Apr 19, 2017

WSJ: Fox News preparing to drop O'Reilly

AP

Citing sources "close to the situation," the Wall St Journal reports that Fox News is "preparing to cut ties" with Bill O'Reilly, with a final decision potentially coming within days. NY Mag had previously reported that the Murdochs, who own the Journal as well as Fox News, were leaning toward taking O'Reilly off the air.

The background: The scandal surrounding O'Reilly developed quickly after a NY Times report that five women had been paid to settle lawsuits against him, with another woman coming forward today to accuse the O'Reilly Factor host of sexual harassment.

O'Reilly's lawyer claimed today that "far-left organizations" had conspired to damage the reputation of Fox's biggest star.

Go deeper

World coronavirus updates

Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins; Map: Axios Visuals

Countries where novel coronavirus cases are falling may be hit with a "second peak" if they relax restrictions too soon, World Health Organization emergencies chief Mike Ryan warned during a briefing Monday. "We're still very much in a phase where the disease is actually on the way up," he added.

By the numbers: Brazil on Monday recorded for the first time more deaths from the novel coronavirus in a single day than the United States, Reuters notes. Brazil reported 807 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, compared to 620 in the U.S. for the same period.

Go deeper (2 min. read)ArrowUpdated 4 mins ago - Health

Palantir CEO reflects on work with ICE

Palantir CEO Alex Karp told "Axios on HBO" that there have "absolutely" been moments he wished the company hadn't taken a contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

  • "Did I suffer? ... I've had some of my favorite employees leave," Karp told "Axios on HBO."
Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow20 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Michigan governor won't apologize for coronavirus lockdown

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer defended the strictness of her state's coronavirus lockdown in an interview with "Axios on HBO," saying it was necessary — despite the protests that have drawn national attention — because of how quickly the state's cases were rising.

The big picture: Whitmer, who has been a frequent target of President Trump, insisted that she had to act in the face of a lack of federal leadership — and that thousands more people in her state would have died without the lockdown.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow20 mins ago - Politics & Policy