Apr 23, 2017

Trump spins low poll numbers

New polls from ABC/WaPo and NBC/WSJ show Trump with record-low approval ratings of 42 and 40 per cent respectively. President Trump shared his reaction on Twitter:

"New polls out today are very good considering that much of the media is FAKE and almost always negative. Would still beat Hillary in popular vote. ABC News/Washington Post Poll (wrong big on election) said almost all stand by their vote on me & 53% said strong leader."

The takeaways: Trump says he would "still" beat Clinton in the popular vote, an odd claim given he lost the popular vote the first time around, but he's right that his base is standing firm. What he's not saying, though, is that there is a massive gulf between his approval ratings and those for all other recent presidents at the same juncture.

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Axios

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 2:30 p.m. ET: 1,506,936 — Total deaths: 90,057 — Total recoveries: 340,112 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 2:30 p.m. ET: 432,596 — Total deaths: 14,831 — Total recoveries: 24,235 — Map.
Federal government latest: President Trump is preparing to launch a second coronavirus task force focused on reviving the U.S. economy.
Public health latest: U.S. has expelled thousands of migrants under coronavirus public health order — Dr. Anthony Fauci said social distancing could reduce the U.S. death toll to 60,000.
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.
World update: Boris Johnson is moved out of ICU but remains in hospital with coronavirus
🎧 Podcast: Your hydroxychloroquine questions answered.
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 7 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Axios

Boris Johnson moved out of ICU but remains in hospital with coronavirus

Johnson last December. Photo: Kate Green/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been moved out of intensive care but is continuing to be monitored at St. Thomas' Hospital in London, according to a Downing Street spokesperson.

Why it matters: It's a sign of improvement after Johnson spent three nights in intensive care for coronavirus. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab remains in charge of the government.

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Felix Salmon

A pause button for debts

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Governments have forcibly put much of the U.S. and the global economy on pause in recent weeks, for very good reason. Factories, offices, sporting arenas, restaurants, airports and myriad other institutions have closed down. But one thing hasn't been paused: monthly debt-service obligations.

The big picture: The less movement and activity there is in an economy, the more the coronavirus curve is flattened. But the obligations in bond and loan contracts can't be paused. That's worrying CEOs who fear a wave of business failures if economic activity doesn't pick up next month.

Go deeper23 mins ago - Economy & Business