

The US and the Taliban have signed a landmark peace agreement after nearly 20 years of war that could result in American troops leaving Afghanistan within 14 months.

The deal also paves the way for talks between Afghans to end one of the longest-running conflicts in the world.

The Taliban have agreed to sever ties with al-Qaida and other international terror groups and sit down for peace talks with other Afghans, including a government they have always denounced as a US puppet. In return, Washington will start a phased withdrawal of troops.

The long-term enemies sealed the pact in front of a sign declaring “Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan”, after a week of “violence reduction”. The near-ceasefire was meant to demonstrate the militants’ ability to control their foot soldiers, but also gave the country a rare taste of something like peace.

But there is also widespread concern about Taliban motives in signing a deal they have described as a “victory”, and fears the US may use the deal as cover to leave regardless of the state of the war. No Afghans apart from the militants have been part of talks so far.

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Six-year-old girl arrested at Florida school

Police bodycam footage released on 25 February has captured the moment a visibly distressed child was arrested at her school in Orlando, Florida in September 2019.

The six-year-old girl was restrained with zip ties and escorted to a waiting police car after misbehaving in class.

Lawyers for her family at Smith and Eulo Law Firm told the BBC that the family chose to release the footage because they wanted to show how the arrest unfolded.

The person whose bodycam captured the ordeal was fired after an internal investigation by the Orlando Police Department. Officer Dennis Turner had not followed the correct protocol, which states that a police officer must have their supervisor's approval to arrest any child under the age of 12.

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Coronavirus: World should prepare for pandemic, says WHO

The World Health Organization has said the world should do more to prepare for a possible coronavirus pandemic.

The WHO said it was too early to call the outbreak a pandemic but countries should be "in a phase of preparedness".

A pandemic is when an infectious disease spreads easily from person to person in many parts of the world.

More cases of the virus, which causes respiratory disease Covid-19, continue to emerge, with outbreaks in South Korea, Italy and Iran causing concern.

The proportion of infected people who die from Covid-19 appears to be between 1% and 2%, although the WHO cautions that the mortality rate is not known yet.


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So what do you think ... Time to prepare ? Time to act ? Or just 'whatever' ? 

Germany: Around 30 injured as car 'deliberately driven' into German carnival parade

Around 30 people have been injured after a car was deliberately driven into a carnival parade in Germany, police said.

Officers added the driver, who they believe is a local man, has been arrested following the incident in Volkmarsen in the central state of Hesse.

Germany's Hessenschau news service said police have confirmed the motorist is a 29-year-old German citizen.

The regional broadcaster added officers were unsure of the suspect's motive.

The incident is still being investigated and no doubt more facts will emerge in time 

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Harvey Weinstein found guilty after landmark #MeToo trial

Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein could face more than 25 years in jail after being found guilty of two charges in his sexual assault trial.

He was found guilty of a criminal sex act for assaulting production assistant Mimi Haleyi at his apartment in 2006 and third-degree rape of Jessica Mann in 2013.

Following the verdicts, Cyrus Vance, New York County District Attorney described Weinstein as a "vicious, serial sexual predator".

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Op Ed: This day in History. Miracle on Ice.

On this day 40 years ago the United States Hockey Team beat the Soviet Union. If you were alive then you knew exactly where you were at.

Me I was at my dads house he was listening to the radio to get any update he could. The game was televised later where we lived. America needed a lift back then. The Iran Hostage Crises. Gas lines general depression over all.

Then on this day in 1980 came the Hockey game of the century and the US Hockey team was a bunch of college players going against the Soviet Union who were considered pros. Heavily favored to win. To this day it remains the greatest upset in sports History.

All of sudden America felt better. Everyone was proud to be an American.

To this day we have never seen anything like it and most likely in our lifetime never will again.

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history

Let's do a Friday Fun Day.
Post your funniest and favorite GIFS.

Have Fun 😊🥂

JP Morgan economists warn of 'catastrophic' climate change

"Human life "as we know it" could be threatened by climate change, economists at JP Morgan have warned."

Is continued investment in fossil fuels leading us towards another financial as well as ecological catastrophe?
Image: REUTERS

In a hard-hitting report to clients, the economists said that without action being taken there could be "catastrophic outcomes".

The bank said the research came from a team that was "wholly independent from the company as a whole".

Climate campaigners have previously criticised JP Morgan for its investments in fossil fuels.

The firm's stark report was sent to clients and seen by BBC News.

While JP Morgan economists have warned about unpredictability in climate change before, the language used in the new report was very forceful.

The story continues HERE in the BBC Article:

'Far-right extremist' carried out shisha bars attacks in Germany

Michael Probst/AP

A car covered with rescue blankets stands in front of a bar in Hanua, Germany Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. German police say several people were shot to death in the city of Hanau on Wednesday evening.

