bonginoreport--2020-03-07--NY Governor Cuomo Declares State of Emergency

For weeks , the CDC operated the nation ’ s sole diagnostic laboratory ...

Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency Saturday as the number of coronavirus cases in New York jolted upward, with 89 people now confirmed sick, including 12 in the Big Apple.
One of the new city cases is a 33-year-old Uber driver from the Rockaways who worked on Long Island; he is in isolation in Queens hospital in “serious” condition, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
Remaining “calm” is not a priority — testing is, he said.
“I’m not urging calm,” Cuomo said, in a shot at those who have repeatedly called for calm in the face of recent COVID-19-roiled stock market swings.
“I’m urging reality,” the governor said at a noon press conference in Albany.
“I’m urging a factual response as opposed to an emotional response.”
Saturday’s totals reflect a one-day jump of seven new cases in the city — more than double the tally, five, of the day before.
The Uber driver, who city officials said has an underlying respiratory issue, is being treated at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway.
He was not licensed by the city Taxi and Limousine Commission and so drove on Long Island, officials said.
The mayor said other new city cases include:
• The wife and 11-year-old daughter of an Upper West Side man in his 50s who tested positive. “They are currently in mandatory quarantine and are mildly symptomatic.”
• Two Brooklyn women in their 60s and 70s who recently returned from a cruise to Egypt. They are both at home in mandatory quarantine.
• A 30-something man from Brooklyn hospitalized in serious condition after returning from a trip to Italy.
• A Manhattan man in his late 50s, who tested positive “after spending time with a COVID-19 positive person on a recent trip to Chile,” the mayor tweeted. The man is “symptomatic and under mandatory quarantine,” he added.
As of early Saturday, 18 New York City residents are under mandatory quarantine and 2,255 are under voluntary quarantine, the mayor added.
No public school closings had yet been announced in the city, unlike in Westchester, the worst-hit county in New York with 69 total cases, almost all linked to a Midtown lawyer Lawrence Garbuz.
The majority of the new Westchester cases are linked to Garbuz, 50, officials said.
The trusts and estates lawyer unwittingly spread the killer bug to his family and synagogue in New Rochelle after apparently picking up the virus while on a mid-February jaunt to Miami.
“Westchester is an obvious problem for us,” Cuomo said. “They talk about the contagion in clusters, and then the clusters tend to infect more and more people.”
Three Jewish day schools, including the Salanter Akiba Riverdale (SAR) Academy in the Bronx, the Westchester Day School in Mamaroneck and the Westchester Torah Academy in White Plains, have been ordered closed.
Nursing homes and senior living facilities in the New Rochelle area will be asked to suspend outside visitors, he said.
“Nursing homes are the most problematic setting for us,” given that the virus is most deadly for elderly and medically compromised patients, Cuomo said.
Map of coronavirus cases in the US
New York’s spike in numbers parallels what’s happening nationwide — and even in Washington, D.C.
The first presumed positive case was reported Saturday in the nation’s capital.
And an attendee at last month’s Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland is also infected.
The White House said neither President Trump nor Vice President Pence had been in close proximity to the infected person while attending the conference.
“I’m not concerned at all,” the president said Saturday when asked about the coronavirus getting closer to the White House.
“We’ll hold tremendous rallies,” he added when asked if he’ll continue big campaign events.
Meanwhile, a Marine stationed in Virginia’s Fort Belvoir and a Navy sailor at Naval Support Activity in Naples, Italy, became the first reported coronavirus cases among US service members.
Florida reported the first two deaths on the East Coast, both senior citizens who had recently traveled internationally. Those deaths brought the total toll to 19, including 16 in Washington State and one in California.
The total number of confirmed US cases climbed to 401, as testing ramped up in many states after the federal Centers for Disease Control allowed state and local labs to test locally.
Previously, municipalities across the state had to ship swabbed patient samples to the CDC in Atlanta, then wait days for the results, what Cuomo derided Saturday as a harmful “bottleneck.”
Now, at least 100 tests a day are being processed in labs in Albany and New York City, including at privately contracted labs and hospitals, Manhattan’s New York Presbyterian and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center among them.
If the CDC would approve automated testing, a thousand tests a day would be possible, the governor said.
“We want to find positives,” Cuomo said. “People say, ‘Oh, no, more people have it.’ We say that’s good news, that we know who the people are so now we can put them in an isolated situation and they won’t contaminate more people.”
The state of emergency will ease access to some $40 million in federal funding for local health departments struggling to monitor thousands of potentially infected people who are self-isolating in their homes, Cuomo said.
The last time a state of emergency was declared in New York was for a blizzard in March of 2017.
Worldwide, the number of confirmed cases reached at least 105,820 Saturday, with 3,558 deaths.
Newly reported cases in China dropped below 100, as cases surged in Europe.
Italy surpassed Iran to become the country with the third-most infected cases, at 5,883.
Desperate to slow the spread, the Italian government is weighing a plan to lockdown the a fourth of its population living in the hard-hit northern Lombardy region, in what would be the most extreme containment effort outside Wuhan, China, the virus’s epicenter.
Italy’s death toll, which reached 233, is the highest of any country outside of China, in part because the nation’s population is older than average. France and Germany also reported large increases in cases, but France has reported only 11 deaths, and Germany none.
Elsewhere in Europe, the tiny Mediterranean island of Malta reported its first case.
Pope Francis, who was tested negative for coronavirus last week, will livestream the Sunday prayers he usually conducts from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, to discourage a crowd from gathering.
“These decisions were deemed necessary to avoid the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus due to the assemblies during security checks required to access the square, as is requested by Italian authorities,” the Vatican said.
Additional reporting by Israel Salas-Rodriquez, Bernadette Hogan, Julia Marsh and Nolan Hicks


bonginoreport--2020-03-07--Saudi Crown Prince Continues Purging Rivals

It ’ s a real-life “ Game of Thrones ” in the desert kingdom .
Saudi Arabia ’ s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman tightened his grip on power Friday with the arrests of three top-ranking relatives — including the only surviving brother of his father , King Salman — who were once considered the prince ’ s rivals for the throne .
Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz al Saud , the king ’ s nephew , were taken into custody and accused of treason , sources told The Wall Street Journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A royal cousin , Prince Nawaf bin Nayef , was also arrested .
The 35-year-old crown prince , known as MBS , has been the country ’ s de facto ruler since 2017 , when his father ousted Mohammed bin Nayef , the former crown prince , in MBS ’ s favor .
MBS has won international praise for efforts to modernize the kingdom , such as abolishing rules that forbade women from driving .
But he has been ruthless in his pursuit of dominance within the royal family , arresting dozens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and has been accused of ordering the gruesome death of Jamal Khashoggi , a critic of the regime , in 2018 .

It’s a real-life “Game of Thrones” in the desert kingdom.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman tightened his grip on power Friday with the arrests of three top-ranking relatives — including the only surviving brother of his father, King Salman — who were once considered the prince’s rivals for the throne.
Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz al Saud, the king’s nephew, were taken into custody and accused of treason, sources told The Wall Street Journal — a capital crime in the kingdom. A royal cousin, Prince Nawaf bin Nayef, was also arrested.
The 35-year-old crown prince, known as MBS, has been the country’s de facto ruler since 2017, when his father ousted Mohammed bin Nayef, the former crown prince, in MBS’s favor.
MBS has won international praise for efforts to modernize the kingdom, such as abolishing rules that forbade women from driving.
But he has been ruthless in his pursuit of dominance within the royal family, arresting dozens of relatives on corruption charges in 2017 — and has been accused of ordering the gruesome death of Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of the regime, in 2018.


bonginoreport--2020-03-08--China Censored WeChat Messages Warning About Coronavirus Spread

China reportedly began censoring information about coronavirus online as health officials started warning their family members and colleagues about the nature of the virus .
Government censors worked to suppress information about the virus as health professionals in China spread their concern on a Chinese app called WeChat , The Wall Street Journal noted in its report Friday .
They even punished officials who discretely warned superiors before it became a pandemic .
“ [ C ] oronavirus confirmed , and type being determined , ” one official named Li Wenliang , a doctor at Wuhan Central hospital , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added “ Don ’ t leak it .
Tell your family and relatives to take care.
” Li eventually died in February after contacting the virus , according to TheWSJ .
Li was distributing videos and information obtained from Ai Fen , who runs the emergency department at Wuhan Central hospital .
Hospital officials reportedly reprimanded Li shortly thereafter , forcing him to write a so-called self-criticism letter suggesting that the leak “ has a negative impact ” on the country ’ s health system ’ s ability to investigate the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing criticism about his administration ’ s ability to test American officials for the virus .
( RELATED : How Are People Dying From The Coronavirus ? )
California is monitoring at least 8,400 people who might have come into contact with the virus , California Gov .
Gavin Newsom said during a news conference in February .
Newsom ’ s announcement came a day after a suspected case was reported to have been caused through “ community spread , ” making it one of the first reported cases of the virus spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not traveled abroad .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Americans in February to prepare for the “ expectation that this might be bad , ” with Italy emerging as the focal point of the virus in Europe , while Iran and China seeks ways of fighting the spread as confirmed cases grow .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org @

