Dec 4, 2018

Theresa May's government found in contempt of Parliament

Photo: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

British Prime Minister Theresa May's government has been found in contempt of Parliament for the first time in history in a 311-293 vote in the House of Commons after a refusal to publish its full legal analysis on Brexit. Andrea Leadsom, leader of the Commons, announced immediately after the vote that the government would publish the complete document.

Why it matters: The BBC's political correspondent Iain Watson said that the loss was "an unwelcome distraction rather than a disaster" for May, but it highlights just how incredibly difficult it will be to get the Commons to back her Brexit deal — and potentially, her premiership — in next week's critical "meaningful vote" on the issue.

Go deeper

Erica Pandey

America's funeral homes buckle under the coronavirus

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Morgues, funeral homes and cemeteries in hot spots across America cannot keep up with the staggering death toll of the coronavirus pandemic.

Why it matters: The U.S. has seen more than 10,000 deaths from the virus, and at least tens of thousands more lives are projected to be lost. The numbers are creating unprecedented bottlenecks in the funeral industry — and social distancing is changing the way the families say goodbye to their loved ones.

Go deeper1 hour ago - Health

Jonathan Swan, Margaret Talev

Navarro memos warning of mass coronavirus death circulated in January

Image from a memo to President Trump

In late January, President Trump's economic adviser Peter Navarro warned his White House colleagues the novel coronavirus could take more than half a million American lives and cost close to $6 trillion, according to memos obtained by Axios.

The state of play: By late February, Navarro was even more alarmed, and he warned his colleagues, in another memo, that up to two million Americans could die of the virus.

Go deeperUpdated 2 hours ago - Health

Margaret Talev

Axios-Ipsos Coronavirus Index: The virus hits home

Data: Ipsos/Axios poll; Chart: Danielle Alberti/Axios

The share of Americans who know someone who's tested positive has more than tripled in just a few weeks, to 14%, according to the latest installment of our Axios-Ipsos Coronavirus Index.

It's still highest in the Northeast, but last week alone it doubled in the South — and it's becoming most pronounced among people who still must leave home to work.

Go deeper2 hours ago - Health