Jan 25, 2017

Tulsi Gabbard reveals she met with Assad in Syria

J. Scott Applewhite / AP

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard told CNN this afternoon that, in addition to expressing "love and aloha" to the Syrian people, she also met with Bashar al-Assad during her recent trip to the country.

Something to consider #1: If this seems like a Trumpian move for a Dem, don't forget that Steve Bannon "loves" Gabbard and set up a meeting between her and Trump in November.

Something to consider #2: She's been coy about who actually paid for her trip, leading some to believe it might have been organized by a pro-Assad NGO.

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Jeff Tracy
24 mins ago - Sports

Pac-12 football players threaten coronavirus opt-out

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

A group of Pac-12 football players have threatened to opt out of the season unless the conference addresses systemic inequities and concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Why it matters: College football players have never had more leverage than they do right now, as the sport tries to stage a season amid the pandemic. And their willingness to use it shows we've entered a new age in college sports.

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Dion Rabouin
46 mins ago - Economy & Business

Betting on inflation is paying off big for investors

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

The specter of rising inflation is helping power assets like gold, silver and Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) to strong returns with record demand this year.

The big picture: Investors continue to pack in even as inflation metrics like the consumer price index (CPI) and personal consumption expenditure (PCE) index have remained anchored.

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Dion Rabouin
56 mins ago - Economy & Business

Scoop: Top CEOs urge Congress to help small businesses

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

With a new coronavirus relief measure stalled in Congress, CEOs of some of the world's biggest companies have banded together to send a message to Washington: Get money to small businesses now!

Why it matters: "By Labor Day, we foresee a wave of permanent closures if the right steps are not taken soon," warns the letter, organized by Howard Schultz and signed by more than 100 CEOs.

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