UConn Health opened a drive-thru COVID-19 sampling site on its Farmington campus on Monday, March 23. Patients with appointments are able to drive into the testing area and usually within seven minutes, they are on their way.

This type of efficiency is the result of hours of planning and preparation by the entire staff at UConn Health. Virtually every organization area played a role in the establishment of the testing area.

As a state institution, part of our mission is to take care of the community and its citizens and we knew we need to have a sampling center, says Dr. Scott Allen, the interim chief medical officer of UConn John Dempsey Hospital and a professor in medicine. We had an organizational meeting about a week before we opened. We worked with our facilities and campus planning folks and the first hurdle was where to put this thing. We didnt know how long the lines would be and how it would impact our other traffic flow.

The decision was made to set up in Parking Lot 3, which is in a quiet part of the Farmington campus, but that provided other challenges.

During disasters like this, I really believe it brings out the best in people and this is certainly a case where so many people were willing to do whatever was need to make it work, says Deb Abromaitis, the director of the Office of Accreditation and Regulatory Affairs, who worked with the Department of Public Health to make sure the testing site was approved. People came out very early in morning, late at night, working on the weekends, just be able to deliver whatever was needed to make this happen.

The areas of UConn Health involved in the process seem endless: police, fire, nursing, facilities operations, telecommunications and IT, laboratories, parking services, and food services just to name a few.

Allen says that, as UConn Health has cut back on outpatient services during the crisis, staff from that area has volunteered to get trained and be part of the process, whether that means greeting patients in the first tent or getting samples in the second.

Every day another area steps up, says Abromaitis. Its been an unbelievable multidisciplinary effort. Parking, people that do signage, and on and on. Earlier this week, the nurses were having problems breaking the sampling swabs to get them into tubes. Our facilities people were right coming up with shears to make that better.

Abromaitis gave the examples of a nurse who stayed outside after being covered in snow that fell from a tent and of the UConn fire department stepping up.

We realized we needed more heat for our sample takers because they are not able to wear coats with their protective gear, says Abromaitis. We got heaters that had gas tanks, but we need to put barriers up to protect the gas tanks in case a care went into them. The barriers needed to be filled with water and our fire department was there right away to fill the barriers. It has just been one great thing after another from our people.

She also remembers the feeling when the first test case when through the center and the mobile unit staff were all staring out the window; it was just a great positive feeling of how we all worked together.

**

The COVID-19 sampling site is located on the Farmington campus of UConn Health at 263 Farmington Avenue. The site is open from 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and is by appointment only. To be tested, patients must make an appointment by calling 860-679-1869 Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Those who plan on coming to the test site must have an appointment and be aware of the following:

UConn Health also has a COVID-19 Call Center to help the community through this ever-changing situation at 860-679-3199, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions about the virus.

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UConn Health Testing Site Setup Was An All-Hands-On-Deck Effort - UConn Today

The recent performance of Texas Capital Bancshares (NASDAQ:TCBI) stock in the market spoke loud and clear to investors as TCBI saw more than 680.87K shares in trading volumes in the last trading session, way higher than the average trading volume of 680.87K shares by far recorded in the movement of Texas Capital Bancshares (TCBI). At the time the stock opened at the value of $25.17, making it a high for the given period, the value of the stock jumped by 5.03%. After the increase, TCBI touched a low price of $24.06, calling it a day with a closing price of $24.66, which means that the price of TCBI went 0.73 below the opening price on the mentioned day.

Given the most recent momentum in the market in the price movement of TCBI stock, some strong opinions on the matter of investing in the companys stock started to take shape, which is how analysts are predicting an estimated price of $39.30 for TCBI within consensus. The estimated price would demand a set of gains in total of -105241.25%, which goes higher than the most recent closing price, indicating that the stock is in for bullish trends. Other indicators are hinting that the stock could reach an outstanding figure in the market share, which is currently set at 50.13M in the public float and 1.30B US dollars in market capitalization.