Eight people were killed in shootings in the German city of Hanau late Wednesday, authorities said. Two hookah lounges reportedly were targeted.

The shootings took place around 22:00 (21:00 GMT) on Wednesday, and the first target was the Midnight shisha bar in the city centre of Hanau. Witnesses reported hearing about a dozen gunshots.

The suspect then travelled in a dark car to the Kesselstadt neighbourhood, some 2.5km (1.5 mile) away, and opened fire at the Arena Bar & Cafe.

The 43-year-old suspect killed himself, police say. He was found dead at his home along with the body of his mother.

Local media have identified the suspect as Tobias R, a German citizen. The Bild tabloid reports he had a firearms licence, and that ammunition and gun magazines were found in his car.

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Poll: Trump edges out all top 2020 Democratic candidates except Sanders

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is the only Democratic presidential contender to beat President Trump in a head-to-head match-up, according to a new Emerson College poll released Wednesday.

Sanders edges out Trump by a 51 percent-49 percent margin in the poll. Meanwhile, Trump leads former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg by 2 points. All those margins are within the poll’s margin of error of 2.7 percentage points. 

Trump also leads former Vice President Joe Biden 52 percent-48 percent, an advantage outside the poll’s margin of error.

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Trump commutes sentence of ex-Illinois Gov. Blagojevich in rash of clemency orders

President Trump on Tuesday granted clemency to almost a dozen individuals, including former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) and ex-New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, sparking criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.

"I did commute [Blagojevich's] sentence. So he’ll be able to go back home with his family after serving eight years in jail," Trump told reporters in reference to the disgraced Illinois governor who had served roughly half of a 14-year sentence on federal corruption charges. "That was a tremendously powerful, ridiculous sentence in my opinion, and in the opinion of many others."

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Boy Scouts of America files for bankruptcy. Hundreds of sexual abuse lawsuits are now on hold

The Boy Scouts of America has filed for bankruptcy, according to a court document filed in Delaware bankruptcy court early Tuesday.

The youth organization, which celebrated its 110th anniversary February 8, listed liabilities of between $100 million and $500 million and estimated assets of $1 billion to $10 billion.

The bankruptcy filing comes at a time when the organization faces hundreds of sexual abuse lawsuits, thousands of alleged abuse victims and dwindling membership numbers. As a result of the filing, all civil litigation against the organization is suspended.

CNN continues the story HERE: Additional information HERE at NPR:

Plymouth Rock, iconic landmark that marks where the Pilgrims first landed, was vandalized

CNN) — Preparations to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims arriving in the New World were in full swing in Plymouth, Massachusetts. But then residents woke up to find that the beloved landmarks that make their city special had been vandalized.

Plymouth Rock was one of them.

The iconic landmark, which is inscribed with the year 1620 to mark the year William Bradford and other Pilgrims first set foot on American land, was found on Monday to be covered with red graffiti.

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Ice balls appear on Lake Michigan beach, a rare phenomenon amid freezing temps

A rare phenomenon on a Lake Michigan beach caught the eye of a Michigan state park supervisor Friday morning, who snapped cellphone photos and posted them to the Holland State Park's Facebook page.

"We went down to the beach to check on things and we saw these large ice balls," said Sean Mulligan, a Department of Natural Resources supervisor at the park, which is about 5 miles from downtown Holland. "I had heard of them before, but I hadn't ever seen them."

Thousands of the balls, he estimated, rolled up onto the lakeshore.

Some were the size of baseballs and softballs; others were the size of bowling balls and dodge balls, and the biggest ones, just a few, looked to be the size of yoga balls, the kind some people useto work out with and do Pilates.

Ice balls, a rare phenomenon on Lake Michigan, rolled up on the beaches Friday at Holland State Park. (Photo: Sean Mulligan, Michigan DNR)

Comments on the Facebook post marveled at the ice balls and gave shout-outs to the park, "I love Holland State Park!!!" Another commenter noted, "This made my day!" and one wondered just how the icy spheres were formed.

Alabama legislator offers bill requiring men get vasectomies at 50 in response to anti-abortion laws

An Alabama state lawmaker introduced legislation that would require men to get vasectomies within one month of turning 50 years old or once their third biological child is born in response to legislation banning abortion in the state.

“Under existing law, there are no restrictions on the reproductive rights of men,” the bill’s synopsis reads. "This bill would require a man to undergo a vasectomy within one month of his 50th birthday or the birth of his third biological child, whichever comes first."

State Rep. Rolanda Hollis (D) introduced the legislation Thursday in response to an abortion bill passed by the state legislature last year that resulted in a near-total ban on abortion.

