Feb 6, 2018

Mnuchin: "The markets look like they're functioning normally"

Mnuchin testifies before lawmakers. Photo: Pete Marovich / Getty Images

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said Tuesday that the White House is "monitoring the situation" after markets fell sharply on Monday.

"The markets look like they're functioning normally in terms of liquidity and other things ... The fundamental economics are very strong. The economy is doing very well. Tax reform is clearly helping earnings a lot."

— Mnuchin to House lawmakers at a hearing on financial stability.

The backdrop: The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted 1,175 points Monday — the largest one-day point decline in history. And global markets took a beating too. Tuesday morning, the DJIA opened 300 points down and continues to be volatile.

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Axios

Updated 47 mins ago - Politics & Policy

CNN crew arrested live on air while reporting on Minneapolis protests

CNN's Omar Jimenez and his crew were arrested Friday by Minneapolis state police while reporting on the protests that followed the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody in the city.

What happened: CNN anchors said Jimenez and his crew were arrested for not moving after being told to by police, though the live footage prior to their arrests clearly shows Jimenez talking calmly with police and offering to move wherever necessary.

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Alayna Treene

2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

First look: Trump courts Asian American vote amid coronavirus

Photo: Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images

The president's re-election campaign debuts its "Asian Americans for Trump" initiative in a virtual event tonight, courting a slice of the nation's electorate that has experienced a surge in racism and harassment since the pandemic began.

The big question: How receptive will Asian American voters be in this moment? Trump has faced intense criticism for labeling COVID-19 the "Chinese virus" and the "Wuhan virus" and for appearing to compare Chinatowns in American cities to China itself.

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Eileen Drage O'Reilly

2 hours ago - Health

How the U.S. might distribute a coronavirus vaccine

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

Now that there are glimmers of hope for a coronavirus vaccine, governments, NGOs and others are hashing out plans for how vaccines could be distributed once they are available — and deciding who will get them first.

Why it matters: Potential game-changer vaccines will be sought after by everyone from global powers to local providers. After securing supplies, part of America's plan is to tap into its military know-how to distribute those COVID-19 vaccines.

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