Mortgage rates fell to about 5.99% after President Trump said he had directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy $200 billion of mortgage bonds, and market data showed an immediate reaction.
Glencore and Rio Tinto are reported to be in preliminary discussions about a possible combination of some or all of their businesses, which the article describes as a roughly £200 billion deal; under UK City takeover rules Rio Tinto has until 5pm on February 5 to make a firm offer or walk away.
The president endorsed his vice-president's allegation that Renee Good belonged to a 'leftwing network' of paid agitators; video of the Minneapolis incident captured a bystander repeatedly shouting 'shame', and reporting says many other recorded incidents show similar reactions.
The UK will allocate £200 million to prepare British troops for possible deployment to Ukraine if a ceasefire occurs, Defence Secretary John Healey said after visiting Kyiv.
President Trump has moved to redirect tens of millions of barrels of Venezuelan crude to U.S. refineries after the reported transfer of Venezuela's president to U.S. custody, and the article reports that added supply could push prices lower and further strain U.S. oil producers already facing weak prices.
State fire agencies have assigned catastrophic ratings to parts of Victoria (Wimmera, Northern Country and North Central) and extreme ratings across much of Victoria and nine districts in South Australia; total fire bans are scheduled on Friday in Victoria and those South Australian districts.
Government data show small declines in some flu indicators, while hospitalizations and deaths remain elevated and a mostly new H3N2 variant differs from this season's vaccine.
The review examines BAFF's role in systemic lupus erythematosus and notes that belimumab, a BAFF-neutralizing antibody, showed efficacy in a randomized clinical trial in 2011; it also reports that APRIL's role in SLE is less well understood.
The Washington National Opera announced it will end its long-running affiliation with the Kennedy Center, reduce its spring season and relocate performances to other venues in Washington, citing financial pressures and a new requirement that productions be fully funded in advance.
Ian Herbert argues that Brendon McCullum's leadership has harmed England's Test cricket culture and reports the ECB may still allow him to remain after the T20 World Cup if he agrees to tighten team routines and preparation.
