US television network ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely after comments he made about Charlie Kirk’s killing.
The Walt Disney-owned network made the announcement on Wednesday after remarks the late-night host made about the right-wing commentator's assassination came under harsh criticism from the head of the Federal Communications Commission.
Mr Kirk, a popular figure in conservative circles, was killed at an event at a Utah university last week. The alleged gunman – Tyler Robinson, 22, of Utah – has been charged with aggravated murder, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
“We had some new lows over the weekend with the Maga [Make America Great Again] gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and with everything they can to score political points from it," Kimmel said in his Monday monologue.
Kimmel was referring to Mr Robinson being raised in a conservative Christian family. No motive has yet been discovered for the assassination but President Donald Trump and his administration have called him a "radical leftist".
"In between the finger-pointing, there was, uh, grieving. On Friday, the White House flew the flags at half-staff, which got some criticism, but on a human level you can see how hard the President is taking this,” Kimmel said.
He then cut to a clip in which Mr Trump responded to reporters asking about how he was doing by pointing to construction at the White House.
The Trump administration and supporters have taken aim at people and groups who have mocked Mr Kirk or celebrated his death on social media. Far-right influencers including Laura Loomer have been trying to have people fired from their jobs and the State Department has said it will not issue visas to those failing to treat Mr Kirk's assassination with the appropriate gravity.
While beloved by many on the right, Mr Kirk frequently espoused Islamophobic, homophobic and xenophobic views.
Nexstar Media Group said earlier that it would stop broadcasting the show on its 32 ABC affiliates because of the comments Kimmel made.
“Mr Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse,” said Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division.
Earlier on Wednesday, FCC chairman Brendan Carr urged local broadcasters to stop airing the show on ABC.
Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now
There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
3. Global trade war
Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
