May 8, 2019

Intra-government cyber commission launches

The Cyberspace Solarium Commission, a working group intended to provide guidance on cyber issues composed of lawmakers, agency heads and former Feds, officially launched Wednesday.

Driving the news: The Solarium Commission, first proposed by commission member Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), was approved in last year's Defense Authorization bill.

Details: Other participants include Reps. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) and Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.); Sen. Angus King (I-Maine); the heads or deputy heads of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Homeland Security, the Department of Defense and FBI; and the CEO of Southern Company, among others.

King and Gallagher will oversee the program.
"Taking a page from President Eisenhower [and the original Solarium Commission, which sought out strategic solutions to the USSR problem] the commission’s goal is to bring together the country’s best and brightest to develop a comprehensive, strategic approach to counter these growing threats," said Gallagher.

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Axios

Updated 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 2 p.m. ET: 19,451,097 — Total deaths: 722,835 — Total recoveries — 11,788,665 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 2. p.m. ET: 4,968,413 — Total deaths: 161,858 — Total recoveries: 1,623,870 — Total tests: 60,415,558 — Map.
Public health: Fauci says chances are "not great" that COVID-19 vaccine will be 98% effective.
Science: Indoor air is the next coronavirus frontline.
Schools: How back-to-school is playing out in the South as coronavirus rages on — Princeton, Johns Hopkins, Howard to hold fall classes online.

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Rashaan Ayesh

2 hours ago - World

What's next for Lebanon after the Beirut explosion

Photo: Houssam Shbaro/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Beirut residents are still clearing rubble from streets that appear war-torn, days after a blast that shocked the country and horrified the world.

Why it matters: The explosion is likely to accelerate a painful cycle Lebanon was already living through — discontent, economic distress, and emigration.

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Mike Allen

4 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Wolf Blitzer marks 15 years in "The Situation Room"

Wolf Blitzer on the White House beat in 1993, along with NBC's Brian Williams, CBS' Rita Braver and ABC's Brit Hume. Photo: Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images H

Aug. 8, 2005 — "The Situation Room's" debut on CNN wherein the host first said: "I'm Wolf Blitzer and you're in The Situation Room, where news and information from around the world arrive in one place simultaneously!"

The state of play: When the pandemic took off in the U.S. in March, Blitzer started working 7 days a week for 60+ days, until he took a Sunday off. Then he continued 7 days a week until he took a few days off.