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March 12, 2020
Chelsea Manning to Be Released From Prison, Judge Orders
A federal judge on Thurdsay ordered the immediate release of Chelsea Manning, the former intelligence analyst, U.S. Army veteran and whistleblower, from prison.
“The Court finds that Ms. Manning’s appearance before the Grand Jury is no longer needed, in light of which her detention no longer serves any coercive purpose,” U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga said in his order.
“Needless to say we are relieved and ask that you respect her privacy while she gets on her feet,” Manning’s legal team said in a statement.
The order comes a day after Manning’s legal team announced that Manning was being hospitalized after a suicide attempt. Manning was also originally scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
Also Read: 'XY Chelsea' Film Review: Doc Tackles Chelsea Manning's Very In-Progress Story
In 2013, Manning was found guilty of violating the Espionage Act for leaking classified files to WikiLeaks. Her 35-year prison sentence was commuted by then-President Barack Obama in 2017. But last year, Manning was remanded into custody for being in contempt of court because she refused to cooperate in the government’s case against WikiLeaks and its founder, Julian Assange. She had since been held at the Alexandria Detention Center in Virginia, but with the judge’s order on Thursday, she will now be set free.
But because she has refused to testify in the WikiLeaks case, the judge ordered that Manning must still pay a fine of $256,000 to the court.
“(The) conditional fines would not be punitive but necessary to the coercive purpose of the Court’s civil contempt order,” the judge’s order said.
Related stories from TheWrap:
'XY Chelsea' Film Review: Doc Tackles Chelsea Manning's Very In-Progress Story
Chelsea Manning Explains Why She Leaked Classified Documents to WikiLeaks (Video)
Samantha Bee Models What an Audience-Less Monologue Looks Like (Video)
“Full Frontal With Samantha Bee” was the first late-night talk show to go audience-less due to the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.
Watch the video above to see how a monologue works without a live crowd.
More to come…
California Gov Gavin Newsom Asks Gatherings of More than 250 People to Be Canceled to Avoid Coronavirus
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, in accordance with new guidelines from the state’s Department of Public Health, is asking that all gatherings of more than 250 people be canceled throughout the state in an effort to curtail the spread of the covid-19 illness caused by the coronavirus.
This would include almost all sporting events, most concerts, many movie screenings, high volume workplaces, and many restaurants and bars, not to mention film premieres and large scale media events. Though not mandatory, Newsom called on Californians to follow the guidelines through at least the end of March.
The new guidelines, posted Wednesday night, are the strongest measures yet in the state’s efforts to contain the disease that has infected more than 150 Californians. Along with limiting gatherings to 250 people or less, the guidelines also call for measures like social distancing of at least 6 feet or more — and cancellation of events which cannot accommodate that distance, regardless of crowd size.
Also Read: Trump Bars All Travel From Europe - Except the UK - in Response to Coronavirus
“Changing our actions for a short period of time will save the life of one or more people you know. That’s the choice before us. Each of us has extraordinary power to slow the spread of this disease,” Newsom said in a statement Wednesday night. “Not holding that concert or community event can have cascading effects — saving dozens of lives and preserving critical healthcare resources that your family may need a month from now. The people in our lives who are most at risk — seniors and those with underlying health conditions — are depending on all of us to make the right choice.”
Though it remains to be seen how many events will comply with the new guidelines, California already has a serious head start. Newsom’s announcement comes near the end of a wave of even cancellations due to fears about coronavirus, including the E3 Expo video game conference, originally scheduled for June, PaleyFest LA, which was to begin this Friday, and the entirety of the remaining NBA season.
The guidelines also come just hours after Donald Trump laid out the latest federal response to the coronavirus, which most notably includes a ban on travel from Europe — except, for some reason, the UK.
Also Read: Coronavirus: The Canceled Events in Tech, Media, Politics and Entertainment (Updating)
Read the full list of guidelines, and detailed explanations for how they can be followed, here.
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March 11, 2020
Colbert Really Wishes It Was Still Three Months Ago Instead of This Coronavirus Nightmare (Video)
Wednesday’s episode of “The Late Show” was clearly filmed during the daytime, well before the absolutely crazy run of coronavirus news that hit the country starting around 9:00 p.m. ET (more on that momentarily).