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Christian Website Says Buttgieg is Deserving of Death' for Being Gay

Mayor Pete and spouse Chasten

A leading Christian website has published a column in which a preacher and author describes 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg as bringing the "death rattle of a nation" with his homosexuality.

Writing for Charisma News, a website associated with the popular Christian magazine Charisma, Bert Farias decried how people are celebrating that a presidential candidate is publicly introducing, and even "kisses without shame," his husband in the name of progressivism.

"The constant compromising of preachers to avoid controversy is creating much damage—not only to the world, which is looking for a clear sound from preachers, but also to believers who have little discernment or are growing tired of ambiguity," Farias wrote.

The story continues HERE in Newsweek:

"For example, one very influential and popular minister who has millions of followers was asked if homosexuality was wrong, and his general response was that his views were evolving. Evolving? That's like saying the Bible is evolving. How pathetic of an answerFinish the Newsweek story HERE:

She pretends to have a baby for adoption - can she get help to stop?

Gabby has a nasty habit. She offers babies to couples who want to adopt… but it's a hoax, and the couples' hopes are suddenly dashed. Now people are putting pressure on her to stop and she is hoping, perhaps in vain, to get medical help.

In the US it's increasingly common for couples who want to adopt a baby to advertise themselves on social media, in the hope of connecting with a pregnant woman preparing to place a child for adoption.

Unfortunately, images on woman's Instagram accounts were stolen and behind each avatar lay Gabby, now 24, who was promising a child that didn't exist. Each of the accounts contained a followers' list full of distressed families.

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Coronavirus update: Outlook darkens as cases spike in China, U.S. confirms 15th case

The new coronavirus epidemic in mainland China is almost certain to become more deadly than SARS 

An overnight spike of nearly 15,000 in China’s reported coronavirus cases upended world markets on Thursday, stoking new fears that the outbreak was moving into a potentially more deadly phase.

The death toll climbed to nearly 1,400 deaths while those infected topped 60,000— the majority located within or near China.

Meanwhile, the U.S. reported its 15th case, this time in Texas, and the Centers for Disease Control expect there could be more cases as 600 evacuees from Wuhan continue to remain in quarantine. The CDC is going to increase its screenings in major cities by using the flu detection system to scan for coronavirus.

Medical staff work in the isolated intensive care unit in a hospital in Wuhan, China on Feb. 6.    © AP

The U.S. response remains in the hands of individual departments, as the National Security Council lacks a global health security expert. Senators, lead by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, sent a letter to Advisor Robert O'Brien requesting an expert be named to the post amid the outbreak.

The story continues in Yahoo Finance HERE:

As of today. . ..

Scandinavian airline ad pulled after online criticism

A Scandinavian airline has pulled an advert after it was criticised by anti-immigration parties for belittling the region's history and culture.

The advert begins .. "What is truly Scandinavian? Absolutely nothing. Everything is copied,"

The iconic Swedish meatball, Danish pastry, and Scandinavian parental leave are then attributed to Turkey, Austria and Switzerland.

SAS said they believe they were the target of a co-ordinated online attack.

The advert pointed out that liquorice came from China, windmills were invented in Iran, and that the progressive politics the Nordics are known for originated in Greece and the US.

Politicians with Danish and Swedish anti-immigration populist parties criticised the message.

"What nonsense and self-hatred. Always tried to fly with SAS, but never again. That's a promise," secretary of the populist Sweden Democrats Richard Jomshof wrote on Facebook,

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National security adviser now says fired Vindman brothers weren't fired

National Security Council aide Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman (left) is seen with twin brother, Army Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman in November. Both felt the wrath of President Trump. (Julio Cortez/AP)

National security adviser Robert O'Brien says there was "absolutely" no retaliation against Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and his twin brother, who were removed from their White House jobs last week in fallout from President Donald Trump's impeachment acquittal.

National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien

"Number one," O'Brien said, speaking to the Atlantic Council on Tuesday night, "they weren't fired."

The comments come just days after Trump did, in fact, fire Vindman and US ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland -- both key impeachment witnesses -- along with Vindman's twin, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, a National Security Council attorney.

An adviser to Trump had said the firings of the major impeachment witnesses was meant to send a message that siding against the President will not be tolerated. "Flushing out the pipes," the adviser told CNN. "It was necessary." Check CNN Here for the rest of the story:

O'Brien said he was the one who made the decision to "transfer" the Vindmans-- not Trump.  O’Brien said of the Vindmans, ”It was just time for them to go back, their service was no longer needed.”He noted they were not fired, but rotated out of the White House ahead of schedule. He confirmed they would be replaced.  Check AXIOS for complete story.