China reportedly began censoring information about coronavirus online as health officials started warning their family members and colleagues about the nature of the virus.
Government censors worked to suppress information about the virus as health professionals in China spread their concern on a Chinese app called WeChat, The Wall Street Journal noted in its report Friday. They even punished officials who discretely warned superiors before it became a pandemic.
“[C]oronavirus confirmed, and type being determined,” one official named Li Wenliang, a doctor at Wuhan Central hospital, said in a message on the app. He added “Don’t leak it. Tell your family and relatives to take care.”
Li eventually died in February after contacting the virus, according to TheWSJ. Li was distributing videos and information obtained from Ai Fen, who runs the emergency department at Wuhan Central hospital.
Hospital officials reportedly reprimanded Li shortly thereafter, forcing him to write a so-called self-criticism letter suggesting that the leak “has a negative impact” on the country’s health system’s ability to investigate the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is facing criticism about his administration’s ability to test American officials for the virus. (RELATED: How Are People Dying From The Coronavirus?)
California is monitoring at least 8,400 people who might have come into contact with the virus, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said during a news conference in February.
Newsom’s announcement came a day after a suspected case was reported to have been caused through “community spread,” making it one of the first reported cases of the virus spreading through the community from someone who was not traveled abroad.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Americans in February to prepare for the “expectation that this might be bad,” with Italy emerging as the focal point of the virus in Europe, while Iran and China seeks ways of fighting the spread as confirmed cases grow.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


bonginoreport--2020-03-08--Tulsi Calls for Inclusion in Upcoming Arizona Dem Debate

The Democratic National Committee on Friday released new guidelines for its debate scheduled for March 15th .
The new threshold requires each candidate to have at least 20 percent of the delegates that have been awarded thus far .
The move singles out Rep. Tulsi Gabbard ( D-HI ) , who received just two delegates up until now .
Gabbard took to Twitter to urge her opponents , former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders ( D-VT ) , to oppose the DNC 's sudden requirement changes .
This is n't the first time Gabbard has been excluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been on the stage since November , due to polling and donor threshold requirements .
The DNC came under fire for changing the threshold for their debates in March , effectively removing the donor requirement .
The change paved way for former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to take part in the debate despite the fact that he was funding his own campaign .
The next debate is scheduled for Sunday , March 15th at 8 p.m. EST in Phoenix , Arizona .
It will be hosted by CNN and Univision in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus , POLITICO reported .

The Democratic National Committee on Friday released new guidelines for its debate scheduled for March 15th. The new threshold requires each candidate to have at least 20 percent of the delegates that have been awarded thus far. The move singles out Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), who received just two delegates up until now.
Gabbard took to Twitter to urge her opponents, former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT), to oppose the DNC's sudden requirement changes.
.@JoeBiden @BernieSanders I’m sure you would agree that our Democratic nominee should be a person who will stand up for what is right. So I ask that you have the courage to do that now in the face of the DNC's effort to keep me from participating in the debates. #LetTulsiDebate — Tulsi Gabbard ?? (@TulsiGabbard) March 7, 2020
To keep me off the stage, the DNC again arbitrarily changed the debate qualifications. Previously they changed the qualifications in the OPPOSITE direction so Bloomberg could debate. I ask that you stand w/ me against the DNC’s transparent effort to exclude me from the debates. — Tulsi Gabbard ?? (@TulsiGabbard) March 7, 2020
This isn't the first time Gabbard has been excluded from the debates. She hasn't been on the stage since November, due to polling and donor threshold requirements.
The DNC came under fire for changing the threshold for their debates in March, effectively removing the donor requirement. The change paved way for former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to take part in the debate despite the fact that he was funding his own campaign.
The next debate is scheduled for Sunday, March 15th at 8 p.m. EST in Phoenix, Arizona. It will be hosted by CNN and Univision in partnership with CHC BOLD, the political arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, POLITICO reported.


bonginoreport--2020-03-08--Socialist Carlos Maza Registered to Vote at $10.8 Million Home

Carlos Maza , the controversial host of the show “ Strikethrough , ” appears ...

Carlos Maza doesn’t like rich people.
The social media socialist with more than 150,000 followers on Twitter and YouTube combined regularly uses his platforms to rail against the wealthy and powerful and urges fans to be skeptical of their opinions.
“Just found out James Carville — who spends his time lecturing Democrats for being ‘too far left’ — lives in an absolutely obscene four-story mansion,” Maza said in one such example from February — blasting the longtime Democratic strategist and posting a photo of Carville’s old home to his Twitter account.
“Dear god can we STOP taking political advice from the ultra-wealthy,” he moaned. “You really have to respect this guy’s grift. Constantly dressing in normal clothes on TV to feign relatability while living like this. Masterful con artist.”
“We should treat gay people the SAME WAY we treat straight people: Eating them when they get too rich,” he said in another post.
Like any good online socialist, Maza raises money for his internet presence through a Patreon account, where “comrades” — a word he uses to describe his supporters — can fund him in increments of $2, $5 and $10 a month.
But if Maza wants to start eating the rich, he may have to begin with his own family.
Through his clan, the millennial firebrand is connected to multiple Florida mega-mansions, a $7.1 million pad on the Upper West Side purchased under an LLC — and a yacht by luxury boat-maker Donzi.
Maza’s mother, Vivian Maza, was one of the first employees at Ultimate Software, a Florida-based behemoth that now employs more than 5,000 people. Starting in 1990 as an office manager, she ultimately rose to become the group’s chief people officer in 2004.
In addition to her day job, Vivian Maza also developed a very close personal relationship with company founder Scott Scherr — so close that an independent assessment of the company in 2016 cited the relationship as a “corporate governance concern.”
The report said the pair were believed to be “more than just co-workers” and have a “familial relationship.” The two later became engaged, and the couple has lived together for years, with Scherr being a de facto stepfather to Carlos.
Public records show Vivian, Scott, Carlos and sister Isabel all registered to vote at a five-bedroom, eight-bathroom waterfront palace in Boca Raton, Florida. The property sold in 2018 for $10.8 million, according to realty website Zillow. Scherr also unloaded a four-bedroom, four-bath home in Weston, Florida, for $1,850,000 in 2015.
Vivian currently resides full-time in a $4.4 million, two-bedroom, three-bath luxury condo in Fort Lauderdale, which she lists as her primary residence, according to a 2020 report filed by LCH 23, LLC — which she controls.
The same LLC purchased a $7,125,000 condo on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in November 2017.
While serving as CEO of Ultimate Software, Scherr was one of the most handsomely compensated CEOs in the country. In 2015 he took home $38.3 million, CBS News reported. In 2008, Scherr’s total stock and options in Ultimate were valued at $17.8 million, with shares at the time selling for about $35. In 2019, the company sold for $11 billion, with stock going for $331.50, almost certainly making Scherr and family nine-figure millionaires — if not billionaires.
It’s not clear how much Vivian and Scherr actively support Maza’s lifestyle, but evidence suggests the family has been happy to pitch in to help spread his socialist message. Both Scherr and Vivian Maza are listed as a “comrades” at the end of Carlos’ most recent YouTube video. And the younger Maza himself admitted in an interview with Mel Magazine that his family was there to financially back him if he needed it.
Viv and Scott have also pitched in on the rent for Carlos’ chic East Village pad just across from Tompkins Square Park, friends tell The Post. Rents for one-bedrooms like Carlos’ cost upward of $3,000 a month.
“I think a lot of these people are unhappy. I’m sure this guy is just craving some attention,” Carville told The Post. “I don’t have a billion dollars, but whatever I have, my daddy didn’t give me. I think I inherited, like, $11,000.”
Maza did not respond to multiple inquiries from The Post, but in a statement posted to Twitter in advance of publication, the fauxcialist fessed up to the silver spoons.
“My mom and her fiance are very wealthy thanks to a software company they started together when I was a kid. As a result I’ve gotten to live a life of tremendous privilege,” he said. Maza acknowledged he had always had a “safety net” should his career as a YouTube star go south, but insisted that “nobody is bankrolling” his effort and that his mother only donates $10 a month.


bonginoreport--2020-03-08--Biden Utters Truthful Gaffe: “We Can Only Re-Elect Donald Trump”

The current Democratic frontrunner fell and tripped repeatedly over his words as he stumbled through a campaign speech in Missouri on Saturday .
The 77-year-old former vice president made a series of gaffes and incoherent statements as he appeared to lose his train of thought .
At one point , he even mispronounced his own name .
`` ... We can not get re-elect , we can not win this re-election , excuse me .
We can only re-elect Donald Trump , '' Biden said to his bewildered supporters .
The candidate himself seemed caught off guard by his inability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the same event , Biden referred to himself as an `` Obiden Bama Democrat . ''
Many people have questioned Joe Biden 's mental fitness as he campaigns for the highest political office in the country .
In the past few weeks alone , the candidate declared repeatedly that he was running for the U.S. Senate , confused which state he was in , said there were 150 million gun deaths in America since 2007 , called Super Tuesday `` Super Thursday , '' and announced that he would have the ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American woman to the United States Senate .
Of course , as president , Biden will not have the ability to appoint senators .
And even if Biden did have that ability , he would not be able to appoint the first African American woman to the U.S. Senate since Carol Moseley Braun was elected in 1993 .
Biden 's team should prevent the candidate from going anywhere near a microphone , or a small child for that matter .