When it comes to the technical analysis of TCBI stock, there are more than several important indicators on the companys success in the market, one of those being the Relative Strength Indicator (RSI), which can show, just as Stochastic measures, what is going on with the value of the stock beneath the data. This value may also indicate that the stock will go sideways rather than up or down, also indicating that the price could stay where it is for quite some time. When it comes to Stochastic reading, TCBI stock are showing 73.31% in results, indicating that the stock is neither overbought or oversold at the moment, providing it with a neutral within Stochastic reading as well. Additionally, TCBI with the present state of 200 MA appear to be indicating bearish trends within the movement of the stock in the market. While other metrics within the technical analysis are due to provide an outline into the value of TCBI, the general sentiment in the market is inclined toward negative trends.

With the previous 100-day trading volume average of 631074 shares, On Deck Capital (ONDK) recorded a trading volume of 1.31 million shares, as the stock started the trading session at the value of $1.02, in the end touching the price of $1.09 after jumping by 6.86%.

ONDK stock seem to be going ahead the lowest price in the last 52 weeks with the latest change of 101.85%.Then price of ONDK also went backward in oppose to its average movements recorded in the previous 20 days. The price volatility of ONDK stock during the period of the last months recorded 36.45%, whilst it changed for the week, now showing 23.81% of volatility in the last seven days. The trading distance for this period is set at -9.69% and is presently away from its moving average by -60.32% in the last 50 days. During the period of the last 5 days, ONDK stock lost around -6.84% of its value, now recording a dip by -69.40% reaching an average $3.5475 in the period of the last 200 days.During the period of the last 12 months, On Deck Capital (ONDK) dropped by -73.67%.

According to the Barcharts scale, the companys consensus rating was unchanged to 3.75 from 3.75, showing an overall improvement during the course of a single month.

ONDK shares recorded a trading volume of 1.24 million shares, compared to the volume of 761.42K shares before the last close, presented as its trading average. With the approaching 23.81% during the last seven days, the volatility of ONDK stock remained at 36.45%. During the last trading session, the lost value that ONDK stock recorded was set at the price of $1.09, while the lowest value in the last 52 weeks was set at $0.54. The recovery of the stock in the market has notably added 101.85% of gains since its low value, also recording -56.05% in the period of the last 1 month.

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The Case for Further Gains in Texas Capital Bancshares (TCBI), On Deck Capital (ONDK) - US Post News

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) Mayor Byron Brown said the City of Buffalo was concerned about certain areas that might be hit hard even before the novel coronavirus came to Western New York.

We were concerned there would be communities that would be heavily impacted by this, he said on a call with 7 Eyewitness News.

We have been providing information to community groups, stressing social distancing, removed basketball rims, closed playgrounds, had calls with clergy and block clubs, launched the good neighbors network to help people stay connected.

Brown says he has seen the sharp rise in cases in the 14215 zip code which includes a large portion of the citys Upper East Side, and plans to put every resource available towards helping combat the spread in that neighborhood.

There are things we can do clearly, there are resources we can provide, The City is going to act as a facilitator to do that. It will be all hands on deck to provide resources and we want to be there for our residents, our job is to be there for our residents, and we will do everything we possibly can to do that.

The County Executive and Mayor talk daily, sometimes twice a day, said Brown. And he credits Mark Poloncarz with listening to the needs of trusted voices in the community to help provide more information.

And in any crises, people in Black and impoverished neighborhoods arent necessarily looking to elected leaders, said Brown. Theyre looking to their block club leaders and religious leaders in the community for information.

Brown said its critical to get these people accessible information to disseminate to their neighborhoods.

As we've gotten information from the federal government, state government, county government we've tried to synthesize that information. Make it easier to understand; and we've provided that information in the City of Buffalo in a variety of ways to our residents(we are) certainly doing that in the most impacted areas in the city.

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"All hands on deck": City of Buffalo responds to influx of COVID-19 on Upper East Side - WKBW-TV

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If youre looking for a room with a view, the townhouse at 2267 W. 19th St. has them in spades. The downtown skyline to the east and the West Side Market to the west: you can truly see it all from the homes windows and two rooftop decks.

Unit 8 is located in West Nineteen, a new collection of townhomes built in 2019 in Duck Island, where the historic and eclectic neighborhoods of Ohio City and Tremont meet.

Knez Homes sales agent Dorit Sade calls the design quintessential Cleveland, blending contemporary and classic brick architecture.

The architecture takes its cue from both the industrial heritage of the site and the manufacturing dynamic of its connection to the industrial flats, she says.

