Year: 2018

The latest tensions surrounding the Kremlin’s decision to seize three Ukrainian naval ships in the Azov Sea are forcing foreign investors to reconsider Russia as Moscow faces the possibility of broader and tougher Western sanctions, […]

U.S. ‘Could be Entering Cold War with China’ Over Trade

The U.S. and China could be in the early stages of a Cold War, economist Stephen Roach told CNBC, warning the global trade dispute is likely to last for a “long, long time.” Roach’ comments […]

Alabama Mall Shooting Suspect Apprehended Days after Police Kills Wrong Man

A 20-year-old man has been apprehended in connection with a Thanksgiving shooting incident that turned deadly at a shopping mall in Hoover, Alabama. The initial shooting set off a chain reaction in which a police […]

Saudi Arabia’s Impact on Global Economy as Part of G20

Saudi Arabia enjoys a privileged position in both economic and geopolitical terms; the Kingdom’s international political and economic importance is reflected in its rising stature on the world stage. G20 members represent all inhabited continents, […]

Franklin Resources Has $497mn Holdings in Philip Morris International

Franklin Resources Inc. cut its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) by 4.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned […]

U.S. Files Criminal Charges against Mike Lynch Over HP Sale

The United States has filed criminal charges against Mike Lynch over the $11 billion sale of the British software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard seven years ago, the Financial Times reported on Friday. The newspaper said […]

Trump Cannot Fire Fed Chairman Powell: Morgan Stanley

U.S. President Donald Trump may be unhappy with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, but he has no authority to remove the central bank head from office, Morgan Stanley said, according to CNBC. Trump renewed his criticisms of Powell earlier this week, […]

Flake Blocked in Attempt to Force Vote on Save-Mueller Bill, as Trump Court Pick Caught in Crossfire

Outgoing Arizona GOP Sen. Jeff Flake joined with Democrats on Wednesday in a failed bid to force a vote on legislation to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller — and locked arms again with the other side […]

Ivanka Trump: Email Controversy Bears ‘No Equivalency’ to Hillary Clinton’s

Ivanka Trump brushed off the controversy over her use of a private email account in an interview Tuesday, arguing that her circumstances are significantly different from the email scandal that dogged former Secretary of State […]

Trump Cancels Planned Putin Meeting at G20 Summit

President Donald Trump on Thursday abruptly canceled his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin two days before they were scheduled to sit down on the sidelines of the G20 summit, CNN informed. Trump pinned the […]

Cohen Pleads Guilty to Lying about Moscow Tower Project

Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump’s former longtime personal lawyer, pleaded guilty on Thursday to lying to Congress about a proposed Trump Organization skyscraper in Moscow, prompting the President to lash out at Cohen as a […]

U.S. Sanctions Bring Putin, Russian Oligarchs Closer Together

Beleaguered by Western sanctions, Russian President Vladimir Putin is turning the national economy inward, enlisting local tycoons for the biggest infrastructure-investment program since Soviet times, Wall Street Journal writes. The government plans to spend the […]

Trump Administration Considering Tighter Background Checks on Chinese Students

The Trump administration is considering new background checks and other restrictions on Chinese students in the United States over growing espionage concerns, U.S. officials and congressional sources said, Reuters reports. In June, the U.S. State […]

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm urged major American oil refiners to increase capacity and decrease exports of refined goods ahead of the winter

China, Iran Solve Oil Payments Problem Without Risking U.S. Sanctions Breach

Iran and China have found a way for China to continue buying Iranian crude and pay for it without risking a U.S. sanction breach, an Iranian official said, as quoted by Fars News. “A Chinese […]

Mercuria Successfully Signs $1.34bn Credit Facilities for Its Asian Business

Mercuria Energy Group Ltd., the global energy and commodities group, is pleased to announce the successful signing of credit facilities in the amount of US$1.35 billion (the “Facilities”) that was joined by a group of […]

PMI: New Tobacco Rules Will Choke Healthier Products

Philip Morris International, one of the biggest tobacco companies in the world, sees SA’s mooted tobacco regulations as an impediment to its plan to phase out its cigarette brands, such as Marlboro, in favou=r of […]

