May 2, 2019

Baltimore's mayor resigns amid investigations into book deal scandal

Photo: Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh is resigning amid multiple investigations into a scandal involving the sale of her children's books, reports the Baltimore Sun.

Backdrop: The Baltimore Sun revealed earlier this year that health provider Kaiser Permanente bought $114,000 worth of Pugh's children's books at the same time it was looking to strike a deal with the city of Baltimore. Pugh was on the city's spending board when it awarded Kaiser the $48 million deal in 2017. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan asked Pugh to resign following an IRS and FBI raid of her home.

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Axios
5 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Trump to sign 4 executive orders on coronavirus aid

President Trump speaking during a press conference on Aug. 8. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump announced on Saturday he will sign four executive orders to provide relief from economic damage sustained during the coronavirus pandemic after talks between the White House and Democratic leadership collapsed Friday afternoon.

Why it matters: Because the Constitution gives Congress the power to appropriate federal spending, Trump has limited authority to act unilaterally — and risks a legal challenge if congressional Democrats believe he has overstepped.

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Axios
Updated 3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 2 p.m. ET: 19,451,097 — Total deaths: 722,835 — Total recoveries — 11,788,665 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 2. p.m. ET: 4,968,413 — Total deaths: 161,858 — Total recoveries: 1,623,870 — Total tests: 60,415,558 — Map.
  3. Public health: Fauci says chances are "not great" that COVID-19 vaccine will be 98% effective.
  4. Science: Indoor air is the next coronavirus frontline.
  5. Schools: How back-to-school is playing out in the South as coronavirus rages on — Princeton, Johns Hopkins, Howard to hold fall classes online.
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Rashaan Ayesh
3 hours ago - World

What's next for Lebanon after the Beirut explosion

Photo: Houssam Shbaro/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Beirut residents are still clearing rubble from streets that appear war-torn, days after a blast that shocked the country and horrified the world.

Why it matters: The explosion is likely to accelerate a painful cycle Lebanon was already living through — discontent, economic distress, and emigration.

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