Inside, youll find nearly 2,300-sq. ft. of living space spread across four levels, including three bedrooms, two full and two half bathrooms. The open-concept main level is the heart of the house, and offers 9-foot ceilings, plenty of light, a sleek kitchen and 60-inch electric fireplace.

But the pice de rsistance is the fourth-level entertainment room which has a wall-to-wall bar and access to those two rooftop decks.

West Nineteen is Knez Homes newest community of luxurious townhomes. This unit is available for $514,900. Photos by Austin Cupach

The unit listed is available and ready to move in for $514,900. 14 other units are currently under construction and can be tailored to the buyers preferences with available options like a walk-out basement, elevator, and upgraded finishes and surfaces.

"Designed with large windows, high ceilings, and expansive open terraces, the residences at West Nineteen provide the perfect backdrop for a sophisticated, contemporary lifestyle," says the brochure.

See the full listing here

Address: 2267 West 19th St, Unit 8

City: Cleveland

Price: $514,900

Square footage: 2,226

Year built: 2019

No. bedrooms: 3

No. bathrooms: 2 full, 2 half

School district: Cleveland Municipal School District

Other notable attributes: 15-year tax abatement, HOA fee, two-car garage

Sales info: Dorit Sade, Knez Homes

email: dsade@knez.net

phone: (440) 221-9627

Walk up from the ground level, which has an office and two-car garage, to the open-concept main level.

West Nineteen is Knez Homes newest community of luxurious townhomes. This unit is available for $514,900. Photos by Austin Cupach

West Nineteen is Knez Homes newest community of luxurious townhomes. This unit is available for $514,900. Photos by Austin Cupach

The home offers a 15-year 100-percent tax abatement. The HOA fees are $140 per month.

The kitchen has a large island, tile backsplash, quartz counters, sleek 42 custom cabinets with wall to wall pantries, stainless steel appliances, floor to ceiling windows and a walk-out balcony.

West Nineteen is Knez Homes newest community of luxurious townhomes. This unit is available for $514,900. Photos by Austin Cupach

West Nineteen is Knez Homes newest community of luxurious townhomes. This unit is available for $514,900. Photos by Austin Cupach

West Nineteen is Knez Homes newest community of luxurious townhomes. This unit is available for $514,900. Photos by Austin Cupach

West Nineteen is Knez Homes newest community of luxurious townhomes. This unit is available for $514,900. Photos by Austin Cupach

West Nineteen is Knez Homes newest community of luxurious townhomes. This unit is available for $514,900. Photos by Austin Cupach

West Nineteen is Knez Homes newest community of luxurious townhomes. This unit is available for $514,900. Photos by Austin Cupach

West Nineteen is Knez Homes newest community of luxurious townhomes. This unit is available for $514,900. Photos by Austin Cupach

From the listing: Spacious master bedroom and glamorous en-suite bathroom with double vanities, custom tiled walk-in shower and frameless glass doors.

West Nineteen is Knez Homes newest community of luxurious townhomes. This unit is available for $514,900. Photos by Austin Cupach

West Nineteen is Knez Homes newest community of luxurious townhomes. This unit is available for $514,900. Photos by Austin Cupach

The fourth level is ideal for entertaining both large and small gatherings with two rooftop decks, lounge with bar, and powder room.

West Nineteen is Knez Homes newest community of luxurious townhomes. This unit is available for $514,900. Photos by Austin Cupach

West Nineteen is Knez Homes newest community of luxurious townhomes. This unit is available for $514,900. Photos by Austin Cupach

West Nineteen is Knez Homes newest community of luxurious townhomes. This unit is available for $514,900. Photos by Austin Cupach

West Nineteen is Knez Homes newest community of luxurious townhomes. This unit is available for $514,900. Photos by Austin Cupach

West Nineteen is Knez Homes newest community of luxurious townhomes. This unit is available for $514,900. Photos by Austin Cupach

West Nineteen is Knez Homes newest community of luxurious townhomes. This unit is available for $514,900. Photos by Austin Cupach

For more information on West Nineteen, contact Dorit Sade at Knez Homes by email at dsade@knez.net or phone at (440) 221-9627.

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Duck Island townhouse offers stunning views from two rooftop decks: House of the Week - cleveland.com

Though the past few months of Hearthstone have been dominated by Hunter, Rexxar isnt the only Hero having fun.

