My, from NPR News in Washington, line Corva Coleman, President Trump is deman...
countries help police the Strait of Hormos, Iran is effectively shut down the narrow
“waterway as the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran continues.”
It means little crude oil is getting out. And here's Emily Fang reports, the oil is desperately needed in other countries. Speaking to the financial times, Trump warned of a quote, "very bad feature of NATO allies did not help open up the Strait of Hormos through which nearly 20% of the world's oil flows." Trump earlier called on countries who depend on the Strait for help, but Japan and
Australia have already said they're not sending ships to assist. South Korea said it was considering Trump's request. Iran's counterstrikes on Gulf countries caused Dubai's international airport to cancel some incoming and outgoing flights on Monday. And Turkey, one of Iran's neighbors, is trying to stay out of the conflict.
It's foreign minister Hakan Fidan told the Associated Press over the weekend, but he admitted the conditions were "not very much conducive right now for diplomacy." Emily Fang and Pernu's Istanbul Treasury's Secretary Scott Bessant says the U.S. is seeing
“some ships go through the Strait, including some Chinese ships.”
Bessant is concluding trade talks with Chinese diplomats. These are supposed to come ahead of President Trump's visit to China, perhaps starting March 31st, although no timetable has been announced. Bessant told CNBC today its possible Trump's visit could be delayed. "If the meeting for some reason is rescheduled, it would be rescheduled because of logistics.
The President wants to remain the NDC to coordinate the war effort and that traveling abroad at a time like this may not be optimal." Bessant says he also sees crude oil prices falling, below $80 a barrel in a couple of months, currently they're around $100 a barrel. The U.S. Senate is said to vote this week on a priority for President Trump.
Election reform. The measure is called the Save America Act, but in BR's Miles Parks reports, the restrictive measure is expected to fail.
“The Save America Act would overhaul U.S. elections procedures, as voters are already voting”
in primaries for this year's mid-terms. The bill would require people to provide proof of their U.S. citizenship, like a birth certificate or passport, to register to vote. That's something that could be difficult for millions of people, but the bill is not expected to pass.
Senate majority leader John Thoom said it doesn't have enough support to overcome a 60-volt filibuster in the Senate. "It's about the vote, it's about the man and I'm fine for better words, I'm the one who has to be the clear-eyed realist about what we can achieve here."
And on citizen voting has never been shown to be a widespread problem in American elections,
but polls show a majority for public and voters are concerned about voter fraud in the mid-terms. Miles Parks and PR News, Washington. "And you're listening to NPR News from Washington." There's a major winter storm pounding much of the Eastern U.S. There are blizzard warnings near the Great Lakes and tornado watches in the southeast.
The National Weather Service warns the highest threat of severe weather today will be in the mid-Atlantic states. Residents there are being warned of the chance of damaging winds and tornadoes. Some winds could gust up to hurricane strength. Multiple wildfires are burning into brasket, including one of the states' biggest wildfires
ever. Together they have burned more than 1100 square miles. One person has been killed. The big winter at the Academy Awards last night was the film "One Battle" after another captured six Oscars, including Best Picture.
The film "Cinors One Four Awards" including one that made history. Steve Futterman reports. "When the winner in the Best Cinematography category was announced." "And the Oscar goes to?" "Cinors."
"It was an Oscar first.
Autumn-derald Archibald became the first woman ever to win in that category.
Just three times in the '98 year history of the awards had a woman even been nominated. The next stage Archibald said being a woman of color makes the win even more significant. "A lot of little girls that look like me will sleep really well tonight because the one have become cinematographers." "And her win marked another milestone except for two gender-specific awards, Best Lead
Actor and Best Supporting Actor, women have now won Oscars and every current competitive category. For MPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Hollywood." Vancouver for Coleman and PR news from Washington.
