Oct 14, 2019

EU member states unanimously "condemn" Turkish military operation in Syria

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes European Council President Donald Tusk prior to their meeting at the Elysee Presidential Palace on October 14, 2019. Photo: Chesnot/Getty Images

The leaders of all 28 member states of the European Union endorsed a statement on Monday "condemning" Turkey's military assault on Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria, warning that it will seriously undermine the stability of the region, cause extensive civilian suffering and potentially lead to the resurgence of ISIS.

Why it matters: Turkey is a key EU partner and a member of NATO. The European Council is calling on all member states to "immediately halt arms exports" to Turkey — a step that France and Germany have already taken — and will meet later this week to coordinate a further response.

Go deeper: Syria's Assad sends troops to key town near Turkish border

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Joann Muller

35 mins ago - Energy & Environment

General Motors tries to revive incendiary lawsuit vs. Fiat Chrysler

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

General Motors is trying to revive an incendiary lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles with explosive new allegations including bribes paid from secret offshore bank accounts and a union official acting as a double agent between the two automotive giants.

Why it matters: The extraordinary legal battle is occurring amid earth-shaking changes in the global auto industry that threaten to turn both litigants into dinosaurs if they aren't nimble enough to pivot to a future where transportation is a service, cars run on electrons and a robot handles the driving.

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Orion Rummler

2 hours ago - Health

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

Gov. Cuomo on July 23 in New York City. Photo: Jeenah Moon/Getty Images

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday that all school districts across the state can choose to reopen for in-person learning because it has so far maintained low enough coronavirus transmission rates.

Why it matters: It’s another sign that the state, once the global epicenter of the pandemic, has — at least for now — successfully curbed the spread of the virus even as infections have surged elsewhere around the country.

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Orion Rummler

2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Appeals court allows House Democrats to continue lawsuit for Don McGahn testimony

Don McGahn in an October 2018 Cabinet meeting. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

A D.C. appeals court on Friday allowed House Democrats to continue their case for testimony from former White House counsel Don McGahn before the House Judiciary Committee.

Why it matters: The ruling has broader implications beyond this specific instance, agreeing that Congress has the standing to sue to enforce subpoenas against executive branch officials even if the White House refuses to comply.