Even if the expansion feels unbalanced at times, Descent of Dragons still managed to introduce some super fun decks to Hearthstone. Since a new expansion is right around the corner, here are a few decks you should take for a spin while you still have the chance. Some of these decks include cards that will rotate out in the coming year, so remember to craft with caution.

Prior to the Conjurers Calling nerf, Highlander Mage was one of the strongest decks in the game. It received more support when Amazing Reno was introduced through the latest solo adventure, but the deck still isnt considered top-tier. That being said, the deck is still extremely fun. Though it probably isnt as fast as you may like it to be, the deck offers so many paths to victory that winning feels fresh every time. With Cards like Zephrys, Reno, and Dragonqueen Alexstrasza sticking around, you can expect to see a new version of Highlander Mage when the next expansion launches.

Use this code to copy the deck for Hearthstone: AAECAf0EHooByQOrBMUEywSNCL7sAs7vAu72Asb4AqCAA+iJA4OWA5+bA6CbA4qeA6GhA8KhA/yjA4ukA5KkA/KlA4SnA/qsA/CvA5GxA4S2A4y2A+G2A5+3AwAA

Another unique deck being shrouded by the meta is Quest Druid. This deck revolves around the quest card Untapped Potential. This card eventually allows the Druid player to earn a Passive Hero Power called Ossirian Tear. This causes your choose one cards to have both effects. Since Embiggen and Token Druid are doing so well in the meta, Quest Druid hasnt seen as much play. This is a shame because Untapped Potential is one of the most rewarding Quest cards currently in Hearthstone. If you play Druid, this one is definitely worth taking for a spin.

Use this code to copy the deck for Hearthstone:AAECAZICBiSu0gL1/ALYoAP4oQP2rQMMQFZf/gHEBr/yAqmiA8iiA++iA9mpA/m1A8a3AwA=

Another fun deck being eclipsed by its brother in the meta is Holy Wrath Paladin. If youre playing against a Paladin deck on the ladder, its probably some sort of Mech build. Though Mechs are fun, its a shame theyre overshadowing one of the most fun builds in the game right now. Holy Wrath Paladin is essentially an OTK deck. Youll spend most of the match setting up for the Holy Wrath and Shirvallah combo. Shirvallah the Tiger costs 25 mana, but costs one less for each mana youve spent on spells. Holy Wrath causes you to draw a card and then deal damage equal to its cost. Combining the two makes for one heck of a wombo combo.

Use this code to copy the deck for Hearthstone:AAECAZ8FDPoBhQPtBfQFzwb7DP37AoT8Ar2GA/yjA5asA/22AwmcArMD3AP2B6f3Avz8Atn+As+GA+yGAwA=

Youve probably faced quite a few Galakrond Rogue decks on ladder. What you probably havent seen many of, however, is the Highlander variant of the archetype. Cards like Zephrys and Dragonqueen Alexstrasza make Highlander decks very entertaining. Throw Galakrond, Kronx, Skyshiv, and Siamat into the mix and youll have a Highlander build that is overflowing with value. Though most people prefer the non-Highlander version of Galakrond Rogue due to its more concise playstyle, the Highlander version can provide hours of fun if piloted correctly.

Use this code to copy the deck for Hearthstone:AAECAaIHHrQBsgLtAs0DrwSIB8f4AqCAA4+XA5CXA5KXA/uaA/6aA/yjA/KlA4SnA/WnA7euA7muA7+uA8GuA/6uA6qvA86vA/2wA4KxA5GxA+O0A5+3A8vAAwAA

Admittedly the weakest deck on this list, Aggro Overload Shaman looks to make the best out of a bad situation. Early in the Descent of Dragons expansion, Shaman was on top of the mountain. After a series of nerfs all but butchered the class, most players have abandoned it entirely. For those of you who are stuck with a ton of Shaman cards and nothing to play, Aggro Overload Shaman is definitely worth the try. The fun in this deck comes from the element of surprise. Since your opponent will often expect Galakrond Shaman, youre able to set up big face damage with cards like Cumulo-Maximus and Lava Burst. If you want to give your Shaman collection one last chance, this is the deck to do it with.

