The Daily Moth 1-31-2020

Hello, welcome to The Daily Moth! It is Friday, January 31. Ready for news? 

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Close-Up of Sun

This is what the sun looks like up close. Each of the little golden shapes are the size of Texas. 

This photograph was taken from the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawaii. It is considered the most detailed image ever of the surface of the sun, which is 93 million miles away. 

The New York Times explained that the cell-like structures you see are are hot gases that come out from inside of the sun, “boils out,” and then cools down and sinks back in the dark areas between the cells. The solar gases are about 5,000 degrees C, which is the equivalent to 9,000 degrees F. 

Astronomers are studying the surface of the sun to try and better understand and predict bursts of energy and radiation that shoots out across space. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/29/science/daniel-inouye-solar-telescope-pictures.html

https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/305564-scientists-snap-closest-ever-view-of-the-sun

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Republicans secure enough votes to block impeachment witnesses

Last night and this morning, two Republican senators, Lamar Alexander (TN) and Lisa Murkowski (AK) — who were on the fence about voting to call witnesses during President Trump’s impeachment trial — announced they would vote “no” on subpoenaing witnesses or new documents. This gives Republicans at least 51 votes, which is enough for a simple majority to block witnesses. All 47 Democrats and two Republican senators, Mitt Romney (UT) and Susan Collins (Maine) want witnesses, but 49 votes is not enough to subpoena witnesses or new documents. 

This means we could see Trump acquitted very soon, possibly tonight, or next week if the trial is delayed for procedural reasons. 

The New York Times reported that former national security adviser John Bolton wrote in a forthcoming book that President Trump instructed Bolton to call the Ukrainian president and tell him to meet with Rudy Giuliani in May 2019. Giuliani wanted to discuss investigations. Bolton never did make the call. 

President Trump said this is not true — that he never told John Bolton to set up a meeting. Giuliani also said it was absolutely not true. 

Trump’s legal team has argued that even if what Bolton said is true, what Trump did was not a crime and is not impeachable. 

Top Democrats accused Trump and the White House of covering up wrongdoing.

President Trump is set to deliver his State of the Union address on Tuesday. CBS News reported that the address will go forward as planned regardless of what happens with the timing of the end of the trial. 

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/trump-impeachment-trial-day-10-voting-witnesses-2020-01-31-live-updating/

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/us/politics/trump-bolton-ukraine.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

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Coronavirus: CDC orders quarantine; airlines cancel flights to China

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a 14-day federal quarantine order for the 195 Americans who were evacuated from Wuhan and traveled together on the same flight that arrived in a military base in Riverside County, California.

News reports say that one person tried to leave the base, but was stopped. The person was ordered to be quarantined, but now the order has expanded to apply to all 195 people.  

The 14 days period is to ensure that all the individuals go through the full incubation period of the disease and be completely cleared before they are allowed to leave. 

Axios said that this is the first time that the CDC has ordered a quarantine in nearly 50 years. 

The base is the March Air Reserve Base, which is only 15 miles away from Riverside. 

In separate but related news — Delta, United, and American Airlines announced they are suspending all fights between the U.S. and mainland China. 

The U.S. State Department issued a Level 4, red alert travel advisory that said Americans should not go to China. 

At least 213 people have died and there are over 9,700 cases of infection reported in China. There are more than 140 confirmed cases outside of China. 

https://www.axios.com/cdc-quarantine-wuhan-coronavirus-concerns-0fdad246-a50e-4b35-979a-3f9d9ecdb290.html

https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/30/health/us-coronavirus-thursday/index.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/world/asia/coronavirus-china.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage&section=World%20News

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UK to leave EU tonight 

The United Kingdom will officially leave the European Union tonight. It is Brexit day. Britain will be the first nation to leave the EU in its history. There are 27 remaining members in the EU. 

The UK is now in a 11-month transition period to secure new trade deals with the rest of Europe and the United States. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will lead those talks. 

News reports say there are mixed feelings — some are celebrating it, but some are saying it is a sad day.

https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/brexit-day-uk-leaves-eu-gbr-intl/index.html

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Rita Corey, multitalented Deaf performer and teacher, passes away 

Rita Corey, who was well known in the Deaf community for her many talents in the performing arts and for being a teacher and a mentor, passed away on Saturday, January 25. She was 66. 

Here is a report from Renca Dunn. 

RENCA DUNN: 

Thank you, Alex. Yes, I see that the Deaf community is saddened by the loss of Rita Corey. She was one of the pioneers as a Deaf woman for music and theatre. I reached out to Ivana Rae Genievski, Corey’s daughter, to share about her mother.

Corey passed away due to two types of rare blood disorders. It is not leukemia, but this kind of blood disorders can lead to leukemia. Corey was already born with anemia which developed Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Myeloproliferative Neoplasm. This has caused her immune system to become weak and struggle to fight infections in her body. Corey recently battled with pneumonia until the end.   

Ivana shared that Corey was an actress, dancer, performer, producer, script writer, and so much more. 

[Images of Rita Corey in her early days]

She directed plays at Gallaudet and at the Maryland School for the Deaf. She was an actress for the National Theatre of the Deaf (NTD) and has worked with people like Benard Bragg and Marlee Matlin.

Corey’s acting skills were not only limited to stage, as she appeared in films. She was involved with “Versa Effect” and “The Gift.” 

Ivana mentioned that her mother was well known for Musign. This was the first Deaf music group on tour. Corey started Musign along with her brother, Ed Chevy, and Bob Hiltermann. They went on tour for 6 years from 1980 to 1986.  

Hollywood celebrities have recognized Corey for her work -- people like Elizabeth Taylor and Robin Williams. Ivana said that Williams even went to watch one of Musign’s performances in San Francisco. 

Ivana wants the Deaf community to remember how hard she worked, how much she has contributed to our community, and her passion, especially in the music and theatre world. Corey was Ivana’s role model, idol, hero, and an amazing mother. Ivana said that her mother is a shining star and never will be forgotten. 

I want to thank Ivana for sharing about her mother. It is not easy to do that. We lost a legend in our Deaf community and may we always remember her for what she has done for us. 

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Thank you Renca and Ivana for that touching tribute. 

Gallaudet University Theatre said on Facebook that Corey was a Gallaudet student and was the “first Deaf person to receive a MFA degree in stage directing from Catholic University.” 

There were many deaf performers, former students, and organizations who posted tributes on social media.

Gallaudet: https://bit.ly/36MQXZM

GO fund me link:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-rita-corey?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet 

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That is all the news for this week. Thank you for watching “The Daily Moth.” Have a wonderful weekend and stay with the light!

TOP STORIESAlex Abenchuchan