UPDATE: A fuller version of Biden's comments show the candidate was attempting to argue that infighting within the Democratic Party will result in the re-election of President Trump, but Biden had difficultly making his point after stumbling over his words.
Biden said, "... we cannot get re-elect, we cannot win this re-election -- excuse me. We can only re-elect Donald Trump if in fact we get engaged in this circular firing squad."
ORIGINAL STORY:
The current Democratic frontrunner fell and tripped repeatedly over his words as he stumbled through a campaign speech in Missouri on Saturday. The 77-year-old former vice president made a series of gaffes and incoherent statements as he appeared to lose his train of thought. At one point, he even mispronounced his own name.
"... We cannot get re-elect, we cannot win this re-election, excuse me. We can only re-elect Donald Trump," Biden said to his bewildered supporters. The candidate himself seemed caught off guard by his inability to keep his train of thought.
Biden doesn’t even know his own last name at this point.
“Obiden Bama” Democrat
pic.twitter.com/Uf8eSzbnfi — Benny (@bennyjohnson) March 8, 2020
At the same event, Biden referred to himself as an "Obiden Bama Democrat."
Biden doesn’t even know his own last name at this point.
“Obiden Bama” Democrat
pic.twitter.com/Uf8eSzbnfi — Benny (@bennyjohnson) March 8, 2020
Many people have questioned Joe Biden's mental fitness as he campaigns for the highest political office in the country. In the past few weeks alone, the candidate declared repeatedly that he was running for the U.S. Senate, confused which state he was in, said there were 150 million gun deaths in America since 2007, called Super Tuesday "Super Thursday," and announced that he would have the ability as president to appoint the first African American woman to the United States Senate.
Of course, as president, Biden will not have the ability to appoint senators. And even if Biden did have that ability, he would not be able to appoint the first African American woman to the U.S. Senate since Carol Moseley Braun was elected in 1993.
Biden's team should prevent the candidate from going anywhere near a microphone, or a small child for that matter.


bonginoreport--2020-03-08--Woman Pardoned by Trump Running for John Lewis’ Seat

Angela Stanton-King was pardoned by President Trump , now she 's running against one of his greatest foes in Congress @ @ @ @ @ the Selma bridge , and our babies are dying .
It is time for war @ @

A former reality show celebrity and author who was pardoned by President Donald Trump will face one of his loudest foes in Congress as she runs to replace Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.).
Stanton-King was convicted in 2004 on charges related to a car theft ring and she spent more than two years in prison for the crime, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
The president pardoned her in February.
"Today, (Stanton-King) is a national best-selling author, widely acclaimed television personality, and proponent of criminal justice reform," read a statement from the White House.
"She works tirelessly to improve reentry outcomes for people returning to their communities upon release from prison, focusing on the critical role of families in the process. This pardon is supported by Alveda King," the statement added.
Stanton-King is the goddaughter of Alveda King, the pro-life activist.
The best-selling author said that she respects Lewis' record of fighting for Civil Rights, but she opposes the Democratic party's pro-abortion policies.
"I have the utmost respect for the contributions that he has made to black America," Stanton-King said, "However, this isn't the Selma bridge, and our babies are dying. It is time for war."
Lewis has also been an outspoken opponent of Trump, and went as far as boycotting a Civil Rights event in 2017 because the president would be in attendance as well.
"This isn't about replacing John Lewis, this is about picking up the torch and continuing the fight for Justice," she tweeted.
"I turned my life around. I have completely redeemed my life," Stanton-King said. "This race is not about me trying to beat John Lewis. It is about carrying the torch and picking up the fight. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results."
Here's a video speech by Stanton-King:


bonginoreport--2020-03-08--Oil Prices Crater 30% in Sunday Trading Following Failed OPEC Deal

Oil prices plunged 30 % in early trading after OPEC 's failure to strike a deal with its allies regarding production cuts caused Saudi Arabia to slash its prices as it reportedly gets set to ramp up production , leading to fears of an all-out price war .
International benchmark Brent crude futures plummeted 30 % to $ 31.02 per barrel , its lowest level since Feb. 2016 .
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 27 % to $ 30 per barrel , also its lowest level since Feb. 2016 .
`` This has turned into a scorched Earth approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deal with the problem of chronic overproduction , '' Again Capital 's John Kilduff said .
`` The Saudis are the lowest cost producer by far .
There is a reckoning ahead for all other producers , especially those companies operating in the U.S shale patch . ''
After the initial drop the losses were pared somewhat , with each contract trading down slightly more than 21 % .
On Saturday , Saudi Arabia announced massive discounts to its official selling prices for April , and the nation is reportedly preparing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barrel per day mark , according to a Reuters report .
The kingdom currently pumps 9.7 million barrels per day , but has the capacity to ramp up to 12.5 million barrels per day .
`` We believe the OPEC and Russia oil price war unequivocally started this weekend when Saudi Arabia aggressively cut the relative price at which it sells its crude by the most in at least 20 years , '' Goldman Sachs analyst Damien Courvalin said in a note to clients Sunday .
`` The prognosis for the oil market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2014 , when such a price war last started , as it comes to a head with the significant collapse in oil demand due to the coronavirus , '' the firm added .
Goldman cut its second and third quarter Brent forecast to $ 30 per barrel , and said that prices could dip into the $ 20s .
Saudi Arabia 's price cut followed a breakdown of talks in Vienna last week .
On Thursday , OPEC recommended additional production cuts of 1.5 million barrels per day starting in April and extending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But OPEC ally Russia rejected the additional cuts when the 14-member cartel and its allies , known as OPEC+ , met on Friday .
The meeting also concluded with no directive about the production cuts that are currently in place but set to expire at the end of the month .
This effectively means that nations will soon have free rein over how much they pump .
`` As from 1 April we are starting to work without minding the quotas or reductions which were in place earlier , '' Russian Energy Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OPEC+ meeting in Vienna , adding , `` but this does not mean that each country would not monitor and analyze market developments . ''
Oil prices have already moved sharply lower this year as the coronavirus outbreak has led to softer demand for crude .
A potential supply glut could pressure prices further .
`` Both events – coronavirus and OPEC+ falling apart were not expected or priced into the market a month ago , '' said Rebecca Babin , senior equity trader for CIBC Private Wealth Management .
She said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether or not Saudi Arabia and Russia reach a `` Hail Mary '' deal , and if not , how quickly U.S. supply is shut in to support prices .
`` There is still significant uncertainty , but the commodity market is not waiting around to find out if miracles can happen , '' she added .
The unfolding of events is reminiscent of 2014 when Saudi Arabia , Russia and the U.S. competed for market share in the oil industry .
As production escalated , prices plummeted .
Some see prices heading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 oil in 2020 is coming , '' Ali Khedery , formerly Exxon 's senior Middle East advisor and now CEO of U.S.-based strategy firm Dragoman Ventures , wrote Sunday on Twitter .
`` Huge geopolitical implications .
Timely stimulus for net consumers .
Catastrophic for failed/failing petro-kleptocracies Iraq , Iran , etc - may prove existential 1-2 punch when paired with COVID19 . ''
But others , including Eurasia Group , believe that Saudi Arabia and Russia will eventually come to an agreement .
`` The most likely outcome of the failure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil price war before the two sides agree on a new deal , '' analysts led by Ayham Kamel said in a note to clients Sunday .
The firm puts the chances of an eventual agreement at 60 % .
Vital Knowledge founder Adam Crisafulli said Sunday that oil `` has become a bigger problem for markets than the coronavirus , '' but also said that he does not foresee prices falling to the Jan. 2016 lows .
`` Saudi Arabia ca n't tolerate an oil depression – the country 's fiscal breakeven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aramco is now a public company , and MBS 's grip on power is n't yet absolute .
As a result , the [ government ] wo n't be so cavalier in sending oil back into the $ 30s ( or even lower ) , '' he said in a note to clients Sunday .

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia arrives for the 178th meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna, Austria, on March 6, 2020. Alex Halad | AFP | Getty Images
Oil prices plunged to multi-year lows on Monday as tensions between Russia and Saudi Arabia escalate, sparking fears on the Street that an all-out price war is imminent. The sell-off in crude began last week when OPEC failed to strike a deal with its allies, led by Russia, about oil production cuts. That, in turn, caused Saudi Arabia to slash its oil prices as it reportedly looks to ramp up production. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude and international benchmark Brent crude on Monday posted their worst day since 1991. WTI plunged 24.59%, or $10.15, to settle at $31.13 per barrel. It was WTI's second worst day on record. International benchmark Brent crude slid $10.91, or 24.1%, to settle at $34.36 per barrel. Earlier in the session each contract fell more than 30%. WTI dropped to $30 while Brent traded as low as $31.02, both of which were the lowest levels since Feb. 2016.
watch now
"This has turned into a scorched Earth approach by Saudi Arabia, in particular, to deal with the problem of chronic overproduction," Again Capital's John Kilduff said. "The Saudis are the lowest cost producer by far. There is a reckoning ahead for all other producers, especially those companies operating in the U.S shale patch." On Saturday, Saudi Arabia announced massive discounts to its official selling prices for April, and the nation is reportedly preparing to increase its production above the 10 million barrel per day mark, according to a Reuters report. The kingdom currently pumps 9.7 million barrels per day, but has the capacity to ramp up to 12.5 million barrels per day.
"We believe the OPEC and Russia oil price war unequivocally started this weekend when Saudi Arabia aggressively cut the relative price at which it sells its crude by the most in at least 20 years," Goldman Sachs analyst Damien Courvalin said in a note to clients Sunday. "The prognosis for the oil market is even more dire than in November 2014, when such a price war last started, as it comes to a head with the significant collapse in oil demand due to the coronavirus," the firm added. Goldman cut its second and third quarter Brent forecast to $30 per barrel, and said that prices could dip into the $20s. Saudi Arabia's price cut followed a breakdown of talks in Vienna last week. On Thursday, OPEC recommended additional production cuts of 1.5 million barrels per day starting in April and extending until the end of the year. But OPEC ally Russia rejected the additional cuts when the 13-member cartel and its allies, known as OPEC+, met on Friday.
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The meeting also concluded with no directive about the production cuts that are currently in place but set to expire at the end of the month. This effectively means that nations will soon have free rein over how much they pump. "As from 1 April we are starting to work without minding the quotas or reductions which were in place earlier," Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told reporters Friday at the OPEC+ meeting in Vienna, adding, "but this does not mean that each country would not monitor and analyze market developments." Oil prices have already moved sharply lower this year as the coronavirus outbreak has led to softer demand for crude. A potential supply glut could pressure prices further.
"Both events – coronavirus and OPEC+ falling apart were not expected or priced into the market a month ago," said Rebecca Babin, senior equity trader for CIBC Private Wealth Management. She said the key things to watch going forward are whether or not Saudi Arabia and Russia reach a "Hail Mary" deal, and if not, how quickly U.S. supply is shut in to support prices. "There is still significant uncertainty, but the commodity market is not waiting around to find out if miracles can happen," she added. The XLE , which tracks the energy sector, and the XOP , which tracks oil and gas companies, fell 19% and 27%, respectively, on Monday. The unfolding of events is reminiscent of 2014 when Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the U.S. competed for market share in the oil industry. As production escalated, prices plummeted. Some see prices heading back to those lows. ″$20 oil in 2020 is coming," Ali Khedery, formerly Exxon's senior Middle East advisor and now CEO of U.S.-based strategy firm Dragoman Ventures, wrote Sunday on Twitter. "Huge geopolitical implications. Timely stimulus for net consumers. Catastrophic for failed/failing petro-kleptocracies Iraq, Iran, etc - may prove existential 1-2 punch when paired with COVID19." But others, including Eurasia Group, believe that Saudi Arabia and Russia will eventually come to an agreement. "The most likely outcome of the failure of the Vienna talks is a limited oil price war before the two sides agree on a new deal," analysts led by Ayham Kamel said in a note to clients Sunday. The firm puts the chances of an eventual agreement at 60%. Vital Knowledge founder Adam Crisafulli said Sunday that oil "has become a bigger problem for markets than the coronavirus," but also said that he does not foresee prices falling to the Jan. 2016 lows. "Saudi Arabia can't tolerate an oil depression – the country's fiscal breakeven oil prices remain very high, Saudi Aramco is now a public company, and MBS's grip on power isn't yet absolute. As a result, the [government] won't be so cavalier in sending oil back into the $30s (or even lower)," he said in a note to clients Sunday. — CNBC's Michael Bloom, Eustance Huang, Nate Rattner and Natasha Turak contributed reporting. WATCH: How to protect your nest egg in volatile times