But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t anything topical, by which we mean coronavirus-related, for Stephen Colbert to talk about. IN his monologue, he talked about the press conference Mike Pence held on Tuesday, in which one of the senior scientists heading up the government’s response to the plague pretty much said America needs to get ready for things to really suck. “As a nation, we can’t be doing the kind of things we were doing a few months ago,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a clip Colbert played.
“But I want to! A few months ago was great,” Colbert protested “It was the holidays, I was drunk on egg nog, I was watching “Cheer,” I was falling in love with Baby Yoda, I was looking forward, I was looking forward to impeaching the president. Remember that feeling?”
Also Read: Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Say They Have Tested Positive for Coronavirus
“It’s only March. 2020 has done the impossible, it’s made me nostalgic for 2019,” a dejected Colbert added.
Then he brought up statements made by “task force leader, and man who has quarantined his mind from knowledge,” Mike Pence, who said “All of our major health insurance companies have now joined with Medicare and Medicaid and agreed to waive all copays, cover the cost of all treatment for those who contract the coronavirus.”
Colbert used that comment to make a fun joke: “What a cool idea. It’s like Medicare. But, um, for all.”
Funny stuff, but had Colbert waited just a few hours later to tape Wednesday’s show, until after Donald Trump’s wild White House address on coronavirus, he might have updated the joke because as it turns out, Pence’s statement is false. See, after Trump announced a ban on all travel from Europe (except, for some reason, the UK), he repeated the same claim, that both treatment and testing will be fully covered.
Also Read: Trump Bars All Travel From Europe - Except the UK - in Response to Coronavirus
Unfortunately, almost immediately after the White House address, the biggest health care lobby in the country hastily told journalists that only testing, not treatment, will be covered, something the white house later confirmed. So uh, here’s hoping everyone who gets sick is a millionaire.
Watch Colbert’s comments below:
TONIGHT: The Coronavirus has got us all wishing it was a few months ago. #LSSC pic.twitter.com/8W4lmBUpzd
— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) March 12, 2020
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UTA to Test Remote Work Options for All Employees Due to Coronavirus Concerns
In an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus, United Talent Agency (UTA) will on Friday conduct a telecommuting test to ensure employees can work from home and the agency can still operate at its full capability.
As an added safety precaution, the agency will also no longer allow visitors or meetings with outside persons at any of its offices worldwide, a spokesperson for the agency told TheWrap Wednesday. That policy will take effect by end of day Thursday.
The agency will not be closing, however, and will otherwise continue to operate normally, the spokesperson added.
Also Read: Viacom Responds to Coronavirus by Testing Company-Wide Remote Work Day
UTA currently operates offices in London, New York, Nashville and Miami in addition to their flagship campus in Los Angeles.
The move is the latest in what has turned into a torrent of rescheduled or canceled events and workplace modifications in response to the spread of coronavirus, which the World Health Organization has declared a pandemic.
On Wednesday alone, the NBA suspended the remainder of the current season, the 2020 Cinemacon and E3 trade shows were canceled, most New York-based late-night shows announced the would stop having live audiences for the time being, and PaleyFest was postponed.
Also Read: Trump Bars All Travel From Europe - Except the UK - in Response to Coronavirus
But by far the biggest action taken was a total ban on travel to the U.S. from Europe, announced by Donald Trump Wednesday night during an address from the White House. The ban will take effect on Friday.
Keep up with all the cancellations and rescheduled events, as well as how industry players are altering workplaces in response to coronavirus.
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CinemaCon 2020 Canceled Over Coronavirus Fears
CinemaCon 2020 has been canceled due to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) announced Wednesday night.
The event was scheduled to take place in Las Vegas from Mar. 30 to April 2. It’s not currently known if it will be rescheduled.
“It is with great regret we are announcing the cancellation of CinemaCon 2020,” John Fithian and Mitch Neuhauser of NATO said in a statement. “Each spring, motion picture exhibitors, distributors and industry partners from around the world meet in Las Vegas to share information and celebrate the moviegoing experience. This year, due to the travel ban from the European Union, the unique travel difficulties in many other areas of the world and other challenges presented by the Coronavirus pandemic, a significant portion of the worldwide motion picture community is not able to attend CinemaCon.”
