Feb 6, 2019

Top EU official muses about "special place in hell" for Brexit supporters

European Council President Donald Tusk said on Wednesday that he's wondered about what a "special place in hell" for Brexit supporters might look like after a meeting in Brussels about the possible consequences of a "no deal" Brexit with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar.

"I've been wondering what that special place in hell looks like, for those who promoted #Brexit, without even a sketch of a plan how to carry it out safely."

The big picture: Tusk's comments come as embattled British Prime Minister Theresa May hopes to reopen talks with the European Union on the terms of the country's withdrawal agreement — specifically the controversial "backstop" that seeks to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland after Brexit — after her plan was voted down in historic fashion by Parliament last month.

Go deeper ... The Brexit dilemma: British politics is broken

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Alayna Treene

Top Trump ally sounds 2020 election alarm over coronavirus response

Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

There is growing concern among top conservative leaders that the Trump administration isn't addressing the long-term economic impact of the coronavirus, several sources tell Axios. One top adviser said if the recovery is bungled it could cost President Trump the election.

What we're hearing: "The next 4-8 weeks is really going to decide whether Trump gets reelected," Stephen Moore, Trump's former nominee for the Federal Reserve board, told Axios. If the administration mishandles its economic recovery efforts, he said, Trump is "in big trouble."

Go deeper4 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Axios

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 10 p.m. ET: 1,600,427 — Total deaths: 95,506 — Total recoveries: 354,006 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 10 p.m. ET: 465,329 — Total deaths: 16,513 — Total recoveries: 25,410 — Map.
Public health latest: U.S. has expelled thousands of migrants under a CDC public health order — Dr. Anthony Fauci said social distancing could reduce the U.S. death toll to 60,000.
Business latest: The Fed will lend up to $2.3 trillion for businesses, state and city governments — After another 6.6 million jobless claims, here's how to understand the scale of American job decimation.
2020 latest: Top conservative leaders are concerned the Trump administration isn't addressing the virus' long-term economic impact.
States latest: FEMA has asked governors to decide if they want testing sites to be under state or federal control.
World latest: Lockdowns have led to a decline in murders in some of the world's most violent countries — Boris Johnson is moved out of the ICU but remains in hospital with coronavirus.
In Congress: Senate in stalemate over additional funding for small business relief program.
1 SNL thing: "Saturday Night Live" will return this weekend in a remotely produced episode.
What should I do? Hydroxychloroquine questions answered — 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 6 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Ursula Perano

Federal court temporarily blocks coronavirus order against some abortions

Gov. Greg Abbott. Photo: Tom Fox-Pool/Getty Images

A federal judge ruled Thursday that clinics in Texas can immediately offer medication abortions — a pregnancy termination method administered by pill — and can also provide the procedure to patients nearing the state's time limits for abortions.

Driving the news: The decision comes after federal appeals court ruled 2-1 on Tuesday in favor of an executive order by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott that prohibits abortions during the coronavirus outbreak.

Go deeperUpdated 6 hours ago - Politics & Policy