Month: February 2021

Former President Donald Trump lashed out at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday, signaling a growing feud between the two most senior Republican voices after the party lost the White House and control of […]

Japan Begins COVID-19 Vaccination in ‘First Major Step’ to Halt Pandemic

Japan launched its COVID-19 inoculation drive on Wednesday, administering the Pfizer-BionTech vaccine to Tokyo hospital workers, as Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga attempts to beat the odds and host the Olympics this summer, Reuters informed. Workers […]

U.S. Ship Sails in South China Sea by China-Claimed Islands

A U.S. Navy warship sailed by islands claimed by China in the South China Sea on Wednesday in a freedom of navigation operation, marking the latest move by Washington to challenge Beijing’s territorial claims in […]

Big Tech’s Democratic Critics Discuss Ways to Strike Back With White House

Congressional Democrats have begun discussions with the White House on ways to crack down on Big Tech including making social media companies accountable for the spread of disinformation on matters such as the U.S. Capitol […]

Trump, Giuliani Accused in Lawsuit of Conspiring to Incite Capitol Riot

A Democratic congressman, in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday, accused former President Donald Trump, his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and two right-wing groups of conspiring to incite last month’s deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol, […]

Millions Endure Record Cold Without Power

A winter storm that left millions without power in record-breaking cold weather claimed more lives, including three people found dead after a tornado hit a seaside town in North Carolina and four family members who […]

protection against coronavirus infection

COVID-19 Bill Would Scale up Ability To Spot Virus Mutations

U.S. scientists would gain vastly expanded capabilities to identify potentially deadlier mutations of the coronavirus under COVID-19 relief legislation advancing in Congress, The Associated Press reported. The U.S. now maps only the genetic makeup of […]

February 16, 2021 John Ganjei

LUNCHTIME POLITICS: Trump, Impeachment and Acquittal – 2024 GOP Prospects

Your Daily Polling Update for Tuesday, February 16, 2021 BIDEN JOB APPROVAL: AVERAGE 57%Up 3 from Thursday RON’S COMMENT: Today’s average is based on five polls, ranging from 53% (Economist, Rasmussen) to 62% (Politico). Without […]

Bitcoin Smashes Through $50,000 as Mainstream Charge Gathers Pace

Bitcoin soared above $50,000 on Tuesday to an all-time high, adding steam to a rally fuelled by signs that the world’s biggest cryptocurrency is gaining acceptance among mainstream investors and companies, Reuters reports. Bitcoin hit […]

Saudi Arabia Eyes Dubai’s Crown With HQ Ultimatum

Saudi Arabia has raised the stakes in a competition with freewheeling Dubai for foreign talent and cash, Reuters informed. From 2024, the Saudi government will stop giving state contracts to companies and commercial institutions that […]

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.

China Overtakes U.S. as Europe’s Main Trading Partner for the First Time

China dethroned the U.S. to become Europe’s top trading partner for the first time last year, data from the European statistics office has shown, CNBC reported. European Union exports to China grew by 2.2% last […]

Cuomo Acknowledges Withholding New York Nursing Home Pandemic Death Toll from Lawmakers, Public

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo acknowledged on Monday that his office should not have withheld data on COVID-19 nursing home deaths from state lawmakers, the public and press – falling short of an apology a […]

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

U.S. Oil Wells, Refineries Shut as Winter Storm Hits Energy Sector

A deep freeze across the United States is taking a toll on the energy industry in the largest U.S. crude-producing state, halting Texas oil wells and refineries on Monday and forcing restrictions from natural gas […]

Actions made to combat the delta version should still be successful in combating the newly discovered omicron variation, according to World Health Organization officials.