Use this code to copy the deck for Hearthstone:AAECAaoIApn7Au2tAw7vAeAC+QPgBrDwAvbwAo/7Apz/AoyFA/aKA8aZA7WtA7atA/muAwA=

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Fun off-meta Hearthstone decks to try before the new expansion - Dot Esports

SundayMar22,2020at12:02AM

Dennis Wilson of Niceville says we must take a no-holds barred approach to beating COVID-19.

Coronavirus is dangerous because it is silent, pervasive, deadly and only truly diagnoses after it damages one's health or takes a life.

Defeating this virus requires "all hands on deck" with every segment of America engaged. While doctors and nurses risk their our health and life in this battle, the general public also has a role to play.

Unfortunately the few essential ways that people can respond (washing hands and staying away from crowds) have been neglected by some. Two reasons many have shirked their responsibility are ignorance and arrogance.

Ignorance: In America there is a segment that is totally unaware of the threat or simply incapable of understanding. Some have become suspicious of the news media due to the fake news mania. They simply ignore the truth even if carried on CNN or FOX News.

Arrogance: It is human nature to be self-centered and see things only from our own personal perspective and for our pleasure. Many are intellectually aware of the threat but give in to their selfish desires to do as they wish. This need to fulfill personal satisfaction trumps (no pun here) logical thinking to address this threat to America's health and prosperity.

Those who join large numbers at the beaches or insist on gathering with others in bars and restaurants are more concerned about themselves than for their fellow Americans in this fight.

This battle will last for months and thus we must subordinate personal interest for the greater good of defeating a major threat as we did during The Great Depression and also during WWII.

Dennis Wilson, Niceville

Send us a letter to the editor. Email it to letters@nwfdailynews.com or pcnhletters@pcnh.com.

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LETTER: All hands on deck approach needed - The News Herald

Never before, in the history of higher education, have so many people, in so many different roles, worked so hard to reach a single objective.

That objective is the rapid transition from face-to-face instruction to remote learning.

Every college and university is now in a place where face-to-face classes must be transitioned to distance learning.

The speed at which this transition must occur means that every professor is turning all their attention to the challenge of how to teach remotely.

The work of the professors is complemented by an enormous range of nonfaculty campus educators.

If a school is clever (or well-resourced) enough to have made the smart investment in building teams with learning designers and educational developers, then those nonfaculty educators are engaged full-time in the transition to remote learning. They are working directly with faculty and departments, creating self-service training materials, and designing and running workshops.

Learning designers and educational developers are working closely with other colleagues across the institution to prepare for remote courses. Librarians are all in. So are the professionals who work across information technology units, from front-line technology support experts to back-end system administrators.

The move to remote learning requires the expertise of colleagues in offices as diverse as student accessibility and student affairs, campus general counsel, off-campus programs, the registrar, communications, and a dizzying array of student-facing and behind-the-scenes campus support organizations.

Watching the transition to remote learning unfold on my campus in real time, Im blown away by what can be accomplished when everyone works with a common purpose.

Decisions that once took weeks now take hours. Previously entrenched organizational and bureaucratic impediments to agile decision making are being overcome by the necessity to move quickly and at an institutional scale. A bias toward action is replacing the habit of paralysis by analysis. People are trusting each other to make the best decisions they can with the information they have. And everyone seems willing to adapt as circumstances change.

Across our higher ed ecosystem, an unprecedented number and range of those employed at colleges and universities as faculty and staff are all working flat out to accomplish this move to remote instruction.

Faculty who have never had to teach students they did not see face-to-face are suddenly facing the challenge of teaching using only digital mediums of instruction and communication.

Staff who worked on the full range of the services that colleges and universities offer are now spending the majority of their time working to support faculty and students in remote learning.

Everyone is exhausted. And everyone is concerned about getting this as right as we can for our students and our professors. But we are all working together. That feels pretty good.

How is the transition to remote learning going on your campus?

Excerpt from:
COVID-19, Remote Learning and the Beauty of All Hands on Deck - Inside Higher Ed

There are five new Magic: The Gathering Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Commander decks coming with the release of the upcoming set this April, and Senior MTG Designer Gavin Verhey has teased a few hints for the new cards that will be included in the Ikoria Commander decks.

