Sep 8, 2017 - Politics & Policy

DHS advisor: Trump will likely sign Harvey aid bill today

Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert takes questions during a news briefing at the White House. Photo: Carolyn Kaster / AP

President Trump's Homeland Security Adviser, Tom Bossert, joined Sarah Sanders today to deliver an update on Hurricane Irma and the recovery process in Texas.

Bossert told reporters that President Trump will likely sign the Harvey aid package today, adding that the White House also expects to ask Congress for more money for disaster relief in the future, on top of the new funds approved by the House today.

Highlights from Tom Bossert's briefing:

  • The U.S. will evacuate people in the U.S. Virgin Islands and St. Martin.
  • Some point people will be on their own, likely for 72 hours.
  • Worst case scenario: If the storm "dips down, moves west, and curls around the other side of the state."
  • Florida residents should plan to be without water and power for days.

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Axios
Updated 36 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 9:30 p.m. ET: 19,778,566— Total deaths: 729,768 — Total recoveries — 12,044,654 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 9:30 p.m. ET: 5,044,69 — Total deaths: 162,938 — Total recoveries: 1,656,864 — Total tests: 61,792,571 — Map.
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Rebecca Falconer
Updated 55 mins ago - World

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai arrested under national security law

Media tycoon Jimmy Lai at the Next Digital offices in Hong Kong in June. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai has been arrested for "collusion with foreign powers," said Mark Simon, an executive at the tycoon's media firm Next Digital Monday morning local time.

Why it matters: He was arrested under the new national security law that gives Beijing more powers over the former British colony. Lai is the most prominent person arrested under the law, which prompted the U.S. to sanction Chinese officials, including Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, over Beijing's efforts to strip the territory of its autonomy.

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Rebecca Falconer
3 hours ago - Health

New York reports new low positive coronavirus test rate

People physically distancing at tables in New York City's Times Square in June. Photo: Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced Sunday 515 people, or 0.78% of those tested, returned a positive reading for COVID-19 the previous day.

Why it matters: It's the lowest single-day positive rate since the start of the pandemic. It's another sign that the state that was once a global coronavirus epicenter is curbing the spread of the virus. "Our daily numbers remain low and steady, despite increasing infection rates across the country, and even in our region," Cuomo said in a statement. "But we must not become complacent: Everyone should continue to wear their masks and socially distance."

Go deeper: Cuomo says all New York schools can reopen for in-person learning