The Full Belmonte, 3/20/2023
Lukewarm response to Trump's call for protests
“Former President Donald Trump’s calls for protests ahead of his anticipated indictment in New York have generated mostly muted reactions from supporters. It suggests that the hundreds of convictions and long prison sentences that followed the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot may have dampened the desire for repeat mass unrest.
But the former president’s call for protests caused concern for law enforcement involved in preparing his potential arrest.
•The background: Trump predicted over the weekend he will arrested Tuesday for his role in making an alleged $130,000 hush money payment to an adult film actress in the waning days of the 2016 election to silence her about claims she'd had an affair with him. If Trump's claims prove true, it would mark the first time in U.S. history that a former president has faced criminal charges, legal experts say.
•Trump says he’ll still run for president again if he’s indicted in any of the several current investigations into his conduct. But in the hush-money case in New York, there are new indications that criminal charges might be imminent.
•Michael Cohen, Trump’s longtime lawyer and fixer, spent two days last week testifying before the grand jury against his former boss.
Keep reading: Pence doesn't commit to supporting Trump in 2024 and YouTube has lifted restrictions on Trump's channel. [USA Today]
Michael Cohen, reiterated in testimony last week that Trump personally instructed him to pay an adult film star so it would not hurt his chances of victory in the 2016 presidential election.
AP
Prosecutors to release video of Irvo Otieno's 'pinned down' death
“A 12-minute video showing Irvo Otieno's death will be released to the public early this week, authorities said. The footage depicts why seven sheriff’s deputies and three hospital workers are charged with second-degree murder in the death of Otieno, a 28-year-old Black man who died while being held down at a state mental hospital in Petersburg, Virginia, prosecutors say. ‘My son was tortured,’ said Otieno’s mother, Caroline Ouko, who called the video ‘heartbreaking’ and ‘disturbing.’ Read more at USA Today
Irvo Otieno's family recalls the 'disturbing' video.
AP
Putin makes surprise visit to occupied Mariupol
“Russian President Vladimir Putin made a weekend visit to the occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol, inspecting reconstruction work and visiting the home of at least one local resident, the Kremlin said in a statement Sunday. Putin toured the port city that has been under Russian control since May and was illegally annexed by Moscow in September. The news came less than two days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, an official in his office responsible for children's rights. The court cited their alleged involvement in the unlawful deportation of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. Read more
•Biden calls arrest warrant for Putin 'justified.'
•Ukrainian children taken to Russia harkens memories of a similar Nazi effort.
•White House: China should include Zelenskyy in war talks with Russia.” [USA Today]
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) listens to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin at a newly built neighborhood in Mariupol in Russian-controlled Donetsk region on March 19, 2023.
HANDOUT, Russian Presidential Press Office
“If two of the most powerful people on the planet are meeting, it’s because they each have something to gain.
Xi Jinping is in Moscow today, his first overseas trip since getting the final rubber stamp on his third term as Chinese president. He’s seeing Vladimir Putin, whose war in Ukraine has made the Russian leader a pariah for nations from the US to Germany and Japan and the target of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes.
Xi’s trip only highlights Beijing’s renewed tensions with the US over everything from trade to security and defense to technology.
It’s the ultimate riposte to the endless warnings from US officials for Xi to shun Putin, or avoid showing overt support for his war. It’ll be hard to miss the message of the two shaking hands and having warm chats, as trade between their countries continues to rise.
And yet make no mistake, this is not because Xi thinks Putin’s war is a good thing.
The relationship between China and Russia has long been transactional, based on common enemies and shared opportunities, with Beijing increasingly taking the upper hand.
It suits Xi to poke the US in the eye. Equally he’s keen to portray himself as a statesman on the global stage and China as an alternate power base.
His blueprint for talks on the war in Ukraine is likely a non-starter, but it doesn’t really matter to Xi. He’ll probably follow his face-to-face with Putin with a phone call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, showcasing himself as one of the few leaders able to speak with both men.
For Putin, fresh off a weekend visit to annexed Crimea and the occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol, having Xi in town is an instant win. He can tout it both at home and to other nations as evidence that breaking from the US orbit isn’t the end of the world.
So this meeting suits both — for now at least. In the longer term, however, it’s clear who will be the one likely dictating the terms.” — Rosalind Mathieson [Bloomberg]
UBS-Credit Suisse deal: Shareholders no longer in charge
Side-by-side headquarters of Swiss banks Credit Suisse (center) and UBS (left) at Paradeplatz in Zurich, Switzerland, yesterday. Photo: Michael Buholzer/Keystone via AP
“UBS yesterday agreed to buy troubled Swiss banking rival Credit Suisse, in a $2 billion deal whose speed was unthinkable before Silicon Valley Bank's collapse, Axios Pro Rata author Dan Primack writes.
Why it matters: The Swiss government literally changed the law to get the deal done — creating short-term stability for the global banking sector, but long-term questions about shareholder rights.
What's happening: In any acquisition of a publicly traded company, the acquired company's stockholders have the right to vote their shares in favor or disapproval.
