Apr 5, 2019

Saudi Arabia threatens to stop using dollars for oil to block 'NOPEC'

Rashaan Ayesh, Amy Harder

Photo: Mlenny/Getty Images

Saudi Arabia said they will start selling oil in currencies other than the U.S. dollar if Capitol Hill passes a bill making OPEC members vulnerable to anti-trust lawsuits, reports Reuters.

What it means: This threat shows the seriousness that Saudi Arabia is taking the pending legislation most of Washington considers very unlikely to happen. That seriousness should make everyone else consider it more of a live debate too.

What they're saying: Bob McNally, former energy adviser for George. W. Bush who now leads his own energy consulting firm, says the Saudis' threat is real.

  • "Saudi Arabia is not the only producer actively considering abandoning the dollar denomination of oil exports."
  • McNally added that passage of this bill "would kick off economic war at the nuclear level with major oil exporters. The result would be devastation all around and no winners except perhaps China and Russia longer term. The best option is not to play."

Go deeper: Trump administration divided over OPEC oil policy

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The people who grow, process and keep food stocked on shelves are doing heroic work in these conditions, often for bottom-barrel pay.

Why it matters: Millions of Americans don't have the luxury of working from home, and it's essential that food workers keep working so we can keep eating.

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Acting Navy secretary resigns over handling of virus-infected ship

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly resigned Tuesday after apologizing for comments he made about Capt. Brett Crozier, who was removed after a letter he wrote pleading with the Navy to address the coronavirus outbreak aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt was leaked to the press. The resignation was first reported by Politico.

Why it matters: The controversy over Crozier's removal was exacerbated after audio leaked of Modly's address to the crew, in which he said Crozier was either "too naive or too stupid to be a commanding officer of a ship like this." After initially backing Modly's decision, President Trump said at a briefing Monday that he would "get involved."

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Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 4 p.m. ET: 1,407,123— Total deaths: 81,103 — Total recoveries: 297,934 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 4 p.m. ET: 386,800 — Total deaths: 12,285 — Total recoveries: 20,191 — Map.
  3. Trump admin latest: Trump removes watchdog overseeing rollout of $2 trillion coronavirus bill.
  4. Federal government latest: Senate looks to increase coronavirus relief for small businesses this week — Testing capacity is still lagging far behind demand.
  5. World update: China reopens Wuhan after 10-week coronavirus lockdown.
  6. Wisconsin primary in photos: Thousands gathered to cast ballots in-person during the height of the coronavirus crisis in the U.S.
  7. What should I do? Pets, moving and personal health. Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing — Q&A: Minimizing your coronavirus risk.
  8. Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it.

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