Jan 24, 2019 - Economy & Business

Jair Bolsonaro dodges questions on his sexist, homophobic history

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Photo: Evaristo Sa/AFP/Getty Images

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro brushed off a series of questions about his history of sexist, homophobic comments in an interview with the Washington Post in Davos, Switzerland, calling them "just playful remarks" and asking how he could have won his election otherwise.

"Do you really believe in printed media? Do you really believe in it blindly? ... I’m not casting any doubt on your media. In Brazil, they’re all one and the same — the newspapers."

The big picture: Bolsonaro has been called the "Trump of the Tropics" for his populist and nationalist views as well as his predilection to attack news outlets for critical coverage and occasionally spread fake news on social media to propagate controversial stances.

Go deeper: WhatsApp bans Brazilian frontrunner Bolsonaro’s son amid fake news fears

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Dave Lawler
Updated 48 mins ago - World

At least 50 killed, 3,000 injured after massive explosion rocks Beirut

Photo: Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty Images

A major explosion has slammed central Beirut, Lebanon, damaging buildings as far as several miles away and injuring scores of people.

Driving the news: The cause of the explosion is unknown. Lebanon's health minister said in televised remarks that more than 50 people have been killed and over 3,000 injured.

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Dan Primack
1 hour ago - Podcasts

The debate over COVID-19 liability protections

Stimulus talks continue to move slowly, with Democrats and Republicans unable to agree on whether or not to include coronavirus-related liability protections for businesses, health facilities and schools.

Axios Re:Cap digs into the debate, which could reset the cost-benefit analysis for businesses thinking about reopening and employees thinking about returning.

Axios
Updated 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 3 p.m. ET: 18,364,694 — Total deaths: 695,848 — Total recoveries — 10,965,634 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 3 p.m. ET: 4,742,277 — Total deaths: 156,133 — Total recoveries: 1,513,446 — Total tests: 57,543,852 — Map.
  3. States: New York City health commissioner resigns in protest of De Blasio's coronavirus response — New York ER doctor on pandemic advice: "We know what works"
  4. Public health: 59% of Americans support nationwide 2-week stay-at-home order in NPR poll — Atrium Health CEO says "virtual hospital" has treated 13,000 COVID patients.
  5. Politics: Republicans push to expand small business loan program — Trump tells "Axios on HBO" that pandemic is "under control," despite surges in infections.
  6. Sports: Indy 500 to be held without fans — Rafael Nadal opts out of U.S. Open.
Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow