Year: 2020

Around 70 people in their 20s are under investigation in Austin, Texas, for possible infection with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 after they chartered a plane for a vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, last […]

Trump Resists National Quarantine

Even as he warns of a grim few weeks ahead with tens of thousands of Americans likely killed by the new coronavirus, President Donald Trump is resisting issuing a national stay-at-home order to stem the […]

Dow Falls 600 Points to Start Second Quarter

The Dow Jones fell 600 points on Wednesday as investors fled to safe-haven assets after new orders for U.S.-made goods plunged to an 11-year low and the White House issued a dire warning on the […]

New York Governor Cuomo Says City Will Close Down Playgrounds

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said he would close down the playgrounds in New York City in an effort to bolster social distancing steps and limit the number of coronavirus-related deaths, which are approaching 2,000 […]

Saudi Arabia Asks Muslims to Delay Hajj Bookings

Saudi Arabia has asked Muslims planning to take part in the Hajj pilgrimage to delay booking amid uncertainty over the coronavirus pandemic, BBC reported. Hajj Minister Mohammed Banten said the kingdom was concerned about the […]

Trump Says U.S. Might Join Saudi Arabia, Russia in Talks on Oil Prices

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would join Saudi Arabia and Russia, if need be, for talks about the sharp fall in oil prices resulting from a price war between the two countries, Reuters […]

Obama Takes Swipe at Trump’s Handling of Coronavirus Crisis

Former President Barack Obama appeared to take a swipe at President Donald Trump’s initial skepticism of the coronavirus pandemic, a rare rebuff for a president who tends not to weigh in on the work of […]

CNN Anchor Chris Cuomo Diagnosed With Coronavirus

CNN anchor Chris Cuomo said Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with Covid-19, the news outlet reported. He is feeling well, and will continue to anchor his 9 p.m. program “Cuomo Prime Time” from his […]

LUNCHTIME POLITICS: Cuomo’s Rating in New York, Nationally – Trump’s Issue Ratings – Finances, Economy – Tuesday Trivia

March 31, 2020 John Ganjei

Your Daily Polling Update for Tuesday, March 31, 2020 TRUMP JOB APPROVAL: AVERAGE 47%Down 1 from yesterday RON’S COMMENT: Today’s average is based on five polls, ranging from 45% (Rasmussen) to 49% (Washington Post/ABC). Without […]

U.S. Extends Waivers on Iran Sanctions

The U.S. Department of State has announced the extension of waivers for domestic as well as for foreign companies that will do business with Iran in order to help the Islamic nation with its civilian […]

New York Demands Medical Reinforcements

In the United States, where the spread of the coronavirus has been accelerating, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo begged for health care reinforcements, saying up to 1 million more workers were needed, The Associated Press […]

Europe’s Hospitals Among the Best but Can’t Handle Pandemic

As increasing numbers of European hospitals buckle under the strain of tens of thousands of coronavirus patients, the crisis has exposed a surprising paradox: Some of the world’s best health systems are remarkably ill-equipped to […]

Amazon Workers Strike as Labor Unrest Grows During Coronavirus Crisis

Warehouse, delivery and retail gig workers in the United States went on strike on Monday to call attention to safety and wage concerns for people laboring through the coronavirus crisis, Reuters reported. Among the strikers […]

U.S. Calls for Broad Venezuela Transitional Government

The Trump administration is calling for a transitional government in Venezuela made up of the opposition and some members of President Nicolas Maduro’s Socialist Party and is laying out for the first time how U.S. […]

World’s Busiest Land Border Quiet as Millions of Mexicans Are Barred From U.S.

The world’s busiest land border has fallen quiet as restrictions to contain the coronavirus prevent millions of Mexicans from making daily trips north, including many who work in U.S. businesses, Reuters informs. At least 4 […]

Ford, GE to Produce 50,000 Ventilators in 100 Days

Ford Motor Co said on Monday it will produce 50,000 ventilators over the next 100 days at a plant in Michigan in cooperation with General Electric’s healthcare unit, and can then build 30,000 per month […]

WHO Warns Coronavirus Pandemic ‘Far from Over’ in Asia-Pacific

A WHO senior official gave out a starch warning that the COVID-19 pandemic is “far from over” in the Asia-Pacific region, adding that states have to “keep preparing for large-scale community transmission.” Newsweek reports that […]

Maxine Waters Slams Trump over Coronavirus, Calls Him ‘Incompetent Idiot’

Maxine Waters shredded Donald Trump on Monday following his administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, and called the President an “incompetent idiot” in a string of fiery tweets, telling him to “stop congratulating” himself, The […]

LUNCHTIME POLITICS: Special Edition – Biden’s Margins Over Trump Differ

March 30, 2020 John Ganjei

Your Daily Polling Update for Monday, March 30, 2020 TRUMP JOB APPROVAL: AVERAGE 48%Same as Saturday RON’S COMMENT: Today’s average is based on four polls, ranging from 46% (Rasmussen) to 49% (Washington Post/ABC). Without these […]

DOJ to Probe Stock Transactions Prior to Coronavirus Market Tumble

The Justice Department is allegedly in the process of investigating a lawmaker who decided to sell stock several days before the market tumbled due to the coronavirus outbreak, The Hill reported. CNN reported Sunday that the […]

U.S. Extends Social Distancing Guidelines, Peak Expected around Easter

President Donald Trump appeared at a Coronavirus Task Force press conference on Sunday to say that the social distancing guidelines will be extended to April 30, to which he added that the peak of the […]

Fearing Gaza Virus Spread, Hamas Preps for Mass Quarantines

When Nima Amraa returned to the Gaza Strip from neighboring Egypt earlier this month, she was surprised to learn she was being placed in a makeshift quarantine center set up by the ruling Hamas group, […]

Japan Pressured to Declare State of Emergency Because of Coronavirus

An executive member of Japan’s main medical association urged government officials to consider issuing a state of emergency, saying it will be too late once the coronavirus infection reaches an explosive state, The Associated Press […]

Trump Uses Wartime Act, General Motors Says It’s Already Moving Fast

Twelve days ago, General Motors put hundreds of workers on an urgent project to build breathing machines as hospitals and governors pleaded for more in response to the coronavirus pandemic, The Associated Press reported. But […]

Partisan Divide Returns in U.S. Congress on Coronavirus Next Steps

Fresh partisan divisions flared on Sunday on the next steps for the U.S. Congress in dealing with the coronavirus crisis, with the top House of Representatives Republican casting doubt on the need for more economic […]

G20 Trade Ministers to Hold Emergency Video Conference

Group of 20 trade ministers will hold an emergency video conference from 1200 GMT on Monday to discuss cooperation on supply chains, Japan’s foreign ministry said, Reuters reported. Japan’s trade minister Hiroshi Kajiyama and vice […]

Oil Plunges to 2002 Lows, Shares Sink Again

Oil took another eyewatering 8% tumble on Monday and world shares buckled again as fears mounted that the global coronavirus shutdown could last for months, Reuters writes. There were some bright spots, with Australian equities […]

Graham Slams Pelosi for ‘Most Shameful, Disgusting Statement’ against Trump

Senator Lindsey Graham slammed Nancy Pelosi after the House Speaker accused President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak to cause deadly consequences, The Hill reported. “She’s blaming the president of the United States for […]

March 29, 2020 Focus Washington

Rouhani Says Economy Is a Factor in Iran’s Virus Response

Iran’s president on Sunday lashed out at criticism of its lagging response to the worst coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East, saying the government has to weigh economic concerns as it takes measures to contain […]

March 29, 2020 Focus Washington

Saudi Arabia Expands Partial Lockdown, German Tourists Leave UАЕ

Saudi Arabia halted entry and exit into Jeddah governorate on Sunday while hundreds of German tourists were repatriated from the United Arab Emirates as the coronavirus continued to spread in the region, Reuters writes. The […]