bonginoreport--2020-03-08--DNC Changes Debate Format to Allow Biden to Sit Instead of Stand

The Democratic National Committee ( DNC ) , aided by CNN , appears to be changing the rules for the next Democratic presidential nominee debate again .
This time , apparently , so former vice president Joe Biden can sit down .
The most pertinent part of a POLITICO article about the Sanders and Biden camps clashing over the debate rules states : The format for the next debate in Arizona — their first since Biden ’ s blowout Super Tuesday victories — would have the candidates seated for the first time this election cycle and take multiple questions from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debates , the candidates stood at lecterns and nearly all questions were asked by the professional moderators .
And while the Biden camp denies pressuring the DNC and CNN to allow Joe to take a load off , the Sanders camp outwardly objected to the rule change .
Team Biden did not .
Usually , in the murky world of backroom political deals , this means you ’ re in on it .
“ Why does Joe Biden not want to stand toe-to-toe with Sen. Sanders on the debate stage March 15 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and articulate his vision for the future ?
” quipped Jeff Weaver , Bernie Sanders ’ s senior adviser .
Team Biden hit back in a predictably lame fashion : “ We want to have an exchange of ideas next week in Phoenix .
We look forward to taking voter questions in a town hall-style setting , ” said Biden ’ s deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield .
“ It is odd to see a campaign that says it is based on revolution arguing for the status quo because ‘ this is how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Why is Sen. Sanders opposed to a little change ?
” The DNC did a slightly better job making the whole thing seem legit .
“ After 10 debates , the DNC worked with its network partners to adapt the March debate to the smaller field of candidates and to give voters more of a voice .
This format provides candidates longer response times , and for the first time , will incorporate questions from undecided voters in the audience , ” DNC spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa said .
In other words , March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen by fewer people , with less action and more droning on .
The idea may seem counterintuitive at first , with 33 million people watching the debate before last , and 15.3 million watching the last contest in February .
Factor in that the DNC hardly wants more Americans watching its favored ( almost entirely senile candidate ) being torn apart by a communist with their logo affixed behind the two and it all starts to make sense .
Take the strain off Joe .
Take the eyes off the struggle bus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take place on March 15th in Arizona and will be hosted by CNN , Univision , and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus .

The Democratic National Committee (DNC), aided by CNN, appears to be changing the rules for the next Democratic presidential nominee debate again.
This time, apparently, so former vice president Joe Biden can sit down.
The most pertinent part of a POLITICO article about the Sanders and Biden camps clashing over the debate rules states:
The format for the next debate in Arizona — their first since Biden’s blowout Super Tuesday victories — would have the candidates seated for the first time this election cycle and take multiple questions from the audience. In the prior 10 debates, the candidates stood at lecterns and nearly all questions were asked by the professional moderators.
And while the Biden camp denies pressuring the DNC and CNN to allow Joe to take a load off, the Sanders camp outwardly objected to the rule change. Team Biden did not. Usually, in the murky world of backroom political deals, this means you’re in on it.
“Why does Joe Biden not want to stand toe-to-toe with Sen. Sanders on the debate stage March 15 and have an opportunity to defend his record and articulate his vision for the future?” quipped Jeff Weaver, Bernie Sanders’s senior adviser.
Team Biden hit back in a predictably lame fashion: “We want to have an exchange of ideas next week in Phoenix. We look forward to taking voter questions in a town hall-style setting,” said Biden’s deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield.
“It is odd to see a campaign that says it is based on revolution arguing for the status quo because ‘this is how every other debate has been done.’ Why is Sen. Sanders opposed to a little change?”
The DNC did a slightly better job making the whole thing seem legit.
“After 10 debates, the DNC worked with its network partners to adapt the March debate to the smaller field of candidates and to give voters more of a voice. This format provides candidates longer response times, and for the first time, will incorporate questions from undecided voters in the audience,” DNC spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa said.
In other words, March’s debate is designed to be seen by fewer people, with less action and more droning on.
The idea may seem counterintuitive at first, with 33 million people watching the debate before last, and 15.3 million watching the last contest in February.
Factor in that the DNC hardly wants more Americans watching its favored (almost entirely senile candidate) being torn apart by a communist with their logo affixed behind the two and it all starts to make sense.
Take the strain off Joe. Take the eyes off the struggle bus.
Nice.
The next Democrat debate is set to take place on March 15th in Arizona and will be hosted by CNN, Univision, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.


bonginoreport--2020-03-08--DoD Sends Crisis Response Force to U.S.-Mexico Border

More troops are heading for the southern border .
The Department of Defense is sending members of a Crisis Response Force to two ports of entry in preparation for a deadline fast approaching .
The Trump administration is waiting for the Supreme Court to rule on the Migrant Protection Protocols policy .
The deadline is Wednesday .
On February 28 a panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked the Remain in Mexico policy .
Groups of asylum-seeking migrants gathered at the southern border causing concern by the Border Patrol that they would try to storm the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of past chaos at the border , including caravans from Central America .
The Paso del Norte International Bridge in downtown El Paso was closed , as well as other crossings .
CBP spokesman Ralph DeSio addressed the growing tension and the fact that ports of entry are not equipped to handle large groups arriving all at the same time .
After the ruling by the 9th Circuit Court , about 30 migrants enrolled in the Remain in Mexico program and waited with their attorneys , requesting to be admitted into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The migrants were turned away and the Ninth Circuit Court panel agreed to stay its own order .
The Remain in Mexico policy stays in place until the Wednesday deadline .
If the Supreme Court rules against taking up the Trump administration ’ s appeal , the Ninth Circuit Court has ruled that the Remain in Mexico policy will be blocked in the border states within its jurisdiction – California and Arizona .
That court does not have jurisdiction over New Mexico or Texas .
The Department of Defense is deploying 160 troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spots should the Remain in Mexico policy end .
Eighty active-duty troops will go to San Diego ’ s San Ysidro border crossing and eighty active-duty troops will go to the Paso del Norte bridge in El Paso .
The troops are equipped to provide military police support , as well as engineer , and aviation support .
They are part of the DOD ’ s Crisis Response Force .
The 160 troops are part of the Defense Department ’ s Crisis Response Force , which the Pentagon has made available to CBP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border in November 2018 in anticipation of the arrival of a large caravan .
A CBP spokesman said the deployment to San Diego and El Paso would begin Saturday and last for two weeks .
The agency has the option , based on current needs , to extend the deployment and even “ lift and shift ” to other border crossings , he said .
There is the consideration of the government ’ s efforts to contain the coronavirus at the border , too .
COVID-19 screenings have been implemented at the border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan told reporters on Thursday morning they are working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor and evaluate health risks along the entire border to determine the best approach to contain the virus , known as COVID-19 .
“ If the health risk shifts and the CDC and the medical experts decide that there is an increased risk to the Southwest border , and CBP will be part of those discussions on what we need to do then to operationalize and reduce that risk , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 60,000 people have been referred to the CDC for additional screenings .
Most screenings take place at airports , though , but CBP is following the same protocols on the northern and southern borders .
The perpetually outraged open-borders crowd is not happy with the additional deployment of troops to the border .
Some are accusing the Trump administration of using concern over the spread of COVID-19 as a justification for the order .
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar , a freshman Democrat from El Paso , said in a written statement that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ an excuse to sow fear about asylum seekers in an effort to continue to violate the law.
” “ While it is no surprise , it is nonetheless deeply disappointing that the Trump administration would use the coronavirus as an excuse to sow fear about asylum seekers in an effort to continue to violate the law , ” Escobar said .
“ It is because we are all concerned about the coronavirus that we need to focus our resources on our real challenges , like the limited number of tests available , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t address.
” Escobar ’ s complaint doesn ’ t hold water .
The Trump administration , especially President Trump himself , has been very careful to not “ sow fear ” to anyone over COVID-19 while trying to get the message out about its potential spread , which is likely .
Trump shut down flights from China early and assembled a team of public health professionals to tackle the problem .
The storming of the border by migrants hoping to receive asylum and be released into the United States , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be allowed .
Not only is it a national security risk , but it is also a public health risk .
The open-borders crowd will never be happy until the southern border , in particular , no longer exists .
They are not concerned with protecting the sovereignty of the United States .
Fortunately , President Trump is and continues to do a good job on that front .

More troops are heading for the southern border. The Department of Defense is sending members of a Crisis Response Force to two ports of entry in preparation for a deadline fast approaching. The Trump administration is waiting for the Supreme Court to rule on the Migrant Protection Protocols policy. The deadline is Wednesday.
On February 28 a panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked the Remain in Mexico policy. Groups of asylum-seeking migrants gathered at the southern border causing concern by the Border Patrol that they would try to storm the border. It was a legitimate concern because of past chaos at the border, including caravans from Central America. The Paso del Norte International Bridge in downtown El Paso was closed, as well as other crossings.
CBP spokesman Ralph DeSio addressed the growing tension and the fact that ports of entry are not equipped to handle large groups arriving all at the same time. After the ruling by the 9th Circuit Court, about 30 migrants enrolled in the Remain in Mexico program and waited with their attorneys, requesting to be admitted into the U.S. Fortunately the migrants remained orderly.
“The balance between facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel while upholding our national border security mission and the safety of the public and our personnel is delicate,” DeSio said in a statement. “Ports of entry are not designed or equipped to handle extremely large groups of travelers arriving all at the same time, and temporary closure of a [port of entry] is contemplated as an extreme option, as necessary for public safety and border security.”
The migrants were turned away and the Ninth Circuit Court panel agreed to stay its own order. The Remain in Mexico policy stays in place until the Wednesday deadline. If the Supreme Court rules against taking up the Trump administration’s appeal, the Ninth Circuit Court has ruled that the Remain in Mexico policy will be blocked in the border states within its jurisdiction – California and Arizona. That court does not have jurisdiction over New Mexico or Texas.
The Department of Defense is deploying 160 troops to two cities determined to be key spots should the Remain in Mexico policy end. Eighty active-duty troops will go to San Diego’s San Ysidro border crossing and eighty active-duty troops will go to the Paso del Norte bridge in El Paso. The troops are equipped to provide military police support, as well as engineer, and aviation support. They are part of the DOD’s Crisis Response Force.
The 160 troops are part of the Defense Department’s Crisis Response Force, which the Pentagon has made available to CBP since Trump initially deployed soldiers to the border in November 2018 in anticipation of the arrival of a large caravan. A CBP spokesman said the deployment to San Diego and El Paso would begin Saturday and last for two weeks. The agency has the option, based on current needs, to extend the deployment and even “lift and shift” to other border crossings, he said.
There is the consideration of the government’s efforts to contain the coronavirus at the border, too. COVID-19 screenings have been implemented at the border by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan told reporters on Thursday morning they are working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor and evaluate health risks along the entire border to determine the best approach to contain the virus, known as COVID-19. “If the health risk shifts and the CDC and the medical experts decide that there is an increased risk to the Southwest border, and CBP will be part of those discussions on what we need to do then to operationalize and reduce that risk,” he said.
Morgan says that more than 60,000 people have been referred to the CDC for additional screenings. Most screenings take place at airports, though, but CBP is following the same protocols on the northern and southern borders.
The perpetually outraged open-borders crowd is not happy with the additional deployment of troops to the border. Some are accusing the Trump administration of using concern over the spread of COVID-19 as a justification for the order.
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, a freshman Democrat from El Paso, said in a written statement that the Trump administration is using COVID-19 as “an excuse to sow fear about asylum seekers in an effort to continue to violate the law.” “While it is no surprise, it is nonetheless deeply disappointing that the Trump administration would use the coronavirus as an excuse to sow fear about asylum seekers in an effort to continue to violate the law,” Escobar said. “It is because we are all concerned about the coronavirus that we need to focus our resources on our real challenges, like the limited number of tests available, something that troops on the border won’t address.”
Escobar’s complaint doesn’t hold water. The Trump administration, especially President Trump himself, has been very careful to not “sow fear” to anyone over COVID-19 while trying to get the message out about its potential spread, which is likely. Trump shut down flights from China early and assembled a team of public health professionals to tackle the problem. The storming of the border by migrants hoping to receive asylum and be released into the United States, as has happened in the past, cannot be allowed. Not only is it a national security risk, but it is also a public health risk. The open-borders crowd will never be happy until the southern border, in particular, no longer exists. They are not concerned with protecting the sovereignty of the United States. Fortunately, President Trump is and continues to do a good job on that front.


bonginoreport--2020-03-08--Hillary Clinton Continues Opining on 2020 Race for Some Reason

Before you laugh at the prospect of a Hillary Clinton ...

Hillary Clinton said she would “love” to have a woman nominated as vice president “again” — but said Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders should “take a really hard look at the Electoral College for what will help him.”
“There are so many factors that go into it,” she told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria in an interview that aired Sunday. “Personally, I’d love to have a woman on the ticket, finally — again. We’ve had two women vice presidential candidates — one for the Democrats, one for the Republicans.”
“But obviously, I’d like to keep that moving, and actually have it happen in this election that someone would be the first woman vice president,” she continued.
Republican Sen. John McCain named Sarah Palin as his running mate in 2008.
Democrat Walter Mondale selected Geraldine Ferraro as his veep in 1984.
But Clinton cautioned that the nominee should “take a really hard look at the electoral college for what will help him,” she said referring to Democratic presidential contenders Biden and Sanders.
“Because I think our nominee could win the popular vote again, as I did, but that doesn’t matter, as we know,” the former New York senator said.
Clinton won the popular vote in 2016 by nearly 3 million votes but lost the electoral college to President Trump by 304 to 227 votes.
Asked by Zakaria which of the Democrats she would back in 2020, she said only that she would support the nominee.
Pressed whether she would campaign for Sanders, who ran against her in 2016, she said it would be up to him, while noting she doesn’t think he’s the strongest candidate.
“I don’t know if he would ask me to campaign for him, Fareed, because I have no idea what he is thinking about for a general election campaign,” Clinton said. “As I’ve said many times, I do not think he’s our strongest nominee against Donald Trump.”
Clinton was former President Barack Obama’s secretary of state while Biden served as the vice president in the administration.


bonginoreport--2020-03-08--Shell Oil Briefly Changes Name to “She’ll” at CA Station for International Women’s Day

Shell Oil Co. is temporarily changing its name to “ She ’ ll ” on International Women ’ s Day at a specific California gas station CS News reported .
The name change will include a logo change with the addition of an apostrophe at a gas station in San Dimas , Calif. , where the executive leadership team includes a duo of female entrepreneurs , according to CS News .
The team is also the largest distributor of Shell branded oil in California .
( RELATED : Marine Corps Commercial On Women In Combat Turns Into Fight Over Political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shell ’ s latest initiative , although the company has been committed to improving the representation of women on their board of directors for several years and has seen an increase from 8 % to 33 % , according to CStore Decisions .
The oil and gas industry is dominated by men and only 15 % of the industry is women , CBS Los Angeles reported .
The “ She Will ” initiative is aimed at “ inspiring the female leaders of tomorrow by closing the gender gap in engineering and technology through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the organization and industry , ” a spokesperson for the company said according to CBS Los Angeles .
Shell is a Netherlands-based company that has faced criticism for its reliance on fossil fuels in recent years .
Environmentalist groups began a lawsuit in April 2019 , demanding Shell to stop extracting oil and gas and cut its greenhouse emissions to zero by 2050 , Reuters reported .

Shell Oil Co. is temporarily changing its name to “She’ll” on International Women’s Day at a specific California gas station CS News reported.
The name change will include a logo change with the addition of an apostrophe at a gas station in San Dimas, Calif., where the executive leadership team includes a duo of female entrepreneurs, according to CS News. The team is also the largest distributor of Shell branded oil in California. (RELATED: Marine Corps Commercial On Women In Combat Turns Into Fight Over Political Correctness)
“She Will” is Shell’s latest initiative, although the company has been committed to improving the representation of women on their board of directors for several years and has seen an increase from 8% to 33%, according to CStore Decisions.
The oil and gas industry is dominated by men and only 15% of the industry is women, CBS Los Angeles reported.
The “She Will” initiative is aimed at “inspiring the female leaders of tomorrow by closing the gender gap in engineering and technology through education, engagement, and awareness across the organization and industry,” a spokesperson for the company said according to CBS Los Angeles.
Shell is a Netherlands-based company that has faced criticism for its reliance on fossil fuels in recent years. Environmentalist groups began a lawsuit in April 2019, demanding Shell to stop extracting oil and gas and cut its greenhouse emissions to zero by 2050, Reuters reported.


bonginoreport--2020-03-08--EBay Bans Sales of Face Masks and Hand Sanitizer

EBay , trying to crack down on price gougers taking advantage of coronavirus fears , has banned sales of face masks and hand sanitizer on its site .
The online marketplace told sellers Thursday that it ’ s rejecting listings for N95 and N100 masks , hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes and that it is working to remove listings with inflated prices .
It ’ s also removing listings whose titles or descriptions misuse the terms “ coronavirus , ” “ COVID-19 '' or “ 2019nCoV.
” “ EBay is taking significant measures to block or quickly remove items on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” spokeswoman Ashley Settle said in a statement .
“ We are making every effort to ensure that anyone who sells on our platform follows local laws and EBay policies.
” The move came the day after California Gov .
Gavin Newsom declared a — a declaration that helps the state prepare for the spread of the novel coronavirus and includes restrictions on raising prices of consumer goods .
“ Californians shouldn ’ t have to worry about being cheated while dealing with the effects of coronavirus , ” state Atty .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gouging law protects people impacted by an emergency from illegal price gouging on medical supplies , food , gas , and other essential supplies.
” Before EBay ’ s announcement , a 20-pack of Gerson 1730 face masks was available for as much as $ 148 , while a pack of five 2.5-ounce Germ-X hand sanitizer bottles cost $ 500 , CNBC reported .
( By comparison , two 30-ounce bottles of Germ-X were offered online by Walmart for less than $ 8 on Friday . )
The EBay listings have since been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Amazon and Walmart have also struggled to manage price gouging from third-party sellers as the coronavirus spreads and panic swells .
“ Seriously , @ amazon ?
These prices are absurd , ” he wrote , attaching a screenshot of a small bottle of Purell hand sanitizer priced at $ 79.80 and a 24-pack of Purell at $ 400 offered by third parties on the site .
Amazon said price gouging is a clear violation of its policies , and noted that it is illegal in some areas — including California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently blocked or removed tens of thousands of coronavirus-related listings with inflated prices .
“ We are disappointed that bad actors are attempting to artificially raise prices on basic need products during a global health crisis , ” the Amazon representative said .
Newsom gave Amazon credit for swiftly tackling the issue in a news conference Wednesday .
Online sellers have generally struggled to by third-party vendors .
A bipartisan group of House lawmakers urged Amazon and EBay executives to crack down on third-party vendors selling fake , stolen or unsafe goods more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the House Judiciary Committee introduced a bipartisan bill that increases liability exposure for companies that risk consumers ’ health or safety .

EBay banned face mask and hand sanitizer listings from its site in an effort to fight price gouging.
EBay, trying to crack down on price gougers taking advantage of coronavirus fears, has banned sales of face masks and hand sanitizer on its site.
The online marketplace told sellers Thursday that it’s rejecting listings for N95 and N100 masks, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes and that it is working to remove listings with inflated prices.
It’s also removing listings whose titles or descriptions misuse the terms “coronavirus,” “COVID-19” or “2019nCoV.”
“EBay is taking significant measures to block or quickly remove items on our marketplace that make false health claims,” spokeswoman Ashley Settle said in a statement. “We are making every effort to ensure that anyone who sells on our platform follows local laws and EBay policies.”
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The move came the day after California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency — a declaration that helps the state prepare for the spread of the novel coronavirus and includes restrictions on raising prices of consumer goods.
“Californians shouldn’t have to worry about being cheated while dealing with the effects of coronavirus,” state Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra said in a consumer alert. “Our state’s price gouging law protects people impacted by an emergency from illegal price gouging on medical supplies, food, gas, and other essential supplies.”
Before EBay’s announcement, a 20-pack of Gerson 1730 face masks was available for as much as $148, while a pack of five 2.5-ounce Germ-X hand sanitizer bottles cost $500, CNBC reported. (By comparison, two 30-ounce bottles of Germ-X were offered online by Walmart for less than $8 on Friday.) The EBay listings have since been removed.
Other companies with online marketplaces such as Amazon and Walmart have also struggled to manage price gouging from third-party sellers as the coronavirus spreads and panic swells.
Newsom called out Amazon in a tweet Tuesday .
“Seriously, @amazon? These prices are absurd,” he wrote, attaching a screenshot of a small bottle of Purell hand sanitizer priced at $79.80 and a 24-pack of Purell at $400 offered by third parties on the site.
Amazon said price gouging is a clear violation of its policies, and noted that it is illegal in some areas — including California. A company representative said it had recently blocked or removed tens of thousands of coronavirus-related listings with inflated prices.
“We are disappointed that bad actors are attempting to artificially raise prices on basic need products during a global health crisis,” the Amazon representative said.
Newsom gave Amazon credit for swiftly tackling the issue in a news conference Wednesday.
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bonginoreport--2020-03-08--Amazon is Investing in a Cure for the Common Cold

Amazon is working on a cure for the common cold in a years-long , top secret effort called `` Project Gesundheit , '' according to three people familiar with the effort .
The company has more than 100 working out of Grand Challenge , a research and development group that sits under its cloud division , AWS .
A small team in this group , including scientists and technologists , is now working on a treatment for the world 's most common illness .
The team is hoping to develop a vaccine , but is exploring a variety of approaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort is sometimes referred to as the `` vaccine project . ''
Colds cost the U.S. economy an estimated $ 40 billion per year , both because of physician visits and lost productivity , according to a landmark 2003 study from the University of Michigan .
That number is likely far higher today .
That study found that colds , which often last a week , are also responsible for nearly 200 million missed school days , which often mean that parents also have to stay home .
Grand Challenge , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a mandate to tackle big problems , ideally finding solutions that will have a major impact on humanity .
The group , which has sometimes been known by its code-name `` 1492 , '' is run by Babak Parviz , who previously worked at Alphabet 's research and development effort , then known as Google X. CNBC first reported on the team in 2017 .
The hope is that Amazon can build its next big business internally , rather than face disruption by outside forces .
Grand Challenge is n't solely focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector has been a major focus from the outset for employees because the market opportunity is so large .
Health care is a $ 3.5 trillion market in the United States alone .
The people familiar with the effort declined to be identified because they 're not authorized to speak about internal projects .
An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment .

Amazon is working on a cure for the common cold in a years-long, top secret effort called "Project Gesundheit," according to three people familiar with the effort.
The company has more than 100 working out of Grand Challenge, a research and development group that sits under its cloud division, AWS. A small team in this group, including scientists and technologists, is now working on a treatment for the world's most common illness.
The team is hoping to develop a vaccine, but is exploring a variety of approaches to the problem. Internally, the effort is sometimes referred to as the "vaccine project."
Colds cost the U.S. economy an estimated $40 billion per year, both because of physician visits and lost productivity, according to a landmark 2003 study from the University of Michigan. That number is likely far higher today. That study found that colds, which often last a week, are also responsible for nearly 200 million missed school days, which often mean that parents also have to stay home.
Grand Challenge, which hasn't been publicly acknowledged by Amazon, has a mandate to tackle big problems, ideally finding solutions that will have a major impact on humanity. The group, which has sometimes been known by its code-name "1492," is run by Babak Parviz, who previously worked at Alphabet 's research and development effort, then known as Google X. CNBC first reported on the team in 2017.
The hope is that Amazon can build its next big business internally, rather than face disruption by outside forces. Grand Challenge isn't solely focused on health care, but the medical sector has been a major focus from the outset for employees because the market opportunity is so large. Health care is a $3.5 trillion market in the United States alone.
The people familiar with the effort declined to be identified because they're not authorized to speak about internal projects. An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment.


bonginoreport--2020-03-08--MSNBC: Hey, Maybe Coronavirus is Trump’s Katrina

VIDEO : MSNBC panel is excited to speculate whether coronavirus outbreak is 'Trump 's Katrina '

As coronavirus infections explode in the Western world, an MSNBC panel speculated on Friday whether the disease would damage President Donald Trump politically.
In fact, panel guest Eddie Glaude Jr., a Princeton University professor, wondered if coronavirus is "Trump's Katrina," a reference to the Bush administration's sluggish response to Hurricane Katrina that resulted in vehement criticism.
"I was thinking about this in terms of politics, the business community, kinda finally not sticking with Donald Trump. This may be, you know Nicolle, I should mention this with a little trepidation, but this may be Donald Trump's Katrina," Glaude said.
MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace was downright giddy at the prospect.
"Let's just lean into that for a minute. Katrina was the moment when all of the things that felt incredibly incompetent about the Bush presidency ... were realized," she responded.
Wallace — who was the White House communications director when Hurricane Katrina made landfall — went on to claim Bush's response to Katrina gave his critics a "proof point" that he was "incompetent."
"And also people died," Wallace continued. "This has the makings, structurally, for the same kind of moment for President Trump."
Later, Glaude claimed that coronavirus "is an event that could take down a president."


bonginoreport--2020-03-09--President Trump Holds Presser on Coronavirus Response

President Donald Trump on Monday said he will be meeting with Senate and House Republicans on Tuesday to discuss `` a possible tax relief measure '' that would provide `` a timely and effective response to the coronavirus . ''
`` We are to be meeting with House Republicans , Mitch McConnell , and discussing a possible payroll tax cut or relief , substantial relief , very substantial relief , '' Trump said at a press briefing with coronavirus task force members .
Payroll taxes put more money into the pocketbook of workers but some economists have questioned whether typical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , when many may stay at home .
That means , even with more money , Americans may not be spending it at restaurants or the movies .
Trump also said the group will be discussing getting hourly wage earners help , `` so they can be in a position where they 're not going to miss a paycheck . ''
Many lawmakers have been pushing for paid time off to allow workers who are sick - or who may be sick - the ability to stay home without adding financial hardship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top of an $ 8.3 billion spending package Trump signed on Friday .
The package was aimed in part at supporting research for vaccines and helping support states that are battling the outbreak .
Trump also added that the White House will work with the airline and cruise ship industries in response to the outbreak .
With airline bookings cratering , advisors in D.C. and on Wall Street had widely expected Trump to step to save companies critical to the economy like United Airlines , Delta and American Airlines .

