Focus Washington February 2021

Biden Says U.S., Canada to Work toward Achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2050

February 24, 2021 Focus Washington

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that he and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to work toward achieving net zero emissions by 2050, Reuters reported. “We’re launching a high-level, climate-ambition ministerial and to […]

Follow

Investors Push Companies to Come Clean on Climate

February 24, 2021 Focus Washington

In the past, shareholder votes on the environment were rare and easily brushed aside. Things could look different in the annual meeting season starting next month, when companies are set to face the most investor […]

Follow

California to Enforce Net Neutrality after Judge Rejects Challenge by Internet Providers

February 24, 2021 Focus Washington

California should soon implement its landmark net neutrality law under a judge’s ruling on Tuesday, nearly three years after the state legislature enacted the measure, the state attorney general’s office said, Reuters reported. U.S. Judge […]

Follow

Powell Says Economy Still Needs Fed Support, Pushes Back on Inflation Worries

February 23, 2021 Focus Washington

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, pushing back on suggestions that loose monetary policy risked unleashing inflation and financial risks in what may be an emerging economic boom, said the central bank would keep its attention […]

Follow

LUNCHTIME POLITICS: Americans Want Third Party – DeSantis Tops Florida Republicans – Vaccine Rollout – Tuesday Trivia

February 23, 2021 John Ganjei

Your Daily Polling Update for Tuesday, February 23, 2021 BIDEN JOB APPROVAL: AVERAGE 56%Down 1 from last Tuesday RON’S COMMENT: Today’s average is based on five polls, ranging from 50% (Rasmussen) to 62% (Politico). Without […]

Follow

Fauci Says He Sees U.S. CDC Relaxing Some COVID-19 Guidelines Soon

February 23, 2021 Focus Washington

Top U.S. infectious disease official Anthony Fauci on Tuesday told CNN that he expects the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to soon relax some COVID-19 recommendations aimed at curbing its spread for people […]

Follow

U.S. Manufacturers Grapple with Steel Shortages, Soaring Prices

February 23, 2021 Focus Washington

An aerospace parts maker in California is struggling to procure cold-rolled steel, while an auto and appliance parts manufacturer in Indiana is unable to secure additional supplies of hot-rolled steel from mills, Reuters reported. Both […]

Follow

Trump May Soon Have to Answer Rape Allegations under Oath

February 23, 2021 Focus Washington

During a December visit to New York City, writer E. Jean Carroll says she went shopping with a fashion consultant to find the “best outfit” for one of the most important days of her life […]

Follow

U.S. Senate Begins Review of Security Failings Ahead of Deadly Capitol Riot

February 23, 2021 Focus Washington

Two U.S. Senate panels reviewing security failings in the run-up to the deadly assault on the Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump are due on Tuesday to interview the top security officials involved […]

Follow

Commodities Rally, Stocks Steady, Yields off Highs

February 23, 2021 Focus Washington

Optimism about the economic outlook pushed commodity prices to new highs on Tuesday, helping stocks steady as expectations of a dovish testimony by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell calmed down bond yields, Reuters informed. The […]

Follow

Biden, Trudeau Aim to Move past Keystone Pipeline Disagreement in First Bilateral Meeting

February 23, 2021 Focus Washington

U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will try on Tuesday to move past an early disagreement after Biden blocked the Canadian-backed Keystone XL pipeline and look to reset relations after the […]

Follow

Bells Toll for Lives Lost as U.S. Reaches 500,000 COVID Deaths

February 23, 2021 Focus Washington

The United States on Monday crossed the staggering milestone of 500,000 COVID-19 deaths just over a year since the coronavirus pandemic claimed its first known victim in Santa Clara County, California, Reuters informed. In a […]

Follow

Bitcoin Tumbles 17% as Doubts Grow over Valuations

February 23, 2021 Focus Washington

Bitcoin tumbled 17% on Tuesday, sparking a sell-off across cryptocurrency markets as investors grew nervous at sky-high valuations and leveraged players took profit, Reuters informed. The world’s biggest cryptocurrency suffered its biggest daily drop in […]

Follow

U.S. Supreme Court Paves Way for Release of Trump’s Tax Returns

February 22, 2021 Focus Washington

Donald Trump suffered a major setback on Monday in his long quest to conceal details of his finances as the U.S. Supreme Court paved the way for a New York City prosecutor to obtain the […]

Follow

U.S.-Iran Deal Is Ultimately Possible Because Iran Needs Money, Analyst Says

February 22, 2021 Focus Washington

Washington and Tehran will ultimately be able to strike a nuclear agreement because Iran needs relief from economic sanctions, according to a senior advisor at a U.S. think tank, CNBC reported. “I think, ultimately, a […]

