Mar 15, 2017

22 days to Trump's Mar-a-Lago weekend with China's Xi

Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Mark Schiefelbein / AP

Mood music, 22 days from Trump's Mar-a-Lago summit with China President Xi Jinping ("the world's two most powerful men"). What to watch:

South China Sea: Satellite images show that China's begun new work on the disputed Island, a sign that Beijing is continuing to strengthen its military reach, per Reuters.
Taiwan: The self-governed island says that the Chinese military threat in the region has grown, and the U.S. regional strategy is "unclear," per Reuters.
Choose your news (both from same presser): CNBC reported that China is urging cooperation with the U.S. ahead of Trump-Xi summit," while The Guardian reported that China Premier Li Keqiang has warned Trump against a trade war with China.
Bob Lighthizer: Trump's nominee for U.S. trade representative vowed at his confirmation hearing "to crack down" on unfair China practices, and said Trump is committed to getting tough with Beijing," per FT.

Go deeper

1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Supreme Court expands religious freedoms in schools, employment

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

The Supreme Court ended its term with a series of rulings on religion's role in schools, the workplace and access to health care.

Why it matters: The decisions elevated protections for people and employers of faith, while curtailing those of religion teachers, the nonreligious taxpayer and women who rely on their workplaces' health care plans for contraception.

Go deeper (1 min. read)

Updated 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 2 p.m. ET: 12,573,041 — Total deaths: 561,865 — Total recoveries — 6,915,740 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 2 p.m. ET: 3,213,902 — Total deaths: 134,420 — Total recoveries: 983,185 — Total tested: 38,919,421 — Map.
Public health: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter: "Please wear a mask to save lives" — Fauci hasn't briefed Trump on the coronavirus pandemic in at least two months — We're losing the war on the coronavirus.
Food: How the coronavirus pandemic boosted alternative meat.
Sports: Charge of "money grab" by college football.
World: India reimposes lockdowns as coronavirus cases soar.
🎧 Podcast: Rural America has its own coronavirus problem.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)

3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Scoop: Don Jr. plans convention-week Biden book

Cover via Don Jr.

Donald Trump Jr., in quarantine since girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle tested positive for the coronavirus, says he's used the time to finish a book that he'll self-publish the week of the Republican convention, at the end of August.

What he's saying: Don Jr., whose controversial blasts connect with President Trump's base, told me in a phone interview that "Liberal Privilege" will be his effort to paint a picture of Joe Biden and his record that the press ignores.

Go deeper (1 min. read)