Oct 15, 2017

Tillerson defends Trump's "unique" leadership

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson played defense for President Trump on State of the Union with Jake Tapper Sunday, deflecting questions about tensions with the president. Asked about Sen. Bob Corker's comments that Trump is "publicly castrating" him, Tillerson quipped, "I checked. I'm fully intact."

More from Tillerson's interview:

On whether he called Trump a "moron": "I'm not going to deal with that petty stuff ... I'm not going to dignify the question."
On the North Korean threat: "Those diplomatic efforts will continue until the first bomb drops."
On the Iran deal: "We want to take the agreement as it exists today ... and then begin the process of addressing these flaws." Tillerson said both he and Trump are in agreement with Defense Secretary James Mattis that it is the the national security interests of the U.S. to stay in the Iran deal.
On Trump's leadership: He is "the most unique president that we've certainly ever seen in modern history."

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Rebecca Falconer

In photos: Trump visits Taj Mahal after massive rally in India

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the Taj Mahal. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump visited India's Taj Mahal on Monday, hours after telling a massive crowd at a rally in Ahmedabad that he hopes to reach a trade deal with his "true friend" Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his two-day visit to the country.

Why it matters: The countries are forging deeper ties as India’s location, size and economic growth make it the "obvious counterweight to China" for American policymakers.

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Caitlin Owens

Coronavirus stress tests drug industry's dependence on China

A Hong Kong commuter wears a face mask. Photo: Miguel Candela/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

It's unclear whether the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus will actually result in prescription drug shortages, but it has undoubtedly highlighted the potential vulnerabilities of having the supply chain for American drugs so dependent on China.

Driving the news: About 150 prescription drugs — including antibiotics, generics and some branded drugs without alternatives — are at risk of shortage if the coronavirus outbreak in China worsens, per two sources familiar with a list of at-risk drugs compiled by the Food and Drug Administration.

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Jim VandeHei

Bernie's path to the presidency

Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks yesterday during a rally at Houston University. Photo: Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images

Lots of Democrats are in full panic that Bernie Sanders will win the nomination and get clobbered in the general election — and bring the party down, too. But the evidence, particularly the polling, doesn't back those doomsday warnings.

Why it matters: Virtually every national and swing state poll shows Sanders tied with or beating President Trump. And, unlike every rival, he has a huge base of fervent, unshakable supporters he can only grow.

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