Follow

Pandemic Caused $220 Billion of Global Dividend Cuts in 2020, Research Says

February 22, 2021 Focus Washington

Global dividends fell sharply in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the amount of investor payouts declining 12.2% to $1.26 trillion, according to new research, CNBC writes. As the international public health crisis spread […]

Follow

British PM Johnson to Plot Path Out of Lockdown on Monday

February 22, 2021 Focus Washington

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will chart England’s path out of COVID-19 lockdown on Monday in an effort to gradually reopen its battered economy, aided by one of the fastest vaccine rollouts in the world, […]

Follow

Michigan, Maryland Governors to Testify on New U.S. Infrastructure Push

February 22, 2021 Focus Washington

A U.S. Senate panel will hold a hearing on Wednesday on efforts to boost crumbling U.S. transport infrastructure, which will include testimony from two key governors, Reuters reports. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, and […]

Follow

OPEC, U.S. Oil Firms Expect Subdued Shale Rebound Even as Crude Prices Rise

February 22, 2021 Focus Washington

OPEC and U.S. oil companies see a limited rebound in shale oil supply this year as top U.S. producers freeze output despite rising prices, a decision that would help OPEC and its allies, Reuters informed. […]

Follow

Biden to Revise Small Business Loans to Reach Smaller, Minority Firms, Says Official

February 22, 2021 Focus Washington

Biden administration officials said that for two weeks starting on Wednesday, the Small Business Administration will only accept applications for forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans from firms with fewer than 20 employees to ensure […]

Follow

World Shares Sink as Bond Yields, Commodities Surge

February 22, 2021 Focus Washington

World shares sank on Monday as expectations for faster economic growth and inflation battered bonds and boosted commodities, while rising real yields made equity valuations look more stretched in comparison, Reuters reported. MSCI’s All Country […]

Follow

China Calls for Reset in Sino-U.S. Relations

February 22, 2021 Focus Washington

Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said on Monday the United States and China could work together on issues like climate change and the coronavirus pandemic if they repaired their damaged bilateral relationship, Reuters reported. Wang, […]

Follow

Critics Accuse Ted Cruz of ‘Fake Compassion’ as He Hands Out Water in Texas

February 21, 2021 Focus Washington

Fresh from a trip to a Mexican beach resort, Texas Senator Ted Cruz appeared keen to show he was helping others during the statewide emergency that he temporarily—left behind this week, Newsweek reports. The Republican […]

Follow

Biden’s First Month Was a ‘Honeymoon,’ but Bigger Challenges Loom Ahead

February 21, 2021 Focus Washington

One month into the job, President Joe Biden is on the cusp of securing a bigger economic rescue package than during the 2009 financial crisis. He has wiped out his predecessor Donald Trump’s policies from […]

Follow

WHO to Recommend Extensive Study of First Known COVID-19 Patient, Wet Market Suppliers: Report

February 21, 2021 Focus Washington

The World Health Organization (WHO) will release a report on the roots of the coronavirus pandemic recommending more comprehensive contact tracing of the first known patient in Wuhan, China and the wildlife market where it […]

Follow

Clubhouse’s Rising Popularity Raises Misinformation Concerns

February 21, 2021 Focus Washington

Clubhouse, an emerging social media platform born during the coronavirus-driven lockdowns, has given users a chance to connect through intimate audio conversations with virtual strangers even while isolated at home, The Hill reports. But as […]

Follow

Big U.S. Companies Slash Donations to Politicians after Trump Election Challenge

February 21, 2021 Focus Washington

Ten U.S. corporations slashed donations to candidates seeking federal office by more than 90% in January, after pledging to cut off giving to the Republicans who supported former President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn his […]

Follow

Billions in Damage Across the South Prompts Focus on Who’s to Blame, and Who Will Pay

February 20, 2021 Focus Washington

Millions of people across a storm-scarred South were bracing for one last night of extreme cold Friday following a devastating week in which dozens of people died, homes and businesses sustained billions of dollars in […]

Follow

Lawyer Who Brought Election Suit Referred for Possible Discipline

February 20, 2021 Focus Washington

A federal judge in Washington on Friday formally referred a Minnesota lawyer for potential discipline over a lawsuit filed in December seeking to overturn President Joe Biden’s wins in at least five battleground states, Politico […]

Follow

NYC Shutting Central Park Ice Rinks to Kids to Freeze Out Trump Organization

February 20, 2021 Focus Washington

Skaters arriving at Central Park’s two ice rinks are in for a cold awakening next week — the rinks, which are both managed by the Trump Organization, are being shuttered by City Hall to punish […]

Follow