Nov 20, 2018

Members of Saudi royal family reportedly sour on MBS

Zachary Basu

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Photo: Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Images

Dozens of members of the Saudi royal family are discussing making Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, the only surviving brother of King Salman, the heir apparent to the throne after Salman's death, as the embattled Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) continues to deal with the fallout from the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, reports Reuters.

The big picture: MBS already acts as the kingdom's de-facto leader and has a close relationship with the Trump administration, particularly with the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner. But reports that he ordered the murder of Khashoggi have rankled the international community. Prince Ahmed, who has been critical of MBS' rise to power, would reportedly have the support of "family members, the security apparatus and some Western powers," according to Reuters.

Go deeper

Orion Rummler

Debate night: Candidates' last face-off before Super Tuesday

Sanders, Biden, Klobuchar and Steyer in South Carolina on Feb. 25. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Sen. Bernie Sanders wanted to keep his momentum after winning contests in New Hampshire and Nevada, while former Vice President Joe Biden hoped to keep his own campaign alive. The other five candidates were just trying to hang on.

What's happening: Seven contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination were in Charleston, South Carolina, for the tenth debate, just days before the South Carolina primary and a week before Super Tuesday. They spoke, sometimes over each other, about health care, Russian interference in the election, foreign policy the economy, gun control, marijuana, education, and race.

Go deeperArrowUpdated 8 mins ago - Politics & Policy
Axios

Coronavirus spreads to Africa as U.S. soldier in South Korea tests positive

Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins, the CDC, and China's Health Ministry. Note: China numbers are for the mainland only and U.S. numbers include repatriated citizens.

A 23-year-old American soldier stationed at Camp Carroll in South Korea has tested positive to the novel coronavirus, as the outbreak spreads to more countries.

The big picture: COVID-19 has killed more than 2,700 people and infected over 80,000 others, mostly in mainland China. Public health officials confirmed Tuesday the U.S. has 57 people with the novel coronavirus, mostly those repatriated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.

Go deeperArrowUpdated 1 hour ago - Health
Ursula Perano

Bloomberg denies telling a pregnant employee to "kill it"

Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images.

Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg on the debate stage Tuesday denied telling a former employee to terminate her pregnancy.

Catch up quick: Per the Washington Post, a former saleswoman has alleged workplace discrimination against Bloomberg and his company and says Bloomberg told her to "kill it" when he learned she was pregnant. Bloomberg denied the allegation under oath and entered a confidential settlement with the woman.

Go deeperArrow2 hours ago - Politics & Policy