Saudi Arabia, U.S. Move Towards $15bn Deal for THAAD Missile Defense System

Saudi Arabia has signed a letter of offer and acceptance with the United States for Lockheed Martin’s THAAD missile system, a significant step forward in the $15 billion deal, a State Department spokesperson confirmed to […]

Corsi Tries to Go on Offensive against Mueller, DOJ, Asks Lawyers to File ‘Criminal Complaint’

Jerome Corsi, the conservative author who was accused of lying under oath to Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe officials, ordered his legal team on Wednesday to submit a criminal complaint against ‘Mueller’s special counsel’ and […]

November 28, 2018 Lisa Clayton

LUNCHTIME POLITICS: Nation Divided – Americans on DC, System – Vegetarians and Vegans

Your Daily Polling Update for Wednesday, November 28, 2018 TRUMP JOB APPROVAL: AVERAGE 44% Same as yesterday RON’S COMMENT: Today’s average is based on three polls, ranging from 38% (Gallup) to 48% (Rasmussen). The third poll […]

U.S. Third-Quarter GDP Growth Unrevised at 3.5 Percent

The U.S. economy slowed in the third quarter as previously reported, but the pace was likely strong enough to keep growth on track to hit the Trump administration’s 3 percent target this year, Reuters informs. […]

Trump ‘Not Even a Little Bit Happy’ With Fed’s Powell

President Donald Trump continued his attack on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, telling the Washington Post he’s “not even a little bit happy” with his choice to head the central bank. “So far, I’m not […]

Pyongyang Blasts Washington for ‘Stoking Confrontation’ Over Human Rights

Pyongyang is accusing the Trump administration and some supporters of trying to “stoke confrontation” instead of promoting peace efforts by calling for a U.N. Security Council meeting to discuss North Korea’s human rights record, AP/TIME […]

Trump Considering Former Senate Candidate John James for UN Ambassador, Source Says

President Donald Trump is considering former Michigan Senate candidate John James to take the place of the outgoing U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Fox News informed. James, who did not manage to defeat Sen. Debbie Stabenow, […]

Bernie Sanders Slams Trump while Promoting New Book

Sen. Bernie Sanders, in a speech timed to the release of his newest book Tuesday, blasted President Trump and called him a “pathological liar, a racist, and religious bigot,” adding that he was “depressed” and […]

CNN’s Jim Acosta Spars with Sanders in Briefing Room after Temporary Ban

CNN’s Jim Acosta returned to the James S. Brady room on Tuesday for a press briefing with Sarah Sanders, 20 days after the reporter was temporarily banned from the White House, Fox News informed. Sanders, […]

Mercuria In Pole Position to Buy Bunker Supplier Aegean

Multiple parties have shown interest in bidding for Aegean Marine Petroleum Network [NYSE:ANW], but according to those close to the matter, Mercuria Energy Group Ltd is in pole position to buy the bunker supplier, Ship […]

Diplomats Get Insider’s Guide to Saudi Arabia’s Busiest Port

Diplomats from about 40 countries were given a first-hand view of Jeddah Islamic Port’s most important features and recent developments during a visit organized by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, Arab News […]

Philip Morris International Shares Sold by Asset Planning Services Inc. LA ADV

Asset Planning Services Inc. LA ADV reduced its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and […]

U.S. Charges Six Russians for Alleged Online Ad Fraud

The United States has charged six Russian nationals and two Kazakhs for an alleged online fraud involving fake advertising that caused companies to lose tens of millions of dollars, the Justice Department announced late on […]

November 27, 2018 Lisa Clayton

LUNCHTIME POLITICS: Tuesday Trivia – Animal Rights – Trump and Congress – Pets

Your Daily Polling Update for Tuesday, November 27, 2018 TRUMP JOB APPROVAL: AVERAGE 44% Same as yesterday RON’S COMMENT: Today’s average is based on four polls, ranging from 38% (Gallup) to 49% (Rasmussen). Without these two […]