WHO Has Alerted Six African Countries after Ebola Outbreaks

The World Health Organization has alerted six countries to watch out for potential Ebola cases after fresh outbreaks in Guinea and Democratic Republic of Congo, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday, Reuters informed. Guinea declared a […]

Biden to Pitch Stimulus Bill in Wisconsin, U.S. State Hard Hit by Pandemic

President Joe Biden will travel to Wisconsin on Tuesday to press his case for a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill in the political battleground state that helped secure his victory in last year’s presidential election, […]

TikTok’s U.S. Ad Business Roars Back as Trump’s Threats Recede

Accused by the Trump administration of being a front for the Chinese government, TikTok’s ad business looked bleak last July, Reuters writes. Big brands backed off on spending even as TikTok executives offered refunds to […]

North Korean Hackers Tried to Steal Pfizer Vaccine Know-How, Lawmaker Says

South Korea’s intelligence agency has said North Korea attempted to steal information on coronavirus vaccines and treatments by hacking Pfizer Inc, a lawmaker briefed by the agency said on Tuesday, Reuters reported. Digital espionage targeting […]

The nation's increasingly polarized politics are instilling new concerns in lawmakers and employees, as seen by Saturday's scheduled Capitol demonstration in support of those jailed on charges connected to the Jan. 6 Capitol disturbance

AP: Dozens Charged in Capitol Riots Spewed Extremist Rhetoric

In a text message, a radicalized Trump supporter suggested getting a boat to ferry “heavy weapons” across the Potomac River into the waiting arms of their members in time for Jan. 6, court papers say, […]

Biden Has Long-Term Plans to Bring Back Jobs

President Joe Biden is facing a daunting task – there are just over 10 million Americans currently unemployed, with 4 million of those facing long-term unemployment, CNBC writes. In addition, 4.3 million have left the […]

U.S. Enters NATO Meetings as China and Russia Threats Loom and War in Afghanistan Drags On

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will meet with members of the world’s most powerful military alliance on Wednesday for the first time since joining the Biden administration, CNBC reported. NATO meets Wednesday and Thursday to […]

Biden, Reflecting on Senate Acquittal of Trump, Says ‘Democracy Is Fragile’

President Joe Biden said on Saturday that the Senate’s acquittal of former President Donald Trump for inciting an insurrection was a reminder that democracy was fragile, and every American had a duty to defend the […]

Biden to Discuss Pandemic, Economy and China in Friday G7 Meeting

President Joe Biden will hold his first event with other leaders from the Group of Seven nations in a virtual meeting on Friday to discuss the coronavirus pandemic, the world economy and dealing with China, […]

Bitcoin Rally Falters Just Short of $50,000 as Investors Take Profit

Bitcoin stalled just short of the $50,000 mark on Monday and other cryptocurrencies slipped, as investors took profit from a record-breaking rally that is being driven by a worldwide shift in investor and public attitudes […]

Elon Musk Says He Supports Top Dogecoin Holders Selling Most of Their Coins

Billionaire Elon Musk said on Sunday that he supports major holders of the meme-based digital currency dogecoin selling most of their coins, adding that he felt too much concentration in dogecoin was the “real issue”, […]

Global Shares Hit New Peak, Oil up on Middle East Tensions

Global shares rose for the 11th day in a row to hit a fresh peak on optimism about the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and new fiscal aid from Washington, while tensions in the Middle East […]

US admin discusses raising the debt ceiling

Dollar on Back Foot as Market Optimism Lifts Riskier Currencies

The safe haven dollar started the week pinned near two-week lows on Monday, as optimism about COVID-19 vaccine rollouts and a planned $1.9 trillion U.S. stimulus package drove up riskier currencies and stock markets across […]

Suu Kyi Detention Extended as Protests Continue in Myanmar

Myanmar’s military leaders have extended their detention of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose remand was set to expire Monday and whose freedom is a key demand of the crowds of people continuing to […]

Support Grows for Capitol Riot Inquiry After Trump Acquittal

A day after former President Donald Trump won his second Senate impeachment trial, bipartisan support appeared to be growing for an independent Sept. 11-style commission into the deadly insurrection that took place at the U.S. […]

February 14, 2021 Focus Washington

White House Cites ‘Deep Concerns’ about WHO COVID Report

The White House on Saturday called on China to make available data from the earliest days of the COVID-19 outbreak, saying it has “deep concerns” about the way the findings of the World Health Organization’s […]

February 14, 2021 Focus Washington

New York Police Flood Subway after Spate of Stabbings Leaves Two Dead

New York City police deployed hundreds more officers to the subway system on Saturday after a string of stabbing attacks apparently targeting the homeless left two people dead, Reuters reported. New York City Police Commissioner […]