Feb 2, 2017

Big in Business: it's Facebook's turn

Pablo Porciuncula / AP

Facebook, you're up: Apple was responsible yesterday for pushing the Dow into positive territory — investors were pleased at the brisk pace of iPhone 7 sales. Today, it's Facebook's turn. Stock in the company rose more than 2% after hours last night, following a mobile-driven 50% increase in revenue, and a call with analysts that described plans to leverage the "mega-trend" of online video to drive Facebook's next stage of growth.

Mexico and the U.S. will talk NAFTA in May: The FT reports that the two nations will begin "a formal 90-day process of parallel consultations" with business leaders and other interest groups before meeting in May to begin renegotiating NAFTA. Given the president's significant powers to withdraw from the agreement, the Trump Administration will have the opportunity to show off its negotiating chops.

Small Business stumps for Gorsuch: The National Federation of Independent Businesses issued a full-throated endorsement of Trump's Supreme Court pick. CEO Juanita Duggan tells Axios that small business is particularly attracted to his views on the Chevron doctrine, a precedent that gives federal regulators broad discretion to interpret vague legislation.

Make America efficient again: Data on labor productivity will be released at 8:30am. GDP growth of late has been hampered by slow increases in productivity, so signs of this metric coming to life would be a good sign for 2017.

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Axios

Updated 33 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 10:30 p.m. ET: 20,532,835 — Total deaths: 747,845— Total recoveries: 12,743,275 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 10:30 p.m. ET: 5,193,266 — Total deaths: 165,934 — Total recoveries: 1,714,960 — Total tests: 63,252,257 — Map.
Politics: Pelosi says Mnuchin told her White House is "not budging" on stimulus position.
Business: U.S. already feeling effects of ending unemployment benefits.
Public health: America's two-sided COVID-19 response — America is flying blind on its coronavirus response.
Education: New Jersey governor allows schools to reopen — Gallup: America's confidence in public school system jumps to highest level since 2004.

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Axios

Updated 52 mins ago - Health

World coronavirus updates

Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins; Map: Axios Visuals

France reported more than 2,500 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours — the largest single-day number since May. French officials said the situation was "clearly worsening," per France 24.

By the numbers: Over 745,600 people have died of the novel coronavirus globally and over 20.4 million have tested positive, per Johns Hopkins. Almost 12.7 million have recovered from the virus.

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Jacob Knutson

1 hour ago - Health

U.S. reports 1,485 coronavirus deaths in a single day

Healthcare workers handling coronavirus tests in Los Angeles on August 11. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

The U.S. reported 1,485 deaths due to the coronavirus on Wednesday, COVID Tracking Project data shows.

Why it matters: It's the highest single-day COVID-19 death toll since May 15, when the country reported 1,507 deaths. The U.S. has seen a total of 157,758 deaths from the virus.