Sep 16, 2018

Netanyahu says Israel working to prevent foes from acquiring weapons

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Michele Tantussi/Getty Images

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that his government is working to prevent its enemies from obtaining sophisticated weaponry — just hours after Israeli missiles purportedly struck in Syria's capital, reports AFP.

The details: Israel had previously acknowledged it has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria to prevent the country from providing advanced weapons to Hezbollah, though it did not confirm or deny its involvement in Saturday's attack near Damascus' airport.

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Marisa Fernandez

China reopens Wuhan after 10-week coronavirus lockdown

People wearing facemasks stand near Yangtze River in Wuhan. Photo: HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images

China has lifted its lockdown of Wuhan, the city in Hubei province where the coronavirus outbreak was first reported in December, according to the New York Times.

Why it matters: As cases surged in January, China took the draconian step of sealing off the city of 11 million and shutting down its economy — a response that was viewed at the time as only possible in an authoritarian system, but which has since been adopted by governments around the world.

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Axios

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 1 p.m. ET: 1,381,014— Total deaths: 78,269 — Total recoveries: 292,973 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 1 p.m. ET: 378,289 — Total deaths: 11,830 — Total recoveries: 20,003 — Map.
Trump administration latest: Trump removes watchdog overseeing rollout of $2 trillion coronavirus bill
Federal government latest: Senate looks to increase coronavirus relief for small businesses this week — Testing capacity is still lagging far behind demand.
States update: New York death toll surged to its highest one-day total as state predicts a plateau in hospitalizations.
🎧 Podcast: The race to reopen America
What should I do? Pets, moving and personal health. Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing — Q&A: Minimizing your coronavirus risk.
Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it.

Subscribe to Mike Allen's Axios AM to follow our coronavirus coverage each morning from your inbox.

Keep ReadingUpdated 28 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Jacob Knutson

Trump removes watchdog overseeing rollout of $2 trillion coronavirus bill

Glenn Fine, acting Pentagon watchdog

President Trump on Monday replaced the Pentagon's acting Inspector General Glenn Fine, who had been selected to chair the panel overseeing the rollout of the $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill passed last month, Politico first reported.

Why it matters: A group of independent federal watchdogs selected Fine to lead the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, but Fine's removal from his Pentagon job prevents him from being able to serve in that position — since the law only allows sitting inspectors general to fill the role.

Go deeperUpdated 39 mins ago - Politics & Policy