Europe

Following yesterday's shocking poll by INSA, which as we reported put the center-left SPD on 31 percent and Merkel's conservative CDU bloc on 30 percent, suggesting if the election were held today, Germany's new chancellor would be the SPD's new boss and Nigel Farrage's European Parliament nemesis, Martin Schulz...

... Germany's mass-selling tabloid Bild has openly questioned on its front page whether voters have had enough of Chancellor Angela Merkel.  "Is Germany tired of Merkel?" Bild asked in a headline, noting the result of the INSA survey. 

• Senate to Vote on DeVos Confirmation Amid Fiery Debate (WSJ)
• Investors Cut Back on Commercial Property (WSJ)
• Euro, European bonds unnerved by French politics (Reuters)
• Trump’s Dodd-Frank Do-Over Diverted to Slow Lane (BBG)
• In GOP, Divide Grows Over Pace of Obamacare Repeal (WSJ)
• Syria Detains Opponents as It Reasserts Control (WSJ)
• Gaga’s Halftime Drone Swarm Was Pretaped (BBG)
• Tom Brady’s Missing Super Bowl Jersey Could Be Worth $500,000 (BBG)
• The New Face of American Unemployment (BBG)

The dollar rebounded from a key 200-DMA support level, strengthening against all major peers, pushing S&P futures higher as European shares rose, led by basic resources and real estate, while Asian stocks fall. Gold fell from its highest level since November as demand for some haven assets ebbed while global bonds declined. Oil dipped, pressured by a stronger dollar.

Submitted by Alexander Mercouris of The Duran

In a telephone conversation, President Trump fails to give strong support to Ukrainian President Poroshenko, as other US officials also signal desire by US to put Ukraine crisis behind it in order to focus on detente with Russia and war against Jihadi terrorism and ISIS.

Earlier today, we explained why billionaire Democrat, and Clinton supporter, George Soros is the likely source of funding behind the rapidly spreading  - and costly - Trump "Muslim Ban" lawsuits.