President Donald Trump on Monday said he will be meeting with Senate and House Republicans on Tuesday to discuss "a possible tax relief measure" that would provide "a timely and effective response to the coronavirus."
"We are to be meeting with House Republicans, Mitch McConnell, and discussing a possible payroll tax cut or relief, substantial relief, very substantial relief," Trump said at a press briefing with coronavirus task force members.
Payroll taxes put more money into the pocketbook of workers, but some economists have questioned whether typical stimulus measures will work during the coronavirus crisis, when many may choose to stay at home. That means, even with more money, Americans may not be spending it at restaurants or the movies.
Trump also said the group will be discussing getting hourly wage earners help, "so they can be in a position where they're not going to miss a paycheck."
Many lawmakers have been pushing for paid time off to allow workers who are sick — or who may be sick — the ability to stay home without adding financial hardship.
The potential tax incentives come on top of an $8.3 billion spending package Trump signed on Friday. The package was aimed in part at supporting research for vaccines and helping support states that are battling the outbreak.
Trump also added that the White House will work with the airline and cruise ship industries in response to the outbreak.
With airline bookings cratering, advisors in D.C. and on Wall Street had widely expected Trump to step to save companies critical to the economy like United Airlines, Delta and American Airlines.


bonginoreport--2020-03-09--Congress Quietly Repeals Three Large Tax Components of ObamaCare

At the end of 2019 , Congress repealed three significant tax components of the Affordable Care Act , a.k.a .
Obamacare .
Each of them had been included in the initial legislation to raise the revenue required to pay for the new spending the law called for .
The biggest of the three was the so-called Cadillac tax , which was expected to raise about $ 197 billion over the next decade .
Congress also nixed the law 's health insurance tax , projected to raise $ 150 billion over 10 years , and the medical device tax , projected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three taxes were eliminated as part of a $ 1.4 trillion year-end budget bill that President Donald Trump signed at the last possible minute in order to keep the government open .
The repeal of these taxes was predictable .
Implementation of the Cadillac tax had already been delayed , thanks to pressure from unions , among others , who worried that it would hit their high-priced health benefits .
The health insurance and medical device taxes both faced opposition from the industries for which they were named .
What 's the problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxes no one ever really liked ?
That 's probably what the lawmakers who voted to end the taxes were thinking too .
The main effect will be to increase the deficit by a little more than $ 373 billion over the next decade—and , in the process , to further weaken a central argument made by supporters of the legislation .
Obamacare was passed on a promise that it would be deficit-neutral or even reduce the deficit slightly .
The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the law would reduce the deficit during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its provisions were enacted as the statute called for .
As The New York Times noted last summer , the Cadillac tax `` was expected to be a key cost-containment provision in President Barack Obama 's signature health law and one of the main ways it was supposed to pay for itself . ''
There are obvious lessons here about what we might expect from various plans to `` pay for '' Medicare for All now being touted by various Democratic presidential hopefuls .
If nothing else , this episode is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Congress passes a law setting up an expensive new program along with ( if we 're lucky ) a system to pay for it .
Years later , amid a bipartisan spending binge , those taxes are repealed while the rest of the program remains on the books .
The public barely notices , and the lawmakers involved shrug and move on .
The result is legislation that is fiscally ruinous , but also more popular than it would be if taxpayers were actually made to foot the bill .

At the end of 2019, Congress repealed three significant tax components of the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare. Each of them had been included in the initial legislation to raise the revenue required to pay for the new spending the law called for.
The biggest of the three was the so-called Cadillac tax, which was expected to raise about $197 billion over the next decade. Congress also nixed the law's health insurance tax, projected to raise $150 billion over 10 years, and the medical device tax, projected to raise $25.5 billion. All three taxes were eliminated as part of a $1.4 trillion year-end budget bill that President Donald Trump signed at the last possible minute in order to keep the government open.
The repeal of these taxes was predictable. Implementation of the Cadillac tax had already been delayed, thanks to pressure from unions, among others, who worried that it would hit their high-priced health benefits. The health insurance and medical device taxes both faced opposition from the industries for which they were named.
What's the problem with the repeal of a bunch of taxes no one ever really liked? That's probably what the lawmakers who voted to end the taxes were thinking too. The main effect will be to increase the deficit by a little more than $373 billion over the next decade—and, in the process, to further weaken a central argument made by supporters of the legislation.
Obamacare was passed on a promise that it would be deficit-neutral or even reduce the deficit slightly. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the law would reduce the deficit during its first decade, provided that all of its provisions were enacted as the statute called for. As The New York Times noted last summer, the Cadillac tax "was expected to be a key cost-containment provision in President Barack Obama's signature health law and one of the main ways it was supposed to pay for itself."
There are obvious lessons here about what we might expect from various plans to "pay for" Medicare for All now being touted by various Democratic presidential hopefuls. If nothing else, this episode is a reminder of how Washington works: First, Congress passes a law setting up an expensive new program along with (if we're lucky) a system to pay for it. Years later, amid a bipartisan spending binge, those taxes are repealed while the rest of the program remains on the books. The public barely notices, and the lawmakers involved shrug and move on.
The result is legislation that is fiscally ruinous, but also more popular than it would be if taxpayers were actually made to foot the bill.


bonginoreport--2020-03-09--China Avoids Looking in Mirror – Spreads Conspiracy Theory U.S. is Behind Coronavirus

Wild coronavirus conspiracy theories are spreading across Chinese social media sites with the help of the Chinese government , including that COVID-19 originated in the United States , China 's not to blame for the global crisis , the U.S. is hiding the number of coronavirus deaths in the U.S. , and on and on .
According to The Washington Post , now that the virus has spread to Italy , the U.S. , and elsewhere , the Chinese government appears happy to “ call out missteps ” in these countries ’ response efforts as well .
“ Go on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Baidu search , and it ’ s full of ‘ look at all the other countries getting sick , ’ or ‘ the virus came from the United States , ’ or all different levels of conspiracy theories , ” Xiao Qiang , adjunct professor at the University of California at Berkeley ’ s School of Information , told the paper .
The professor said it ’ s no coincidence that the Communist Party appears all too eager to take part in advancing anti-U.S. propaganda to deflect anger from its own people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the outbreak during its initial stages .
“ It ’ s more than just some disinformation or an official narrative , ” he said .
“ It ’ s an orchestrated , all-out campaign by the Chinese government through every channel at a level you rarely see .
It ’ s a counteroffensive.
” The frenzy kicked into overdrive Feb. 27 after Zhong Nanshan , a Chinese pulmonologist who has appeared on state media to deliver key pronouncements , made a passing remark during a news conference , without offering any explanation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China but may not have originated in China.
” [ … ] The rumor mill ramped up .
Influential Weibo accounts such as “ Beijing Things ” circulated a Taiwanese television clip showing a pharmacologist speculating about the United States as the contagion ’ s origin .
Writers at popular outlets on WeChat churned out theses laying out how the U.S. military could have deployed the pathogen as a clandestine bioweapon during a trip to Wuhan in October .
By Wednesday , Zhong ’ s comments came full circle .
Foreign Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the virus ’ s origin or name any countries , but he cited Zhong ’ s comments to conclude that China was never proven to be the origin .
( WaPo ) The report comes as liberal U.S. journalists have started denouncing references to COVID-19 as `` the Wuhan virus '' for being racist .

Wild coronavirus conspiracy theories are spreading across Chinese social media sites with the help of the Chinese government, including that COVID-19 originated in the United States, China's not to blame for the global crisis, the U.S. is hiding the number of coronavirus deaths in the U.S., and on and on.
According to The Washington Post, now that the virus has spread to Italy, the U.S., and elsewhere, the Chinese government appears happy to “call out missteps” in these countries’ response efforts as well.
“Go on WeChat, go on Weibo, look on Baidu search, and it’s full of ‘look at all the other countries getting sick,’ or ‘the virus came from the United States,’ or all different levels of conspiracy theories,” Xiao Qiang, adjunct professor at the University of California at Berkeley’s School of Information, told the paper.
The professor said it’s no coincidence that the Communist Party appears all too eager to take part in advancing anti-U.S. propaganda to deflect anger from its own people about how the government covered up information about the outbreak during its initial stages.
“It’s more than just some disinformation or an official narrative,” he said. “It’s an orchestrated, all-out campaign by the Chinese government through every channel at a level you rarely see. It’s a counteroffensive.”
The frenzy kicked into overdrive Feb. 27 after Zhong Nanshan, a Chinese pulmonologist who has appeared on state media to deliver key pronouncements, made a passing remark during a news conference, without offering any explanation, that “the coronavirus first appeared in China but may not have originated in China.” […] The rumor mill ramped up. Influential Weibo accounts such as “Beijing Things” circulated a Taiwanese television clip showing a pharmacologist speculating about the United States as the contagion’s origin. Writers at popular outlets on WeChat churned out theses laying out how the U.S. military could have deployed the pathogen as a clandestine bioweapon during a trip to Wuhan in October. By Wednesday, Zhong’s comments came full circle. Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian did not speculate as to the virus’s origin or name any countries, but he cited Zhong’s comments to conclude that China was never proven to be the origin. (WaPo)
The report comes as liberal U.S. journalists have started denouncing references to COVID-19 as "the Wuhan virus" for being racist.


bonginoreport--2020-03-09--Dow Suffers Worst Ever One Day Point Drop, Closing Down -2,013

