National

The U.S. must mobilize against a growing "epidemic of hate" amid record-breaking hate crimes, Vice President Harris said Friday at an event celebrating Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).

Why it matters: Her remarks come after three Asian businesses were targeted in shootings in Dallas and a white man killed 10 people, most of whom were Black, in a Buffalo supermarket.

Friday marks one year since the federal government enacted its first substantial effort at addressing anti-Asian hate. 

What she's saying: "It is impossible to celebrate and ignore that we celebrate ... at this moment in time where I do believe we are witnessing an epidemic of hate in our country," Harris said at the AAPI Victory Power Fund rally on Friday. "We only need to look at the events of the last two weeks."

 "There are people who believe that America is meant only for some and not for all, who scapegoat and attack people" because of their race, ethnicity or gender, she added. "We are witnessing again and again the terrible human cost of this hate."

"We know that we need to address those fissures and failures in the system that might cause a lack of accountability," she said, citing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act's provisions such as language support.

"We must mobilize in support of the notion that a harm against any one of us is a harm against all of us. And we must organize against those who seek to incite violence ... Each of us here has an important role to play."

Turning out to vote will be key to ensuring AAPI voices are heard at all levels of government, Harris noted. "It is not hyperbole to say what we do between now and November will determine the future of our nation."

The big picture: Americans continue to wrongly blame people of Asian descent for the coronavirus. A greater percentage harbored distrust of their loyalties now compared to last year.

Meanwhile, nearly seven out of 10 Black Americans say police treatment has gotten worse in the past year. Roughly the same percentage believe police shootings of Black and brown youths have worsened in that time.

Go deeper: Asians in America reach new level of duality

Kamala Harris: U.S. must end “epidemic of hate”

The vice president's remarks come after recent mass shootings targeting Black and Asian Americans.

Photo of Kamala Harris sitting at a table with her hands folded in front of her

Vice President Harris speaks about reproductive rights while meeting virtually with abortion providers in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C. on May 19, 2022. Photo: Oliver Contreras/Sipa/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Kamala Harris

The U.S. must mobilize against a growing &quot;epidemic of hate&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="amid record-breaking hate crimes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/05/hate-crimes-asian-hate-breaks-records" data-vars-content-id="601d2466-dfa1-4209-b0ef-8d236bcca9b6" data-vars-headline="Kamala Harris: U.S. must end “epidemic of hate”" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/05/hate-crimes-asian-hate-breaks-records" target="_self">amid record-breaking hate crimes</a>, Vice President Harris said Friday at an event celebrating Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).Why it matters: Her remarks come after three Asian businesses <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="were targeted in shootings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2022/05/18/arrest-dallas-korean-hair-salon-shooting" data-vars-content-id="601d2466-dfa1-4209-b0ef-8d236bcca9b6" data-vars-headline="Kamala Harris: U.S. must end “epidemic of hate”" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2022/05/18/arrest-dallas-korean-hair-salon-shooting" target="_self">were targeted in shootings</a> in Dallas and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="white man killed 10 people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/16/shootings-weekend-buffalo-america" data-vars-content-id="601d2466-dfa1-4209-b0ef-8d236bcca9b6" data-vars-headline="Kamala Harris: U.S. must end “epidemic of hate”" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/16/shootings-weekend-buffalo-america" target="_self">white man killed 10 people</a>, most of whom were Black, in a Buffalo supermarket.

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

Elon Musk met with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday to discuss connectivity and other technology projects ahead of Brazil's election.

Why it matters: Musk traveled to Brazil as part of his satellite internet service Starlink's expansion in the region. The visit comes as Musk is increasingly engaged with global politicians, especially conservative leaders. 

The big picture: The high-profile billionaire has made headlines recently for his bid to takeover Twitter and announcement that he will vote for Republicans.

Brazil has been swept up in a growing misinformation crisis as the Oct. 2 election looms.

Lawmakers and the courts have both expressed alarm that Bolsonaro is sowing distrust in the election.

Brazilian Senate committee voted last year to approve a report recommending Bolsonaro be charged with a raft of criminal indictments, including crimes against humanity over his response to the pandemic.

What they're saying: Bolsonaro tweeted Friday that the two spoke about "connectivity, investments, innovation and the use of technology to reinforce the protection of the Amazon forest and the realization of Brazil's economic potential."

Prior to the meeting, Musk had tweeted, "Super excited to be in Brazil for launch of Starlink for 19,000 unconnected schools in rural areas & environmental monitoring of Amazon."

 Deforestation in the Amazon reached its highest annual rate in over a decade under Bolsonaro, according to AP.

Elon Musk meets Bolsonaro ahead of Brazilian election

The visit comes as Musk is increasingly engaged with global politicians, especially conservative leaders.

Photo of Jair Bolsonaro on the left and Elon Musk

President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro (left) and billionaire Elon Musk. Photos: Andressa Anholete and Dimitrios Kambouris for The Met Museum/Vogue via Getty Images

Elon Musk

Big Tech

Latin America and Latinos

Elon Musk met with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday to discuss connectivity and other technology projects <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ahead of Brazil&#x27;s election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/07/13/bolsonaro-reject-election-results-vaccine-scandal" data-vars-content-id="defc2a7c-5b8a-46f2-a2f2-2ae331067bb2" data-vars-headline="Elon Musk meets Bolsonaro ahead of Brazilian election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/07/13/bolsonaro-reject-election-results-vaccine-scandal" target="_self">ahead of Brazil&#x27;s election</a>.Why it matters: Musk traveled to Brazil as part of his satellite internet service Starlink&#x27;s expansion in the region. The visit comes as Musk is increasingly engaged with global politicians, especially conservative leaders.