Over on his Instagram account, Verhey shared a video clip that he recorded while being stuck at home due to the coronavirus, and he reveals three hints for the new cards from the Ikoria Commander decks, including a mono-white ramp card, a rules text that protects you and planeswalkers you control, and Magic's new trilobite.

Here are Verhey's three hints:

"There's a mono-white card that lets you repeatedly ramp Plains from your Library onto the Battlefield!"

"There's the rules text, 'You and planeswalkers you control gain protection from that player.'"

"There's Magic's fourth ever TRILOBITE!"

Watch the video below:

Verhey went on to say that he will share more hints on Monday, so expect a new video clip that day. It looks like Wizards of the Coast is ramping up the power of white after many players criticized the Commander format's lack of power balance in colors, deeming white to be underpowered.

WotC still hasn't revealed the decklists for the Ikoria Commander decks, but the company has already revealed the names of the 5 decks.

Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths will officially be released on April 24, 2020. Prerelease events will take place from April 17-19. Ikoria: Commander will officially release on the same day as the release of the main Ikoria set.

Related: MTG is Bringing FNM atHome, With Local Game Stores, on MTG Arena

Read more from the original source:
3 New Hints For Magic: The Gathering Cards From Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Revealed - Epicstream

Below Deck Mediterranean deckhand Bobby Giancola shared that hed much rather deal with crazy or terrible charter guests over being quarantined with the coronavirus.

A very bored Giancola took to his Instagram story and invited fans to ask him anything. A fan asked him, Corona quarantine by yourself for 30 days or a season of all s**tty charter guests? Giancola said the answer was pretty easy. S**tty charter guests. LOL. At least it would be entertaining and Id get a tip.

Another fan asked when Giancola was going drinking with friends. But he said not until the quarantine is over as Giancola is taking the threat seriously. He also shared if hed return to Below Deck. Plus what is Giancolas biggest fear? Its not the coronavirus.

A number of fans wondered if Giancola would consider returning to the series. He appeared as a deckhand on seasons 1 and 2 of Below Deck Med. He told fans hed love to return if he was asked back. If they ask most likely lol. It was a lot of fun, he shared.

Giancola worked for Captain Mark Howard and Captain Sandy Yawn on Below Deck Med. A fan wondered if hed be interested in working with Captain Lee Rosbach on Below Deck. Of course, Giancola was into it. Definitely, he wrote.

He added that his favorite charter when he was on the show was in the Exumas. But when it came to his favorite Below Deck season, Giancola admitted he hasnt been watching. I honestly havent seen any and dont have cable, he replied. Giancola also revealed hes been working as a freelancer in the yachting industry. Im freelancing and working in yacht sales at Denison Yachting, he shared. Fans also asked about his time as a firefighter too.

While Giancola munched on quarantine Oreos he answered a question addressing his biggest fear. Its not the coronavirus, but instead a common problem many people face in South Florida. I honestly hate driving in the rain as silly as that sounds, the deckhand replied.

Hes also been pretty productive while being self-quarantined. Giancola and Below Deck Med deckhand Colin Macy-OToole recently teamed up to share a soothing tune with fans on social media. This is the second time the guys created a song from a distance. Happy music Monday everyone! Heres our new song Into the Airwaves feat @bgcola28. Enjoy and stay safe everyone! Macy-OTooletweeted along with a video.

The first song that we did, that was something I wrote, and then I recorded my guitar part and then sent it to him, Giancola told Showbiz Cheat Sheet. And then he did his piano part on top of it. And then this last one, he did the piano part first and sent it over to me and then I just freestyled something on top of that. He promises more is to come as the guys have gotten into a groove of working together from New York to Florida.

Read the original here:
'Below Deck Med' Deckhand Says He Would Rather Deal With Awful Charter Guests Than the Coronavirus - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, September 18, 2019.

LONDON (Reuters Breakingviews) - Ben Hubbard has good timing. The extraordinary story of Mohammed bin Salman has been crying out for a deeply reported and definitive study ever since he came to prominence five years ago. Saudi Arabias crown prince is particularly in the spotlight right now and not just because the kingdom is presiding over the G20 amid the worst pandemic to hit the globe in a generation.

