Monday, February 21, 2022

Wake-Up Call: Biden, Putin Agree To A Summit


President Joe Biden and Russia's President Vladimir Putin have agreed "in principle" to hold a summit regarding the standoff over Ukraine. A White House statement released last night said that the meeting will take place only if Russia does not invade Ukraine. The agreement for a meeting was brokered by French President Emmanuel Macron. U.S. sources say that Russia appears to be continuing to prepare for a full-scale assault on Ukraine.

➤BLAME THE UKRAINE CRISIS: The average nationwide price of a gallon of gasoline rose four cents last week to $3.53, about 90 cents higher than a year ago. The increase is blamed on the ongoing crisis at the borders of Ukraine. A Russian invasion is expected to lead to severe economic sanctions, which would disrupt the flow of natural gas and oil from Russia.

➤MASS ARRESTS IN OTTAWA: The streets surrounding the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa have gone quiet after weeks of chaos with the arrest of nearly 200 demonstrators over the weekend. The Freedom Convoy movement, led by long-haul truckers, has been protesting COVID restrictions, particularly for those who have to cross the border between Canada and the U.S.


➤SWINDLER'S SISTER DEAD IN APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE: The sister of financial con artist Bernie Madoff has been found dead at her home in South Florida, apparently the victim of a murder-suicide pact. Sondra Wiener, age 87, was found dead along with a man believed to be her husband, Marvin Wiener. Details were withheld under the terms of a state privacy law that can be invoked by the families of victims. Bernie Madoff died last year while serving a 150-year prison sentence for running the biggest Ponzi scheme ever. His sister was said to be one of the victims of his financial fraud.

👑QUEEN ELIZABETH HAS COVID: Great Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has a mild case of COVID, according to an announcement yesterday from Buckingham Palace. She will keep calm and carry on with light duties this week. Now 95, the queen celebrated her 70th anniversary on the throne earlier this month.

➤STICKER SHOCK FOR NEW CAR BUYERS: A shortage of computer chips has led to a shortage of new cars that American automakers can deliver to showrooms. And that means higher prices for car buyers right now. About 80 percent of new car buyers had to pay over the ticker price to drive away in a new car in January, according to Edmunds, the car price guide. The average price hit $45,717. That's $728 above the average sticker price.

👼BABY FORMULA IN SHORT SUPPLY: New parents may have spotted some shortages of baby formula at supermarkets for the past several months. Unfortunately, it probably will get worse. Abbot Nutrition is recalling some lots of its Similac, Alimentum and EleCare brands of powdered infant formula due to several reports of illnesses in babies. Testing so far has shown no product contamination. The voluntary recall combined with supply chain problems may make it even harder to find baby formula on supermarket shelves.

🐀RODENTS CLOSE FAMILY DOLLAR STORES: More than 400 Family Dollar stores across the Southern states were temporarily closed on Saturday after federal health officials warned of contamination at a company warehouse in Arkansas. The FDA cited the center for being infested with rats, live and dead. The company closed the stores in order to remove possibly contaminated foods and drugs from their shelves. For the full FDA statement, click here.

➤WHAT'S OPEN, WHAT'S CLOSED: Today is Presidents Day, the holiday during which Americans honor their former commanders in chief and shop for cordless vacuums at bargain prices. In case you're wondering, all non-essential government offices are closed, the U.S. Post Office will not deliver mail and most banks will be closed. Stores and restaurants are rarin' to go, though.


🎿2022 OLYMPICS CLOSE WITH A BANG: The Beijing Olympics ended yesterday with an explosion of fireworks as some of the world's best athletes emerged from an anti-COVID cocoon imposed by the Chinese bureaucracy. The Winter Olympics was overshadowed by a U.S. diplomatic boycott over China's human rights record and roiled by a doping controversy involving a Russian skater.


At least three Americans emerged as stars of the Winter Games. Erin Jackson became the first Black woman to win a gold medal in speedskating. Nathan Chen won a gold medal in men's figure skating singles. He's the first Asian American man to win a medal in the event. And, bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor won a bronze medal on Saturday, bringing her Olympics total to three silver medals and two bronze. That makes her the most-decorated Black athlete in Olympics history.


🥇FINAL MEDAL COUNT: Norway placed first among nations at the games, with an impressive 37 medals overall. Russia was second with 32 medals, followed by Germany with 27 medals and Canada with 26 medals. The U.S. placed fifth with 25. American athletes won eight gold medals compared to Norway's 16, Russia's six, Germany's 12 and Canada's four.

🏀TEAM LeBRON WINS: Team LeBron defeated Team Durant 163-160 in last night's NBA All-Stars Game in Cleveland. Stephen Curry broke a record by making 16 three-pointers and scoring 50 points. Curry received the first-ever Kobe Bryant MVP Trophy. It was a homecoming of sorts for Curry and for LeBron James. They were born in the same hospital in Akron.

➤ROOKIE WINS THE DAYTONA 500: Austin Cindric of Team Penske won the Daytona 500 yesterday. He's the first rookie to make it to the winner's circle since 2011. Bubba Wallace finished second.

 
Harrison Burton's car crashed out of the Daytona in the first stage Sunday, in a big wreck that took out several other drivers as well. There were no injuries. In addition to Burton, the crash involved William Byron, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin.

🏒MARCHAND SUSPENSION UPHELD: The six-game suspension for Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand has been upheld by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Marchand was suspended for punching Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry during a recent game. Marchand's extensive disciplinary history was noted in the ruling. This was his eighth suspension.



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