Credit Suisse shares are listed in both New York and Zurich. But the Swiss government unilaterally moved to eliminate voting rights.
It's an unprecedented decision. During the great financial crisis, for example, Bear Stearns shareholders voted to approve its government-desired takeover by JPMorgan (even getting a better deal in the process).
‘This feels like Russia in Zurich,’ says a source close to Credit Suisse. ‘You've got Swiss families who have invested a lot in Credit Suisse basically getting wiped out without a say.’
Between the lines: Credit Suisse shareholders make out slightly better in this deal than do bondholders, which isn't usually the case.
The bottom line: UBS buying Credit Suisse is a shotgun wedding, insisted upon by a Western, capitalist country. The question now is whether it sets a precedent for other countries.” [Axios]
“Imran Khan in court. This weekend, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan appeared in court in Islamabad, the country’s capital. The warrant for his arrest was reportedly canceled. Meanwhile, police stormed Khan’s residence in Lahore and arrested 61 people while using tear gas.
Khan, who had failed to appear at an earlier hearing, was not present, as he had traveled to Islamabad. He is charged with having sold state gifts while in office and hiding his assets. In a video message, recorded on the journey from Lahore to Islamabad, Khan demanded that those responsible for breaking into his residence be punished.” [Foreign Policy]
“Italy stops registration of children by same sex parents. In 2018, the mayor of Milan allowed parents in same-sex relationships to officially acknowledge their children as their own. This week, Italy’s current government ordered the city to stop registering these children. Hundreds in Milan attended a protest against the government on Saturday.
Attendees included Elly Schlein, newly elected leader of the center-left Democratic Party. Her message, she said, was that the prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, should not ‘discriminate against the daughters and sons of these wonderful families.’” [Foreign Policy]
“At least 15 killed in an earthquake in Ecuador. At least 15 people were killed after a 6.7 magnitude earthquake shook Ecuador’s south coast. The southern province of El Oro, where 12 died, was the worst affected. President Guillermo Lasso asked citizens to remain calm while officials assessed the damage. He also visited a hospital in Machala to meet with some of those injured in the quake.” [Foreign Policy]
“Mass protests for eleventh week in Israel. Israelis protested for the eleventh consecutive week against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s planned overhaul of the judiciary, which critics say would strip all liberalism from Israel’s democracy. In Karkur, a town in northern Israel, police used a water cannon on protesters. The Associated Press reported that they had obtained a video of protesters chanting ‘democracy’ as they did so.” [Foreign Policy]
COVID drives E.R. burnout
Data: National Residency Matching Program. Chart: Simran Parwani/Axios
“More medical school graduates are steering away from emergency medicine and opting for specialties like orthopedics and plastic surgery, Axios' Arielle Dreher and Tina Reed write for Axios Vitals.
More than 550 slots for emergency medicine residents were left unfilled this year, according to the National Resident Matching Program, which pairs newly minted doctors with post-graduate opportunities in medical centers.
That's up from 335 a year ago — and a major jump from 2018, when only 13 E.R. openings were unfilled.
Why it matters: The field not long ago was one of the most desired for young doctors and celebrated on TV.
What's happening: E.R. doctors were lauded as heroes during the early days of COVID — but have since become symbols of professional burnout.” [Axios]
1 hoop thing: Bracket madness
Men's survivors. Women's Sweet 16 will be set after tonight. Image: NCAA, via Twitter
“Just four of the top nine men's seeds — Alabama, Houston, UCLA, Texas — survived March Madness opening weekend, Axios Sports' Kendall Baker writes.
Two No. 1 seeds (Purdue and Kansas) lost ... and a No. 15 seed (Princeton) won — twice.
Until 2021, only one No. 15 seed had made the Sweet 16 (Florida Gulf Coast University in 2013). It has now happened three straight times, with Princeton following Saint Peter's and Oral Roberts.
In the women's tournament, No. 8 seed Ole Miss knocked out No. 1 seed Stanford last night, eliminating the lone remaining perfect women's bracket on ESPN. Mississippi is now in its first Sweet 16 in 16 years.
Every men's bracket had gone bust by Friday night.
Men's schedule ... Women's schedule [Axios]
Virginia Tech's Elizabeth Kitley celebrates after the Hokies defeated South Dakota State in the second round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament.
Matt Gentry, AP
SPORTS NEWS FROM THE ATHLETIC
Mississippi forward Madison Scott, right, shooting.Josie Lepe/Associated Press
“An upset: Stanford fell to Ole Miss in the women’s N.C.A.A. basketball tournament yesterday. It’s the first time a No. 1 seed has missed the Sweet 16 since 2009.
Familiar loss: Kansas State knocked Kentucky out of the men’s tournament, fueling simmering resentment between Kentucky’s coach and fan base.
Team U.S.A. advances: The Americans will face either Mexico or Japan in the World Baseball Classic final after last night’s 14-2 romp over Cuba. A win would give Team U.S.A. back-to-back titles.” [The Athletic]
“Lives Lived: Cruz Miguel Ortíz Cuadra was a food historian and Puerto Rico’s leading gastronomy expert, defining the island’s cuisine. He died at 67.” [New York Times]