On March 6, Russia sent global oil prices tumbling by failing to agree to a proposal by Saudi to cut supply. But the real shock which sent Brent crude down another 20% and further since - was Riyadhs reaction to the snub. The kingdom said it would now pump to its full capacity to grab market share, and promptly slashed prices to do so. It was shock-and-awe, imbued with a certain brutal logic - but also fundamentally self-defeating. It was a signature move by the man universally known as MbS.

Since outmanoeuvring and displacing his predecessor Mohammed bin Nayef in 2017, the crown prince who is just34 has established an astonishing record of vaulting ambition and ruthless suppression. He has fanned a war with southern neighbour Yemen which has turned into a humanitarian catastrophe; locked up hundreds of senior business people and Royal family members at Riyadhs Ritz-Carlton in return for $106 billion of compensation for alleged corruption; arrested and held the Lebanese head of state for over a week; self-sabotaged his nation by blockading neighbouring Qatar; and centralised power to an unheard-of degree in the name of overhauling Saudis oil-dependent economy.

None of this is unfamiliar territory to Middle East-watchers. But Hubbard, Beirut bureau chief for the New York Times, brings more to the table. Having regularly visited Saudi since 2013 before MbSs father King Salman ascended to the throne he knows the kingdom well enough to have a network of contacts that give an informed but non-government point of view. Thats essential, because the crown princes record and personality contain important nuances.

In his better moments, which were more numerous before October 2018, MbS comes across like a sort of Gulf-area Tony Blair. He charmed journalists, think-tankers and businessmen at home and abroad by being very different from the stereotypically laconic, conservative Saudi leader. The fervour with which he has pursued his goals occasionally yields impressive oratorical results, as when he wowed an assembled crowd of western dignitaries at the 2017 Future Investment Initiative by harking back to a more tolerant Saudi society. And he has attracted various pop stars, heavyweight boxing title fights and World Wrestling Entertainment hoopla to the kingdom, allowed women to drive, and acknowledged the need to pivot the economy away from oil.

Other actions, however, always look unhinged. A $500 billion plan to create NEOM, a new city on the Red Sea replete with passenger drones and robots, looked unlikely even before oil prices crashed below $30 a barrel. And some are thuggish, or sinister. Hubbard devotes a fascinating chapter to the crown princes associate Saud al-Qahtani, nicknamed Lord of the Flies, who has marshalled a social media army to carpet-bomb those issuing critical opinions online. MbSs corruption crackdown is compromised by the inability of outsiders to see how the crown prince, who does not emanate from the richer side of the Al Saud family, suddenly found himself affording $456 million for a 440-foot yacht.

All these strands lead up to what has clearly been MbSs fatal miscalculation the grisly murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018 by Saudi agents in Istanbul. Hubbard, who knew Khashoggi, gives a fine, balanced portrait of a man whose Afghan exploits in the 1980s anti-Soviet Union jihad clearly marked him out as more than an impartial journalist, but whose butchering was an insane overreaction to measured criticisms of the new regime. It has shone a spotlight on the detaining of other dissenting voices in the kingdom, which Hubbard worries is on the rise.

Hubbards narrative suffers slightly by stopping before one of MbSs other big miscalculations the listing of national oil giant Aramco that failed to secure the private sector capital which would have lent the whole affair credibility. His suggestion that MbS will determine where his story goes next also needs to be seen against President Donald Trumps consistent support, even post-Khashoggi, for a regime that fits with a wider anti-Iran strategy. That critical backing could change if Trump loses this years election, or if he just changes his mind.

Still, this is a compelling contemporary history, full of vignettes that give those who havent had the strange experience of a trip to Saudi interesting insights from hotels with wallpaper that looks like it was hung in the 1970s to the passive-aggressive granting-and-rescinding of visas. The most poignant of these comes at the end, when a valuable kingdom contact responds to a request to chat by regretfully making clear it is no longer safe to do so. MbS may have enabled Saudis to see the latest title fight or WWE smackdown, but they may also be even less free than they were.

Reuters Breakingviews is the world's leading source of agenda-setting financial insight. As the Reuters brand for financial commentary, we dissect the big business and economic stories as they break around the world every day. A global team of about 30 correspondents in New York, London, Hong Kong and other major cities provides expert analysis in real time.

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Breakingviews - Review: A loose cannon on the deck of the world - Reuters