Jan 31, 2017 - Economy & Business

Warren Buffett bets $12 billion on the Trump Rally

Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

Warren Buffett told Charlie Rose on Friday that since the election day, his firm, Berkshire Hathaway, has bought $12 billion in stock.

This represents a shift of strategy for Buffett, who was a net seller of stocks in the first nine months of last year.

Why this matters: Even Buffett, who was a Hillary Clinton supporter, recognizes that the pre-election fear that a President Trump would destabilize the global economy was overblown. The 7% rise in the S&P 500 since election day has proven Buffett right, yesterday's declines notwithstanding.

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Dave Lawler
Updated 27 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 1 hour 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.
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