Month: March 2020

Turkish and Russian defense ministers held a phone conversation on Tuesday to discuss the situation in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, Anadolu Agency reported. Hulusi Akar and Sergey Shoygu exchanged views on ways to […]

Saudi Arabia, Russia Raise Stakes in Oil Production Standoff

Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday it would boost its oil supplies to a record high in April, raising the stakes in a standoff with Russia and effectively rebuffing Moscow’s suggestion for new talks, Reuters informs. […]

U.S. Starts Troop Pullout, Seeks End to Afghan Leaders’ Feud

The United States began withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, the U.S. military said Tuesday, taking a step forward on its peace deal with the Taliban while also praising Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s promise to start releasing […]

Cory Booker Endorses Biden

Senator Cory Booker announced his support for former Vice President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign early Monday, adding to Biden’s list of endorsements from his former primary opponents, The Hill reports. “The answer to hatred & […]

Biden Aims for Big Michigan Win

Joe Biden hopes to take a big step toward the Democratic presidential nomination on Tuesday when six states cast votes, while Bernie Sanders aims for an upset win in Michigan that would keep his White […]

Xi Visits Wuhan, Signaling Tide Turning in China’s Coronavirus Battle

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday made his first visit to Wuhan since a coronavirus outbreak forced an unprecedented lockdown of the central city of 11 million people, in a sign that authorities’ efforts to […]

Trump Vows ‘Major’ Steps to Aid U.S. Economy Amid Coronavirus Rise

President Donald Trump on Monday said he will be taking “major” steps to gird the economy against the impact of the spreading coronavirus outbreak and will discuss a payroll tax cut with congressional Republicans on […]

Pentagon Sends More Troops to the Border Ahead of SCOTUS Decision

The Pentagon is sending a crisis response force of roughly 160 troops to the southern border ahead of a Supreme Court decision that officials fear could prompt a new migration crisis, Politico reported. The Trump […]

Trump Replaces Mulvaney With Meadows as Chief of Staff

President Donald Trump announced late Friday that he was replacing his acting White House chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, with Republican Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina, a shake-up in the top echelons of the […]

Detained Saudi Princes Reportedly Being Held in Villas, Allowed to Call Families

Two senior princes detained in a crackdown against potential rivals of Saudi Arabia’s powerful crown prince are being held in private villas and have been allowed to call their families, according to a person with […]

LUNCHTIME POLITICS: Iowa Senate – Michigan, Washington, Missouri, Mississippi – Testing “Socialism”

March 9, 2020 John Ganjei

Your Daily Polling Update for Monday, March 9, 2020 TRUMP JOB APPROVAL: AVERAGE 45%Same as Friday RON’S COMMENT: Today’s average is based on four polls, ranging from 44% (Reuters, The Economist, Politico) to 48% (Rasmussen). […]

Biden Video Was Not Manipulated, Scavino Says

Dan Scavino, the director of social media at the White House, took to Twitter early Monday to deny the charge that a retweeted video that showed Joe Biden stumbling during a recent speech was manipulated, Fox News informed. The […]

Dems Look to Michigan Primary as Testing Ground for November

Ask Arlene Williams about President Donald Trump’s promises to bring back auto industry jobs that have evaporated across Michigan and she’ll point with irony to the Chevy Blazer, The Associated Press writes. General Motors is […]

Europe Told to Act Now as Coronavirus Locks Down North Italy

Italy’s prime minister promised “massive shock therapy” to beat the coronavirus on Monday and urged Europe to act decisively after markets plunged and his country sealed off much of its wealthy industrial north, Reuters informs. […]

US and China will meet for the first time at a high level since Russia's attack on Ukraine as Biden tries to get Beijing's help with the war.

U.S. Chip Industry Fears Long-Term Damage From China Trade Fight

The U.S. semiconductor industry is pressing to get out of the firing line between the U.S. and China, warning its position as the global market leader could become a casualty of the trade spat, The […]

Boeing Proposal to Avoid Max Wiring Shift Does Not Win U.S. Support

Boeing’s proposal to leave wiring bundles in place on the grounded 737 MAX has not won the backing of U.S. aviation regulators, a person briefed on the matter told Reuters. Last month, Boeing told the […]

No Hugs, Handshakes as U.S. Churches Take New Precautions Against Coronavirus

With a wide smile and arms outstretched, but quickly dropped into double elbow bumps, James Harper warmly greets fellow congregants at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on Sunday in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, […]

Oil Prices Plunge as Virus Closes Sites Around World

The world’s largest economies delivered more worrisome cues Monday as anxiety over the virus outbreak sent stock and oil prices plunging and closed sites from the Sistine Chapel to Saudi Arabian schools, The Associated Press […]

China Turns to Propaganda to Right Image in Virus War

As the rest of the world grapples with a burgeoning virus outbreak, China’s ruling Communist Party has deployed its propaganda playbook to portray its leader as firmly in charge, leading an army of health workers […]

Sanders Needs Michigan Win in U.S. Presidential Race

For Bernie Sanders to remain competitive with Joe Biden in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, he’ll have to repeat what he did four years ago: Win the Michigan primary, Reuters writes. Ahead of […]

Aramco Trades Below IPO Price for First Time

Shares of Saudi state oil company Aramco slumped below their initial public offering (IPO) price on Sunday for the first time since they began trading in December, after OPEC’s pact with Russia to restrict oil […]

Ten Die at Collapsed China Quarantine Hotel

Ten people have died and 23 remain trapped after the collapse of a hotel that was being used to quarantine people under observation for the coronavirus in the Chinese city of Quanzhou, authorities said on […]

Coronavirus May Force Americans to Avoid Crowds

Americans, especially those who are vulnerable, may need to stop attending big gatherings as the coronavirus spreads through U.S. communities, a top health official said on Sunday, adding that the possibility of large-scale quarantines cannot […]

US Marine in Virginia Infected with Coronavirus

The newest person infected with the coronavirus is a U.S. marine in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, the state’s health officials announced Saturday. According to the Department of Defense spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman, the patient is currently being […]

Cruise Ships Taken off Course as Anti-Virus Controls Widen

The spreading new virus, or fears of it, immobilized cruise ships or left them searching for ports on four continents Saturday as the bug that has infected more than 100,000 people shifted its travel patterns, […]

Turkey Says Ceasefire Holds in Syria’s Idlib

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Saturday there had been no violations of the ceasefire in Syria’s Idlib, as part of an agreement with Russia, while Russia said there have been a few shootings […]

Iran Coronavirus Death Toll Jumps to 145

Iran’s official death toll from the new coronavirus rose by 21 on Saturday, with a lawmaker among the latest fatalities, while the government accused Washington of hampering Tehran’s response to the virus, AFP reported. Health […]

Saudi Arabia Detains Senior Royals for Alleged Coup Plot

Saudi Arabia has detained three senior Saudi princes including Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, the younger brother of King Salman, and Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, the king’s nephew, for allegedly planning a coup, sources with knowledge […]

Financial Regulators Start Contingency Planning as Virus Reaches Washington

U.S. financial regulators are preparing contingency arrangements, including travel restrictions and home-working, to ensure they can effectively oversee the financial markets as the coronavirus closes in on the U.S. capital, Reuters writes. On Friday, U.S. […]

Biden Warns Against ‘Bloodbath’ Fight With Sanders

Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders will campaign in the Midwest on Saturday, as the two prepare for a showdown in Michigan, Missouri and four other nominating contests next week, Reuters informs. Sanders, […]