Jan 11, 2017

Big in Business: Tillerson

1) Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson's confirmation hearing begins today

With no government experience, Tillerson will qualify for the State Department based on his business record, which isn't without blemishes. Since Tillerson took the helm at Exxon in 2006, its stock has lagged behind the market as well as rival Chevron, and Tillerson has admitted to failing to predict or capitalize on the shale revolution.

2) Jack Lew urges Trump Administration to adopt more nuanced trade policy stance on China

Despite Trump's accusations of currency manipulation, China has actually been working overtime to support the value of the yuan. With so many important bilateral trade issues to negotiate, Trump should not squander time and good will with false accusations, Lew argued in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.

3) The hedge fund industry could have a voice in the White House

Skybridge Capital's Anthony Scaramucci told Bloomberg News that he may take a job working with Jared Kushner and Steve Bannon in an advisory role in the administration. Scaramucci is one of the most well-connected figures in the hedge fund world, serving as chair of the industry's well-attended S.A.L.T. conference. He can be expected to reliably advocate for big investors' interests in Washington.

4) What we're watching: Atlanta Fed releases monthly business inflation expectations

Higher expectations of inflation could be an indication of pending business investment, as businesses seek to avoid higher prices down the road.

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Axios

Coronavirus updates: New global case numbers surpass China's

Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins, the CDC, and China's Health Ministry. Note: China numbers are for the mainland only and U.S. numbers include repatriated citizens.

The novel coronavirus is now affecting every continent but Antarctica and the WHO said Wednesday the number of new cases reported outside China has exceeded those inside the country for the first time.

The big picture: COVID-19 has killed more than 2,800 people and infected over 82,000 others in some 50 countries and territories. As Denmark and Estonia reported their first cases Thursday, Scott Morrison, prime minister of Australia — which has 23 confirmed infections — told a news conference, "The risk of a global pandemic is very much upon us."

Go deeperUpdated 25 mins ago - Health

Orion Rummler

Mass shooting in Milwaukee: What we know so far

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in 2012. Photo: John Gress/Corbis via Getty Images

Six people died in a shooting at the Molson Coors Brewing Company in Milwaukee Molson Coors on Wednesday, including the 51-year-old gunman, Mayor Tom Barrett told reporters at an evening press conference with local police.

Details: All of the victims worked at the brewery complex, as did the shooter who died of "an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police confirmed in a statement late Wednesday.

Go deeperUpdated 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Rebecca Falconer

WHO official leads criticism of Trump's coronavirus response

President Trump with members of the new coronavirus task force, including Vice President Mike Pence at the White House on Wednesday. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, special advisor to the director general of the World Health Organization, told MSNBC Wednesday he found "most" of what President Trump said at his briefing on the novel coronavirus "incoherent."

The big picture: As the number of confirmed cases reaches 60 in the U.S., the top health professional — who was a health policy adviser in the Obama administration — is among several leading figures, in particular, Democrats, to criticize the president for his response to the outbreak.

Go deeper3 hours ago - Health