Jan 19, 2019

117 African migrants die in wreck off coast of Libya

Migrants off the coast of Libya in December. Photo: Olmo Calvo/AFP via Getty Images

More than 100 African migrants, including two toddlers and a pregnant woman, were killed this week after setting off from the coast of Libya "in a rickety, inflatable dinghy" that sank, the New York Times reports.

Details: The migrants are believed to have been from Sudan and countries in West Africa, and departed from Garabulli, Libya, on Thursday, according to the Times. Within 10 hours, the dinghy "started deflating and taking on water." Humanitarian workers said it was the deadliest incident for migrants traveling to Europe in the last several months.

Go deeper: How Western nations are closing the door on refugees and migrants

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Kendall Baker

UFC wants to host fight on tribal land to avoid coronavirus restrictions

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

In an attempt to skirt federal and state guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic, the UFC plans to hold its April 18 pay-per-view event on tribal land in California, per multiple reports.

The state of play: Even as the rest of the sports world hits pause, UFC president Dana White has remained adamant that fights must go on, and appears to have settled for a shutdown casino in a state with the fourth-most confirmed cases of coronavirus.

Go deeper2 mins ago - Sports

Mike Allen

Ivanka Trump plans focus on coronavirus recovery for small businesses

Ivanka Trump speaks at yesterday's White House videoconference with bank and credit card executives. Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Ivanka Trump personally lobbied top bank executives to line up the $1.5 billion in commitments to small business that were announced yesterday at a videoconference among the bank executives and President Trump — stoking competitive juices among the execs to drive up their commitments.

The state of play: Ivanka, who has had workforce development in her portfolio going back to 2017, plans an increasing emphasis on small businesses in the weeks ahead as they navigate the rescue bill’s Payroll Protection Program, sources tell me.

Go deeper3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Kim Hart

Public transit's death spiral

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

Public transit systems across the country are experiencing a painful trifecta: Ridership has collapsed, funding streams are squeezed, and mass transit won't bounce back from the pandemic nearly as fast as other modes of transportation.

Why it matters: Transit agencies could see an annual shortfall of as much as $38 billion due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to TransitCenter. At the same time, they're more important than ever, with more than 36% of essential workers relying on public transportation to get to work.

Go deeper3 hours ago - Health