Also Read: Trump Bars All Travel From Europe - Except the UK - in Response to Coronavirus
The statement continued, “While local outbreaks vary widely in severity, the global circumstances make it impossible for us to mount the show that our attendees have come to expect. After consultation with our attendees, trade show exhibitors, sponsors, and studio presenters, NATO has decided therefore to cancel CinemaCon 2020. We look forward to continuing the 10-year tradition of presenting the largest movie theater convention in the world and joining our attendees in future celebrations of the moviegoing experience.”
The decision was made public less than two hours after Donald Trump announced a total ban on all travel from Europe to the United States, which will take effect on Friday.
A week prior to the announcement, delegates from China, Japan, Korea, and Italy had all canceled, given the effect of the virus on those territories and the travel restrictions therefrom. Focus Features, Lionsgate, NEON, Paramount, Universal, The Walt Disney Studios and Warner Bros. Pictures had, at the time, remained fully committed to attending with confirmed presentations and screenings.
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Hollywood Reacts to Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson Coronavirus News: ‘Good Things Are No More’
There is perhaps no more beloved celebrity in Hollywood then Tom Hanks, so it should come as no surprise that the news that he and wife Rita Wilson tested positive for coronavirus has left many stars shaken.
“Love to you @RitaWilson & @tomhanks. Please stay strong,” “The West Wing” star Bradley Whitford tweeted Wednesday night. “Terriers” star Donal Logue responded to Hanks’ initial announcement by saying, “Feel better, boss! All the best to you and Rita.”
“Billions” co-creator Brian Koppelman also responded to Hanks’ tweet with words of encouragement, saying, “Get better, sir ! We need you.”
Also Read: Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Say They Have Tested Positive for Coronavirus
Amber Ruffin — a writer on “Late Night With Seth Meyers” and the star of the upcoming Peacock show “The Amber Ruffin Show” — reacted emotionally to the news, writing, “TOM HANKS HAS CORONAVIRUS THE WORLD IS UPSIDE DOWN WE HAVE TO START OVER GOOD THINGS ARE NO MORE.”
Comedian Whitney Cummings also attempted to bring some levity to the news, tweeting, “I mean Tom Hanks is who would play the guy in the movie about Coronavirus.” While popular gamer Ninja was also moved by the news, writing, “This is becoming very very real. Prayers to Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.”
Perhaps journalist Ann Curry said it best, writing, “Ok, now we all have someone we love diagnosed with #coronavirus. Send Tom Hanks and his wife Rita some love.”
Also Read: Trump Bars All Travel From Europe - Except the UK - in Response to Coronavirus
Singer Richard Marx said that he actually spoke to Rita Wilson, telling his fans, “Just spoke to my sister from another mister
@RitaWilson who sounds pretty good but let’s all send love and prayers and all good vibes to her and @tomhanks.”
Breaking the news to his fans Wednesday, Tom Hanks wrote on his Instagram page, “Rita and I are down here in Australia. We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches. Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too. To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the Coronavirus, and were found to be positive.”
Hanks continued, “Well, now. What to do next? The Medical Officials have protocols that must be followed. We Hanks’ will be tested, observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires. Not much more to it than a one-day-at-a-time approach, no?”
He concluded the post by saying, “We’ll keep the world posted and updated. Take care of yourselves! Hanx!”
Also Read: 'Riverdale' Suspends Production After 'Team Member' Comes in Contact With Coronavirus Case
The couple is in Australia for filming on the as-yet-untitled film about Elvis Presley directed by Baz Luhrmann, currently slated for a 2021 release date. In the film, Hanks plays “Colonel” Tom Parker, Presley’s longtime manager.
See the reactions below:
Get better, sir ! We need you.
— Brian Koppelman (@briankoppelman) March 12, 2020
Feel better, boss! All the best to you and Rita.
— donal logue (@donallogue) March 12, 2020
Love to you @RitaWilson & @tomhanks. Please stay strong.
— Bradley Whitford (@BradleyWhitford) March 12, 2020
This is becoming very very real. Prayers to Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. https://t.co/GNiXxznhiO
— Ninja (@Ninja) March 12, 2020
TOM HANKS HAS CORONAVIRUS
THE WORLD IS UPSIDE DOWN
WE HAVE TO START OVER
GOOD THINGS ARE NO MORE
— amber ruffin (@ambermruffin) March 12, 2020
Just spoke to my sister from another mister @RitaWilson who sounds pretty good but let’s all send love and prayers and all good vibes to her and @tomhanks
— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) March 12, 2020
Ok, now we all have someone we love diagnosed with #coronavirus.
Send Tom Hanks and his wife Rita some love: https://t.co/Cdf2bIRNel
— Ann Curry (@AnnCurry) March 12, 2020
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NBA Suspends Current Season After Player Tests Positive for Coronavirus
The NBA has suspended games indefinitely after a player on the Utah Jazz tested positive for the coronavirus, the league announced Wednesday night.
“The NBA announced that a player on the Utah Jazz has preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19,” the league said in a statement. “The test result was reported shortly prior to the tip-off of tonight’s game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena. At that time, tonight’s game was canceled. The affected player was not in the arena.”
The statement continued, “The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice. The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”
Also Read: All NYC Late-Night Shows to Tape Without Live Studio Audiences Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
Shams Charania, NBA writer for The Athletic, is reporting the unnamed player is Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert.
While a handful of individual sporting events have been canceled as a result of the coronavirus, the NBA is the first major sports league to suspend play entirely. However, the National Hockey League said in a press statement Wednesday night that it is consulting with medical experts and evaluating options in light of the NBA’s decision, and will have an update Thursday morning.
Earlier Wednesday, the NCAA announced plans to with the March Madness tournament without allowing fans into arenas.
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Viacom Responds to Coronavirus by Testing Company-Wide Remote Work Day
Viacom is joining dozens of companies across Hollywood preparing for the coronavirus, as CEO Bob Bakish has announced to employees that they are testing new procedures to allow them to work from home.
“This [test] will allow us to assess our remote access capabilities, ensure everyone has the technology they need to do their jobs remotely, and help us practice how we work together when we’re all out of the office at the same,” Bakish wrote.
The test will take place this Friday, March 13, at offices nationwide, with employees instructed to back up critical files to company cloud servers and to take laptops home with them. Employees in some essential departments, such as news and Network Operation Centers, will not be included in this test and will have their own unique procedures. The memo also encourages any employee that would feel more comfortable working remotely to discuss doing so with their manager.
Companies worldwide are preparing for the coronavirus to continue spreading as the World Health Organization declared a pandemic on Wednesday. Companies like Amazon, Google and Twitter have instructed their employees to work remotely, and in Hollywood, organizations like SAG-AFTRA have announced that all in-person meetings and events have been cancelled until further notice and will be replaced with remote videoconferences for essential meetings.
Related stories from TheWrap:
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Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Say They Have Tested Positive for Coronavirus
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have both tested positive for the coronavirus, Hanks announced on his Instagram on Wednesday.
“Rita and I are down here in Australia,” Hanks said. “We felt a bit tired, like we had some colds, some body aches. Rita had some chills that came and went, slight fevers too.”
“To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the coronavirus and found to be positive,” Hanks said.
The couple, who have been married since 1988 and are both 63 years old, are in Australia for filming on the as-yet untitled film about Elvis Presley directed by Baz Luhrmann, currently slated for a 2021 release date. In the film, Hanks plays “Colonel” Tom Parker, Presley’s longtime manager. Austin Butler, Olivia DeJonge, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Rufus Sewell also star.
Also Read: NBA Suspends Current Season After Player Tests Positive for Coronavirus
“What to do next? The medical officials have protocols that must be followed. We Hanks’ will be tested, observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires. Not much more to it than a one-day-at-a-time approach, no? We’ll keep the world posted and updated,” Hanks concluded.
Hanks’s disclosure came just minutes after a White House address in which Donald Trump announced several strict measures to combat the spread of coronavirus, most notably a near-total ban on all travel from Europe. Read more about that here.
See Hanks’ full message below:
Also Read: Coronavirus: The Canceled Events in Tech, Media, Politics and Entertainment (Updating)
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) on Mar 11, 2020 at 6:08pm PDT
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