GEOPolitics Today ... Wednesday, 11 March 2020

GEOPolitics Today ...  Wednesday, 11 March 2020

By: Iain Fraser - Consultant Editor
Málaga Technology Centre

Good Morning from me, self isolating in sunny Malaga. Welcome to my daily review and roundup of the key stories and factors affecting Geopolitics Today on Wednesday, 11 March 2020. 

CORONAVIRUS: For the third week running Coronavirus grabs all the column inches as the World tries to come to terms with the short, intermediate and long-term impact of the outbreak on global Geopolitics. UK Health minister Nadine Dorries has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus causing widespread alarm as to who else in the cabinet could have also been infected.

Ms Dorries, the first MP to test positive, said she had taken all the advised precautions after finding
out and has been self-isolating at home.

This comes as a sixth person died from the virus in the UK, with the total amount of reported cases which stands at 382. The latest person to die was a man in his early 80s who had underlying health conditions. NHS England said it was scaling up its capacity for testing people for the infection, with the number of cases set to rise.

Google has issued an edict via its parent company Alphabet telling staff to work at home due to the outbreak Last week the tech giant sent a memo to staff recommending that employees in Washington state work from home, but has now expanded that request to all of its almost 100,000 workers across 11 office in the US and Canada. Alphabet is the latest company to make such an announcement as US coronavirus cases have risen to almost 1,000.

ECONOMY: The Bank of England has announced an emergency cut in interest rates in response to the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak. Rates have been cut from 0.75% to 0.25%, taking the cost of borrowing back down to the lowest level in history.

UK BUDGET: Just to add salt to the wound, the UK government will unveil its first Budget later, amid growing fears about the impact the outbreak will have on the UK economy. Chancellor Rishi Sunak has pledged the NHS will get "whatever resources it needs" during the crisis, while he is also expected to unveil measures to boost the self-employed and small businesses who are left out of pocket.

DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL RACE: Meanwhile, across the pond "sleepy" Joe Biden has tightened his grip on Democratic presidential race after extending his lead over rival Sanders. The former vice-president won Michigan, the biggest prize of primary voting on Tuesday, extending his lead over main rival Senator Bernie Sanders. Mr Biden also swept aside Mr Sanders in Missouri, Mississippi and Idaho. The Democrats' next big election milestone is in a week's time when 577 delegates are up for grabs.

Across the mainstream news agencies, Associated Press - AP runs with the Coronavirus with its leader being: Italy passes 10,000 infections as clusters spur worry in US  and carries a piece on PUTIN as Russia passes bill allowing Putin to stay in power past 2024 ... No Surprise there then! with Reuters bucking the trend and leading away from the Coronavirus instead opting to run with Joe Biden´s big win in Michigan

Well that's today roundup for Geopolitics Today on Wednesday, 11 March 2020. Please comment, like and share today's update using the area below this post. As usual the GEO´ Reporting Teams will be staying abreast of events. For the very latest Geopolitical News log on to geopoliticalmatters.com for #Breaking News subscribe to our breaking news feed or download the GEO' NewsApp available for iOS and Android.

Hasta Mañana

IainF