Coronavirus: How will the markets react after Trump’s travel remarks?

All eyes will be on the financial markets Thursday after President Donald Trump outlined strict travel restrictions on passengers arriving in the United States from Europe to limit the coronavirus spread. The European travel restriction is likely to further hammer the earnings of battered airlines and hotel companies and hurt consumer spending, which makes up 70% of the economy, says Ryan Dietrich, senior market strategist at LPL Financial. In his speech Wednesday, Trump also said he planned to take emergency action to provide financial relief to workers who are quarantined or caring for others with coronavirus. Trump also called on Congress to provide Americans with “immediate payroll tax relief,” and implored lawmakers to “consider this very strongly” despite bipartisan pushback that idea received.

• Halted: Tours of the Capitol put on hold amid coronavirus fears
• Tom Hanks says he and wife Rita Wilson tested positive for coronavirus in Australia
• Amid coronavirus, will they be welcome?Cruise ships will bring 100,000 people to US ports this week
• Entertainment industry hit: Adam Sandler, ‘Survivor,’ CinemaCon, more events postponed

A year after admissions scandal, the legal battle isn’t over

One year ago Thursday, FBI agents raided million-dollar homes belonging to financial investors, CEOs, celebrated college coaches and dozens more. Also taken into custody: two famous actresses, Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin. Authorities say they uncovered a sprawling scheme in which wealthy parents made six-figure payments to Rick Singer, a California college consultant. He used the money to get their children into some of the country’s most prestigious universities, the feds say – paying bribes and falsifying test scores and applications. Twelve months later, federal prosecutors have obtained guilty pleas from more than half of the 53 defendants. But with several trials still looming, it’s still unclear how the blockbuster case will finally play out.

• One tough judge:Fates of Lori Loughlin, other parents in his hands
• Rebuilding trust: College presidents say system must change
• Scandal tracker:Who’s gone to prison, who’s still fighting

NBA schedule goes dark after league suspends play due to coronavirus

The NBA will go dark Thursday after the league shut down and suspended all games until further notice because of coronavirus concerns. The unprecedented move comes after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the recently discovered coronavirus.  . The move may affect the National Hockey League as well since NHL and NBA teams share many arenas. The NHL released a statement Wednesday night saying it is aware of the NBA’s plans and it is expected “to have a further update (Thursday).”  

• Not a good look:Gobert jokingly touched reporters’ recorders days ago 
• Column:Nightmare scenario forced NBA to make tough decision
• Many quiet arenas:NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will not include fans due to coronavirus concerns
• Opinion: Common sense prevails in NBA, NCAA, but not for the right reasons

Public barred from 2020 Olympic flame lighting in Greece

Spectators will be kept away from the Olympic flame-lighting ceremony in Ancient Olympia on Thursday because of the coronavirus. Only 100 accredited guests will be allowed to attend, Greece’s Olympic committee said Monday. The Olympic flame is ceremonially lit months in advance of the games at the birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece, among the ruins of pagan temples of Ancient Olympia. From there, it is carried in a week-long relay through Greece before being handed over to games organizers. Tokyo officials previously said they would not send 140 children to Greece to give the flame a send-off next week on its journey to Japan. The International Olympic Committee and local organizers have emphasized that the Olympics will open as scheduled.   

• US Olympic and Paralympic Committee postpones Tokyo media summit due to coronavirus fears.

Buttigieg guest hosts ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’

Pete Buttigieg has a new gig. At least for one night. The former presidential candidate will guest host “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on Thursday. Buttigieg suspended his presidential campaign March 1 and endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden the next day. Buttigieg said he is traveling the country, thanking supporters, before getting some time away with his husband, Chasten. “Then we’ll come back and I’ll make myself useful in new ways,” he said on NBC. “But we’re going to have some fun first.” 

• Moving on:After rising from relative obscurity, Buttigieg ends his White House bid as crowd chants ‘2024’
• ‘ThankYouPete’:Hashtag trends after Buttigieg suspends campaign
• ‘I want to be brave like you’:Boy, 9, asks Buttigieg for help coming out as gay

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