NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT TUESDAY 3/17/2020

(LIMITED SERVICE WITH POSTING MAINLY TUESDAY EVENING WITH SERVICE ENDING AT 9PM)

Three rockets struck the "Green Zone" in Baghdad today.    Its the fourth such attack in a week.   The rockets fell at least two kilometers from the US Embassy.

More from Qatar's Al Jazeera......LINK

Iraq has complained to the UN Security Council about recent US airstrikes.    The Iraqi Foreign Ministry spokesman says that the purpose of the US military presence in the country is to provide assistance in the fight against Islamic state.

He says that the US airstrikes against Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units blamed for attacks on US forces based in Iraq are provocative, hostile acts and violations of Iraqi sovereignty.....TASS NEWS STORY

The Russian Navy conducting drills at its base in Tartus, Syria.......TASS NEWS STORY

The US Treasury Department imposing sanctions on the Syrian Defense Minister.   General Ali Abdullah Ayyoub added to the "Specially Designated Nationals And Blocked Persons List".

From the perspective of Iran's "Press TV" General Ayyoub has been leading the efforts of the Syrian government to fight "Takfiri terrorists" which is Shia Muslim Iran's way of describing Sunni Muslim jihadists including members of the Al Qaeda movement.....PRESS TV NEWS STORY

The Chinese government revoking credentials of American newspaper reporters in China who work for The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.    Its retaliation for the US decision to revoke credentials for reporters who work for Chinese government media outlets in the United States.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered polling places in the state for today's Democrat primary closed after a judge denied a request to postpone the primary until June 2nd.....POLITICO STORY.....The Ohio Democratic Party launching a lawsuit over the action....

DEMOCRAT PRIMARIES TODAY IN ARIZONA, FLORIDA AND ILLINOIS.    JOE BIDEN DECLARED THE WINNER IN FLORIDA AND ILLINOIS.    RESULTS AND NEWS ON THE PRIMARIES FROM NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO......NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO POLITICAL BLOG

"It is not that long before we hit 10,000 cases"

New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio spoke this afternoon at a news conference as the number of coronavirus cases in the city  jumped to 814......New Yorkers should prepare for an order to stay home, he said.....NEW YORK DAILY NEWS STORY

The Governor of West Virginia announcing that state's first Covid-19 case tonight.  Jim Justice ordering bars, restaurants and casinos to close while permitting carry-out food service.....ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWS STORY

Israel's cabinet approved special powers allowing spying on individuals suspected of carrying the coronavirus.....BBC NEWS STORY

The coronavirus story around the world as reported by the BBC.......BBC NEWS BLOG CORONAVIRUS

And finally the Worldometer total of coronavirus cases in the US stood at 6,456 at about 855 pm Eastern US Time tonight with 109 deaths reported and 106 recovered.....WORLDOMETER CORONAVIRUS US STATISTICS

The market news today with a rise on Wall Street of over five percent in value, more than 1,000 points the Dow closing at 21,237.38.    President Trump and other top officials trying to reassure Americans about the economy.

Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin said today that President Trump wants to send Americans payments by check within the next two weeks.    The payments would not go to wealthy Americans.   The amount of those payments was not detailed.....ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWS STORY PUBLISHED BY WBAL-TV....

Legal wrangling in federal court in Portland, Oregon Monday over a lawsuit filed by leftist protesters against the City of Portland.

The leftists allege that the police there took sides when the left-wing protesters faced off the with Patriot Prayer group in downtown Portland during an August 4th, 2018 demonstration.

The city contends that the leftists are making outrageous claims in their suit.....OREGON LIVE NEWS STORY

And Russia's President Vladimir Putin signing a decree today for an April 22nd referendum on new amendments to Russia's constitution including one that will allow him to run for a third term.  But Putin says the coronavirus situation could lead to a postponement of the vote.......TASS NEWS STORY

That's the way it really is Tuesday March 17th, 2020.