Feb 2, 2019

Desperate Maduro reportedly tries to fly gold out of Venezuela

Nicolas Maduro. Photo: Boris Vergara/picture alliance via Getty Images

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's effort to ship 20 tons of gold valued at about $850 million overseas has been halted by unnerved banking staffers seeking to avoid getting in the crosshairs of U.S. sanctions, Bloomberg reports.

Why it matters: Earlier this week the Bank of England blocked Maduro's request to withdraw about $1.2 billion worth of gold, while the U.S. announced it would sanction Venezuela's state-owned oil company, PDVSA. Financial assets and military support are key to the ongoing power struggle between Maduro and Juan Guaidó, the Venezuelan opposition leader recognized as interim president by the Trump administration.

Go deeper: White House warns Venezuela's Maduro to get out now

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Axios

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 1:30 p.m. ET: 1,506,936 — Total deaths: 90,057 — Total recoveries: 340,112 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 1:30 p.m. ET: 432,596 — Total deaths: 14,831 — Total recoveries: 24,235 — Map.
Business latest: The Fed will lend up to $2.3 trillion for businesses, state and city governments — Another 6.6 million jobless claims were filed last week.
Federal government latest: President Trump is preparing to launch a second coronavirus task force focused on reviving the U.S. economy.
Public health latest: Dr. Anthony Fauci said social distancing could reduce the U.S. death toll to 60,000.
States latest: New York's coronavirus death toll hits record high for third straight day.
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What should I do? Pets, moving and personal health — Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing — Q&A: Minimizing your coronavirus risk.
Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it.

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Keep ReadingUpdated 10 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Alayna Treene

Trump plans second coronavirus task force focused on the economy

Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump is preparing to launch a second coronavirus task force focused on reviving the U.S. economy, which has been battered by the coronavirus, two administration officials tell Axios.

Why it matters: There is growing energy within the West Wing to start easing people back to work by May 1. But some public health officials, including those on the coronavirus task force, have warned against doing so, raising concerns about reopening America too soon.

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Marisa Fernandez

New York's coronavirus death toll hits record high for third straight day

799 people died from coronavirus in New York over the past 24 hours, a record high for the third straight day that brings the state's total death toll to 7,067.

Why it matters: Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at a press conference that social distancing is helping to "flatten the curve" of coronavirus hospitalizations and that deaths are a lagging indicator. Still, he called the death figures "shocking and painful," noting that the virus has killed more than double the number of people who died in New York on 9/11.

Go deeper1 hour ago - Health