From the Valley to D.C., Big Tech players like Facebook, Google and Amazon are under more scrutiny than ever as new technology develops and privacy and antitrust concerns grow in lockstep with companies’ ambitions.

Technology

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

World

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.

Economy & Business

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed a deal Friday to secure compensation for countries that "suffered from Russia's actions."

Why it matters: Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova told the U.S. Helsinki Commission earlier this month that Russia has committed nearly 10,000 war crimes over the course of the war. A compensation deal would show aggressors that they will be held accountable for their actions at the international level, Zelensky said.

What he's saying: "We invite the partner countries to sign a multilateral agreement and create a mechanism through which each and every one who has suffered from Russia's actions will be able to receive compensation for all losses," he said in a Telegram post.

"Under such an agreement, Russian funds and property under the jurisdiction of partner countries must be seized or frozen, and then confiscated and directed to a specially created fund from which all victims of Russian aggression can receive appropriate compensation."

"That would be fair," he said. "And Russia will feel the true weight of every missile, every bomb, every projectile it has fired at us."

The big picture: G7 countries have said they will provide nearly $20 billion in financial aid for Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Lithuania became the first country to designate Russia as a terrorist country after recognizing its actions in Ukraine as genocide.

A soldier accused of killing a civilian will be the first Russian service member to stand trial on war crimes charges since the start of the unprovoked war.

Zelensky proposes compensation for "victims of Russian aggression"

"Russia will feel the true weight of every missile, every bomb, every projectile it has fired at us."

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky speaks in a live video during the opening ceremony for the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2022 in Cannes, France. Photo: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Russia

Ukrainian President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Volodymyr Zelensky" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/22/russia-ukraine-invasion-putin-live-updates" data-vars-content-id="e3d735b9-29ab-4592-b89d-8347f2f90277" data-vars-headline="Zelensky proposes compensation for &quot;victims of Russian aggression&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/22/russia-ukraine-invasion-putin-live-updates" target="_self">Volodymyr Zelensky</a> proposed a deal Friday to secure compensation for countries that &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="suffered from Russia&#x27;s actions" data-vars-click-url="https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/1714" data-vars-content-id="e3d735b9-29ab-4592-b89d-8347f2f90277" data-vars-headline="Zelensky proposes compensation for &quot;victims of Russian aggression&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/1714" target="_blank">suffered from Russia&#x27;s actions</a>.&quot;Why it matters: Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova told the U.S. Helsinki Commission earlier this month that Russia has committed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly 10,000 war crimes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/05/ukraine-invasion-venediktova-russia-war-crimes" data-vars-content-id="e3d735b9-29ab-4592-b89d-8347f2f90277" data-vars-headline="Zelensky proposes compensation for &quot;victims of Russian aggression&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/05/ukraine-invasion-venediktova-russia-war-crimes" target="_self">nearly 10,000 war crimes</a> over the course of the war. A compensation deal would show aggressors that they will be held accountable for their actions at the international level, Zelensky said.

The Senate voted 86-11 to pass a nearly $40 billion military and humanitarian aid package for Ukraine on Thursday and the bill now goes to President Biden to be signed into law.

Why it matters: The package, which is billions more than the $33 billion initially requested by the White House, includes military aid, economic support and humanitarian assistance for food security stemming from Russia's unprovoked invasion. 

The 11 Republicans who voted "no" on the bill were Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.), John Boozman (Ark.), Mike Braun (Ind.), Mike Crapo (Idaho), Bill Hagerty (Tenn.),  Josh Hawley (Mo.), Mike Lee (Utah), Cynthia Lummis (Wyo.), Roger Marshall (Kan.), Rand Paul (Ky.) and Tommy Tuberville (Ala.).

The House had voted 368-57 to pass the package last week after congressional leaders struck a deal. All 57 of the votes opposing the aid were cast by Republicans.

Senate leaders wanted to pass the bill quickly last week through unanimous consent, but that was delayed by Sen. Rand Paul who wanted language added to the bill to include oversight of the spending. 

What they're saying: President Biden applauded the package's passage and thanked Congress for “sending a clear bipartisan message” that the U.S. supports Ukraine.

“The resources that I requested will allow us to send even more weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, replenish our own stockpile, and support U.S. troops stationed on NATO territory,” Biden said in a statement.

“Together with the contributions of our Allies and partners, we will keep security, economic, food, and humanitarian assistance flowing to Ukraine, across the region, and around the world, and further strengthen Ukraine — both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.”

Go deeper... On the front lines in Donbas: One Ukrainian soldier's story 

Congress approves $40 billion aid package for Ukraine

The bill, which includes military aid and humanitarian assistance, now goes to President Biden for his signature.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speak to reporters outside the Senate Chambers at the U.S. Capitol on May 11, 2022 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images

DOJ asks Jan. 6 committee for transcripts of witness depositions

The House committee has interviewed over 1,000 people in connection to the insurrection.

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) in the U.S. Capitols Rayburn Room during a group photo with the Congressional Black Caucus on April 6, 2022. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Capitol riot

The Justice Department has asked the Jan. 6 House committee to turn over transcripts of its witness depositions, a committee spokesperson confirmed to Axios.Why it matters: The panel, which has interviewed over 1,000 people in connection to the insurrection, does not have the authority to pursue criminal charges. But the DOJ could use the transcripts to bring in witnesses, including Trump associates, pursue potential criminal cases and conduct new interviews led by federal law enforcement officials.

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Zelensky proposes compensation for "victims of Russian aggression"

Kamala Harris: U.S. must end “epidemic of hate”

Elon Musk meets Bolsonaro ahead of Brazilian election

Congress approves $40 billion aid package for Ukraine

DOJ asks Jan. 6 committee for transcripts of witness depositions