The coronavirus or “COVID-19” is a relative of the SARS virus which sent hundreds of Chinese to the next life in 2003. According to some reports, more than 43,000 reported cases are just the tip of the iceberg. The virus is highly contagious, so transmission through person-to-person contact keeps the virus in play until warm weather makes it disappear.
The EU told Boris Johnson his free-trade goods and services only trade deal is a bad deal for him. Mr. Johnson told EU president Ursula von der Leyen he wants a deal like Australia has with the EU. Ursula told Johnson the EU doesn’t have a trade deal with Australia. They deal, according to World Trade Organization rules.
Britain’s GDP growth last year was 1.4%. In 2020, GDP growth could drop by 4/10% if the Brexit trade deal turns into a fiasco for the U.K. and the EU. The EU’s economy will take a hit when the U.K. is officially off the books. Boris wants to happen at the end of 2020. But the EU wants more time to work on details that will have an impact on the lives of EU and U.K. citizens. There’s also a manufacturing overlap, as well as customs and security issues that need attention.
Bill Barr got a Twitter high-five from the president for stepping-in and making four Department of Justice prosecutors look like fools. Mr. Barr told Judge Berman the Roger Stone sentence request from his prosecutors was way out of line for the crimes. Barr asked Judge Berman to determine how long Roger Stone should serve for lying to Congress, obstructing justice, and threatening a witness.
Barr let the judge know when Trump tweets he jumps, according to the Washington Post. Mr. Barr’s blatant legal protection of the president violates his oath of office, according to members of the New York Bar Association.
Mr. Trump continues to keep Iran under his thumb. Iran wants to make a deal with the president, but Mr. Trump won’t talk to the leaders of Iran, according to the New York Times.
The Senate wants to stop Trump from committing another strike on Iran. The War Powers Resolution drafted by Senator Tim Kaine would force the president to consult Congress before he starts another military rumble with Iran. But Kaine’s bill won’t make it passed the president’s desk, according to the Washington Post.