U.S. equity markets tumbled Monday after an oil price war broke out between Saudi Arabia and Russia and amid new cases of coronavirus , especially in America .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed over 2,000 points lower , coming back from a point drop of more than 2,150 points , or 8.2 percent , at session lows while the S & P 500 and Nasdaq Composite were lower by 7.9 percent and 7.2 percent , respectively .
The drop is now the worst one-day point decline ever for the Dow .
Monday 's sharp selloff , which caused the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to volatility , caused the New York Federal Reserve to increase its daily cash injections into the banking system to $ 150 billion from $ 100 billion .
The stock-market 's steep slide comes after a production dispute between OPEC members , led by Saudi Arabia , and Russia sent West Texas Intermediate crude oil , the U.S. benchmark , plunging by as much as 33.8 percent , the most since the outbreak of the 1991 Persian Gulf War , to a low of $ 27.34 a barrel in overnight trading .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent at $ 31.13 a barrel .
Oil majors , including Exxon Mobil , Chevron , and BP , were sharply lower , as were service providers Haliburton and Schlumberger .
Elsewhere , travel-related names remained under pressure after Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , warned Americans with underlying conditions not to take long plane trips or cruises due to the new coronavirus outbreak .
Drugmakers working on treatments for COVID-19 , including Inovio Pharmaceuticals and BioCryst Pharmaceuticals , opened sharply higher before turning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the flight to safety with heavy buying pushing longer-dated yields lower by more than 30 basis points .
Overnight , the benchmark 10-year yield fell to a record low of 0.38 percent before bouncing to 0.501 percent at the close .
Likewise , the 30-year yield plunged below 1 percent for the first time ever , and was down 27.8 basis points to 0.938 percent .
The drop in Treasury yields accompanies expectations the Federal Reserve will cut rates by 100 basis points at its March 18 meeting , lowering its key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 25 basis points .
The expectation of the oversized rate cut is putting pressure on financials , which typically make 50 percent to 75 percent of their net revenue from the spread between the interest paid to depositors and the interest charged to borrowers .
Lower rates mean the banks will make less per loan .
J.P. Morgan Chase , Bank of America and Truist were all tumbling .
Meanwhile , Wells Fargo was in focus after board chair Betsy Duke resigned .
FOX Business has learned Wall Street 's top leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House on Wednesday to discuss the freefall in the markets , coronavirus and potential solutions .
In Europe , Italy ’ s MIB was down 11.5 percent after the country ’ s government on Sunday put 16 million people in the northern region of the country on lockdown in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
Elsewhere , in the region , France 's was lower by 8 percent while Germany 's DAX and Britain ’ s FTSE were both off 7.9 percent .
Overnight , Japan ’ s Nikkei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country ’ s government lowered its fourth-quarter gross domestic product to an annualized drop of 7.1 percent , down from 6.3 percent .
Taking inflation into account , the drop was 1.8 percent on a seasonally adjusted quarterly basis .
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS Meanwhile , China ’ s trade surplus swung to a $ 7.1 billion deficit – the first since March 2018 – in the first two months of the year .
China ’ s Shanghai Composite fell 3 percent and Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng @ @ @ @

U.S. equity markets tumbled Monday after an oil price war broke out between Saudi Arabia and Russia and amid new cases of coronavirus, especially in America.
Ticker Security Last Change Change % I:DJI DOW JONES AVERAGES 34946.39 -361.24 -1.02% SP500 S&P 500 4437.86 -51.86 -1.16% I:COMP NASDAQ COMPOSITE INDEX 13631.046795 -157.28 -1.14%
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed over 2,000 points lower, coming back from a point drop of more than 2,150 points, or 8.2 percent, at session lows while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite were lower by 7.9 percent and 7.2 percent, respectively.
DOW'S BIGGEST ONE DAY SWINGS
The drop is now the worst one-day point decline ever for the Dow.
THE VIX EXPLAINED
Monday's sharp selloff, which caused the major averages to be temporarily halted due to volatility, caused the New York Federal Reserve to increase its daily cash injections into the banking system to $150 billion from $100 billion.
The stock-market's steep slide comes after a production dispute between OPEC members, led by Saudi Arabia, and Russia sent West Texas Intermediate crude oil, the U.S. benchmark, plunging by as much as 33.8 percent, the most since the outbreak of the 1991 Persian Gulf War, to a low of $27.34 a barrel in overnight trading. The energy component finished the day down 24.59 percent at $31.13 a barrel.
Oil majors, including Exxon Mobil, Chevron, and BP, were sharply lower, as were service providers Haliburton and Schlumberger.
Ticker Security Last Change Change % XOM EXXON MOBIL CORP. 108.15 -2.86 -2.58% CVX CHEVRON CORP. 159.26 -4.75 -2.90% BP BP PLC 36.06 -0.62 -1.70% HAL HALLIBURTON CO. 39.49 -0.82 -2.03% SLB SCHLUMBERGER NV 58.33 -1.18 -1.98%
Elsewhere, travel-related names remained under pressure after Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned Americans with underlying conditions not to take long plane trips or cruises due to the new coronavirus outbreak.
Ticker Security Last Change Change % AAL AMERICAN AIRLINES GROUP INC. 15.55 -0.33 -2.08% UAL UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS INC. 51.34 -0.97 -1.85% DAL DELTA AIR LINES INC. 43.02 -1.22 -2.76% CCL CARNIVAL CORP. 16.61 -0.21 -1.25% EXPE EXPEDIA GROUP INC. 107.43 -4.50 -4.02%
Drugmakers working on treatments for COVID-19, including Inovio Pharmaceuticals and BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, opened sharply higher before turning lower.
Ticker Security Last Change Change % INO INOVIO PHARMACEUTICALS 0.45 -0.01 -2.22% BCRX BIOCRYST PHARMACEUTICALS INC. 6.94 -0.20 -2.80%
U.S. Treasurys were the beneficiary of the flight to safety with heavy buying pushing longer-dated yields lower by more than 30 basis points. Overnight, the benchmark 10-year yield fell to a record low of 0.38 percent before bouncing to 0.501 percent at the close. Likewise, the 30-year yield plunged below 1 percent for the first time ever, and was down 27.8 basis points to 0.938 percent.
The drop in Treasury yields accompanies expectations the Federal Reserve will cut rates by 100 basis points at its March 18 meeting, lowering its key interest rate to a range between 0 and 25 basis points.
The expectation of the oversized rate cut is putting pressure on financials, which typically make 50 percent to 75 percent of their net revenue from the spread between the interest paid to depositors and the interest charged to borrowers. Lower rates mean the banks will make less per loan.
J.P. Morgan Chase, Bank of America and Truist were all tumbling. Meanwhile, Wells Fargo was in focus after board chair Betsy Duke resigned.
FOX Business has learned Wall Street's top leaders will meet with President Trump at the White House on Wednesday to discuss the freefall in the markets, coronavirus and potential solutions.
Ticker Security Last Change Change % JPM JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. 150.78 -3.98 -2.57% BAC BANK OF AMERICA CORP. 29.94 -1.00 -3.22% TFC TRUIST FINANCIAL CORP. 29.62 -0.95 -3.11% WFC WELLS FARGO & CO. 42.72 -1.02 -2.33%
In Europe, Italy’s MIB was down 11.5 percent after the country’s government on Sunday put 16 million people in the northern region of the country on lockdown in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Elsewhere, in the region, France's was lower by 8 percent while Germany's DAX and Britain’s FTSE were both off 7.9 percent.
Overnight, Japan’s Nikkei paced the decline in Asia after the country’s government lowered its fourth-quarter gross domestic product to an annualized drop of 7.1 percent, down from 6.3 percent. Taking inflation into account, the drop was 1.8 percent on a seasonally adjusted quarterly basis.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS
Meanwhile, China’s trade surplus swung to a $7.1 billion deficit – the first since March 2018 – in the first two months of the year. China’s Shanghai Composite fell 3 percent and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng shed 4.2 percent.


bonginoreport--2020-03-09--Bernie Exploits Coronavirus Panic for Fundraising

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is using public fears about the coronavirus as a fundraising tool for his 2020 presidential campaign .
Sanders sent out a campaign email to supporters Monday asking them to sign a petition demanding the government guarantee that a potential coronavirus vaccine will be free of charge .
The petition asks supporters for “ contributions to fight back against drug companies who want to profit off of health care.
” “ I am not very confident in the president ’ s ability to manage this crisis , ” he wrote in the email .
( RELATED : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ As Mayor After Creating Government Position For His Girlfriend ) “ Health experts agree that the spread of the coronavirus will likely get worse before it gets better , ” Sanders added .
“ Donald Trump must stop spreading lies and fear , and leave the science to scientists and health professionals , not politicians.
” The petition linked in the email includes three questions , counting the donation pitch .
The other two questions ask respondents if they “ believe that vaccines , tests , treatment , and quarantines related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and if they “ know that drug companies are spending BIG money in order to defeat our movement ?
” Sanders ’ s campaign didn ’ t immediately return a request for comment on the email .
Sanders is trailing frontrunner former Vice President Joe Biden in the Democratic presidential primary .
Data analytics site FiveThirtyEight gives Biden a 95 % chance of securing a majority of delegates before the Democratic National Convention in July .
Sanders is given less than a 1 % chance to do the same .
Content created by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is using public fears about the coronavirus as a fundraising tool for his 2020 presidential campaign.
Sanders sent out a campaign email to supporters Monday asking them to sign a petition demanding the government guarantee that a potential coronavirus vaccine will be free of charge. The petition asks supporters for “contributions to fight back against drug companies who want to profit off of health care.”
WATCH:
“I am not very confident in the president’s ability to manage this crisis,” he wrote in the email. (RELATED: Bernie Sanders Was Accused Of ‘Cronyism’ As Mayor After Creating Government Position For His Girlfriend)
“Health experts agree that the spread of the coronavirus will likely get worse before it gets better,” Sanders added.
“Donald Trump must stop spreading lies and fear, and leave the science to scientists and health professionals, not politicians.”
The petition linked in the email includes three questions, counting the donation pitch.
The other two questions ask respondents if they “believe that vaccines, tests, treatment, and quarantines related to the coronavirus should be FREE?” and if they “know that drug companies are spending BIG money in order to defeat our movement?”
Sanders’s campaign didn’t immediately return a request for comment on the email.
Sanders is trailing frontrunner former Vice President Joe Biden in the Democratic presidential primary.
Data analytics site FiveThirtyEight gives Biden a 95% chance of securing a majority of delegates before the Democratic National Convention in July.
Sanders is given less than a 1% chance to do the same.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.