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ISIS attacks Iran parliament and shrine

AP

At least two people were killed and more than 30 have been injured in simultaneous gun and suicide bombing attacks on Iran's parliament building and the shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini Wednesday, reports the AP.

Iran state news agency IRNA said that the attackers began firing from their Kalashnikov rifles when they barged into the parliament building in Tehran, and one of the assailants detonated a suicide bomb inside where a session was taking place. At the same time, another group of gunmen and a suicide bomber attacked the shrine.

Note: ISIS declared responsibility for the twin attacks. This is the first time the extremist group has claimed an assault on Iran.

Go deeper

Ursula Perano
14 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Former FDA commissioner: "Reliable drug supply is absolutely critical"

Axios' Caitlin Owens and former FDA commissioner Mark McClellan. Photo courtesy of Axios Events

Having a reliable supply of pharmaceutical drugs throughout America will be "absolutely critical" to boosting affordability in health care during the Biden administration, former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Mark McClellan said at a virtual Axios Event on Friday.

The big picture: McClellan, who served under President George W. Bush, says drugs having limited supply and limited competition leads to elevated pricing. He considers drug supply to be a national security and public health issue.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Felix Salmon, author of Capital
2 hours ago - Economy & Business

Americans are still spending money

Source: Census Bureau; Chart: Axios Visuals

Americans spent more money at stores and restaurants in 2020 than they did in 2019 — even in the face of a devastating global pandemic that shut down broad sectors of the economy.

Why it matters: The monthly retail sales report this morning came in well below expectations, and showed consumer spending falling on a seasonally-adjusted basis. Total expenditures were still higher in December 2020 than they were a year previously, however.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Ashley Gold, Margaret Harding McGill
4 hours ago - Technology

The deplatforming fight shifts to the courts

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

The Capitol riot and tech firms' sweeping attempt in its wake to dislodge the online far right are kicking up efforts to have the courts settle knotty questions about online speech and power.

Why it matters: Legal battles could force the people angry at Big Tech to bring more rigor to arguments that have often devolved into messy sideshows.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow